Released 12 years ago this October
.5: The Gray Chapter
Slipknot · 2014
73 min · 17 tracks · alternative metal
Aggressive riffs and haunting melodies intertwine, capturing both loss and anger in a cathartic metal experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Devil in I Start here — This track showcases the band's blend of aggression and melody, featuring introspective lyrics about inner demons and personal turmoil.
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XIX — Opening the album, this haunting instrumental sets a somber tone that reflects the overarching themes of loss and remembrance present throughout the record.
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Custer — With its frenetic energy and sharp lyrical commentary on societal issues, this track embodies the band's signature chaos while pushing boundaries within their genre.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive and reflective elements, showcasing strong dynamics but lacks full cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a haunting instrumental track, 'XIX', which sets a somber tone before transitioning into aggressive riffs in 'Sarcastrophe'.
- Several tracks feature alternating vocal styles, with clean singing juxtaposed against harsh growls, creating dynamic contrasts throughout.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, allowing for moments of reflection amidst the heavier material.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- visceral emotional catharsis
- intense moments of vulnerability
- dynamic journey through aggression
- late-night reflective listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek consistent upbeat energy
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — .5: The Gray Chapter marked a significant evolution and debuted at number one, showing enduring popularity.
- Themes
- Paul Gray's legacy· introspective struggle· grief and resilience
- Career context
- Released on October 17, 2014, .5: The Gray Chapter is Slipknot's fifth studio album and their first without bassist Paul Gray, who passed away in 2010. The album marks a significant moment in the band's evolution, as they grappled with grief and redefined their sound while introducing new member Alessandro Venturella.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Korn· Mudvayne· System of a Down
Tracklist
- 1 XIX 3:10
- 2 Sarcastrophe 5:06
- 3 AOV 5:33
- 4 The Devil in I Start here 5:43
- 5 Killpop 3:45
- 6 Skeptic 4:47
- 7 Lech 4:50
- 8 Goodbye 4:35
- 9 Nomadic 4:18
- 10 The One That Kills the Least 4:12
- 11 Custer 4:14
- 12 Be Prepared for Hell 1:58
- 13 The Negative One 5:25
- 14 If Rain Is What You Want 6:21
- 15 ‐Silent‐ 2:00
- 16 ‐Talk‐ 6:20
- 17 ‐Funny‐ 1:29
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Serenity of Suffering
Korn
Explores similar themes of pain and loss with aggressive soundscapes and emotional intensity.
That's the Spirit
Bring Me the Horizon
Merges heavy instrumentation with melodic elements, addressing personal struggles and resilience.
Gore
Deftones
Combines atmospheric heaviness with vulnerability, reflecting on grief through intricate sonic textures.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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