{{Redirect|Disasterpiece|the video album by Slipknot|Disasterpieces|other uses|Disasterpiece (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}} {{good article}} {{Infobox album | name = Iowa | type = studio | artist = Slipknot | cover = Slipknot_Iowa.jpg | border = yes | alt = Album cover | released = {{start date|2001|8|28}} | recorded = January 22 – March 16, 2001 | venue = | studio = Sound City and Sound Image (Van Nuys, California) | genre = <!--Please stop adding / don't add "death metal". Consult the talk page for more information--> *Nu metal<ref>Multiple sources: *{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/top-50-nu-metal-albums-of-all-time/|title=Top 50 Best Nu-Metal Albums of All-Time|date=January 2025 |publisher=Loudwire}} *{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/slipknot-every-song-on-iowa-ranked-from-worst-to-best/|title=Slipknot: Every song on Iowa, ranked from worst to best|website=Kerrang!|last=Richardson|first=Jake|date=August 27, 2021|access-date=September 1, 2021}} *{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-50-best-nu-metal-albums-of-all-time|title = The 50 best nu metal albums of all time|date = April 2022}}</ref> *groove metal<ref>{{cite web | title=The Boar | url=https://theboar.org/2021/09/slipknot-iowa-at-20/ }}</ref>
| length = 66:17 | label = Roadrunner | producer = * Ross Robinson * Slipknot | prev_title = Slipknot | prev_year = 1999 | next_title = Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) | next_year = 2004 | misc = {{Singles | name = Iowa | type = studio | single1 = Left Behind | single1date = October 29, 2001 | single2 = My Plague | single2date = July 8, 2002 }} {{Extra album cover | header = Alternative cover one | type = studio | cover = Slipknot Iowa 3.png | border = | alt = | caption = Cover for some versions of ''Iowa''. }} {{Extra album cover | header = Alternative cover two | type = studio | cover = Iowa_10th_Anniversary_Cover.jpg | border = | alt = | caption = Cover for the 10th anniversary re-release of ''Iowa''. }} {{Extra album cover | header = Alternative cover three | type = studio | cover = Europe-Australia Ltd. Iowa Cover.jpg | border = no | alt = | caption = Cover for CD reissues starting in 2006<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/6748352-Slipknot-Iowa|title = Slipknot – Iowa|website = Discogs | date=2006 }}</ref> of ''Iowa''. }} }} '''''Iowa''''' is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Slipknot. Produced by the members and Ross Robinson, it was released on August 28, 2001, by Roadrunner Records. The title refers the band's state origin, Iowa, which members have stated is one of their greatest sources of inspiration. With much anticipation for the album following the success of their 1999 debut album ''Slipknot'', pressures on the band were high. Their relationships with each other suffered and this was later described as the darkest time of their career.<ref name="Rocksound">{{cite news |title = Slipknot 10 years after... |work=Rocksound |pages=60–65 |date = May 2009}}</ref> It was also the first full album to feature guitarist Jim Root after only appearing on one song from their previous album. Despite troubles within the band and with ''Iowa''{{'}}s development, Slipknot promoted it for almost a year.
The album was a major success, premiering in the top tens of nine countries. Generally positively received, it includes some of their notable songs, such as "Disasterpiece", "The Heretic Anthem", "People = Shit" and the Grammy-nominated "Left Behind" and "My Plague". More technical than their debut, ''Iowa'' is considered the band's heaviest and darkest album. It has been certified platinum in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.
