Working my way back into Slipknot's catalogue, to see what has held up over time. I remember liking this album more than "Iowa" when it came out, as they emphasis shifted from just being heavy to writing songs. The first couple songs did not age as well and come across sounding like a more deliberate attempt to recapture what they did on the first album. It's until the single "Duality" that is really grabs me. That song benefit from a stellar chorus and not trying so hard to be heavy. Heaviness should just be a natural byproduct of your playing not something you can force. I must have been easier to please in 2004 as the bulk of this album is not hitting like it used to. "Opium of the People" is certainly not the band at their most inspired.
"Circle" could be any radio rock band during this time period. The power ballads got better over the years. "Welcome" is back to their more spastic explosive side, with the late drummer certainly proving himself, but from a song writing perspective it's pretty lukewarm, and bordering on boring me. "Vermillion" might be one of their best songs, as it has everything, I want from them. It's dark and brooding with melody, yet not compromising. Knowing they can write songs this good makes me ask why do they not always deliver like this? While "Pulse of the Maggots" is a popular anthem among their fans, it is bull headed hammering, that lacks the groove of thrash to make this worthwhile and sounds like a bunch of glue sniffing.
"Before I Forget" proves they can be heavy handed and still write great songs, as it carries more groove and hooky melodies to provide some dynamic range. "Vermilion pt 2" is another ballad, my problem with it in retrospective, is it's not that dark. This might as well be Smashing Pumpkins. "the Nameless" is typical Slipknot but with better than their average riffs driving the song. I appreciate the shift of dynamics when the sung vocals some in. Then things get more experimental on "the Virus of Life" as they split the difference between Marilyn Manson and Mr. Bungle, before bringing a tasty crunch. "Danger / Keep Away" lets things simmer in ambiance. Things come together to form a somewhat, blues-tinged ballad. This is a much better version of what they did on the second part of "Vermillion." I like the layers of vocal harmonies he uses here.
The last song is not as refined as the band's best moments on this album, and while it is dialed in, it is certainly not to ham fisted for it's own good, and one of the band's best times when they have just punched in a wrote some filler, seems an odd choice to end the album with. I will give this album an 8, putting it behind most of the material that came after.
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