Vol 3: (The Subliminal Verses)
by Slipknot
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 263 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 233 out of 263
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 263
  3. Negative: 13 out of 263

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  1. MrIslamic
    Apr 25, 2021
    10
    Easily one of the best albums I have listened to, it is consistently good to start to finish. The album shows that Slipknot can do more than just metal with songs like Vermillion Pt.2. I highly recommend it.
  2. banzar
    Feb 24, 2020
    9
    Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Slipknot.
  3. Azelf_br
    Sep 15, 2019
    7
    This album have some Really good musics, such as Duality, Before I forget, Circle, The Blister Exists & Vermillion (1 and 2), but the rest of the musics are not that good.
  4. flametail23
    Jul 14, 2019
    7
    A slight step down from their previous two albums but still a good listen with plenty of great tracks. This time around, Corey's scream is noticeably different but still works wonders and offers listeners a slightly more subdued vocal performance than many would be expecting. The band still manages to pull through and deliver a good album that now has a large cult following that considersA slight step down from their previous two albums but still a good listen with plenty of great tracks. This time around, Corey's scream is noticeably different but still works wonders and offers listeners a slightly more subdued vocal performance than many would be expecting. The band still manages to pull through and deliver a good album that now has a large cult following that considers this to be the bands best effort due to how different it sounds.… Expand
  5. Epifan1
    Jul 16, 2018
    8
    Yes, that's what I need. Stably good sound.
    "Before I Forget" - favorite driving track.
    "Vermilion Pt. 2" - the best light track.
  6. Masseffect
    Mar 16, 2018
    10
    I have been listening to Slipknot for over a decade and this is the album that I come back to year after year. It is by far the best album of theirs from start to finish.
  7. royben14
    Feb 2, 2017
    9
    Saying this album is weird is an understatement, this album is a genre fuse of various experimental styles of rock and metal. One of the most progressive metal album ever to come out, crafted to perfection. Slipknot at their best even 'till this date.
  8. andrepusey1
    Jul 27, 2016
    9
    Vol. 3 is second only to the self-titled album as Slipknot's best release, in my opinion. If you are more happy with full-on brutal heaviness, then Iowa will be more up your alley, but for those of us with a bit more acceptance of mainstream pop and rock sounds, this is the perfect album.

    Prelude 3.0 immediately sets a slower but still dark tone, although this is blown out of the water    Vol. 3 is second only to the self-titled album as Slipknot's best release, in my opinion. If you are more happy with full-on brutal heaviness, then Iowa will be more up your alley, but for those of us with a bit more acceptance of mainstream pop and rock sounds, this is the perfect album.

    Prelude 3.0 immediately sets a slower but still dark tone, although this is blown out of the water with tracks like The Blister Exists and Pulse of the Maggots later on. Where Vol. 3 really shines, though, is with its mainstream appeal. Duality, Vermilion and Before I Forget, the three main singles from the album, are three of the ALL-TIME best heavy metal songs. Period. You probably already know this.

