STONE SOUR

STONE SOUR
Biography, Discography, and Career Trajectory

1. Another Monster Born in Iowa

STONE SOUR is an alternative metal/hard rock band from Des Moines, Iowa, United States. While they are generally known as the band led by Corey Taylor, the frontman of the world-renowned nu-metal band SLIPKNOT, their formation pre-dates SLIPKNOT, tracing back to 1992.

In contrast to SLIPKNOT's chaotic aggression and masked theatricality, STONE SOUR's musical style strongly reflects elements of more melodic and traditional hard rock, post-grunge, and heavy metal. As demonstrated by their multiple Grammy nominations and gold/platinum certifications, STONE SOUR has transcended being a mere "side project" and established a firm position in the modern American rock scene.

2. Biography: Historical Transition from Formation to Present

2.1 Phase 1: Formative Years and Activity in Des Moines (1992–1997)

The history of STONE SOUR began in Des Moines in 1992. The band's founders were vocalist Corey Taylor and drummer Joel Ekman, both of whom were still unknown at the time.

Origin of the Band Name

The band name "STONE SOUR" is said to originate from a time when they were at a local bar, and Corey Taylor found a drink of the same name on the cocktail menu (an alcoholic beverage consisting of one part whiskey, one part orange juice, and a splash of sour mix) and took a liking to its sound. This episode symbolizes the raw, rock 'n' roll attitude that the band initially possessed.

Initial Lineup and Demo Recordings

Shortly after formation, Taylor's long-time friend Shawn Economaki joined as the bassist. This trio formed the core of the band, and with a fluid rotation of guitarists, they developed their live performances at local clubs and bars.

During this period, the band produced two demo tapes.

• 1992 Demo: Records the band's initial impulsive sound.
• 1994 Demo: A record of the period when they were exploring their musical direction.

In 1995, a pivotal turning point arrived for the band: the addition of guitarist Jim Root, who would later also work alongside Taylor in SLIPKNOT. With Root's arrival, the band's sound evolved into something heavier and more technical. In this configuration, which could be called the "classic lineup," STONE SOUR recorded another demo tape in 1996. Many of the tracks included in this 1996 demo would later be re-recorded and released on their 2002 self-titled debut album, "STONE SOUR".

1997 Disbandment and Integration into SLIPKNOT

However, in 1997, the band abruptly ceased activities and entered a state of dissolution. The reason was the presence of SLIPKNOT, which was rapidly rising to prominence in the Des Moines scene at the time. Corey Taylor was recruited as the vocalist for SLIPKNOT, and Jim Root joined the same band a year later. Shawn Economaki then chose a path behind the scenes as SLIPKNOT's stage manager, while Joel Ekman chose to remain in Des Moines and start a family. Thus, the name of STONE SOUR temporarily vanished from history.

2.2 Phase 2: Reunion and a Striking Debut (2000–2005)

The Catalyst for Restart: "Project X"

In 2000, around the time SLIPKNOT finished touring for their debut album and entered a temporary hiatus, guitarist Josh Rand contacted Corey Taylor. Rand began writing new material with Taylor, and the project was initially referred to by working titles such as "Project X" or "Super Ego".

The tracks produced (approximately 14 songs) were hard rock focused on melody and song structure, unlike the extreme brutality of SLIPKNOT. Taylor felt that this musical style was an extension of the former STONE SOUR and decided to revive the original band name. They brought back former bandmates Shawn Economaki and Joel Ekman, and by also having Jim Root rejoin, they reconstructed the band.

Debut Album "STONE SOUR" and Success

The band recorded at Catamount Studios in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and released their self-titled debut album, "STONE SOUR", through Roadrunner Records on August 27, 2002.

"Bother", a single from this album, recorded an explosive hit after being featured on the soundtrack of the movie "Spider-Man". Initially credited under Taylor's solo name, this acoustic guitar and vocal ballad shattered Taylor's image as the "screaming man" of SLIPKNOT. The album achieved gold status (sales of over 500,000 copies) in the United States, and the singles "Get Inside" and "Inhale" were nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for two consecutive years.

The band toured for about six months with bands like Sinch and Chevelle, but entered a temporary hiatus once again as Taylor and Root returned to work on SLIPKNOT's next album, "Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)".

