Reviews (page 6 of 8)
I recognize the individual talents here. I just feel like they used their talents to do the devils work. Just kidding, but I do hate the music. #sorrynotsorry
Loud and noisy aggression. I could barely understand what was being said in the screamy parts. Standout tracks: Wait and Bleed, Surfacing
I still think the story's real. It fucked our whole world up when we read it. Can you imagine a girl being buried in a box and have all this lecherous bullshit drip down on her from this guy? It just hurts your head. Tottahan tuo.. Tottahan tuo...
Run of the mill late 90s/early 2000s overly edgy nu metal. There's some good drum and guitar work though. Wait and Bleed is quite an enjoyable and iconic (for Slipknot) song for what it is though.
Good energy, but I'm not a fan of the modern distorted vocals trend. Give me Judas Priest or Iron Maiden or Black Sabbath any day...
Man, Slipknot definitely gets a lot of hate. While I’ve never been a fan of the band, I have to admit they were far more interesting than the typical radio friendly metal bands from that era. Their sound was raw and chaotic, but also way more intricate. And you can’t ignore how precise the drumming is it really stands out in the mix.
2.5? 2 feels harsh but I don’t think I can give the album a 3 given I felt the album was 15 minutes too long. I was just waiting for it to end. I think the latter half of the album blurs together quite a bit. The album also demands a level of concentration I was not willing to give it in order to understand what was actually being said in each song. Not to say I don’t like a screamer, but I’d prefer some annunciation. The impressive percussion casts a shadow on the other aspects of this work. It’s angsty, and it’s probably very fun live; metal usually is. Standouts for me were Eyeless (love the song’s lore) and Wait and Bleed.
I wanted to like it more than I did. It was tiring to listen to straight through.
Bon p'tit criage.
Not my style
No.
Reminds me of my youth!
It just feels like its trying too hard to be edgy. I'm not always so keen on such aggressive music. It's not terrible it just didn't click with me. I can't recall a single song individually, all sounded alike.
I love this album so much. Slipknot pioneered a new genre. 10/10
Absolutely not, instant 0
Got a handful of fun ideas & sounds, wrecked by *terrible* production. Also wears out its welcome after half an hour; punk bands of the 70s and 80s understood to do your thing and get out after 35 minutes, all these metal groups go on like 3x too long
For a debut album its pretty good, they come out strong out the gate. It gets pretty tiresome in the back half, and the length doesnt do it any favors, how much screaming is too much? Here's your answer.
Some very groovy tunes on here but the screaming got tiresome by the back half. I enjoyed a lot more of it than I was expecting and that’s always nice!
I love this album but it certainly has its faults. The lyrics are so, so bad. Just awful. HOWEVER when you're pissed off and not looking for poetry this album hits the spot. I think Corey Taylor is overall a pretty excellent vocalist. His screams are just top notch as far as I'm concerned. His clean vocals are good too (they improved with time too) but his biggest fault is when he goes for those stupid, cringey vocal fry vocals and the "Oh I'm so tortured and craaaaazy better not mess with me!" laughs and groans. That stuff was even a bit too overdramatic and stupid to me when I was 14 and this was my favorite album. BUT overall I love this album. It's aggressive and catchy. The percussion is so good. It also gives me a huge nostalgia rush. Without Slipknot I wouldn't have gotten into more extreme forms of metal. Yes, this is a gateway album if there ever was one. A lot of people I know that liked this album put it aside when they moved onto heavier things but I think this album has a ton of staying power. I do hate how juvenile it can be but man do I get so much pleasure listening to this album that I can overlook the flaws. Despite the acknowledged flaws I think this most certainly deserves a 5.
Slip not for me.
Though the horror-show aesthetics might suggest otherwise, Slipknot's debut reveals a band more interested in musical complexity than mere shock value.
I admit. I got halfway through and judged at that point. Life's too short for this crap.
Nope. Absolutely not.
Never heard this before. Not something I'll listen to but I appreciate the variety shown while keeping in the particular style. I think I might like it with a more conventional singer. Of course, then it wouldn't be Slipknot, would it? Not sure two Slipknot albums need to be on this list. "You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes"
Did not enjoy.
too heavy for my taste
Edgy as fuck brooooo. Bit too noisy for my taste but quite an important album.
Metal. I apparently really liked the other Slipknot album I listened to, but I didn’t care for this one. It sounded a little raw, too much screaming, not quite enough musicality to keep it interesting.
Low 8 but Chad drums and this kind of music makes me want to punch a baby in the face.
Chad drums
i do wish it was shorter (we're having Teenager of the Year problems in short) but you almost have to respect the audacity, the sheer BALLS to sell America and her youth what could be best described as "music to kill your grandma" and then make shit tons of money by doing that. $8's a very impressive vocalist and guitar performances, though somewhat similar, still leave a lasting impression on you when the album ends. my only complaint other than length/slurry is that the songs don't really have anything to do with the characters constructed by the band. what's the point of dressing up in silly proggy costumes if you're not even gonna go all out and make up a stupid musician's plot for them that you explore through music?
Dios. 2/10
Started off like a rocket. My jaw was in the floor for the first few tracks. Slowly started to slow down and blend together towards the end. Really fantastic metal album Light 8 to a Strong 8 Cover 3/10 Best song: sic, eyeless, wait and bleed, surfacing, spit it out, me Inside, no life, only one, eeyore You went to work from 10-6 then watched Aniara with Patrick
Surprisingly enjoyable. Best song: Wait and Bleed This is a 3.5 rounded down, pretty fun--could be a bit grating at points
Angsty teenage me enjoyed this but my taste in metal has matured and though there are some decent riffs and relentless drums, overall this is a mess. It’s comical at times, with the bizarre lyrics and psychotic sound effects peppered in. I do think it’s worth listening to just to understand how wild the early 2000’s metal scene was and how truly tacky that time was. Wait and Bleed still kinda rocks, I’ll give them that but overall I found this to be a tough listen. 2 stars
Nicht meins
I can't with the nu-metal. Tried to be open minded, but I don't think I'm angry enough at the world for this.
I haven't listened to this album in more than 20 years and it takes me back to a past time. I love the switching of the vocals from guttural yelling to singing. Wait and Bleed and Spit It Out. They sure do like their drums. And I like their drums too. This isn't something I reach for, but it's something that I like knowing that it's there.
I would rate this 1.5 if I could, not really my style
I know Slipknot is very popular, but I don’t get it. It’s just screaming over loud instruments. It kinda makes me laugh that people out of middle school listen to this.
I appreciate it was big in its day but so was Jared Fogle and look what happened there.
5/10…nu-rap metal
I sometimes like the instrumental part of metal songs, but I just can't get on board with this style of vocals. The lyrics are also edgy teenager shit
Relentless, but repetitive energy. It's raw, and could have been refined, but instead, it feels more like uncontrolled chaos. Korn wannabes, but lack the same musicianship that made Korn at least easier to listen to. It’s heavy, and it all blends together, losing impact. Layers for the sake of layers. Cory is a powerful singer, but this album doesn't really give that opportunity.
I think I would enjoy this album if I were listening while cutting up my neighbors with a chainsaw. But since I'm in a relatively sound state of mind and would never do something so sinister, I can't think of any scenario I would enjoy listening to this again. Thought the drummer was great! All I have at the moment, besides a headache.
