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Audio Secrecy
Audio Secrecy
from Wikipedia

Audio Secrecy
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 7, 2010
Recorded2010
StudioBlackbird (Nashville, Tennessee)
Genre
Length54:23
LabelRoadrunner
ProducerNick Raskulinecz
Stone Sour chronology
Live in Moscow
(2007)
Audio Secrecy
(2010)
House of Gold & Bones – Part 1
(2012)
Singles from Audio Secrecy
  1. "Mission Statement"
    Released: June 21, 2010
  2. "Say You'll Haunt Me"
    Released: July 6, 2010
  3. "Digital (Did You Tell)"
    Released: November 21, 2010 (UK, US, Japan)
  4. "Hesitate"
    Released: February 11, 2011 (Germany, France, Italy)

Audio Secrecy is the third studio album by American rock band Stone Sour. It was recorded and produced by the band and Nick Raskulinecz at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. On June 10, the band released a free download of "Mission Statement", which was later released as a single on iTunes. The first official single, "Say You'll Haunt Me", however, was released on July 6, 2010.

Audio Secrecy is also the first album by the band to not feature a 'Parental Advisory' sticker and is dedicated to Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, who had died earlier in 2010. It is also the band's last album to feature bassist Shawn Economaki, and their first album to feature the same members from the previous album.

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.comStarStarStarHalf star[1]
AllmusicStarStarStarStar[2]
Associated Presspositive[3]
Evigshed10/10[4]
Kerrang!StarStarStar[5]
Rock Sound9/10[6]
411mania.com7.0/10[7]

Audio Secrecy received generally positive reviews from music critics. Tim Grierson of About.com compared the band to Slipknot stating that Stone Sour delivers loud and powerful love songs and that the album in whole displayed Corey Taylor's flexibility in music.[1] Gregory Heaney of Allmusic praised Taylor's voice stating that he has made full use of his voice "from guttural to soaring". He also related the "chugging guitar" work of the album to that of Deftones.[2]

Lenny Vowels, a senior critic of 411mania.com awarded the album seven out of ten stars summarizing his review by stating "Stone Sour's newest record does seem to yearn for new heights, but for some reason can't quite reach them. The mood is definitely darker than their previous two albums, though that doesn't mean it's better. Basically, what's good on the album is great, and while nothing's bad, the rest doesn't come off as anything special either. In the band's personal history, I'd rank it above Come What(ever) May overall, but their self-titled album still leads the pack. Either way, this record is worth having if you're a fan of the band, but don't expect much in the way of new."[7]

Sales

[edit]

Audio Secrecy debuted in the top 10 in various countries. In the US, it sold 46,000 copies in its first week and debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200.[8]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics by Corey Taylor. Music written by Stone Sour

No.TitleLength
1."Audio Secrecy"1:44
2."Mission Statement"3:51
3."Digital (Did You Tell)"4:01
4."Say You'll Haunt Me"4:25
5."Dying"3:02
6."Let's Be Honest"3:45
7."Unfinished"3:11
8."Hesitate"4:17
9."Nylon 6/6"3:39
10."Miracles"4:08
11."Pieces"4:31
12."The Bitter End"3:34
13."Imperfect"4:23
14."Threadbare"5:47
Total length:54:23
Japanese Bonus Tracks
No.TitleLength
15."Hate Not Gone"3:51
Total length:58:14
Special Edition Bonus Tracks
No.TitleLength
15."Hate Not Gone"3:51
16."Anna"3:30
17."Home Again"3:54
18."Saturday Morning" (US iTunes pre-order/German iTunes bonus track)3:15
Total length:68:54
DVD (The Making of Audio Secrecy)
No.TitleLength
1."Intro"1:03
2."Mission Statement"2:10
3."Audio Secrecy"2:38
4."The New Album"5:08
5."Scratch Vocals"4:45
6."Fan Questions #1"2:27
7."In the Studio"6:33
8."Drums"2:10
9."Josh's Gear"2:10
10."Fan Questions #2"3:55
11."Randomness"3:33
12."The Songs"3:22
13."Outro"2:16
14."Mission Statement (Live at Download 2010)"4:04
15."Made of Scars (Live at Download 2010)"4:27
16."Hell & Consequences (Live at Download 2010)"3:31

