Settling down, having kids, becoming the all important parent ie cab driver. Suddenly you find yourself working everyday, groaning when lifting yourself out of a chair, and in the never ending efforts to retain your youth you’ve suddenly ended up with a Harley Davidson. However the mid life crisis doesn’t restrict itself solely to the middle aged parents of the world. Having somewhat of an identity crisis Korn, a Nu- Metal band, were experimenting with various different tonalities. Sadly ending up releasing The Path Of Totality in an effort to rediscover themselves. Returning in 2016 we ditch the Harley Davidson for a return to identity in the form of The Serenity Of Suffering.
[tracklist]
- Insane
- Rotting In Vain
- Black Is The Soul
- The Hating
- A Different World
- Hate Me
- Everything Falls Apart
- Die Yet Another Night
- When You’re Not There
- Next In Line
- Please Come For Me
- Calling Me Too Soon
- Baby
- Out Of You
[/tracklist][details]
[length]56:00[/length]
[record_label]Roadrunner Records[/record_label]
[release_date]October 21st 2016[/release_date]
[/details]
No strangers to emotional destitution, Korn are the ringleaders of the unhinged, chanelling long dormant inner demons in their latest offering, The Serenity Of Suffering. Acting as a gallery of pain, portraying the band’s carnival of personal horrors with slack jawed grin. Predatory thunder is apparent throughout the record, single “Rotting In Vain” embodying the quintessential Korn sound. Simplistic boot stomping riffs, coupled with the freakshow style leads are just some of the dynamics the band employ. As much as the band are comfortable navigating familiar territory the group have pushed the boat out. The likes of “Die Another Night” and “Calling Me Too Soon” sees an almost Modern Metal side of the band. Ironic as the overall feel of The Serenity Of Suffering is one of reaffirmation, rediscovering of identity with some slick touches added along the way.
Having experimented long enough now,The Serenity In Suffering channels the inner anguish that Davis has felt from the past brilliantly. The jarring opening of “The Hating” seeing Davis put against a contrasting dream like clean section before the old familiar crush of bass returns. Remaining well under the five minute mark, each track is expertly crafted. Understanding when to hold back makes for a truly striking release when the band decide to show their cards. The quasi skronking also approaches classic topics in an unorthodox manner. “Take Me” sees Korn’s genius verse, chorus, verse structure expertly presented. Breaking for yet another anthemic chorus of suspended animation turning the story of addiction on its head as we hear the side of the drug, rather than the user.
Pitch perfect production allows for sections to sing without losing the grit synonymous with their earlier works. Samples make their appearance yet are integrated within the song themselves rather than sounding like a filler on the top. “Everything Falls Apart” for example sounds similar to material that maybe even Architects would be putting out in its beginning, yet is unmistakenably Korn. No doubt helped by freakshow bridge section where we’re led into a state of hysteria with the repeating words of “There is nothing in my head!“. Unresolving cadences of “Baby” or “A Different World” featuring the vocal stylings of one Corey Taylor, pushes the band’s sound into their maniacal, Machievallian domain. Returning to their previous home of Roadrunner Records has perhaps seen the band approach the record with a more back to basics approach. Understanding that it is genuinely OK to be sat down reading the newspaper in the morning, not always having to go out every Saturday and genuinely enjoying the piece and quiet. Korn have ditched their identity crisis and are now back stronger, wiser and most importantly better than they have been in years.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Taking on a back to the roots approach Korn understand just what the band are. A Nu-Metal band. Understanding what makde them one of the quintessential band’s of their genre The Serenity Of Suffering sees pain record again and it’s absolutely brilliant.[/why]
If you like what you read / heard then you can pick up a copy of the album here!
