 It's hard to be objective about Slipknot when you grew up on Kiss. I once said the same about Insane Clown Posse but Slipknot are in a different league altogether, mainly because they seem to understand where it comes from rather than what it can do.
We're now in a time when A Clockwork Orange and Texas Chainsaw Massacre are freely available. The millenium mindset allows for this huge wave of culture shift to take place and intentionally or not, Slipknot have tapped the source and come up with a package that works - and it's selling by the truckload.
Iowa sees the band (dare I say it) maturing - maybe 'coming into their own' would have been a better expression, but you know what I mean. Almost eclipsing the easy 'shock' value of the debut, Iowa certainly has some staying power and there's lots to see and do here, but if anything they may be in danger of 'wanting to say something'!
There's no escaping the power of tracks like Everything Ends and Left Behind, but they're certainly not the completely mindless pounding that was present on the debut. If there's a fault with Iowa, its a bit on the long side. Rob Zombie got this . . . even Zodiac Mindwarp had it down, but Slipknot take it to the max.
Die hards will love it, those undecided will remain undecided, but ultimately if you're not already a fan, you won't be swayed by Iowa. Only two things can come from this point on for Slipknot: Either world domination or the backlash. Watch this space. :: Sion Smith |
