Rhythm & Views

Korn

A decade ago, nu-metal pioneers Korn were on the brink of becoming one of the biggest rock bands of the era. Now, on paper, it appears that Korn are on the brink of extinction.

Before the group recorded their 2005 effort See You on the Other Side, guitarist Brian "Head" Welch left the band for Christianity. Prior to recording their new release, drummer David Silveria took a "hiatus" from the band to focus on his family and restaurant businesses.

Now billing themselves as a trio, the surviving members of Korn are responding to the bumps in their career by continuing to make innovative music.

Summarizing the feel of the new release as experimental and melodic would be an understatement. Untitled sounds like a continuation of the band's 2002 release, Untouchables, with a hint of frontman Jonathan Davis' work on the Queen of the Damned soundtrack. Korn fans need not worry, as the band stays true to the sound that made them famous, including Davis' signature bagpipe work on the album's closer, "I Will Protect You."

Former Frank Zappa skinsman Terry Bozzio, ex-Suicidal Tendencies and Bad Religion drummer Brooks Wackerman, and Davis himself all contribute to the drum work on the disc. Bozzio's progressive style is best represented on the album's opening track, "Starting Over," whereas Wackerman best contributes to the death metal-esque "Hold On" and the album's lead single, "Evolution."

For the second album in a row, guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer has written all the band's guitar parts, seemingly becoming comfortable in his new role.