On their third album, Slipknot redraw the boundaries of modern metal without sacrificing their frothing aggression. Mystical acoustic guitars dominate the grungy power ballad "Circle," while "The Nameless" is a dizzying pastiche of keyboard scribbles, choppy guitars, and a tranquil, harmony-heavy chorus. Even though Slipknot's nu-metal roots are never far from the surface—especially on the boiling-tar riffs of "Pulse of the Maggots" and the rap-inflected vocal cadences of "Welcome"—Vol. 3’s hulking grooves and breakneck rhythms obliterate any attempts at pigeonholing.