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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 heavy metal band Slipknot. The album was released on May 25, 2004, through 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. 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. However, 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 and acoustic guitars.

The album received generally positive reviews. Slipknot was praised by Allmusic for its "dedication to making it a Slipknot album",[2] while Q added that the album was "a triumph".[3] 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".[4] Roadrunner Records have listed the music video for "Duality" as the best video in Roadrunner history.[5]

Production

Slipknot recorded Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) with producer Rick Rubin at The Mansion in Los Angeles, California in 2003.[6] 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.[7] 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".[8] However, 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."[9] 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'."[10]

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.[11] Band members were divided over their experience of working with producer Rubin, some of which doubted his commitment to Slipknot as he split his time between many artists at once.[10] 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."[12] 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.[10] 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.[13]

Artwork

The cover of the album features the "maggot mask" designed by Shawn Crahan,[14] the title is a reference to the name given to fans by the band.[15] The mask was made of stitched leather, with a zipper around the mouth area,[14] and copies can be obtained as part of the band's merchandise.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18] This also marked the beginning of Slipknot's touring cycle, The Subliminal Verses World Tour, starting with their appearance on the Jägermeister Music Tour.[19] On May 4, 2004, "Duality" was released as their first official single.[20] Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) was finally released on May 25, 2004,[21] to coincide with the release of the album "Duality" was released on a special edition 7-inch red vinyl.[22] 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.[23] Other singles from the album included "Vermilion", "Before I Forget" and "The Blister Exists".[24][25][26] On April 12, 2005, a special edition version of the album, containing a bonus disc, was released.[27]

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".[11] 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. However, according to Todd Burns of Stylus, songs such as "Pulse of the Maggots" and "Before I Forget" incorporate a "pounding metal" style.[28] Allmusic wrote that tracks, such as "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.[2] Entertainment Weekly wrote that the album "[bounced] between over-powering speed-metal and haunting acoustic rock".[29]

"Vermilion"
"Vermilion" makes use of guitar solos and melodic song structures which were absent from the band's previous albums.[30]
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. 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.[31] According to Allmusic, the lyrics of Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) include metaphors and touch on themes that include anger, disaffection, and psychosis.[2] 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."[28]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic70% [32]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]
Blender[33]
The Boston Globe(favorable)[34]
The Detroit News(favorable)[35]
NME(8/10)[36]
Playlouder(favorable)[37]
Rolling Stone[38]
Stylus(B)[28]
The Washington Post(favorable)[39]
Yahoo! Music[40]

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.[32] 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".[2] 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".[28] Sean Richardson of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the album is a "deranged hippie update" of Slayer's "masterpiece" Reign in Blood; which was also produced by Rubin.[29] Q hailed Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) as "a triumph".[3] John Robb of PlayLouder proclaimed 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".[37] 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".[38]

Negative reviews were also present, 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."[41] 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."[42]

Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) peaked at position number two on the US Billboard 200, online, Australian Recording Industry Association, and Canadian sales charts.[43][44][44][45] The album was certified Platinum in the United States on February 21, 2005.[46] In 2006, the band won their first Grammy for Best Metal Performance with "Before I Forget".[47] In 2009, Metal Hammer called it one of the "Albums of the Decade".[48] It was also rated 31st in UK magazine Kerrang!'s "The 50 Best Albums of the 21st Century" reader poll.[49]

Track listing

All songs credited to Slipknot.

No.TitleLength
1."Prelude 3.0"3:57
2."The Blister Exists"5:19
3."Three Nil"4:48
4."Duality"4:13
5."Opium of the People"3:12
6."Circle"4:22
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:60:18
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

Chart positions

Chart (2004) Peak Position
Australian Charts 2[45]
Austria Charts 5[50]
Canadian Charts 2[44]
Dutch Charts 14[51]
Finnish Charts 2[52]
French Charts 6[53]
German Charts 2[54]
New Zealand Charts 3[55]
Norwegian Charts 15[56]
Portuguese Charts 13[56]
Swedish Charts 2[57]
Swiss Charts 8[58]
UK Albums Chart 5[59]
US Billboard 200 2[43]

Certifications

Country Certification
USA Platinum [60]
Japan Gold [61]

Personnel

Aside from their real names, members of the band are referred to by numbers zero through eight.[18]

