Jump to content

All Hope Is Gone

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 144.139.125.39 (talk) at 09:44, 5 October 2008. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the album. For the song, see All Hope Is Gone (song).
Untitled

All Hope Is Gone is the fourth studio album by American metal band Slipknot. It was released on August 20, 2008, by Roadrunner Records. A special edition of the album contains three bonus tracks, and is packaged in a six-fold digipak with a 40-page deluxe booklet and bonus DVD containing a documentary of the album's conception. The album was Slipknot's first #1 debut on the Billboard 200.

Noted to have begun preparation in 2007, recording was due to begin in January 2008; however, it was delayed to February. It is the band's first studio release since 2004's Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), making All Hope Is Gone their fourth studio album as well as the first musical output from the band since Corey Taylor and Jim Root's mainstream success with Stone Sour; Joey Jordison's stints with Korn, Ministry and 3 Inches of Blood; Shawn Crahan's side project Dirty Little Rabbits; and Sid Wilson's solo project. All Hope Is Gone is also the band's first studio album released by a major label to be recorded in their home state of Iowa.

Recording and production

Preparation for All Hope Is Gone reportedly began in 2007, drummer Joey Jordison explains; "I've told them to demo whatever they can so we've got as much material to choose from as possible."[1] In February 2008,[2] Slipknot entered the Sound Farm Studio in Jamaica, Iowa with producer Dave Fortman.[3] Unlike any of their previous albums, All Hope Is Gone was written and recorded in the band's home state of Iowa. Bassist Paul Gray explained that they decided to do this because in Los Angeles—where all their previous albums were produced—there are too many distractions.[4] Band members also revealed that it was good for their mindset being so close to home, in an interview with Kerrang!, vocalist Corey Taylor revealed that he would make a point of driving home every night to see his son.[5] Of the album's production Jordison said, "it's finally the record that I've wanted Slipknot to sound like." Complimenting Fortman's ear for tone, he explains that he believes that this is the band's best album sonically.[6] The album was mixed by Colin Richardson in the United Kingdom.[7]

File:Crahan All Hope Is Gone DVD.jpg
Shawn Crahan during the recording sessions of the album

Unlike previous releases, all nine band members were involved in the writing process of the album, reportedly writing over 30 songs. Jordison reveals, "I have to say that the band is at its peak; everyone—I mean everyone—is now completely involved in the writing process, and it's a beautiful thing."[3] When questioned about the process, vocalist Taylor explained that the cycle was not met without conflict. He went on to add that the creation of every Slipknot album has had conflict and that the band has come to embrace it, as they realize it is what brings out their creativity.[8] Also for the first time, some members of the group separated themselves from the band to write some tracks. Vocalist Taylor and guitarist Jim Root paired up with turntablist Sid Wilson (performing on keyboards) and percussionist Shawn Crahan (who took up full drumming duties) to work on what was described as "oblique, arty pieces."[3] One experiment saw Taylor tracking in an old well, he enthused, "there was this natural reverb to it that was just intense."[3] Crahan would later reveal that none of these tracks made it on to the album. However, one of which, "Til We Die" does appear as a bonus track on the special edition.[9] While the track "Sulfur" was written by Joey Jordison and Jim Root in one evening, percussionist Crahan said that "it's the first time they've ever written a song together."[10] During an interview with LiveDaily, Root expressed some discontent over the process of the record, stating that "it felt a little bit rushed. And it felt like we were trying to do things just to appease a schedule, which I didn't really like." On the subject of the record's producer, Root went on to say, "Dave Fortman really helped me appreciate Rick Rubin as a producer," and that Fortman "wasn't able to get nine people together on the same page and, to me, that's the most important thing in making a Slipknot record."[11]

Promotion

File:Slipknot1.jpg
The first splash teaser picture.

It rumored that, due to the members being unmasked in their side projects, Slipknot was going to be recording and touring this album unmasked. However, these rumors have been dismissed by many band members. Percussionist Shawn Crahan addressed this issue during an interview on The Sauce when discussing the release of their 2006 DVD release Voliminal: Inside the Nine.[12] Bassist Paul Gray confirmed during an interview that the band will be returning with a new image; regarding the masks, he stated, "It'll still be Slipknot, but we're gonna upgrade, step things up a little."[13] Beginning on April 1, 2008, Slipknot's official website began to display splash teasers to promote All Hope Is Gone.[14] 10 teaser trailers were released. The first nine displayed the band in their large purgatory masks, however the last of which featured a darkened photograph of the band with their new masks.[15] Slipknot premiered their new masks on July 1, 2008 through AOL Music's Spinner.com; 8 million people logged onto the site to view the masks on the first day.[16]

Guitarist Jim Root performing during the Mayhem Festival in New York City.

