It’s tricky to occupy space for an artist whose album you presented just a few months ago. On the other hand, when you’re excited about an album, you have to put it forward. That’s the case with this one. For those who don’t know Corey Taylor (and who haven’t read the review of his previous album on this site), he is the singer and one of the main members of the famous Nu Metal band Slipknot, which emerged in the mid-90s. He was also one of the founders of Stone Sour, his list of collaborations is extensive and he began releasing solo albums in 2020.
This record is more of a compilation than a proper album, featuring studio outtakes and covers. As with his other solo albums, Corey took a step away from the metal of his bands to mix in some effective power pop, moving from one genre to another with no limits and, above all, with disconcerting ease. Although Corey’s stylistic palette is less wide-ranging and less adventurous, one is reminded of Mike Patton. Among the covers are a good number of references expected from a metal singer, like Led Zeppelin or Alice Cooper, but also some more surprising ones like Echo & The Bunnymen.
This digital version of a vinyl album released for Record Store Day brings together tracks from various sessions, the sound not varying as much as the style from one track to the next because Corey Taylor retains control of a good number of instruments and part of the production. His superb vocal skills and the guitars are enhanced by a serious, sometimes authoritative rhythm section. The bass can be funkier on certain tracks. There’s even a live track with electro-acoustic guitar that’s full of emotion. Surely one of the most interesting metal artists of the moment.