Stone Sour - House of Gold and Bones Part Two (27/05/2013)
Stone Sour's House of Gold & Bones Part Two which follows House of Gold & Bones Part One released last year kicks thing off in an unusual fashion, especially when it comes to hard rock/metal albums, as it features a mellow introduction.
Red City, the opening track (which is listed as number twelve on the back of the album following on from the eleven part one songs) kicks things off with just a piano and singer Corey Taylor's voice in one of the most amazing tracks the band has done to date.
As the track builds up it begins to get heavier musically as guitar, drums and bass (which was done by none other than Skid Row's Rachel Bolan) get involved and it isn't long until Corey lets out some heavy screaming vocals very reminiscent of his and guitarist James Root's other band Slipknot.
Black John, forgetting it's bizarre little intro, is a classic hard rocking track that fans will soak right up and much closer to the sound of Part One. Peckinpah, is a slightly heavier tune and again shows the power behind Corey's voice and why he is classed as one of the best voices in rock. Gravesend again shows this, though the heavy distortion on his voice when the vocals get heavier was a odd choice.
We take a little break with Blue Smoke, a short, mellow track which leads into the lead single from the album Do Me A Favour which is tucked right down near the end of the album but it's absolutely still one of the most rocking songs they've done as a band. The aptly named The House of Gold & Bones is the final song on the double concept album and it brings the whole thing to a ripping close!
Part Two is a heavier return to form for the band and, as enjoyable as Part One was, a superior album to it's predecessor. The arguments are sure to rage on for quite some time as to which is the better album but in the meantime be sure to go out and grab yourself a copy of both. You won't regret it.
Matt Barton
Red City, the opening track (which is listed as number twelve on the back of the album following on from the eleven part one songs) kicks things off with just a piano and singer Corey Taylor's voice in one of the most amazing tracks the band has done to date.
As the track builds up it begins to get heavier musically as guitar, drums and bass (which was done by none other than Skid Row's Rachel Bolan) get involved and it isn't long until Corey lets out some heavy screaming vocals very reminiscent of his and guitarist James Root's other band Slipknot.
Black John, forgetting it's bizarre little intro, is a classic hard rocking track that fans will soak right up and much closer to the sound of Part One. Peckinpah, is a slightly heavier tune and again shows the power behind Corey's voice and why he is classed as one of the best voices in rock. Gravesend again shows this, though the heavy distortion on his voice when the vocals get heavier was a odd choice.
We take a little break with Blue Smoke, a short, mellow track which leads into the lead single from the album Do Me A Favour which is tucked right down near the end of the album but it's absolutely still one of the most rocking songs they've done as a band. The aptly named The House of Gold & Bones is the final song on the double concept album and it brings the whole thing to a ripping close!
Part Two is a heavier return to form for the band and, as enjoyable as Part One was, a superior album to it's predecessor. The arguments are sure to rage on for quite some time as to which is the better album but in the meantime be sure to go out and grab yourself a copy of both. You won't regret it.
Matt Barton