This review starts with a spoiler: It's by far Korn's best album of their entire career
This review starts with a spoiler: It's by far Korn's best album of their entire career
By Rogerio Souza
And to describe these killer compositions, let's put Sepultura, In Flames, Slipknot, and Disturbed in a blender and press the pulse button at maximum speed.
The album features production by Nick Raskulinecz, who has worked with bands like Foo Fighters, Deftones, Mastodon, and Rush. His work on “The Serenity of Suffering” incorporates a lot of his input, as James “Munky” Shaffer said: “We thought we were going into the studio for another traditional recording, and the producer simply brought out all our strengths, and that’s what you notice on the new album. Nick was ruthless and wanted to ensure that the heavy riffs were present with plenty of melody, and at other times, a bit of progressiveness. He told us that our sound wasn’t organic enough and that he really missed that. Brian and I were surprised by his criticism, but he was right, and besides, it was also a lot of fun working with him .
The guitars were recorded simultaneously, which surprised Munky, as he had never done it that way before and thought it might be a mistake on the producer's part, but it wasn't. He actually got the guitarists to play and do their best, and the result was excellent. Munky couldn't believe he had never done it this way before. As always, the band hits the mark with compositions that don't exceed 5 minutes.
As always, the band hits the nail on the head with compositions that don't exceed 5 minutes
As always, the band hits the nail on the head with compositions that don't exceed 5 minutes
Insane opens the album with a fierce intro, blending guttural and clean vocals in a well-balanced way with catchy melodies that are present throughout the album. Rotting in Vain , which already has a music video and has been played live, has an intro with electronic elements that work well, and soon after, we still get the impression that we're on the first track, but it's just an impression, because this song has a very deadly and memorable chorus. Black is the Soul is calmer, but it will make you hit the repeat button on your stereo and forget to undo it. The Hating also has a very good intro, and then we descend into the traditional bouncy rhythm found in several of the band's songs. A Different World , which features a special guest appearance by Corey Taylor (Slipknot), has an incredible melody and a spectacular arrangement. Take Me moves towards a very well-executed Pop Metal sound. Everything Falls Apart is very enjoyable to listen to, a journey, and will leave Faith No More very envious for not having written a composition like this. Die Yet Another Night is perhaps the weakest of them all, but it wouldn't get a score lower than 7.0. When You're Not Here warms up the listening experience again and rises to 7.5. Next Line has a very special arrangement, and the album closes with Please Come for Me , which makes you despair because the record is about to end, but don't worry, because we have three more bonus tracks that are in the same vein as all the others: Calling Me Too Soon , Baby , and Out of You .
An intense, striking, melodic album with just the right amount of heaviness (Rating 9.5).
“The Serenity of Suffering”
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
Bonus:
12. Calling Me too Soon
13. Baby
14. Out of You
Korn:
Jonathan Davis = Vocals, Keyboards and Programming;
James “Munky” Shaffer = Guitar;
Brian “Head” Welch = Guitar;
Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu = Bass;
Ray Luzier = Drums
Guest Musicians:
Corey Taylor = Guest vocals on “A Different World”
Sluggo = Electronic Over Dubs
Production: Nick Raskulinecz
Record Label: ROADRUNNER