Unreleased songs

[edit]

At least two more songs were created during the Audio Secrecy recording sessions. One of them is called "The Pessimist". The song is mentioned in the official Stone Sour biography. "For guitarist Josh Rand, the track 'The Pessimist' holds a special significance. 'It's the heaviest song we've done up to this point. I spent a day and a half studying the Hindu scale for the lead. The guitar solo for that song has a very Eastern sound.' The song sees Rand shredding with a precise, powerful solo that's melodic and metallic. All the while, it preserves a unique feel."[9] "The Pessimist" is on the soundtrack of Transformers: Dark of the Moon as an iTunes exclusive track. It is also available on their Facebook page as a free download.

The opening line of "The Pessimist", "Half alive and stark-raving free", became the first lines of Slipknot's song "Custer" off their album .5: The Gray Chapter.

There is also a recording of a spoken word by Corey Taylor, simply titled '2010' (as confirmed by Corey Taylor) in the vein of "Omega" and "The Frozen" on the previous records.

Personnel

[edit]

Stone Sour

Additional personnel

Technical personnel

Charts

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Audio Secrecy is the third studio album by the American rock band , released on September 7, 2010, by . Recorded at Blackbird Studios in , and produced by the band alongside —who had previously worked with acts like and —the album features a runtime of 54 minutes and blends , , and elements. The album marks a maturation in Stone Sour's sound, incorporating heavier riffs and aggressive tracks alongside more melodic ballads and emotional introspection, reflecting frontman Corey Taylor's personal experiences with sobriety, relationships, and disillusionment over the preceding years. Taylor described it as a "personal blueprint," emphasizing themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, while the title draws inspiration from secretive societies and mysterious undertones akin to tracks like Metallica's "." Upon release, Audio Secrecy debuted at number 6 on the US chart, selling 46,000 copies in its first week, and achieved top-10 positions in countries including , , , , and the . The , "Say You'll Haunt Me," became a major radio hit, peaking at number 1 on both the Mainstream Rock and Rock Songs charts. Critically, the album received generally positive reviews for its emotional depth and production quality, though some noted its shift toward a softer, more accessible style compared to the band's heavier roots or Taylor's work with Slipknot. praised its balance of heaviness and maturity, rating it 3.5 out of 5 stars, while outlets like Blabbermouth highlighted the enhanced emotional ballads and overall cohesion. A included bonus tracks, a making-of documentary, and additional music videos, further cementing its status as a pivotal release in Stone Sour's .

Background

Conception

The album Audio Secrecy marked Stone Sour's return to their rock-oriented sound following a period dominated by frontman Corey Taylor's commitments to Slipknot, particularly after the release of Slipknot's All Hope Is Gone in 2008, during which the band entered a hiatus that allowed Stone Sour to resume creative work. This shift enabled the group to focus on material that emphasized melody and introspection, distinguishing it from the heavier aggression of Taylor's primary band. Writing for the album built upon ideas initially developed during the touring cycle for Stone Sour's previous release, Come What(ever) May (2006), but gained momentum in the subsequent years as Slipknot's schedule eased. The death of Slipknot bassist Paul Gray occurred on May 24, 2010, while was in the final stages of completing Audio Secrecy. In response, the band dedicated the album to Gray in the . The album was released without a sticker, a departure from prior efforts. Its themes of loss, vulnerability, and catharsis reflected Taylor's lyrics addressing personal struggles and redemption from his experiences with sobriety, relationships, and disillusionment. During this formative phase, bassist Shawn Economaki contributed to the album's creation, making Audio Secrecy his final recording with the band before his departure in April 2011 for personal reasons, after which Stone Sour continued touring with a replacement. Core themes of secrecy, intimate relationships, and emerged through band discussions, particularly Taylor's experiences with , , and evolving friendships, which he described as "washing the dirt off my hands" after years of turmoil. The title Audio Secrecy itself encapsulated these ideas, referring to the elusive, hidden qualities in music that evoke deeper emotional responses, drawing from influences like Motörhead's Ace of Spades.