A special edition of ''Iowa'' was reissued on November 1, 2011, to celebrate its tenth anniversary. It was accompanied by full live audio of the hit DVD ''Disasterpieces'' and a film entitled ''Goat'' directed by Shawn Crahan, with the four music videos, never-seen-before interviews and footage from the ''Iowa'' period.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/Slipknots-Iowa-To-Be-Reissued-November-1-23470.aspx|title = Slipknot's Iowa To Be Reissued November 1|publisher = Roadrunner|date = September 28, 2011|access-date = September 28, 2011|archive-date = September 30, 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110930133654/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/Slipknots-Iowa-To-Be-Reissued-November-1-23470.aspx|url-status = dead}}</ref>
In 2022, Eli Enis of ''Revolver'' included the song "People = Shit" in his list of the "10 Heaviest Nu-Metal Songs of All Time".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Enis |first=Eli |title=10 Heaviest Nu-Metal Songs of All Time |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/10-heaviest-nu-metal-songs-all-time/ |access-date=2025-12-21 |website=Revolver |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2025, Rae Lemeshow-Barooshian of ''Loudwire'' included the album in her list of "the top 50 nu-metal albums of all time", ranking it fourth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/top-50-nu-metal-albums-of-all-time/|title=The Top 50 Nu-Metal Albums of All Time (Ranked)|first=Rae Lemeshow-BarooshianRae|last=Lemeshow-Barooshian|date=January 1, 2026|website=Loudwire.com|access-date=May 14, 2026}}</ref>
==Recording and production== ''Iowa'' was recorded and produced at Sound City Studios and Sound Image Studios in Los Angeles, California with producer Ross Robinson, who had also produced their debut album.<ref name="MoreMaxSlip" /> Drummer Joey Jordison and bassist Paul Gray began working on new music together in October 2000, and wrote material for most of the album.<ref name="drum!" /> During this time, other members took a break after the extensive touring that had followed their debut.<ref name="drum!">{{cite news |title = Joey Jordison plunges into Slipknot hell |work=Drum! |pages = 44–45 |date = October 2008}}</ref> On January 17, 2001, Slipknot entered the studio to begin recording new material.<ref name="ArnoppBook" /><ref name="RapcoreBook">{{cite book |last = Porter |first = Dick |title = Rapcore: The Nu-Metal Rap Fusion |publisher=Plexus|location=London |year = 2003 |isbn = 0-85965-321-8}}</ref> Recording began on January 22.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2001 |title=The Sickest is Yet to Come |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Slipknot/news.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010127063900/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Slipknot/news.asp |archive-date=2001-01-27 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=roadrunnerrecords.com}}</ref> This period in the band's career became known as one of their worst. Jordison recalled, "That's where we got into a war," citing the lack of a break for himself and Gray.<ref name="drum!" /> Other factors, including vocalist Corey Taylor's alcohol addiction, other members' drug addictions, and management issues affected relations in the band.<ref name="Rocksound" />
"Recording ''Iowa'' was fucking hell," recalled Crahan. "I wanted to kill myself. There was drugs, bitches, rock 'n' roll, all that shit. People expected so much of us then. 'People = Shit' was our way of saying, 'Fuck off and leave us alone.'" "There was nothing happy about ''Iowa''," confirmed Taylor. "All of a sudden we were these metal stars and we weren't really planning for it… We'd all got caught up in the lifestyle and the problems that come with that. A darkness set in at the beginning of ''Iowa'' that none of us quite recognised." Jordison, however, noted, "''Iowa'', even more than the first record, was the album we really wanted to make."<ref name="Bryant">{{cite magazine|first=Tom|last=Bryant|title=Hell unleashed|magazine=Kerrang #1423|date=14 July 2012|page=23}}</ref>
It was the first album where guitarist Jim Root had been significantly involved,<ref name="GuitarMag">{{cite news |title = Wrecking crew |work=Guitar |date = November 2001}}</ref> after joining during the later recording stages of ''Slipknot''.<ref name="ArnoppBook" /> During an interview with ''Guitar'' magazine in November 2001, Root explained, "It was so exciting as well as scary to be part of this whole huge process," adding that there was a lot of pressure from fellow guitarist Mick Thomson to perform well.<ref name="GuitarMag" />
