Vermilion (song)

"Vermilion"
Single by Slipknot
from the album Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)
A-side	Vermilion (The Story Begins)
B-side	Vermilion Pt. 2 (The Story Continues) Scream (Vermilion Pt. 3) (The Story Ends)
Released	October 16, 2004
Format	CD single[1]
Recorded	The Mansion in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, California; Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research and Sound City in Los Angeles, California[2]
Genre	Alternative metal
Length	5:16 (Album Version) 4:17 (Single Mix)
Label	Roadrunner[1]
Writer(s)	Paul Gray
Producer(s)	Rick Rubin[3]
Slipknot singles chronology
"Duality" (2004) "Vermilion" (2004) "Vermilion Pt. 2" (2004)
Music sample "Vermilion"

"Vermilion" is a song by American metal band Slipknot. The song is released as the second single from their third album, Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses). When the band plays the song live, they switch from their ordinary masks and wear their alternative "death masks", which is an actual cast of each member's face.^[4] However, during the All Hope Is Gone tour, all members did not wear the death masks for the song.^[5] The song includes a follow-up entitled "Vermilion Pt. 2" which is a continuation of the first part.

Vermilion Pt. 2

"Vermilion Pt. 2"
Single by Slipknot
from the album Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)
Released	October 16, 2004
Recorded	2003–2004
Genre	Acoustic rock
Length	3:44
Label	Roadrunner
Writer(s)	Paul Gray
Slipknot singles chronology
"Vermilion" (2004) "Vermilion Pt. 2" (2004) "Before I Forget" (2005)

"Vermilion Pt. 2" is the continuation of the story told in Part 1. It features two acoustic guitars, a cello, a piano and singer Corey Taylor's baritone-stylized vocals. The melody and the overriding theme run through both versions, making them integral pieces to each other. It has been performed live on the Slipknot DVD, Voliminal: Inside the Nine,^[6] and was also performed by Corey Taylor and Jim Root on radio station KISS-FM.^[7][8] The album cover for Vermilion Pt. 2 consists of the Vermilion single cover, with a red/yellow tint, as opposed to the pink and gray tint of Pt. 1. A remix, entitled "Vermilion Pt. 2 (Bloodstone Mix)", appears on the Underworld: Evolution soundtrack and the special edition of All Hope Is Gone.

Song meanings

"The differences (between the two tracks) are subtle — 'Vermilion Pt. 1' is about the enrapturing, the buildup, the anticipation and the neurosis," says Taylor.^[9] "'Part 2' is the aftermath, the pieces that have to be picked up later, and maybe the guilt of having lived through it."^[9]

Music videos

Both songs have respective music videos. The video for "Pt. 1" was directed by Tony Petrossian and percussionist Shawn Crahan and the video for "Pt. 2" was directed by Marc Klasfeld.^[10] Both videos were shot in Los Angeles in late-August 2004.^[10] The woman in the videos is actress Janna Bossier.^[11] There is speculation over whether or not she was directly related to the band. The video is available on the CD single, and the DVD Voliminal: Inside the Nine which was released in 2006.

Track listing

VERMILION Part 1

1. "Vermilion" (Single Mix) - 4:17
2. "Scream" - 4:32
3. "Danger - Keep Away" - 7:56
4. "Vermilion" (Video) - 4:17

VERMILION Part 2

1. "Vermilion Pt. 2" - 3:42

Appearances in other media

• "Vermilion" is featured on the Resident Evil: Apocalypse soundtrack.

Release history

References