The fact that Slipknot is constantly being trashed and slandered by people in the metal community is something of a mystery to me. To be honest, I find it ridiculous that there are so many sheep out there panning this band only because they rose to mega-fame alongside wankers like Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock, likely having never actually listened to more than one song before deeming the band crap. Yeah, they're commercially successful arena rock stars, and yes, they have this hokey mask gimmick; ever hear of a band called Kiss? Fact is, Slipknot are as metal as many of the bands that grace the pages of BW&BK; that they've become the personification of present day teen angst is irrelevant. Featuring a glitzier production both cosmetically and musically, Iowa will no doubt propel this nine-piece horror show into the outer reaches of the galaxy, but the bottom line is that the tunes are indeed up to snuff. Singer Corey delivers tracks like 'Disasterpiece', 'Everything Ends', 'New Abortion' and world anthem 'People = Shit' with a vocal and lyrical intensity that goes beyond anything mustered up by Fred Durst, Burton C. Bell, Phil Anselmo or even Max Cavalera. Musically, the album lacks the clatter of their last opus - it doesn't sound like nine guys running rampant in the studio - perhaps a little too polished, the tracks more straight ahead go-for-the-throat. As heavy as Iowa is, however, it doesn't come off as the over-the-top, head crushing, skin-flaying mega-death album that many magazines have touted it to be. It's just a good solid listen in the vein of Stuck Mojo meets Strapping Young Lad, worthy of a discerning metalhead's time. Rumour has it the founders of Wacken have deemed Slipknot metal enough to play the festival next year. It'll be interesting to see if the band accepts the invite.