In the mid-nineties, KORN ushered in a whole new era of heavy metal combining traditional metal with elements of hip-hop, alternative, and funk pioneering the nu-metal genre. With down-tuned guitars and sludgy riff heavy grooves, KORN was king of a whole new generation of metal heads. Over their 23 year career, the band has not shied away from experimentation delving into electronica, dubstep, and even a cover of Cameo’s “Word Up.” With the return of guitarist Brian “Head” Welch in 2013 and “The Paradigm Shift” album, KORN began a return to their roots. Their latest offering and 12th studio album “The Serenity of Suffering” continues that journey solidifying their iconic sound with dual guitars and introspective lyrics.
Working again with producer Nick Raskulinecz, the band delivers one of their best and heaviest records yet. Guitarists James “Munky” Shaffer and Brian “Head” Welch do a fantastic job of riding that thin line between powerful anger and absolute madness while bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu and drummer Ray Luzier provide the spine crunching rhythm section. “Rotting In Vain” has a classic KORN sound reminiscent of the iconic “Falling Away From Me” with “Insane” and “The Hating” continuing that feel. “Die Yet Another Night’ is both dark and ominous and “A Different World” features a guest appearance by Corey Taylor. Throughout it all, frontman Jonathan Davis gives the performance of a lifetime as he screams, shouts, sings, and growls with a bit of everything in between.
“The Serenity of Suffering” is a fantastic addition to KORN’s discography as they bring nu-metal into the future with their quintessential sound. As Davis sings in “Take Me,” “I feel it ripping me, I feel it scarring me,” and that in a nutshell is KORN at their very best.
