Slipknot - '.5: The Gray Chapter' (Album Review)

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My review of Slipknot's ferocious comeback album ".5: The Gray Chapter".

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Leland, NC, 28451

".5: The Gray Chapter"
Roadrunner Records
Release: 10/20/14
Rating: 4/5 (updated 5/12/15)

Favorite tracks: Custer, Lech, The Negative One, The Devil In I, Killpop,

Least faves: Goodbye, Be Prepared For Hell

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[thyafiag]

Besides the fact you are talking about my favorite band of all time, you're a great reviewer. Keep it up.

As for the opinion of a maggot:
.
1. XIX:  
I  was really struggling with this weird intro, for I only heard it without the 1st real 'song' together. 
Maybe also because the first time I listened to it, it was in a higher pitch on youtube (to avoid copyrights I guess).
Couldn't get used to it really. 
.
2. Sarcastrophe: 
After listening to XIX with this one right after it I sort of understand the intro and it made sense.
As for the song itself, I love the additional intro part in the beginning followed up by slow but heavy riffs. 
Great opener for this record.
.
3. AOV: 
This song fires of with bad-ass blast beats and a killer guitar riff, almost hardcore like. I personally love 
the clean vocals in the chorus. After a while I noticed the combination between IOWA and Vol.3, KILLER song!
.
4. The Devil In I: 
Probably the best 'mainstream-like' song for a single. Of course already listened to this many times 
since it was released, but still I find it a great song. Definitely the most easy-listening song on the album.
.
5. Killpop: 
I've been a fan of Slipknot for a long time and I was genuinely shocked to hear this song take of like a pop-rock ballad, but hearing all the frustrating screaming followed up with catchy clean vocals changed my feelings. After a while 
the song actually reminded me of 'Vermilion' (Vol.3). If this song would be used on the video of Vermilion it wouldn't be 
weird at all. All and all a good track and probably the biggest surprise on this album. Would love to see a music video
for this one, but it probably won't happen, for it's not commercially one of the better (hear: easy-listening) songs on the album.
.
6. Skeptic: 
Starts of very chaotic and fast and the lyrics are definitely a tribute to Paul (which was expected on this record).
Besides all the chaos there is a really cool chorus part. Awesome song
.
7. Lech: 
This song I'm struggling with the most. It's very different to all the other songs Slipknot has ever made. 
I'ts like a message to one or more people, to mind their own business, go fuck themselves,  and die (which is not new for Slipknot). Musically this song is pretty complex due to all the breaks and transitions. I think this song has been a pain for 
the new drummer and bassist. One thing's for sure, this song is all anger and frustration. Something makes me think the song has something to do with Joey's departure, but that's a personal feeling I'm having, so don't kill me for it. I'm still not quite sure about this song, but maybe I have to listen to it some more.
.
8. Goodbye:
This definitely 'Paul Gray related' song starts of as a ballad and is half way followed up by heavy guitar, double bass drums and high pitch clean vocals, a beauty of a song in my opinion. At the end of the song there are a couple of riffs following up quickly with some nice drum fills, but i feel this doesn't add a thing. They should have left these out or added them to the next song. Call me a pussy, but I like the first part of this song best due to it's emotional feel. Love it or hate it, nothing in between.
.
9. Nomadic: 
Very catchy guitar riffs in the beginning followed by (in my opinion) the most catchy chorus on this record.
Hear me out: catchy start, catchy chorus, some nice breaks, great guitar solo and overall very easy to listen to,  
also for a wider audience, there for I believe this must be the 2nd single of the record. The waiting has started for a "Nomadic maxi-single" to appear any time soon.
.
10. The One That Kills The Least: 
Pretty straight forward song with a nice clean chorus and a good guitar solo, probably really nice to hear this live. 
Then again, there are no heavy vocals anywhere to be found in this song except for the ending, but the song lends itself for some nice screams here and there. I think they should have added some brutal vocals after the guitar solo. Therefor in my opinion this song could be a little better.
.
11. Custer: 
OK, here we go. This song almost brought tears to my eyes (in a VERY good way) when I first listened the beginning of the song. When I listen to Custer I hear OLD SHIT. Guess what I love most... The pure aggression in this song want's you to smash everything that's surrounding you. The chorus in this song (which gives me goosebumps every time I hear it) is going to get some people seriously injured while in the mosh pit at a concert. After hearing all of the above song I thought that "The Negative One" would stay my favorite song of the album, but I was wrong. This BEAST(!) of a song instantly won me over.
.
12. Be Prepared For Hell: 
This is a prologue/intro for the song next in line. There's some weird and creepy shit going on here. Good one for live performances while showing a really creepy and disturbing video or something. This also will give the band some time for a stage appearance switch. I just love the creepy feel to it.
.
13. The Negative One: 
The first song of this record which was released some time ago. Just like "Custer" it's got the OLD SHIT feel to it. The best parts for me personally is the absolute killer guitar riff, the samples by Craig and the scratches by Sid. Can't wait to see this one live, directly followed up by "Custer". Great, great, great song.
.
14. If Rain Is What You Want: 
It's a slow and dark ending on the record, which is perfectly fine, for we already had so many up tempo heavy songs. 
Actually, the song is really good in my opinion. With some weird samples and high pitch vocals. You really get that feeling 
the record is over. Nothing to complain about the ending. 
.
Overall opinion: 
I think Slipknot has managed to make a great album with loads of influences from previous albums such as "Self Titled" 
and "Iowa". At a certain point even "MFKR" crossed my mind for a split second, but that's just me. Slipknot has created an awesome mixture of heavy, dark, slow, fast, weird, chaotic & emotional music. As a maggot and Slipknot collector, I love every single bit of this record and I can't wait to add all available versions to my collection. As a music enthusiast & musician 
I must say that ".5: The Gray Chapter" is a fantastic addition to Slipknot's discography.
.
Dave Molendijk, The Netherlands