Slipknot is the coffee of music. It's bitter and disgusting the first time you have it. You wonder why Helen from HR would literally die without it. It's not like her to enjoy things that seem awful so you drink more coffee. Determined to understand wtf all the hubub is about. You add some creamer (Stone Sour) and it helps but it's still making something horrible taste better. Then one day maybe you're in a hurry or there's no creamer available so you just fucking drink the coffee and it clicks. All of the pieces fall into place and you know, right then and there that you have a problem. That's what listening to Slipknot is like. This is album to me is black coffee. Nasty. In a good way though. This album seems to have the most nu-metal influence to it, which they drop emphasis on eventually. The real standout on this album is the unbelievable drumming by the late great Joey Jordison. His play style is pure aggression and it's fucking incredible. Not my favorite Slipknot album but it's got a lot of really great moments throughout that make this a really rewarding album to listen to. 4
2 I’ve never claimed to be the biggest metal fan, but there are definitely certain artists and albums of the genre that I appreciate. Hell, there’s even a song or two by Slipknot that I appreciate - but boy, this album was a lot for me, and I say that as someone who regularly attends punk shows. Usually I hate when someone critiques an album as “all sounding the same” because, in my opinion, it’s lazy, and generally just means you’re not really giving it an honest listen, but I’ve listened to this thing three times and still couldn’t identify one song from another. Even the names all kind of blend together - I genuinely have no idea what drove 450 million Spotify users to the track Wait and Bleed and only 17 million to Me Inside. What’s really the difference? Anyway, that all to say, going with a 2 on this one because I genuinely don’t think it’s bad. I can definitely see how a bigger metalhead would appreciate this, and there are even certain aspects I was able to appreciate - for example, the drumming on this is really solid. Hell, if I’m being honest, I probably wouldn’t mind hearing a song off this album mixed in the musical queue, but 50 straight minutes is just too much - and this is an album that’s apparently supposed to be closer to 60. I guess two songs were removed for copyright infringement issues(?), so I went out of my way to give them a listen on YouTube. And… it turns out they’re the best two on the album. Not by a particularly sizable margin, nor are they drastically different (surprise, surprise), but if I had to pick favorites, it would probably be those two.
i mean okay like listen i like slipknot for the most part other than my ex bf was obsessed with them and now i hate them (i dont) ALSO there are way better metal bands EVEEN nu metal bands i have always found some of slipknot's lyrics to be a little cringe like why areyou trying sooo hard to seem edgy idk it def does come off as very childish but hey at the end of the day this album is still fun and they are one of the first metal bands i ever liked soososososoo it isnt entirely bad. SCISSORS IS DEF A STANDOUT 8 minutes of perfection (kinda) but yeah def not as bad as everyone says it is (in my opinion)
Like a wind turbine, I'm a huge metal fan, but I didn't enjoy this at all
Bloody mint Love nu metal me The jungle style breaks in eyeless were madness luv
The pinnacle of its genre, a masterpiece that will stand the test of time - 5/5 There is something therapeutic about finding out this is my album of the day while wearing a Slipknot top, it's like the stars all aligned <3 Favourite tracks: - <3<3<3 Wait and Bleed <3<3<3 - <3<3 Spit It Out <3<3 - <3 Me Inside <3 Reviewed 27/08/2024
Hell yeah some variety and some metal once again. Finally! I found it interesting to notice that Slipknot uses record scratches, looped samples, and some quick snappy vocals almost like rapping at points. Loosely. I noticed some more unique factors in their sounds through this album. Afterward I had to seek out Before I Forget to listen to, that's my favorite song of theirs. Nothing on this album hit quite as hard.
Just gonna skip this one.
Deilig med litt metall, men va egentlig bare heilt ok
LAWDHAMMERCIES, we got the angry white boy demographic music again, why did they (the demographic) hate everything? Parents? Women? LIFE??... and why I did not notice that at ALL at the time? To show how far we've come (or how far the past had fallen) "Wait And Bleed" was nominated for a fucking Grammy. They continue to be nominated for Grammys, so maybe I'm the one in the wrong?
Better than I thought. More metal than nu metal.
One or two tracks were tolerable, the rest were like nails down a blackboard. I at least gave it a chance but it’s really not my taste. 1*
I like heavy metal, but I like it more when it leans toward hard rock. This album is an all-out assault on the senses. It's pretty good but I would prefer it in smaller doses. Is this a good band? I think they are a very good nu-metal band. Overall not really my schtick.
BL: used to listen to this album religiously when I first got into metal aged 13 or so. As I got older and I got into more hardcore metal I drifted away from this album and didn’t come back. Since returning I have become a full blown audiophile and my opinions on metal and how it exists in the space has radically changed, often not giving it the time of day. So it’ll be interesting to see how this sounds, and see if it ranks as high as All Hope is Gone, which I’ve already received on the generator AL: this album is actually incredibly understated I reckon. The Rubin production on it is phenomenal, it’s mixed amazingly and the songs are all catchy, almost danceable, if not still embroiled with that hardcore vitriol that we came to love slipknot for. Undoubtedly the lyrical content feels Incelic at times, but ultimately apart from that, I understand why I adored this record when I started my metal journey, and I can see now why it’s even better than I originally imagined. FT: “(sic)”, “Wait & Bleed”, “Me Inside”, “Prosthetics” 5/5
For some reason, I never got into Slipknot as a kid, even though I listened to a fair bit of nu metal etc. The best part is the drumming. The rest, I could take it or leave it. Reminds me of a not-as-interesting version of Snot, actually, with some SOAD thrown in here and there.
Really loved diluted and wait and bleed. The rest was ok.
Mediocre vocals on every level (rapping, metal screams, melodies), but some killer drumming and interesting musical choices. 2.5/5.0: Mixed
Okay. Much better than I expected, but still not great metal. For this list, though, it’s good metal.
Would have loved it if it weren’t for the singing
agresive. liked in when I was 16 less so now
I wasn't looking forward to this, and I wasn't disappointed. It's proficient - but not for me
If I wasn’t working out, I don’t think I could listen to this
OK, so first thing - This is not a good album. Its weird that there are more than one slipknot albums on this list, cause the other one isnt good either. But, from the future of 2024, this album is prophetic. You can hear how the people listening to this are getting dumber and more angry, and will eventually try to tear it all down in epic fashion in their stupidity. I can only hope that the people listening to the albums of the 2020s will be judged in 30 more years as climbing out of the mess that the 1990s made of the world. And that there will still be people with the ability to look back and judge in 30 more years. Anyway, this is a bad album. 1/5
These boys are angry... raaa!
I don’t know enough about this genre to say how innovative, creative, or influential this work is, although I can somewhat relate to the “fuckity fuckity fuck fuck”-ness of some parts. But overall I don’t find it interesting and am sad-mad for having to spend time with it.
If I’m ever in the mood for heavy metal, this might be the type I’d listen to: some variety to the yelling.
I kinda wanted to like this more. But I like different flavors of angry music than this. Not big into the screaming argle bargle vocals for any bands. 2.5, but in this case, I can't round up. There were too many irritating songs for a 3*.
Nice
Yah, no. Not for me. Great drums but I prefer my music not be to someone yelling obscenities at me.
As someone born in 1996, I’ve always seen Slipknot as my generation’s pre-eminent metal band. Anybody at school who wasn’t into Busted or McFly would instead gravitate towards these nightmares, their heads banging and mouths drooling with anger to the teachers and hatred for their parents. Good for them, I guess. Somehow, I’ve gone my whole 28 years without hearing a single Slipknot song. That all changed today, with this debut album of theirs. The most immediate standout is Joey Jordison (RIP) on the drums: at once exhilarating and exhausting, he pummels the double-bass pedal within an inch of its life, until the bass drum is the only thing in the mix with any definition to latch onto. As for the rest of the band, I guess I can respect them. I appreciate Mick Thomson’s sludgy and growling guitars, the presence of samples, the ability to lock in at breakneck speed. I even respect Corey Taylor for his iconic screamed vocals, which boast a couple of diversions into singing or… shudder… rapping. The problem for me is, of course, that a whole album is far too much to stomach. My preferred version of late-90’s angst looks more like “The Boatman’s Call” or “69 Love Songs”, so Slipknot were always going to be a stretch. It’s testament to their commitment and performances that I’m coming out with a slightly higher opinion than utter, utter contempt. At the same time, I’m absolutely not putting myself through this again, so they can take these two stars and run (probably at 180BPM).
Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.
