Slipknot released their long awaited forth album to a slow burn build up, and although the complete album content was a surprise, all in all it was rather a pleasant surprise. Still churning out the massive nu metal crushing riffs that launched them back when.

The band have also gone melodic and embraced the fact that you can be crushingly heavy as well as pleasant on the ear which they have done with half of the songs on this 12 track album, and surprise surprise they have done a power ballad, probably not the best you have ever heard, but surprisingly decent for a band like Slipknot who have, lets face it never tried to be mainstream at all, so maybe as the guys grow up we might get more out of them.

I was pleased with the guitar solo's that were sprinkled through the songs as it lays to rest the 'no solo nu metal stance' that the band surfed so well when they first appeared. I am not going to mention tracks because the more time I hear this album, the more I like it, but one thing you will get is that there is certainly a mood about some of these tracks that you must be in to fully appreciate the feel. There is enough to keep the old fans happy especially those who have matured themselves, and it has certainly signed me up as a new fan. Well done Slipknot.. change is good!

1. Execute
2. Gematria (The Killing Name)
3. Sulfur
4. Psychosocial
5. Dead Memories
6. Vendetta
7. Butcher's Hook
8. Gehenna
9. This Cold Black
10. Wherein Lies Continue
11. Snuff
12. All Hope Is Gone

Official site