On June 15, a 30-second sample and cover art from the album's title track, "All Hope Is Gone," was available on Amazon.com.[17] The title track began airplay on the same day, and on June 20, for a single day, Roadrunner Records posted a download-able version of the title track, in its entirety, for free download and was released as a digital single soon after. The second single from the album, "Psychosocial" began airplay on June 26, and was released as a digital single on July 7.[18]

The album cover art and track listing was released on July 8,[19] the day before the band started their first tour since 2005 on the Mayhem Festival across the United States. The Mayhem Festival is scheduled to last until August 16. Slipknot was scheduled to appear at Reading and Leeds Festivals in England, the Two Days a Week Festival in Austria and the Area4 Festival in Germany.[20] However, Joey Jordison broke his ankle and the European tour dates were canceled.[21][22] Prior to the release of All Hope Is Gone, copies of the album intended for reviewers were pressed under the false name "Rusty Cage," in order to reduce risks of the album leaking to the Internet early.[23] Through August 17-19 Kerrang! held six special listening events spanning the United Kingdom. These events included a preview of the documentary supplied with special editions of the album, Nine: The Making of All Hope Is Gone, as well as free merchandise.[24]

Music style

Prior to the release of the album, band members displayed interest in making it their heaviest album to date. During an interview with Kerrang! drummer Jordison said, "It's going to be heavier than 'Vol. 3...' but just as weird and as experimental."[1] Vocalist Taylor reiterated this when he described All Hope Is Gone as a "very dark" combination of the band's two most recent studio albums, Iowa and Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses).[25] On All Hope Is Gone Slipknot expanded on their use of traditional song structures, acoustics and solos that they first introduced on their previous album Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses). The track "Snuff" is predominantly led by acoustic guitars and has been dubbed as Slipknot's attempt at a "power ballad", though it still remains "dark and ominous".[26] Of the song Shawn Crahan stated, "Everyone can feel the pain that's in there. It's not forced upon you. You have it in there innately."[10] However, the band also retained their metal edge which is reminiscent of their earlier work. Stephen Erlewine of Allmusic wrote that "Gematria (The Killing Name)" goes from "a cluster of cacophony" to "an onslaught of densely dark intricate riffs."[27] Percussionist Crahan compared it to that of "(sic)" from their debut album explaining, "the technique and the style are very reminiscent of the old, brutal shit that we've done."[10] While Jim Kaz of IGN stated that the "swaggering, cock-rock groove and an anthemic chorus" of "Psychosocial" gives Slipknot the potential to reach out to new fans "without sacrificing a lick of intensity."[28] Crahan stated he "loves" his parts of "Psychosocial", in which they incorporated snare drums, reminiscent of "Before I Forget".[10] Crahan cited "The Cold Black" as one of his favorite songs saying that it has a "driving tempo and a lot of attitude".[10] The track "Gehenna" incorporates elements of Slipknot's slower, more cerebral edge reminiscent of "Prosthetics" and "Purity" from their debut album. Crahan called it a "trippy song", explaining that "it's just somewhere we go."[10]

Lyrical themes

During an interview in 2008, vocalist Corey Taylor explained that "All Hope Is Gone"—the album title and the penultimate track-are aimed at fans expectations of the band, stating "just when you thought you had us figured out, give up all hope because you're never, ever going to."[29][30] Throughout the album Taylor incorporated a considerably larger focus on politics in his lyrics, compared to that of Slipknot's previous albums. The opening track, ".execute." features Taylor's interpretation of—former US Vice President—Spiro Agnew’s infamous speech targeted at Vietnam War protesters.[26] The second track "Gematria (the Killing Name)" follows in the same vein, during an interview with Kerrang! Taylor discussed the lyrical content of the song, explaining, "there are a lot of people who are disguising politics as religion and dictating taste and turning it into policy. And that hurts me."[30] Reviewing for IGN, Jim Kaz said the track lyrically gives the listener a "heaping dose of Corey Taylor's caustic bravado".[28] On the track "Wherein Lies Continue" Taylor offers a "dressing down of the world as we know it", explaining that "it kinda goes up against any civilization that takes themselves way too seriously and where the 'leaders' are so pretentious that they think they are deemed to speak for the people."[30] Taylor also proclaimed that "it wouldn't be a Slipknot album if I didn't rag on the recording industry." On "Butcher's Hook" Taylor targets specifically "all those little emo boys", further explaining; "people give us shit for wearing outfits, but all of those guys look exactly the same."[30] Other tracks include themes such as anger, disaffection, obsession and reflection.[30]

