1	ADDERALL
2	THE DYING SONG (TIME TO SING)
3	THE CHAPELTOWN RAG
4	YEN
5	HIVEMIND
6	WARRANTY
7	MEDICINE FOR THE DEAD
8	ACIDIC
9	HEIRLOOM
10	H377
11	DE SADE
12	FINALE

Slipknot

The End, So Far

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Genre: Heavy Metal.
Released: 30/09/2022
Via Roadrunner Records

Album Review: Slipknot – The End, So Far

It’s that time again! Slipknot is back with The End, So Far and unsurprisingly, the anticipation for this release is at an all-time high. The band may be at their highest point in terms of popularity around the world at the moment so they will be hoping to release an album that will completely blow away the competition! Here is what I thought of the new album.

If you’re hoping for a heavy-as-nails start that you may be left a little underwhelmed by the opening track ‘Adderall’. Opting for a much more soft and mellow vibe than what you’ve come to expect from Slipknot over the years, the song feels quite out of place in truth. It’s certainly different and I guess that fits the Slipknot image but it’s a very tame entry to kick things off. This doesn’t last long however as ‘The Dying Song (Time To Sing)’ dials up the aggression and returns to your regularly scheduled Slipknot song! Catchy choruses backed with eccentric chord progressions and chaotic drumming is everything you could want from a Slipknot single.

Keeping the momentum going is’ The Chapeltown Rag’ and this was the single that really got the hype train moving for new slipknot music. It’s an extremely heavy song that seemed to bring back some of that raw intensity from their earlier days. On the other hand, ‘Yen’ is a very eccentric entry to the album, it merges both mellow and heavy to create an eerie track that lingers in the mind. The best way I can describe this track is what ‘Adderall’ should have been. It incorporates both old and new slipknot beautifully.

Following on from that is ‘Hivemind’, a return to the more unrelenting heaviness that fans have been desperate for. Not losing the charm of a catchy and quirky chorus, this song feels like it could be a massive one off the new album. I’m genuinely shocked this wasn’t an earlier single! ‘Warranty’ continues the heavy assault while ‘Medicine For The Dead’ dials back the speed in favour of a much more methodical execution.

Keeping in theme with the rest of the album ‘Acidic’ opts for a heavier approach however it utilizes clean vocals from Corey Taylor very wisely. Quickly chopping and changing between a scream and clean, the song’s interesting use of contrast creates an almost supernatural esc feel around the music. ‘Heirloom’ is an odd one for me as it has a killer instrumental that is almost begging for a plethora of gutturals, however, the majority of vocals are clean and it works surprisingly well. This one may take a couple of listens to fully grow on you.

If there’s one thing that is clear about Slipknot, it’s that they love an odd spelling of common words. This album’s entry is ‘H377’ and unsurprisingly, this one’s a very heavy one forged deep in the depths of “H377” itself. This track genuinely gives off evil vibes with some of Corey’s vocals sounding like possessed ramblings. ‘De Sade’ shows off the more modern Slipknot formula of opting away from the breakneck chaos and opting for more eccentric and atmospheric melodies and vocal effects. Ending off as the album started, ‘Finale’ really drives away from the norm and utilizes everything from pianos to melodic harmonies while still trying to incorporate a more rock-esque feel to the music.

This album as a whole is going to be very divisive for sure. On one hand, the band have shown their progression once again and delivered on both the heavy and more tame side however, on the other hand, there are a lot of mixed messages coming out of this release. There is no doubt in my mind that it’s a good album but I do feel that the album feels a little lost in what it’s trying to be.