User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 263 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 13 out of 263

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  1. JayP
    Aug 6, 2008
    10
    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.
  2. Nov 17, 2011
    8
    How this album is rated so low by critics is something I will never know. This album is simply one of the best metal albums out there. Slipknot has established themselves as the leaders of Nu-Metal and Vol. 3 is nothing short of a master piece.
  3. Apr 25, 2013
    9
    One of the greatest modern metal bands in history pumped out another mayhem fuelled album superbly performed produced and composed. I can't wait to see what they do next
  4. Feb 8, 2012
    9
    Where to begin? This album is great, but there are a few songs that I felt had no place in a Slipknot album. However, that's only three songs. The rest are all hardcore songs, and anyone who says that its wrong to use Acoustic guitar is ignorant, as they are not just a bunch of clowns hopping on stage for us; they are artists, and this was an experiment , a successful one to say theWhere to begin? This album is great, but there are a few songs that I felt had no place in a Slipknot album. However, that's only three songs. The rest are all hardcore songs, and anyone who says that its wrong to use Acoustic guitar is ignorant, as they are not just a bunch of clowns hopping on stage for us; they are artists, and this was an experiment , a successful one to say the least. The best song on this album imo has to be The Blister Exists, it makes you get up and headbang because its so hardcore! And yes, I am a real metal head, I listen to all the good thrash bands so don't say I'm a poser fools. Pulse of the Maggots and Three Nil have some awesome percussion and guitar, Vermillion is a two part song that is really awesome, having weird sound effects and Corey's insane vocals. The songs Duality and Before I Forget are the two songs most commonly heard on the radio, but they are still pretty awesome, if not a little formulaic. (More so Before I Forget then Duality, I like Duality quite a bit.) So what are the songs I didn't like? Well I don't care that they went into Acoustic Guitar, but the songs The Virus of Life, Circle, and Danger-Keep Away are all very slow non Slipknot sounding songs and they just don't click with me, I couldn't listen to Danger Keep Away very long, because of the inane whispering as well haha. The song Welcome is pretty good as well I forgot to mention, and Opium of the People is awesome but needs to be longer, too short with those awesome guitar riffs. Expand
  5. Jun 30, 2012
    10
    In this album, Slipknot show a different side to the previous 2 albums. The intensity remains, but in different ways. The Blister Exists is a brutal drum-fest, whilst Circle is a calm, sad, melodic effort showing diversity in the band (something that is often not recognised with Slipknot)
  6. Mar 15, 2013
    9
    I left a better taste that Iowa the instruments and the lyrics are very decent this time, no clutter, are exepcional and not lose their hard style.
    What I like the album is that his side took more meodico and combine his great chaotic style and have released an excellent work.
    The only bad thing is that Corey's voice sounds very hoarse, which had seen a bit sick. It's a nice touch
    I left a better taste that Iowa the instruments and the lyrics are very decent this time, no clutter, are exepcional and not lose their hard style.
    What I like the album is that his side took more meodico and combine his great chaotic style and have released an excellent work.
    The only bad thing is that Corey's voice sounds very hoarse, which had seen a bit sick.
    It's a nice touch that, but this band has proven that they can be more than just a noisy band.
    Well Slipknot.
    Expand
  7. Feb 18, 2014
    9
    Creative. Melodic. Original. Slipknot's maximum potential in one album. One of their best album (if not the best one). It is mastered with brutality and uplifting emotions of sadness, introversion and retrospect. Definitely worth listening to, especially Prelude 3.0, Circle and Welcome.
  8. BobE
    Jun 30, 2004
    2
    This cd is awful, with the exception of two songs. Rick Rubin has really dumbed down the talent. I was really dissappointed
  9. bhal
    Sep 4, 2004
    0
    this cd was not slipknot they sold out, once one of my favorite bands is now a band i loathe!
  10. Maggotforever
    Sep 26, 2006
    4
    Slipknot rocks! but i have to say that this album i softer than iowa and that sucks im not saying slipknot sucks im saying that they sould be more like they were on iowa cuz' thats there coolest album! cya at the next slipknot concert in copenhagen my fellow maggots
  11. ZachL
    Apr 27, 2005
    0
    things should be said about just how horrible this band really is, but i don't have the time or energy to waste on this piece of horse shit you call an album...
  12. JohnB.
    May 9, 2005
    0
    when i first heard this cd, i laughed, thinking it was a complete joke. no one could "write" (for lack of better terms) this music and think they are doing anything for anybody. well i stand corrected, they are a very serious band out there to keep little tasteless media whores happy by trying to buy records that aren't "mainstream." this album is not only mainstream, it's when i first heard this cd, i laughed, thinking it was a complete joke. no one could "write" (for lack of better terms) this music and think they are doing anything for anybody. well i stand corrected, they are a very serious band out there to keep little tasteless media whores happy by trying to buy records that aren't "mainstream." this album is not only mainstream, it's mainstream shit. for the love of god, please tell this band that they suck Expand
  13. Brian
    Aug 27, 2004
    5
    Ah!WTF went wrong here!?Slipknot has traded in their B.C Richs' for acustic guitars.The songs also have lost their intensity,and the "in your face" lyrics that were on IOWA and their ST.I was even more disapointed that this came from Rick Rubin of all people.Very disapointing...
  14. RobbieD.
    Apr 13, 2005
    0
    wow slipknot is a joke.......only freaks listen to this shit....
