Review by Adam on August 29, 2001.

Blowing up big last year, Slipknot had a lot to prove to many different people with this album. Hard task if you ask me and, for the most part, Slipknot have done a pretty good job with making a bona fide metal cd. "Iowa" is an overall dark album with nonstop aggression and a lot to owe to Slayer, Morbid Angel, and Sepultura's "Roots". One would be deaf not to hear these influences shining through the thick layers of percussion and downtuned guitars, but they are definitely there.

Like their previous self titled release this cd has its strengths and weaknesses. On this record the band have taken out pretty much all of the hip hop influences with only a few dj scratches and 'Spit It Out' type rhyming schemes which actually surface. It is very apparent right from the start of this disc with the intro '(515)' that Slipknot were hell-bent on making a really heavy metal record. The result is definitely not the best metal ever recorded, but it does do its job of pretty much being pure rage throughout the whole running time with the long and boring final track, 'Iowa', as the exception to this.

The best way to review this disc is to take look at its improvements and strengths and also point out its weaknesses and things that need to be worked on. The most noticeable things which have been improved upon since the last record are the guitar riffs. On "Slipknot" very little riffs were memorable and they were way too spread out between the juvenile hip hop styles of songs like 'No Life'. Now the guitarists seem to be more comfortable in their playing and their actual talent shines through much better than it did before. Another improvement are the vocals. Not being a huge fan of them still, they have gotten a hell of a lot better which is something which just simply cannot be denied. The drumming on this release is constantly solid, which is something we come to expect from drummer Joey so that was pretty much a sure thing right from the start. Lastly, the production is a little bit better as well and you can actually pick out the bass parts if you want and everything is given a much fatter sound.

Now for the weaknesses, and I am sure that even some of the band's fans will be able to agree with me on some of these points. First off, this cd suffers from some of the worst lyrics I have ever read in my life. The song 'Disasterpiece' is one of the worst victims of this when the death metal style chorus kicks in. I find it incredible that someone could actually sit down, write "People make noises when they're sick," and think "...hmm wow those lyrics kick ass!" Lyrics like that are almost unforgivable. This cd also suffers from giving you a killer intro, picking you up, but then giving you nothing and this would not upset me if you weren't happening in almost every song. Songs like 'New Abortion' and 'Skin Ticket' come in strong with killer death and thrash styled intros but then lead you into mid-tempo verse lines which do not fit together at all and make the track seem disjointed.

Overall "Iowa" is a stronger and much much more heavier release than their previous effort. I feel Slipknot still have a ways to go in terms of making an excellent all out metal record, but I do have faith in these guys and their potential. This record proves they that they have what it takes to stick around and hopefully they will be able to work out their little bugs because this guys have a unique style but it still feels like they are holding back. So as far as being metal, yes they most certainly are, but as far as being good metal, they still have a little ways to go.

Bottom Line: Slipknot fans should already have this but for you skeptical metalheads, you may want to give it a shot but consider my words above before heading out to the store.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Review by Felix on February 12, 2025.

When it comes to vinyl releases, the role model in terms of value for money is Dying Victims Productions. The fan does not only get a coloured vinyl edition, but also poster, lyric sheet, postcard, download code, sticker, patch and an inner sleeve with a good haptics. Not to mention the exclusive pubic hair of the lead vocalist – or does it originate from someone else? Never mind. Okay, on the one hand I am a purist and I ask myself who needs all these gimmicks. On the other hand: I love them. They give me the pleasant feeling that someone with a passionate heart for metal has released the album. Now only the final yet crucial question remains – does the musical content makes my day? Vitriolic, it's up to you.

The trio hails from Finland and – now be prepared for an outrageous monstrosity – they do not (!) play black metal. At least not in its purest form. Vitriolic rumble with precision through the mire of the black thrash territory. I guess they have heard the wildest tracks of Deströyer 666 and they cannot hide this influence. And why should they? The Australians were always able to offer some jewels and Vitriolic don't keep a safe distance from their role models. Instead, they charge off savagely but skilfully. The nasty, hoarse voice as well as the riffs create an ominous mood which is embedded in an omnipresent ugliness. This concept works well and a look at the band pics can tell you why; obviously, these three creatures are experts in ugliness. But not only this – their musical competence allows them to write crunchy, compact songs which are free from any overly fat elements. They are not completely reduced to the essentials, but bombastic components or ornate melody lines you will search in vain.

Of course, bands like Vitriolic never sleep. They know only one direction, forward, forward and forward. The number of different riffs per song varies between a little and very little, the drummer gives his very best to destroy his kit in a matter of minutes and if Deströyer 666 would not exist, I probably would speak of Vitriolic as At War on drugs. They have this hunting attitude as the only feature that shows a clear contour in their spiritual simplicity. One could also call it their "Martial Spirit" and with that said, we know the title of the most destructive title of the A side at the same time. Anyway, all of the conventionally designed pieces leave their footprints and especially "The Eternal Return" meets the aforementioned highlight almost on an equal footing.

Nobody with a halfway healthy mind will ever expect a musical evolution from bands such as the Finns and definitely not from the A to the B side of one and the same release. Therefore it is only logical that the second half prolongs the massacre. The band keeps the sinister aura of its guitar work, a small number of breaks increases the dynamics and from time to time they create an almost catchy chorus ("Scorn Is The Son Of Defeat"). But Vitriolic don't have a close eye on catchiness and maybe this is something they should change in future, just to give their tracks a higher individuality. Anyway, right now it is okay what they do and the dark, rebellious and ass-kicking production fits the musical approach very well. Thus, the whole vinyl package makes sense. Vitriolic have deeply inhaled the formula of the bastard genre called black thrash and they are able to make good use of it. Only a mega-hit like "I Am the Wargod (ode to the Battle Slain)" is still missing.

Rating: 8 out of 10