Pounding in with its familiar intro and brutal lyrics is Here to Stay, a song I'd liken to Follow the Leader's 'Got the Life' for its rollercoaster of highs and lows in weight and volume (as well as being labelled a Greatest Hit). It's just an instant classic, setting the helpless theme with the line 'You've taken everything and oh, I cannot give anymore'. A theme carried on in Make Believe which Jon introduces to us with his psychotic little voice. The body of this song is slower and much less drum-heavy than most Korn songs.
Blame, on the other hand, makes great use of their drums, backing Jon's deceptively soft vocals which quickly launch into an abrasive and short refrain (which I love and wish was repeated more than once). What follows is a softer phrase which feels slightly disconnected from the start, looping back to its heavier overtones towards the song's close.
The next song is one I had only heard on Korn's MTV Unplugged session, and I have found myself even more impressed by this, the original version. Hollow Life is Untouchables' much-needed 'rest' from the pace of the rest of the album, proving Jon can sing on different levels of volume with equally good results; makes me think the YouTube lullabies of some of Korn's songs would've worked well with lyrics. The volume does escalate as the song progresses but it's definitely softer than Bottled Up Inside, a gritty track, seething with 'bottled up' hatred, even when the volume drops.
Then in creeps Thoughtless, the guitar intro seeming to wind up before launching into the classic Korn-esque heavy swagger, filled with Jon's challenging sing-song lyrics. The breakdown, however, leaves you feeling a little more on edge; both disturbing and just a bit demonic, but no less perfect.
By the mid-way point, we have Hating which continues the theme of desperation and self-hatred, building up to an impressively strong chorus (definitely the stand-out of the song), allowing the swagger of One More Time to follow, a bass-heavy but simplistic track - which has no hope of competing with the album's lynch-pin: Alone I Break. Instantly recognizable for its subtle guitar intro and Jon's softer vocals which, throughout the entire song, while still harsh and desperate, never get too loud, increasing the helplessness. What I love most about this song is how the backing instrumentation drops in and out to great effect, Jon's final lyrics tailing off in silence.
In its wake comes the pulsing intro of Embrace which gives way to VERY heavy vocals and the pounding guitars and drums I think it's safe to say all Korn fans enjoy. The chorus and breakdown benefit from a little lightness, as well as Jon's somewhat schizophrenic vocals, but for the most part, this song is a real juggernaut, not letting up by the next song (of which 'pounding' is an apt adjective) - the requisite 'dirty' song, Beat It Upright whose lyrics require no explanation (I won't lie, this song gets stuck in my head), trailing off into the frantic Wake Up Hate, swinging between Jon's drawn-out, creepy vocals, and the song's central driving refrain.
In a similar fashion, I'm Hiding switches between Jon's softer vocals and heavier instrumental out-bursts, before the vocals climb to the chorus, making for another simple Korn song which I appreciate a bit more for doing this review. As it fades out, so the dominant guitar tune of No One's There fades in (and I LOVE this tune; it feels like a suitable ending). The lyrics are sad and speak of a loss of identity - 'You and me, we have no faces' - the vocals themselves maintaining a comfortable level for the most part, only climbing towards the end.
You have a little surprise extra in the form of a much bouncier Here to Stay remix to bring the song to the 9 minute mark, but other than that, that's your lot. Onwards and upwards - next I'll have Take a Look in the Mirror.