[ryzeaspire]

Killpop was actually written about Slipknot's love-hate relationship with the music industry. Great rewiew btw

[trains]

Killpop is about Taylor's relationship with the music industry...

[theabacross]

5. Vol. 3
4. Slipknot
3. Iowa
2. .5 The Gray Chapter
1. All Hope Is Gone is my fav

[tylerballard]

Great review man. Sarcastrophe AOV Custer Killpop and skeptic blow my mind every time I listen to them. Compile those with the already released Devil in I the negative one and you have quite an amazing album. Can't wait to see this new tour next month!

[mgabeat]

Personally, the Gray Chapter is my favourite album. It is so dark and heavy

[ElhijueputtsPR]

My personal favorites. This is just an opinion
1) Iowa
2) .5: The Gray Chapter
3) All Hope is Gone
4) Slipknot
5) Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses

[issacseo]

1. Slipknot
2. .5 the gray chapter
3. Iowa
4. Vol. 3
5. AHIG

[devilish]

I apologize for the poor grammar and punctuation, I guess it happens. When one is exhausted from being up all night basking in the musical feast of slipknot!

[harrisondykhoff]

My brother hates Slipknot because he thinks they are "generic metal" yet he likes Five Finger Death Punch.

[superchiz]

I feel the exact same way, this coming from a huge fan of slipknot, I've been lookin forward to this for a while and feel I was not let down, even the bonus tracks could replace the ones you mentioned on the original album

[joetaylor]

1.slipknot
2.vol.3 subliminal verses
3. Iowa
4. .5 the grey chapter
5. AHIG

[grasscasket]

Great review. I wasn't expecting Slipknot to come back with such a strong record either, but from the tracks I've heard so far, it has the potential to rival Iowa and Vol. 3.

[lili-yasmeann]

I really wasn't expecting to like this, because I didn't really like the negative one that much. But I'm really loving the album, and it's actually becoming one of my favourites.

[CarlStacey]

its strange... i haven't properly listened to slipknot for yeeaarsss but I'm actually looking forward to listening to this album, i dont quite know why, i feel as though if they didnt go through everything they did and taken such a big break off because of it i wouldn't feel this way but they did and i do, great review! 

[taekwondodude]

I can't wait to hear the full album!!

[julianhirschmuller]

My Top Slipknot Albums:

1) All Hope Is Gone
2) Iowa
3) .5: The Gray Chapter
4) Slipknot
5) Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses

[TheJaketyler]

I feel the same way sir, with this album they have definitely mounted a comeback. It's not a perfect album, but definitely awesome and it really shows optimism to the future of the band. For me the ranking of Slipknot's albums goes Self Titled, .5, Volume 3, Iowa, and All Hope is Gone.

[pinkfloydmeddle]

This is honestly my favorite album by them. Love it

[SteezySteez]

My main fear is that it just won't be heavy over all. Even though you addressed it, I'm still apprehensive. Either way, I can't wait to buy it and listen for myself, nice review dude!