Follow the Leader

This album is an undeniable 90's classic. It combines Metal with Rap and with a little bit of funk. Munky and Head work out their best guitar riffs yet on songs like Seed and B.B.K. Jon's voice get's more mature on songs like Freak on a Leash and Justin.

Let's face it, the band grew, both in popularity and in skills. Back in '94 this album could not have been made because of the maturity put into this that Korn hadn't developed yet.

One funny thing I thought of was, at the time of this release, everyone was listening to Third Eye Blind and Matchbox 20 and crap like that. That stuff was mainstream. Korn broke in with an album that goes against every rule of mainstream, pave the way for every nu-metal band on the horizon, get rid of all the junk like the above mentioned and get accused of selling out and giving into the mainstream (mb20, 3rd eye blind)? Oh yeah, that's right, cuz this album is *just* like a Third Eye Blind album, isn't it?

Korn didn't give into mainstrean, they created an all new mainstream.


Revolutionary   November 27, 2000
 21 out of 24 found this review helpful

I bought this album 2 years ago today. It was the first CD I had every bought, and even today, it is still my favorite. Most people view Korn as either: 1) Trashy music that uses vulgarity as their main approach. 2) Trendy music that sends a bad message to 'children these days' Neither of these are true.

For all of the kids that go to my school and listen to Korn and say, "This music is cool because its hard and heavy..." I just turn around and ignore them. You can't just listen and say "this is an awesome song" you have to devour their music and feel it. Don't hear it, let it touch you.

First of all, Korn is talented. With 2 guitarists and an extra string on their Ibanez guitars, Korn goes beyond that of traditional bands. Also they tune their guitars differently to make a unique sound.

Fieldy, the band's bassist, uses some of the most unique methods of playing. He uses his bass to make a clicking percussion as well as the traditional deep sounding tune. Some people confuse his 5 string bass for a set of drums. Amazing.

David, the drummer, uses unpredictable, yet balanced power drumming. He doesn't focus on just the cymbals or the lower pitched drums, but rather a medley of both to produce s vivid mental picture.

Finally, Jon Davis, this man is nothing short of amazing. His lyrics are witty and THE most effective in transferring his emotional trauma. His performance is superb, he uses both forceful yelling and monotone whisper to convey his feelings.

The five of them together have made their mark on the history of music, not just rock. They aren't a rock band, they are KORN.

The CD is in my opinion, their best effort thus far. It starts off strong with It's On - showcasing Davis's ability to show different emotions with just 2 simple words "It's on" -Freak on a leash is a classic -So is Got the life -Dead bodies everywhere is a groovy, bass blasting tantrum. -Chilidren of the Korn is great for the Rap aficianado.

-B.B.K. is a combining of genres to form a signature musical unity. -Pretty will almost make you cry, Davis is very effective -All in the family isn't the most wonderful song, but Durst can show some of his talent. -reclaim my place is deadly in its heated emotional struggle. -Justin is a wonderful tribute to a wonderful kid... also it is another mixing of genres -Seed is groovy in itself with the addition of fieldy's bass line. -Camelotosis is another Rap meets korn -My gift to you is amazing, bag pipes, opera like vocals, and instrumental applause.

Korn is unique, each one of theri songs portrays a different mood, style, and feeling... don't get caught up in the trendiness... They aren't a satanic cult or a crazy, fear provoking band (which is the image that they have). Their legacy has begun.

Experience Korn, then listen to their music.


ANOTHER 90's CLASSIC!   September 28, 2000
 14 out of 15 found this review helpful

This was the first CD I bought from KoRn a few weeks after it was released. Words cannot describe how truly amazing this album is. This is a must for everyone to own whether you are a KoRn fan or not. KoRn hit big making platinum with this CD and listening to it will sure explain why! It's remarkable. The band has matured since their self-titled debut album back in 1994. KoRn's experimental mixture from different genres of music are absolutely stunning. Besides sticking to Heavy Metal, KoRn play around in Hip-hop, funk, rap, and Disco music. Particularly in songs such as "Got the Life", "Children of the KoRn" with Icq Cube, and "All in the Family" with Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst. In my opinion, none of the tracks were boring. Head and Munky's guitar riffs; David and Fieldy's heavy drum, bass hits; and Jon's stunning vocals all manage to keep you far far away from the stop button on the stereo. The dark, eerie stories about Jon's life in each song leave a big impact at the end for everyone. In fact, they are so intense that "All in the Family" helps give out some comical-relief that can give out a few good laughs. If you are unfamiliar with KoRn or do not own any pf their CDs, then I recommend buying this CD first. You'll be as stunned as I was! It's brilliant! Go stick into the shopping cart!


A new kind of music is born - right before your eyes...   April 21, 1999
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Having been nurtured on good ol' 70's and 80's rock and metal (Aerosmith, Sabbath, Ozzy, Priest, Maiden, etc.), I have to say that when I first heard KoRn, I was COMPLETELY dumbfounded. I had never HEARD anything like it before. The guitar, usually an instrument of MELODY, had become a roaring instrument of percussion. The vocals, in some brilliant passages, becoming the jittering and throbbing rants of a mental patient before receiving his meds. After listening to the CD a few times, thought, I'm genuinely IMPRESSED. KoRn represents a completely NEW genre of music. It's NOT metal, rap, hip-hop, or rock. The best way I can describe it is that it is the most TRIBAL, EMOTIONAL, ANGRY and INNOVATIVE music that I've ever heard. Sure, It's easy to just call it noise. But this is the kind of stuff that represents what music is all about - the naked expression of feeling, emotion, and experience. You might not care for the emotions or experiences communicated on KoRn's CD's, but you have to sit up and take notice. This is REAL. This IS new. And, unfortunately, that RAGE, ESTRANGEMENT, and ANGER effectively communicates how lot of young people are feeling today. Try it a few times. I DARE you...


Let's try something..   September 17, 2006
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Let's forget for a second that you saw them a million times on MTV. Forget that they "represent the birth of nu metal" and, with it, all that's wrong with society in this day and time. Forget how it's apparently cool to hate on popular bands that make it big time.
The men of the KoRn have an ability to create a wall of sound kind of effect. 7-string Ibanez guitars, and a loud bass that makes for a secondary drum kit sometimes. And who could forget the uber catchy, constantly changing, tribal drumming by David.
Try to *consciously* listen to any song in this album, and pay attention to what they do in the background. The small sounds, the subtle strumming here, a loud bass line there.. the constant change in rhythm. The breakdowns (yes, breakdowns, emo idiots).
KoRn are as experimental and creative as they get.
They may not be the most talented band in the universe, but they obviously put effort into not sounding repetitive, or boring the listener, and I appreciate that.
Every song in the album is worth a listen, but highlights include "Freak on a leash" (duh), "Seed", "Got the life", and the awesome "Reclaim my place".

Oh, and another thing. Stop comparing them to Megadeth, or Metallica, or any other metal band of their time. They've never tried to sound like them, and that's quite obvious.