5 STARS!!!
Absolutely not
Enjoyed the drums, but far too childish for me. Not sure why it is on the list.
В детстве плакаты слипкнот висели в комнате. Когда повзрослел - перестал слушать всë, кроме дебютника. Сумашедшее дерьмо, животная синергия. Барабаны и перкуссия - найс
Bout time I get a good heavy album! I definitely know of Slipknot and looks like I have one of the songs on the album saved, but I've never owned an album or heard one all the way through. This came out when I met Shani. Crazy. 25 yrs old already. Well this goes without saying but 10 stars here.
I'm sure there is more to this album than just very heavy riffing, growling and some very good drumming, but it is eluding me a little. It's OK, but I'm not going back to it.
Nope, nope, nope. Not for me.
not my thing.
I do not like this kind of music.
I kept on banging my head the whole time.
A wall of sameness. Couple of sonic surprises.
Outside my comfort zone for sure, but how could I be mad at a band that has a role dedicated to hitting a keg with a baseball bat. Also the bass is consistently really good.
I would be tempted to give this one a two, but the drums are just so good it has to be bumped up. Highlights were Eyeless, Wait and Bleed, and Only One.
Ooft, this is Slipknot!
Not my style. I'm sure it’s great.
Like Leatherface and Michael Myers have previously shown us, a pair of coveralls and a mask are creepy as fuck. The drums and percussion are standout on this album. This album could've been streamlined to 10 tracks and said everything it had to say. Mostly Nu Metal sounds like a heavier more aggressive version of Faith No More's The Real Thing album to me. This is a fine album but not one I'll revisit any time soon.
So this is Slipknot, hmm… The music itself isn’t bad, I generally like fast aggressive stuff, but not a huge fan of the vocals/lyrical content. Mainly though, I can’t take a bunch of dudes in scary clown costumes seriously.
No metal band needs a DJ. No metal singer needs to rap. That’s where Lars got his St Anger snare drum? A pox on both bands for that one! Nu-Metal? Nu Thank you, I’ll pass.
I like this album, it really brought me back to a very specific time in my life and I have found that at my core I might still be that disgruntled and disaffected youth when you strip away the years and the gray hairs!
I actively hate this music. Listening was literally torture. Does the drummer have like 10 bass pedals?
I found this much more listenable than I was expecting. I used to really dislike this kind of overly aggressive music but somehow it holds slightly more appeal to me now. I expect it would get tiring very quickly, but as they flip up the styles, the shouty shouty isn’t too overwhelming. Went from a 2 to a 3, then overnight and as I type this up I’m leaning toward a 4. It’s certainly not middle of the road.
Ah 1999. A time where we did it all for the nookie, it was our last resort, and we were all one step closer to the edge. The Knot was a bit heavy even for a cool kid like me, but it had its place and I respect it. Class of 2001 mother fuckers!!!
I used to looooooove this album. John Piechocki got me into slipknot when my delicate emo ears was only graced by The Starting Line and Taking Back Sunday. This album still bangs.
My personal favorite of theirs. It's raw and angsty, without being pretentious.
Quit yelling at me telling me to die :(, though this album does make one consider it
I like the use of drum samples with a live kit. The lyrics get too angsty for my taste. The drummer is very proficient with drumming and constantly is doing insane fills. There are points that I wish this album had contrasting sections to the endless onslaught of their sound as my ears got tired of their sound.
This really hits the violence threshold of something beyond Nu Metal. They've got the masks, they've got their style, it's certainly one hell of a way to get onto the scene. The weird sounds and attitude and lyrics all play an important role, but the DRUMS carry this whole album. 3.5/5
Terrible, terrible, terrible
xhuxon manso album 10/10.
I tried
Joey Jordison var for vild! Fuld smadder!
Ku ærlig talt li det her MEGET mere end jeg havde regnet med! Klart, det er ret dumt, men de MENER det virkelig
Kæft der er knald på. Joey Jordisons trommer er simpelthen bare så vilde. Produktionen er som sådan ikke noget at råbe højt for, synes at lilletrommen er gennemborede og bassen mangler lidt, men det er også bare en væg af lyd med 8 medlemmer der hamrer på tønder, hjul af stål og river.
Sometimes you get one of these albums where it quickly becomes very clear, I did not need to hear this before I die.
1+ Ei.
Actually really good
Pretty good album. Very loud and heavy but definitely good to start a mosh pit
I use to think slipknot was scary but then I really liked them for a while and now I think theyre scary again
nope
Yeah. No
Yeah I guess if I grew up in dysfunction I’d need something to drown the noise.
Damn, that a lotta screaming, hope their throats are okay, but hey, I liked it- kinda!
Das war schon ein sehr anstrengendes Album. Die Stimme oft sehr nervig. Und die Geräusche mitunter nervtötend Die Rap - Passagen durchaus interessant. Aber insgesamt ist es nicht meine Musik. Puh, aber ich habe es durchgehört. Und es gibt Nummern, die mir durchaus gefallen haben: "Wait and bleed", "Surfacing", "Tattered and torn", "Prosthetics", "Only one" und "Scissors".
Album 440 of 1001 Slipknot - Slipknot Rating : 2 / 5 Angry middle schoolers with a broken family probably loved this. Came a little late for me. Just a bit too extra for my liking. I do suddenly have an urge to check out some old Sam Kinison clips.
I got into Slipknot a few years ago - this album is excellent. This album defined the metal genre in the late 90s/early 2000s. So much drums, chaotic guitars, Corey's screams, there's just so much on this. 5/5 great to mosh to.
Not bad for the genre I think. Hate the genre.
Not their best album. Half the songs are fun and the rest are pretty samey and forgettable
Not really my jam.
Is your entire personality tiktok trends? Have you never had an original thought? Have you never found an artist on your own? Do you want to listen to metal but dont feel like listening to any actual good music???? The. This is for you!
ВОЗВРАТ НА КОЛОНКИ. Очень жесткий металл, почти Ministry
If I'm being honest, much of this was an uphill battle against the inner 14 year old version of me that couldn't fucking stand this shit, and trying to remind myself that I had a newfound appreciation for bands like Sepultura and even Limp Bizkit, and so maybe there was something here for you. It halfway worked, these guys definitely wore their influences on their sleaves to start with which I think is kind of endearing, although unfortunately the rapping has just never worked for me and never will. There were some more psychedelic sounding passages on here that I thought were really cool and wanted more of, and I kinda loved it when Corey just made weird as fuck noises I thought it was hilarious but totally fit the vibe, kinda like the sound effects on Funkadelic albums.But yea ultimately this album just really underwhelmed me a bit and I constantly found myself wishing I was listening to the band that inspired each song instead of that song. While I give almost exclusively 1s or 5s to albums because I pretty much enjoy it or I don't, this album gets a 3, there's something in it, but it's just not present enough, maybe that comes later in their, I should probably check.
Enjoyed Sic, Eyeless was a slog though. Always liked Wait and Bleed. Spit it Out also stands out. Diluted, maybe. A lot of this is just sledgehammer though. Another review says this would be loads better if mixed properly and I couldn't agree more. There's some great moments in each song but I mostly just come away numbed from the onslaught and unable to pick stuff out, it's too much of an assault on the senses. They are probably another level of heavy in terms of metal and my tastes however. Also though I never thought Slipknot were up to SOAD or Deftones' level in terms of sheer number of good tunes, and I remain unmoved. Would probably have got a 3 if it wasn't an hour long but it has about 5 too many tracks and I got bored before the end, a cardinal sin.
Wow! Two Slipknot albums in one week. More than I ever thought I would listen to in my lifetime. This one felt slightly weaker than All Hope Is Gone but still decent. Going to give this one a 2 primarily because it's a lot more apparent this really isn't for me listening to two of their albums just days apart.
