STONE SOUR 'Wanted To Go Back To The Basics' On 'Hydrograd' Album, Says 'COREY TAYLOR

Rob Herrera of Front Row Live conducted an interview with SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor on the red carpet of the inaugural "Strange 80s" benefit concert, which was held on Sunday, May 14 at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles, California. You can now watch the chat below.

Regarding STONE SOUR's decision to record its new album, "Hydrograd", live in the studio, Taylor said: "We haven't done it since the first album, to be honest. It was awesome, dude. There's an energy to everything that you just can't get when you're staring at a computer screen. And you're vibing on each other, and all those little pieces of ear candy are coming out and you're reacting to different things. Man, it is a whole other beast when you can do it. So, kids, practice, and be able to do it well, I guess. Or better than me anyways."

Corey also talked about STONE SOUR's musical approach on "Hydrograd", which STONE SOUR bassist Johny Chow previously described as "a straight rock and roll album." Taylor said: "We just wanted to kind of go back to the basics. There's still elements of the heavy stuff, but at the same time, there's just such a great rock and roll abandon going on that I just feel like nobody's really doing right now. And in a lot of ways, a lot of people are afraid to use the term 'rock,' which is stupid — pull your head out of your ass. And it's, like, they won't say it, they won't feel it, they won't give in to it, so they're not gonna be it. And we're, like, 'Screw that! We're totally a rock band. And if you don't like it, shove it up your ass.' So that's what we do."

"Hydrograd" will be released on June 30 via Roadrunner. The disc was recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX and STEEL PANTHER.

STONE SOUR tracked a total of 18 songs from which 15 will make the CD.

The Paul Brown-directed video for "Fabuless" was filmed on April 18 in Los Angeles.

STONE SOUR will play the Rock On The Range Kick-Off Party on Thursday, May 18 at Express Live! in Columbus, Ohio. The event will start the Rock On The Range weekend, with METALLICA, SOUNDGARDEN and KORN headlining this year's festival.

STONE SOUR will also be special guests of KORN on the latter act's "Serenity Of Summer" trek, which starts on June 16 in Salt Lake City and wraps on August 2 in Cleveland.