Album Review: Slipknot - 'Antennas to Hell'

Greatest hits, retrospectives, compilations. However you want to euphemistically title them, albums that offer mere collections of select and past tracks are often met with an indifferent and collective sigh. There’s a sense of transparency to them, which sees the presentation created more by record company interest rather than band desire. But it doesn’t have to always be this way.

Slipknot’s new offering ‘Antennas from Hell’ is an ideal representation of a group, whether loved or loathed, that turned metal on its head. It’s a big statement and perhaps a strong adjective, but Slipknot have ‘revolutionised’ modern metal since their inception. They’ve left a firm mark and that’s more than you can say for most. Every metalhead remembers seeing these malevolent masked giants delivering music in the angriest of senses. Cast your minds back to 1999 and the sight of nine members in elaborate attire screaming, ‘Fuck you all!’

‘Antennas to Hell’ is an adequate snapshot and neat meeting point for past, current and new fans. Perhaps, the strongest charm of this greatest hits-type album is it shows the progression of Slipknot. It’s starts with tracks such as ‘Wait and Bleed’ and ‘(Sic)’ off their self-titled debut, where metal, rap, and nu-metal merged. And, ends with ‘Snuff’, which shows the stark contrast and development of sound.

The compilation of tracks provides for a fun listen. There’s nothing new, but this is music you can just crank loud and equally allows you to feel a little nostalgic.

From the groovy rhythms and subsequent refrains of Corey Taylor growling ‘Spit It Out’, to the offensive, non-pc, but still incredibly addictive ‘People = Shit’, this is just a simple release for what it offers instead of what it represents. The ‘Volume III’ additions, namely ‘Before I Forget’ and ‘Duality’ are solid, while ‘Psychosocial’ from ‘All Hope Is Gone’ is the neck moving moment.

As far as the old cliché goes, at least ‘Antennas to Hell’ gives the listener their money’s worth. Included are all Slipknot’s music videos, which in this day and age of YouTube are probably a bit redundant, but still a nice touch.

The live CD component of Slipknot’s 2009’s Download festival appearance is probably the most bittersweet moment. It’s aurally precise, but sad insofar as it features deceased bassist Paul Gray in one of his final performances.

‘Antennas to Hell’ is a literal composite of Slipknot’s career. You part with your cash knowing what will be delivered here. As far as greatest hits go you could do a lot worse. Consider this more a tribute than a best of.

Call it a timely reminder, a fresh introduction or maybe a simple fusion; ‘Antennas to Hell’ is an ideal overview of Slipknot over the years. It highlights the band’s longevity and similarly reinforces their obvious popularity. While there have been conflicting accounts regarding future material, this CD/DVD reveals that either way, the fan has already been the beneficiary.

 CD -


CD - LIVE AT DOWNLOAD 2009
1. (sic) (Live)
2. Eyeless (Live)
3. Wait And Bleed (Live)
4. Get This (Live)
5. Before I Forget (Live)
6. Sulfur (Live)
7. The Blister Exists (Live)
8. Dead Memories (Live)
9. Left Behind (Live)
10. Disasterpiece (Live)
11. Vermilion (Live)
12. Everything Ends (Live)
13. Psychosocial (Live)
14. Duality (Live)
15. People = Shit (Live)
16. Surfacing (Live)
17. Spit it Out (Live)

DVD -
1. Spit It Out
2. Surfacing
3. Wait And Bleed
4. Wait And Bleed (Animated)
5. Scissors
6. Left Behind
7. My Plague
8. People = Shit (Live)
9. The Heretic Anthem (Live)
10. Duality
11. Vermilion
12. Vermilion Pt. 2
13. Before I Forget
14. The Nameless (Live)
15. The Blister Exists
16. Psychosocial
17. Dead Memories
18. Sulfur
19. Snuff
20. Psychosocial (Live)