Disco de Korn: “See You on the Other Side [Japan Bonus Track]”

First things first: the Korn you knew in Jr. high is gone. They were already coming dangerously close to committing artistic suicide with "Take a Look in the Mirror", which was lukewarm and derivitive and tried way too hard. My feelings towards that album have softened a bit over the years, but I still couldn't help thinking that maybe Korn were done for.

Well, in a way, they were. "Mirror" was the old Korn's death cry, and when Brian Welch left the band, the final nail was hammered into the coffin. However a lineup change and a label change seem to have conspired to create something that is, if nothing else, creative and new.

The album kicks off with the propulsive, but melodically challanged, "Twisted Transistor." While deffinitly not my favorite song on this album, it is representative of the changes to Korn's sound. At first listen, this album reminded me of Orgy. Indeed it borrows heavily from the softcore industrial sounds of Nine Inch Nails, Orgy, Static-X, et al, as well from one of their stated influences, Ministry. Even when there are no electronics in the mix, the aggressive pulse in most of these songs still bring to mind industrial music.

The band also seems to have discarded the impressionistic chords and rich wall-of-sound textures in favor of a more horizontal approach. No doubt this is a result of Head leaving the band - without another guitarist to bounce ideas off of, James Shaffer's guitar parts reflect a thrashier sensability. The low-tuned guitars in many cases have lost their bass-y deffinition and now act as an abrasive noise texture. Fieldy's bass lines no longer seem to double as percussion parts and he is more taken to using the fuzz pedal.

...and "evolution of heavy" indeed. Whatever that means, it seems to be a coordinated marketing gimmick of some kind - in addition to the amazon review for this album, that transparent phrase can be found on a sticker on the cellophane package of the cd itself as well. Don't be fooled into thinking this is some kind of blistering death rock record... it's just about the least-heavy thing Korn has put out. But, that's not necessarily a bad thing. I think Jonathan Davis has burned out the tempertantrums that fueled his mysogenistic rage on earlier albums, and any attempt to recapture that kind of sound would come off as forced and cheesey.

Starting with the disappointing but still listenable "Twisted Transistor," the album steadily gets better every song. "Hypocrites" is a relatively more traditional heavy/aggressive song with a southern-fried guitar riff a bit remiscent of Pantera or Down. "Souvenier" is interesting mostly because it sees Korn experimenting with time changes, something that has almost never factored into Korn's pop-oriented song structures.

Then we come to what I consider to be the first real highlight of the album - "10 or a 2-way." It begins as a raunchy Marilyn Manson-esque cabaret rocker... but then the chorus rolls around and knocks your head off with unanticipated heavyness. It's all the more effect because the album as a whole isn't that heavy; so when it's heavy, it really stands out.

Another highlight (and this album sees more and more of them as it goes on) is the meloncholy "Throw Me Away" which reminds me of the Untouchables record with its wealth of sentimental ballad stand-ins. And that's a good thing. Other highlights include the funky, tuneful "Open Up," a Static-X-esque sing-along called "Liars," and in my opinion the crowning achievement of this album, "Seen It All." The last track mentioned is a supremely creepy and dramatic song that reminds me of Angel Dust-era Faith No More. It is more than worthy of Korn's closing track.

Unfortunately, it isn't the closing track. The actual closing track is a quiet, haunting sort of psuedo-ballad called "Tearjerker." The dumb title belies its subtleties, but even then its more of an afterthought to "Seen It All" which is the kind of last impression Korn SHOULD be trying to make.

Most of the other songs are pretty good, although a few of them like "Politics" and "Getting Off" get a little boring after awhile. There are no appallingly horrible tracks (which is more than can be said about Take a Look in the Mirror) and the highlights are in abundance.

Unfortunately for those who were looking for a nostalgia fix to remind them of their jr. high days, Korn have given up trying to rip themselves off. But luckily for those who are ready to move on, 'Other Side' shows that Korn still know how to make NEW music. This album is as creative and different as anything this band has ever done. Korn may never put out another Issues or self-titled or Follow the Leader, but by continuing to develop and change, they have avoided going down with the nu metal ship they themselves helped build. We may still yet hear creative new music from the Korn camp before their time is up.

