Slipknot’s seventh studio album, “The End, So Far,” was released on Sept. 30, 2022. This marks the band's last hurrah with their original record label, Roadrunner Records, after signing with them for a seven album deal in July of 1998.

All nine members are credited for writing the album as they are for all their releases. It is Slipknot’s shortest album, having a standard run time of 57 minutes and 27 seconds. The first track, “Adderall,” is different from Slipknot's usual style. The band said the song was inspired by Depeche Mode. Craig Jones plays along with the melody on the keyboard. The chorus comes in with singing harmonies with reverb effects added to give depth.

The next song is the first single off the album, “The Dying Song (Time to Sing).” It starts with Corey Taylor singing, then quickly jumps back into the fast and heavy pace Slipknot is known for.

Following this is the second single, “The Chapeltown Rag,'' which starts with a sample courtesy of Jones. The song then picks up the pace with the trembling double bass blast beats.

Next on the album is the deeply emotional “Yen.” Yen is about dying in the most meaningful way and dying for a purpose. The chorus is sung in a beautiful harmony that corresponds with the guitar chords.

The next track, “Hivemind,” begins again with a sample from Jones, then leads into the guitar riff and drum track. The song has a strong riff and verses, but the chorus is a bit generic and unoriginal.

The same trend carries on throughout the next few tracks until the track titled H377. This track starts off with the chorus sung in harmony,then Taylor enters with his fast paced lyrics.

The following track on the album, “De Sade,” is one of the best tracks on the album. The addition of the reverb effect on Taylor’s voice is effective and adds depth to the lyrics. Guitarists Jim Root and Mick Thomson use heavy distortion that brings a low growl throughout the song.

Rounding out the album is the 12th and final song “Finale.” Similar to “Adderall,” this is a slower song with choir singing and synthesizers/piano, which brings the album to an end.

Slipknot’s sound over the course of their 28-year career has stayed true to the visceral, heavy and fast sound first introduced to the world in ‘99. There are new songs, however, that is a step in a completely new direction for Slipknot, being inspired by and incorporating different styles of music, not just metal/hard rock. This diversity is why “The End, So Far'' is a good album.

Overall rating: 7/10