The Path Of Totality [CD+DVD]

After returning to basics on album number nine "Korn III-Remember Who You Are" Korn have gone all experimental again with album number ten "The Path Of Totality"(originally it was only going to be an ep) which is released a mere 17 months after their back to basics approach. Which came about after the hit and miss albums "See You On The Other Side" and "Untitled" which saw collaborations with The Matrix and Atticus Ross. "The Path Of Totality" see a whole host of collaborators mainly from the world of dubstep, the most famous being Skrillex. This reviewer is glad to say that the new approach work well for Korn and this comes from someone who loves their classic early sound.

On album opener "Chaos Lives In Everything" we are welcomed by a looped drum machine before Jonathan Davis vocals kicks in, it's got to be said Davis vocals sounds really good over these big beats with Munkys guitar also in the mix. It does seem Fieldy's famous slap/click bass sound is missing not only on this track but most of the album really. This track comes of sounding like Pendulm only much heavier. "Narcissistic Cannibal" which has already been released again features Skrillex and features a crushing barrage of beats, it's one of the standout tracks on the album along with the "Get Up" again featuring Skrillrex whose beats nicely compliment Munkys guitar and features a heavy driven chorus.

"Let's Go" which features dutch drum and bass outfit Noisia is one of the catchiest tracks on the album with a great chorus. "Burn The Obedient" starts off tame enough that's before the chorus kicks in. "On Way Too Far" which at times is really mellow before Davis delivers a death metal vocal. "My Wall" again features some real big beats with Davis changing his vocal style throughout. Not everything works of course "Sanctuary" is really underwhelming and at times Davis sounds like a knock off Marilyn Manson. Album closer "Bleeding Out" is fairly lifeless.

With the special edition you get two bonus tracks "Fuel The Comedy" and "Tension" as well as a full DVD of the performance from last year of "Korn The Encounter"(It was shown on TV last year) which is filmed in a crop circle with no fans present, it's a nice addition and bonus for fans who won't like the experimental album but will like to hear Korn classics. The only thing with the DVD is that there is a load of studio overdubs used on the live tracks.

So with album number ten Korn have gone as experimental like never before, the dubstep style works well on the album even if it at times it get's a bit repetitive. YES this will split their fan base, it deserves more than one listen before you write it off as there's some real good stuff on here and the band should be praised for trying something new so long in to their long carear.

Let's be honest here, when KoRn announced The Path of Totality, many people were shocked. Some people thought KoRn ruined themselves when they released "Get Up" to their SoundCloud page, others thought it was an epic piece of music

So, which is it for me??

For me, if I forget everything KoRn have done in the past and just listen to the tracks on the CD, then it's a 5 star album. Yes, there are tracks which are simply unexciting or uninteresting ("Sanctuary", "Fuels the Comedy" and "Tension" are sub-par, "Illuminati" and "Burn the Obedient" are again average), but no album has 13 tracks of pure gold. Each track depends on the mood you're in.

However, the other tracks are good, if not brilliant. "Chaos Lives in Everything" is a powerful opener and isn't overdone on the dubstep part (like the ones I mentioned above), "Kill Mercy Within" is again a perfect balance, the intro of that song is just freaking brilliant for me, "My Wall" is good, nothing really amazing about it...

Then, the highlight of the album for me.... "Narcissistic Cannibal". Truly an epic piece of work by KoRn. The combo of Korn, Skrillex and Kill the Noise just works well with this song, and every bit blends in superbly. It seems like a song that was thought of, produced and left alone because it was finished. I'm an aspiring guitarist, and I know about trying to squeeze out too much goodness out of a song, it doesn't work and often leaves the song sounding below expectations.

"Illuminati" and "Burn the Obedient" are again a good blend. Slightly questionable in parts, but a good effort. "Let's Go" is another personal favourite of mine, as it sounds like KoRn at their best, very limited dubstep, however I still prefer "Narcissistic Cannibal". I heard "Get Up" before "Narcissistic Cannibal", and, although I like the beat of the song, it's just a bit too much dubstep in there for me, as well as the repeated chorus which grinds my gears. Whenever I hear someone telling me something over and over, it just seems very limited and boring, because I heard it the first time. "Way Too Far" is another personal favourite personally, because I can relate to it and it's nice and slow, which makes a change from the previous tracks. "Bleeding Out" is another good effort, but nothing exciting about it

So, in summary, here's a good idea of which tracks to listen to, in order of preference

MUST LISTEN TO:
Narcissistic Cannibal
Way too Far
Let's Go
Get Up

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Good tracks
Kill Mercy Within
Chaos Lives in Everything
My Wall
Bleeding Out
Burn the Obedient
Illuminati
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Avoid Like the Plague

Fuels the Comedy
Tension

As for the DVD, it's a very unique experience, and props to KoRn for doing it. Most bands these days just record themselves goofing around in the studio, which gets a bit boring after seeing a lot of it. In the DVD, Jonathan Davis explains why he went with dubstep for this record, and the band have several jams which could become new tracks if KoRn are planning on releasing an 11th album

the concept sounded weird, but it works really well,
an amazing album and you soon forget about the dubstep element once to get into it,
hardcore korn finds might find it takes a few listens,
but an awesome Korn album anyway