.5: The Gray Chapter by Slipknot

.5: The Gray Chapter is a testament to brotherhood.

The album's title is alone a testament to a late friend, but it's content takes that testament to a new place.

Since the passing of Paul Gray, Slipknot's bassist, in 2010, the band have struggled with turmoil and grief and that is evident in this album. There is discussion of the darkness that surrounds tragedy but also how it can be overcome and it's this honesty, along with extreme musical talent, that makes this album special.

It is riff heavy and pace heavy but it manages to stay beautiful through it's relentless nature. The album maintains it's trademark Slipknot style as it pummels your eardrums for the most part but still features those breaks where Corey gets his chance to showcase his melody rather than his gruff growls. In some ways, it's not an evolution. It's definitely not a devolution either, but it is more a continuation of one of metal's greatest bands. The album is bold and stunning from start to end and singles The Devil In I and The Negative One continue to stick in your skull for days after hearing them. But it's songs like the non-stop aggressor Custer and the heartfelt power of Skeptic that stick out in this album. Skeptic in particular brings me back to this idea of testament. Corey Taylor has explained this album track by track and has said that this song is purely about Paul and what an amazing man he was. It's touching that Slipknot have let their masks slip in some senses, to remember their friend, musician and brother in such a way.

Killpop is another song on this album that is worth talking about. It's softer than most of the album and it's haunting. It lingers in your mind, even above bolder songs, which is proof of the talent Slipknot possess, not just as musicians but also as lyricists. Although Paul Gray and Joey Jordison (former drummer) were huge parts of Slipknot, their places are fittingly filled in a way that hasn't compromised the music. Lech contains some insane drumming from new drummer Jay Weinberg, as does most of the album to be honest and the likes of The One That Kills The Least are overflowing with reasons why Slipknot are just as rad now as they were when they released their debut LP back in 1999.

The truth is that Slipknot have created an album that is amazing on all levels. It memorialises a life but it is also just a beautiful piece of musicianship. If this is only the start of a new chapter, I cannot wait to see where they go next.

Listen to: Custer

.5: The Gray Chapter is available to pre-order now and is released on October 21st.