Iowa
by Slipknot
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 275 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 245 out of 275
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 275
  3. Negative: 23 out of 275

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  1. Thwomp
    Jan 22, 2023
    10
    One of the most hardcore, successful metal albums of all time.

    Take a look inside...my soul is missing...

    Disasterpiece
  2. Spikesito
    Nov 9, 2021
    10
    U can say everything u want about this truly masterpiece. But there's a real fact, this is the most dark-brutal mainstream album, Iowa mainstream the death metal like you or not i don't give a **** this is a true fact Slipknot mainstream the death metal, that's why this is a ****ing masterpiece and the best metal album of all time.
    All the hate towards the humanity in one album.
  3. SeanR2003
    Jun 3, 2022
    10
    Slipknot at their best and angriest! This albums has absolutely zero points where you get bored, it's just an exhilarating, unrelenting masterpiece of death metal from start to finish. Standout tracks include "Disasterpiece" and "New Abortion". A truly great metal album and one of the best albums of the 2000s
  4. Codeling
    Sep 8, 2021
    8
    This is an amazing record. Songs like People = **** The Heretic Anthem, Left Behind are awesome.
  5. MrIslamic
    May 3, 2021
    7
    I didn't love this album as I did with the self-titled album and The Subliminal verses but it is still really good.

    Left behind is easily the best.
  6. TheNarwhal9
    Apr 6, 2020
    10
    Iowa is the heaviest album of Slipknot maybe this album made them on of the biggest, and legendary metalband in the history. 10/10 atmospheric, and heavy.
  7. Sadow
    Jan 11, 2020
    9
    Tiene muchas canciones buenas, buen ritmo, y las letras son muy crudas y realistas
  8. Azelf_br
    Sep 15, 2019
    8
    Man, this album is Very good, songs like People = **** The Shape & Disasterpiece are a exemples of pure caos, but for me, after "The Shape", the album os getting boring
  9. maaluszek
    Aug 12, 2019
    10
    Second of best of the best albums so far. Brutal, agressive. Vocal tears apart, drums break bones. Absolutely fantastic !
  10. trubasyava
    Aug 10, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Oh yeah, here we go again motherf*r!!!
    The real evil music, good work, like    … Expand
  11. flametail23
    Jul 14, 2019
    9
    This is the bands best album. The sheer aggressiveness of songs like 'People = **** and 'The Shape' make this the heaviest album the band has ever put together with the perfect amount of melodic, breather moments sprinkled throughout
  12. SirSloppith
    Oct 2, 2018
    10
    Absolutely great hands down. Those critics... they don't know what they're talking about.
  13. Epifan1
    Jul 16, 2018
    8
    A worthy album. Half of the tracks are mediocre, the second half is good. It's hard to choose one thing, the top tracks are about the same level.
  14. blackdeadth1234
    Mar 30, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. in my opinion,one of the most brutal albums of this **** time. absolutely to listen.… Expand
  15. JamesMc
    Mar 12, 2018
    9
    Easily Slipknot's best album. It is heavy and angry and in-your-face. If you don't love brutally heavy music, you won't think this is their best album.
  16. blastgordon
    Mar 6, 2018
    10
    This is Slipknot’s best record yet. Left behind is the only mainstream material ... the rest is art. This should be on every collection ... or every household should have one in their shelves
  17. Robert6200
    Jul 29, 2016
    10
    **** all the critics and **** calling this album an effort to scare mom and dad. This is a masterpiece of a metal album. This is Slipknots greatest. There is no rest for the listener and while listening Corey Taylor, the singer, he lets you in on some of his inner secrets and pains giving an emotional and disturbing feel to the album. 10 out of 10
  18. andrepusey1
    Jul 27, 2016
    8
    If you liked the heaviest sides of Slipknot on their self-titled debut, Iowa will be your new favourite album.

    Like the 1999 debut, Iowa opens in incredible fashion with People = **** one of the band's best songs to date. And, again like the self-titled album, it doesn't let up even slightly until halfway through the album: Disasterpiece, My Plague, Everything Ends, The Heretic Anthem    If you liked the heaviest sides of Slipknot on their self-titled debut, Iowa will be your new favourite album.

    Like the 1999 debut, Iowa opens in incredible fashion with People = **** one of the band's best songs to date. And, again like the self-titled album, it doesn't let up even slightly until halfway through the album: Disasterpiece, My Plague, Everything Ends, The Heretic Anthem and Left Behind are all stone cold classics in modern metal music.

