SLIPKNOT TO RELEASE “ALL HOPE IS GONE” FOR FREE… AND ANNOUNCE THEIR NEW ALBUM TITLE?

Needless to say, I really, really, REALLY like the graphic I’ve chosen for this article.

ANYWAY, earlier this week, Slipknot’s new single, “All Hope is Gone,” leaked onto the net. At the time I heard that Roadrunner were definitely NOT happy about this (as evidenced by the super quick disappearance of lo-fi mp3s and fan-made videos all over the web), although I’d wager they felt reassured by the fact that the reaction to the song was, by and large, incredibly positive.

So now Kerrang! (by way of Blabbermouth) is reporting that the single will be released as a free download on the Roadrunner website this Friday, June 20 (at least for 24 hours; then it goes to iTunes and their ilk, where it will presumably be sold to all the Johnny Come Latelys). I have to say, I think this is an incredibly wise decision on the part of Roadrunner and The ‘Knot, given that a) so many people have already heard the song, b) it would have been floating around as a free illegal download within hours if not minutes of its release anyway (since Amazon was going to sell it as a DRM-free mp3), and c) I still think one of the smartest marketing moves the band made when getting ready to release Vol. 3 back in ’04 was to give away “Pulse of the Maggots” for free. Nuthin’ entices people to buy the goods better than knowing they’re gonna get their money’s worth… and Slipknot continuing to illustrate how they aren’t Ulrich-sized douche turds is definitely a good thing.

More interestingly, perhaps, is the fact that the song is now being referred to as “the title track” from the new album. If the band had already announced All Hope is Gone as the name of their latest offering, I totally missed it. It’s a good title, though.

-AR