Yes, that Korn that was once popular in the 90s and so on is dead. Musically, they completely changed their sound (which could be due to their lost band member, Head) but to tell you the truth, I think this is the best thing Korn could ever have done. Old Korn may be dead, but this new Korn is alive and full of energy. If this album is discovered by more people and bands I believe that once again there will be a new uprising of bands trying to sound exactly like THIS Korn.

Okay, so if you have this cd, or are just looking at the reviews (buy it, believe me, it grows on you) don't think of this as a Korn cd, or even a Metal cd. Also, don't think about the song "Twisted Transistor" if you have heard it. It sounds nothing like the rest of the album. Just think of this as a Rock album, an experimental rock album. This is definitely the first Rock album in a very long time that doesn't look to copy another sound or easily fit into a defined genre. Korn have always been that way in a sense, except with their last few albums (yes, I said few, not one or two). But this cd will surprise a hardcore Korn fan.

First of all, this is the 'lightest' Korn album to date. 'Light' meaning not 'heavy', in the metal kind of sense. The album begins with a short interlude (yes there are a few interludes on this album, much like 'Issues')and then there is "Twisted Transistor". Catchy, simple, 'pop-py' (you can thank The Matrix for that), but still proves the progression Korn has made. The next few songs are the heavier ones of the album, but still nothing over the top. "Politics" is very catchy, interestingly set up, the industrial sound actually sounds really good. The only bad thing is that the lyrics don't sound 'smart'. I have found that Korn has never been 'smart' with their lyrics, they usually repeat themselves by saying some of the same lines in the same album. But this cd is 'smart', just not this song. The main chorus "You want to sleep with him to get to who you need to know, think thats they way to go don't you?" makes it seem like Jonathan Davis is supporting good morals, which he never had in the past (or now, 'Getting Off' for instance). But we'll excuse this, because this is a great 'sounding' song, and so are the many others. The few songs that stand out to me are "Hypocrites", "Throw Me Away", "Open Up", "Coming Undone", and "Liar". Why? Because they're different. Well, "Hypocrites isn't so different, but its heavy, its simple, the lyrics are actually well wrote and get across the point about their old band member, and it makes old-school korn fans happy. "Throw Me Away" is the 'lightest' song on the album, but its very 'smart' and sounds great. "Open Up" is another soft song, but it has a great bass beat and the lyrics are very thoughtful. It is also the most experimental song on this album, in my opinion. "Coming Undone" is definitely worthy of being the next single. It has an enormous beat (if you heard it you'd know what I'm talking about) and a great element of 'fun'. "Liar" is heavy, strong, 'smart', and even brings back the old "scat" that was available in old-school Korn. Bagpipes here too, as in at least 3 songs, which is very good instead of the one or two songs that it was available in before. "Seen It All" is probably one of the best songs Korn could have ever chosen for a closer, but they didn't. The lyrics are great, the concept is smart, but they used "Tearjerker", which is an ok but depressing closer.

My last word to convince you to buy this album is that every song is DIFFERENT. This is the first Korn album to give us this. Not one song sounds similar to another, the lyrics are different and for the FIRST TIME, Jonathan Davis does not complain all the time in his lyrics, but instead decides to sing about meaningful things in our world, like Politics, Religion, Relationships, etc. (There are also a few sex songs, also on the extra disc, but they're nothing special). So, as a final thought, this album may not sound so special when you first hear it, but listen to it, think about it, and you'll be hooked. It proves old Korn is dead and new Korn is born.