Just horrible
Some of these songs I can appreciate, but in general this thrash genre I’m not super keen on, though if I had to choose this would be the slipknot album I’d throw on. Just fun enough without being ‘try hard’ in my opinion. 2.8
Butt rock. Reminds me of the “tough” bands people used to listen to in high school.
Serious cuffs of my JNCO baggy jeans are wet from dragging in mud puddles vibes. There’s some excellent technical musicianship here, but nothing that interesting about the music itself.
I knew what this album would probably be like, and yet I was still positive about it... I thought that if I gave it another chance now, after having tried listening to Slipknot 15 years ago, things would be different because I enjoy greater range of music nowadays. Unfortunately, I still see that kind of music as way too intense for no reason, people are just screaming in your ear, it is not really enjoyable. There are some nice guitar bits here and there but not enough to deserve a second star. I like some metal but this is way too much, as I prefer (more relaxed) heavy rock. I think that this kind of music would be enjoyed by a 15-year old who is mad at the world for having to do their chemistry homework, although there are older people who listen to this, but I am not sure what they are mad at.. maybe their neighbour for squeaking with their bed at 4am. Overall though, I am not happy with this, I did not enjoy that it was an hour long, but I lowered the volume a bit, so I could get through the day. I guess it's alright if it's playing in the background quietly.
No. 186/1001 7426 NR (sic) 2/5 Eyeless 1/5 Wait and Bleed 2/5 Surfacing 2/5 Spit It Out 2/5 Tattered & Torn 1/5 Purity 2/5 Liberate 1/5 Prosthetics 1/5 No Life 2/5 Diluted 1/5 Only One 1/5 Scissors 1/5 Eeyore 1/5 Me Inside 2/5 Get This 1/5 Average: 1,48 Don't understand the appeal of this.
Really terrible
Stupid loud fun, sometimes it's all I want. Great energy, impossible not to headbang Somewhat related: Yesterday I saw a girl who was about 8-10 years old wearing a Cannibal Corpse logo T-shirt. Hope it's her dad's sense of humour and not a randomly picked one
I actually didnt like it enough for a 3 but the fact that it wasnt some generic shit UK punk or 70s slop made me be okay with listening to it despite of this
Not for me and I only made it a few songs in but I actually appreciated it more than I thought I would.
1.9 Ive never listened to a Slipknot album before. I always thought their whole schtick was pretty corny. It was a bit more Nu-Metal leaning than I was expecting. The lack of song structure was a bit interesting I guess and the drumming stood out as a plus. But its not something I will ever listen to again
5/22/24. Very familiar with Slipknot and their biggest songs, so this will obviously be a little biased. Even though I don't listen to metal all the time, this album is great! Somewhat pioneers the nu-metal sound and Cory's vocals are top notch here.
this potentially is just slightly maybe a bit too angsty for me
Okay sorry but... this kind of ruled? So much more raw power than I expected out of this band but I suppose that's often the case of debuts hey. Only occasionally quite cringe. Fave track: Liberate
I shouldn't have listened to this in bumper to bumper traffic. It just made me rage even more. I can appreciate this musically, especially that drummer, but the yelling/singing just puts me on edge.
I'm not the biggest metal fan, but I 100% understand why this album is on the list. There is a surprising amount of influence from hip hop and electronic music. In fact, those influences seem to have led to the creation of NuMetal. This new sound is shown on Spit It Out. While there are spots of light on this album, it also has some cringeworthy lyrics The track list also starts to drag. Liberate was the last song that felt absolutely necessary. Almost every song after just feels repetitive or obnoxious. Best Songs: Eyeless, Spit It Out Worst Songs: Surfacing, Tattered & Torn, Scissors
I liked it more than I expected to. Screaming thrash metal with impressive drums. Somehow the singer is still understandable even at full scream.
Better than I anticipated it being, would listen to this again.
Consistently nice, hard, driving beats and guitars 🤘 but the screaming voice can be annoying and destroys it a lot for me. One or another track might be ok, but I definitly can´t stand a whole album of this sort of music on every day! 1,5
I fuckin hate lots of metal and Slipknot is no exception. Growling and guitar-shredding is for kids. But I have to admit that this album is not as bad as I thought it would be. Hence 2 stars instead of 1.
Rather unsettling, which is probably an intended outcome, but not exactly what I want from my music. 3/10
Really good really not in the mood
I bought this album when it came out after hearing Wait and Bleed on the radio. I listened to it for a while, but have since put it on the shelf for about 20 years. Occasionally a song or two would make it on a workout playlist, but I haven’t properly listened to it in a very long time. So, I have the benefit of familiarity, but also have fresh ears. In retrospect, listening now many years later, I find Slipknot to be a bit of a gimmick band with the costumes and multiple drummers. Maybe the best comparison, to me they are the Millennial version of Kiss - where people liked the music, but the schtick made them more popular than they maybe would have been otherwise. The percussion is a standout part of this album, but ultimately over the years, it feels a little over the top. I’d pick a standout single drummer over the multi-drummer spectacle every time. Also, it was only a year later that Mudvayne’s debut album came out, and I feel like that album has everything this album has, but with much better songwriting. My verdict on this one - it’s heavy, with cool percussion, and it stood out at the time it came out. But in the end, I find that it hasn’t held up well for me aside from a few standout tracks (Wait and Bleed, Spit It Out, Scissors)
I was 13 when this came out and it absolutely changed my musical trajectory. I had no idea music could sound like this and it opened my mind to a universe of non mainstream music that existed. This album still gets frequent play from me.
Ihan liian pitkä. Viidennen biisin jälkeen ei tuotu mitään uutta.
I need to lie down.
Genuinely raw and innovative. Super talented drumming
Oh, the old familiar places... This was recommended on a particularly stressful day, so that's just serendipity. I love the drums, love the growls. The lyrics (and occasional "boo-hoo-ha-ha" laughs) are very "edgy high-schooler". Funny aside - When I listen to Slipknot, I can't shake a "Six Flags Fright Fest" vibe for some reason. Favorite Tracks: - (sic) - Eyeless - Wait and Bleed - Surfacing - Spit It Out - Purity - Liberate - Prosthetics - No Life - Diluted - Only One - Scissors - Eeyore - Me Inside - Get This 4/5
There's actually some decent singing here, but the vast majority is grunting and then there's rapping. Way too monotone and I got really tired of it at the end of the album. Instrumentally it's like their only scope is being loud. No interesting melody to be found. And then there's the obnoxious sounds on Tattered & Torn...
Good on them for wearing masks and making it possible for dudes in the early 2000s to pretend to be in Slipknot. Better than a lot of other poops on here.
Loved it in middle school and I still love it now. I’m probably biased because of nostalgia
I was 16 when this came out. I hated it then. I have so many more reasons to hate it now. But also... "Liberate. Bananas." I don't care what they are really saying, it gave me a chuckle.
Levy kyllä heitti parhaat kortit heti alkuun pöytään. Muuten oli ok:ta koko ajan, ei ihmeellisyyksiä loppuun päin. Scissors oli aika mielenkiintoinen myös. Kokonaisuutena kyllä hyvä levy. Parhaat: (sic), Eyeless, Wait and Bleed
Lekker hard, vette nummers. Wel te lang en te veel van hetzelfde
Maybe 3.5, rounding up to 4. Still a blast, liked them at the time (saw them on this tour at Nottingham Rock City :)) but has stood up better than expected. Very silly but great percussion and there's interestingly a lot of noise-rock flavouring plugged into what's quite an accessible album
I only listened to the first half of this album before I had to ear bleach with some Bob Dylan. Favorite songs were 'surfacing' and 'me inside.' 'Me inside' had some 'rapping' that I could agree. There were a few tracks that reminded me of skillet or papa roach that would play on my pandora station. Hopefully that isn't insulting to the fans of this album. If angry and disillusioned youth need to express their anger in society I would much rather them join a gang and steal kias then make this dreadful music. I even skimmed through the rest of it just now to see if there was anything I might want to revisit. This album came out the year I was born and let me tell you, as a baby, I hated this kind of music and revisiting it 25 years later, still not a fan.
