Requiem (Korn album)
Requiem | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | February 4, 2022 | |||
Recorded | April–July 2021 | |||
Studio | Buck Owens Studio, Bakersfield, California | |||
Genre | Nu metal[1] | |||
Length | 32:36 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Korn chronology | ||||
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Singles from Requiem | ||||
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Requiem is the fourteenth studio album by American nu metal band Korn. The album was released on February 4, 2022, through Loma Vista and Concord. It was produced by the band and Chris Collier.[3][5]
Background and recording
[edit]The first hint at the release of a fourteenth studio album arose from a since-deleted interview with Kerrang!,[6] in which it was stated that the album was fully written as of April 2021.[7] The COVID-19 pandemic allowed for a surplus of time in which the album could be arranged, alleviating the harsh time constraints which would usually have been imposed.[5] According to a press release:
- "It is an album born of time and the ability to create without pressure. Energized by a new creative process free of time constraints, the band was able to do things with Requiem that the past two decades haven't always afforded them, such as taking additional time to experiment together or diligently recording to analog tape – processes which unearthed newfound sonic dimension and texture in their music."[8]
While bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu announced a hiatus later after this interview, it has been confirmed that his bass tracks will be used on this record.[9] Although he is credited in the album liner notes, he is not included in the band photo.
Little to no new information regarding the album was released until early November, in which several cryptic hints toward the release of new material arose, the first of which involved several billboards involving the band's logo imposed on a background composed of gray static.[10] The bottom-right corner of these billboards featured a QR code, which led to an Instagram filter featuring a 3D model in which a human hand can be seen tightly grasping an infant's head from the top.[10] A close-up of this object is what is used for the album cover.
In addition, the band updated their "The Best of Korn" Spotify playlist with seven cryptic tracks, each spelling "Requiem" letter-by-letter.[11][12]
The song "Forgotten" was featured in NHL 23.
Requiem is Korn's shortest studio album to date, clocking in at 32 and a half minutes.
Release and promotion
[edit]On November 11, 2021, the cryptic teasers eventually culminated in the release of "Start the Healing", the first single released from the album. Alongside the release of this single, many details of the album also came: the cover, in which it is revealed that the baby's head is prominently featured, the track listing, with a total of nine tracks (the fewest across the band's studio discography) and revealing "Start the Healing" to be the third track,[9] and the projected release date of the album being February 4, 2022. The album was made available to pre-order on the same day in several formats, notably including a limited-edition silver vinyl with a total of 1,000 copies.[9]
On January 5, 2022, the band updated their website to show 6 versions of the album artwork, with the lyrics ¨Pulling away this veil I see...¨, and, when clicked on, took you to a video that was an audio track of drummer Ray Luzier tracking drums. Every day, culminating on January 11, they released a new instrumental, with guitars on January 6, bass on January 7, a solo guitar line on January 8, backing vocals on January 9, and then went a day without posting, before releasing the main vocals on January 11. The vocals being released also coincided with the band announcing the second single, "Forgotten", which was released on January 13. A third single, "Lost in the Grandeur", was released on February 2, 2022.
Reception
[edit]Critical reception
[edit]Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 77/100[13] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [14] |
Blabbermouth.net | 8/10[15] |
Distorted Sound | 9/10[1] |
Exclaim! | 7/10[16] |
Kerrang! | [17] |
Louder Sound | [18] |
Metal Injection | 8/10[19] |
NME | [20] |
Wall of Sound | 7/10[21] |
Requiem received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 77 out of 100 based on seven reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[13] AllMusic gave the album a positive review saying, "Against the odds, Korn have done it again with Requiem, a quick and ferocious blast that finds the band still hungry and innovative nearly 30 years into the game."[14] Wall of Sound gave the album a score 7/10 and saying: "Requiem isn't going to end up listed among the great KoRn albums, but it's short, punchy and hooky. After more than 25 years I reckon that's OK for a band who are comfortable with what they do."[21]
Accolades
[edit]Publication | List | Rank |
---|---|---|
AllMusic (United States) | AllMusic's Best Metal Albums of 2022 | 1[22]
|
Kerrang! (United States) | The 50 Best Albums of 2022 | 45[23]
|
Loudwire (United States) | The 50 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2022 | –[24]
|
Metal Hammer (United Kingdom) | The Best Metal Albums Of 2022 So Far | –[25]
|
Revolver (United States) | 25 Best Albums of 2022 | 15[26]
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Commercial performance
[edit]Requiem debuted at number fourteen on the US Billboard 200 with 23,500 album-equivalent units, of which 20,000 were pure album sales. It is Korn's first album since 1994 to not peak Top-10.[27] As of the end of 2022, the album has sold over 90,000 traditional copies in the US, and over 110,000 copies worldwide.[28] In Australia the album peaked No. 1 for the first time since 2002.[29]
"Start the Healing", the first single off the album peaked No. 1 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart on February 7, 2022.[30]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Korn, except where noted[2]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Forgotten" | 3:17 | |
2. | "Let the Dark Do the Rest" | 3:39 | |
3. | "Start the Healing" |
| 3:28 |
4. | "Lost in the Grandeur" | 3:50 | |
5. | "Disconnect" |
| 3:26 |
6. | "Hopeless and Beaten" | 4:00 | |
7. | "Penance to Sorrow" | 3:20 | |
8. | "My Confession" | 3:34 | |
9. | "Worst Is on Its Way" | 4:03 | |
Total length: | 32:36 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
10. | "I Can't Feel" | 3:11 |
Total length: | 35:47 |
- A deluxe edition entitled Requiem Mass was released in 2023 that includes five live tracks recorded at the album's 2022 release gig at the Hollywood United Methodist Church.[32]
Personnel
[edit]Korn
- Jonathan Davis – lead vocals, production, recording production
- James "Munky" Shaffer – guitar, production, recording production
- Brian "Head" Welch – guitar, production, recording production
- Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu – bass guitar, production, recording production
