Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)
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Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) is the third studio album by American metal band Slipknot. It was released on May 25, 2004 on Roadrunner Records, and a Special Edition containing a bonus disc was later released in June 2005. It was the first and only album by the band to be produced by Rick Rubin.
After the touring from the band's second album had finished in 2002 there was speculation regarding the future of the band, especially when some band members exercised side-projects, most notably Murderdolls, To My Surprise and the re-establishment of Stone Sour. Because of these side-projects, expectations were high for the return of the band. The album was met with mixed reviews; it was the band's first album to incorporate more traditional song structures as well as considerably more melody and even acoustic guitars. The album peaked in the top ten in album sales in eleven different countries, and went on to become classified Platinum in the United States. The album also saw the band receive their first Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance with their single "Before I Forget".
Recording and production
Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) was recorded and produced with producer Rick Rubin at his infamous Mansion in Los Angeles, California.[1] Prior to entering The Mansion there was a lot of speculation regarding the possibility of a third album and ultimately the future of the band.[2] Speculation began when some band members exercised other musical projects, however in retrospect band members expressed that these side-projects "saved the band" and "helped [them] break out of the box [they] were in."[3] In 2003, Slipknot moved in to The Mansion to begin work on their third studio album.[1] The process of coming back together and working out their differences hindered the writing process to begin with, during an interview in 2008 drummer Joey Jordison stated that "we didn’t talk to each other for three months, we just sat there wasting money in the fucking Houdini mansion."[4] In 2006, lead vocalist Corey Taylor admitted that he drank heavily throughout their time in The Mansion, "I would drink from the moment I got up until the moment I passed out."[5] Despite their initial problems the writing process was extremely productive, during an interview in 2003 Jordison explained that they had written more than enough material for the album and added that "It's better to have stuff to pick from than to settle for shit," where as he suggests they settled too soon on previous albums.[6] The band toured on Ozzfest[7] and the Jägermeister Music Tour;[8] in addition to making an appearance at the Download Festival.[9]
On March 30, 2004, for one day only, Roadrunner Records posted an MP3 of "Pulse of the Maggots" in its entirety (excluding the fadeout transition from "Vermilion"), on the now defunct SK Radio website for free download.[10] Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) was released on May 25 2004.
Musical and lyrical themes
The musical style of Slipknot is a constantly contested issue due to the variety of genres their music seems to cover, however Vol. 3 is regarded as their most diverse album to date. Prior to the release of the album band members promised a more experimental album, drummer Jordison said "It's almost as if Slayer was tapping on Radiohead".[6] For the first time in Slipknot's career, songs including "Circle" and "Vermilion Pt. 2", were lead by acoustic rather than electric guitar,[11] however many songs such as "Pulse of the Maggots" and "Before I Forget" use the band's usual "pounding metal" style.[11][12] Other tracks such as "Blister Exists," "Three Nil," and "Opium of the People" combined the two extremes of their recognisable metal edge with melody, the most apparent shifts of which being in the vocal style of Taylor.[12] Entertainment Weekly added that the album "[bounced] between over-powering speed-metal and haunting acoustic rock".[13] The album was the first from the band to not warrant a Parental Advisory label due to a lack of profanity. During an interview in 2008 guitarist Mick Thomson explained that vocalist Taylor had made a point of avoiding the use of profanity in response to people claiming that he relied upon it.[14] The lyrics of Vol. 3, include strong use of metaphors and touches upon themes including anger, disaffection and psychosis.[12] Taylor's diversity in his vocal delivery was praised with tracks like "Vermilion Pt. 2" being labelled, by Todd Burns of Stylus Magazine, as including "stately vocal harmonies" .[11] His performance on the closing track "Danger - Keep Away" was specifically praised with Stylus Magazine calling it the most "depressing and emotional" track on the album, they also concluded that "the riffs have lost none of their impact, but it seems like finally the group also wants you to appreciate their vocal and lyrical impact."[11]
Reception
Critical reception to Vol. 3 was mixed but generally positive. Johnny Loftus of Allmusic wrote the album is "not just another flashy alt-metal billboard", praising the band's "dedication to making it a Slipknot album".[12] Todd Burns of Stylus Magazine wrote that people who accuse the band of having "softened" that they are "mistaking softness for maturation". Burns went on to call the album "the best pop inflected metal album since System of a Down's Toxicity."[11] Reviewing for Entertainment Weekly Sean Richardson said "it comes across as a deranged hippie update of another Rubin masterpiece, Slayer's Reign in Blood".[13] Q hailed Vol. 3 as "A triumph".[15] John Robb, of PlayLouder proclaimed "Slipknot still bring the noise", calling "Before I Forget" a "classic 'Knot anthem". Robb went on to add "its differing textures make it far better than Iowa".[16] Rolling Stone gave the album a rating of 3 out of 5, stating the album presented "even newer extremes, which in Slipknot's case means tunefulness and traditional song structures."[17] Alternative Press criticized the album, stating "[Vol. 3] plays out like a tepid, second-rate version of Iowa, which pretty much makes it a third-rate anything else."[18] Yahoo!'s Chris Heath wrote that "The Blister Exists" combines "the ludicrously vicious and ridiculously placid - into one track that simply feels awkward, wrong even." Heath later added, "the themes are predictably absurd... yet mildly comical given the inclusion of such disparate styles stationed side by side."[19] Vol. 3 peaked at the second position on the Billboard 200,[20] Internet,[21] ARIA,[22] and Canadian sales charts.[21] The album was certified platinum in the United States on February 21, 2005.[23] In 2006 the band won their first and only Grammy for Best Metal Performance with "Before I Forget".[24]
Track listing
All songs credited to Slipknot.
