Is Issues a good place to start with Korn?

Yes, Issues is recommended as a starting point for new Korn listeners. A raw exploration of emotional turmoil, blending heavy riffs with introspective lyrics and an experimental sound palette. By the time 'Issues' was released in January 1999, Korn was already established as a leading force in the nu metal genre, following their commercial breakthrough with the self-titled debut album in 1994 and the critically acclaimed 'Life Is Peachy' in 1996. This album marked their fourth studio release and showcased their willingness to experiment with different sounds and themes, reflecting personal struggles and darker emotions.

Issues works well if you're into short, intense listening bursts, emotional catharsis and release and dark, introspective moods.

How many songs are on Issues?

Issues has 16 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Issues

Korn · 1999

53 min · 16 tracks · alternative metal

A raw exploration of emotional turmoil, blending heavy riffs with introspective lyrics and an experimental sound palette.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Falling Away From Me Start here — This track exemplifies the album's emotional depth, featuring haunting melodies that capture feelings of despair and isolation. Its blending of aggressive instrumentals with vulnerable lyrics makes it a standout representation of Korn's signature sound.
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Make Me Bad — Incorporating a more melodic approach than previous tracks, this song explores themes of addiction and inner conflict, showcasing Jonathan Davis's dynamic vocal range. Its catchy chorus juxtaposed with dark subject matter highlights the band's ability to balance heaviness with emotional nuance.
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Somebody Someone — This track stands out for its blending of aggressive verses with a more accessible chorus, illustrating the tensions between vulnerability and rage that define much of Korn’s work. It speaks to feelings of alienation that many listeners experienced during this era.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends aggressive and melodic elements effectively, though its pacing dips towards the end.

What we noticed

Several songs incorporate spoken word sections or whispered vocals, creating a contrast with the harsher elements.
The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, allowing for a more introspective conclusion to the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

short, intense listening bursts
emotional catharsis and release
dark, introspective moods
dynamic shifts in energy
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Korn's reputation with commercial success and resonant themes.
Themes: mental health struggles· haunted childhood memories· isolation in suburbia
Career context: By the time 'Issues' was released in January 1999, Korn was already established as a leading force in the nu metal genre, following their commercial breakthrough with the self-titled debut album in 1994 and the critically acclaimed 'Life Is Peachy' in 1996. This album marked their fourth studio release and showcased their willingness to experiment with different sounds and themes, reflecting personal struggles and darker emotions.
Stylistic neighbors: Slipknot· Deftones· Limp Bizkit