References

  1. ^ "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (EXPLICIT) (CD)". Tower Records. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  2. ^ a b c d e Johnny Loftus. "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses - Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  3. ^ a b "Volume 3: The Subliminal Verses". Q: 124. 2004. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Top Metal Songs of the Decade 2000s". AOL. Retrieved 2010-05-04
  5. ^ "THE TEN GREATEST MUSIC VIDEOS IN ROADRUNNER HISTORY: #5 - #1". 2010-04-30. Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 2010-05-04
  6. ^ "Slipknot Studio Update". Metal Hammer. 2003-11-11. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  7. ^ Slipknot - Up To Our Necks. Chrome Dreams (DVD). 2004.
  8. ^ Browne, Nichola (2004-04-17). "The Return of The Kings". Kerrang!: 18–22.
  9. ^ Epstein, Dan (2008). "Wait and Bleed". Revolver: 54–56. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  10. ^ a b c "Slipknot 10 years after...". Rocksound. 2009-05. pp. 60–65. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ a b Lukes, Daniel (2003-10-25). "You Cannot Kill The 'Knot". Kerrang!: 22–23.
  12. ^ "Corey Taylor off drink". Metal Hammer. 2006-05-01. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  13. ^ Graff, Gary (2006-10-26). "Don't Call It A DVD: Slipknot Slaves Over Lavish Film". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  14. ^ a b D'Angelo, Joe (2004-04-09). "Slipknot Want Their Maggots To Be Just As Hideous As The Band". MTV. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
  15. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (2004-03-29). "Slipknot's Maggots Destroy Iowa Home". MTV. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
  16. ^ "Slipknot official store - Maggot mask". Bravado. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  17. ^ "Slipknot "Vermilion" photo gallery". MTV. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
  18. ^ a b "Biography". Slipknot. Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  19. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (2004-09-03). "Slipknot Ready To Unveil New Masks, Subliminal LP". VH1. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  20. ^ "Slipknot Set First Single Off New Album". Blabbermouth.net. 2004-03-06. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  21. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Dave Chappelle, Chris Martin And Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Simpson, Lenny Kravitz & More". MTV. 2004-05-17. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  22. ^ "Slipknot To Release 'Duality' Seven-Inch Vinyl Single". Blabbermouth.net. 2004-05-24. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  23. ^ "Original access link to the portal reserved for the possessors of the 2004 limited edition of Subliminal Verses". Slipknot Official Web Site. 2004-05-25. Retrieved 2009-11-01. [dead link]
  24. ^ "allmusic ((( Vermilion > Overview )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-08
  25. ^ (2005-05-22) "SLIPKNOT: 'Before I Forget' 7" Picture Discs Due In June". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2010-06-09
  26. ^ (2005-02-03) "Slipknot Choose "Before I Forget" For New Single". MetalUnderground.
  27. ^ "'Clown' Leaves Slipknot Tour To Be With Ailing Wife". Yahoo! Music. 2005-03-21. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  28. ^ a b c d Todd Burns (2004-05-28). "Slipknot - Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  29. ^ a b Sean Richardson (2004-06-04). "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-06-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ Loftus, Johnny. "Allmusic Review of Vol. 3". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
  31. ^ Thomson, Mick. "NAMM 2008 Report". On Track Magazine. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  32. ^ a b "Vol 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". Metacritic. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  33. ^ Ratliff, Ben (2004-05-25). "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) - Blender review". Blender. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
  34. ^ Morse, Steve (2004-06-18). "Slipknot: Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  35. ^ "Slipknot: Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". The Detroit News. 2004-05-28. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  36. ^ Silver, Dan (2004-06-08). "http://www.nme.com/reviews/slipknot/7428". NME. Retrieved 2009-06-14. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  37. ^ a b John Robb (2004-05-26). "Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses". Playlouder. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  38. ^ a b Robert Cherry (2004-06-10). "Slipknot (Metal) - Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ Deeds, Michael (2004-06-02). "Quick Spins: Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  40. ^ Heath, Chris (2004-06-03). "Slipknot - Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  41. ^ "Volume 3: The Subliminal Verses". Alternative Press: 142. 2004. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  42. ^ Heath, Chris (2004-06-30). "Slipknot - Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  43. ^ a b "Slipknot Artist Chart History: Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ a b c "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  45. ^ a b "Slipknot Australian Charts". Australian Charts. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  46. ^ "Search: The Subliminal Verses". RIAA. 2005-02-21. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  47. ^ "List of Grammy winners". CNN. 2006-02-09. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  48. ^ "Albums Of The Decade: Slipknot-Vol.3:(The Subliminal Verses)". Metal Hammer. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  49. ^ "A Century of Sound". Kerrang!. 2009-08-08. pp. 22–47.
  50. ^ "Suche nach: Slipknot" (in Austrian). Austrian Charts. Retrieved 2008-02-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  51. ^ "Search for: Slipknot" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  52. ^ "Slipknot Finnish Charting" (in Finnish). Finnish Charts. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  53. ^ "Slipknot French Album Charting" (in French). Les Charts. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  54. ^ "Slipknot Germany Chart history" (in German). Music Line. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  55. ^ "Slipknot New Zealand Charting". Charts New Zealand. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  56. ^ a b "Search for: Slipknot" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Charts. Retrieved 2008-02-07. Cite error: The named reference "NORCharts" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  57. ^ "Search for: Slipknot" (in Swedish). Swedish Charts. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  58. ^ "Suche nach: Slipknot". Hit Parade. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  59. ^ Zobbel (2007-06-16). "Chart Log UK". Zobbel. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  60. ^ http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH
  61. ^ "ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2004年9月". RIAJ (in Japanese). 2004-10-10. Retrieved 2010-11-13.

External links

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