• Korn The Paradigm Shift Hater

You get a lot of people who say Korn's best was Follow the Leader, Issues or Untouchables. Until Paradigm Shift, I was in the camp with those who thought Untouchables was their finest moment. It's the most powerful and artful delivery by the band and I think Jonathon's vocals and lyrics couldn't be surpassed. Musically speaking Paradigm Shift is Untouchables 2 but is not undone by the former. There are some moments on Paradigm Shift where I had to do a double take because I was surprised at the turn a song took ('Punishment Time', the bridge and chorus are so not Korn's, maybe nod a little at STP, but fit perfectly) or that a song came as a complete surprise ('Lullaby for a Sadist', this song is actually very sad but the music and lyrics are actually beautiful). Any 'traditionalist' will find 'Paranoid and Arroused' (one of my favorite Korn songs ever), 'Prey for Me' and the even more powerful 'Love & Meth' satiates their desire for a return to the 'Untouchables' form.

One addition to the deluxe edition should never have been off the original, and that is 'Wish I Wasn't Born Today' which I can't get enough of. In conclusion, for people wondering what the new Korn is like, and thought Untouchables was Korn's finest, you will find a lot to love here. For those looking for a little more of that Hip-Hop vibe from Issues backwards, not so much. For me that's fine, I really love what they did here. It is really an evolution of sorts in song-writing, and Head did say song quality is at it's best here. I cannot disagree.

Ray Luzier is a great addition to the band. Note: 'Never Never'? Is not really that bad, but they could have led people to this album with a stronger track. I still listen because in my youth you were my absolute favorite band (I was 14 when 'KORN' was released).

I still do not acknowledge their last LP, but when I heard Head was coming back I figured I'd give it a go. While they will never relive their glory days, they still can write some songs that you want to bang your head to. I try to put into consideration that the band has aged, they don't have that late teen angst that they did in the 90's. But this record is a good listen and most Korn fans will be happy that they removed themselves from what the previous LP was. You get a lot of people who say Korn's best was Follow the Leader, Issues or Untouchables. Until Paradigm Shift, I was in the camp with those who thought Untouchables was their finest moment.

It's the most powerful and artful delivery by the band and I think Jonathon's vocals and lyrics couldn't be surpassed. Musically speaking Paradigm Shift is Untouchables 2 but is not undone by the former.

There are some moments on Paradigm Shift where I had to do a double take because I was surprised at the turn a song took ('Punishment Time', the bridge and chorus are so not Korn's, maybe nod a little at STP, but fit perfectly) or that a song came as a complete surprise ('Lullaby for a Sadist', this song is actually very sad but the music and lyrics are actually beautiful). Any 'traditionalist' will find 'Paranoid and Arroused' (one of my favorite Korn songs ever), 'Prey for Me' and the even more powerful 'Love & Meth' satiates their desire for a return to the 'Untouchables' form. One addition to the deluxe edition should never have been off the original, and that is 'Wish I Wasn't Born Today' which I can't get enough of. In conclusion, for people wondering what the new Korn is like, and thought Untouchables was Korn's finest, you will find a lot to love here. For those looking for a little more of that Hip-Hop vibe from Issues backwards, not so much. For me that's fine, I really love what they did here. It is really an evolution of sorts in song-writing, and Head did say song quality is at it's best here.

I cannot disagree. Ray Luzier is a great addition to the band. Note: 'Never Never'? Is not really that bad, but they could have led people to this album with a stronger track. I've been a fan of Korn since back in '98, back in the 'Follow the Leader' days. I've dug what they were trying to do with the `Headless' years, but it seems like they were struggling with production problems with the 'Untitled/Korn II' album (even if it was a solid album) and the heavily flawed 'Korn III: Remember Who You Are'.

I can only attest the attempt to recreate their raw mid 90's work to studio pressure and/or temporary insanity. I loved the spine it took for the band to put out The Path to Totality, even if it was clear that it was a one-time experiment.Then of course the big event occurred, Brian `Head' Welch came back to the band. I saw the reunited Korn play back in Silver Spring in May, and the set was mostly from the self-titled debut album. It put a mild sense of unease in me that they would try to revive the 90's with The Paradigm Shift. I was worried we would end up with Korn IV: Now We Totally Remember Who We Are. Seriously This Time.The release of `Never Never' as the first single may have confused people, considering it is the oddball of the album. I think it was a declaration that 'The Paradigm Shift' was going to be different, and not what you expect.Which is true, I didn't expect the best, most confident Korn album in years.

