Hosts: Neil & Chris
Duration: ~86 minutes
Release: 16 November 2024
In this episode of The Monster Shop, Neil and Chris dive into Korn's Issues, the late 90s record where downtuned groove, hip hop feel and emotional weight all collide. Rather than chasing huge radio singles, they explore how this album leans into mood and texture, building a dark, consistent journey of riffs, songlets and unsettling atmospheres that still feels uniquely Korn.
They unpack how the band's nu metal tag barely scratches the surface, from Fieldy's clattering five string bass tone and those seismic, half speed riffs, through to Jonathan Davis's multi voice approach that can sound like three singers at once. Along the way they trace how seeing Korn at Download in 2022 finally made everything click, turning casual appreciation into full blown fandom and sending them back through the catalogue with fresh ears.
The conversation zeroes in on “Falling Away From Me” and “Make Me Bad” as touchstones for Issues, pulling apart the drum machine inflected grooves, layered guitars and vocal production tricks that make them feel more like soundscapes than straightforward singles. Neil and Chris compare the hypnotic vocal phrasing in “Make Me Bad” to Faithless, and highlight how effects, delays and swimmy textures make the songs beautiful but harder to sing along with, which may be why the record feels less “hit packed” yet more immersive.
They also explore the role of intros and interludes like “Dead”, where bagpipes and dissonant tuning create tension before the band drops into those signature slabs of guitar. From Fieldy's percussive low B rumble to the interplay between live drums and programmed beats, they show how Korn pull from hip hop, industrial and metal to build a sound that was instantly recognisable and almost impossible to copy.
Issues captures Korn at a moment where commercial pressure, sobriety and personal demons all collided, resulting in a record that is less about obvious hooks and more about atmosphere, groove and honesty. Neil and Chris frame it as a turning point, a closing chapter on the band's early era and the start of a new phase where their sound, image and fan relationship were fully formed.
By connecting the album's claustrophobic riffs and dark lyrics to candid interviews about depression, anxiety, addiction and recovery, the episode underlines how Korn's music gave language and catharsis to fans wrestling with their own issues. It is a reminder that heavy music can be both a safe outlet and a lifeline, and that even the most intense records can be spaces for empathy and connection rather than escapism alone.
Perfect for: Fans who grew up on late 90s nu metal, listeners who love heavy groove with hip hop swing, tone nerds obsessed with bass and guitar production, and anyone curious how a dark, non single heavy album like Issues became a defining chapter in Korn's story.