Reception

Anticipation for the band's fourth studio album began upon the release of Slipknot's previous album, Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), when Allmusic stated, "there's a sense that whatever Slipknot do next might be their ultimate broadcast to the faithful."[31] The percussive edge on the album was praised by Rolling Stone reviewer Chris Steffen, "the band’s multiple percussionists generate a din that’s more suffocating than ever" on the track "Gematria." He went on to propose that "Snuff" the "most melodic" song on the album, comparing it to "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)'s" "Circle." The album's second single, "Psychosocial," "is capped off with a time-signature shattering guitar/drum breakdown that will leave the best air-instrumentalists stumped."[32] The album was praised by Total Guitar writer Nick Cracknell, who declared the effort, "Slipknot's heaviest and most aggressive work to date," comparing "Dead Memories" to the works of Alice in Chains, while praising "Gehenna" for being the band's "most experimental work in their history." He went on to state "Wherein Lies Continue" contains a "huge chugging verse riff" which evolves into an "incredible soaring chorus."[33] Dan Martin of The Guardian compared "Dead Memories" to "Enter Sandman," while calling "Gematria (The Killing Name)" "astonishingly dense thrash."[34] Reviewing for The Quietus, John Doran praised "Butcher's Hook," while citing "This Cold Black" as the album's heaviest piece.[35]

All Hope Is Gone was Slipknot's first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart, beating rapper The Game's LAX by just 1,134 units.[36] Initially Billboard published an article stating that The Game had in fact secured the top spot with a margin of a mere 13 units in what was described as the "closest race for number one since SoundScan began tracking Data in 1991".[37] However 12 hours later—after a recount—the article was rewritten and Slipknot were awarded the number one spot.[37] The album has been certified gold in the United Kingdom.[38]

Track listing

  1. ".execute." – 1:49
  2. "Gematria (The Killing Name)" – 6:01
  3. "Sulfur" – 4:37
  4. "Psychosocial" – 4:43
  5. "Dead Memories" – 4:28
  6. "Vendetta" – 5:15
  7. "Butcher's Hook" – 4:14
  8. "Gehenna" – 6:53
  9. "This Cold Black" – 4:40
  10. "Wherein Lies Continue" – 5:36
  11. "Snuff" – 4:36
  12. "All Hope Is Gone" – 4:44

Special edition bonus tracks

  2. "Child of Burning Time" – 5:10
  3. "Vermilion, Pt. 2" (Bloodstone mix) – 3:39
  4. "'Til We Die" – 5:46

Bonus DVD

The special edition of the album includes a DVD containing a 35-minute documentary directed by percussionist Shawn Crahan about the album's conception and recording, titled Nine: The Making of All Hope Is Gone.[39] The recording of parts of "Child of Burning Time", "Dead Memories", "Snuff", "Vendetta", "This Cold Black", "Psychosocial", and "Sulfur" appear in the documentary.[40] Instrumental effects and garbled music by Crahan are also featured on the DVD.[40]

Chart positions

Chart (2008) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[41] 1
Austria Albums Chart[42] 1
Belgian Albums Chart[43] 2
Canadian Albums Chart[43] 1
Dutch Albums Chart[43] 6
European Top 100 Albums[44] 1
Finnish Albums Chart[43] 1
French Albums Chart[43] 3
German Albums Chart[43] 2
Irish Albums Chart[45] 3
Japan Albums Chart[46] 2
Mexican Albums Chart[43] 8
Netherlands Albums Chart[47] 6
Norwegian Albums Chart[43] 2
New Zealand Albums Chart[43] 1
Portuguese Albums Chart[48] 7
Spain Albums Chart[43] 8
Swedish Albums Chart[43] 1
Swiss Albums Chart[49] 1
UK Albums Chart[50] 2
US Billboard 200[43] 1