Pre-production

The songwriting for Stone Sour's Audio Secrecy primarily involved vocalist and guitarist , who began collaborating in early 2010 to develop the album's material. initiated many tracks by recording acoustic demos at home using tools like or , where he handled vocals, guitar, piano, and even basic drums to establish melodies and structures. contributed key guitar riffs and helped refine these ideas into fuller arrangements, emphasizing collaborative evolution from simple ideas to more dynamic compositions. Demo sessions took place in , where the band rehearsed and polished tracks such as "Say You'll Haunt Me"—a inspired by Taylor's relationship—and "Digital (Did You Tell)," focusing on guitar harmonies and overall flow. These efforts, spanning from into spring 2010, allowed the group to build a "fine-tuned machine" through iterative writing and no prior live performances of the material. The band decided to reunite with producer to achieve a polished rock sound, drawing on his prior success with acts like and Rush, which had delivered raw yet refined productions. Bassist Shawn Economaki participated in these preparations alongside drummer , providing foundational rhythm elements during rehearsals. The creative drive was further intensified by personal motivations, including a dedication to the late Slipknot bassist Paul Gray.

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording of Audio Secrecy occurred over approximately two months in spring 2010 at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, under the production guidance of Nick Raskulinecz. To achieve full immersion, Stone Sour relocated from their Des Moines base to Nashville, renting a suburban mansion suggested by Raskulinecz for initial rehearsals in the basement before transitioning to daily studio sessions starting around April. The move fostered a focused environment, though the mansion presented logistical hurdles such as broken air conditioning, leaking ceilings, wasp infestations, and even rumored ghostly occurrences, while the broader sessions were disrupted by severe flooding that inundated parts of the city in May. Daily processes involved long, intensive hours of tracking, with engineer Paul Figueroa conducting meticulous tests on microphones, preamps, and vintage equipment like Neve racks and Shadow Hills units to capture the band's sound. Guitarists James Root and , alongside bassist Shawn Economaki, collaborated closely on refining tones, while drummer Roy Mayorga's energetic performances included a memorable incident where a drumstick became lodged in the room's acoustic treatment during an intense take, which the band left in place as a good-luck talisman. Vocalist contributed leads drawn from pre-production demos, emphasizing emotional delivery amid the album's diverse tracks.

Production techniques

The production of Audio Secrecy was handled by the band alongside Grammy-winning producer , who emphasized an analog-forward approach to capture the album's raw energy and dynamic contrasts. Recording took place at Blackbird Studios in , where the team utilized Studio D's 96-channel API Legacy console to track the sessions, blending vintage warmth with modern precision. Raskulinecz guided in a rented near Mt. Juliet, focusing on song refinement before diving into full tracking, which allowed for a fine-tuned process that preserved the band's live interplay. Key to the guitar and bass tones were extensive experiments with microphones and preamps, including Neve 1073s, vintage units, , and Shadow Hills pres, to achieve clarity and punch without over-processing. Guitarist incorporated amps like the Budda combo for heavier sections, while employing and Bad Cat Hot Cat for cleaner textures, contributing to the album's varied sonic palette. Drums were tracked intensively with , using U67 microphones on all toms to capture resonant, low-tuned DW Collector series VLT shells, enhancing the record's rhythmic drive. These choices reflected Raskulinecz's hybrid analog-digital workflow, prioritizing natural dynamics over heavy compression to maintain emotional impact. Mixing duties were split between engineers Randy Staub and , who refined the raw tracks from Blackbird to balance the album's aggressive riffs with atmospheric elements, ensuring a polished yet organic suitable for rock radio. Staub, known for his work on high-profile , focused on EQ carving and spatial depth using SSL consoles, while Lord-Alge added his signature punch to select tracks. The final mastering was completed by at Sterling Sound, who optimized loudness levels while preserving the established in production, avoiding excessive compression artifacts for a radio-friendly yet vibrant master.

