Slipknot

Slipknot: Funny buggers

All Hope Is Gone

Of the two reunion albums out this week, Slipknot's is the more unexpected success. And, besides, The Verve have probably already split up again.

The mask-loving mettallers had similar issues to the Verve but have regrouped to eye-popping effect. They've also dumped Rick Rubin – who's also too busy reviving everybody else's career to care, of course – and drafted in Dave Fortman, whose brand of stadium rock is a fine marriage for the Iowan rockers. They've also got new masks, but hey, that's not important right now.

By changing the knob-twiddler, early suspicion was that All Hope Is Gone would be loud and aggressive. It is – although loud doesn't really cover it. Stand too close to the speakers for 80 per cent of this and you'll be left

naked and feeling oddly violated. However, listen closer – if you dare – and there are a couple of moments of oddly tuneful songwriting. Indeed, remove Corey Taylor's trademark wailing from Snuff, add a few strings and you could almost imagine Celine Dion belting her way through it. (And seriously, how much would you like to hear Celine Dion sing a song called Snuff?)

For a group famous for vomiting on stage, they appropriately spray bile over everything, including US foreign policy and mascara-wearing, hoodie-wearing, EMO kids. It's a bold move: you'd imagine grunts in Iraq and the mascara-wearing hoodies make up a decent proportion of their target demographic. Then again, show us someone who listens to Slipknot for the lyrics...

For those who want to listen, there's a new direction here to be sure. For those who want the standard howling, visceral Slipknot experience, that's here too. In spades.

They say: 'Slipknot can pull in [different] directions and still maintain a new standard of bone-crunching intensity . There are louder metal bands in the world, for sure, but the Iowan nine-piece continue to make the most noise.' Observer

We say: For those about to rock, we salute you. Just don't stand too close, alright?

Best moment: For newbies, Snuff. For older fans, the screamalong of Sulfur.

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