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Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)

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Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses is the third studio album by American metal band Slipknot. The album was released on May 25, 2004, by Roadrunner Records, and a special edition, containing a bonus disc, was released on April 12, 2005. It is the band's only album produced by Rick Rubin, and also the only one not to feature profanity. Following the band's tour to promote its second album in 2002, speculation regarding the future began. Some band members had already been involved in side projects including Murderdolls, To My Surprise, and the reformation of Stone Sour. In 2003, Slipknot moved into The Mansion to work on the album. Initially, the band was unproductive; lead vocalist Corey Taylor was drinking heavily. Nevertheless, they wrote more than enough material for a new album—the band's first to incorporate more traditional, melodic song structures, guitar solos and acoustic guitars.

The album received generally positive reviews. Slipknot was praised by Allmusic for its "dedication to making it a Slipknot album",[5] while Q added that the album was "a triumph".[6] The album peaked within the top ten in album sales across eleven countries, and went Platinum in the United States. The band also received the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the song "Before I Forget". At the end of 2009, "Before I Forget" was listed as "AOL's Top Metal Song of the Decade".[7] Roadrunner Records have listed the music video for "Duality" as the best music video in Roadrunner history.[8]

Recording

Slipknot recorded Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses with producer Rick Rubin at The Mansion in Los Angeles, California in 2003.[9] Earlier there had been speculation regarding the possibility of a third album and the band's future, as some members worked on other musical projects.[10] After the album was completed, the band said that these side projects "saved the band" and "helped [them] break out of the box [they] were in".[11] Coming back together and working out their differences hindered the writing process initially. During an interview in 2008, drummer Joey Jordison said "we didn't talk to each other for three months, we just sat there wasting money in the fucking Houdini mansion."[12] Speaking retrospectively percussionist Shawn Crahan states; "eventually we got sick of waiting for shit to happen. We got together, had a few beers and wrote a really artsy, fucked up song called 'Happy Ending'."[13]

In a Q&A for his book: "You're making me hate you", he told that the first verse and chorus of the song "Circle" were written and recorded during the Iowa tour. The same take ended up on the album.[14]

In a 2003 interview, Jordison explained that despite the initial problems more than enough material was written for the album and added that "it's better to have stuff to pick from than to settle for shit", in contrast to how Slipknot settled too soon with fewer songs on previous albums.[15] Band members were divided over their experience of working with producer Rubin; some doubted his commitment to Slipknot as he split his time between many artists at once.[13] Lead vocalist Corey Taylor admitted in an interview that he drank heavily throughout their time in the mansion, saying "I would drink from the moment I got up until the moment I passed out."[16] He explained that; "everything I did while I was drinking sounded like shit", while expressing how unhappy he was with the choice of vocal takes which ended up on the album.[13] During this time, percussionist Crahan worked on Voliminal: Inside the Nine, a video documenting the creation process of the album and the touring which would follow.[17]

In a 2008 interview, Corey Taylor said that he only met Rubin four times during the entire recording process of Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses and that Rubin barely ever showed up to the studio: "... we were being charged horrendous amounts of money. And for me, if you're going to produce something, you're fucking there. I don't care who you are."[18] He also added: "He is overrated, he is overpaid, and I will never work with him again." Conversely, Slipknot's guitarist Jim Root had said in that same interview that "A lot of the guys in the band say Rick was unavailable. And yeah, he takes on a lot of projects at one time, but he also does things that are beneficial. He would listen to what we'd done, then have us retrack things that needed work. He's kind of like Big Brother up on the hill. Even though he wasn't there physically every day, he was. That's my favorite record we've done."[19]

Musical and lyrical themes

Before the release of Vol. 3, band members had promised a more experimental album; drummer Jordison said that "it's almost as if Slayer was tapping on Radiohead".[15] For the first time in Slipknot's career, songs such as "Circle" and "Vermilion Pt. 2" were led by an acoustic rather than an electric guitar. According to Todd Burns of Stylus, songs such as "Pulse of the Maggots" and "Before I Forget" incorporate a "pounding metal" style.[20] Allmusic wrote that tracks, such as "The Blister Exists", "Three Nil", and "Opium of the People", combine the two extremes of their recognizable metal edge with melody, and the most apparent shifts being in Taylor's vocal style, with relatively few songs relying solely on screamed vocals in comparison to their earlier work.[5] Entertainment Weekly wrote that the album "[bounced] between over-powering speed-metal and haunting acoustic rock".[21]