Musical style and themes

Genre influences

Audio Secrecy represents a notable in Stone Sour's sound, shifting from the nu-metal aggression of their self-titled debut toward a more mature blend of , , and . This transition emphasizes melodic structures and radio-friendly accessibility over raw intensity, as evidenced by the album's polished production and diverse tempos that balance heavy riffs with atmospheric textures. The album draws on influences reminiscent of , incorporating elements like introspective and grunge-inspired dynamics, while retaining heaviness in tracks such as "Digital (Did You Tell)." ballad sensibilities emerge in songs like "Miracles," a slow-burning track featuring raw emotional delivery and piano-led undertones. This reduced metal edge allows for greater emphasis on melody and vocal dynamics, particularly in Corey Taylor's soaring choruses, marking a departure from the band's earlier, more confrontational style. Instrumentation plays a key role in achieving this hybrid sound, with dual guitars from and providing layered riffs and solos that drive the album's energy, complemented by Roy Mayorga's bombastic drumming and prominent bass lines from Shawn Economaki. Production techniques by enhance these elements through multi-layered melodies and clean mixes that highlight the band's progressive maturation. Tracks like "The Bitter End" showcase this setup with its powerhouse riffs and rhythmic propulsion, contributing to the overall lean.

Lyrics and themes

The lyrics of Audio Secrecy center on the concept of "audio secrecy" as a for concealed emotions and unspoken vulnerabilities in personal relationships, capturing the essence of confessions that are revealed only through music. Songwriting, completed during sessions from late 2009 to early 2010, draws from Taylor's experiences at the time, including and remarriage. This theme is exemplified in tracks like "Say You'll Haunt Me," where expresses intense passion and a desire for eternal connection with his new wife, reflecting a newfound emotional openness amid life's turbulence. Slipknot bassist Paul Gray's death in May 2010, shortly before the album's September release, added emotional resonance to its themes of love and loss during promotion. Taylor's lyrics draw directly from his personal experiences, including , remarriage, and the profound grief over Paul Gray's death, which permeated the band's reflections around the album's release. In "Dying," he articulates the anguish of feeling trapped in an unresolvable emotional state—"it sucks if I'm here and it sucks if I leave"—mirroring the internal conflicts exacerbated by personal bereavement and relational strain. This raw honesty extends to self-discovery, as Taylor has described the record as a deeply personal outlet for processing life's hardships without resorting to overt aggression. The collection balances introspective ballads with more confrontational pieces, such as "," which grapples with the lingering impact of past relationships and the difficulty of letting go of haunting memories. In contrast, "Digital (Did You Tell)" delivers aggressive confessions laced with cynicism toward digital-age avoidance and the reluctance to confront hard truths in failing connections. Notably, the eschew explicit language or , maintaining a restrained, reflective quality that emphasizes emotional depth over .

Promotion and release

Singles and music videos

The promotional single "Mission Statement" from Audio Secrecy was released digitally on June 21, 2010, following an initial free download promotion on June 10. "Say You'll Haunt Me" was released as the on July 6, 2010, incorporating country-tinged elements with and heartfelt lyrics, and its , directed by Paul R. Brown, premiered on July 27, 2010. The third single, "Digital (Did You Tell)", arrived on November 21, 2010, featuring a glitch-art styled directed by Paul R. Brown that debuted on November 4, 2010, emphasizing digital distortion and band performance. "Hesitate" served as the final single, released to radio on February 11, 2011, with its , also directed by Paul R. Brown, exploring themes of isolation and emotional performance, filmed in .

