Iowa
by Slipknot
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 275 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 245 out of 275
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 275
  3. Negative: 23 out of 275

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  1. DeathMtnDew
    Dec 4, 2011
    10
    Slipknot's follow-up to their massively successful debut album does not disappoint. This is their darkest work, and it shows. Some say the very numerous expletives are unneeded and lose effect, but they just can't see that the words help convey the dark and disturbing sound that Slipknot aims to bring to their sophomore effort.
  2. TonyW
    Sep 10, 2009
    8
    Slipknot is no stranger to either ends of the ratiing spectrum. A lot of people will rate them 0-2, because they either don't like metal or don't think their metal enough. A lot of other people, most of the former think are 14-15 year old kids like myself, will put them in the 8-10 rating, simply because it's Slipknot, and Slipknot is the most badass thing they've ever Slipknot is no stranger to either ends of the ratiing spectrum. A lot of people will rate them 0-2, because they either don't like metal or don't think their metal enough. A lot of other people, most of the former think are 14-15 year old kids like myself, will put them in the 8-10 rating, simply because it's Slipknot, and Slipknot is the most badass thing they've ever seen (sarcasm intended). Ultimately, it doesn't matter. All nine members of Slipknot don't give a shit whether or not you like their music or not, which I guess is fair enough, considering they've fluctuated between styles enough to have even thier most hardcore fans hate them. The other thing to remember is that music a subjective matter. One's favourite band might by one's hated band. Hell, even google has their own opinion on who the worst band in the world is. Those who think that Slipknot aren't heavy enough, or that Slipknot is too heavy are entitled to thier opinion, and this is something that even Maggots need to realise. Arguing isn't going to get anyone anywhere, and it certainly isn't going to make any kind of music any better. That being said, Iowa gets an 8 from me, simply because the lyrics intelligently cover themes from misanthropy to the music industry, thier sound is deep and layered, and is one of, if not the heaviest album they've released to date.… Expand
  3. ismar90
    Aug 3, 2011
    10
    best ,heaviest , craziest **** ive ever heard. i todaly dig this crazy, horror nu-metal genre. i like their first album too i got them all .
    but too sad they arent a nu-metal band anymore
    the two first albums by slipknot where aggressive and dark and more of a teenager anger you know as you get older you sort of get tired of that
  4. ZeTsUbOuBi11y
    Nov 11, 2010
    9
    Woah! Head banging magic here! If you're feeling a bit angry or need a good head bang this is the album for you. Disasterpiece is awesome along with **** and The Heretic Anthem :D Best songs on there!
  5. BigD
    Jun 1, 2012
    10
    I love this album. This album has the perfect tone of intelligently placed lyrics which includes words I've never even heard of, and every song in the album is really good, especially Heretic Anthem and I Am Hated. Overall, I give it a 10/10 for the sheer genius, the hard work, and the beautiful tone of the music.
  6. ClintH
    Jun 1, 2005
    6
    The worst of the 3 cd's, but it does get better after playing it through a couple of times. Except for the songs that just plain suck. Like 2 on the entire album so it isn't to bad.
  7. NikB
    Apr 17, 2007
    10
    This album is the most brutal album to ever reach number 1!