To ''FHM'', Taylor revealed that he put himself in specific situations to achieve his performance on the album.<ref name="FHM">{{cite news |title = Slipknot |work=FHM |pages=76–80 |date = December 2001}}</ref> While recording vocals for the closing title track, he was completely naked, vomiting all over himself, and cutting himself with broken glass. "That's where the best stuff comes from," he explained. "You've got to break yourself down before you can build something great."<ref name="FHM" /> While producing the album, Ross Robinson was injured in a dirt bike accident, suffering a fractured back in the process. He returned to the studio after a day of hospital treatment, reportedly "putting all of his pain into the album", much to the admiration of the band.<ref name="Rocksound" /> The opening track "(515)"–so named after the area code 515–features a manipulated recording of DJ Sid Wilson having a mental breakdown and repeatedly screaming "Death!" after learning that his grandfather had died.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/slipknots-iowa-6-insane-stories-making-bands-most-brutal-album/|title=Slipknot's 'Iowa': 6 Insane Stories From Making of Band's Most Brutal Album|first=Revolver|last=Staff}}</ref> Recording was completed on March 16, 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2001 |title=Updates from the Studio |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Slipknot/news.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010331060647/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Slipknot/news.asp |archive-date=March 31, 2001 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=roadrunnerrecords.com }}</ref>
''Iowa''{{'s}} album cover depicts a goat named Eeyore. According to Crahan, the cover was shot soon after the cover for their previous self-titled album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schaffner |first=Lauryn |date=2021-07-01 |title=Slipknot's 'Clown' Shares Story Behind Goat on 'Iowa' Cover |url=https://loudwire.com/slipknot-clown-story-behind-goat-iowa-cover/ |access-date=2026-01-02 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>
==Music and lyrics== Prior to its release, members promised a much darker and heavier album than ''Slipknot''; many sources praised the band for fulfilling their promises.<ref name="NuWorld" /> In 2008, Crahan recalled: "When we did ''Iowa'', we hated each other. We hated the world; the world hated us."<ref>{{cite news |title = Slipknot's Clown Talks About Upcoming Album |work = Blabbermouth |date = January 9, 2008 |url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=88079 |access-date = January 10, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080112105145/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=88079 |archive-date = January 12, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
''Iowa'', unlike its predecessor, saw Robinson capturing the band's technicality as opposed to the raw energy which ''Slipknot'' became known for.<ref name="NME">{{cite web| last = Segal| first = Victoria| title = Slipknot: Iowa |work=NME |location=UK| date = August 22, 2001| url = https://www.nme.com/reviews/slipknot/5924| access-date = March 21, 2008}}</ref> The band was also praised again for its use of an extended line-up consisting of additional percussionists, turntables, and programmed samples. ''NME'' stated that "every possible space is covered in scrawl and cymbals: guitars, percussion, electronic squall, subhuman screaming."<ref name="NME" /> ''Iowa'' has also been critically acclaimed as one of the only mainstream musical albums to feature blast beat percussion, and was said to heighten its popularity after release.<ref>Ellis, Graham, "Decade of Horror," ''Terrorizer'' issue 184, June 2009, p. 25.</ref>
Although ''Iowa'' became widely regarded as the band's heaviest album to date, some tracks incorporate melody, most apparent in the record's singles such as "My Plague" and "Left Behind". During the album's thirteenth anniversary, ''Revolver'' recalled that the record is "their most extreme album yet". They compared several songs, namely "Disasterpiece," "People = Shit" and "The Heretic Anthem" as more death metal-influenced than most of the {{nowrap|nu metal}} that the album contained.<ref name=extreme-metal>{{cite web|title=Interview: Slipknot Look Back on the Making of 'Iowa'|work=Revolvermag |url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/interview-slipknot-look-back-on-the-making-of-iowa.html|publisher=Revolver|access-date=August 17, 2015|date=August 28, 2014|quote="Fortunately, the band members were able to channel their animosity into their music, creating their most extreme album yet. Songs like "Disasterpiece," "People = Shit," and "The Heretic Anthem" draw far more from death metal's scathing currency than nu-metal's trendy angst."}}</ref> While the album does have elements of hip-hop music, ''Iowa'' has less hip-hop elements than Slipknot's self-titled album, and instead draws its influences moreso on heavy genres like death metal and hardcore punk.<ref name=HarvardCrimson>{{cite news |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2001/11/9/heavy-metal-the-pledge-of-allegiance/ |title=Heavy Metal |newspaper=The Harvard Crimson |last=Packard |first=Michael T. |date=November 9, 2001}}</ref> The title track is also known for being the band's longest continuous song released, clocking in at just over 15 minutes.