    Vol. 3 was the first Slipknot record I heard around the age of 14, and it blew the absolute hell out of every piece of my mind. Going back, and then forwards, they quickly became my favourite band on the planet. There's not much more to say about this other than to recommend that you listen to it. 100 times.    … Expand
  9. UltimateBub
    Apr 17, 2016
    9
    The best Slipknot album. The band's best songs, simply put: Duality and Vermilion are classics, and I don't think Slipknot has ever written something better than Before I Forget. Vol. 3 is more melodic than anything they've done so far, and that's a good thing, and while some of the songs don't seem to fit in too much, the overall experience is quite great. Artistically speaking I thinkThe best Slipknot album. The band's best songs, simply put: Duality and Vermilion are classics, and I don't think Slipknot has ever written something better than Before I Forget. Vol. 3 is more melodic than anything they've done so far, and that's a good thing, and while some of the songs don't seem to fit in too much, the overall experience is quite great. Artistically speaking I think it's their absolute peak.… Expand
  10. Michalis
    Mar 13, 2016
    8
    I saw comments like "only freaks listen to this s**t' and "But if you tasteless goth freaks are buying it, go ahead."... Seriously, how much Justin Bieber fans are here? The people you are calling FREAKS are METAL FANS. Saw comments like "You can't wear crazy masks, call yourself metal, and sing girly songs!" too. If you think that the band's sound have become softer than their first twoI saw comments like "only freaks listen to this s**t' and "But if you tasteless goth freaks are buying it, go ahead."... Seriously, how much Justin Bieber fans are here? The people you are calling FREAKS are METAL FANS. Saw comments like "You can't wear crazy masks, call yourself metal, and sing girly songs!" too. If you think that the band's sound have become softer than their first two albums, please check the album "A Thousand Suns" from Linkin Park and after their older albums to see what CHANGE remains. I maybe didn't loved this album, not because it is softer than the first two albums, but it is very good! Duality and Before I Forget are awesome songs!… Expand
  11. harvestersorrow
    Jan 23, 2016
    8
    The feel of this album is so scratchy. I'm not if its Corey's vocals or the guitar tones or both, but the way it was mixed makes it sound like a constant raspy voice. I think it was a really nice touch. The Blister exists and Welcome are very heavy songs, but for completely different reason for why songs like (sic) and Disasterpiece were heavy. Slipknots previous work seemed like it wasThe feel of this album is so scratchy. I'm not if its Corey's vocals or the guitar tones or both, but the way it was mixed makes it sound like a constant raspy voice. I think it was a really nice touch. The Blister exists and Welcome are very heavy songs, but for completely different reason for why songs like (sic) and Disasterpiece were heavy. Slipknots previous work seemed like it was told from more of a certain perspective, while songs like the blister exists feel more cinematic and mature. Not to say the first two albums weren't filled with some cinematic exposition, Vol 3 just feels like it tells a bigger story. The Virus of life kind of deviates from the rest of the album and may be one of Slipknots most underrated tracks. It's extremely fleshed out and it has the visceral vibe that the previous albums wore like a tattoo across the forehead. The Nameless is one of my all time favourite slipknot tracks (just putting that out there). duality, before i forget and vermilion also star… Expand
  12. Hank_Shrader
    Jan 12, 2016
    10
    Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) by Slipknot. A german review.
    Wahnsinn. Das dritte Werk der Maskenmänner bietet alles was die Fans sich erhofft haben.
    Mehr ist dazu nicht zu sagen. Wahrscheinlich das beste Werk bis dato: 10/10
  13. Gehenn666
    Oct 28, 2015
    10
    I was surprised when i listened some of the songs from this album for the first time,i didn't expect slipknot to release songs like vermillion pt 2 and circle,but i **** loved them.
    This is the band most experimental work, it sounds great, it's creative and like we're used to, it doesn't sound like anything else that the band has released. Slipknot is truly one of the best bands in metal history.
  14. IAmNotLying
    Sep 16, 2015
    10
    For "Vol 3: (The Subliminal Verses)", Slipknot changed their music style. They started to use ballads and more melodic metal. Some people say that this is was Slipknots first mediocre, even bad, album. I think this is their best album at this moment. The album still have it's heavy moments (such as "The Blister Exists" and "Before I Forget"), but also softer songs (such as "Circle" andFor "Vol 3: (The Subliminal Verses)", Slipknot changed their music style. They started to use ballads and more melodic metal. Some people say that this is was Slipknots first mediocre, even bad, album. I think this is their best album at this moment. The album still have it's heavy moments (such as "The Blister Exists" and "Before I Forget"), but also softer songs (such as "Circle" and "Vermilion Pt. 2"). I highly recommend this album, but if you want more like the albums "Slipknot" or "Iowa, prepare to be disappointed.… Expand
  15. Split1
    Sep 9, 2015
    8
    Definitely good. Not as dark as previous albums, but I could still get an emotional connection with it. Definitely worth buying it. Not my first pick, but definitely not my last.
  16. TheQuietGamer
    Aug 24, 2014
    9
    A more melodic Slipknot album with a more harmonic sound. In it the sound no longer beats you over the head with loud anger and aggression (not an insult). There are still plenty of heavy tracks, but no longer are they laced with excessive profanity or references to the devil that at times felt thrown in for shock value. It overall feels like a much more mature work from the band, soA more melodic Slipknot album with a more harmonic sound. In it the sound no longer beats you over the head with loud anger and aggression (not an insult). There are still plenty of heavy tracks, but no longer are they laced with excessive profanity or references to the devil that at times felt thrown in for shock value. It overall feels like a much more mature work from the band, so parents might not be so horrified with their out-of-place feeling teenagers listening to it.

    That's not to say they're Slipknot's only audience. In fact the band's work has always had the potential for a much wider audience than it already has, but that would require people to get over the stereotypes associated with this kind of music. This album does a lot to help that.

    Not only is the style and tone different than previous albums, but the lyrical themes are as well. The stuff can get pretty dark. Songs like The Nameless, The Virus of Life, and the Vermillion tracks focus on darker aspects of "love" such as obsession and worship. When the sound isn't heavy it can be creepy, but it all feels intelligent throughout.

    It really is one of the best nu-metal albums out there, and Slipknot shows that it can experiment with it's sound without sacrificing what so many fans love about them in the first place. It shows growth and a different maturity than the previous two albums. I give it a 9.2/10.    … Expand
  17. Thief1337
    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.
  18. TheMaximalist
    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
  19. forestville
    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
  20. scfcjh
    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)
  21. WielderofKnives
    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
  22. asylumspadez
    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.
  23. NickT
    May 25, 2009
    9
    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 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.… Expand
  24. 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.
  25. TannerC.
    Jul 13, 2008
    10
    The solos,lyrics,and pretty much everything about this album is amasing.
  26. BigPip
    Mar 14, 2008
    7
    Firstly, a message to DeMarcus B: pro·fuse
  27. JustinB.
    Dec 2, 2007
    9
    This is a great album and hopefully a sign of things to come from Slipknot.
  28. jackb
    Mar 8, 2007
    10
    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.
  29. thomasw
    Feb 2, 2007
    9
    not as good as Slipknot but definetly one hell of an album! you've got to love three nil, man. kick ass!
  30. patc
    May 16, 2006
    10
    this is an awsome album!anyone who doesn't like this album doesn't like slipknot
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Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2004
32
#32 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. 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]
See all critic reviews »