View source for .5: The Gray Chapter

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gray Chapter, The}}{{DISPLAYTITLE:''{{PAGENAME}}''}}
{{Album
|theme = Gray Chapter
|name = .5: The Gray Chapter
|image = <gallery>
The Gray Chapter.jpg|Standard
The Gray Chapter (Unused).jpg|Unused
</gallery>
|released = October 17th, 2014
|recorded = March 1st – July 28th, 2014
|studio = Sunset Sound Studios<br/>{{sm|(Hollywood, California)}}<br/>Jim Root's garage 
|time = 63:51 {{sm|(digital standard)}}<br/>74:51 {{sm|(digital special)}}
|genre = Heavy Metal<br/>Nu Metal<br/>Groove Metal<br/>Alternative Metal
|label = [[Roadrunner Records]]
|producer = Slipknot • {{W|Greg Fidelman}}
|mixer = Greg Fidelman • {{W|Joe Barresi}}
|single 1 = The Negative One
|single 1 released = August 1st, 2014
|single 2 = The Devil In I
|single 2 released = August 24th, 2014
|single 3 = Custer
|single 3 released = October 10th, 2014
|single 4 = Killpop
|single 4 released = April 28th, 2015
|single 5 = Goodbye
|single 5 released = January 5th, 2016
|promo single 1 = XIX
|promo single 1 released = October 14th, 2014
|promo single 2 = Sarcastrophe 
|promo single 2 released = October 14th, 2014
|promo single 3 = AOV
|promo single 3 released = October 15th, 2014
|promo single 4 = Killpop
|promo single 4 released = October 16th, 2014
|promo single 5 = Skeptic
|promo single 5 released = October 17th, 2014
|studioprev = {{A|AHIG}}
|studionext = {{A|WANYK}}
|overallprev = {{A|Antennas to Hell}}
|overallnext = {{A|Day of the Gusano}}
}}
'''''.5: The Gray Chapter''''' is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]]. It was released in Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands on October 17th, 2014, the UK on October 20th, 2014 and in North America on October 21th, 2014. It is the first studio album by the band in six years and the first to not feature founding bassist Paul Gray and long time drummer Joey Jordison due to the death of Gray in 2010 (the title of the album being a reference to his name), and the firing of Jordison in late 2013. A standard and deluxe edition of the album was released. The deluxe edition features two bonus tracks, with both releases of the album featuring three hidden tracks. It is the first studio to feature their current drummer Jay Weinberg and bassist Alessandro Venturella and the final studio album to feature percussionist Chris Fehn before his firing in March 18, 2019.

==Background==
Six years after the release of ''All Hope is Gone'', Slipknot had plans to make another album. Since former bassist #2's passing in 2010, each of the band members handled it differently. In mid-to-late 2013, there were talks about writing a new album. In December 2013, drummer [[Joey Jordison]], was very unexpectedly ousted from the group. It was revealed in 2016 that he had developed transverse myelitis, which immobilized his legs and damaged his central nervous system. Jim Root, was similarly fired from ''Stone Sour'' following his unsettlement and frustrations with the band.

Slipknot announced in March that they were going to begin recording for the new album, unnamed at the time and referred to as simply as "Vol. 5". Over time, hype was built as the band's main pages were blacked out. The band then announced in May that there would be another Knotfest. The first announcement was for a November Knotfest in Japan. Later, another Knotfest indicated an October festival in California, United States. Meanwhile, Slipknot's main page directory added "/negative", and over the following weeks, snippets and teasers for a new music video were released.

These snippets came together in a full music video for Slipknot's first full song since 2008, "The Negative One". Reception was wildly positive and fans were largely excited. However, the music video, notably, did not show any of the band members. No details of the identities of the replacement drummer and bassist were given. At the end of the video, a new "S" logo was shown. It should be noted that the tribal "S" was designed by Joey Jordison, which is likely the reason for the new logo. A new nonogram was also shown. Instead of three superimposed triangles, the new circle is a nine-pointed star.

The band then revealed a number of tours. Soon enough, a new song, "The Devil In I", was released with its own music video. In the video, the band, with new costumes and new masks, were shown with "Human Maggots", and also featured their old masks in personae. In October, the audio for the song "Custer" was also released. Reception was nearly unanimously positive. Since the release of "The Devil In I", the band has announced a number of tours, the first being the "Prepare for Hell" tour with Korn and King 810. After this tour, the band travelled to Japan for the Knotfest there.