Personnel

References

  1. ^ a b "Slipknot man promises brutal new album in '08". Kerrang!. 2007-07-20. Retrieved 2007-11-29. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Thomson, Mick. "NAMM 2008 Report". On Track Magazine. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  3. ^ a b c d Epstein, Dan (2008). "Wait and Bleed". Revolver: 54–6. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Slipknot brings Mayhem". AZCentral.com. The Arizona Republic. 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2008-07-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "We are Slipknot and somebody's gonna get killed...". Kerrang!. 2008-07-26. pp. 22–27. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ "Metal Hammer Podcast Is Live" (Podcast). Metal Hammer. 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Wilcox, Daniel (2008-07-16). "The Great Rock News Report". 411mania. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  8. ^ "Exclusive Podcast: Slipknot's Corey Taylor Raises the Flag Before Setting it Aflame". MTV. 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  9. ^ Harris, Chris (2008-07-21). "Slipknot's Clown Unmasks Band's Trademark Look: How Often Are Those Masks Cleaned Anyway?". MTV. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Rick Florino (2008-08-25). "Interview: Slipknot (Track-by-Track)". Artistdirect. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
  11. ^ "LiveDaily Interview: Jim Root of Slipknot". LiveDaily. 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
  12. ^ "Shawn Crahan Interview". The Sauce. 2007-04-23. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "What time is it? Slipknot time!". Kerrang!. 2008-01-05. p. 29. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ "Slipknot: First Glimpse At New Masks". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-04-01. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  15. ^ "Slipknot official site". 2008-06-06. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
  16. ^ "Slipknot: 8 Million People Log On To AOL To See New Masks". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ "Slipknot: New Single Sample, Artwork Available". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-06-15. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  18. ^ "Slipknot To Release Free Single On Friday". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-06-18. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  19. ^ "Slipknot: 'All Hope Is Gone' Artwork Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  20. ^ "Slipknot: European Festival Appearances Announced". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-05-19. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  21. ^ "Slipknot pull out of UK festival". BBC. 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  22. ^ "A Statement from Slipknot" (Press release). Roadrunner Records. 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  23. ^ "Album: Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone". Thrash Hits. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  24. ^ "Slipknot, hear the new album first". Kerrang!. 2008-08-06. Retrieved 2008-08-10. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ Peters, Mitchell (2008-05-13). "Taylor: New Slipknot Album Will 'Rip Your Face Off'". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-05-14. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ a b Darren Sadler (2008-08-25). "Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone". Rock Sound. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "All Hope Is Gone". Review. Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  28. ^ a b Jim Kaz (2008-08-26). "Slipknot – All Hope Is Gone Review". IGN. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  29. ^ "Corey Taylor: Metal Hammer exclusive". Metal Hammer. 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2007-12-02. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ a b c d e "Corey's All Hope Is Gone track by track". Kerrang!. 2008-07-19. pp. 6–7. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ Johnny Loftus. "Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses - Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  32. ^ Chris Steffen (2008-06-08). "New Slipknot Album: A First Listen to "All Hope Is Gone"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-06-23. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ Nick Cracknell (2008-07-24). "Slipknot: Preview Of All Hope Is Gone". Total Guitar. Retrieved 2008-08-01. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ Martin, Dan (2008-08-10). "Rock review: Slipknot, All Hope Is Gone". Pop and Rock. The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-08-14. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ Doran, John (2008-08-13). "Slipknot's All Hope Is Gone Not Just A Clever Name..." The Quietus. Retrieved 2008-08-14. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ Hasty, Katie (2008-09-03). "Slipknot Edges The Game Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-09-06. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ a b Jones, Alan (2008-09-05). "Slipknot claim first US number one, after chart mix up". Music Week. Retrieved 2008-09-06. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  38. ^ "Certified Awards". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  39. ^ "Slipknot Announce Special Edition Album". Metal Hammer. 2008-07-29. Retrieved 2008-07-29. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  40. ^ a b "All Hope Is Gone: (CD+DVD) (Doppel-CD)". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  41. ^ "Australian chart". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  42. ^ "Suche nach: Slipknot". AustrianCharts.at. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "All Hope Is Gone is #1!!". Sparkart. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  44. ^ "European Top 100 Albums". Billboard. 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2008-09-06. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  45. ^ "IRMA - Irish Charts". IRMA. 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  46. ^ "Japan - Top Albums Chart". Allcharts.org. 2008-09-01. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  47. ^ "Search for: Slipknot". DutchCharts.nl. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  48. ^ "Search for: Slipknot". PortugueseCharts.com. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  49. ^ "Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  50. ^ "Radio 1 Chart Show". BBC. 2008-08-31. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
Preceded by Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album
September 1, 2008 - September 15, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Mamma Mia! soundtrack
 New Zealand RIANZ Albums Chart number one album
September 1, 2008 - September 8, 2008 		Succeeded by
Mamma Mia! soundtrack
Preceded by Billboard 200 number one album
September 13, 2008 - September 20, 2008 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=All_Hope_Is_Gone&oldid=243141416"