Marketing and tour

Audio Secrecy was released on September 7, 2010, through Roadrunner Records, with a special edition that included three bonus tracks and a DVD featuring a 45-minute in-studio documentary on the making of the album, along with three live performance videos from the band's set at Download Festival 2010. The album's marketing campaign highlighted frontman Corey Taylor's prominent role in both Stone Sour and Slipknot, positioning the release as a showcase of his versatility while aiming to solidify 's identity beyond being perceived as his "other band." Promotional efforts included the early online streaming of the track "" in June 2010 to build anticipation, as well as the reveal of the album artwork earlier that month. To mark the launch, the band held an intimate performance in on August 31, 2010, with footage shared online to engage fans. The Audio Secrecy Tour supported the album from late 2010 through early 2011, encompassing 37 concerts across multiple regions. In the United States, the tour featured headline dates, including appearances on the Rockstar Mayhem Festival and lineups. Key festival slots included a main stage performance at on June 13, 2010, in , , where the band played tracks from the then-upcoming album alongside earlier material. International promotion extended to , with tour stops in countries such as and the , and to , where performed at the Soundwave Festival across multiple cities in February and March 2011, including headline sets at venues like Showground and Bonython Park in . These efforts helped amplify the album's global reach, with the special edition DVD incorporating live footage from the European festival appearance to further connect with international audiences. The singles, particularly "Say You'll Haunt Me" released in July 2010, provided initial buzz leading into the tour.

Critical reception

Professional reviews

Upon its release in 2010, Audio Secrecy received generally positive reviews from music critics, earning an aggregate Metacritic score of 66 out of 100 based on six reviews. Critics often praised the album's melodic depth and Corey Taylor's vocal range, while some noted inconsistencies in its heavier moments. AllMusic awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, commending Taylor's vocal versatility and the record's energetic rock drive, describing it as a mature evolution that balances introspection with aggression. Rock Sound gave it a high 9 out of 10, hailing it as Stone Sour's strongest effort to date for its potent blend of melody and power, particularly in tracks that showcase the band's refined songcraft. In contrast, Kerrang! rated it 3 out of 5 stars, acknowledging the album's ambitious range but criticizing the inconsistency in its heavier tracks, which occasionally lacked cohesion. Overall, reviewers appreciated how the album's themes of personal turmoil informed its dynamic sound, setting it apart from the band's prior work.

Fan and retrospective views

Fans have expressed strong support for Audio Secrecy in online discussions and retrospective analyses, often praising its increased accessibility and melodic elements as a refreshing departure from the band's heavier metal influences on earlier albums like Come What(ever) May. This appreciation highlights tracks such as "Say You'll Haunt Me" and "Hesitate," which remain fan favorites for their emotional resonance and live performance appeal. However, the album polarized some metal enthusiasts, who criticized its softer, radio-friendly sound as a dilution of Stone Sour's aggressive roots, particularly when compared to Corey Taylor's work with Slipknot. Despite this, it garnered acclaim for its emotional depth and Taylor's versatile vocals, with many fans valuing the introspective lyrics and mature songwriting as a bold evolution. In retrospective views, Audio Secrecy is often seen as a pivotal work in Stone Sour's , blending with vulnerability and showcasing Taylor's growing songwriting independence, elements that foreshadowed his solo career trajectory. Taylor himself reflected on it ambivalently in 2018, calling it the "only hiccup" in his career due to production challenges, though he acknowledged standout tracks like "Pieces" originated as solo ideas. A 2025 analysis positions it as a creative high point, emphasizing its role in the band's maturation before their 2018 hiatus, amid internal tensions and shifting priorities.

Commercial performance

Chart positions

Audio Secrecy achieved significant commercial success on international album charts upon its September 2010 release, benefiting from the promotional push behind lead single "Say You'll Haunt Me," which reached high positions on rock radio formats. The album marked Stone Sour's strongest international debuts to date, entering the top 10 in several key markets and demonstrating the band's expanding global appeal beyond their U.S. base. The following table summarizes the album's peak positions on select national charts:
Chart (2010)Peak position
U.S. 6
Australian ARIA Albums6
Austrian Albums Chart5
German Media Control Albums3
6
Canadian Albums ()7
Finnish Albums (IFPI Finland)23
Japanese Albums ()19
In , the album's No. 6 debut on the reflected solid domestic driven by fan anticipation and radio , while its performance in and highlighted Stone Sour's growing presence in those territories, with particularly strong results in German-speaking countries.

