All Hope Is Gone - Slipknot
Hardcore, sometimes violent metal with a message.
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Heard the music?
Music details
- Artist(s): Slipknot
- Genre: Rock
- Label: Roadrunner Records
- Parental Advisory: Yes
- Edited Version: Yes
- Release Date: 08/26/2008
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a band that's increasingly popular with teens. With deep foreboding vocals, aggressive guitar riffs, and angry lyrics, the album creates a dark, menacing atmosphere filled with violence and agony. Although many of the band's lyrics are well thought out and critique culture, economic disparities, and American foreign policy, the aggressive nature of the music keeps the album from being appropriate for most teens.
Families can talk about why someone would choose to listen to an album that's so musically harsh. Do you think aggressive music can make a person more aggressive or influence his mood? Why do you think teen boys identify so heavily with a band like this? Does intense and angry metal music reinforce masculine stereotypes? Is violent and intimidating music a socially appropriate way for teen boys to vent their emotions?
Families can talk about why someone would choose to listen to an album that's so musically harsh. Do you think aggressive music can make a person more aggressive or influence his mood? Why do you think teen boys identify so heavily with a band like this? Does intense and angry metal music reinforce masculine stereotypes? Is violent and intimidating music a socially appropriate way for teen boys to vent their emotions?
Message
Social Behavior:
One of the major themes of the album is questioning social establishments, particularly religious institutions. An example: "My life is undone and I'm a sinner to most but a sage to some/And my gods are untrue/I'm probably wrong/but I'm better than you."
Consumerism:
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Scattered references such as "Throw away your disposable past and fall apart like a cigarette ash."
Violence
There are many intense lyrics and frightening themes on the album. Although most of these references are based in a social commentary context, others are simply gratuitous. One example is the murderous track "Gehenna" with lyrics such as "I cannot deny that you were designed for my punishments/the blood and the body/control the cut so it's seamless/show me your heart/show me the way to complete this." Another example: "Kill your fathers/destroy another life/question everything we clung to for years/live forever/design a better death/confuse a liar with a savior from fear."
Sex
Language
Strong language is used on many of the tracks, primarily with the words "s--t" and "f--k," such as in this line "F--k you all/I'm the only point of view."
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Jacqueline Rupp
The masked men behind Slipknot are back with a much anticipated fourth album. With a nine-member band and everyone contributing to the songwriting on the album, Slipknot presents a musically unified front and one densely packed album. The main themes for this CD appear to be railings against the Iraq War, conservative values, and deceptive leaders.
Is it any good?
Metal fans should see this album as one of the most significant contributions to the genre in a while. Smart, controlled, and even sentimental at times (particularly the track "Dead Memories"), the album is a tour de force of thrashing riffs and vocal indictments of Americana. The four initial tracks throw listeners onto a metal music roller coaster that takes no prisoners. No one is immune from the band's beatings, not the presidential administration, not the military, and certainly not religious institutions. At times the lyrics and themes become repetitive, but the band's clever phrase turning helps keep things interesting. And, Slipknot's Shawn Crahan's trademark lightening fast drum skills are alive and well. Although the album is certainly not for everyone, it should keep metal fans banging their heads for a long time to come.
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Parents and kids say
All Reviews
There are 8 reviews.
Age 15+
Posted on 11/16/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor
Adult Reviews
There are 1 reviews.
Age 15+
Posted on 11/16/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor
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