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“See You on
the Other Side”
Korn
Virgin Records
With the release of “Take A Look In The Mirror” in 2003, Korn made their first true return to the raw aggression, emotion and intensity not seen since the band’s first two albums. Fans expecting another brutal metal assault in Korn’s new release, “See You on the Other Side,” will be sorely disappointed.
The new album consists of 14 songs and three more on a bonus disc with the special edition. While there are several songs that almost live up to Korn’s own standard of heaviness, this album may seal its own fate with many listeners in the first eight tracks – none of which are either aggressive or expected. The band has once again taken a new approach to its music, as they have done with each album following “Life Is Peachy.”
The new album is full of generally slower, plodding riffs, with occasional exceptions. It is difficult to determine whether the change in style is an intentional move in a new direction or a result of the loss of guitarist Brian “Head” Welch earlier this year. Whatever the answer is, there is no question that this album truthfully lacks any songs with riffs as memorable as “Got The Life,” “Shoots and Ladders,” or “Somebody Someone.”
Jonathan Davis’ vocals are one of the main drawbacks of this album. His vocals, which are usually varied and tend to lean towards being more aggressive, are primarily in one voice-a voice that gets very boring very quickly. This shortcoming is somewhat compensated by David Silveria’s drumming being more technical and interesting than it has been since the band’s first two albums. And finally, 11 years after the band’s self-titled release, bassist Fieldy has cut back on his trademark style of slap bass and has started to play bass like a normal musician.
Korn lost some fans as soon as they started experimenting with their style after “Life Is Peachy.” However, for fans that have stuck with Korn and their creative changes in focus throughout the years, “See You on the Other Side” may be worth purchasing. A majority of the new songs can be described as having more of a catchy groove sound with occasional hints of the band’s traditional hard-edged material. Fans may find solace in the fact that tracks nine through 11, “Coming Undone,” “Getting Off,” and “Liar” – which is arguably the album’s best cut – almost combine to equal the greatness of a Korn classic like “Blind” or “Good God.” The new album also contains four bagpipe outros, another bonus for fans of Korn’s unique appearances of bagpipes in their albums.
Although the new sound includes largely boring vocals, frequently ridiculous and emotionless lyrics and many unmemorable riffs, “See You on the Other Side” might be worth picking up for die-hard fans of Korn who have stuck with the band through all their changes. For everyone else, if Korn has even one album that you dislike, you may have a hard time enjoying “See You on the Other Side.”