  15. Dec 13, 2012
    3
    A sold-out band which thinks to make metal, but it doesn't. 8 BAND MEMBERS? A RECORD PLAYER? Is that a joke? A percussion is useless, IMAGINE 2 PERCUSSIONS, like Slipknot have!
  16. DD
    Jun 1, 2004
    9
    awesome cd. theyve grown up without losing the balls
  17. JPPeterson
    Oct 14, 2004
    10
    This album is up there. and by up there i mean way up there. i have been listening to it all summer long and still can't get enough. it may be more mellow but the lyrics and guitar and drums and singing seem fake. how do people say it sucks. you suck
  18. ChrisS
    Jun 4, 2004
    6
    Better in terms of musical diversity yet it lacks the energy of the band's previous offerings.
  19. chuckyo
    Jun 5, 2004
    8
    this cd is definitely worth buying; it's both intense and catchy
  20. Opeth(wreath)
    Jan 26, 2005
    10
    Great album, really good metal in it mixing in with melody i think its there best album. Im hoping for more like this.
  21. BigDave
    Jul 10, 2005
    10
    This album is so awesome-i had all the usual assumptions that slipknot were talentless freaks who screamed over crappy power chords. but how wrong was i!! this album is miles better than IOWA and it should be owned by anyone who has an interest in proper music. genius.
  22. [Anonymous]
    Aug 28, 2005
    0
    I honestly can't listen to this crap with a straight face. They're a terrible band on all fronts. This isn't an album. It is, however, a perfect example of how stupid some record companies are. But if you tasteless goth freaks are buying it, go ahead. Someone tell Slipknot they they're making fools of themselves, for their sake and ours.
  23. MattW
    Nov 7, 2004
    9
    the Self Titled and Iowa kick the shit outta this CD in terms of heavines and brutal lyrics but its not at all a bad cd its just different, so if you couldnt take slipknot before because its so hard and harsh then you might wanna take a look at this, but if you liked ur slipknot the way it was and arnt apt to change
  24. DanielR
    Dec 7, 2004
    10
    One of the most unique CD's i have ever heard. Unlike anything ever before. Great sound - they have evolved from the basic heavy guitar riffs and into something new.
  25. Jessicam
    Jun 15, 2004
    9
    i would have to say i am impressed with slipknot i have been listening 2 the insance and vilolent music for about the bast 2-3 years and this beats all with there new and imporoved songs cory has outdone himslef with his sing as he did in his other band Stone sour keep it up guys you ROCK!
  26. AlbertoG
    Jun 30, 2004
    10
    I liked this CD since I am a big fan of Slipknot and love every single song since the their first album and love a their work I hope they keep together and make more music
  27. DevG
    Jun 30, 2004
    10
    Man this rocked!!! Adicting, man.
  28. Kris
    Jun 5, 2004
    8
    This album, for the most part, achieves a lot of things. It's more accessible, more experimental, and more musically varied, with a good deal of progressive rock influences, and quite a bit of melody infused in the songs. The usual Slipknot fare is here (The Blister Exists, Opium of the People, Welcome), while more experimental pieces such as Prelude 3.0, Danger - Keep Away (with This album, for the most part, achieves a lot of things. It's more accessible, more experimental, and more musically varied, with a good deal of progressive rock influences, and quite a bit of melody infused in the songs. The usual Slipknot fare is here (The Blister Exists, Opium of the People, Welcome), while more experimental pieces such as Prelude 3.0, Danger - Keep Away (with it's surprisingly un-Slipknot vocal harmonies), and the hauntingly gothic Vermilion, probably the best track on this CD. There's also a couple of acoustic tracks here, which some people will (not unjustified) label as sounding a little too much like Stone Sour. Overall, Vol. 3 showcases a more mature and experimental Slipknot; unfortunately, some of their fans will undoubtedly mistake maturity for selling out, which is certainly not the case since Slipknot can still be as heavy as they want to be. It's using this aggression in a more controlled setting that raises them above the usual nu-metal fare. Expand
  29. LiamQ
    Jul 30, 2004
    9
    People moaning about slow songs?? it cannot be thrash death metal all the way through, if it was all heavy it would be dull, I did not like Slipknot at all but this album shows so much maturity in their music, i think its superb
  30. ryans
    Jul 4, 2004
    10
    this is slipknot's best....if i hear one more person say that they sold out i am going to personally hunt u down and rip ur balls off...grow up...its not about being the heavierst metal out there they are some of the most talented musicians alive to date....a few songs i think that are worth noting for you people who say they "sold out" are: the blister exists, three nil, opium of this is slipknot's best....if i hear one more person say that they sold out i am going to personally hunt u down and rip ur balls off...grow up...its not about being the heavierst metal out there they are some of the most talented musicians alive to date....a few songs i think that are worth noting for you people who say they "sold out" are: the blister exists, three nil, opium of the people, welcome" listen to those ones..they still got it in them to be the heaviest band ever....they also show that they can be creative and dynamic (the nameless) which happens to be my favourite song on the CD...they never sold out, not even close...i was a slipknot fan before, now they are my fave this album kicks ass go buy it right now...i wish this rating scale went higher than 10 Expand
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Spin
    75
    The monster-chomp guitars and semiauto percussion are still in effect, but somebody spilled a little Pantene in the Pantera. [Jul 2004, p.108]
  2. Blender
    60
    The basic Slipknot sound has improved. [#27, p.147]
  3. Alternative Press
    20
    Plays out like a tepid, second-rate version of Iowa, which pretty much makes it a third-rate anything else. [Jul 2004, p.142]