    There are very few low points on this record, although you may find yourself forgetting a few of the later titles, but once you go back and listen to them you will remember how brilliant they are. If they were released on any other record, they would be the best songs on it.

    Iowa is one of the most important albums of the modern era. It blew a hole through metal and rock music which left a lasting impression on the mainstream, too. With this release, Slipknot cemented themselves as the most important band in the world at the time, and it still more than holds up today.    … Expand
  19. halloffame32
    Jul 19, 2016
    8
    Many people will often refer to the "sophomore slump"... when a band manages to release a stunning debut and ultimately has to follow its success. While I wouldn't consider Iowa a slump per se, it is not as good as the eponymous debut. Iowa is my third favorite record by Slipknot and I always felt that it lacked a certain energy and charisma that drenched the first album. I felt like CoreyMany people will often refer to the "sophomore slump"... when a band manages to release a stunning debut and ultimately has to follow its success. While I wouldn't consider Iowa a slump per se, it is not as good as the eponymous debut. Iowa is my third favorite record by Slipknot and I always felt that it lacked a certain energy and charisma that drenched the first album. I felt like Corey and the rest of the band were screaming for a reason as oppose to screaming simply for the sake of screaming. Some people may vehemently disagree with me but I still sense a lack of sincerity with Iowa while comparing it to their debut album. That has always been my biggest gripe, not onto what I enjoyed.

    The lyrics are fantastic, Corey may use a certain four letter word that we all know and love a few too many times; but he makes up for it with a plethora of words that I had to look up. Thanks to album I now know what progeny is. I would have thought that word would have shown up on the SAT, but no...it was in a Slipknot record. Corey's use of metaphors and analogies continue to paint a picture of a dark and tortured soul that was present in the first album. Few vocalist can rival the pure unadulterated rage that flows through his teeth. When you hear this record you can really understand how Slipknot was the poster child for every pissed off teen that was overlooked by everyone and everything.

    From a musical standpoint the band did get more technical, power cords and chugs are plentiful along with the signature percussive onslaught that helped to make Slipknots trademark sound. I enjoyed Jordisons double bass work though it seemed sluggish at times and not as creative as the work displayed in the first album. Jim Root and Mick Thomson continue to blend their sounds well and as I had mentioned earlier are able to create some memorable riffs that are indeed more technical. The tones are dark and eerie and will make the hair on the back of your neck stand straight. The album is taut from beginning to end and that can really be attributed to the guitar work of Jim and Mick.

    The album is riddled with scratching and sampling but you have to pay very close attention or you might miss it. These instances are subtle but they make for great ear candy. Clown and Chris continue to scream and destroy while adding to the overall cathartic tone of the record.

    Iowa still stands the test of time, it's more angry and brutal than the majority of the records being released today. Solid musicianship and excellent lyrics allow the band to pick up where they left off, but it still lacks the youthful spirit that made their debut a masterpiece.    … Expand
  20. Danm95VFF
    Apr 18, 2016
    10
    Arguably nu-metal's finest offering. It's the darkest, heaviest and by far the scariest album I've heard from the genre, and Slipknot's greatest album by far. It invites you in swiftly with its shout-along lyrics, catchiness, and tortured demeanour, which shines through especially on "Gently" "Skin Ticket" and the 15-minute title track. It's simply timeless.
  21. harvestersorrow
    Jan 23, 2016
    9
    My favourite slipknot album. seems to convey the common theme of not wanting to become apart of common member of society. for example, in new abortion "zeros and ones are everything, execute me". the shape "seperate, i've lost my only way". and the title track iowa, "I take your second digit with me... love...
    You are my first". second digit meaning the digit that makes you yourself and    My favourite slipknot album. seems to convey the common theme of not wanting to become apart of common member of society. for example, in new abortion "zeros and ones are everything, execute me". the shape "seperate, i've lost my only way". and the title track iowa, "I take your second digit with me... love...
    You are my first". second digit meaning the digit that makes you yourself and first meaning you're apart of the zeros and ones. That's my interpretation anyways. Many people think it's about love or something. I do think Everything ends deals with the end of a relationship though. the only song i dislike on the album i am hated (which is ironic because that may make this review hated) because of the vocal presentation in the verses. the chorus is pretty good though. overall my favourite slipknot album and with tracks like People = **** left behind and disasterpiece its hard to argue that this isn't slipknots finest work.    … Expand
  22. Hank_Shrader
    Jan 12, 2016
    9
    Iowa by Slipknot. A german review.
    Das 3. Album der Maskenmänner versprüht alles was man erwartet: Dunkelheit, Schnelligkeit, Härte und Krankheit. Slipknot eben.
    Insgesamt: 9/10
  23. IAmNotLying
    Sep 16, 2015
    10
    (I'm going to keep this review short, because this album is flawless)

