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Iowa (album)

Iowa
Album cover
Studio album by Slipknot
Released August 28, 2001
Recorded 2001
Studio Sound City Studios and Sound Image in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California
Genre Nu metal
Length 66:19
Label Roadrunner
Producer
Slipknot chronology
Slipknot
(1999)
Iowa
(2001)
Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)
(2004)
Singles from Iowa
  1. "Left Behind"
    Released: October 29, 2001
  2. "My Plague"
    Released: July 8, 2002
Alternative covers
Cover for the Japanese version of Iowa.
Alternative covers
Cover for the 10th anniversary re-release of Iowa.
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source Rating
Metacritic 68/100
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 3/5 stars
Artistdirect 5/5 stars
BBC Music favorable
NME (8/10)
Rolling Stone 4/5 stars

Iowa is the second studio album by American metal band, Slipknot. Released by Roadrunner Records on August 28, 2001, it was produced by Ross Robinson and Slipknot. The title derives from the band's home state, Iowa, which members have stated is one of their greatest sources of inspiration. With much anticipation for the band's second album following on the success of their 1999 self-titled debut, pressures on the band were high. Their relationships with each other suffered and was later described as the darkest time of their career. It was also the first time that guitarist Jim Root had been significantly involved in a Slipknot album as Root was only featured on two songs from their debut album, due to his joining very late in recording of that release. Despite troubles within the band and with Iowa's development, Slipknot promoted it for almost a year.

Iowa was a major success, premiering in the top ten album sales charts in nine countries. Generally positively received, it includes some of their notable songs, such as "Disasterpiece", "The Heretic Anthem", "People = Shit" and the two Grammy-nominated songs "Left Behind" and the remix of "My Plague". While more technical than their debut, Iowa is considered to be the band's heaviest and darkest album. It has been certified platinum in the United States and Canada. A special edition of Iowa was reissued on November 1, 2011 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the record. It was accompanied by a full live audio of the hit DVD Disasterpieces and a film entitled Goat directed by Shawn Crahan with the four music videos, never-seen-before interviews and footage from the Iowa period.

Iowa was recorded and produced at Sound City and Sound Image studios in Los Angeles, California with producer Ross Robinson, who had produced their debut album. Drummer Joey Jordison and bassist Paul Gray began working on new music together in October 2000 and together they wrote material for most of the tracks on the album. During this time other band members wanted a break following the extensive touring which followed their self-titled debut album. However, on January 17, 2001, Slipknot entered the studio to begin recording Iowa. This period in the band's career has become known as one of their worst for several reasons. Jordison stated retrospectively, "that's where we got into a war" citing the lack of a break for himself and Gray. While other factors, including: vocalist Corey Taylor's alcohol addiction, several other members' drug addictions, management issues and more, affected relations in the band.


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Wikipedia

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