Paradigm Shift. According to genius physicist and all-round boff Thomas Kuhn, that’s a “series of peaceful interludes punctuated by intellectually violent revolutions”, in which “one conceptual world view is replaced by another”. Given that Korn basically released a dubstep album in 2011, and have since reunited with original guitarist Brian 'Head' Welch, it seems that ideas and concepts are being tossed about like loose change. This is not the same band that wrote 'Life Is Peachy', and they're all the better for it.
Kicking things off with thunderous triplets reminiscent of tunes from 'Take A Look In The Mirror', Prey For Me is an absurdly bold statement of intent. The electronics are still here, but not in full force as they were on ‘The Path Of Totality’. During the anthemic chorus, the synth lines add an extra dose of atmospherics that might not have been achieved with just the squeal of a guitar.
That's Korn's mindset for the entire album: record 11 absolute bangers, add healthy splodges of keyboards. Done and dusted. There really isn't a dud track to be found here, with the spooky stomp of Mass Hysteria hitting like a track from 'Follow The Leader', while the light-hearted electronics of Never Never add a refreshing break to proceedings. Fans seemed somewhat confused by the track as a single, yet it slots in perfectly within the structure of the album.
Gone are the programmed drums that swamped 'The Path Of Totality', the band have returned to the acoustic skin-slaughtering beat that we're used to. Ray Luzier may still be seen as the new kid on the block, but you can hardly tell.
Ever since his gruelling sessions with Ross Robinson for 2010's 'Korn III: Remember Who You Are', Luzier's drumming has been pushed to a pristine level of perfection. Every hit is as savage as the next, with his primal punches on Paranoid & Aroused sounding like King Kong punching you in the ear.
'The Paradigm Shift' is quintessentially a Korn album. It reeks of nostalgia, yet still contains lashings of modern and contemporary (even futuristic) influences. The unbeatable guitar duo of Head and Munky deliver everything fans could want. Riffs come out of the speakers thick and fast, loaded with melody.
Fieldy's ominous bass tones still rattle your bones as soon as you hit the 'play' button, while Jonathan Davis' unique vocals contribute yet another layer of freakishness. His lyrics still hark back to vulnerability and inadequacy, with his wobbly croon coated in layers of despair. Try listening to the end of Punishment Time without wanting to get up and get in a wrestling match with a bloke twice your size. These tunes are huge.
For fans of 'old-school' Korn (or possibly Old Skool if you're that old school), this is not going to restore faith. They are not the band they used to be. Twenty years since their inception, Korn have spearheaded the nu-metal movement, attained album sales that make you blush and have even spewed out a full-on dubstep collaboration album.
This is not a band wishing to stagnate. Another album passes, and another musical corridor is explored with reckless abandon and a shit-ton of aggression. With 'The Paradigm Shift', Korn have created their best piece of work since 'Untouchables' and they're possibly more relevant than ever. And yes, there are bagpipes included.
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