''Iowa'' follows the lyrical style that vocalist Corey Taylor established on Slipknot's debut; it includes strong use of metaphors to describe dark themes including misanthropy, solipsism, disgust, anger, disaffection, psychosis, and rejection.<ref name="NME" /><ref name="RS">{{cite magazine |last = Fricke |first = David |title = Iowa album review |magazine=Rolling Stone |date = September 17, 2001 |url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/slipknot/albums/album/146645/review/5942405/iowa |access-date = February 22, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071002075208/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/slipknot/albums/album/146645/review/5942405/iowa |archive-date = October 2, 2007 | url-status = dead}}</ref> The album also includes many expletives; David Fricke of the ''Rolling Stone'' magazine said "there isn't much shock value left in the words fuck and shit, which Taylor uses in some variation more than forty times in ''Iowa''{{'}}s sixty-six minutes."<ref name="RS" /> Fricke went on to praise Taylor's performance on the track "Iowa", comparing it to a "vivid evocation of a makeshift-cornfield grave at midnight."<ref name="RS" />
"Disasterpiece", said Taylor, "is my favorite Slipknot song. We started doing pre-production for the album in a warehouse in Iowa itself. I had laryngitis and couldn't sing a note, so I was writing a lot of ideas down. When I heard them play 'Disasterpiece', I just wrote 'No one is safe' in huge letters. I knew from then that we were going to rip the throat out of the world with 'Disasterpiece'. That was the lynchpin for the whole album."<ref name="Bryant"/>
==Promotion== There was speculation over the title before its announcement with ''Nine Men, One Mission'' as the expected title in some sources.<ref name="ArnoppBook">{{cite book |title= Slipknot: Inside the Sickness, Behind the Masks |last= Arnopp|first= Jason|year= 2001|publisher=Ebury|isbn= 0-09-187933-7}}</ref> ''Iowa'' was later announced as its title and was named after the band's home state of Iowa. Members have claimed that Iowa was the source of their energy, and they consciously made the decision to stay in the area, partially due to the fear of losing their creative direction.<ref name="MoreMaxSlip">{{cite AV media notes |title= More Maximum Slipknot, The unauthorised biography of Slipknot|year= 2004|publisher=Chrome Dreams}}</ref> The opening track "(515)" is also a reference to their home state, named after the telephone area code for central Iowa.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.nanpa.com/area_code_maps/display.html?ia|title= NPA (Area) codes – Iowa|access-date= May 17, 2008|publisher= North American Numbering Plan Administration|archive-date= June 26, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090626141428/http://www.nanpa.com/area_code_maps/display.html?ia|url-status= dead}}</ref> Initially the album was scheduled for release on June 19, 2001, and was to be preceded by a five-date warm-up tour.<ref name="UnmaskedBook">{{cite book |last = McIver |first = Joel |author-link = Joel McIver |title = Slipknot: Unmasked (Again) |publisher=Omnibus |year = 2003 |isbn = 0-7119-9764-0}}</ref> However, the mixing of the album took longer than anticipated, causing the album's release to be delayed, as well as the cancellation of the tour.<ref name="NuWorld">{{cite book |last = Udo |first = Tommy |title = Brave Nu World |publisher = Cromwell |year = 2002 |isbn = 1-86074-415-X |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/bravenuworld00tomm }}</ref><ref name="UnmaskedBook" /> The album was officially released on August 28, 2001.<ref name="allmusic" /> In support of the album, Slipknot began a new tour called the Iowa World Tour. This included: a spot on Ozzfest in 2001,<ref>{{cite web |url= {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p41591|pure_url=yes}}|title= Slipknot Biography|access-date=June 1, 2008 |last=Huey |first=Steve |publisher=Macrovision }}</ref> an American co-headlining tour with System of a Down,<ref name="RapcoreBook" /> as well as tours in Japan, Europe and elsewhere.<ref>{{cite news |first= Michael|last= Hubbard|title= Slipknot liven up Reading's finale|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/2217410.stm |work=BBC News |date= August 26, 2002|access-date=June 1, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=February 12, 2009 |url=http://www.chartattack.com/photos/photo-of-the-week/slipknot-kill-the-industry |title=Slipknot Kill The Industry |work=Chart |date=June 18, 2001 |last=Mernagh |first=Matt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209122431/http://chartattack.com/photos/photo-of-the-week/slipknot-kill-the-industry |archive-date=February 9, 2009 |url-status=usurped |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="greenbay">{{cite news |title= 'Maggots,' rejoice: Slipknot is back |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |date=November 8, 2001 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Slipknot unmasked! |work=The Japan Times |date=April 3, 2002 |author=Bartz, Simon }}</ref>
