Industrial Samples

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Lore & Background

Craig Jones utilizes sampling to construct a dense, layered sonic environment that complements the band's heavy percussion. The inclusion of the voice from the Manson documentary interview adds a specific historical and unsettling weight to the album's atmosphere. These elements contribute to the "terrifying racket" described by Q magazine and the "inventive sampling" praised by Alternative Press. The samples act as textural instruments rather than mere noise, helping to establish the industrial influences noted by critics alongside death metal, thrash, and speed metal roots.

In Their Own Story

The recording of the album took place at Indigo Ranch Studios in Malibu, California, beginning on September 29, 1998. Producer Ross Robinson pushed for an aggressive, chaotic capture of the band's live intensity, which extended to the use of analog equipment during mixing. Drummer Joey Jordison and Robinson spent almost a month mixing the track "Purity" alone to serve as a template for the rest of the album, using this process to refine the sound without altering the group's direction. During the Christmas period following initial recording sessions, guitarist Josh Brainard left the band despite having recorded on all tracks up to that point. His departure was clarified by Brainard himself, who stated that "some decisions were made that I wasn't particularly happy with," dispelling rumors of family constraints. Jim Root replaced him in February 1999, recording one new track called "Purity" before the final mixes were completed.

Reader's Guide

To understand the band's use of industrial textures, one must look at their rejection of standard digital mixing methods. Joey Jordison and Ross Robinson mixed the entire album using analog equipment instead of the more common digital formats available at the time. This decision was integral to achieving the raw, live sound the band desired. The integration of samples like those in "742617000027" demonstrates how the group fused disparate audio sources—from documentary interviews to guitar scratches—into a cohesive heavy metal framework. Critics noted this approach resulted in an "absolute percussive overload" and creative guitar work. The band's musical direction was further shaped by Robinson convincing them to cut experimental sections and guitar solos, focusing instead on a straightforward metal sound that highlighted their unique use of percussion and samples.

Did You Know?

• The intro track '742617000027' is named after the barcode of the band's previous demo, Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.
• Drummer Joey Jordison claimed in a post-release interview that the voice heard in the intro was actually vocalist Corey Taylor sped up.
• Producer Ross Robinson and drummer Joey Jordison spent nearly a month mixing only the song 'Purity' to serve as a template for the rest of the album.
• The hidden track 'Eeyore' begins after dialogue recorded while band members watched a scene in a pornographic film involving coprophilia.