As if answering the challenge of those who dismiss them as a cartoonish joke, Slipknot present 'Iowa' as a statement of intent—a true heavy-metal masterpiece. From the opening shriek and grind of '(515)', the album establishes an atmosphere of unforgiving heaviness. Produced to cruel perfection by Ross Robinson, 'Iowa' builds on the intensity of Slayer and pushes it further into uncharted sonic territory. Tracks like 'People=Shit', 'The Heretic Anthem', and 'New Abortion' are relentless and brutally aggressive, while 'Disasterpiece' introduces a hypnotic, eerie riff. 'Left Behind' channels the haunting duet style of Alice in Chains' Layne Staley and Slayer's Tom Araya. The re-recorded 'Gently' evolves from industrial ambience to explosive noise, and the title track—formerly known as 'Killers Are Quiet'—echoes the dark theatricality of The Rolling Stones' 'Midnight Rambler'. Frontman Corey Taylor claims he performed the title track naked and bleeding from self-inflicted wounds—a claim that feels entirely believable given the album's raw, visceral energy. Masterfully constructed yet painfully intense, 'Iowa' remains a landmark in modern metal.

• Artist: Slipknot
• Format: Audio CD
• Genre: Heavy Metal, Hard Rock & Metal, Alternative Rock
• Producer: Ross Robinson

• Audio: CD