I don’t like Cookie Monster voice.
I had forgotten how weird the percussion on this album sounded with the 4 drummers, at least half of which are just banging on trash cans. It’s a good weird for sure, and there’s still nobody that sounds quite like Slipknot. There is no resting throughout the whole disc, it’s all very in your face and I like that about them. None of the six hundred guys was like “we need to slow it down and make a radio single”. It’s almost difficult to listen to the whole thing even though I like angry distorted messes of music; it’s just so in your face the whole way through. This is the first album I’ve had to take a break from in the middle. Teenage me was a big fan, but in my old age I can’t give it perfect marks. It’s just too much.
This is one of those albums where I can’t tell what the lyrics are most of the time, but the vocals are more of another instrument. I do like the more melodic parts which pop up periodically
Was there a single angsty teenager on the school bus in the late 90's not blowing their ears out with their discman set to the highest volume? Lots of trips down memory lanes with this one: Belting out Wait and Bleed as loud as I could when no one was home? Check. Putting the chorus from Surfacing in my AIM profile? Check Listening to it 25 years later (holy shit) the drums really stand out as drivers in the composition and Corey's vocals are still immense both clean and fried.
I've liked some of slipknot's stuff, so looking forward to this one. It taps into my nu-metal teenage years, can't say it's something I'd seek out these days. Def have to be in the right mood to hit this now. The drums are freaking fantastic, great energy throughout. 3* (docking because scissors/eeyore was a little too rough for me). Highlights: sic, wait and bleed
This group is just way too much for me 3/10
Never really listened to Slipknot, wish I did because damn this was a fantastic album. At times reminded me of SoaD but angrier. It is a long but the time flew by and found myself wanting more when it was done. This is going on the metal playlist for sure. 10/10
Call me a cond but this was thoroughly enjoyable.
The whole thing I think is (sic)
Slipknot surprised me: the aesthetic and music repel me, but I’m impressed by how fleet-footed and varied it is. Dynamics, theatricality, and nuances of mood: there’s clear intelligence behind this. I think it’s awful, but well done!
Uh, they seem committed to this at least, even if it sounds like Limp Bizkit dialed up to 11. "Eeyore" is likely the peak of this genre, while "Wait and Bleed" hints at a more vulnerable side to their craft that might have paid dividends in later work. As it is, AARGGH DEATH MOTHERFUCKER
I think I understand why this album made the list.It seems there are a bunch that represent a breakthrough, or an archetype, or something to shoot for. Slipknot is the Platonic form of unpleasant noise.
After submitting the review for yesterday’s delightful Devendra Banhart album, I felt something like whiplash when this one popped up. I can appreciate the catharsis of good, angry metal, but this was neither the album nor the day.
I read a few comments, they made me laugh. Thinking about this music being for adolescents who were suffering through a messy divorce made a lot of sense to me. So much anger, so much effort going into a persona that was veiling the truth, so much image that was pathetic to the masses. White man rap can work occasionally but not here. New metal was a trip....
Oof. That wasn't right.
Slipknot's eponymous album was revolutionary in music history. Aggressive heavy metal with an amalgamation of different genres and sounds, "Slipknot" received critical and commercial acclaim. Possibly aiding to the success of this album, these tracks are succinct and to the point - no extended soloing or avant-garde cacophony.
Favourite songs: (sic), No Life, Eyeless, Wait and Bleed, Liberate, Surfacing, Spit it Out, Me Inside, Prosthetics, Diluted, Only One Least favourite songs: 742617000027, Tattered & Torn 4/5
Não é o tipo de coisa que eu curto ouvir. Mas consigo entender o porquê de ser tão popular
This is the first time I've listened to a Slipknot album in it's entirety. It didn't change my opinion of them. Musically, they are mix of nu-metal and black metal. Their music isn't great IMO, and could benefit greatly from more dynamism and better song structure. Most songs are just going 100% as loud and fast as they can. The drummer can't resist throwing in fills every chance they get, even when inappropriate. But it's clear they aren't selling music. They sell their image, a character they play. I find the image silly. It's 100% bullshit posturing designed to make them (and their listeners by proxy) feel less insecure about their struggles in life.
Trash.
This was intense.
If I could give 0 stars I would seriously consider that. Maybe the drumming, which is impressive, might elevate this to 1 star.
It could have been WORSE
HELL YEAHHHHHH
Made it through a couple of so called songs before the obnoxious repetitive sounds drove me away.
This album has moments of heavy metal brilliance smashed in between a cacophony of nu-metal guitar crunchiness, turntable scratches, and almost unbearable scream shouting. There's a lot of unchecked anger in this album and listening to it first thing on a Thursday morning has put me in an unexpectedly bad mood while simultaneously making me irrationally angry.
I just love the raw, angry, aggressive, chaotic, and in your face sound of Slipknot. They seem to be able to sraddle the lines between thrash metal, death metal, and straight heavy metal while throwing in turntables and melodic vocal stylings as well. This album was a fun listen .
Definitely a few songs on here that I really liked. Prosthetic having a very unique sound. Most of it sounds very similar though.
I hated it....and it's a shame cause there are glimpses of great instrumentation and even better vocals. Then the manic screaming happened. Really desperate sensationalism.
I love heavy metal, but this was a bit too much for me. I think their drums and guitars are great.
No. Hell fucking no
Just because something is not for me doesn't mean it doesn't belong on a list like this. I've served my time in the Metal Kingdom™ and mostly view Slipknot as a pop-poseur band that took an existing genre and didn't add anything more to it than some weird costumes and makeup. BUT, their impact on music and metal in particular is solidified and that came from the heavy lifting that their freshman release did. NüMetal is terrible, but Slipknot flys the flag high and proud. 3/5.
Iconic nu-metal debut. Clearly better than the other later Slipknot album listed in Dimery's book. I don't have much to say about this record--at least nothing original--so I'm gonna take a (very small) page out of the positive reviews topping this section, and sum up what they say instead (not taking into account the unambiguously *negative* takes here, as they only signal those other reviewers can't "get" anything even only *resembling* nu-metal anyway). PROS: - Drums / percussion work / breakbeats slap HARD. - The sound is rough around the edges, but the overall energy and creepy atmospheric touches in each individual track never disappoint. - This debut is less of a mixed bag than the band's later LPs (either unnecesarily stifling, or too metal FM-oriented). - "Wait And Bleed" is a phenomenal highlight with a stellar vocal hook. - Just like Korn (or even better, Deftones), Slipknot pioneered a specific sub-strand of metal that clearly revitalized the whole umbrella genre, for better or for worse. CONS: - The "white rapping" (as some reviewer labelled it) can sound cringey. Even more so today. - The scratches are maybe one extra gimmick the band could have left aside without ever ruining the rest of the music, as "gimmicky" as its other elements are themselves. - The album goes on for too long, as "cohesive" as it is. - Like all horror films--which is clearly the cinematic template Slipknot had in mind to create their "musical universe"--this album risks coming off as dumb, gratuitous and corny. It's hard to reproach the band with taking such a risk given who they are and what they want to accomplish. After all, everyone can enjoy the cheap thrills of a wild ride at Six Flags once in a while. But 'cheap' is bound to be the word that's on the back of your mind when you listen to this sort of music. At least if you're a little serious about music and songwriting... - This record aims at a target demographic that doesn't really exist anymore, since all those "troubled" teenagers are now in their forties (or very close). Imagining people of that age *seriously* listening to this kind of aggro sound today seems a bit daft, at least on paper. More power to those middle-aged folks if they do, though. The thing is, given what it is, "pure" nu-metal clearly had a peremption date written in capital letters on its forehead. And as iconic as it is, this record is no exception to this rule of thumb. Exceptions: Deftones, once again. Too eerie and stylistically ambiguous from the get-go to be pigeonholed like that... End grade: 3/5. My grading for this list of albums is quite specific, though. If I had to grade this album for what it does for its intended audience, I would grade it 8/10 (5 for general musicianship and "cultural" impact + 3 for its genuine artistic merits). However, I highly doubt there will be enough room for this debut in my own list. Which does not mean it shouldn't be remembered as an important milestone for that ephemeral sub-strand of metal. If you had to take *all music genres and subgenres* into account to establish which records are essential for each of them, you would probably need to mention MORE than 1001 LPs. Nu-metal is a "dead" subgenre that doesn't have much influence today anyway--except for a few recent niche hyperpop records, oddly enough... But I guess that's a story for another time, kiddies. Number of albums left to review: 241 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 329 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 195 (including this one, maybe?) Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many other records are more important to me): 242
Interesting but way too heavy for me
Good, but too exhausting. 3/5
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A conveyor belt of absolute slaps. That said, it really could do with a better mix. For as good as the drums are, they sound like they're recorded from a mile away on an iphone.