'The Paradigm Shift' is an apt title as it sees Korn taking their signature metal/rock sound from the hip-hop sound of old to infusing it with new electronic/synth/stadium rock sound. Songs such as `Never Never,' `Lullaby for a Sadist,' `Victimized,' and many of the choruses see them just nailing an epic stadium rock sound that is completely new and oh so amazing! It never over powers the guitar work. It's impossible, Head and Munky's guitars sound so heavy it feels like getting curb-stomped by Godzilla. This is the perfect blend of old elements and new elements to create pure eargasmic pleasure.Funky 'Follow the Leader' riffs?

It's in there.Haunting 'Issues' elements? Check.Melodic 'Untouchables' choruses? Yup.Crushing 'Take a Look in the Mirror' heaviness? Oh gawd yes.Electronic/synth elements from 'See You on the Other Side' and 'Untitled/Korn II'? Better than it's ever been.Fan of 'The Path to Totality'?

Looking for some `wub wub?' There is some `wub wub!' The only Korn `fans' that won't like this album are those who will whine that this isn't as raw as 'Korn' or 'Life is Peachy'. But I've learned to tune them out since '98.There isn't a single song on this album I don't like. Even the whipping boy `Never Never' becomes great in context with the other songs. I guess if I had to pick favorites it would be `What We Do,' `Paranoid and Aroused,' and everything from `Punishment Time' through `It's All Wrong.' 'The Paradigm Shift' should be put up with Rob Zombie's 'Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor' and Stone Sour's 'House of Gold and Bones' as the best rock albums of the year.

If you're a Korn fan, buy this album now, if you're a casual Korn fan, buy this album. Join the Korn of the future! Okay so I was pretty into Korn when they were huge.

I was in high school when I went to see them tour for 'Follow the Leader'. I followed them from the beginning, and enjoyed them up until 2003's 'Take a Look in the Mirror'. I've dipped in a little bit here and there since then, but nothing really impressed me. First Brian 'Head' Welch left the band, and then David Silveria. And I kinda don't like when the original band splits, so I kinda lost interest.Recently I've been listening to a lot of 'classic' Korn, I didn't even realize that Korn had a new album coming out the very next day, after I randomly found myself web browsing Korn online.

I read about the return of Brian Welch, and I gave the new album a chance the next day, now that I had skipped the previous 5 albums.The end verdict is a good one. Although I'd imagine I'd enjoy this album better if David had returned, just for my own stuborness of new members. To be honest, I've been all over the place this year with new albums. And likewise it's been a great year. The new Yeah Yeah Yeah's album was amazing. The new Filter album was amazing.

The new Nine Inch Nails album was amazing. And now Korn has returned from the grave for me. The first album I've really enjoyed since 2002's 'Untouchables.' I hate to say it, but this new Korn album has left a more positive effect on me than the new Nine Inch Nails, and from the beginning, I've always been a bigger NIN fan than Korn.Every time I listen to this album, I love it more and more. Favorite songs so far being 'What we Do', 'Spike in my Veins', 'Never Never', and 'Lullaby for a Sadist.' Maybe not my favorite Korn album, due to nostalgia reasons, but this is pretty close.Awesome.

Highly recommended.Sidenote: It really does bug me when bands change members sometimes. Not all the time, but sometimes. Nine Inch Nails I don't worry about, cause that has always basically just been 'Trent Reznor' with constant new members filling his vision.

But bands like Alice in Chains. The newer singer is pretty good! But I feel the band would have been more successful if they simply retired the 'Alice in Chains' name, and started from scratch with this new vocalist since 'Layne's' death.Another one. Guns N Roses. Axl Rose is amazing, he's always been a legend, but the dude is old now.