2.3 Phase 3: "Come What(ever) May" and the Departure of Joel Ekman (2006–2009)

The Tragedy of Joel Ekman and the Addition of Roy Mayorga

In January 2006, the band began recording their second album, during which time drummer Joel Ekman departed from the band. The reason for his departure was that his nine-year-old son, Isaac Ekman, was diagnosed with a brain tumor (brain cancer), requiring Joel to focus on family care. Sadly, Isaac passed away later on.

The band welcomed former Soulfly drummer Roy Mayorga as his replacement. With Mayorga's addition, the band's rhythm section transformed into something more solid and dynamic.

Commercial Success of "Come What(ever) May"

The second album, "Come What(ever) May", released on August 1, 2006, became a major hit, debuting at No. 4 on the US Billboard chart. It was recorded at Studio 606 in Los Angeles with producer Nick Raskulinecz.

The single "Through Glass" became a crossover hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and breaking into the Hot 100 pop chart at No. 39. The album received platinum or gold certifications in the United States and Canada, cementing the band's status.

In 2007, they released their first live album, "Live in Moscow", via digital distribution and as a special edition bonus, proving the high quality of their live performances.

2.4 Phase 4: "Audio Secrecy" and the Departure of Shawn Economaki (2010–2011)

In 2010, the band released their third album, "Audio Secrecy". This album shifted closer to a more melodious and heavy radio-rock sound, and the band's cohesion was emphasized, with all members receiving songwriting credits.

However, during the 2011 tour, co-founding bassist Shawn Economaki left the tour due to "personal issues," and his official departure was announced in 2012. While details of his departure have not been fully disclosed, some interviews and fan speculation suggest interpersonal relationships within the band (particularly friction with Josh Rand) or differences in musical direction.

Following Economaki's departure, Johny Chow joined as the touring bassist.

2.5 Phase 5: "House of Gold & Bones" Duology and the Firing of Jim Root (2012–2014)

An Ambitious Concept Album

From 2012 to 2013, STONE SOUR released their most ambitious project yet, the concept album "House of Gold & Bones", as a two-part series.

• Part 1: Released in October 2012.
• Part 2: Released in April 2013.

For the recording of this album, Rachel Bolan, the bassist of Skid Row, handled bass duties as a studio musician, filling in for Johny Chow, who was not yet an official member. The story was written by Corey Taylor himself, and a comic book version was published by Dark Horse Comics.

The Dismissal of Jim Root

Behind the success of "House of Gold & Bones", rifts were forming within the band. In late 2013, Jim Root decided not to participate in STONE SOUR's North American tour to focus on songwriting for SLIPKNOT's upcoming album. However, in May 2014, Root revealed in a reply to a fan that he had been fired from STONE SOUR. He stated, "I'm not in that band anymore. Not my decision. Not happy about it," expressing dissatisfaction over being dismissed via a single phone call.

In later interviews, Root discussed his complex feelings, citing scheduling conflicts within the bands (specifically balancing it with SLIPKNOT), differences in musical direction, and noting that "it was better to leave before we ended up killing each other." This event sent shockwaves through fans of both bands.

2.6 Phase 6: New Lineup and "Hydrograd" (2014–2019)

As Root's replacement, Christian Martucci, who had been serving as a touring support guitarist, joined as an official member. Additionally, touring bassist Johny Chow was promoted to an official member.

To strengthen their bond, the newly structured band released a series of cover EPs in 2015, titled "Meanwhile in Burbank..." and "Straight Outta Burbank...".

In June 2017, they released their sixth studio album, "Hydrograd". Shifting away from the concept-driven nature of their previous work, this album became a straightforward rock 'n' roll record focusing on a live feel. It was recorded at Sphere Studios in California and features a raw sound with "no overdubs."

In 2019, they released the band's first official live album, "Hello, You Bastards: Live in Reno", delivering a complete live recording without any overdubs to the fans.

2.7 Present: Indefinite Hiatus (2020–Present)

In 2020, Corey Taylor stated in an interview that STONE SOUR had entered an "indefinite hiatus." Taylor noted, "STONE SOUR has run its course for now," and expressed his intention to focus on his solo project (CMFT) and activities with SLIPKNOT.

While interpersonal animosity among members is said not to be the definitive reason, Taylor has suggested that there are still issues to resolve with former bandmates. Currently, each member is working on their respective projects, and there are no immediate plans for a restart.

3. Detailed Member Profiles

This section provides detailed descriptions of the key members who shaped the sound of STONE SOUR.