==Track Listing==
All tracks are written by [[Corey Taylor]] & [[Jim Root]], except where noted.
{{Tracklist
|edition = standard
|headline = ''{{PAGENAME}}'' — Standard Edition
|total length = 1:13:28

|track 1 = XIX
|writer 1 = Taylor • Root • [[Shawn Crahan]]
|length 1 = 3:10

|track 2 = Sarcastrophe
|writer 2 = 
|length 2 = 5:06

|track 3 = AOV
|writer 3 = 
|length 3 = 5:32

|track 4 = The Devil In I
|writer 4 = 
|length 4 = 5:42

|track 5 = Killpop
|writer 5 = 
|length 5 = 3:45

|track 6 = Skeptic
|writer 6 = 
|length 6 = 4:46

|track 7 = Lech
|writer 7 = Taylor
|length 7 = 4:50

|track 8 = Goodbye
|writer 8 = Taylor
|length 8 = 4:35

|track 9 = Nomadic
|writer 9 = Taylor
|length 9 = 4:18

|track 10 = The One That Kills the Least
|writer 10 = 
|length 10 = 4:11

|track 11 = Custer
|writer 11 = 
|length 11 = 4:14

|track 12 = Be Prepared for Hell
|writer 12 = Taylor • Root • Crahan
|length 12 = 1:57

|track 13 = The Negative One
|writer 13 = 
|length 13 = 5:25

|track 14 = If Rain Is What You Want
|writer 14 = Taylor • Root • [[Craig Jones]]
|length 14 = 6:20

|track 15 = -Silent-
|mix 15 = Physical Hidden Track
|writer 15 = 
|length 15 = 2:00

|track 16 = Huffys Between Dumpsters
|mix 16 = Physical Hidden Track
|writer 16 = Crahan • Root
|length 16 = 6:20

|track 17 = Flea Circus
|mix 17 = Physical Hidden Track
|writer 17 = Crahan • Root
|length 17 = 1:29
}}
{{Tracklist
|edition = ''{{PAGENAME}}'' — Special Edition<ref>[[Image:Apple Music.png|20px|link=]] [https://music.apple.com/us/album/5-the-gray-chapter-special-edition/911121206 .5: The Gray Chapter (Special Edition) by Slipknot]. ''Apple Music''. Retrieved April 13th, 2022.</ref><ref>[[Image:Discogs.png|20px|link=]] [https://www.discogs.com/release/6222610-Slipknot-5-The-Gray-Chapter Slipknot – .5: The Gray Chapter (2014, CD)]. ''Discogs''. Retrieved April 13th, 2022.</ref>
|total length = 1:24:40

|track 15 = Override
|writer 15 = 
|length 15 = 5:37

|track 16 = The Burden
|writer 16 = 
|length 16 = 5:23

|track 17 = -Silent-
|mix 17 = Physical Hidden Track
|writer 17 = 
|length 17 = 2:00

|track 18 = Huffys Between Dumpsters
|mix 18 = Physical Hidden Track
|writer 18 = Crahan • Root
|length 18 = 6:20

|track 19 = Flea Circus
|mix 19 = Physical Hidden Track
|writer 19 = Crahan • Root
|length 19 = 1:29
}}

===Album Lengths===
{| style="margin: 0 0 0 0; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #676767; border-radius: 2px; empty-cells: hide; border-collapse: collapse;" width="65%" border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"
!scope="col" style="text-align:center; background: black; color: white;"|Edition
!scope="col" style="text-align:center; background: black; color: white;"|Length
|-
|Standard Edition {{sm|(Physical)}} — {{sm|(Tracks 1-17)}}
|'''73:28'''
|-
|Standard Edition {{sm|(Digital)}} — {{Sm|(Tracks 1-14)}}
|'''63:51'''
|-
|Special Edition {{sm|(Physical)}}<br/>Disc 1 — {{Sm|(Tracks 1-14)}}<br/>Disc 2 — {{Sm|(Tracks 15-19)}}
|'''84:40'''<br/>'''63:51'''<br/>'''20:49'''
|-
|Special Edition {{sm|(Digital)}} — {{sm|(Tracks 1-16)}}
|'''74:51'''
|-
|}

==Personnel==
===Slipknot===
*(#8) [[Corey Taylor]] – lead vocals, bass on "Goodbye", tuba on "Flea Circus"
*(#7) [[Mick Thomson]] – guitars, bass
*(#6) [[Shawn Crahan]] – percussion, backing vocals, additional drums on "Goodbye" and "If Rain Is What You Want", lead vocals on "Be Prepared For Hell"
*(#5) [[Craig Jones]] – sampling, keyboards
*(#4) [[Jim Root]] – guitars, bass
*(#3) [[Chris Fehn]] – percussion, backing vocals
*(#0) [[Sid Wilson]] – turntables
*[[Alex Venturella]] – bass
*[[Jay Weinberg]] – drums

===Additional Personnel===
*[[Donnie Steele]] – bass on "XIX"<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7575982 Donnie Steele on IMDB]. ''IMDB''. Retrieved March 12th, 2024</ref>
*Greg Fidelman – production
*Joe Barresi – mixing
*Vlado Meller – mastering

