Korn

The Gauntlet's own Colette Claire has just checked in from the Korn listening party in Hollywwod, CA with the following account of the new album and video:

"It's July 19th 2007 and I've just been to the listening party for Korn's upcoming album, the follow up to 2005's ‘See You on the Other Side'. I am completely buzzing right now and not just because of the free beer. Korn's new album, due out the end of July, is just brilliant. It's one of the best things they have done in years.

Before even listening to the actual album, we were first introduced to the video for the first single ‘Evolution' and the trailer for this mocumentary type thing called ‘Evolution/Devolution'. This could be called Korn's first concept album and the video and trailer helped introduce that concept. It's a somewhat humorous look at the "devolution" of society back to monkey form. Check out www.evolutiondevolution.com to see the trailer for yourself: Try to spot Jonathan, its hilarious. The video for ‘Evolution' debuts on MTV 2 on Monday July 23rd and ties into the trailer.

I am admittedly a fan of Korn already, but sometimes that makes you a harsher critic rather than an easier one. I was not that impressed by ‘See you on the Other Side' except for a few songs. This new album completely makes up for it. The album, which officially has no title, was produced by Jonathan Davis and Atticus Ross. Ross worked with Korn on the previous album and has also worked with Nine Inch Nails. The layering of keyboards, electronic sounds, and live instruments that was attempted on ‘See you on the Other Side' but felt a little forced, really works on this new album. The raw, live Korn that die-hard fans remember from their very first album and the new, melodic, well-produced Korn have finally merged harmoniously. There are tribal drums, atmospheric keyboard melodies, catchy vocal hooks, heavy breakdowns and even a death metal moment on this album. Its one of Korns most experimental albums but also one of its best song writing wise.

There is definite resonance of the work that Davis did on the ‘Queen of the Damned' soundtrack back in 2002 detectable on this new album. This is thanks to the hooks, the song structures, and the use of keyboards. It might also be thanks to the collaboration with keyboardist Zac Baird who toured with the band on their last tour. The collaboration with co-producer Ross doesn't hurt either. A definite hint of Nine Inch Nails influence is detectable in the sound.

Songs that stuck with me were 'Love and Luxury.' It had a very melodic, memorable chorus, and a very heavy, tribal rhythm section, which all built up into this almost orchestral outro. The first single ‘Evolution' of course stuck with me with its hooky chorus and fast paced beat. The admittedly Beatles influenced ‘Kiss', which is melodic, dark and heavy, all of the elements good metal music truly needs.

Pick up the new Korn July 31st!"