Korn - Korn III - Remember Who You Are
The Korn record had massive hype on its release last year, and seeing them at Ozzfest and on their headline run in October, got me thinking that this could be a really impressive return to form from the band. Now that I have listened to the album in full, I must admit, it perhaps may not be as good as everyone had me think.
Sure some of the tracks, mostly the singles Let The Guilt Go and Oildale (Leave Me Alone), are some of the best tracks Korn have done in some time, but I am not quite sure that the rest of the album is of such an equally high standard. It is not a bad album, but it didn’t really make as big as an impression on me as I thought that it might.
It is still light years away from some of Korn’s finer moments, and although the latest album seemed to give them a much needed renewal of confidence and sense of purpose in the live environment (clearly back to their exciting best), this album was not as essential as I had hoped it would be.
It is listenable for sure, but I don’t think that it is one that I will be returning to straight away from a second play. Good, but still not at the same level as some of their earlier work.
5/10
Mutiny Within - Mutiny Within
Mutiny Within released their self titled debut album in the early parts of last year. Having been blown away by their awesome lead single, the first track, Awake, I was desperate to hear more. I am not quite sure how I forgot about it, but, after picking this up, I completely forgot to listen to it – until now.
My word, what an album it is. The lead singer Chris Clancy, a Brit who was plucked to front this New Jersey based metal band, after they watched a video of him singing on Youtube, is on fine form throughout, his vocals soaring above the tight musicianship of his bandmates, and really making a mark. I believe that he is operatically trained (I am sure I read that somewhere!) and you can clearly tell. He has a hell of a range, and he sounds immense across the entire album. The band that backs him up is not too shabby either. Mixing frenetic drumming, muscular riffs, intricate guitar virtuosity and some killer hooks and solos, they provide a phenomenal backdrop for Clancy to sing over.
This is an incredibly accomplished album, which has some awesome tracks on it. The lead single aside, the highlights are many and often. Falling Forever is brilliant, with an insane note to start the track from Clancy, and Forsaken follows, which has a beautiful piano led opening, before the heavy metal comes back in force. Leathen displays an animalistic howl from the frontman, along with some insane guitarwork, and some killer blastbeats from the drums. The high standard is kept up with the likes of Oblivion, Undone, and Hours.
One of the highlights also comes near the end of the record, with Suffocate sounding absolutely MASSIVE. Fast paced, and heavily driven by some killer synthesiser/keyboard action, the album ends, just as it began – in top form.
A truly stunning album, and, as a band, they will undoubtedly get better through endless touring, and a deserved appreciation of the stunning album they have released so early in their careers.
An excellent heavy metal record – and a highly underrated band.
10/10
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