    The second album by Slipknot is also one of their best albums. The mix of brutal metal and dark lyrics is perfect. From "Iowa", one of the darkest songs I've ever heard, to "People = Sh*t" where the band is very heavy and brutal. Every song is packed with amazing metal. I can understand that not everyone like Slipknot    (I'm going to keep this review short, because this album is flawless)

    The second album by Slipknot is also one of their best albums. The mix of brutal metal and dark lyrics is perfect. From "Iowa", one of the darkest songs I've ever heard, to "People = Sh*t" where the band is very heavy and brutal. Every song is packed with amazing metal. I can understand that not everyone like Slipknot (after all, they wear masks and have very dark lyrics), but if you can appreciate their music style and great heavy metal/alternative metal, I highly recommend this album.

    Best song - "Left Behind"
    Worst song (less likeable) - "Skin Ticket"    … Expand
  24. Split1
    Sep 9, 2015
    10
    This is the best follow up album ever written. **** is absolutely brutal and the title track has the most painful, burning passion I've ever heard in a Slipknot song. Definitely the best Slipknot album in my book.
  25. xxDylanxx
    Oct 27, 2014
    10
    I dont no why this album is so low! everybody says its slipknots best album yet, they give it a 3!!!.....but anyway this is probably slipknots beast album..... Its Very Heavy and its really dark!
  26. TheQuietGamer
    Jul 16, 2014
    9
    There's a rage to this album that you're not going to find anywhere else. It captures the essence of the out of place feeling teenager who's mad at the world. So obviously it's perfect for anyone who wants to scare their parents, but upon closer observation you'll realize it's something much more than that. It takes the sadness, anger, and hurt that we ALL feel inside and puts them intoThere's a rage to this album that you're not going to find anywhere else. It captures the essence of the out of place feeling teenager who's mad at the world. So obviously it's perfect for anyone who wants to scare their parents, but upon closer observation you'll realize it's something much more than that. It takes the sadness, anger, and hurt that we ALL feel inside and puts them into words infused with an aggressive sound. That's truly impressive.… Expand
  27. Thief1337
    Feb 18, 2014
    8
    Arguably one of the most brutal heavy metal albums out there, mainly because the band did not just paint this as a ridiculous attempt to make as much noise as possible or simulating monster growls. The brutality is also contrasted by melodies and singing throughout the album. Not as creative as their self-title album or Vol.3, but definitely a good album to listen to.
  28. Fishy75
    Feb 20, 2013
    10
    This album is a masterpiece, DJ, Percussion, Sampling heavy downtuned guitars and a vocalist that shifts between Melodic singing to rapping to screaming to growling.
  29. BigD
    Jun 1, 2012
    10
    I love this album. This album has the perfect tone of intelligently placed lyrics which includes words I've never even heard of, and every song in the album is really good, especially Heretic Anthem and I Am Hated. Overall, I give it a 10/10 for the sheer genius, the hard work, and the beautiful tone of the music.
  30. Shawshank97
    Apr 16, 2012
    9
    An amazing metal album, with all the brutality of Slipknot. Only the choirs of "My Plague" is a bitter sweet. But the sounds in "Iowa" is awesome!!! BEST METAL ALBUM EVER!
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2001
20
#20 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. CDNow
    70
    Iowa boldly follows up, notching maximum body blows in its unyielding production, while maintaining an odd grandeur in its professed pain and anguish, its struggle for individualism.
    Read full review
  2. E! Online
    58
    After too many calls for the end of humanity and playing the Satan card a few times, all the yelling becomes little more than a humorless joke.
    Read full review
  3. Playlouder
    80
    'Iowa' is a fantastic metal record, ferocious and inventive, but their rage is that of psychotic adolescents rather than reasoning adults. You'll love it!
    Read full review
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