Artist: Stone Sour
Title: Audio Secrecy
Genre: Hard Rock
Release Date: 3rd September 2010
Label: Roadrunner Records
Album Review
Those who know STONE SOUR also know that their front man, Corey Taylor, and guitarist Jim Root, are also from SLIPKNOT. And if one is from SLIPKNOT that means that each album is going to be something new. However, STONE SOUR is more melodic and in the hard rock vein than SLIPKNOT has been, granting each member a more calming release for the same amount of energy that fuels the fires of their own bands. In the beginning, STONE SOUR was a total ball of fury, featuring just as much aggression and rage as SLIPKNOT was. The only real different track was the soft ballad, ‘Bother’, which marked STONE SOUR’S possible future direction. However, with their second album fans could definitely see a huge change as the band got more melodic, with less screaming, blast beats, lyrics about raging against society, and instead going for a more contemplative angle, scoring hits such as ‘Through Glass’ and ‘30/30-150’ that began to set the trend for STONE SOUR’s style. However, it was the piano ballad ‘Zzyzx Rd’ that really threw a curveball and left fans excited for what the next album would give. And now, with ‘Audio Secrecy’, it is time to unveil the next chapter.
If fans thought that ‘Come What(Ever) May’ was soft, then ‘Audio Secrecy’ is even softer. The opening track is a piano instrumental that picks up right where ‘Zzyzx Rd’ left off. On the tracks with vocals, Corey doesn’t scream as much, at all, but he’s one of those vocalists who can really sing well. Jim Root and Josh Rand create an excellent harmony with their guitars along with Shawn Economaki on bass, ranging from the harsh, aggressive tracks such as ‘Mission Statement’ to the softer tracks such as ‘Hesitate’. The drums, provided by Roy Mayoraga, thump and pound along in a rhythm just as catchy as the guitars. Most of the tracks are either melodic rock hits or slower ballads. The first single, ‘Say You’ll Haunt Me’, may be the most disliked track because it is way too much like many of the other modern rock tracks that populate the radio today. It just doesn’t have that soft, haunting melodic quality that makes STONE SOUR so good. One could see it being performed by a band like NICKELBACK or STAIND instead.
However, STONE SOUR has plenty of haunting ballads to mix with their harder songs that don’t sound as traditional. ‘Hesitate’ features some of the best vocal work along with soft guitar notes that are really easy on the ear hole and act as one of the perfect romantic songs that doesn’t include all the pop rock frills. The track ‘Miracles’ has a very dark tone to the guitar - almost like a western stand off one - and Corey’s vocals echo with despair, and also hope. This contrast is what makes STONE SOUR’s music so beautiful as well as fearsome. ‘Nylon 6/6’ is one of the first tracks to feature some shouting and more distorted riffs to match the anger of the lyrics, but it’s still calming at the same time. The drums are especially clear on the album, and there’s also some piano to add a bit of an eerie tone to the interlude. ‘Pieces’ takes the ‘Bother’ formula from their first album at first, but evolves into a good alternative metal anthem every once in a while. Still, fans will probably raise eyebrows for too much of a similarity between songs. ‘Imperfect’ has a great acoustic harmony to it, with a sheer focus on melody, with only Jim Root’s guitar and Corey Taylor’s vocals to lead the song. ‘Threadbare’ is another slow track that will bring mixed feelings. The verses are very haunting with Corey’s low vocal style and echo effects and the pace of guitars and drums, but when the chorus hits it sounds too much like ‘Say You’ll Haunt Me’, just slowed down.
Of course, there are the hard hitting tracks too. ‘The Bitter End’ just cuts and chops away with the guitars, each strum, especially in the interlude where it is like a juggernaut pounding one step closer to victory. Corey has a mix of screaming and singing in here; a good balance for keeping STONE SOUR in its own territory and not falling into the SLIPKNOT formula. ‘Hate Not Gone’ is a straight up aggressive track that will put smiles on fans’ faces for having the same catchy rhythms as ‘30/30-15’ and ‘Come What(ever) May’. This is probably the angriest track on the album and the closest thing to early STONE SOUR that the band will come; don’t count on them going back to that, though. ‘Anna’ is directly a great rock track that is sure to be a new hit in the near future, while the album closes on ‘Home Again’ which also has hit potential for the catchy guitars and similarity to ‘Sillyworld’ from their last album.
Even though overall Audio Secrecy has taken hits like ‘Bother’ and ‘Looking Glass’ and expanded on them with most of these tracks, STONE SOUR still surprise the fans with their direction towards direct hard rock. At this point, STONE SOUR has really set itself apart from SLIPKNOT and each can go their separate ways while still appeasing fans of both bands. The lyrics are a bit more focused on relationships on this album than the past- especially the ballads- but a new lyrical direction is always good. SLIPKNOT is to Corey and Jim’s rage as STONE SOUR as to their love. Hopefully, STONE SOUR will keep to the SLIPKNOT motto of “Screw the bullshit, screw the norm” and set another dynamic, yet melodic rocker, with album number four.
Tracklist
01. Audio Secrecy (1:43)
02. Mission Statement (3:50)
03. Digital (Did You Tell) (4:00)
04. Say You’ll Haunt Me (4:24)
05. Dying (3:01)
06. Let’s Be Honest (3:44)
07. Unfinished (3:10)
08. Hesitate (4:16)
09. Nylon 6/6 (3:40)
10. Miracles (4:07)
11. Pieces (4:30)
12. The Bitter End (3:33)
13. Imperfect (4:22)
14. Threadbare (5:44)
15. Hate Not Gone (3:49)
16. Anna (3:29)
17. Home Again (3:54)
Line-up
Corey Taylor - vocals, guitar, piano
James Root - lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboard
Josh Rand - rhythm guitar
Shawn Economaki - bass
Ray Mayorga - drums
Website
http://www.stonesour.com/
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Total: 7.5 / 10
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