The Path of Totality
Korn · 2011
44 min · 13 tracks · alternative metal
Aggressive metal merges with dubstep influences, creating a chaotic yet immersive sonic landscape that challenges genre boundaries.
Top tracks — play these first
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Chaos Lives in Everything Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Narcissistic Cannibal — This track features an infectious blend of heavy guitars and dubstep drops, showcasing Korn's innovative approach to merging genres. Its collaboration with Skrillex highlights the band's willingness to embrace modern sounds while maintaining their heavy roots.
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Get Up! — As one of the standout tracks featuring Skrillex, 'Get Up!' exemplifies the album's fusion of metal and electronic elements, delivering high energy and emotional intensity. Its Grammy nomination underscores its impact within both genres.
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Illuminati — 'Illuminati' stands out with its relentless aggression and thought-provoking lyrics about conspiracy theories, reflecting the darker themes present throughout the album. The combination of heavy riffs and electronic beats creates a unique listening experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of metal and dubstep creates a distinct sound, though its appeal may vary over time.
What we noticed
- The album features heavy use of electronic elements, with dubstep drops and synths interspersed among traditional metal instrumentation.
- Vocal performances alternate between aggressive screams and melodic singing, often within the same track, creating a dynamic contrast.
- Several tracks incorporate guest artists from the electronic music scene, adding varied textures and styles to the overall sound.
- The pacing fluctuates significantly, with some tracks maintaining high energy while others slow down to create atmospheric breaks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- steady energy for active listening
- aggressive riffs for intense sessions
- dynamic vocal performances throughout
- turbulent sound for cathartic release
- short tracks for quick engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer calm, soothing atmospheres
- seek longer, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Introduced dubstep influences, marking a significant shift in Korn's established sound.
- Themes
- dubstep fusion· narcissistic culture· chaotic energy
- Career context
- Released on December 6, 2011, The Path of Totality is Korn's tenth studio album and marks their first full-length collaboration with electronic music producers like Skrillex and Kill the Noise. This release followed their previous album, Korn III: Remember Who You Are, signaling a bold experimentation phase in their sound. The band sought to integrate electronic elements into their established nu-metal style, reflecting a shift in both musical direction and audience engagement.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Slipknot· Deftones· Limp Bizkit
Tracklist
- 1 Chaos Lives in Everything Start here 3:47
- 2 Kill Mercy Within 3:35
- 3 My Wall 2:55
- 4 Narcissistic Cannibal 3:10
- 5 Illuminati 3:16
- 6 Burn the Obedient 2:38
- 7 Sanctuary 3:24
- 8 Let’s Go 2:40
- 9 Get Up! 3:43
- 10 Way Too Far 3:49
- 11 Bleeding Out 4:51
- 12 Fuels the Comedy 2:49
- 13 Tension 3:56
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
Skrillex
Shares a similar aggressive fusion of dubstep with metal influences and chaotic energy.
A Thousand Suns
Linkin Park
Combines electronic elements with alternative metal, exploring themes of chaos and introspection.
Sempiternal
Bring Me the Horizon
Features a blend of metalcore and electronic sounds, echoing turbulent emotional landscapes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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