Slipknot - Iowa

Next is a more recent classic ..well it's only 10 years old
Slipknot - Iowa

This album sees Slipknot at their most brutal, the sonics are relentless and dark.
The band, I believe, at the recording stage of this album were so upset with each other after the relentless touring (of their first album) with
no respite. The anger spews from every note.
The opening skit '515' just contains the band gargling the word death over and over. This is followed by the very Kreator-like
'People = S**t' The album slows up a little during the chorus refrain in 'MY Plague'as well as in the intro to the menacing 'Skin Ticket' and that's about it.
Slayer, Pantera & Korn are the obivious influences on this album. Slayer's sound is especially heard through 'The Heretic Anthem'.
This song even has a sing-a-long chorus, yes seriously 'If you're 555, I'm 666' now that would really upset the PMRC (washington wives
censorship group).
Some critics said this album is a little too cartoon and tries a little too hard to shock. In some ways I agree, the lyrics are a little naive, however for a
mood album it works wonders. At the time Slipknot were still filed under 'Novelty' band by some people due to the masks
and OTT stage performance. 'Iowa' in some way helped to dispel that, partly due to having Ross Robinson (Korn, Limp Bizkit) manning the control
boards, without whom this could have been a right mess with so much going on. The track 'Gently' shows some great touches in the build of the track
really on par with Soundgardens 'Gun'. My own personal fave track is the epic title track clocking in just over 15 minutes long. This was a departure from the rest of the album.
It mixed a really Korn-like sound with a bit Mr. Bungle & tribal Sepultura and ended quite chaotic.
Also pop pickers a reminder this went to number 1 in the UK album charts!!!
Link to youtube for a Live Version Of The Heretic Anthem

WHY I  ♥ THIS ALBUM

At the new dawn that was Nu-metal, I considered Slipknot as a jokey band like 'The Insane Clown Posse' but with this album I was reminded of the concrete slamming
effect both Slayer & Pantera had on me. First of all I could not get use to Corey Taylor's vocal style until I heard it very loud and all those comparisons to Max from Sepultura
came through. Twice now I have been dissapointed on not seeing them live in recent years. 2008 they cancelled their Reading appearance due to a injury to Joey Jordison. At Reading a plane kept flying over on the Sunday
(the day that they cancelled) advertising their forthcoming December headlining tour. This was greeted by a volley of boos.

Then in 2009 @ Download I decided not to go due to other festival commitments.
However make no mistake I am looking forward to seeing them in July 2011 at Sonisphere.