Amazon.co.jp
1998年に大型フェスティヴァル「ファミリー・ヴァリューズ・ツアー」を主催し、前作
『イシューズ』(1999年)が全米アルバムチャート初登場ナンバーワンを獲得。今やヘヴィロックシーンの最高峰に君臨する男性5人組、KORN(コーン)のニューアルバム(5作目)。
重量級のハードサウンドに絶叫ヴォーカルがこだまするファーストシングル<1>、ゴリゴリのヘヴィロックで押しまくる<3>、爆裂ハードサウンド一直線の<10>など、これまで以上に革新的な新しいサウンドスタイルを大展開。プロデュースには、3rdアルバム
『フォロウ・ザ・リーダー』(1998年)で起用が予定されていたものの、最初のミーティングで決裂し、「お互いを嫌い合っていた」というマイケル・ベインホーン(レッド・ホット・チリ・ペッパーズ、マリリン・マンソンで知られるプロデューサー)が担当。風格の違いを見せつける。(速藤年正)
From Amazon.com
The band that unwittingly begat the current, if waning, rap-metal frenzy, Korn has been semidormant since 1999's multiplatinum
Issues, while bands they inspired, such as Linkin Park, have ruled the charts and minds of disenfranchised teens. The wait for
Untouchables' 14 cutting cuts is more than worth it, however. The quintet's heavy sound and lyrical angst have not been dulled by success. Singer Jonathan Davis's often agonized, cathartic lyrics and slightly lispy, emotive delivery are as heavy and varied as on previous outings. The first single, "Here to Stay," boasts a spooky, Nine Inch Nails feel and Fieldy's aggro, down-tuned bass, with Davis growling in pain, "This state is elevating / As the hurt turns into hating / Anticipating all the ... feelings again."
Among and within songs, Korn move seamlessly and dynamically from gentle, spooky, and lushly melodic to a bass-heavy propulsive, explosive musicality. "Embrace" is almost grandiose and Cult-like in its rock drama, in contrast to the punky, straight-up "Wake Up Hate," on which Davis's vocals are especially creepy and Marilyn Manson-like as he rants: "I'm, I'm filthy/ ... / I am disgusting/ Take me away." Untouchables, with its brutal introspection and hints of misogyny, is still a must-have: 62 minutes of deeply felt, ultra-intense spewings, a tour de force that will strike a chord with fans and critics alike. --Katherine Turman