Slipknot “Slipknot” (1999) – got it
Slipknot as a band are something of an onslaught on all fronts. For a
start, the album cover that shows all 9(!) members of the band in their
stage garb (borrowed liberally from Mr Bungle) of matching overalls and a
collection of bondage, clown and other masks. This image combined with
the band-members being identified by numbers instead of their names
leads to an general dehumanisation of them.
With 1 drummer, 2 percussionists, a bassist, 2 guitarists, a DJ, a
sampler and a vocalist, the band present an imposing aural and visual
presence.
After a brief track with repeated vocal sample and unsettling
oscillating drone sounds, the aural part of the assault kicks off with
opening track "(sic)".
It’s a thundering wall of metal guitar and pounding drums. A friend
of mine pointed out that Slipknot’s heaviness comes less from their
guitars (though the riffs are plenty heavy) or the vocals (though again,
ROAR) and more from the 3-headed drums/percussion monster that really
gives the music much of its punishing brutality.
If the band's approach has a problem, it'd be that the onslaught is a
little too constant. Though there's a drum-n-bass break at the start of
third track, a little more melody in single "Wait and Bleed" and one or two other little variations, for the most part it's the same sound across the album's runtime.
.... and of course don't forget the secret hidden track, because it's still the 90s.