- Ray Luzier – drums, production, recording production
Additional personnel
- Chris Collier – production, recording production
- David Benveniste – executive production
- Vlado Meller – mastering
- Rich Costey – mixing
- James Harley – recording
- Jeremy Lubsey – mastering assistance
- Jeff Citron – mixing assistance
- Koby Berman – mixing assistance
- Johnson Tsang – sculpture, photography
- Christopher Leckie – design, art direction
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
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References
[edit]- ^ Jump up to: a b Bird, Katie (February 3, 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: Requiem – Korn". Distorted Sound. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Requiem (booklet). Loma Vista, Concord. 2022.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Whitaker, Marisa (November 11, 2021). "Korn Announce Requiem, Share 'Start The Healing'". Spin. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ "Rock Future Releases". AllAccess. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "KORN To Release Requiem Album In February; "Start The Healing" Music Video Streaming". BraveWords. November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Law, Sam (April 22, 2021). "Korn's Jonathan Davis: 'We just got done writing a record!'". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Redrup, Zach (April 22, 2021). "Korn finish writing fourteenth album!". Dead Press!. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Miska, Brad (November 11, 2021). "Korn Shares "Start the Healing", First Single and Music Video from Forthcoming New Album, 'Requiem' [Video]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Hear Korn's Cathartic New Song "Start the Healing"". Revolver. November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Colothan, Scott (November 6, 2021). "Korn are teasing something with mystery billboards and AR filter". Kerrang! Radio. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Kennelly, Greg (November 7, 2021). "KORN Teasing New Music With Viral Campaign, Here's What We Know". Metal Injection. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Aarons, Ricky (November 9, 2021). "KoRn Are Teasing Something With Posters Spotted in Sydney + Melbourne". Wall of Sound. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Requiem Reviews – Korn". Metacritic. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Z. Yeung, Neil (February 7, 2022). "Requiem Reviews – Korn". AllMusic. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ Lawson, Dom (February 7, 2022). "KORN - "Requiem"". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Boire, Anthony (February 3, 2022). "On 'Requiem,' Korn's Emotional Heft Comes Too Little, Too Late". Exclaim!. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Hickie, Jamie (February 2, 2022). "Album review: Korn – Requiem". Kerrang!. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Hill, Stephen (February 3, 2022). "Korn's Requiem: "Korn being Korn; no-one does it better"". Louder Sound. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ "Album Review: KORN Requiem". Metal Injection. February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Leivers, Dannii (February 3, 2022). "Korn – 'Requiem' review: nu-metal veterans' 'happy' album is still dark as fuck". NME. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Draven, KJ (February 1, 2022). "KoRn – Requiem (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ "AllMusic's Best Metal Albums of 2022". Revolver. November 24, 2022. p. 1. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2022". Kerrang!. December 19, 2022. p. 1. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ "The 50 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2022". Loudwire. November 21, 2022. p. 1. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ "The Best Metal Albums Of 2022 So Far". Metal Hammer. May 7, 2022. p. 2. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ^ "25 Best Albums of 2022". Revolver. November 24, 2022. p. 1. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (February 14, 2022). "Korn Billboard Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ "Top Hard Rock Albums". Billboard. December 2022.
- ^ "Australia Albums Top 50 (February 14, 2022) - Music Charts".
- ^ "Alternative Metal Band Korn Has a No. 1 Song on Active Rock Radio — is the Format Making a Comeback?". March 2022.
- ^ "KORN、2/4リリースのニュー・アルバム『Requiem』国内盤にボーナス・トラック「I Can't Feel」収録決定!".
- ^ Yeung, Neil Z. (n.d.). "Korn – Requiem Mass". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Korn – Requiem". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Korn – Requiem" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Korn – Requiem" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Korn – Requiem" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ "Korn Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Lista prodaje 7. tjedan 2022. (07.02.2022. – 13.02.2022.)" (in Croatian). Top Lista. February 21, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 06.Týden 2022 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ "Hitlisten.NU – Vinyl Top-40 Uge 6, 2022". Hitlisten. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Korn – Requiem" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Korn: Requiem" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ "Top Albums (Week 6, 2022)". SNEP. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ "Tops de la semaine | Top Physical (Week 6, 2022)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. February 11, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Korn – Requiem" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2022. 6. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 6 (dal 04.02.2022 al 10.02.2022)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-02-14/p/5" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "Requiem on Billboard Japan Hot Albums". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Korn – Requiem". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Slovak Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Retrieved August 15, 2022. Note: On the chart page, select SK - Albums - Top 100 under the left field and "202206" on the field besides the word "Zobrazit", and then click over the word to retrieve the correct chart data.
- ^ "Top 100 Albums Weekly". Promusicae. El portal de Música. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- ^ "Top 100 Albums Weekly Week 6" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ "Veckolista Hårdrock, vecka 6" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Korn – Requiem". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ "Lescharts.ch – Korn – Requiem" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Korn Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Korn Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Korn Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Year-End Charts: Top Hard Rock Albums (2022)". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.