"Vermilion"
"Vermilion" makes use of guitar solos and melodic song structures which were absent from the band's previous albums.[5]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses is Slipknot's first album that does not warrant a Parental Advisory label, mainly because the lyrics of Vol. 3, compared to other Slipknot albums, are much less explicit in terms of profanity and obscure dark themes. The special edition still has a Parent Advisory label. In a 2008 interview, guitarist Mick Thomson explained that vocalist Corey Taylor made a point of avoiding the use of profanity in response to claims that he relied on use of it.[22] Only two instances of profanity occur; the use of the word "bitched" in Duality and "bastards" which appears in the monologue leading into "Pulse of the Maggots". According to Allmusic, the lyrics of Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) include metaphors and touch on themes that include anger, disaffection, and psychosis.[5] Taylor's diversity in his vocal delivery was praised; Burns considered tracks like "Vermilion Pt. 2" to have "stately vocal harmonies". Taylor's performance on the closing track "Danger — Keep Away" was specifically praised; Stylus called it the most "depressing and emotional" track on the album. Burns concluded that overall "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."[20]

Artwork

The cover of the album features the "maggot mask" designed by Shawn Crahan.[23] The name of the mask is a reference to the name given to fans by the band.[24] The mask was made of stitched leather, with a zipper around the mouth area,[23] and copies can be obtained as part of the band's merchandise.[25] It is featured in the music video for the album's second single "Vermilion", in which the band appears whenever the protagonist wears the mask.[26]

Promotion

Slipknot performing in 2005 as part of The Subliminal Verses World Tour

Prior to the release of the album, the band released "Pulse of the Maggots" in its entirety as a free downloadable track on the now defunct SK Radio website, it was available for one day only on March 30, 2004.[27] This also marked the beginning of Slipknot's touring cycle, The Subliminal Verses World Tour, starting with their appearance on the Jägermeister Music Tour.[28] On May 4, 2004, "Duality" was released as their first official single.[29] Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) was finally released on May 25, 2004,[30] to coincide with the release of the album "Duality" was released on a special edition 7-inch red vinyl.[31] Alongside the normal edition of the album Roadrunner Records also released a limited edition CD that could connect to the Slipknot web site and obtain new songs and other promotional material, but as of 2009 the link on the CD has stopped working.[32] Other singles from the album included "Vermilion", "Before I Forget" and "The Blister Exists".[33][34][35] On April 12, 2005, a special edition version of the album, containing a bonus disc, was released.[36]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic70/100 [37]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[5]
The Boston Globefavorable[3]
The Detroit Newsfavorable[38]
NME8/10[39]
Playlouder[40]
Rolling Stone[41]
The Washington Postfavorable[42]

Critical reception to Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses was generally positive. It received a score of 70% on review aggregator Metacritic based on 12 reviews.[37] Johnny Loftus of Allmusic called the album "not just another flashy alt-metal billboard", praising the band's "dedication to making it a Slipknot album".[5] Todd Burns of Stylus wrote that people who accuse the band of having "softened" 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".[20] Sean Richardson of Entertainment Weekly gave the album an A− and wrote that it is a "deranged hippie update" of Slayer's "masterpiece" Reign in Blood, which was also produced by Rubin.[21] Q hailed Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses as "a triumph".[6] John Robb of PlayLouder complimented Slipknot's unexpected rise to become "one of the biggest groups in the world", dubbing "Before I Forget" a "classic [Slipknot] anthem". Robb added that the album is better than Iowa, citing its "differing textures".[40] Rolling Stone gave the album a rating of 3 out of 5, stating the album presented "newer extremes" for the band, "which in Slipknot's case means tunefulness and traditional song structures".[41]

A review from the BBC praised the album, declaring that there "is no finer metal band on the planet". It cited the group's integration of "hyperactive bass drums, complex, compelling riffs and ridiculously fast fretwork" with more melodic styles and described Vermilion as "the key track ... an emotional, melodramatic, utterly convincing rollercoaster ride".[43]

Alternative Press criticized the album, writing that it "plays out like a tepid, second-rate version of Iowa, which pretty much makes it a third-rate anything else."[44] Yahoo!'s Chris Heath also reviewed the album negatively, writing that "The Nameless" combines "the ludicrously vicious and ridiculously placid" and that by doing so makes the track feel "awkward". Heath added, "the themes are predictably absurd ... yet mildly comical given the inclusion of such disparate styles stationed side by side."[45]

Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses peaked at position number two on the US Billboard 200, online, Australian Recording Industry Association, and Canadian sales charts.[46][47] The album was certified Platinum in the United States on February 21, 2005.[48] In 2006, the band won their first Grammy for Best Metal Performance with "Before I Forget".[49] In 2009, Metal Hammer called it one of the "Albums of the Decade".[50] It was also rated 31st in UK magazine Kerrang!'s "The 50 Best Albums of the 21st Century" reader poll.[51] In 2005, the album was ranked number 396 in Rock Hard magazine's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.[52]

Track listing

All songs written by Shawn Crahan, Jim Root, Chris Fehn, Paul Gray, Joey Jordison, Corey Taylor, Craig Jones, Mick Thomson and Sid Wilson.[53]

No.TitleLength
1."Prelude 3.0"3:57
2."The Blister Exists"5:19
3."Three Nil"4:48
4."Duality"4:12
5."Opium of the People"3:12
6."Circle"4:23
7."Welcome"3:15
8."Vermilion"5:16
9."Pulse of the Maggots"4:19
10."Before I Forget"4:38
11."Vermilion Pt. 2"3:44
12."The Nameless"4:28
13."The Virus of Life"5:25
14."Danger – Keep Away"3:13
Total length:60:09
Japanese Edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
15."Scream"4:31
Special edition bonus disc
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Get Close"3:47
2."Scream"4:31
3."Vermilion" (Terry Date mix)5:25
4."Danger – Keep Away" (Full-Length Version)7:55
5."The Blister Exists" (Live)5:21
6."Three Nil" (Live)4:57
7."Disasterpiece" (Live)5:25
8."People = Shit" (Live)3:54
Australian tour edition bonus disc
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Get Close"3:47
2."Scream"4:31
3."Vermilion" (Terry Date mix)5:25
4."Danger – Keep Away" (Full-Length Version)7:55
5."Disasterpiece" (Live)5:25
6."New Abortion" (Live)4:01
7."People = Shit" (Live)3:54

Personnel

Aside from their real names, members of the band are referred to by numbers zero through eight.[27]