Prior to the album's release, Slipknot gave away copies of "Heretic Song" (titled "The Heretic Anthem" on the retail release), free on their website. It was limited to 666 copies, to match the chorus; "If you're 555, then I'm 666." The giveaway began on May 15, 2001, and lasted until copies sold out.<ref name="NME666">{{cite news|title=The joy of 666 |work=NME |location=UK |date=May 15, 2001 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/slipknot/7781 |access-date=April 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011204327/http://www.nme.com/news/slipknot/7781 |archive-date=October 11, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Moss |first = Corey |title = Slipknot Shoot For 'World Domination' With Iowa |publisher=MTV |date = August 29, 2001 |url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1448476/20010828/slipknot.jhtml |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010903002728/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1448476/20010828/slipknot.jhtml |url-status = dead |archive-date = September 3, 2001 |access-date = April 24, 2009}}</ref> The first official single released from the album was "Left Behind". In 2002, the band made a special appearance in the film ''Rollerball'', in which they performed "I Am Hated".<ref name="NME666" /> Following this, a second single from the album was released, "My Plague", which appeared on the soundtrack for the film ''Resident Evil''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120804/soundtrack |title=Resident Evil (2002) – Soundtracks |website=Internet Movie Database |access-date=September 5, 2008 }}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Album ratings |MC = 68/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web|title=Iowa - Slipknot|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/iowa/slipknot|website=Metacritic|access-date=16 November 2014}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/iowa-mw0000589672|title=Iowa - Slipknot | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic|via=www.allmusic.com}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Alternative Press'' | rev2Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>Things reach such a fever pitch on this album that you can't help but laugh at times. [Sep 2001, p.75]</ref> | rev3 = ''Artistdirect'' | rev3Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/slipknot-iowa-10th-anniversary-edition-review-5-out-of-5-stars/9517792|title=News|access-date=October 21, 2011|archive-date=October 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015151453/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/slipknot-iowa-10th-anniversary-edition-review-5-out-of-5-stars/9517792|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Dotmusic'' | rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Mulvey, John|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/reviews/Albums/August2001/reviews21574.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010828111014/http://www.dotmusic.com/reviews/Albums/August2001/reviews21574.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2001|title=SLIPKNOT - IOWA (ROADRUNNER)|work=Dotmusic|date=28 August 2001|access-date=14 August 2019}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev5Score = C−<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Sinclair, Tom|url=https://ew.com/article/2001/09/03/iowa/|title=Iowa|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=3 September 2001|access-date=14 August 2019}}</ref> | rev6 = ''Drowned in Sound'' | rev6Score = 7/10<ref>{{cite web|author=Reed, Graham|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/2681/reviews/1704-|title=Slipknot - Iowa|work=Drowned in Sound|date=23 July 2001|access-date=14 August 2019|archive-date=August 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811230252/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/2681/reviews/1704-|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev7 = ''NME'' | rev7Score = 8/10<ref>''NME''. August 25, 2001. p. 49</ref> | rev8 = ''Playlouder'' | rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Luff, William|url=http://www.playlouder.com/review/364slipknot.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011102215602/http://www.playlouder.com/review/364slipknot.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 November 2001|title=Iowa - Slipknot|work=Playlouder|date=28 August 2001|access-date=14 August 2019}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Q'' | rev9Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>Slipknot make one hell of a racket, an abrasive amalgam of death metal blastbeats and bestial grunting. [Oct 2001, p.130]</ref> | rev10 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev10Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="RS"/> }}
Following the success of the band's self-titled album, author Dick Porter wrote that the anticipation for a follow-up was intense.<ref name="RapcoreBook"/> Prior to its release, Jordison proclaimed: "Wait till you hear our fuckin' next record. It smokes our first album. The shit's twice as technical, three times as heavy."<ref name="NuWorld"/>
Iowa earned generally favorable reviews.<ref name=MC /> The ''College Music Journal'' reviewed it as "brutal, unrelenting, scorching..."<ref>{{cite book |title = Iowa album review |publisher = College Music Journal |date =October 1, 2001 |page = 13}}</ref> Many noted its heavy themes: ''Alternative Press'' stated, "<nowiki>[It is]</nowiki> like having a plastic bag taped over your head for an hour while Satan uses your scrotum as a speedbag....<nowiki>[It]</nowiki> is over the top… you're going to be left in stitches."<ref>{{cite book |title = Iowa album review |publisher = Alternative Press |date = July 2001 |page = 75}}</ref> ''NME'' said that it is "Exhilarating, brutal and good."<ref name="NME50">{{cite book |title = 50 Albums of the year 2001 |publisher = NME |date = December 29, 2001 |page = 59}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' credited the album for its originality, stating that "nearly everything else in modern doom rock sounds banal."<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/slipknot/albums/album/146645/review/5942405/iowa|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071002075208/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/slipknot/albums/album/146645/review/5942405/iowa|url-status= dead|archive-date= October 2, 2007|title= Slipknot (Metal): Iowa|access-date=June 1, 2008 |last=Fricke |first=Davide |date= September 17, 2001|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> In its ''Rock & Roll Yearbook'' (2001), ''Rolling Stone'' declared, "Do not discount the purgative worth of Slipknot's head-spinning riffage and singer Corey Taylor's consumptive growl in 'People = Shit' and 'The Heretic Anthem'. ''Iowa'' is the sound of hell boiling over."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Fricke|magazine=Rolling Stone Rock & Roll Yearbook 2001|title=Iowa|issue= 885–886|date = 2001}}</ref>