==Gallery==
<tabber>
|-|Vinyl=
<gallery orientation="square" spacing="small" captionposition="within">
Gray Chapter Black Vinyl.jpg|Black Vinyl
Gray Chapter Gray Marble Vinyl.jpg|Gray Marble Vinyl (Webstore Exclusive)
Gray Chapter Yellow Vinyl.jpg|Yellow Vinyl
Gray Chapter Red Vinyl.png|Translucent Red Vinyl (Hot Topic Exclusive)
Gray Chapter Green Vinyl.jpg|Translucent Green Vinyl (US Indie Exclusive)
Gray Chapter Pink Vinyl.jpg|Translucent Pink Vinyl (Indie/Webstore Exclusive)
Gray Chapter Baby Pink Vinyl.jpg|Baby Pink Vinyl (Webstore Exclusive)
</gallery>
<h3>'''Mock-Ups:'''</h3>
<gallery orientation="square" spacing="small" captionposition="within">
Gray Chapter Black Vinyl (Mock-Up).png|Black Vinyl
Gray Chapter Gray Marble Vinyl (Mock-Up).jpg|Gray Marble Vinyl (Webstore Exclusive)
Gray Chapter Yellow Vinyl (Mock-Up).jpg|Yellow Vinyl
Gray Chapter Red Vinyl (Mock-Up).jpg|Red Vinyl (Hot Topic Exclusive)
Gray Chapter Green Vinyl (Mock-Up).jpg|Green Vinyl (US Indie Exclusive)
Gray Chapter Pink Vinyl (Mock-Up).png|Pink Vinyl (Indie/Webstore Exclusive)
Gray Chapter Baby Pink Vinyl (Mock-Up).png|Baby Pink Vinyl (Webstore Exclusive)
</gallery>
</tabber>

==Tour==
*[[Prepare for Hell Tour]]

==Trivia==
*Jay Weinberg and Alessandro Venturella were both given the chance to design their own masks for The Gray Chapter, but according to Corey, the concepts were too "cartoony" for Slipknot, which is why they ended up with the ones they got.
*The cover shows a (unknown) nude model with skeleton body paint, and a skull mask. The photo was taken by Shawn Crahan, during a art photoshoot he did a few years before the band recorded The Gray Chapter.
*''{{PAGENAME}}'' is the first explicit studio album to receive an official clean edit.
**The physical edition of the clean edit doesn't feature the three hidden tracks.<ref>[[Image:Discogs.png|20px|link=]] [https://www.discogs.com/release/11933933-Slipknot-5-The-Gray-Chapter Slipknot – .5: The Gray Chapter (2014, Clean Edit, CD)]. ''Discogs''. Retrieved April 13th, 2022.</ref>
* Both {{Tr|The Negative One}} and {{Tr|Custer}} were written in about two hours.<ref>@Willy Radio (August 20th, 2022). [[Image:YouTube.png|20px|link=]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e54w0Cmbd7A&t=420s WILLY // Cedric interviewt Jay Weinberg van Slipknot]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved August 20th, 2022.</ref>

==Release History==
{| style="margin: 0 0 0 0; text-align:center; border: 1px solid #676767; border-radius: 2px; empty-cells: hide; border-collapse: collapse;" width="100%" border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"
|-
! style="background: black; color: white;" |Region
! style="background: black; color: white;" |Date
! style="background: black; color: white;" |Format{{Sm|(s)}}
! style="background: black; color: white;" |Edition
! style="background: black; color: white;" |Label{{Sm|(s)}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |Japan
| rowspan="2" |October 15th, 2014
| rowspan="2" |CD
|Standard
| rowspan="9" |[[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]]
|-
|Deluxe
|-
|EU
|October 16th, 2014
|Vinyl
|Limited
|-
| rowspan="2" |Various
| rowspan="3" |October 17th, 2014
| rowspan="2" |CD
|Standard
|-
|Deluxe 
|-
| rowspan="2" |EU
| rowspan="3" |Vinyl
| rowspan="3" |Limited
|-
|October 20th, 2014
|-
|US
| rowspan="4" |October 21st, 2014
|-
|Various
|CD • digital download • streaming
| rowspan="2" |Standard
|-
|Russia
|CD
|Roadrunner • Warner Music Russia
|-
|Various
|CD • digital download • streaming 
|Deluxe
|Roadrunner
|-
|Argentina
|2022 
| rowspan="3" |Vinyl
| rowspan="3" |Limited
|Roadrunner • Plaza Independencia Música
|-
| rowspan="2" |US • EU
|July 22nd, 2022
| rowspan="2" |Roadrunner
|-
|March 17th, 2023
|-
|}

==Navigation==
{{Album guide}}

==References==
{{References}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Studio albums]]
[[Category:2014 release]]
[[Category:2022 release]]
[[Category:2023 release]]