Oh man, I remember being so afraid of the whole Slipknot aesthetic as a kid. This album cover used to (and still does) creep me the fuck out. As far as Slipknot goes, this is the way I prefer to listen to them. Early, energetic, and crusty. Opens on a weird little sampled interlude that turns into the complete adrenaline rush that is (sic). One of my all time favorite Slipknot songs just for its pure unrelenting energy. Heavy riffs + absolute madness on the drums and Corey Taylor's effective scream. This gives way to Eyeless, which opens on a little DnB sample and then the drums and heavy riff carry that energy off the deep end. First song on which Taylor shows off his vocal flexibility, weaving well-sung sections with screaming. I enjoy the tempo play here throughout. Wait and Bleed is the closest thing to a "single" that this album has to offer -- probably because it has a sung chorus and consistent structure. Surfacing is not my favorite of the songs on here -- I find the prominent guitar screetch to be quite annoying -- but I do love the drums and little unexpected bass interlude. A couple slipped by in the background, but Prosthetics stands out for its unique tone relative to the rest. A bit more effect-laden and taps more directly into something of the alternative nu-metal of the day with the needling guitar and spaced out sections. Maybe not one of the stronger songs here, but I find it interesting. Ultimately, I feel like this album is very much front-loaded. While the back half isn't bad, nothing stands out significantly. On the other hand, any of the first 6 songs (neglecting the intro) could make a perfect soundtrack for putting ones head through a wall (or several). Love the tempo gymnastics and electro-sampling elements throughout. Also, naturally, the high BPM drums are tight and pull a lot of the songs together and set the stage for Corey Taylor's impressive vocal display. This is a solid album and a 4 in my eyes.
Really love the drumming and the overall energy that Slipknot brings. I have never really been a fan of their lyrics or their vocals, but the vocals are a lot more bearable than I remember from All Hope is Gone. I wasn't sure if this was worthy of 4 territory just because it's not my personal taste, but I was definitely vibing to it so it definitely gets that push over the line. The drums are truly the focal point for my admiration of this album. Don't know if I'll ever listen to it again, but I enjoyed this dance. I also love the idea of listening to Slipknot while grinding away at Excel on a Tuesday morning. Just the way they intended for it to be listened to.
I like a good amount of Slipknot, but I do not like this Slipknot.
Well this is about to be insane. If every song was like Wait and Bleed this would probably be a 4 but its not. Drums are sick though.
This will jump out punch you in the face. I consider it one of the best metal albums of the 90's. This is a must listen for anyone.
Corey Taylor has one of the greatest screaming voices of all time. This music made even the kids with ADHD sit up and pay attention. Revolutionary, and never topped within the genre.
This is one of those albums that has defined "the other kids" musical taste in 2000s. Their visual style and, at the time, unprecedented wild riffs, vocals and seven different drummers or so were just enticing for everyone included. This albums started it all, but I'm pretty sure it was Iowa that perfected it and got my attention as well. Nevertheless, record really close to my heart, even though I preferred different bands at the time.
I was never into metal or many of the offshoot variants around the time Slipknot came to prominence, and I didn't appreciate any of their work until a lot more recently, so this was an interesting listen as while I knew a few tracks, my favourite work of theirs came a bit later on Iowa, Vol 3 and All Hope Is Gone (and then latterly quite a bit of Corey Taylor's stuff). This particular album is a good listen and really hits its straps in the run from Liberate (my favourite track) to Only One, and delivers an authentic sound that wasn't really breaking through to the mainstream at the time and did so as much through its shock value presentation as anything else. The drumming is incredible and drives the whole production along, there's enough stuff that's more melodic to break up the grinding persistence of the metal, it's good while not great and set the foundations for better stuff that came after. A high 3 or a low 4.
I was pretty apprehensive about this coming in, I've not enjoyed any of the screamer stuff that we've had and only really know this by reputation. Was better than I expected, but still really wearing. Disagree with Phil - there was not enough of the melodic stuff to break up the full on aggression (but I'm much less of a metal fan than he is). I can only really handle about 3-4 songs of this (and definitely no 8 minuters). Dithering whether to give it a 1 or a 2, I'll be generous and give it a 2 given that it was pretty influential, and I probably would enjoy it more in short bursts.
I don't know how you scream like that for an hour but somehow they manage. Is it metal? Very. Would I subject my ears to it again. Nope.
I guess it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be?
Didn't know slipknot was actually good music
I loved this when I was 13. That's all.
All I could think about while listening to this was how mortified I would be if ghosts exist and my ancestors are watching me and don’t realize that I’m listening to this as an assignment and not for pleasure. This is my desert island disc. I would rather starve to death on a desert island than ever listen to this again. This may end up being the lowest point of this entire endeavor for me.
surfacing, spit it out, liberate. not something I'd listen to casually tbh but a very energizing album.
4.5/5
Læti og djöfulgangur. Fíla þetta mjög vel í vissum aðstæðum. Eins og t.d. þegar ég er að glósa upp úr námsefni eða þarf að einbeita mér.
Car crash
Not
Not my cup of tea but the vocals are intriguing at times. Drums are insane/incredible
Was okay. Very heavy but little songwriting.
hell yea didn't realize how heavy they were always thought it was more butt rock/numetaly
Glad I listened to it once. Can tick that off the list. Perhaps if I listened to it when I was cranky and 13 it might have meant something more to me. Good drumming of course. But no thank you sir.
I really don’t get it. It’s all noise to me.
2.5
Drumming is absolutely mad, but my goodness is this a teen record for sure. Love it.
Uhhh. No thank you
Way better than expected, more melodic, clever musical style, great lyrics.
A wall of sound with the occasional scream. Important to the metal genre, but not for us.
1/2
hated it
please stop shouting at me
Short listen Heavy metal....have to be in that mood to listen
Mainly a 4 for the drumming being so good.
I didn’t like this at all.
Balloon knot 🍩
Noise
First half is really good but the second half is meh,
Crazy good drumming
This is the music your parents warned you not to listen to.
Why is this here?
A slipknot album I actually enjoy. Back when they still had talented members. Joey Is an absolute beast. A lot of filler though. This is peak Slipknot. But they are very edgy, with some lyrics that are a little cringy. But it is an album of the late 90s early 00s, so it makes sense. Very creative album
The energy is fantastic, and it’s interesting to see how well the use of electronics, sampling and particularly record scratches fit within the sound. Unlike other Nu-Metal with record scratches it doesn’t feel out of place, but like an additional texture to the soundscape, as it really should be. Unfortunately it’s also a long album, when it doesn’t necessarily need to be. The second half is less memorable than the first. I think it’s probably a 3.5, so am teetering between a 3 and a 4. Ultimately I enjoyed it more than I didn’t, the energy and riffs on the less memorable tracks are still fun, so I’m gonna go with the 4
If I was a 13 year old in the Midwest in 2000 I probably would’ve loved this shit. But I’m an elder gen z and in 2024 this just doesn’t hit. It seems gimmicky and cringe. I’ll give it an extra star for the drumming which honestly impressed me at points.
