On this, the second consecutive week of few new releases, our top album is a greatest hits collection from a group that, in the eyes of many, was sorely deserving of such a collection. Responsible for so many trends that permeated the late ’90s and the entire 2000s, as well as being one of the most well-known bands still heavy enough to be called metal, Slipknot has spent the majority of their 17-year career in the spotlight in some form or fashion. Now, finally, those few people that may be unfamiliar with the band can experience their most popular songs all in one place. There are extras for veteran fans too, so check it out!
Slipknot, Antennas to Hell (Roadrunner)
I remember back in 1999 when I first heard “Wait and Bleed” on the radio station my sister used to listen to, and at the tender age of 13, wondering how any band could produce music that sounded so chaotic and still make it work. Now, over a decade later, my sister listens to pop and indie rock, while I have become a lifetime devotee to hard rock and metal. The moral of the story? Slipknot is not made for the casual listener. Despite their radio success, if you’re going to call yourself a Slipknot fan, you have to like more than just the hits. That being said, the hits are the best place to start if you want to get to know their sound a bit, and now you can get them all in one place. From classics like “Wait and Bleed” and “(sic)”, that first started the madness, to more modern hits like “Sulfur” and “Psychosocial”, Antennas to Hell has the most comprehensive track listing that could be used to define Slipknot’s sound. You can also pick up the special edition as an easy way to acquire the second disc of 2010’s (sic)nesses DVD release, which offers a full video presentation of the band’s headlining performance at the 2009 Download Festival.
Also being released this week:
Constants, Pasiflora (The Mylene Sheath)
Om, Advaitic Songs (Drag City)
Next Week: There is no way that we would get three short weeks in a row! Led by one of the best bands from America’s second wave of thrash, be prepared to be inundated with great new music in seven days!
