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Rock with a heart

KoRn strikes a balance between sensitivity and rebellion

STRIKING A CHORD KoRn's numbers weave in real-life incidents

First there was rock. Then came heavy metal, after which rock morphed into several sub-genres such as acid rock, psychedelic rock, and more recently, something called alternative rock.

Though everyone prefers to bundle the entire spectrum of today's rock music under broader classification of "new-age rock", there are various artistes ranging from Creed to Coldplay, Papa Roach to Hoobastank, who have stood out by creating unique sounds, some of which are sublime and thoughtful, while others are rebellious, in-your-face and often aggressive.

Groovy combo

The so-called bad boys of new-age rock have also sprung up and are constantly bashed in the media for promoting negative lifestyles and encouraging violence. Leave the "baddies" aside, and you have a highly promising and revolutionary genre of rock music, which combines the energy of classic rock with electronic sounds and rhythms. KoRn is one such band.

Though the band is classified in the catalogues as an alternative rock band, KoRn goes a step further as it incorporates the best of both worlds and creates a hybrid sound, which will appeal to the rebel, just as much as it would to a hand-banging, long-haired wannabe rock star, who attends college just to take part in the inter-college music fests. There is a lot of darkness in KoRn's music, but the sort of darkness that you and I undergo everyday. Right from their 2002 debut album Untouchables, Jonathan Davis, James `munky' Shaffer, Fieldy and David Silveria, who make up KoRn, have given a very personal touch to the albums and have incorporated a lot number of true-life incidents and feeling into their songs. And this is precisely why the band has stood out against the chaff of mediocre rock music acts.

Unimaginably fast and loud guitar textures combined with dark, introspective lyrics being the band's musical USP, KoRn's new album is their best ever.

The album, which is called See You On The Other Side (EMI, CD, Rs. 395), is the band's third studio album, and the first single "Twisted Transistor" incorporates some impressive funk music amongst heavy electronic rock accomplishments and shimmering vocals that are very different.

Other tracks such as "Politics" and "Hypocrites" bring out KoRn's rebellious and socially-conscious ideas, but these ideas are treated very differently and make you sit up and take notice.

There are a few emotional tracks, which delve deep into the human psyche such as "Seen It All" and "Tearjerker", but KoRn has successfully struck a balance between sensitivity and rebellion.

If you are familiar with heavy metal and new-age rock music, you would want to grab this album with both hands.

But if you are the sort who wants to try out something new, be ready to get shocked, with the lyrics as well as some heart-pounding sounds.

A. VISHNU

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