Producer Robinson was praised for his work: ''Uncut'' noted, "The barely relenting, tumbling noise attack marshalled by nu metal uber-producer Ross Robinson is expert."<ref>{{cite book |title = Iowa album review |publisher = Uncut |date = November 2001 |page = 120}}</ref> Reviewing for Yahoo!, John Mulvey said, "They're an evolutionary dead end, the final, absolute triumph of nu metal."<ref name="Yahoo">{{cite web| last = Mulvey| first = John| title = Slipknot – Iowa | publisher=Yahoo Music| date = August 23, 2001| url = http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/l_reviews_a/21574.html |access-date=March 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113104848/http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/l_reviews_a/21574.html |archive-date=January 13, 2006}}</ref>
The first single, "Left Behind", was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance at the 44th Grammy Awards.<ref name="BM.Grammy2002">{{cite news|title=Slipknot's Paul Gray: "I Know System Of A Down Will Win Grammy" |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=February 27, 2002 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=1780 |access-date=December 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219142252/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=1780 |archive-date=December 19, 2007 }}</ref> The second single, "My Plague", was nominated in 2003 for the same award at the 45th Grammy Awards.<ref name="BM.Grammy2003">{{cite news|title=Grammy Awards Nominees Announced! |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=January 7, 2003 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=8702 |access-date=December 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620042948/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=8702 |archive-date=June 20, 2008 }}</ref> The single "Left Behind" peaked in the top thirty for single sales the United States and the UK.<ref name="billboard2">{{cite web |url = {{BillboardURLbyName|artist=slipknot|chart=all}}|title = Billboard.com Artist Chart History – Slipknot|publisher=Nielsen Business Media Incorporated|access-date = January 26, 2008}}</ref><ref name="UKCharts">{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/slipknot|title=Slipknot|publisher=The Official Charts Company}}</ref> In addition, "My Plague" reached the 43rd position on the UK charts.<ref name="UKCharts" /> ''Iowa'' was ranked sixth in the "50 Albums of the year" by ''NME'' in 2001.<ref name="NME50"/> The album reached the top position on the UK Albums Chart,<ref name="UKCharts" /> and the second spot on the ARIA Charts in Australia.<ref name="aus">{{cite web|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Slipknot&titel=Iowa&cat=a|title=Slipknot Australian Charts|publisher=australian-charts.com|access-date=February 9, 2008}}</ref> The album reached the third spot on the ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=slipknot|chart=all}}|title=Iowa – Slipknot|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 26, 2008}}</ref> and the Finnish Albums Chart.<ref name="fin">{{cite web|url=http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Slipknot&titel=Iowa&cat=a|title=Slipknot Finnish Charts|publisher=finnishcharts.com|access-date=February 9, 2008}}</ref> On October 10, 2001, the album was certified Platinum in the United States.{{Certification Cite Ref|region = United States|title = Iowa|artist = Slipknot|type = album}} In Canada, the Canadian Recording Industry Association certified the album as Platinum, on September 5, 2001.{{Certification Cite Ref|region = Canada|title = Iowa|artist = Slipknot|type = album|certyear = 2001|certmonth = 9}} The British Phonographic Industry has certified the album as Gold in the UK.<ref name="UNcert">{{cite web |title = Iowa Certified Awards |publisher=British Phonographic Industry |date = August 24, 2001 |url = http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29583 |access-date = February 10, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080605043822/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29583 |archive-date = June 5, 2008}}</ref>
In 2009, ''Iowa'' was rated third in UK magazine ''Kerrang!''{{'}}s "The 50 Best Albums of the 21st century" reader poll.<ref>{{cite news |title = A Century of Sound |pages = 22–47 |work=Kerrang! |date = August 8, 2009}}</ref> ''Loudwire'' listed ''Iowa'' at number two in their "Top 11 albums of the 2000s" and number six in their "Top 100 albums of the 21st century".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/top-11-metal-albums-of-the-2000s/|title=Top 11 Metal Albums of the 2000s|website=Loudwire |date=November 3, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/top-100-hard-rock-metal-albums-21st-century/|title=The 100 Best Hard Rock + Metal Albums of the 21st Century|website=Loudwire |date=October 16, 2023 }}</ref> In 2017, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked ''Iowa'' as 50th on their list of 'The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2017/06/21/news/rolling-stone-share-choices-100-greatest-metal-albums-time/|title=Rolling Stone Share Their Choices For 'The 100 Greatest Metal Albums Of All Time'|date=June 21, 2017|website=Theprp.com}}</ref> Later in 2023, the same magazine ranked the album's second song, "People = Shit", number sixty on their list on "The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2023-03-13 |title=The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-heavy-metal-songs-1234688425/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Track listing==
