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Vol 3: (The Subliminal Verses)

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 88 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Roadrunner
Release Date: 25 May 2004
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Alternative, Metal
Summary
Rick Rubin produced this third LP for the popular mask-wearing Des Moines-based metal outfit, who are set to headline Ozzfest this summer.
Also By This Artist: All Hope Is Gone Iowa
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly
Their most extreme CD to date. [4 June 2004, p.80]
Stylus Magazine
Theyve now released their best album and the best pop inflected metal album since System of a Down's Toxicity.
Read Full Review >New Musical Express
At least two thirds of it is still comprised of head-spinning speed metal, but there are signs of genuine progression -- not to mention progressive rock -- from the off.
Read Full Review >Playlouder
While this album is hardly a sellout or a mellowing down, its shifting in direction, its differing textures make it far better than 'Iowa'.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
It's a satisfying, carefully crafted representation of their career to date.
Read Full Review >Spin
The monster-chomp guitars and semiauto percussion are still in effect, but somebody spilled a little Pantene in the Pantera. [Jul 2004, p.108]
Logo
A significant broadening of the tonal spectrum notwithstanding, the outfit manages to keep their ferocity intact, although the malevolence is structured with a shrewd infusion of melodic vocals, flourishing experimental dynamics and a motherlode of striking riffs.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
A triumph. [Jul 2004, p.124]
Rolling Stone
[Slipknot] has married a little beauty to its beast, with schizophrenic results that are best summed up by the line "The only thing I ever really loved was hate."
Read Full Review >Dot Music
OK, so its not Norah Jones dinner party territory and theres enough torturous mayhem to gratify their faithful maggots but theres equally a contrived nature underlying the habitual havoc.
Read Full Review >Blender
The basic Slipknot sound has improved. [#27, p.147]
Alternative Press
Plays out like a tepid, second-rate version of Iowa, which pretty much makes it a third-rate anything else. [Jul 2004, p.142]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 88 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Nick T gave it a9:
When I first listened to slipknot, I started with Iowa like most. I liked the album very much; more than any of the other nu-metal at the time. The album was intense, raw, and powerful. I then heard their self titled album, but I did not enjoy it as much as Iowa. I suspect that this is because the two sounded familiar. This third album, however, is a horse of a different color. Now, i know most fans will label this as a sell out. But in my opinion, this album is a breath of fresh air and really is a step up. It shows that this group is very talented, and not a one trick pony. I was also impressed with its variety, with very dark and heavy songs like "the virus of life" and others which are more soft such as "danger - keep away". I enjoyed it very much, my favorite so far.
Jay P gave it a10:
Without a doubt a staple in Metal and Music history, the best of the bands current Trilogy this album sets a new bar for the band. Merging both a Dark heaviness with a even darker sense of melody this albums covers both the areas of heavy metal and of passionate expression. This album should not go unheard and for any serious fan of metal or hard rock should not go un-owned.
Tanner C. gave it a10:
The solos,lyrics,and pretty much everything about this album is amasing.
BigPip gave it a7:
Firstly, a message to DeMarcus B: pro·fuse –adjective 1. spending or giving freely and in large amount, often to excess; extravagant (often fol. by in): profuse praise. 2. made or done freely and abundantly: profuse apologies. 3. abundant; in great amount. ...you pretentious twat! dunno what you thought it meant. ass! Secondly, the album is pretty good, some great riffing and drumming. Slipknot were never a band to be taken too seriously and any interviews with the band show this. The prog moments are a welcome change but to be honest the acoustic passages are slightly gay! The selt titled album is better tho as its more direct.
Justin B. gave it a9:
This is a great album and hopefully a sign of things to come from Slipknot.
Bob E gave it a10:
I love this album
jack b gave it a10:
This is their best album so far. The strange thing about it is the lack of a certain four letter word, usualy freely used by Corey Taylor. It has an interesting composition of loud and quiet, making it a very memorable album. It gives the impression that the band have really matured, and that their next album will really be something special. Stay (sic) my maggots.
