Come What(ever) May [PA] (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Corey Taylor (vocals, guitar); James Root, Josh Rand (guitar); Rami Jaffee (piano); Roy Mayorga, Shannon Larkin (drums).

Audio Mixer: Randy Staub .

Recording information: Studio 606, Northridge, CA.

Illustrator: Hugh Syme.

Photographer: Chapman Baehler.

Before joining Slipknot, guitarist Jim Root and vocalist Corey Taylor fronted Stone Sour, an alt-metal act with melodic sensibilities. The success of Slipknot inspired Root and Taylor to reform their original outfit, and the band's self-titled debut proved a success. Stone Sour's sound is reminiscent of Slipknot's, yet is distinctive enough to stand on its own merits.

COME WHAT(EVER) MAY, the group's sophomore effort, pushes Stone Sour's sound a bit further than its predecessor. While the album's sonic attack is still unremittingly heavy, with thunderous drums and distortion-saturated riffs, there's also a keen sense of accessibility that foregrounds melody and eschews thrash in favor of flat-out hard rock. These elements, combined with Taylor's throaty voice, place Stone Sour a cut above your average post-grunge metal outfit, and COME WHAT(EVER) MAY hints that the group may be poised for a mainstream breakthrough. minimize