Author: Primož Novak
Artist: Korn
Label: Roadrunner Records
Release: year_month
Runtime: 40:34
Rating: 3.5/5
Nu metal pioneers Korn are finally back to what made them most beloved. The band dropped a good hint with the album The Paradigm Shift, which had some of that typical Korn punch, but also electronics on the other side, which gave it a different overall feel. On The Paradigm Shift, Brian »Head« Welch returned as guitarist after a long absence — the guy the band had its greatest fame with. This time around, »Head« dove even deeper into the band’s collective work, and the band took inspiration from the albums Issues and Untouchables. Both are undeniably iconic records for the band, and Untouchables still stands as something of a peak of their output today, especially boasting an outstanding production.
After »Head« left, Korn went off on side paths: lots of experimenting (the album Untitled), an attempt to return to their roots (the album Remember Who You Are), followed by a dubstep album (Path of Totality), which many people hate, but which was undeniably a bold experiment and a solid collaboration between the band and dubstep artists. With the next album, Korn hinted that they’d soon live up to their name again. And sure enough, the new album was announced as very »heavy«: the rhythm section would crush, the bass guitar would be audible again, and the guitars would be punchy and groovy. Lyrically, too, Jonathan Davis has gone back to dark times, which the cover art only confirms.
The album opens with Insane, which hits well at the start but doesn’t yet show that real Korn punch. With the next track, though, the band delivers a bit more; the guitars are strong, the bass line stands out nicely in the verse, and the chorus plays its part well too. But the biggest surprise comes after the second chorus, when Korn really show the power of their instruments. The album isn’t hard-hitting all the way through, which makes sense for Korn, because in their golden days they showed a feel for the morbid and the dark with their calmer songs too. There are also atmospheric stretches where guitarists »Head« and »Munky« show off their feel for effects-laden guitars. The problem is mostly that this doesn’t come to the fore and doesn’t have the right effect, so the song doesn’t come across as anything special. Korn try to wow us again with A Different World, featuring Corey Taylor, vocalist of Slipknot and Stone Sour. But once again, nothing that really stands out.
Toward the end of the album a few bright spots show up, but quite a few tracks also feel dreamy and needlessly drawn out, and the repeated choruses at the end are a bit much. Jonathan Davis does try to win us over with his unique style. It doesn’t work on every track, but there are exceptions. On Everything Falls Apart and Die Another Day, he shows off a great feel for calm and melody. Next In Line wins us over again, with its pronounced punch and a catchy chorus. The closer, Please Come for Me, doesn’t offer much beyond mediocrity.
The band can once again boast good production. The seasoned Nick Raskulinecz and his team made sure the album sounds rich and clear. There’s nothing to complain about in the playing either. Fieldy’s bass lines are once again a pleasure to hear, the guitars remain a strong factor, and Ray Luzier’s drumming is dynamic, even if it doesn’t show everything he can do.
With The Serenity of Suffering, Korn live up to expectations to a degree, but there’s nothing that really blows you away. The album is instrumentally strong, with plenty of punch and darkness, but as a whole it doesn’t quite convince — only certain tracks do. Still, the album gives reason for hope going forward; the band is clearly back on the right track.
Lineup
Jonathan Davis – vocals
James Shaffer – guitar
Brian Welch – guitar
Reginald Arvizu – bass
Ray Luzier – drums
Production
Nick Raskulinecz, Josh Wilbur (mixing)
Tracklist
01. Insane
02. Rotting In Vain
03. Black Is The Soul
04. The Hating
05. A Different World (feat. Corey Taylor)
06. Take Me
07. Everything Falls Apart
08. Die Yet Another Night
09. When You’re Not There
10. Next In Line
11. Please Come For Me
