Review Summary: Constantly referred to as the best nu-metal band to date, Korn have yet to surprise me. Throughout their career, their fiffs all seem the same and this album is no exception.
Before I get started I am going to say for longer then I care to know, Korn have been playing music their own way. Yes they are original, you could pick a Korn song from one listen. But when you have an original sound, you need to be able to mix things up a bit. This, Korn have failed. Their dark riffs get used over and over again. Issues, was the first Korn album I bought and after buying 2 other albums by them, this is getting worse but still an alright album if you're really bored.
First off, fillers. 16 tracks on this album and about 4 or 5 are fillers. Not to mention the last 4 minutes of 'Dirty' is just static. If you're going to have fillers, make them interesting or don't make them at all. And make 1 or 2. '4 U' has a good message in the lyrics and is a nice mellow song but the others are just crap. It is as if they just wanted to make the album over 40 minutes on a bet or something.
Head and Munky are good guitarists. They can solo, but they don't. I don't doubt that they can write good riffs, but they don't. The main riff for 'Falling Away From Me' is brutal and dark but boring as hell after 2 listens. 'Make Me Bad' and 'Wake Up' are the same. The only riff that is actually worth learning is 'Trash'. They've managed to play some chords over chords to make a unique sound.
Bass guitar is used is many bands just because it can be. Fieldy manages to dominate most of the songs which I give much respect for. His playing style is unique and fun to listen to. That's right, I said fun. His slapping bass lines almost make up for the crap guitar riffage.
Jon's singing is getting better. Through his years, he has managed to write great lyrics and his voice is improving but to make this music great, he needs to be brilliant. His lyrics on 'Trash' seem a little disturbed but that's what happens when your life is as ***ed up as his. A good effort.
Drums are my weak point. I don't play drums or pay that much attention to them so I can't give much of an opinion on them for this album or band. I can say, after watching the 'Deuce' DVD that David is pretty damn good.
Overall, if you liked Korn's previous work or later work but thought it lacked difference of riffs, Do not get this. If you like their other work and are looking for them to step out of their comfort zone on this record, boy are you in for a surprise.
2.5/5
