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KORN
Korn III: Remember Who You Are (Roadrunner)
The pioneers of nu-metal, KORN, are back with Korn III: Remember Who You Are. For better or worse, KORN continued a long hard road through the music industry with their ninth release. The band has always sounded like they were trying to find themselves and I’m not sure if they have done it with this one. Also, not having a second guitarist either allowed the band to experiment with their sound more, or they were just continually struggling to fill the gap left by one of the main songwriters. Drummer David Silveria leaving an album later, only added to the flaws and now with a new lineup and all, they are definitely not the same beast they used to be . It’s so odd to see the band go back to their ‘older, more raw and emotional sound’ for a third time, but with a new label (Roadrunner) under their belts, Korn III – Remember Who You Are is an interesting experiment in sound. However, it leaves the band open to all sorts of analysis and perhaps the idea that maybe this wasn’t the way to go.
| The first single, “Oildale (Leave Me Alone)”, does not scream anything spectacular yet the catchy chorus seems to grow into oneself, eventually, and lyrically, it’s the best of the album. Jonathan Davis’ torturous, primal growls sometimes give out the impression that he is out of breath. Lyrically throughout the album, Davis is not up to par. The lyrics unveil his personal demons, but for someone who has a family, a great home, and a band with a great follow up they seem juvenile and insincere. Nonetheless, the melodic platforms of “Never Around” and “Are you Ready to Live?”, are remarkable. |  |
Musically, there are a few things to look forward to. Despite it’s name, “Pop a Pill”, sounds better than most of the album. “Let the Guilt Go” demonstrates a strong aggressive “in your face” attitude which most likely would become a mosh-anthem when they deliver it to the crowds this summer. If you are looking to hear something familiar, like something off Untouchables, “Move On” plays it well; its reminiscent of everything endearing about KORN. Some questionable moments happen with the marching beat of “Lead the Parade” and the bouncy funk, manic chaos that merely describes “Fear is the Place to Live”. The monstrous drumming is the highlight of the album. Ray Luzier’s replacement of David Silveria did them justice and gave the band something to work with. Haunting guitar work can be heard in the eight track “The Past”, but does not make up for the repeated tempo of the entire album. As a whole, songs become indistinguishable, and they largely sound like B-sides. With Korn III, there’s no slow ending track: “Holding All These Lies” is just a quiet ending to a quiet, steady album.
Overall, there is nothing that memorable about the album and it does take multiple listens to feel the groove, and after eight albums, one would expect for KORN’s musicianship to be superb. Yet, after all these years it’s good to see the California-native band still trying to keep up with the ever changing music business- just wished they sounded more like the pioneers that they are instead of a nu-metal group trying out a new thing.
Grade: B-
Reviewed by Cyndi.Jo
Tags: are you ready to live?, david silveria, fear is the place to live, holding all these lies, jonathan davis, korn, korn III: remember who you are, lead the parade, leave me alone, let the guilt go, move on, never around, oildale, pop a pill, ray luzier, roadrunner, the past, untouchables
