SLIPKNOT – ANTENNAS TO HELL (Deluxe Edition)

SLIPKNOT – ANTENNAS TO HELL (Deluxe Edition)                                                            RATING: 5/5

Carl Ewen

It is only appropriate that the first words that hit you while listening to Slipknot’s recently released retrospective are “Here comes the pain” from the song (SIC). It has been over 13 years since the Iowa natives released their self-titled debut album, and they changed the face of metal for the better.

The latest release from the nine piece masked behemoth that is Slipknot, is a greatest hits album, but is not your usual greatest hits. The 19 tracks on this CD were carefully selected by the band themselves, and was pieced together purely for their millions of fans worldwide, affectionately referred to as Maggots.

The selection of songs on Antennas to Hell, start right back from 1999’s Slipknot, through to IOWA (2001), Volume 3: The Subliminal Verses (2004) and closing up with cuts from All Hope Is Gone (2008).

While Slipknot have not released any new material since 2008, during this time they have risen to the highest of the highs, by cementing themselves as one of the top selling metal outfits in the world, headlining numerous festivals and selling out numerous stadiums and arenas the world over. But, during this time they have also hit the lowest points possible, with the tragic loss of Bassist and founding member Paul Gray.

Gray was discovered dead in a hotel room in Iowa on May 24^th 2010, after an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl. The loss of Gray, hit the band in a huge way. But after several months of the scepticism as to whether Slipknot would return, they began touring again in 2011, stating that “Paul would want them to continue” – Corey Taylor.

Following a series of tours, including Soundwave Festival, Australia in February 2012, Slipknot announced the release of their retrospective of tracks for the fans, accompanied (in the deluxe edition of the album) by a live audio CD of their now legendary Download Festival performance from 2009, and a DVD featuring 20 music videos and 10 new short films created by the bands custom percussionist, Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan.

Slipknot are an unstoppable force. They have always done things their way, and do not follow any trends or fashions laid out before them. Many people say they have ‘sold out’, when in reality, the only thing they have sold out, are stadiums and festivals around the globe.

The ‘Greatest Hits’ CD of Antennas to Hell, is a perfect representation of the evolution of this band. From their early Nu-Metal beginnings with fan favourites, (SIC), Surfacing and break through track Wait and Bleed, continuing through to their heaviest album IOWA, with choice cuts like People = Shit and The Heretic Album.

Their third album, Volume 3: The Subliminal Verses is well represented with Duality, Pulse of the Maggots (a track written in gratitude of their very loyal fans) and the Grammy Award winning Before I Forget (Best Metal Performance, 2006). Rounded out with tracks from the last ‘Knot record All Hope Is Gone; Psychosocial, Sulfur and Slipknot’s genuine attempt at a power ballad Snuff.

All of the tracks that a die-hard Slipknot fan would expect are included on this best of, with only a few tracks that still could have been included. Combined in the deluxe version of this release, is a audio CD of their Download 2009 headlining performance, previously made available as a concert DVD, released in memory of their fallen brother Paul.

The intensity of a live Slipknot show are captured as well as they possibly can on this recording. Slipknot are a truly intense live experience, so to have it captured so well on a piece of plastic is astounding. The live cuts, are basically a live version of the greatest hits package, with only but a few tracks difference, but provide the listener with a completely different experience.

Rounding out this spectacular package is a DVD complete with 20 different music and live videos, plus 10 specially directed broadcasts focussing on the 9 individuals that make up the band, directed by Clown.

I am a Maggot, and damn proud of the fact. I can still vividly remember the first time I heard Slipknot, and how my live was forever changed for the better. This nine headed beast has forever changed the face of music and has helped to keep heavy metal alive in the 13 years they have been in existence. Slipknot are forever, no one can stop them, “You cannot kill what you did not create”.