Audio Secrecy

Forsaken relatives to Slipknot

For almost twenty years that have passed since their formation, Stone Sour have recorded only thee studio albums. His could be one of the reasons why hard-rock fans do not pay much attention to the band, while some of them still believe it’s just a side-project of the Slipknot members, led by vocalist Cory Taylor, although Slipknot are much younger! As the more popular outfit was sinking into the pit of troubles, Taylor went to work harder on Stone Sour. In 2006, the band released a vey fine record called Come What(ever) May, a clear demonstration of their great potential. In the four years that separate us from that time, Taylor and his fellows reconsidered their musical views that they express through Stone Sour. Presenting their new CD, Audio Secrecy (2010), the musicians stated that this is their darkest and heaviest album made to date. Apparently, they made an effort to make friends with hardcore supporters of heavy music who do not tolerate influences from outside.

Aggressive start and friendly end

Only a few tracks take up the mission of sowing darkness on the dark album Audio Secrecy. For some uncertain reason, Stone Sour decided to put the responsibility on the first four tracks. Probably, they assumed that the aggression, malice and energy planted in these songs could be enough for the rest of the album. In any case, the beginning is smashing. The short eponymous intro is followed by Mission Statement with intension and speed similar to the best tracks off the new efforts by the other statesmen of the metal scene, Disturbed, and Avenged Sevenfold. After that, you will have to endure attacks is shape of Digital, and Say You’ll Haunt Me. Then, the uncompromising manner offered by the musicians starts to fade away slowly. You can justify them for having the desire to please each and every one, make their way to radio, boost the audience improve their financial balances, but there has to be a limit. As you listen to the rest of the record, you will discover only rare examples of purely hard rock, albeit in worthy songs like Nylon 6/6, and Let’s Be Honest. However, surrounded by soft pieces (check out Hesitate, particularly), they look like unwelcomed strangers.

Audio Secrecy poles

Generally speaking, Audio Secrecy is a polar work with authentic metal tracks on one pole, featuring high speed solos, powerful guitars and emotional vocals; and radio-friendly rock-tracks, where you seem to be having also vibe, noisy strings and banging drums for decent singing. Still, this is not metal. It is only rock, and it is far from hard. It appears so that Stone Sour confuse listeners who are full of hope and delight as they savor the first songs and then keep their mouth wide open as they do not know how to respond to the second half of the record. The pity is that the band could have made the whole album in the vein of Mission Statement, or Say You’ll Haunt Me. The latter is promoted with a good video and seems to give the audience an idea about the entire long player. Audio Secrecy leaves a strange impression and there is only one thing here that causes no doubts, and that is craftsmanship of the Stone Sour members. Yet, even before this release, we were well aware of what these guys are made of.