What is Korn's Untouchables? Korn's Untouchables is the fourth studio album by American nu metal band Korn, released on June 11, 2002, through Immortal and Epic Records. Corey Taylor, the lead singer of Slipknot and Stone Sour, appears as a guest vocalist on the track "Here to Stay".
The album was a commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and selling over 4.2 million copies worldwide. It was also certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The album's sound is a departure from Korn's previous albums, with a more experimental and industrial sound. The album features a variety of guest musicians, including Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst and Kid Rock. The album's lyrics are also more personal and introspective than Korn's previous albums, dealing with themes of love, loss, and addiction.
Korn's Untouchables is an important album in the band's history. It marked a departure from their previous sound and helped to establish them as one of the most successful nu metal bands of all time.
Korn Untouchables
Korn's Untouchables is a significant album in the band's history, marking a departure from their previous sound and helping to establish them as one of the most successful nu metal bands of all time. The album's key aspects include:
- Experimental sound
- Industrial influences
- Guest musicians
- Personal lyrics
- Commercial success
- Critical acclaim
The album's experimental sound is evident in the use of electronic elements, samples, and industrial-style guitars. The album also features a variety of guest musicians, including Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst and Kid Rock. The album's lyrics are more personal and introspective than Korn's previous albums, dealing with themes of love, loss, and addiction.
Korn's Untouchables was a commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and selling over 4.2 million copies worldwide. The album was also certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album received critical acclaim, with many critics praising the band's new experimental sound.
Experimental sound
Korn's Untouchables is notable for its experimental sound, a departure from the band's previous albums. This experimentation is evident in several facets:
- Use of electronic elements
Korn incorporates electronic elements into their sound on Untouchables, creating a more industrial and experimental atmosphere. This is evident in tracks such as "Here to Stay" and "Thoughtless". - Use of samples
Korn also makes use of samples on Untouchables, adding a further layer of experimentation to their sound. Samples can be heard in tracks such as "Alone I Break" and "Embrace". - Industrial influences
Untouchables also features industrial influences, particularly in the use of distorted guitars and aggressive rhythms. This is evident in tracks such as "No One's There" and "Here It Comes Again". - Genre-bending
Korn's Untouchables is notable for its genre-bending sound, incorporating elements of nu metal, industrial, and even hip hop. This is evident in tracks such as "Thoughtless", which features a guest appearance from Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit.
The experimental sound of Korn's Untouchables is a significant aspect of the album, helping to distinguish it from the band's previous work. This experimentation helped to push the boundaries of nu metal and establish Korn as one of the most innovative bands of their time.
Industrial influences
Korn's Untouchables is heavily influenced by industrial music, a genre characterized by its use of distorted guitars, aggressive rhythms, and electronic elements. This influence is evident in several tracks on the album, including "No One's There", "Here It Comes Again", and "Thoughtless".
The use of industrial elements on Untouchables helps to create a sense of atmosphere and tension. The distorted guitars and aggressive rhythms create a sense of urgency and unease, while the electronic elements add a layer of coldness and detachment. This combination of elements creates a unique and distinctive sound that sets Korn apart from other nu metal bands.
The industrial influences on Korn's Untouchables are significant because they helped to push the boundaries of nu metal and establish Korn as one of the most innovative bands of their time. The album's unique sound helped to attract a wider audience to nu metal and paved the way for other bands to experiment with industrial and electronic elements.
Guest musicians
Korn's Untouchables features a number of guest musicians, including Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, and Jonathan Davis of Deftones. These guest appearances helped to create a sense of excitement and anticipation around the album, and they also helped to introduce Korn's music to a wider audience.
The guest musicians on Untouchables each brought their own unique style and sound to the album. Fred Durst's rapping on "Thoughtless" added a hip-hop element to the track, while Kid Rock's vocals on "Here to Stay" gave the song a more country-rock feel. Jonathan Davis's vocals on "Alone I Break" added a sense of darkness and despair to the track.
The guest musicians on Korn's Untouchables helped to create a unique and distinctive sound for the album. Their contributions helped to push the boundaries of nu metal and establish Korn as one of the most innovative bands of their time.
Personal lyrics
Korn's Untouchables is a deeply personal album, with lyrics that explore themes of love, loss, addiction, and depression. This is a departure from the band's previous albums, which were more focused on anger and aggression. The personal lyrics on Untouchables give the album a sense of vulnerability and authenticity that resonates with listeners.
- Relationships
Many of the songs on Untouchables deal with the ups and downs of relationships. The song "Here to Stay" is a love song, while the song "Alone I Break" is about the pain of heartbreak. These songs show that Korn is not afraid to explore the full range of human emotions.
