Audio Secrecy
by Stone Sour
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
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  1. AllMusic
    80
    It's always great to see a band that's able to tweak its sound without watering it down, and that's exactly what Stone Sour have accomplished here, showing that it's possible for hard rock bands to make their sound bigger without necessarily making it blunter.
  2. PopMatters
    70
    Stone Sour has tapped into its full potential on Audio Secrecy, and it really shows when the album is heard in order, from beginning to end. The flow of the album is gorgeous, made all the better by the aforementioned balance between soft and heavy.
  3. Rock Sound
    90
    For all those teens who grew up disgracefully with Taylor and Jim Root's other band, Audio Secrecy is the soundtrack to the rest of their lives.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. rdavies
    Nov 13, 2010
    7
    Less screaming and less heavy but more melodic more versatile and as emotionally sound as ever. I enjoyed. Some cynics might not have liked itLess screaming and less heavy but more melodic more versatile and as emotionally sound as ever. I enjoyed. Some cynics might not have liked it but unless you're a fan and can relate to it you're screwed.… Full Review »
  2. Jiano74
    May 16, 2017
    7
    This is a brilliant album, it appeals to those who don't like how heavy Slipknot are but really like Corey Taylor's singing. There are someThis is a brilliant album, it appeals to those who don't like how heavy Slipknot are but really like Corey Taylor's singing. There are some really brilliant songs on this album two I would pick would be Say You'll Haunt Me and Hesitate… Full Review »
  3. TheQuietGamer
    Jul 28, 2016
    8
    Corey Taylor continues to use Stone Sour to show off and experiment with the different musical styles he is capable of. Slipknot comparisonsCorey Taylor continues to use Stone Sour to show off and experiment with the different musical styles he is capable of. Slipknot comparisons are inevitable. However if you are coming into this album looking for more of that band's aggressive nu metal style, then you will be disappointed. Audio Secrecy moves the band even farther away from that sound.

    That's actually a good thing. It allows the band to form more of it's own identity and shows that Corey Taylor can do much more than scream. The work here is more melodic. There are several emotional ballads and straight up rock songs.

    That's not to say that the band doesn't ever get heavy here. Taylor shows he is still in touch with his metal side. Tracks like Mission Statement and The Bitter End are perfect examples of how the album breaks into the hard rock and metal genres. A great thing too, as the heavier material still proves to be the band's more interesting material.

    On the softer side of things there is some lack of impact. Dying is just a generic love song, and tracks like Pieces and Imperfect just fall short. However the band nails it with the singles Hesitate and Say You'll Haunt Me. The latter is just about everything you could want from a modern rock love song. One of the band's best works in my opinion. Hesitate is just a gorgeous emotional ballad. One where the band pours their heart and soul into it and reap the rewards as a result. Miracles takes on a bit of country twang to make it more memorable than most of the other softer tracks, but still ends up falling short.

    Audio Secrecy is a much softer work than anyone has come to expect of Stone Sour and Corey Taylor, especially given their Slipknot ties. Admittedly not all of their more emotional displays here pay off. However the album itself it still great thanks to the heavier tracks which carry the energy and intensity of the band's earlier albums, as well as a few great softer tracks to compliment them. It also does a fantastic job of showing off the range and musical diversity of Corey Taylor while giving Stone Sour more of an identity of it's own, separate from Slipknot.

    It's an overall great album. One that I can recommend despite it's few shortcomings.

    8.6/10    … Full Review »
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