  8. JeffA
    May 13, 2008
    9
    This is one of the most brutal albums ever created in the nu-metal scene. If you look underneath all the brutality and the seemingly unorganized noise, you'll notice that songs like "Heretic Anthem" and "Metabolic" need the skill required by some of the best guitarists ever. I doubt even classics bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica could play this fast in their prime. Though some This is one of the most brutal albums ever created in the nu-metal scene. If you look underneath all the brutality and the seemingly unorganized noise, you'll notice that songs like "Heretic Anthem" and "Metabolic" need the skill required by some of the best guitarists ever. I doubt even classics bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica could play this fast in their prime. Though some parts of this album didn't really mix in, over all is a collection of heavy songs getting progressively a little less heavy but much more darker and meaningful. From the first actual song, People = Shit (which is basically a big fuck you to conformists and critcs alike and that your petty judging can get on anyone's nerves) is a perfect example are controlled chaos. Through the whole song it seems like it's going to go all to pieces but it all manages to work out and become a Slipknot classic. The next song to catch my attention was Everything Ends. This is a very emotional song and shows how the lyrical writer for this song (either Corey Taylor or Nathaniel "Joey" Jordison, since they both write the lyrics for the band) has had a hardship that made them feel like everything is a lie. In some cases, I myself can connect to this song. Next comes Heretic Anthem, which though not lyrically deep, is more focused on the skill to actually the song. Double bass drumming and James' guitar playing stick out in this song. I am Hated is one of my favorite on this album. This song goes back to their nu-metal roots, rapping and rocking equally, keeping a perfectly balanced harmony (harmony is a bit ironic but it works). Finally Iowa. This behemoth of a song (timed in at 15:05 minutes) drags on the first few listens but after getting used to it, it's haunting and it has become my personal favorite. What really intrigues me about this song though is that Corey Taylor showed up for the recording of this song naked, bleeding, and drunk which makes the success of the recording that much more appreciable.… Expand
  9. SeanZ
    Dec 11, 2006
    10
    whoever voted below a 6 on this shouldn't have even voted, they are just trying to downgrade an amazingly written album by the knots. 10/10 for me!! rock on and keep playing hard dudes! ''
  10. johnh
    Sep 13, 2006
    9
    awsome thats all u just gotta listen
  11. AlexA
    Mar 14, 2009
    10
    Great album. Second heaviest album by Slipknot, All Hope is Gone being the most heavy. Though this album is a masterpiece, though not single heavy like all the other albums. This is an album you have to listen straight through to fully enjoy it, except for People= Shit, Disasterpiece, and My plague can be listened to as singles. It's hard to explain. I'm not saying the other Great album. Second heaviest album by Slipknot, All Hope is Gone being the most heavy. Though this album is a masterpiece, though not single heavy like all the other albums. This is an album you have to listen straight through to fully enjoy it, except for People= Shit, Disasterpiece, and My plague can be listened to as singles. It's hard to explain. I'm not saying the other songs are bad, I giving it a perfect score, they are all good. This is more technical then the first album, and like all the others has the brilliant real and true vocals of the greatest vocalist of all time Corey Taylor.… Expand
  12. TheQuietGamer
    Jul 16, 2014
    9
    There's a rage to this album that you're not going to find anywhere else. It captures the essence of the out of place feeling teenager who's mad at the world. So obviously it's perfect for anyone who wants to scare their parents, but upon closer observation you'll realize it's something much more than that. It takes the sadness, anger, and hurt that we ALL feel inside and puts them intoThere's a rage to this album that you're not going to find anywhere else. It captures the essence of the out of place feeling teenager who's mad at the world. So obviously it's perfect for anyone who wants to scare their parents, but upon closer observation you'll realize it's something much more than that. It takes the sadness, anger, and hurt that we ALL feel inside and puts them into words infused with an aggressive sound. That's truly impressive.… Expand
  13. mjthadw
    Mar 5, 2012
    10
    Slipknot's IOWA is by far the best metal record of all time because no matter what else I listen to the very second I hear "people=s***" my interests in other music is facemelted and headbanged away.
  14. Fishy75
    Feb 20, 2013
    10
    This album is a masterpiece, DJ, Percussion, Sampling heavy downtuned guitars and a vocalist that shifts between Melodic singing to rapping to screaming to growling.
  15. Thief1337
    Feb 18, 2014
    8
    Arguably one of the most brutal heavy metal albums out there, mainly because the band did not just paint this as a ridiculous attempt to make as much noise as possible or simulating monster growls. The brutality is also contrasted by melodies and singing throughout the album. Not as creative as their self-title album or Vol.3, but definitely a good album to listen to.
  16. flametail23
    Jul 14, 2019
    9
    This is the bands best album. The sheer aggressiveness of songs like 'People = **** and 'The Shape' make this the heaviest album the band has ever put together with the perfect amount of melodic, breather moments sprinkled throughout
  17. TheNarwhal9
    Apr 6, 2020
    10
    Iowa is the heaviest album of Slipknot maybe this album made them on of the biggest, and legendary metalband in the history. 10/10 atmospheric, and heavy.
  18. Shawshank97
    Apr 16, 2012
    9
    An amazing metal album, with all the brutality of Slipknot. Only the choirs of "My Plague" is a bitter sweet. But the sounds in "Iowa" is awesome!!! BEST METAL ALBUM EVER!
  19. brendanh
    Jul 28, 2005
    1
    Its just loud noise and screaming
  20. FA
    Feb 8, 2002
    0
    All songs are similar.