He's very talented, but he should have let go of the 'Guns N Roses' name instead of acting as immature as a teenager. Let go of stuff! I think if Axl had devised a whole new band, the so called 'new' Guns N Roses would be significantly more successful. He should have gone ahead and reunited with ex band mates for the Rock and Roll hall of fame too.

When ARE you going to grow up. I have a lot of opinions on the matter of Guns N Roses. To long time Korn fans, this album was a return to their innovative roots. From the moment the drums, bass, and guitar start in 'Prey For Me', you know Korn is back again and just as good as ever. The dub-step experiment that was their last album, was something I stayed away from.

With Paradigm Shift, they use elements of all of their previous albums to make one rocking CD. I noticed that several reviewers said how this CD is reminiscent of Issues, which I agree with. It has a slight extra-terrestrial vibe mixed in with some of the songs that calls to mind 'falling away from me' and 'make me bad' (listen to Love & Meth and Paranoid and Aroused). However, there are several new elements here that work very well. A toned down dub-step (Korn-step, I've.

Dubbed it.) is still there but it works very well (listen to Spike in my Veins). They even introduce an acoustic guitar (Lullaby for a Sadist) which I believe is the first time for that but I may be incorrect. All in all, a great and refreshing CD for Korn fans that will make you want to dust off those old discs and have another listen. As a newer fan of Korn since 'Remember Who You Are' to now, I have to say that 'The Paradigm Shift' is a truly great cd regardless of genre! The songs gel very good together to form a wonderful cd that grabs your attention and doesn't let go.

It's well balanced in the sense that it's heavy and intense but also lets up enough to let you recover until the next attack. Sometimes a 'heavy' cd loses it's impact of heaviness if it constantly bombards you with pounding guitars and drums until your senses turn numb.

I absolutely love this album. It's heavy, it's trippy, it's melodic, it's crushing, it's everything you want from KoRn. What I like about The Paradigm Shift is that it has something for every type of fan.

If you're into the really heavy riffs, they're on here. If you're into the crazy electronic stuff JD has injected in recent years, that's on here, too. Don't let 'Never Never' fool you. It's easily one of the more forgettable tracks on the album.One thing I must say is that Jon's lyrics and vocals are incredible this time around, miles above what he did with Korn III and The Path of Totality. Sometimes, I've got to admit, his lyrics have been a little immature from time to time. But The Paradigm Shift is a mature-sounding album all the way around, like a heavier, brighter version of the Untitled album.Favorite tracks: Punishment Time, Lullaby for a Sadist, VictimizedDocumentary is informative and entertaining, though a little too amateurish from time to time.All in all, I can't recommend this enough.

It's a very cohesive, solid album overall. I still listen because in my youth you were my absolute favorite band (I was 14 when 'KORN' was released). I still do not acknowledge their last LP, but when I heard Head was coming back I figured I'd give it a go. While they will never relive their glory days, they still can write some songs that you want to bang your head to. I try to put into consideration that the band has aged, they don't have that late teen angst that they did in the 90's. But this record is a good listen and most Korn fans will be happy that they removed themselves from what the previous LP was. I'm 31 now, having followed Korn since high school.

I 'left them' after the issues album, finding nothing I could relate too and getting swamped in all sorts of more sophisticatedor music from all kinds of other genres. I'm happy I returned though, I really like this album. Dynamically better, smarter, more cohesive. Davis has dropped most of the weird quivering voice antics and preferred a harder edged straighter delivery while the music still sounds cool (love the use of electronics). I was pleasantly surprised too to find that the music isn't predictable. It's definately more mainstream than it once was, but not in a bad way, rather a more accessible way.

There are still parts that surprise. If you're 'old' like me or you haven't touched them in a while, don't hesitate to buy this one, I think you may find you'll like it. Good work from Korn. Brian Head is back. This is the first Korn album since Take a Look in the Mirror that Brian Head has been back on guitar. It's noticeable. The guitars are heavy, but could be heavier.

If you're looking for that classic Korn sound, you will not find it here. You will find a good sound though. No song stands out as that one killer song. The low point of the album, however, is Never Never. The song is just too 'poppy'. I was hoping for Korn IV, but with the way they named the album.you could tell it wasn't going to be that classic Korn type of album. The album is good.

