[untitled]

KOЯN | CHAPTER EIGHT

Untitled (or Korn 2 as I call it) sadly and plainly ends what could’ve been an amazing streak of experimental albums, and while it’s still rather adventurous and experimental it’s in a way less fun way than their last album, 2005’s See You On The Other Side. It has some quite incredible moments but as a whole there’s only a couple of tracks that click with me fully, as they seem to be fully absorbed in making it as atmospheric and experimental as possible while missing out on the fun or charming nature of their other more adventurous albums.

It’s by no means bad, and I think the production is actually good, but Jonathan occasionally ruins a song like Evolution, which I think is one of their worst, by completely botching his vocals. The chorus is a terrible audio experience. There’s not much to say about the lyrics. Not bad, and actually pretty good. Another problem I have is it’s just kinda substance-less. It feels like there’s kind of just not much to say. While the writing is good, it’s not really unique aside from a few songs. There’s not even much to talk about on this album and you can tell I’m trying to stretch this review out.

But on the positive side, when Jon sounds good he sounds really good and the writing on songs like Starting Over are very intriguing and are about definitely personal topics. And again the production is very good, being co-handled by Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails once again as well as Jonathan Davis himself, and it makes me want more instrumental pieces like the intro track.

But overall, it’s just an okay record. There’s not much to it. Not much to talk about. Nothing outwardly horrible (even evolution isn’t horrible even though I seriously don’t like it besides maybe the verses) and some great highlights but it’s not very interesting and seems like a band drying up, even on one of their more experimenting releases. More good moments than good songs.

Favorite Tracks: Intro, Starting Over, Bitch We Got A Problem, Do What They Say, I Will Protect you

Okay Tracks: Hold On, Kiss, Ever Be, Love And Luxury, Innocent Bystander, Killing, Hushabye

Least Favorite Track: Evolution

(Update: what kind of drugs was I taking when I wrote this review and gave this score? This is an incredible experimental follow-up to See You On The Other Side, where every song flows well and the writing continues to be incredible. I think i maybe have it a few listens and judged it but that was a disservice. This is not a 57 at all. I was also smoking for hating on Evolution. But yeah just more great experimentation, incredibly detailed and packed lyrics, great vocals and dark layered production. I sincerely regret this review and now love this album.

Favorite Tracks: All Of Them (besides track 10)

Okay Tracks: Innocent Bystander

Least Favorite Tracks: None

57 ——- 90

90 - 84

While the production is pretty compressed and lifeless at times, this has some of their coolest moments and songs yet. Really neat steampunk industrial vibe that sounds like nothing they’d done prior)