Das ideale Album wenn man die Eltern terrorisieren möchte. Und die Nachbarn. Grunz.
It’s just not for me. The lyrics that are intelligible are cringey and the music is all much of a muchness. I switched it off as soon as I realised it had reached the different mixes. The masks thing was always lost on me too. Music for teenage boys. I can appreciate the percussion though and it’s sad what happened to Joey Jordison
I'm not really a fan of this one. Some heavy metal is pretty good, and this had a couple decent songs, but I didn't care for most of it.
Great debut album. Shreds all the way through.
Wow yeah, not my jam at all. I think this needed the hook of nostalgia, because I struggled through it and I'm just so so glad it's over now.
Impressive musicality, but too angry for me.
I'm not a fan of metal music, not sure about this one. Honestly, [sic] isn't a terrible track, it still has some shouting elements that I'm not crazy about but there are some interesting rap-like lyrical moments. Most of the next few songs have more aspects of metal that I don't care for as much. Lots of heavy power chords, mostly screaming lyrics. I will say this drummer is incredible, lots of interesting rhythmic elements using all aspects of the drum kit. There's a lot more to like in this album than I was expecting. "Tattered and Torn" has some fun/interesting effects in the production with the weird synth melody line and the beeping like a heart monitor in the background. 2/5
I really love the first side of this album, so much that this is an instant 5 stars for me, even though the second side is a bit weaker. Listening to this for the first time in a few years reminded me how much I love the start, particularly the drums and the Slayer-esque compositions. I was almost surprised by the second half as I couldn't really remember it at all from my habit of just listening to side one.
As bad as I thought it would be.
Oh boy, this is a tough one. Personally I hate it. I don’t know how you listen to this without feeling anxious and angry. I know some people love them, but I just don’t have space for this type of music at all. I like heavy music, but this has all the nuance of a steamroller but without the reward of that fresh asphalt smell.
second slipknot album for my ears and it happens to be their debut. this album is more unrefined and less commercial than all hope is gone. their music is still very metal, but their self-titled has such a distorted style and it's unnerving in the best way. the production quality isn't as high as it could be, but since it does add to the distortion, i'll allow it. the screaming vocals in the metal genre aren't for everyone, but i've never minded. but if you ignore them, musically this album is just as solid as all hope is gone. that says a lot about slipknot that they had the talent and ability right in the beginning.
Slipknot was not only a key player in the nu-metal wave, but one of the longer lasting acts; whereas many of the nu-metal bands more or less faded from popularity, Slipknot has managed to stay relevant and in the spotlight. They had their schtick (both musically and visually) down pat from this debut album, and while I feel like they have some more polished work that I tend to favor over this album, this album still has some of their most iconic work on it, notably "Wait and Bleed" and "Spit It Out". I feel like the mixing/production on this album could have been more polished, but I'll chock it up to humble beginnings, even for a band that has developed as much renown as Slipknot has. A fun listen, either way!
Mostly repetitive scream-chanting. Heavy drum set and guitar. Pretty entertaining overall.
Good album.
Being an Iowan this is the first time actually listening to Slipknot. Of course everyone knew Wait and Bleed but there are other tracks on this album that still showcase the talent this band has. This is some great metal.
2.5/5
I bought this album in 1999 as a teenager and could not get enough of it. I was a metalhead from Caracas, Venezuela, who was moved by the adrenaline that songs by Korn and Deftones irradiated. I did not know a lot of English, so I could not understand a lot of the lyrics -besides the now-universal "fuck" or the Wait and Bleed's chorus. All was fine and dandy. Now, I am 40 with children. I am not as mad as before and know a little of English. I pressed play again after 25 years... and was a little disappointed. Yes, the energy is still there. The album's first half rocks hard, but the second, not so much. But my gosh, the lyrics! Extremely childish, monolayered, and simple. Corey sang great, but all he did was whine! Like a pissed teenager that cursed another kid in his class. Most songs are about how wicked, dangerous, or sad I am or why "you" (talking to an imaginary adversary, like a kid fantasizing) should go the fuck up. It's lame. Well, Slipknot (album), thanks for the memories, I guess.
I don't know. I guess it's not for me. Highlights: Wait and Bleed, No Life
second slipknot album in a week and my opinion hasn't changed much. i think as a baseline, i appreciate the instrumentation, in particularly the drumming. the guitars are played well too. i just really cannot get past the vocals, and really the lyrics. it really does not resonate with me at all. i've had my fair share of angst in my life, but it's never manifested like *this* so this is pretty unrelatable for me. i have listened to and listen to a lot of musicians with non-standard voices and that doesn't bother me, but for some reason the growling never lands for me. and what makes it all worse for me is this album is an hour long! i could probably stomach this a bit better if they knocked a handful of songs off, but man this thing sort of went on for a while, huh? oh well, i gave it another shot. just not for me.
No pude eschcurlo
i'm not a big fan of Skipknot, nu metal espicially form the lat 90's
Great drums. Goes on a little too long
Didn't dig nu-metal when it was popular. Can confirm: still don't dig it now. When I saw there was a nearly 9-minute song near the end of this album I skipped through it because it was a STRUGGLE to get through this album in general. As a big fan of horror, though, I appreciate the creepy imagery that many of Slipknot's songs and costumes have conjured up through the years. Standouts (If I must remain neutral on my hatred of nu-metal): Wait and Bleed, Spit It Out (which has some redeeming industrial sounds in it)
abrasive and somewhat outdated. some lyrics just fall flat and sound edgy for nothing
Not for me.
Too 90s, too thrashy, too screamy. Still kinda slaps
Actually didn't mind this
Rock industrial. Pesado. Con fiereza. Guitarras intensas. Energía desbocada
Didn't do anything for me.
This one...wow it is a moment in time that was really incredible when it came out, but hasn't really held up past that. This is a product of it's time with some hits. I have the original pressing which has track most of never heard before. However, despite this commentary, it isn't awful and is very well produced. But there are better albums after this. 7.3/10
I quite like "eyeless". Overall, it's a bit shouty, and seems very much "problem teenager" in its outlook and execution. That being said, the drumming is pretty good. Scratching is so very late 90s and it has not dated well. I'd prefer it overall to be a little bit more doom metally and less numetally, and I absolutely won't be listening to it again, but it isn't totally awful.
