It is surprising how many people out there sing out for something new and then when it is delivered they kick it in the head with the full strength of steel-capped boots. Every year I hear metal fans say “everyone is doing the same thing”, yet now Korn have had the courage to go out and tinker with their Nu-Metal sound by bringing in some dub-step artists to spice things up I’m quite expecting to hear some strong howls of protest. Maybe instead of being quick to judge we should take a listen, because after all it seems as though Korn maybe a band ahead of their time with this new sound… and at least the band are saying “hey, this is our new sound”, and not trying to promote Path Of Totality as a remix-special or some crap like that.
The new sound does hit you pretty hard with opening track ‘Chaos Lives In Everything’. Skrillex’s dub-step sound comes through your speakers with force, but Korn’s traditional melodic sound is there and that is more than enough to keep me happy.
‘Kill Mercy Within’ is mellower and to be honest you barely notice the work that Noisia have done on the track at all. ‘My Wall’ is again the classic sound of Korn and once again the dub-step sound doesn’t detract at all, then along comes the amazing ‘Narcisstic Cannibal’ which had a much faster beat (thanks again to Skrillex) but believe it or not that actually enhances Jonathan Davies’ vocals.
My major gripe with Path Of Totality is the fact that ‘Illuminati’ and ‘Burn The Obedient’ are plain and kinda boring to listen to, but that is soon forgotten because the second half of the album is one hell of a listen.
The faster beat of ‘Sanctuary’ actually brings some life to the album after its dull-patch, and it is quickly followed by ‘Let’s Go’ a track that proves that the Nu-Metal mix with Dub-Step sound actually can work a treat. And the great tracks then just keep coming. Next is the aggressive ‘Get Up’ and then comes ‘Way Too Far’ and ‘Bleeding Out’… these see Korn at their very best with the latter also consisting of the band’s trademark bagpipe solo.
If you’re lucky enough to have the Special Edition you also have the aggression return with ‘Fuels The Comedy’ and then the haunting (but also comedic in parts), ‘Tension’.
I understand that some metal purists out there will run a mile from Path Of Totality, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. To me the dub-step beat works with the metal sound and hey I can remember a few years ago when people were saying classical music had no right to be infused with metal as well… and look how popular groups such as Nightwish and Within Temptation are these days. Congrats to Korn for being cold, and for me the new sound works!
Rating: 