The Little-Known Album That Saved a Metal Icon's Sanity

When Stone Sour released their third album Audio Secrecy in 2010, the hard rock world began to take notice that the band was more than just a side project for its lead vocalist Corey Taylor, also known for his work with the metal band Slipknot. The album marked a turning point for Stone Sour, proving they could exist independently of Taylor’s other prominent endeavors.

The trajectory that led to the release of Audio Secrecy was one that Taylor and the rest of the band members, Josh Rand on guitar, Shawn Economaki on bass, and Roy Mayorga on drums, would find themselves navigating multiple genres and creative outlets. As it turned out, Stone Sour became a crucial pressure valve, relieving tensions accumulated during intense and critically demanding periods while touring or recording with Slipknot.

As Corey Taylor reflects on this tumultuous period in his career, he emphasizes that finding an additional outlet through music saved him personally and, indirectly, saved Slipknot from the psychological fallout that he might have otherwise absorbed. This assessment isn’t a far cry from how fans perceive the band today. The songs from Audio Secrecy continue to thrive within the communities they built - many of whom attribute their love for the record to the raw emotions it unearthed.

The writing process for the album saw the band members pushing each other creatively, leaning heavily on melodic influences. As Audio Secrecy progressed, Stone Sour struck a sound that merged atmospheric melodies with guitar-driven hooks to yield some of their signature soundscapes. Through hits like ‘Say You’ll Haunt Me’ and ‘Hesitate,’ listeners experienced firsthand the realization that Stone Sour was breaking free of side project shackles.

With the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that Audio Secrecy played a significant role in the continued health and sustainability of Corey Taylor’s career, along with his ability to balance diverse musical endeavors. It not only marked a critical juncture for the band but effectively symbolized Taylor’s resurgence as a multifaceted artist with a newfound sense of purpose.