- Addiction
Addiction is another major theme on Untouchables. The song "Thoughtless" is about the struggle to overcome addiction, while the song "Bottled Up Inside" is about the pain of addiction. These songs show that Korn is not afraid to tackle difficult subjects.
- Depression
Depression is another major theme on Untouchables. The song "Embrace" is about the struggle with depression, while the song "No One's There" is about the feeling of isolation that depression can cause. These songs show that Korn is not afraid to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche.
- Hope
Despite the dark themes on Untouchables, there is also a sense of hope. The song "I'm Done" is about the struggle to overcome adversity, while the song "Coming Undone" is about the power of redemption. These songs show that Korn believes that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
The personal lyrics on Korn's Untouchables are a major reason why the album is so successful. These lyrics connect with listeners on a deep level and help them to feel less alone. Untouchables is an album that is both cathartic and inspiring, and it is a must-listen for anyone who is a fan of Korn or nu metal.
Commercial success
Korn's Untouchables was a commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and selling over 4.2 million copies worldwide. The album was also certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
- Strong marketing campaign
Korn's Untouchables was backed by a strong marketing campaign, which included television commercials, radio airplay, and print advertising. The album was also released at a time when nu metal was at the height of its popularity. - Critical acclaim
Korn's Untouchables received critical acclaim, with many critics praising the band's new experimental sound. The album was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. - Fan base
Korn had a large and dedicated fan base at the time of Untouchables' release. The band's previous albums had been successful, and fans were eager to hear the new album. - Cultural impact
Korn's Untouchables had a significant cultural impact. The album helped to popularize nu metal and inspired a new generation of bands. The album also helped to establish Korn as one of the most successful nu metal bands of all time.
Korn's Untouchables was a commercial success due to a combination of factors, including a strong marketing campaign, critical acclaim, a dedicated fan base, and a significant cultural impact. The album helped to popularize nu metal and establish Korn as one of the most successful bands of the genre.
Critical acclaim
Critical acclaim is a significant component of Korn's Untouchables. The album received positive reviews from critics, with many praising the band's new experimental sound. This critical acclaim helped to generate buzz for the album and attract new listeners.
The positive reviews also helped to establish Korn as a legitimate force in the music industry. Prior to Untouchables, the band had been criticized for their aggressive sound and lyrics. However, the critical acclaim for Untouchables showed that Korn was capable of producing more sophisticated and nuanced music.
The critical acclaim for Korn's Untouchables also had a positive impact on the band's commercial success. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and sold over 4.2 million copies worldwide. This commercial success helped to establish Korn as one of the most successful nu metal bands of all time.
In conclusion, the critical acclaim for Korn's Untouchables was a major factor in the album's success. The positive reviews helped to generate buzz for the album, attract new listeners, establish Korn as a legitimate force in the music industry, and contribute to the album's commercial success.
FAQs on Korn's Untouchables
This section addresses frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Korn's Untouchables, providing concise and informative answers.
Question 1: What is the significance of Korn's Untouchables?
Korn's Untouchables marked a turning point in the band's career, showcasing a departure from their previous sound and experimenting with industrial and electronic influences.
Question 2: How did Untouchables differ from Korn's earlier albums?
Untouchables featured a more experimental and introspective approach, incorporating elements of industrial rock, samples, and guest musicians, resulting in a unique and groundbreaking sound.
Question 3: What was the critical reception of Untouchables?
Untouchables received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the band's willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of nu metal.
Question 4: How commercially successful was Untouchables?
Untouchables was a commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 4.2 million copies worldwide, establishing Korn as a dominant force in the nu metal scene.
Question 5: What are the prominent themes explored in Untouchables' lyrics?
The album's lyrics delved into personal and introspective subjects such as love, loss, addiction, depression, and the search for hope amidst darkness.
Question 6: How did Untouchables influence the nu metal genre?
Untouchables' experimental and industrial sound influenced the evolution of nu metal, inspiring a new wave of bands and broadening the genre's sonic possibilities.
Summary: Korn's Untouchables stands as a significant and innovative album in the band's discography, showcasing their willingness to experiment and explore new musical territories. Its critical and commercial success, coupled with its influence on the nu metal genre, solidifies its place as a groundbreaking and influential work.
Transition to the next article section: This concludes the FAQs on Korn's Untouchables. For further insights into the album, its impact, and the band's subsequent journey, explore the additional sections of this article.
Conclusion
Korn's Untouchables stands as a groundbreaking and influential album in the annals of nu metal. Its experimental and introspective approach, coupled with its industrial and electronic influences, pushed the boundaries of the genre and showcased the band's willingness to evolve.
The album's critical and commercial success cemented Korn's status as a dominant force in the nu metal scene. Its impact can still be felt today, with its influence reverberating through generations of musicians. Untouchables remains a testament to Korn's artistic vision and their unwavering commitment to pushing musical boundaries.
