Electronica livens up Korn
Korn takes a new direction with See You on the Other Side but won't lose its following.
Published Dec. 9, 2005
With songs focused on suicide, lost causes and extreme loneliness, Korn's eighth album, See You on the Other Side, isn't kidding around.
The new release has taken notice of rock's latest craze — a mixture of heavy metal with dashes of electronica. And because you don't have to overcome persistent screaming rants to hear the lyrics, what is audible might surprise the critics of hardcore metal.
With the first track, "Twisted Transistor," the band makes it clear its taking this album in a new direction. It's difficult to tell what kind of ride you're in for by the first sounds of propeller noises and a spinning DJ followed by chanting from an assumed Korn army. But once the lyrics ring out, asserting that music understands the lonely, you know you're safe in Korn's arms and that the ride is purely ear-gasmic.
See You on the Other Side most assuredly should be listened to straight through. Too often we fast forward to our favorite segments and then skip ahead to the next popular track. Songs on the album, such as "Politix," have polarizing elements. If the song doesn't enrage the political activist at heart with its lyrics, then its electronic influence or rhythmic chorus will palpitate some muscle in the body.
For especially erotic moods, "2-Way," with its vulgar theme of girlish hedonism and lyrics about a man taking advantage of a woman is surprisingly non-repulsive. If you were wondering where Jonathan Davis was hiding his bagpipes, the ending of "2-Way" sets the tone for other tracks by concluding in traditional bagpipe fashion.
In non-typical Korn manner, songs such as "Hypocrites" and "Throw Me Away" speak of religion with heartfelt passion by way of questioning prayer and pushing the limits. When a demon-like voice repeats, "Your messiah was never mine," in "Hypocrites," Christians will be tempted to furrow their brow. Former guitarist Brian "Head" Welch found Jesus Christ and left the band, but apparently these guys haven't seen the light, yet.
Some go-crazy, hardcore guitar moments have been sacrificed in order to allow more microphone time for Davis. Out of nowhere come tracks 10 through 12 of that are random creations talking about jerking off, robbing liquor stores and rims on cars. Korn is indeed whack, but its not part of G-Unit just yet, so leave slapping bitches and hoes to the professionals.
Nevertheless, with edgy beats, the newer spin on Korn's unique style will appeal to broader masses. Mainly, some of the songs will be in clubs and pop fans will tune in. "Open Up" is one to be blasted on the road with windows down even though the lyrics are eerie with Davis singing, "Hand you the shovel to dig your own hole" as he has just finished suffocating some girl. And though it's depressing that "Tearjerker" touches the tender subject of suicide, with the lyric, "As I sit here frozen alone, even ghosts get tired and go home," who won't want to warm up Davis?
Korn is moving in a new direction, but it has transitioned slowly enough to keep its religiously faithful following. In the heavy metal world, this feat is easier said than done. Korn's recent creation was seen coming with "Freak on a Leash" and "Falling Away From Me," two songs acclaimed for being ahead of their time. On Korn's eighth album, now with Virgin Records, the band sticks it to the new by sticking it to the old in keeping the bagpipes, Davis' screaming and the uncanny sway on the metal world that only Korn has to offer.