Current Members (At the time of hiatus)

• Corey Taylor
  Role: Vocals, Guitar, Piano
  Years Active: 1992–1997, 2000–2020
  Description: The band's founder and absolute frontman. In contrast to his screaming style in SLIPKNOT, he utilizes a lot of clean vocals in STONE SOUR and plays a central role in songwriting.
• Josh Rand
  Role: Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar
  Years Active: 2000–2020 (Also involved during the 1993 demo period)
  Description: The individual who drove the 2000 reunion. He is STONE SOUR's riff-maker and took on a major role in the band's sound direction following Jim Root's departure. Known for his methodical personality, he prefers meticulous structures in song arrangements.
• Roy Mayorga
  Role: Drums, Percussion, Synthesizer
  Years Active: 2006–2020
  Description: Former Soulfly member. Joined as Joel Ekman's replacement. He not only anchored the drum sound from "Come What(ever) May" onward but also contributed to synthesizer and piano arrangements, broadening the band's musical horizons.
• Johny Chow
  Role: Bass, Backing Vocals
  Years Active: 2012–2020 (Touring member from 2012–2014)
  Description: Former Fireball Ministry and Cavalera Conspiracy member. Joined as Shawn Economaki's replacement and began contributing significantly to songwriting starting with "Hydrograd". Known for his aggressive stage presence.
• Christian Martucci
  Role: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
  Years Active: 2014–2020
  Description: Jim Root's replacement. With a background in punk rock and classic rock (including Dee Dee Ramone's band), he brought a loose, rock 'n' roll feeling to the band.

Former Members

• Jim Root
  Role: Lead Guitar (1995–1997, 2000–2014)
  Reason for Departure: Dismissal by the band. Attributed to scheduling conflicts with SLIPKNOT and musical differences.
• Shawn Economaki
  Role: Bass (1992–1997, 2000–2011)
  Reason for Departure: Departed due to personal issues (details undisclosed). Contributed significantly to early songwriting.
• Joel Ekman
  Role: Drums (1992–1997, 2000–2006)
  Reason for Departure: Left to support his son's battle with a brain tumor.

Support / Guest Members

Rachel Bolan: Bassist for Skid Row. He handled bass duties for the recording of the "House of Gold & Bones" duology.

4. Discography

STONE SOUR's releases often featured unique bonus tracks for the Japanese market, holding significant meaning for collectors. Details of their studio albums and major works are provided below.

4.1 Studio Albums

1st Album: STONE SOUR

• Release Date: August 27, 2002 (US), August 21, 2002 (Japan)
• Label: Roadrunner Records
• Overview: Debut album certified gold. A fusion of nu-metal and hard rock.
• Major Hits: "Get Inside", "Bother", "Inhale"
• Features of the Japanese Edition (Catalog: RRCY-21178, etc.): Known for including numerous tracks from their demo era and unreleased songs.

No.	Title	Notes
1	Get Inside
2	Orchids
3	Cold Reader
4	Blotter
5	Choose
6	Monolith
7	Inhale
8	Bother	Featured on the "Spider-Man" soundtrack
9	Blue Study
10	Take a Number
11	Idle Hands
12	Tumult
13	Omega
14	Rules of Evidence	Japanese edition bonus track
15	The Wicked	Japanese edition bonus track
16	Inside the Cynic	Included on select editions
17	Kill Everybody	Included on select editions
18	Road Hogs	Included on select editions

2nd Album: Come What(ever) May

• Release Date: August 1, 2006
• Label: Roadrunner Records
• Overview: Their most commercially successful album. The first release featuring Roy Mayorga.
• Oricon (Japan) Chart: Ranked high on international charts and others.
• Features of the Japanese Edition: Contains numerous bonus tracks across the standard and special editions.

No.	Title	Notes
1	30/30-150	Grammy-nominated track
2	Come What(ever) May
3	Hell & Consequences
4	Sillyworld
5	Made of Scars
6	Reborn
7	Your God
8	Through Glass	Biggest hit single
9	Socio
10	1st Person
11	Cardiff
12	Zzyzx Rd.
13	Suffer	Japanese edition bonus track
14	Fruitcake	Japanese edition bonus track
15	The Day I Let Go	Japanese edition bonus track
16	Freeze Dry Seal	Special Edition, etc.
17	Wicked Game	Chris Isaak cover (Special Edition)
18	Wild Horses	The Rolling Stones cover (Special Edition)

3rd Album: Audio Secrecy

• Release Date: September 7, 2010
• Label: Roadrunner Records
• Overview: A work that shifted toward a melody-driven direction.
• Features of the Japanese Edition: A special edition with a bonus DVD was released, and it is packed with bonus tracks.

