Stone Sour is an American rock/metal band formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1992 by vocalist Corey Taylor and guitarist Josh Rand. Known for blending heavy riffs, melodic hooks, and emotionally charged lyrics, the band sits stylistically between alternative metal, hard rock, and post-grunge. Corey Taylor, who is also the frontman of Slipknot, uses Stone Sour as a vehicle for more melodic and narrative-driven songwriting.
Released on October 22, 2012, House of Gold & Bones Part 1 is the first half of a two-part concept album. It tells a dark, allegorical coming-of-age story about a character known as The Human, who faces trials in a surreal world representing internal struggles and moral choices. Musically, it blends aggressive metal riffing with melodic choruses, acoustic interludes, and cinematic atmosphere. Lyrically, its rich in symbolism and introspection, serving as both a standalone record and the setup for Part 2. Standout tracks include Absolute Zero, A Rumor of Skin, and Tired.