Charts

References

  1. ^ "Vol. 3 The Subliminal Verses (CD)". Tower Records. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  2. ^ "Review: Slipknot - Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) - Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Morse, Steve (June 18, 2004). "Slipknot: Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  4. ^ "False Metal, Dead! 300 Headbangers, Part 11". Popdose. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Loftus, Johnny. "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses — Review". Allmusic. Retrieved June 14, 2008.
  6. ^ a b "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Q: 124. July 2004.
  7. ^ "Top Metal Songs of the Decade 2000s". AOL. Retrieved May 4, 2010
  8. ^ "THE TEN GREATEST MUSIC VIDEOS IN ROADRUNNER HISTORY: #5 - #1". April 30, 2010. Roadrunner Records. Retrieved May 4, 2010
  9. ^ "Slipknot Studio Update". Metal Hammer. November 11, 2003. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2008.
  10. ^ Slipknot — Up To Our Necks. Chrome Dreams (DVD). 2004.
  11. ^ Browne, Nichola (April 17, 2004). "The Return of The Kings". Kerrang!: 18–22.
  12. ^ Epstein, Dan (August 2008). "Wait and Bleed". Revolver: 54–56.
  13. ^ a b c "Slipknot 10 years after ...". Rocksound. May 2009. pp. 60–65.
  14. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALmBsOFFzKY
  15. ^ a b Lukes, Daniel (October 25, 2003). "You Cannot Kill The 'Knot". Kerrang!: 22–23.
  16. ^ "Corey Taylor off drink". Metal Hammer. May 1, 2006. Retrieved June 18, 2008.
  17. ^ Graff, Gary (October 26, 2006). "Don't Call It A DVD: Slipknot Slaves Over Lavish Film". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  18. ^ "SLIPKNOT Members On Working With Producer RICK RUBIN - Sep. 21, 2008". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  19. ^ "SLIPKNOT Members On Working With Producer RICK RUBIN". Blabbermouth. September 21, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  20. ^ a b c Burns, Todd (May 28, 2004). "Slipknot — Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved June 14, 2008.
  21. ^ a b Sean Richardson (June 4, 2004). "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004)". Entertainment Weekly. p. 80. Retrieved June 14, 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ Thomson, Mick. "NAMM 2008 Report". On Track Magazine. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  23. ^ a b D'Angelo, Joe (April 9, 2004). "Slipknot Want Their Maggots To Be Just As Hideous As The Band". MTV. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
  24. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (March 29, 2004). "Slipknot's Maggots Destroy Iowa Home". MTV. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
  25. ^ "Slipknot official store — Maggot mask". Bravado. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  26. ^ "Slipknot "Vermilion" photo gallery". MTV. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
  27. ^ a b "Biography". Slipknot. Allmusic. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
  28. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (September 3, 2004). "Slipknot Ready To Unveil New Masks, Subliminal LP". VH1. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  29. ^ "Slipknot Set First Single Off New Album". Blabbermouth.net. March 6, 2004. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  30. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Dave Chappelle, Chris Martin And Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Simpson, Lenny Kravitz & More". MTV. May 17, 2004. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  31. ^ "Slipknot To Release 'Duality' Seven-Inch Vinyl Single". Blabbermouth.net. May 24, 2004. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  32. ^ "Original access link to the portal reserved for the possessors of the 2004 limited edition of Subliminal Verses". Slipknot Official Web Site. May 25, 2004. Retrieved November 1, 2009.[dead link‍]
  33. ^ "allmusic ((( Vermilion > Overview )))". Allmusic. Retrieved June 8, 2010
  34. ^ (2005-05-22) "SLIPKNOT: 'Before I Forget' 7" Picture Discs Due In June". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved June 9, 2010
  35. ^ (2005-02-03) "Slipknot Choose "Before I Forget" For New Single". MetalUnderground.
  36. ^ "'Clown' Leaves Slipknot Tour To Be With Ailing Wife". Yahoo! Music. March 21, 2005. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ a b "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". Metacritic. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  38. ^ "Slipknot: Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". The Detroit News. May 28, 2004. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  39. ^ Silver, Dan (June 8, 2004). "Slipknot : Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses". NME. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
  40. ^ a b John Robb (May 26, 2004). "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Playlouder. Archived from the original on June 25, 2004. Retrieved June 18, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ a b Robert Cherry (June 10, 2004). "Slipknot (Metal) — Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ Deeds, Michael (June 2, 2004). "Quick Spins: Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  43. ^ Reynolds, Nick (2004). "Slipknot Volume 3: (The Subliminal Verses) Review". BBC. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  44. ^ "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Alternative Press: 142. July 2004.
  45. ^ Heath, Chris (June 3, 2004). "Slipknot — Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on June 16, 2004. Retrieved November 20, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  46. ^ a b c "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Billboard. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  47. ^ a b "Slipknot Australian Charts". australiancharts.com. Retrieved February 9, 2008.
  48. ^ a b "Gold and Platinum database". Recording Industry Association of America. February 21, 2005. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
  49. ^ "List of Grammy winners". CNN. February 9, 2006. Retrieved June 18, 2008.
  50. ^ "Albums Of The Decade: Slipknot — Vol. 3:(The Subliminal Verses)". Metal Hammer. June 30, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  51. ^ "A Century of Sound". Kerrang!. August 8, 2009. pp. 22–47.
  52. ^ […], Rock Hard (Hrsg.). [Red.: Michael Rensen. Mitarb.: Götz Kühnemund] (2005). Best of Rock & Metal die 500 stärksten Scheiben aller Zeiten. Königswinter: Heel. p. 51. ISBN 3-89880-517-4. {{cite book}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  53. ^ Stocker, Pete Billmann and David (2004). Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses (Guitar tab. ed.). Milwaukee, Wis.: Hal Leonard. ISBN 978-0-634-08653-3.
  54. ^ "Slipknot Austrian Charts" (in German). austriancharts.at. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
  55. ^ "Slipknot Belgium (Flanders) Charts" (in Dutch). ultratop.be.
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  62. ^ "Slipknot Irish Charts". irish-charts.com.
  63. ^ "Slipknot Italian Charts". italiancharts.com.
  64. ^ "Slipknot New Zealand Charts". charts.org.nz. Retrieved February 9, 2008.
  65. ^ "Slipknot Norwegian Charts" (in Norwegian). norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
  66. ^ "OLiS: sales for the period 24.05.2004 - 30.05.2004". OLiS.
  67. ^ "Slipknot Portuguese Charts". portuguesecharts.com. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
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  70. ^ Zobbel (June 16, 2007). "Chart Log UK". Zobbel. Retrieved September 3, 2008.
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  72. ^ "Gold & Platinum Certification". Canadian Recording Industry Association.
  73. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Slipknot)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  74. ^ ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2004年9月. Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). October 10, 2004. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  75. ^ "Top 40 albums (#1444)". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. January 24, 2005.
  76. ^ "Certified Awards". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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