- "Prelude 3.0" – 3:58
- "The Blister Exists" – 5:20
- "Three Nil" – 4:48
- "Duality" – 4:14
- "Opium of the People" – 3:13
- "Circle" – 4:22
- "Welcome" – 3:15
- "Vermilion" – 5:16
- "Pulse of the Maggots" – 4:19
- "Before I Forget" – 4:38
- "Vermilion Pt. 2" – 3:44
- "The Nameless" – 4:28
- "The Virus of Life" – 5:25
- "Danger – Keep Away" – 3:14
- Special Edition bonus disc
- "Don't Get Close" – 3:47
- "Scream" – 4:31
- "Vermilion" (Terry Date Single Mix) – 5:25
- "Danger – Keep Away" (Full-Length Version) – 7:55
- "The Blister Exists" (Live) – 5:21
- "Three Nil" (Live) – 4:57
- "Disasterpiece" (Live) – 5:25
- "People = Shit" (Live) – 3:54
Chart positions
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Personnel
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Release history
Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
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Worldwide release | May 25, 2004 | Roadrunner Records | Compact disc | RR 8388-8 |
Australia/New Zealand | January 10 2005 | 2005 Tour Edition | RR 8179-2 | |
Worldwide release | December 4 2006 | 2-disc Special Edition | RR 8158-2 |
References
- ^ a b "Slipknot Studio Update". Metal Hammer. 2003-11-11. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
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(help) - ^ Slipknot - Up To Our Necks (DVD). Chrome Dreams. 2004.
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(help) - ^ Browne, Nichola (2004-04-17). "The Return of The Kings". Kerrang!. pp. 18–22.
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(help) - ^ Epstein, Dan (2008-08). "Wait and Bleed". Revolver. pp. 54–56.
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(help) - ^ "Corey Taylor off drink". Metal Hammer. 2006-05-01. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
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(help) - ^ a b Lukes, Daniel (2003-10-25). "You Cannot Kill The 'Knot". Kerrang!. pp. 22–23.
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(help) - ^ Moss, Corey (2004-02-20). "Judas Priest, Slayer, Slipknot To Join Ozzy On Ozzfest". VH1. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Slipknot Set Release Date For New Album". Blabbermouth.net. 2004-02-10. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^ "Download 2004 - Slipknot". Clear Channel Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
- ^ "SLIPKNOT: New Song Available For Download". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
- ^ a b c d e Todd Burns (2004-05-28). "Slipknot - Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
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(help) - ^ a b c d Johnny Loftus. "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses - Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
- ^ a b Sean Richardson (2004-06-04). "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
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(help) - ^ Mick Thomson. NAMM 2008 Report. Ontrackmagazine.com.
- ^ "Volume 3: The Subliminal Verses". Q: 124. 2004.
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ignored (help) - ^ John Robb (2004-05-26). "Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses". PlayLouder. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- ^ Robert Cherry (2004-06-10). "Slipknot (Metal) - Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
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(help) - ^ "Volume 3: The Subliminal Verses". Alternative Press: 142. 2004.
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ignored (help) - ^ Chris Heath (2004-06-31). "Slipknot - Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
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(help) - ^ a b "Slipknot Artist Chart History: Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
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(help) - ^ a b c d "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ a b "Slipknot Australian Charts". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
- ^ "Search: The Subliminal Verses". RIAA. 2005-02-21. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^ "List of Grammy winners". CNN. 2006-02-09. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- ^ "Slipknot New Zealand Charting". Charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
- ^ a b c d "UK Top 40 Chart Archive, British Singles & Album Charts". everyhit.com. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "Search for: Slipknot". SwedishCharts.com. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "Slipknot Germany Chart history". Musicline.de. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
- ^ "Slipknot Finnish Charting". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
- ^ "Suche nach: Slipknot". AustrianCharts.at. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "Slipknot French Album Charting". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
- ^ "Suche nach: Slipknot". HitParade.ch. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "Search for: Slipknot". DutchCharts.nl. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "Search for: Slipknot". NorwegianCharts.com. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ a b c d e f "Slipknot Artist Chart History: Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
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(help) - ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
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(help) - ^ "Search for: Slipknot". LesCharts.com. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
External links
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