This week's song of the week selection is me going back to the days of my middle and high school life, listening to one of the few genres that I could truly identify with, nu-metal. Although nu-metal gets its fair share of criticism and is regarded by many to be a 90s musical fad, I used to and still love listening to it. One of my favorite bands of this movement, Korn, was one of my favorite bands of the time and really helped get me into the music I'm into today. When one of their guitarists. Brian "Head" Welch left the band in 2005, I was devastated by him leaving after six albums and more than ten years of being in the band. Korn had since then put out two mediocre records and lost drummer, Dave Silveria (in 2006), and I was beginning to think that Korn should call it quits. I felt that they had became to experimental and lost what made them so great when two of the five members had left. But then Korn put out 2010's "Korn III; Remember Who You Are." This marked a renewed enthusiasm from the band and great new drumming from the newly announced drummer, Ray Luzier. Listening to this CD a lot more lately made me realize how great of a band that Korn still is and made me decide to feature the song "Oildale (Leave Me Alone) as this weeks song of the week.
"Oildale "Leave Me Alone" could have easily been a track off a much earlier Korn CD, and I think that is why I like it so much. It really marked a return to form for Korn, even to the point of recording the album without pro-tool and with producer Ross Robinson, who produced their first two albums. They used old methods, like recording in a garage and using an old 24 track tape machine for recordings to give it an old school, early 90s Korn vibe, and it really comes through in songs like this. Luzier does a great job of holding the rhythm in the place of Silveria with very powerful drum sounds. Bass player, Reginald "fieldy" Arvizu's, always interesting lowly tuned 5 string bass paired with a slap bass technique add low end rattle, while James "Munky" Shaffer's lowly tuned 7 string guitar parts alternate between brutally low riffs and eerie high end riffs make a great environment for singer, Jonathan Davis' always intriguing voice. His combination of near-whimpers and angry yells create very emotional quality vocals. The best part of this song, in my opinion, is the final moments when it becomes a breakdown-like segment, speeding up the song, giving it a really aggressive and primal sound.
A lot of people may have given up on nu-metal and Korn, but after songs and a whole album like this, I simply can not. Korn has always been one of my favorite bands and if they keep putting out great music like this, I will always be a fan. More recently Korn has experimented a little more, collaborating with dub step artist, Skrillex, creating a whole new possible direction for the future of the band. Only time will tell what the band chooses to do, but I will be supportive no matter what, always hoping for the best. Posted below is the video for "Oildale (Leave Me Alone)" and their collaboration song "Get Up!" Let me know what you think.
"Oildale (Leave Me Alone)"-Korn
"Get Up!"-Korn feat. Skrillex
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