  21. joeyo
    Dec 9, 2003
    1
    i had more fun pulling a tape worm out of my ass!!
  22. mrstabby
    Dec 5, 2004
    3
    slipknot are an acquired taste, some songs for example left behind, everything ends and my plague are very well put together but the rest just sounds like theyve just screamed and added some shit guitar and drums and screamed a bit, these ARE NOT songs, these are almost unlistenable. I love my plague but DO NOT buy this album
  23. CK
    Feb 20, 2007
    2
    I admit i use to like Slipknot when i was first getting into metal. I use to think that it was heavy and all that stuff do to the fact that i had not heard other metal bands. Ounce i heard some other metal i soon relized that this music was shit and i couldent belive that i had been listening to it. I reccommend that if you like this album to go out and listen to some more superiour I admit i use to like Slipknot when i was first getting into metal. I use to think that it was heavy and all that stuff do to the fact that i had not heard other metal bands. Ounce i heard some other metal i soon relized that this music was shit and i couldent belive that i had been listening to it. I reccommend that if you like this album to go out and listen to some more superiour music, trust me you'll be glad when you find something better than this peice of garbage.… Expand
  24. AS
    Oct 22, 2001
    0
    just because this cheap excuse for a metal band put patheticly excessive blood and guts into a 66 minute album (all of which could have easily fit into 45) doesn't mean that it makes up for the complete lack of musical talent, or horribly written lyrics. this album has broguht the title of being "metal" down to an ultimate low.
  25. hillyhilly
    Jul 19, 2003
    0
    this album is crap ! what can I say, it is total shite ! LIMP BIZKIT ,now thats a proper band !
  26. JimmyP
    Nov 1, 2006
    2
    You people that are saying "fuck the critics, they don't know shit" are idiots! If they didn't know what they were talking about then why have they not been fired and replaced by people that know what they're talking about?! Anyway, yeah this band does suck in terms of musicianship, lyricism, originality, etc. Anyone that knows anything about music or plays a musical You people that are saying "fuck the critics, they don't know shit" are idiots! If they didn't know what they were talking about then why have they not been fired and replaced by people that know what they're talking about?! Anyway, yeah this band does suck in terms of musicianship, lyricism, originality, etc. Anyone that knows anything about music or plays a musical instrument knows that, and yes that does include the band members themselves, they know this is total crap but they also know that all the idiotic white high schoolers that know nothing about music will eat it up. You're all clones.… Expand
  27. BobbyK
    Dec 20, 2006
    3
    Awful...I'll take a Converge album over this stuff any day. They're much more intense, and they're so much better than Slipknot. This CD by Slipknot is just overdubbed nu-metal guitars and has little creativity.
  28. MarcusD
    Jun 15, 2006
    0
    What can I say, anything coming from Slipknot will be horrid........... I just hope they relize this music is only there to make Goths/Poths feel better about nothing!
  29. julz
    Feb 23, 2007
    0
    if ur are older then 12 like gimmicky nu-metal and crappy sellouts this is perfect for you
  30. SpiralOut
    Mar 16, 2007
    0
    They seriously need to move past the attempted shock factor and lose the gimmicky masks. It's not metal, I would say it's not even good nu-metal but no nu-metal is good. When listening for musicianship all I find is a strewn concept of what real metal is and too much attention aimed at below average and totally immature lyrics. 14 and 15 year old kids seem to take to this band They seriously need to move past the attempted shock factor and lose the gimmicky masks. It's not metal, I would say it's not even good nu-metal but no nu-metal is good. When listening for musicianship all I find is a strewn concept of what real metal is and too much attention aimed at below average and totally immature lyrics. 14 and 15 year old kids seem to take to this band at an alarming rate... that's probably because the band themselves seem to be on the same maturity level as most of their pre-pubescent fanbase.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2001
20
#20 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. CDNow
    70
    Iowa boldly follows up, notching maximum body blows in its unyielding production, while maintaining an odd grandeur in its professed pain and anguish, its struggle for individualism.
    Read full review
  2. E! Online
    58
    After too many calls for the end of humanity and playing the Satan card a few times, all the yelling becomes little more than a humorless joke.
    Read full review
  3. Playlouder
    80
    'Iowa' is a fantastic metal record, ferocious and inventive, but their rage is that of psychotic adolescents rather than reasoning adults. You'll love it!
    Read full review
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