KORN - "Korn"

Artist:  Korn
Album:  Korn
Year:  1994
Genre:  Metal

People think I'm kidding when I talk about this band and, particularly, this record in such high regard.  Korn have been accused of creating "nu metal"and "rap metal," and are held responsible for the horrible bands that followed them like Limp Bizkit, Coal Chamber and hundreds of other wannabes record companies scooped up during the decade that followed this release.  Even established acts tried to change their sound to encompass and cash in on what Korn created.  Yes, Sepultura, Machine Head and (gulp!) Slayer...we're looking your way.  The simple fact is metal was dying in the 90s.  With the gargantuan punk revival and the grunge takeover in full stride, metal was hanging on for dear life.  Metal wasn't keeping up with the times the first half of the 90s; glam metal was on death's doorstep, power metal was becoming ostracized, thrash was almost non existent, and death metal was more cookie cutter than ever.  Black metal was creeping out of the darkness, but was nothing more than a fascination at that point.  Many of the established bands were on a decline and were trying desperately to figure out what they were doing wrong.  Only Pantera were garnering massive popularity while other bands who were flying the heavy flag, but not really considered metal (Alice In Chains, Tool, Helmet, Rage Against The Machine, Prong), were gaining fans in droves.

In 1994, Korn changed the way people heard. looked upon and accepted metal.  Everything was different with this band; down tuned 7-string guitars, clunky bass tones, loose, groove-drenched drums, rhythmic vocal patterns, a spastic energy most bands could not replicate and, Adidas track suits, cornrows, dreadlocks and body piercing.  The world was craving something new, and it got it; unapologetically and right in its face.  Whether metal fans wanted it or not, this was the origin of a new breed and it changed the direction, focus and fan base of heavy music.  Korn's self-titled debut is heavy, ominous, earnest and highly influential.  Unlike most metal of that era, the songs are delivered with profound honesty.  The band didn't set out to impress anyone with their musical virtuosity but seemed more interested in presenting the tragic demons inside of them through their lyrical content and simplistic, yet punishing instrumentation.  Emotions jettison through the speakers in a way which conveys that music is a cathartic act for the band.  The album has a herky-jerky rhythm to the songwriting which often builds up and takes down the listener to a point in the song when all hell breaks loose.  The breakdowns on this record are ugly and feral.  The overall sound on the record is raw and dirty, but it truly let's the out-of-control nature of the songs shine through.  Korn is both praised and scorned for their contributions to music.  Their 1994 release was a game changer.  Few bands get to participate on a record with that level of influence.  Although their subsequent releases can't hold a candle to their first record, their longevity and continued popularity are testament to the importance of this band.

Listen to "Helmet In The Bush" here.