It’s about that time for Stone Sour to release something new. After the four-year wait for Audio Secrecy back in 2010, I think they had fans wondering what time frame they were working with for their next release. Amazingly, two years later, Stone Sour has some pretty exciting news. Two new albums to be released within the next year; one this year, and one in 2013. House of Gold and Bones Parts 1 and 2 should undoubtedly have some people ready for some sick new music and another insane tour.

Initially, I thought the first part of this dual release, House of Gold & Bones Part 1 was hit and miss. Then, after a few more listens I really got into it. It’s your typical sounding Stone Sour, but it seems like Corey Taylor brings a little more of his sting into the mix from Slipknot.

When bands do a multi-release, it seems like they have more ideas and a deeper interest in the music than they do with just the average LP. Splitting this release into two parts is very intriguing and shows me that Corey Taylor has something up his sleeve when he does something like House of Gold and Bones.

But along with some of Corey Taylor’s gritty side that is more prominent with Slipknot, we see another side to Corey Taylor. Some might call it a nicer side, but I think Stone Sour brings out a different kind of emotion than his other projects.

The coined Stone Sour tone is still prevalent in House of Gold & Bones Part 1 as much as it’s been in past albums. Not to hard and not too soft. They’ve seemed to have found a happy medium that still goes well with Corey’s dominated voice.

“Gone Sovereign” and “Absolute Zero” were released as singles a couple months back to promote the upcoming release. As the intro to House of Gold & Bones Part 1 they set the pace for the next 11 songs.

“Gone Sovereign” is truly an album starter. Beginning with an eerie march of the guitars, the song eventually pans out into a fast paced thriller powerhouse. It kind of gets shoved in your face right away. It’s a good amount of Stone Sour to take is so quickly, but that’s what get this album going.

“Absolute Zero” and “A Rumor of Skin” are equally ambitions in the House of Gold & Bones project. They’re nothing too far from what previous Stone Sour sounded like stylistically, but it’s a very fresh sounding take on what they’ve already mastered.

Things slow down a bit with “The Travelers Part 1″ though. This is the very emotion-filled and mellow Corey that we typically only see with his solo shows and Stone Sour. It’s a temporary and mildly enjoyable feat to the new album and previous like it. Slowly but surely Stone Sour grows back into their booming drums and chunky and speedy guitars as they transition through “Tired”.

Deep down I start to hear more of the Slipknot Corey Taylor pop up hear and there, especially in “RU486″ and “Last Of The Real”. It’s almost scary at times for the non-Slipknot listeners but really cool if you’re a fan looking for something in the middle.

“Taciturn” is the standout balled of House of Gold & Bones Part 1. By far this is the deepest and richest sounding version of a slowed down metal star that one can find. Splicing the natural sounding acoustic guitar with the edginess of electric guitars, Stone Sour produced a slow paced gem that everyone can enjoy. The structure reminds me of “Snuff”.

Finishing up Stone Sour comes around for “The Traveler Part 2″. It takes off a little more than part one and finishes what they started in part one with similar style amped up a bit to bring a little more grit to their music and message.

Just as the album started heavy with “Gone Sovereign” and “Absolute Zero”, Stone Sour sends us off with a heavy hitter. “Last of the Real”, one of my favorites from the album, and one that will rock your socks, we get the full Stone Sour package. It’s controlled though it screams with energy. Most of this song we hear the Stone Sour Corey, but at time the intensity that is only heard in Slipknot creeps in and gives listeners a little push.

As a reviewer and fan I really enjoy Stone Sour. They’re a much-needed addition to the “softer” rock world littered with the same repetitious sounding “music” that somehow gets such a large following. Stone Sour breaks down some of these acts and replaces it, at least in my world, with some booming heavy rock.

I can’t wait for part 2…

Check out photos from Knotfest in Somerset, WI here.

House of Gold & Bones Part 1 – Stone Sour    3.5/5 Stars     Essentials: Gone Sovereign, Absolute Zero, RU486, Taciturn, Last of the Real