The new Slipknot album, All Hope Is Gone, was released worldwide today. It’s been over four years since their last release of new material, so, it won’t surprise me when this one is listed at number one on Billboard, iTunes, etc.

Anyways, figured I’d do a little review since this album is so stinkin’ awesome. 

**DISCLAIMER**

I would recommend you get the bonus track version, if only for the Bloodstone Mix of Vermilion, Pt. 2.

Slipknot broke from their usual writing style for this album. According to the band, every member contributed to the writing and arranging process this time around. In addition, Corey Taylor has said in interviews that instead of pulling from his own life and the angst within, he and the other members wrote based upon the problems they see in the world today, hence the title All Hope Is Gone. This writing style is reflected in the album. From the opening track (.Execute.) to the very end, this album is amazing. I think it really is Slipknot at their best. Just enough brutality to please fans who think of Iowa as their best work, but enough diversity and experimentation for those who discovered the band with the release of Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses.

Personally, my favorite song on the album is Snuff, but it may be a little too experimental for some fans. It starts off acoustic and just keeps building to a crescendo at the end. It’s your typical power ballad, but with a Slipknot twist. Of course, if you want sheer brutality and crunch, give Gematria (The Killing Name) a listen. More experimentation on Dead Memories; I thought I was listening to new Alice In Chains for a second.

My best advice: get this album.

If you don’t believe me, preview it in iTunes. It’s not for everyone, but if you like heavy music of any kind, you’ll like this album.

J

I’m a geek, especially when it comes to music. And while there are several companies that make some pretty good mixing consoles, I tend to lean towards a select few. So this teaser kind of intrigues me. Midas introduced their first digital console, the XL8, two years ago. To the best of my knowledge it has gotten rave reviews from all who have used it.

Act II Teaser

J

**UPDATE**

For those who wish to see this service click here and then click ALL ACCESS. You can watch the service in either Windows Media (BOO) or Flash. Also, make sure you silence or pause the site’s audio track. For some reason, it keeps playing even while service audio is playing.

Ya know, living in a major metro area, I may have to put up with things like increased traffic, but it definitely has its perks. Let’s face it, Charlie Hall and Dan Kimball ain’t gonna be in Monroe, LA ANYTIME soon (if ever). Yet both were at 7|22 tonight.

And yes, I’m still a geek. Had to get a pic of the Venue console they use at Buckhead Church.

J

Mom and I visited Buckhead Church tonight. For those that don’t know, it’s a satellite of North Point. As one person described it, “Definition of a mega-church? 3,000 people show up to a church where they watch the pastor deliver his sermon via video because the main church is 30 minutes away and full”.

Yup.

Awesome experience though. Really inspiring as a church planter to see young churches that are doing so well. North Point is less than 15 years old, and they have two (yeah, 2) sanctuaries (3 services in each) at their main campus in Alpharetta, plus Buckhead Church in Atlanta and Browns Bridge in Cumming. I could go on and on about everything there, but you really have to experience it for yourself. Even though it is huge, it feels as intimate as my church. The people are all friendly and I caught myself conversing with people without even knowing their names. So it is possible to have a mega-church where you are more than “just a number”. And I gotta give props to worship leader Carlos Whittaker (look in my blogroll for Ragamuffin Soul). First off, dude has sleeves. I love that! But, as the production guy at my church, I rarely get a chance to just stand back and worship. I mean, I love what I do, and I believe God has called me to production and music ministry, but every now and then it is nice to go to a place and not have to worry about the sound or video or whatever, and just worship. And Carlos and his band came with their A game. They were prayed up and ready to lead us in worship.

Then they had two baptisms, which was really cool. Each person gave a video testimony and they was baptised.

Finally, we got to see part three of “Letters to the Next President”.
Yup, Andy Stanley on a giant, HD screen, center stage.
Really good message too.

But there is one thing I can’t leave out: they opened service with a Beatles cover band. Full-on “mop top” costumes and wigs, even down to matching suits and the bass player even had a lefty bass shaped like a stand up bass, just like Paul McCartney! Anyways, they performed “Revolution” and nailed it. And the camera shots were projected in black and white on the screens; little things like that are what make it special.

Anyways, all-in-all, great service.

J

P.S.
Added two pics from Buckhead I found online to give you guys an idea of what it looks like. Looks huge (it is), but the seating is really intimate. You don’t realize you’re sitting amongst 3,000 people. And, as a geek, I love that the FOH booth is on the main floor, so the FOH engineer hears exactly what the majority of the congregation hears.