{{Track listing | all_writing = Slipknot.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Iowa |others=Slipknot |date=2001 |type=CD booklet |publisher=Roadrunner}}</ref> | title1 = (515) | length1 = 0:59 | title2 = People = Shit | length2 = 3:35 | title3 = Disasterpiece | length3 = 5:08 | title4 = My Plague | length4 = 3:40 | title5 = Everything Ends | length5 = 4:14 | title6 = The Heretic Anthem | length6 = 4:13 | title7 = Gently | length7 = 4:54 | title8 = Left Behind | length8 = 4:01 | title9 = The Shape | length9 = 3:37 | title10 = I Am Hated | length10 = 2:37 | title11 = Skin Ticket | length11 = 6:41 | title12 = New Abortion | length12 = 3:36 | title13 = Metabolic | length13 = 3:59 | title14 = Iowa | length14 = 15:03 | total_length = 66:17 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Japanese edition bonus track | title15 = Liberate | note15 = Live | length15 = 4:25 | total_length = 70:42 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Japanese edition bonus DVD | title1 = My Plague | note1 = music video | title2 = Left Behind | note2 = music video }}
{{Track listing | headline = 10th Anniversary edition (bonus track) | title15 = My Plague (New Abuse mix) | length15 = 2:59 | total_length = 69:16 }}
{{Track listing | headline = 10th Anniversary edition (disc two) – ''Disasterpieces'' (live at London Arena, 2002) | title1 = (515) | length1 = 4:04 | title2 = People = Shit | length2 = 3:36 | title3 = Liberate | length3 = 3:38 | title4 = Left Behind | length4 = 3:39 | title5 = Eeyore | length5 = 2:38 | title6 = Disasterpiece | length6 = 5:22 | title7 = Purity | length7 = 5:26 | title8 = Gently | length8 = 4:36 | title9 = Eyeless | length9 = 4:57 | title10 = Drum Solo | length10 = 3:59 | title11 = My Plague | length11 = 3:47 | title12 = New Abortion | length12 = 4:22 | title13 = The Heretic Anthem | length13 = 4:59 | title14 = Spit It Out | length14 = 7:44 | title15 = Wait and Bleed | length15 = 3:27 | title16 = 742617000027 | length16 = 1:44 | title17 = (sic) | length17 = 4:22 | title18 = Surfacing | length18 = 5:34 | total_length = 77:54 }}
{{Track listing | headline = 10th Anniversary edition (disc three) – ''Goat'' | title1 = My Plague (music video) | length1 = | title2 = Left Behind (music video) | length2 = | title3 = The Heretic Anthem (live) (music video) | length3 = | title4 = People = Shit (live) (music video) | length4 = | title5 = ''Goat'': An hour-long collection of rare footage and interviews | length5 = | total_length = }}
{{Track listing | headline = Vinyl release - side one | title1 = (515) | length1 = 0:59 | title2 = People = Shit | length2 = 3:35 | title3 = Disasterpiece | length3 = 5:08 | title4 = My Plague | length4 = 3:40 | title5 = Everything Ends | length5 = 4:13 | total_length = 17:35 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Vinyl release - side two | title1 = The Heretic Anthem | length1 = 4:13 | title2 = Gently | length2 = 4:54 | title3 = Left Behind | length3 = 4:01 | title4 = The Shape | length4 = 3:37 | total_length = 16:45 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Vinyl release - side three | title1 = I Am Hated | length1 = 2:37 | title2 = Skin Ticket | length2 = 6:41 | title3 = New Abortion | length3 = 3:36 | title4 = Metabolic | length4 = 3:59 | total_length = 16:53 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Vinyl release - side four | title1 = Iowa | length1 = 15:03 | total_length = 15:03 }}
==Personnel== Aside from their real names, members of the band are referred to by numbers zero through eight.<ref name="Allbio">{{cite web |url= {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p41591|pure_url=yes}}|title= Biography|access-date=July 31, 2008 |work=Slipknot|publisher=Allmusic}}</ref>
'''Slipknot''' *(#8) Corey Taylor – vocals *(#7) Mick Thomson – guitar *(#6) Shawn Crahan – percussion, backing vocals, editing *(#5) Craig Jones – samples, media *(#4) Jim Root – guitar *(#3) Chris Fehn – percussion, backing vocals *(#2) Paul Gray – bass, backing vocals *(#1) Joey Jordison – drums *(#0) Sid Wilson – turntables, vocals on "(515)"
'''Production''' * Ross Robinson – production * Slipknot – production * Mike Fraser – engineering * Andy Wallace – mixing * Steve Sisco – assistant engineering * George Marino – mastering * Steve Richards – executive producer * Joey Jordison – mixing, additional vocal production on "My Plague (New Abuse mix)"
'''Artwork''' * Shawn Crahan – creative direction, photography * T42 Design – art direction, layout * Joey Jordison – Slipknot logo and Tribal-S logo design * Stefan Seskis – photography * Neil Zlozower – band photography
