Many see Korn as the “Father of Nu-Metal”, a band that has created and popularized the nu-metal genre since 1994. What is nu-metal you may ask? Linkin Park has enjoyed a commercial success with music of this genre and I am sure many of you have heard a track or two from them occasionally on the radio. There are many reasons to love Korn. For me, I enjoy the guitar riffs that form the foundation of this “Korn sound”. I enjoy the lyrics that are abstractly dark – something I can certainly relate and in some ways, it is similar to my own lyrics writing style. Korn’s front-man Jonathan Davis has an unique voice and the bassist Fieldy adds much power and energy to the music. Korn likes to at times involve fans in designing their album art as well as giving free and unscheduled concerts to please them. I appreciate the effort of Korn reaching out to the fans.
After the departure of Head – one of the two guitarists of the band – Korn is never the same. The combo of the guitarists Head and Munky is what defines this “Korn sound”. In their last studio album, the looped in the famous production team “The Matrix” (who produced albums for Avril Lavigne, Liz Phair, Shakira, Hilary Duff, and etc … the combination of Korn and “The Matrix” is nothing but weird) to make some of their tracks more radio friendly. They did the same for this “Untitled” album.
I like to listen to an album with a context – a path of discovery. By reading the fine prints in the album sleeve (yes, please buy original!) and reading what the Internet has to say about Korn’s “Untitled”, I learned that in making this new album, they have to do without their original drummer David Silveria as he was on hiatus from the band. Instead, there were three drummers involved in recording “Untitled”. It is kind of sad for the fans. First it was Head’s departure, then David’s hiatus. From first listen, “Untitled” is nothing like the classic Korn sound. It was frustrating to me. Then on second listen, I began to appreciate the new Korn sound – the nu-metal sound with the atmospheres. Not only that, I have started to to pay attention to the different drummer’s style and influence to the music. How often do you find an album that has three distinctive drummers on different tracks?
Initially, Terry Bozzio was announced to replace David Silveria for the recording of one studio album. Terry is a good drummer no doubt (check out the last track). But to me, he has somewhat changed what Korn sounds like. After recording of 7 songs, Terry left due to disagreement of terms leaving another drummer Brooks Wackerman and the front-man Jonathan Davis to finish the job (Jonathan Davis can drum?! Wow). Personally I prefer Brooks Wackerman’s style – a more faithful continuation of what Korn supposes to sound like. My favorite tracks of the album are “Hold On”, “Bitch We Got A Problem”, and “Evolution”. Hearing Jonathan Davis sings and drums “Bitch We Got A Problem” with the hook of “Which one, which one of you is into me? Which one, which one of me is into you?” is as though hearing Jonathan talking straight to me. Strange.
Is “Untitled” the end of Korn? I surely hope not. Fans will follow Korn to the end and I am one of them.
Below is the music video of the song “Evolution”. I think it is a pretty funny video on the decline of mankind. Enjoy.
4 replies on “Untitled – Is This The End Of Korn?”
I personally feel that ‘Untitled’ is the come back of Korn. I did now know so much about the story behind the album as I didn’t really read up about it. But the moment I listened to the album, I welcomed it with open arms.
It is not like the old Korn, but it at least is a good album, compared to a series of bad albums (IMHO) that Korn has released since Untouchables.
I like Untitled, definitely not as much as the the earlier albums (pre-Untouchables), but much more than than the other albums after Untouchables.
Hi Uzyn, I can certainly relate to your thoughts and views about the old Korn. As for me, “Untouchables” is the album that got me into Korn’s music because of the hype about how expensive the production was. If I recall correctly, the next album “Take A Look In The Mirror” was recorded inside the tour bus while they were on tour. Since then, I retraced their earlier career and agree that the pre-Untouchables materials are much better (I especially like “Issues” and “Follow The Leaders”).
I just hope that Korn won’t disappear after this album because the line-up is somewhat thinning out.
Although KORN has lost a member, and has one on hiatus, the fact that the band continues to put out better heavy rock releases than the rest of the pack shows they are just as relevant today as they were when they changed metal music back in ’94.
Check out the Bakersfield KORN Kronicles here.
Hi Matt, thanks for sharing! I love that link. You are right. They do make an effort in keeping their artwork relevant. I wonder when will Korn performs live at where I live.