Follow the Leader

This just wasnt that good sadly.

Korn has such a distinctive sound. I love how low Fieldy's bass is tuned, making that rattling noise from the strings slapping against the bass. And Jonathan Davis' weird vocal delivery. They encapsulate that whole nu metal movement that was massive in the late 90's - early 00's.

I remember my introduction to Korn. I bought a cd at ROW called Family Values '98. It was a live compilation album of a bunch of nu metal/rap artists who played the Family Values Tour. It had Incubus, Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube, Orgy, Rammstein... and Korn on it. I remember my first listen to the cd I had no idea who Korn were. Jonathan Davis comes out on stage playing bagpipes, then they blast into Shoots and Ladders. It blew my mind. So weird and awesome. Not like anything I'd ever heard before. I went out and bought this album (Follow the Leader) after that. That was my skateboarding/JNCO jeans with chain wallets phase. I also distinctly remember after that seeing the music video for Freak on a Leash where the whole video follows a bullet as it flies through the air, going through vases and milk bottles and shit. It was awesome to a young teenager!

I also think listening to Korn kind of fed into my rebellious phase of life. Up to that point, mom had us so prim and proper. No swearing in the house, straight laced as can be. This album scratched that rebellious itch I had. Made me feel bad ass because they swore and played heavy music. As corny as Korn may have been (pun intended), this album, and the nu metal movement in general, is steeped in nostalgia for me. This music brings back so many great memories. It is hard to be objective when rating this album because of that.

Favourite songs: Got the Life, Freak on a Leash, B.B.K., Reclaim My Place, Children of the Korn, Dead Bodies Everywhere

Least favourite songs: All in the Family, Earache My Eye

4/5

I grew up with freak on the leash constantly shown on Kerrange and Scuzz music tv channels.

Listening back now just confirms my view that NuMetal really is just angry music for teenagers. Hasn’t dated well and now as a man with a wife and kids in his mid 30s, I really struggle to relate to it. The album is far too long, repetitive and chaotic. It’s made worse by appearances from Fred durst and Ice cube.

I listened downward spiral last week, which I rated highly and in comparison this album just isn’t anywhere near that level of focus and atmosphere.

Follow the leader is probably one of the best Nu metal albums and a pioneer in the genre but let’s face it, it’s not up against much stiff competition. Just scrapes 3 stars given its genre defining and freak on a leash.

Some of this is woeful (the Durst collab, Earache my Eye), but when it's good it hits hard. Not my favourite Korn but glad I revisited

"Dead bodies everywhere, Dead bodies everywhere, Dead bodies everywhere, Dead bodies everywhere, Dead bodies everywhere, Dead bodies everywhere"

Korn is kind-of a meme of a band, on the level of weezer, and nickelback, so I was excited to get to experience some of the genius that goes on in their albums. I was actually surprised at how listenable this album was, and I enjoyed some of the songs. T9- "Reclaim my place" has a dope ass beat drop off of "What the fuck!!!" so it's going in the playlist. T2- "Freak on the leash" has a funny ass scatting moment. Decent album, didn't hate it, didn't love it.

3/5

Sonically brutal, lyrically extreme, absolutely not suitable for children or those of a nervous disposition.

I loved it! Takes me straight back to hanging out in the pub with my friends, scaring off anyone who wasn't into "our" music. Not sure it'll do very well with many people, but it's one of my favourite bands and albums

First time hearing a full album of them. I was really not expecting rap in the middle of it. Not bad.

A truly terrible, talentless band.

Freak On A Leash is a hit, even with the scat break that sounds like a dog eating a bowl of lumpy rocks and ice cream. Got The Life has a fun dance beat. Dead Bodies Everywhere sucks ass. God this album is cringy to listen to. Woof this thing is awful in the back half.

I'm taken back to the Krazy House rock nightclub in Liverpool, moshing away to nu-metal. I wasn't much of a fan of Korn at the time, they were alright, but this album past me by. Listening now it's full of hard hitting beats, but I'm feeling too old to mosh, and feels a bit too long. Interesting that Ice Cube and Fred Durst cameo on tracks, and hadn't known that Todd McFarlane did the artwork.

Oh man. You know what... I'm not going to even listen past the first song. That's right. I'm not even going to give it a chance. I just can't stomach this right now.

Lots of nostalgia tied up with this one for me. I still wouldn't say it's an essential listen at all though. Especially coming right off of Muddy Waters. Putting those two in the same list is borderline offensive.