Korn. You either love em or hate em.
(scroll down for the downloads if you care less about the bio)
Korn is charged for starting the infamous nu metal movement (bands to follow: Limp Bizkit, etc.) Their self-titled debut album was aggressive, but don’t think of Slayer. It’s down-tuned chaos for the masses. This new genre was known for featuring elements of hip-hop, funk, and electronica, as well as its aforementioned trademark down-tuned guitar. Bands such as Metallica have been charged for selling out and becoming a nu metal band when they have released an album with down-tuned guitars (St. Anger).
Korn and Life is Peachy were two heavy (as far as nu metal allows), uber-agressive albums. Life had a bit more funk influence. Next to follow was Follow the Leader, an album that anyone who watched MTV in the 90’s should know about. It featured the hit single, “Freak on A Leash,” which included Jonathan Davis’s trademark scat. However, this album was much more geared toward the mainstream. Whether it was intentional or not, bad news greeted long-time Korn fans: The band was selling out, and this was only their 3rd album.
With Issues, Korn proved them wrong. Maybe. This was their most experimental album yet, and while it was certainly heavy, it wasn’t aggressive perse. Critics said this album was leaning towards alt metal rather than nu metal. Maybe that’s why I didn’t like it? Well, I mean, Korn should stick to what they’re good at. Untouchables was even more experimental.
Korn returned to their aggressive roots with Take a Look in The Mirror. This album was very heavy and dark. It spawned singles such as “Right Now” and “Ya’ll Want a Single” (check the music video for that one). Take a Look is probably my favorite Korn album (it was my first one as well).
Next up: a Greatest Hits album, with a Cameo cover and a Pink Floyd cover (blasphemy!)
Then it was See You on the Other Side. Davis said this one was their most experimental album to date. He said it was dark, heavy, funky, and industrial-tinged. Two successful singles were released: “Twisted Transistor” and “Coming Undone.” Their next album, simply titled Untitled, was very atmospheric. I didn’t like this album too much.
“Twist,” from Life Is Peacy, is short, but showcases Davis’s scatting. Download “Twist”.
Also from Life is Peachy, “Good God” is one of the better songs, heavy as shit. Download “Good God”
From Take a Look in the Mirror, “Right Now.” This song is the leading single from the album, and undoubtedly one of the best. Download “Right Now”
dude, funniest shit ever? the pirate ship made from cigarette wrappers and a flash light