KoЯn and the Birth of Nu Metal

This Album That Left a Mark on Me

Korn - Self-tilted - All Rights Reserved

With a certain bang, I just discovered that one of my favorite albums was released 30 years ago!

A wave of nostalgia hits me as I remember the little metalhead I was, the one holding that album with its distinctive cover: a little girl on a swing, looking at a seemingly evil shadow lurking before her, holding something like two dolls in her hands.

Although time does not shorten, many works manage to transcend the ages. In this chronicle, I want to talk to you about an album that perfectly embodies this timeless magic:

KoЯn — Self-Titled

When I discovered the Bakersfield band, I was 14 years old and didn’t know much about metal, except for more mainstream bands like Metallica and Guns N’ Roses.

At that time, trends were changing drastically, and we, as teenagers, were starting to forge our own style. I remember a friend who drew attention with his long hair, baggy pants, skate shoes, and band t-shirts. Even back then, KoЯn’s covers intrigued me, printed on my friend’s clothes.

One day, while I was at his place, the album Follow the Leader was playing on his stereo. From the very first moments, I must admit I had never heard a band with such a unique touch. The guitars produced unprecedented sounds, and the singer had a very distinct style. When I asked if I could borrow the album to listen to at home, he advised me to start at the beginning before handing me the famous album.

Barely in the device, I was quickly captivated by the simple and effective “Blind” as the opening track of this legendary album before moving on to other notable songs: the energetic “Ball Tongue,” “Clown” with its non-linear construction, and “Divine,” which literally makes us jump to the ceiling.

Soon, I arrived at the track “Faget,” showcasing the lyrical power of Jonathan Davis, before reaching the reimagined nursery rhyme “Shoot And Ladders,” with its bagpipe intro, which would later become a signature instrument for the band on many tracks.

Then arrives the traumatizing “Daddy,” the story of a young boy abused by his father, told with the sensitivity of a child. If the summary of the song sends chills down your spine, it’s hard to rival the emotion Jonathan conveys as he breaks down in tears. In the face of this torrent of emotion, it’s hard to believe it’s staged, as his bandmates were brought to tears upon hearing this part in the studio.

Conclusion

Despite some tracks not yet mentioned here, this album is, for me, the closest thing to perfection, with songs like “Fake,” “Predictable,” or “Helmet in the Bush,” which are far from being fillers.

This first album laid the solid foundation for a collective that would mark the history of rock with an entirely new style: Nu Metal.

As you may have understood or noticed, KoЯn stands out with a singer who possesses a tortured aura, with dark prose regarding themes of rejection, anger, isolation, existential dread, and abuse.

However, while the prose, lyrical emotion, and even the use of growling are frontline characteristics, it should not be forgotten that the band’s style is also supported by the authenticity of its musicians.

The heavy, dissonant guitars, sometimes flirting with psychedelia, a snappy bass played almost exclusively in slap style, all backed by a powerful drum kit led by the youngest member of the band at the time, who would never have joined the group if he hadn’t lied about his age when he was still a minor.

As you can see, this album is important to me, but more importantly, it marks the birth of a band that revolutionized metal and the history of rock in general.

A piece of advice? Listen to it without moderation!

And you, which album marked your adolescence and why? Share your experiences in the comments!

Thanks for reading.