Korn

So... what can I say about Korn? Did they finally surpass Metallica in my realm? Hmm... tough one. Maybe not, but their latest album "Korn III - Remember Who You Are" comes super close to doing it. I find it fascinating that perhaps my four favourite bands of the latter half of my life all found a way back to their fundamental selves when I was also struggling to do the same in my own time. Metallica did it with Death Magnetic, the Deftones with Diamond Eyes, Disturbed with Asylum, and Korn with this album.

If I recall correctly, the first song I probably heard from them was "Blind", but I didn't fall hard for their uniqueness until the album "Follow the Leader" was released. Their music over the years fed me and kept me motivated at a time when I could have just sat around in the dark. They were loud and obnoxious, being a perfect foil for who I was. As for being able to call Korn "comfort music", it is not just that I could listen to them anytime, anyplace.  In my twisted music world, this term is also used for music that I have been able to crank and fall asleep to, especially in my younger days when I fought insomnia. At night, I could never fall asleep to classical, jazz or blues, just metal, but only a select few bands, Korn being second only to Metallica.

The album title is fitting as the offering is basic and visceral. JD's voice can still be annoying at times, but Fieldy's bass more than makes up for it. The classic Korn sound is why I was drawn to them in the first place and why I will continue to listen, even though the mini-God-like drummer left the band a few years back and has been officially replaced.

Two tracks caught my attention immediately on this one: 
Oildale (Leave Me Alone) and Let the Guilt Go