by Rolland Judd

Created on: December 23, 2008   Last Updated: January 06, 2009

High-flying guitar solos, lyrics with a message, and intense, pounding drumbeats that make you want to head-bang until your neck breaks makes Slipknot's new album "All Hope Is Gone" hands down the best album of 2008. This album has everything any metal-head could ask for in an album and more.

With an overall sound reminiscent of their 2001 album "Iowa" Slipknot gets back to the basics, but that being said this album is anything but simple or shallow. While the album is some of the heaviest metal out there, lead singer Corey Taylor once again shows off the amazing range of his voice. Of course you get the growling and screaming that we all expect to here from a metal album, but you also get a chance to hear absolutely stunning melodies you seldom hear in any metal album. This gives a clear voice to the message of the album.

This album takes quite a turn from Slipknot's last album, "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)". While the lyrics are just as engaging the tone of the content is very different from the philosophical and existential ideas presented in Vol. 3. The music coveys this, being much heavier than the last album and (dare I say it) angrier as well. Angry at what you ask? All the things that take hope away.

While the title of the album "All Hope Is Gone" may mislead one into thinking this is an album without a clear message and perhaps just the rantings of angry or depressed complainers, that could not be farther from the truth. This album talks about the "hope" that is "gone" for America. Its not about Republicans or Democrats, nor does it necessarily promote Independents either. "All Hope Is Gone" sends the message that there is so much that is wrong with this country and the way it treats it's own citizens and the people of the country don't even seem to realize it. The Orwellian-style lyrics speak to those individuals who look around at people going about their daily business like nothing is wrong and question whether or not they are in an episode of the twilight-zone. "All Hope Is Gone" is not just saying how bad things are, it is a call to arms for those who see it.

This is the soundtrack to the revolution!

It may sound odd to say that this is a very uplifting and empowering album to listen to, but nothing could be more true. "All Hope Is Gone" makes you want to jump up out of your seat and take on the world! Pounding drum fills sound like they are going to rip right through your speakers just before an intricate and intense guitar riff comes in to calm

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