Korn : "Requiem"

Korn has been all over the place over the course of their career. While the chorus to the opener is fairly mainstream in it's from 90s radio hooks, I can at least give them props for keeping up the down tuned bounce that is their signature though my main complaint which can be said of most radio friendly rock music is that is is not dark enough. I would say the first three Korn albums are dark enough for me even when they became freaks on leashes. "Let the Dark Do the Rest" feels like a continuation of the previous song. Meaning things are being under a formula that makes the songs sound the same. The strong groove that drives the bulk of "Start the Healing" makes it a more compelling listen than the first two songs. A wise move to make it the album's lead single. 

While the band claims the pandemic gave them more time than they had in the past to work on this album and how recording to tape again helped the sound, the only real difference I hear is the layers of backing vocals that are more textured. The overall sound is not as bass heavy, and the guitars are not as heavy. "Lost in the Grandeur" is the first song where his voice drops into a growl. It is just a passing refrain and not a major element. "Disconnect" feels more like Davis whining over a Deftones track. Iti s pretty middle of the road with nothing really standing out. The bright chorus of "Hopeless and Beaten" seems bent on trying to undermine the potential for heaviness the song teases. Though it does grow on me and it one of the album's better moments.  

There is a familiar pulse to "Penance to Sorrow". I like the mood, though it sounds like Metallica trying to be nu metal in places, not the most groundbreaking and really doesn't touch on any elements we have not already heard here. "My Confession" makes an attempt to get heavier and work off more of a groove. Davis finds a better cadence to allow his vocals to dance over the beat. The chorus even works better. The undercurrent of the last song works better than the previous one.  They are skilled at what they do and now 14 albums under their belt this band is a fine oiled machine, but they do not have the anger of the past infusing the music, but they are still great musicians so I will give this one an 8.5. My main complaint is it is not dark enough.