Lyrics: The lyrical content of Slipknot's debut album is raw, visceral, and often confrontational. Lyricist Corey Taylor explores themes of anger, disillusionment, and societal alienation, reflecting the band's discontent with their surroundings and a broader sense of societal unrest. The opening track, "742617000027," sets an eerie tone with distorted whispers and ambient noise, providing an unsettling prelude to the chaos that follows. "Spit It Out" showcases Taylor's aggressive delivery and disdain for conformity. The lyrics express frustration with societal expectations and encourage listeners to reject conformity. Taylor's ability to convey intense emotion and connect with the audience emotionally is a strength that runs throughout the album. However, some critics argue that the lyrics may come across as overly angsty or even juvenile. The explicit language and aggressive tone, while resonating with some listeners, may be off-putting to others seeking more nuanced or introspective themes. Music: The musical aspect of Slipknot's debut is an onslaught of aggression and intensity. The band's lineup, featuring nine members with diverse musical backgrounds, contributes to a cacophony of sound that defies traditional genre boundaries. Tracks like "Eyeless" and "Wait and Bleed" showcase the band's ability to seamlessly blend elements of metal, industrial, and even hip-hop. The percussion section, led by Shawn Crahan and Chris Fehn, is a standout element. The relentless drumming, coupled with the percussive elements of custom-made percussion instruments, creates a chaotic yet controlled sonic landscape. Guitarists Mick Thomson and Jim Root deliver crushing riffs, while Sid Wilson's turntables and samples add an electronic and industrial edge. On the flip side, the intensity and heaviness may be overwhelming for some listeners. The album's unrelenting aggression can be seen as a double-edged sword, either drawing fans in with its energy or pushing away those seeking more melodic or subdued elements. Production: Produced by Ross Robinson, Slipknot's debut benefits from a production style that captures the band's ferocity and energy. The decision to record live in the studio enhances the album's raw and unpolished feel, contributing to its authentic and primal sound. Robinson's approach, emphasizing emotion over technical perfection, aligns with Slipknot's desire to create an intense and visceral listening experience. However, some critics argue that the production could be too abrasive for some listeners, with moments of distortion and chaos overshadowing the finer details of the music. The intentional rawness of the production may be a barrier for those who prefer more polished and refined soundscapes. Themes: The thematic core of Slipknot's debut revolves around anger, frustration, and a sense of alienation. The band's lyrics delve into personal struggles, societal discontent, and a rejection of conformity. The masks worn by the band members symbolize a desire to escape societal expectations and be true to oneself, emphasizing the importance of individuality in the face of a conformist culture. The album also explores themes of self-destruction and inner turmoil, evident in tracks like "Prosthetics" and "Scissors." These darker themes contribute to the overall sense of unease and chaos that permeates the album. While the intensity of the themes resonates with many fans, they may be too bleak or nihilistic for some listeners. The lack of a clear resolution or positive message in the lyrics can be alienating for those seeking more uplifting or hopeful themes in their music. Influence: Slipknot's debut album had a profound impact on the metal and alternative music scenes. The band's fusion of metal, industrial, and rap elements created a unique sound that inspired a wave of imitators and contributed to the emergence of the nu-metal genre. The aggressive and theatrical stage presence of the band, along with their distinctive image, set them apart in a crowded musical landscape. The influence of Slipknot can be seen in subsequent bands that embraced a similar blend of heavy music and theatricality, such as Mushroomhead and Mudvayne. The album's success also opened doors for the broader acceptance of alternative and heavier music in mainstream culture, paving the way for the success of bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit. Despite their influence, Slipknot faced criticism for the perceived commercialization of their image and sound. Some purists argued that the band's success diluted the authenticity of the underground metal scene, leading to a divide among fans and critics. Pros: Raw Intensity: Slipknot's debut album is a visceral experience, capturing the raw energy and intensity of the band's live performances. Genre Fusion: The album successfully blends elements of metal, industrial, and hip-hop, creating a sound that defies easy categorization. Theatricality: Slipknot's image and stage presence added a theatrical element to their music, contributing to their uniqueness in the metal scene. Influence: The album's impact on the metal and alternative music scenes is undeniable, influencing a generation of musicians and shaping the trajectory of nu-metal. Cons: Overwhelming Aggression: The relentless aggression and intensity may be too much for some listeners, potentially limiting the album's appeal. Lack of Diversity: The album's consistent tone and lack of musical diversity may make it less appealing to those seeking a more varied listening experience. Abrasive Production: The intentionally raw production may be a barrier for listeners who prefer more polished and refined soundscapes. Nihilistic Themes: The bleak and nihilistic themes explored in the lyrics may be off-putting to those seeking more positive or uplifting messages in their music. Conclusion: Slipknot's debut album stands as a landmark in heavy music, pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Its raw intensity, genre-defying sound, and thematic exploration of anger and alienation left an indelible mark on the late 90s music scene. While the album may not be universally embraced due to its overwhelming aggression and darker themes, its influence on the evolution of metal and alternative music is undeniable. Slipknot's debut remains a testament to the power of authenticity and the ability of music to evoke strong emotions and resonate with a diverse audience.
Not for me. Instrumentation was good at times but vocals and lyrics took me wayyy out of it
First time listening to an entire Slipknot album. I wanted to like it but I can’t.
Angst x 100. I can get through about 15 seconds of each song. Hard pass.
Wow. Their version of surfacing is soooooo much different than Sarah McLachlan's. I'm not saying which one is better, I mean, other than the fact that Sarah's version has 10 songs and this is only one song... It's been listened to quite a bit, though. Although there is nothing quiet about it. I'm not sure if there's a lot of anger in this album, but the way he screams makes me think he's angry. I'd like to ask him what his anger index was when they recorded this if I ever find myself enjoying a sunny afternoon sitting on the park bench next to him.
It certainly seems solid for what it is. Angry, traumatizing pain screamed into a microphone over aggressive, fast, heavy, thumping music. There's only a few times that they try to make approachable choruses (ala linkin park), but that is the exception, not the rule. It does got a bit tiring at 50 minutes, but solidly delivers its intent.
I never even knew that I liked slipknot, but the vibe and the energy was just what I needed at the gym after work. There was more musicality and a little less screeching than I was expecting.t
Who calls this music?
This album might have my top 3 favorite Slipknot songs on it but man do I not see whatever I saw in Slipknot when I was a kid anymore. Drums are still incredible though.
I can see why, if you like this genre, it’s good.
After long thinking I felt like this album isn’t the slipknot they would become. It’s very good but for me it’s just not developed into the sound I love.
Its a good mix of metal sounds and industrial. I think theres a reason they've made it so far.
I enjoyed it; it’s Slipknot, so you know what you’re getting into with it, but I’m always surprised at how much I dig it.
My review for All Hope is Gone applies appropriate for this album: This was a bit tricky to review. There were moments I was surprised to find I liked. It sometimes makes me laugh to hear the scary monster muppet voice proclaim doom. This isn’t going to be my thing, but I appreciated the exposure today. I would just add that I don't love the "guy screams at me" genres, but it was kind of fun to hear him scream at everyone from my car as I left work today.
I struggle to stay tuned into someone screaming at me which is what most of this album sounded like to me. The rhythms/drums are super fast and that is kind of cool, but it was a chore to not just filter it all out as noise.
OK, I guess we have to listen to at least two Slipknot albums before we die? I was surprised by the first one (All Hope is Gone, about 500 albums ago). Thought I'd hate it. Didn't hate it. Didn't really like it. I think I liked this one a little more? But I don't really care enough to figure out why or even if that's actually true. This one had a bit of variety. A bit. There's at least one song with an actual melody, others with a rap quality to the vocals (as opposed to monster screaming like most of them). But it felt like I'd been listening to it all day when I still had three songs to go. So, kind of monotonous, too. Don't make me do another one.
RANT: A SECOND Slipknot album? Really?! I actually enjoyed the first one a bit and gave it a four (All Hope Is Gone). I appreciate the exposure to the better albums of this genre. But this album wasn’t nearly as good. Why did I need to hear BOTH of these before I die?! END RANT Ok, so I can’t blame Slipknot for getting the two albums on the list. But I really did not appreciate this one, leading me to resent this occupation of space denied other artists and genres that seem to be getting short shrift. Perhaps its charms have been lost on me, but I don’t feel this was productive listening time and will be happy to forget the whole thing. Except Liberate Bananas. That song was almost catchy.
not as bad as some of the comments make it out to seem, but it is certainty not something I'd listen to again. I would say that I would have enjoyed it in my teenage years, but I knew of Slipknot back then and found the whole mask thing lame.
meh
(sic) // Eyeless // Wait and Bleed // Surfacing // 3.5/5
I like this even though it’s a lot heavier than music I normally listen to
There are TWO Slipknot albums on this list?! WHY?! As someone who spent all of the early aughts in the pit at metal and hardcore shows, I should like this. I did not. The weird, try-hard rapmetal thing isn't a good vibe and the production values... holy crap, it's bad. The snare drum sounds like he's playing on an old coffee can, the kick sounds like someone knocking on the front door, and everything else is compressed to hell so, even on hi-fi headphones it sounds like it's being played through an old shoebox. Seriously, WHY are there TWO Slipknot albums on this list?!
I don't really know how to judge it. As an old metal head I hated the nu-metal rap bands of the late 90's early 2000's. I tried to keep an open mind but it seemed like a bog standard nu-metal album to me.