I guess when I first got this cd, I was not very impressed. It is just hard to get into. I am really used to all their old music, and this new album is much different. Before I thought it was different in a bad way, but then I saw them live. Their new show was amazing. It reminded me of Slipknot, because there were a lot of people on stage wearing masks. Behind the band was some kind of stage with four guys on it wearing animal masks. There was a guitarist, a keyboardist, percussionist, and some other guy. Anyway, the show was incredible, and not even having seat tickets could keep me from the pits. Me and my friend helped start a mosh pit up in the seats. They played so many songs during the show, a lot of them I have never heard live from them before, like Dirty. There was also a long guitar solo by Munky, a damn good one. After that show, I found new respect for the new album. I just know now that with or without Head, nothing can keep KoRn from kicking ass. Now for the actual review of the cd . . .

1.Twisted Transistor (8/10) - The big hit off this album. Its not bad, I really like the guitar work on this track. I am just kind of tired of hearing it by now.

2.Politics (8/10) - Obviously, a political song. Its good, not much more to say about it.

3.Hypocrites (9/10) - Heaviest track on the album. I love the lyrics, me being so anti-religious and all. I especially like the line he repeats over and over in the begining.

4.Souvenir (8/10) - The riff in the begining is really cool. It is kind of a strange song, but I like it.

5.10 or a 2-way (10 or a 2/10) - Sorry for the crappy joke. I just dont like this song very much. My least favorite on the cd.

6.Throw Me Away (9/10) - My favorite kind of song is a slow and creepy song. This pretty much fits the mold, but not one of my favorites.

7.Love Song (10/10) - This has got to be my favorite track on the whole disc. It reminds me of my favorite KoRn song, Helmet In The Bush, from their first album. Its slow and creepy as hell. The music gives a kind of dark feeling that fits the lyrics perfectly. I dont know, maybe I'm just crazy like that, but I love this damn song. The best part is when the music stops and all you can hear is Jon's voice.

8.Open Up (10/10) - I think this song would sound good, no matter what band played it. Its just that KoRn thought of it first, and they do it best. Very catchy song, it must be hard to just not like it.

9.Coming Undone (9/10) - Another hit, kind of. A cool song to sing along with. The lyrics are excellent, the music is catchy, an all-around bitchin' song.

10.Getting Off (8/10) - First there was ADIDAS, then there was Beat It Up Right, now there is Getting Off. the lyrics are very horny, but it is a good song too.

11.Liar (10/10) - How could anyone not like this song? It just plain kicks ass. The words are the best part. Its the first song I have ever heard on the subject. Its fast and heavy, and the only song on the cd with Jon's signature giberish. This is old-school KoRn all the way.

12. For No One (7/10) - Its not that bad, its pretty cool. Just very forgetable.

13.Seen It All (9/10) - Be patient with this one, it just gets better as it goes along. A good way to finish off the disc, and prepares you for the last song.

14.Tearjerker (10/10) - Everyone knows KoRn likes to go out on soft note. Daddy, Kill You, My Gift To You, Dirty, No One's There, and When Will This end. They all have more singing than screaming, they are all pretty slow, they are all kind of depressing, and the first three all have real crying. This song, I didnt like much at first, but I do like it now. Its the slowest song on the disc, and it displays Jon's higher pitched singing style.

KoRn is my favorite band. They are the first band I ever liked, their fourth disc was the first cd I ever bought, if it wasnt for them I probobly would have never got into metal. This has nothing to do with the review, I just felt like saying that. So, buy the cd, and see them live if you want to really appreciate it.

all of them haters trying to hate on this album aren't real korn fans. BUY this album (the deluxe edition is better). most of the songs here can be singles. KORN is a great band and people should stop hating

I've been a huge Korn fan for a while now and i've just gotta say that they're an amazingly good numetal band! To last all these years and still be coming out with great music is pretty incredible and it's something not alot of bands can do these days.

I like how every album they release has its own theme and sounds different than their last, but also rocks just as hard and maintains that awesome korn sound. Nobody wants to listen to the same stuff over and over again so its nice to see them experimenting a little and growing with each album.

Once u warm up to their new style on this CD you'll find that almost every song is pretty dam good!! My top 3 tracks (besides the hit singles) are Hypocrites, Open Up, and Liar.