Here is an interesting release from a band that I totally wrote off over a decade ago—Korn III Remember Who You Are is the ninth studio album from the alt-metal pioneers, and joins the debut album and Life is Peachy as the third high quality release of their career.
Trying to emulate that raw twisted angst and tortured sense of spirituality prominently heard on their first two albums, Korn shows that they can still deliver a sick album.
Remember Who You Are reunites the band with producer Ross Robinson and features a stripped down version of the group; no crappy pro-tool overproduction here. Korn sounds like a legit metal band again.
The groove heavy, face pummeling bass and drums return, along with the experimental, yet heavy, guitars. I actually might pay to see them live again.
There are many highlights on this retro effort. The leading single “Oildale (Leave Me Alone)” opens the record with an earth shattering groove. It is interesting that this track was released so close to “Rocket Skates” by the Deftones, a tune with a similar feel.
The addition of Ray Luzier to the band on drums, replacing David Silveria, is perfect. This dude’s drumming is insane. He’s a good fit and sounds like he is having a great time. The band is just fine without Silveria and Brian “Head” Welch on guitars.
James “Munky” Shaffer has stepped up his game being the only guitarist on the record. He even plays a little lap steel guitar ditty on “Uber-Time,” the album introduction.
Other highlights include “Fear is a Place to Live” with a classic 1996 Korn feel and “Never Around” with Davis’ diabolical laugh frenzy. “Move On” and “Pop a Pill” are also great songs.
“Remember Who You Are” is an eleven track gem. The bottom line is that you won’t find any filler crap on this disc.
Korn is Jonathan Davis (Vocals), James “Munky” Shaffer (Guitars), Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu (Bass), & Ray Luzier (Drums).
Track Listing:
- “Uber-Time”
- “Oildale (Leave Me Alone)”
- “Pop a Pill”
- “Fear is a Place to Live”
- “Move On”
- “Lead the Parade”
- “Let the Guilt Go”
- “The Past”
- “Never Around”
- “Are You Ready to Live”
- “Holding All These Lies”
This is Korn’s first album on Roadrunner Records.
My work mate has been smashing this album at work.
I’ve never really been a big Korn Fan, Don’t get me wrong, I like it, but 5 or 6 times a day is a little to much for me.