Published on Dec 12, 2005
Ten years ago, Korn were on top of the metal scene across the
globe due largely to the fact that they offered something new to a
scene dominated by golden oldies and copycats. How the tides have
turned on the Californians since then.
Their self-title first album threw a whole new type of sound at
the disillusioned youth around the globe, and its follow-ups fed
their fan’s appetites well – until things started to slide with the
release of
Untouchables. The album, despite going platinum, was a
letdown as far as the media and weathered Korn fans were concerned.
The wheels finally fell off the Korn bandwagon with the release of
Take A Look In The Mirror, which received minimal praise
from the band’s once-adoring flock of fans. “Korn are finished” was
the general consensus and with good reason —
TALITM sounded forced and emotionless. The anger and pain,
which was so consistent in Korn’s earlier works, felt artificial,
and fans felt like getting their money back.
However in music things can always get worse, and for Korn they
did. Head, one of their guitarists, quit in order to dedicate his
life to Christ. So in 2005, the band found themselves with a
dwindling fan base and a record company that didn’t seem to care,
as well as an ex-member building huts for the poor in Africa. Fair
play to them- they didn’t give up and “See You On The Other Side”
offers them redemption.
After teaming up with production teams Atticus Ross and The
Matrix, Korn were ready to offer something new. This album is their
most exciting and dynamic output since
Follow The Leader. The major selling point is the sheer
variation in styles; while not betraying their roots, Korn have put
on songs that remind the listener of other artists, from Nine Inch
Nails (“Love Song”) to System of a Down (“Hypocrites”). The album
is also far more lyrically driven than much of their previous
material, with “Open Up” and “Love Song” containing masterfully
composed lyrics.
Musically, this album also delivers with some of the most
melodic choruses ever written by the nu-metalers. The single,
“Twisted Transistor,” is far from Korn’s best but you will find
yourself tapping your feet to the beat, typical of most of the
songs here.
Korn have turned a corner in terms of their sound. “Tearjerker,”
the final track, is a testament to this change. Jon Davis (vocals)
delivers heart-wrenching (if not a tad cheesy) lyrics to a sound
that is far from the trashy, amp-bursting music they’re associated
with. This new sound is indeed the key to this album being so
enjoyable.
The one complaint Korn fans may have is that the band has
seriously cut down on the sludgy metal riffs and knife-sharp bass
lines that were once a major part of their appeal, but overall the
now-quartet’s following will rejoice that the band is seemingly
reborn.
With its pristine production wizardry and wide range of styles,
people are undoubtedly set to take notice of Korn again. If metal’s
your thing, go buy it! If not, you’ll still like half the
album.