"On August 26, 2008, Slipknot released their 7th album optimistically titled "All Hope is Gone.""

Follow up:

9/10

1. ".execute." – 1:49
2. "Gematria (The Killing Name)" – 6:02
3. "Sulfur" – 4:38
4. "Psychosocial" - 4:22 Watch the video!
5. "Dead Memories" – 4:29
6. "Vendetta" – 5:16
7. "Butcher's Hook" – 4:15
8. "Gehenna" – 6:53
9. "This Cold Black" – 4:40
10. "Wherein Lies Continue" – 5:37
11. "Snuff" – 4:36
12. "All Hope is Gone" – 4:45

Special edition bonus tracks

13. "Child of Burning Time" – 5:10
14. "Vermilion Pt. 2" (Bloodstone mix) – 3:39
15. "'Til We Die" – 5:46

On August 26, 2008, Slipknot released their 7th album optimistically titled "All Hope is Gone." Fans have been waiting for this album since January of this or earlier. This summer Slipknot employed a viral marketing campaign that all started when the band released strange photos of all nine members in giant, easter island style masks. This promotion campaign also entailed time-limited, sneak peak releases of the tracks "All Hope is Gone" and "Psychosocial" and scheduled photo releases of the members' new masks. The track "Psychosocial" was played in Hot Topic clothing stores at least once an hour for an entire week. Hot Topic stores also played the album in full for customers and fans to listen to while shopping.

So for months, Slipknot fans (or Maggots as we preferred to be called) were stirred into a frenzy over all the hype built up for this album; especially with the Rockstar Mayhem tour headlined by Slipknot that travelled all over the US this summer. As to be expected, this album delivered more than we were hoping for. This album is the perfect marriage between the artistic talent that Slipknot wanted to explore with their last studio album, Volume 3 "The Subliminal Verses," and the anger and rage that Slipknot has built their career off of in their Self-titled and "Iowa" albums.

The intro track ".Execute." creates a rising wave of anticipation slowly and holds it until the second track "Gematria (The Killing Name)" gets the album started with the rhythm of Vol 3 with the intensity and anger of Iowa. The next track "Sulfur" presents guitar riffs with clean vocals that keep up with the pace. Echoing clear vocals may seem like Stone Sour to some but Slipknot's tribal drum patterns have pop in after the guitar solo brings an end to any confusion. The end of the song also has that Vol 3 atmosphere coupled with Corey's Deep Growling Vox. The video track, "Psychosocial" has enjoyed airplay on TV, internet and radio. The video shows a ritualistic burning of Slipknot's giant Easter Island Masks as a display that most consider as a breaking from the cocoon of silence. The song thunders into a thrashing beat that displayed Slipknot more matured aggressiveness.

The fifth song, "Dead Memories," is a calmer track that keeps the listeners on their toes. Some may think this track to have a little too much Stone Sour influence. This track utilizes piano, acoustics, and completely clean singing. After that, "Vendetta" brings everyone back up to speed. The track begins with a Viking Metal riff akin to Amon Amarth leads into a crowd chant chorus behind more tribal drumming. Listen for the eerie multi-layer vocal track at the end of the song. "Gehenna," The 8th trade is a step into the past. Reminiscent of the self-titled tracks like "Scissors", "Tattered and Torn" and "Purity"; "Gehenna" will be an instant favorite of old school maggots. If you want to hear the full scale of Corey Taylor's vocal range, this is the track to listen to. The tracks "This Cold Black" and "Wherein Lies Continue" are just pure Slipknot anger. Ah, the good old days of Iowa return just a little bit more. As is the title track "All Hope is Gone." Although it is at the end of the album, it demands your attention in a screaming, roaring rage. "All Hope is Gone" is a statement of intent that Slipknot will never go away. Slipknot is still standing as one and will trample over all who stand in their way.

Not everyone can handle the intensity and volume that Slipknot brings by the freight load. However, if you are still reading this article (and I thank you for doing so) you owe it to yourself to sit down, take about 5 minutes and let the melodies of the 11th track, "Snuff" sink in and soak. While rumors are already flying around about the song's real meaning it obvious in any case that"Snuff" is a heart-wrenching song about the terrible love that just will never work no matter how hard both sides try. Anyone that has ever been in an unhealthy relationship of any sort will be instantly brought back to that feeling of helplessness. Sulfur is a beautiful track about horrid emotional chains to destruction. Most would write this song off as a Stone Sour (the vocalist's other band) track, there are still underlying Slipknot characteristics. It's a song that anyone can enjoy and revere, no matter what genre one clings to.

If you get the bonus verison, which I highly recommend. You'll get 3 bonus track which include: "Child of Burning Time," "Vermillion Pt 2 (Bloodstone Mix)," and ""Til We Die," All of which are well worth the few extra dollars, trust me.

Links

Slipknot on Myspace
Slipknot's official website
Buy the album

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