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+2001 weekly chart performance for ''Iowa'' !Chart (2001) !Peak<br/>position |- {{album chart|Australia|2|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Austria|8|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|4|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|7|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|1|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Denmark|19|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|15|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Finland|3|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|France|7|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Germany|4|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|id=3784|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Hungary|13|year=2001|week=40|rowheader=true|access-date=November 24, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Ireland|3|year=2001|week=35|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Italy|5|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|New Zealand|5|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Norway|12|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Poland|7|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|id=48|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|1|date=20010908|rowheader=true|access-date=October 28, 2021}} |- !scope="row"| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)<ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st |date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref> |align="center"|11 |- {{album chart|Sweden|10|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=October 6, 2025}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|13|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=October 6, 2025}} |- {{album chart|UK2|1|date=20010908|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|UKRock|1|date=20010908|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|3|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |}
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+2011 weekly chart performance for ''Iowa'' !scope="col"|Chart (2011) !scope="col"|Peak<br>position |- !scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/97082/products/928109/1/|title=アイオワ 10THアニバーサリー・エディション {{!}} スリップノット|trans-title=Iowa 10th Anniversary Edition|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=October 29, 2021}}</ref> |align="center"|39 |- |}
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+2021 weekly chart performance for ''Iowa'' !scope="col"|Chart (2021) !scope="col"|Peak<br>position |- |- {{album chart|Portugal|27|artist=Slipknot|album=Iowa|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2021}} |- |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+2001 year-end chart performance for ''Iowa'' !Chart (2001) !Position |- !scope="row"|Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031212202406/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/200-1_2001.html|archive-date=December 12, 2003|url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/200-1_2001.html|title=Canada's Top 200 Albums of 2001 (based on sales)|website=Jam!|access-date= March 26, 2022}}</ref> | 99 |- !scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2001.pdf|title=The Official UK Albums Chart 2001|work=UKChartsPlus|access-date=September 16, 2021}}</ref> |128 |- !scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2001/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429205112/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2001/top-billboard-200-albums |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |url-status=dead | access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref> |150 |} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+2002 year-end chart performance for ''Iowa'' |- !scope="col"|Chart (2002) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|Canadian Alternative Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040902000408/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_alt2.html|archive-date=September 2, 2004|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_alt2.html|title=Canada's Top 200 Alternative albums of 2002|website=Jam!|access-date=March 28, 2022}}</ref> | 158 |- !scope="row"|Canadian Metal Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040812035533/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_metal.html|archive-date=August 12, 2004|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_metal.html|title=Top 100 Metal Albums of 2002|website=Jam!|access-date=March 23, 2022}}</ref> | 78 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''Iowa''}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=Iowa|artist=Slipknot|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2001}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|title=Iowa|artist=Slipknot|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2001}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|title=Iowa|artist=Slipknot|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|certmonth=9}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Slipknot|title=Lowa|region=France|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2002|access-date=18 August 2019}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=Iowa|artist=Slipknot|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2010}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|title=Iowa|artist=Slipknot|type=album|relyear=2001 |certyear=2001|certmonth=12|award=Gold|access-date=August 23, 2022}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Slipknot|title=Iowa|region=Netherlands|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2008|access-date=8 August 2019}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|artist=Slipknot|title=Iowa|region=New Zealand|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2015|access-date=23 December 2024|source=radioscope}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Iowa|artist=Slipknot|type=album|relyear=2001|certyear=2018|award=Platinum|id=3381-678-2}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Iowa|artist=Slipknot|type=album|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|award=Platinum}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{wikiquote|Slipknot#Iowa}} * {{Metacritic album}}
{{Slipknot}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2001 albums Category:Slipknot (band) albums Category:Albums produced by Ross Robinson Category:Roadrunner Records albums Category:Albums recorded at Sound City Studios