The vocals are great. There are some good guitar parts. It's just an okay album, but still worth owning.

I give it a 3.5.out of 5. Not a 3, since it gives an effort. But.not a 4 because there aren't any stand out songs, not as much of a guitar crazy album, and a little too mellow and serious. The DVD included is great and worth the extra money.

Look, if you are considering a Korn CD at this point, you probably already know that they are not the same band that recorded their original, self-titled album or Life is Peachy. Since Issues, Korn has experimented with their sound and gone off in several directions either in the name of artistic creativity or to cover for the losses of key members David Silveria and Brian 'Head' Welch. I'll tell you right now, this CD is not a true return to original Korn, even with Head returning for this album. Original Korn had a progressive rock feel to it, this is more of a modern hard rock feel. If that turns you off, then forget getting this CD. If you are cool with that, please, read on.I'll give you some reference on my taste in Korn music. Similar to Metallica, you have Korn fans that hate anything after 'Follow the Leader' and you have fans that hate anything after the 'Life is Peachy' (aka when the sold out).

For the most part, I have enjoyed all of Korn's CDs. I actually like the CDs that involved Korn experimenting with their sound later in their career.

I thought 'The Path of Totality' was a great album. Unfortunately, 'See You on the Other Side' had some good songs but was not a great album.

With the new album, Korn promised a 'heavier' album and that they would ditch the experimental side of things.However, any time Korn promises a 'return to roots' or a 'heavier album', the results have not been overly impressive. 'Take a Look in the Mirror' had 4 good songs ('Right Now' was my jam for a while), but it was not a great album. 'Korn III: Remember Who You Are' was another 'return' album and it was TERRIBLE. I almost wrote Korn off after listening to that CD. Anyway, all that to say I was worried this 'return' album would fall into the same trap as earlier Korn albums.

I am glad to say I was wrong.' The Paradigm Shift' is a really great album. It is solid from front to back.

'Love and Meth' is one of my favorite Korn songs in a long time. And the return to a heavier sound is done well, with awesome riffs and great beats. This CD seems to combine the best of Korn's experimentation with dubstep and the great guitars and bass stylings that Korn is best known for. Other tracks I enjoy are 'Victimized', 'It's All Wrong' and 'Prey for Me'. Unfortunately, some filler tracks keep the rating a 4.5 instead of a 5.

I'm looking at you, 'Mass Hysteria' and 'Punishment Time'.To conclude, this is my favorite Korn album right now. Korn's first CD will always be my favorite long term but this is tops for me at the moment.

If you were a Korn fan in the past and thinking about trying them out again, this CD is a great time to take the plunge. Even if you are too young to remember Korn in their glory days but you want a good, hard rock CD to cruise to or jam out in your living room, this is a great way to scratch that itch.

All Korn albums put in the blender.Do not let Never Never fool you!After hearing the first teaser (the intro of “Lullaby Of A Sadist”) and the first single “Never Never” everybody including me thought this would be just another poppy album like the untitled one a few years back. This may have been marketing, because those 2 previews do not represent this album at all. It is a lot heavier.“Lullaby For A Sadist” gets heavier after the intro and has creepy chanting vocals by Jonathan at the end, really cool. The first 2 tracks (“Prey For Me” and “Love & Meth”) are instant hits in my opninion and I wasn’t suprised “Love & Meth” was their second single, man that song rocks!

They re-wrote “Spike In My Veins” to be a guitar track in stead of an electronic one and you cannot hear it was written for a Jdevil release at all. They had Noisia (=Nightwatch) add a couple of electronic bits and pieces on most songs, but just enough to freshen up the sound, ‘cause it definetly is a metal album. The variety of songs makes it sound like a mash-up of all Korn albums, somewhat like a best of.

Korn The Paradigm Shift Hater

Jonathan’s voice is getting better and better each album and the return of Head to Korn obviously did the band good.The Reconciliation dvd is a nice documentary mostly about Head and Munky reuniting and a couple of really cool riffs coming together.One stupid thing about this deluxe edition is that it misses 1 bonus track only available on Japanese releases (Why?).Final thoughts: Fresh old Korn sound. Buy this one, Now!