Sales figures

Audio Secrecy sold 46,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release on September 7, 2010, according to Nielsen SoundScan data reported by . By early December 2010, U.S. sales had reached 108,000 units, as tracked by Nielsen SoundScan. International sales contributed significantly, aided by strong charting in markets like (7) and (6). The album received no major certifications from the RIAA or equivalent bodies in other key territories, though digital formats performed robustly; editions included exclusive bonus tracks like "Saturday Morning," boosting pre-order and online purchases. Compared to Stone Sour's prior release, Come What(ever) May, which debuted with over 80,000 U.S. copies in 2006, Audio Secrecy's figures highlighted industry-wide declines in physical album sales amid the rise of digital downloads and piracy.

Track listing and formats

Standard edition

The standard edition of Audio Secrecy, released on September 7, 2010, by Roadrunner Records, comprises 14 tracks written collectively by Stone Sour. It opens with a brief instrumental intro titled "Audio Secrecy," setting a moody tone for the album's blend of aggressive riffs and melodic introspection. The total runtime is 54:09.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Audio Secrecy" (instrumental intro)Stone Sour1:44
2"Mission Statement"Stone Sour3:50
3"Digital (Did You Tell)"Stone Sour4:00
4"Say You'll Haunt Me"Stone Sour4:24
5"Dying"Stone Sour3:01
6"Let's Be Honest"Stone Sour3:44
7"Unfinished"Stone Sour3:10
8"Hesitate"Stone Sour4:16
9"Nylon 6/6"Stone Sour3:38
10"Miracles"Stone Sour4:07
11"Pieces"Stone Sour4:31
12"The Bitter End"Stone Sour3:34
13"Imperfect"Stone Sour4:22
14"Threadbare"Stone Sour5:44

Deluxe and bonus tracks

The deluxe edition of Audio Secrecy, released on September 7, 2010, by , expands upon the standard 14-track by adding three exclusive bonus tracks: "Hate Not Gone" (3:50), "Anna" (3:29), and "Home Again" (3:54). This edition also includes a bonus DVD featuring a 45-minute documentary titled The Making of Audio Secrecy, which provides footage of the album's recording process at Blackbird Studio in Nashville. Additionally, the DVD contains three live video performances recorded at the 2010: "," "Made of Scars," and "Hell & Consequences." Digital versions offered further incentives through iTunes pre-orders in the United States and a bonus track for German iTunes purchases. The U.S. iTunes pre-order special edition included the exclusive track "Saturday Mourning" (3:15), available only to those who pre-ordered the album digitally. Similarly, the German iTunes edition bundled "Saturday Mourning" as a bonus track with the standard album download. The edition, released on September 1, 2010, by Roadrunner Records (RRCY-29213/4), mirrors the content of the deluxe edition with the same three bonus tracks—"Hate Not Gone," "Anna," and "Home Again"—along with the full DVD. It features distinctive regional packaging, including a limited-edition digipak format and a traditional OBI strip.

Unreleased material

During the sessions for Audio Secrecy, produced various demos and outtakes that did not make the final album release. A demo version of "Threadbare" was officially released in , featuring a distinct compared to the polished studio version featured on the record. In , for the album's 10th anniversary, officially released demo versions of several tracks, including "Threadbare," "Pieces," "Digital (Did You Tell)," and "Hesitate," via streaming platforms. No official compilation of unreleased material from the Audio Secrecy era has been issued by or their label, though rough mixes from have circulated among fans via online sharing.

Personnel

Band members

The lineup for Stone Sour's third studio album, Audio Secrecy (2010), consisted of the following core members, who handled the primary instrumental and vocal contributions during recording.
  • Corey Taylor – lead vocals
  • James Root – guitar (lead and rhythm parts)
  • Josh Rand – guitar (rhythm and lead parts)
  • Shawn Economaki – bass (his final recording with the band before departing in 2012 due to personal issues)
  • Roy Mayorga – drums and percussion
This configuration marked a stable period for the band following lineup adjustments in the mid-2000s.

Additional musicians and production

The production of Audio Secrecy was led by , with engineering by Paul Fig, additional engineering by , and second engineering by Nathan Yarborough, during the recording sessions at Blackbird Studios in . Mixing for the album was primarily conducted by Randy Staub, with specifically mixing the track "Hesitate" at Mix LA. Mastering was completed by at Sterling Sound in . The only additional musician credited is Stevie Blacke, who composed and performed the strings on "Hesitate".

References

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