No.	Title	Notes
1	Audio Secrecy	(Main album of 14 tracks total)
2	Mission Statement
3	Digital (Did You Tell)
4	Say You'll Haunt Me
...	...
14	Threadbare
15	Hate Not Gone	Japanese edition bonus track
16	Anna	Japanese edition bonus track
17	Home Again	Japanese edition bonus track

4th Album: House of Gold & Bones - Part 1

• Release Date: October 22, 2012
• Overview: The first part of the concept album. Features Rachel Bolan on bass.
• Oricon: Peak position of No. 7 on the weekly album chart (estimated including international charts) / No. 7 in the US.

No.	Title	Notes
1	Gone Sovereign	(Main album of 11 tracks total)
2	Absolute Zero
...	...
11	Last of the Real
12	Gallows Humor	Japanese edition bonus track

5th Album: House of Gold & Bones - Part 2

• Release Date: April 9, 2013
• Overview: The second part of the concept album. Features a more experimental approach.

No.	Title	Notes
1	Red City	(Main album of 12 tracks total)
2	Black John
...	...
12	The House of Gold & Bones
13	Shine (Rough Demo)	Japanese edition bonus track

6th Album: Hydrograd

• Release Date: June 30, 2017
• Overview: A return-to-rock-'n'-roll record that utilized a live recording format. The first album featuring Christian Martucci and Johny Chow.
• Oricon: Recorded strong sales on the weekly chart.

No.	Title	Notes
1	YSIF	(Main album of 15 tracks total)
2	Taipei Person/Allah Tea
...	...
15	When the Fever Broke
16	Burn One Turn One	Japanese edition bonus track
17	Unchained	Japanese edition bonus track (Van Halen cover)

4.2 Live Albums

Hello, You Bastards: Live in Reno

• Release Date: December 13, 2019
• Overview: A complete live recording with absolutely no overdubs.
• Tracklist: Total of 16 tracks, including "Absolute Zero", "Through Glass", and "Song #3".

4.3 EPs (Extended Plays)

• Meanwhile in Burbank... (2015): Cover compilation (Alice in Chains, Judas Priest, KISS, Metallica, Black Sabbath).
• Straight Outta Burbank... (2015): Cover compilation (Bad Brains, The Rolling Stones, Slayer, Mötley Crüe, Iron Maiden).

5. Detailed Analysis of "House of Gold & Bones"

The definitive highlight of STONE SOUR's career is the two-part concept album, "House of Gold & Bones".

Story Overview

This work is based on a short story written by Corey Taylor. The story follows the protagonist, "The Human," who awakens in an alternate world that embodies his inner self. He faces his own collapse and rebirth (or destruction) while confronting a mysterious guide named Allen, an antagonist named Black John, and a crowd known as the Numbers.

Tie-in with Comics

The narrative was complemented not only by music but also visually through a four-issue comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics (written by Corey Taylor, illustrated by Richard Clark). In the comics, abstract concepts that appear in the album's lyrics (such as Red City and Blue Smoke) are depicted with concrete visuals.

Musical Structure

• Part 1: Reflecting the protagonist's inner conflict and rage, it features many aggressive, straightforward metal tracks like "Gone Sovereign" and "Absolute Zero".
• Part 2: Depicting the resolution of the story and a descent into the deep subconscious, it unfolds with progressive, dark numbers reminiscent of Pink Floyd and Alice in Chains, such as "The Conflagration" and "Blue Smoke".

6. Future Outlook

Starting out as a local band from Des Moines, STONE SOUR is a rare band that succeeded in establishing its own identity without being overshadowed by the massive presence of SLIPKNOT. With a musical style that freely flows between "stillness" and "motion," as well as "melody" and "heaviness," STONE SOUR has captivated rock fans worldwide.

The "indefinite hiatus" since 2020 reflects Corey Taylor's focus on his solo career and the fulfillment of the members' individual endeavors. However, the word "breakup" has not been used, leaving the possibility of a future reunion open. That said, considering the parting of ways with Jim Root and the success of Taylor's current solo activities, a near-future restart for STONE SOUR appears unlikely. Nonetheless, the six albums left behind by STONE SOUR—particularly the monumental "House of Gold & Bones"—will endure as a vital legacy in 21st-century hard rock history.