10 Greatest Nu Metal Albums Of All Time
2. Korn: Korn (1994)
The genesis of nu metal can be found right here in Korn’s manic debut. By the mid-90s, metal was on something of a creative slump. Hybrid sound had become a trend in rock music thanks to the likes of Rage Against The Machine and Faith No More. Thanks to Korn, this musical experiment made its way into metal and the foundations of the nu metal craze were laid.
Jonathan Davis’ lyrics delve deep into disturbing subject matters including drugs, bullying and child abuse. The unease of such lyrics is enhanced by the gritty riffs of guitarists Brian ‘Head’ Welch, James ‘Munky’ Schaffer and bassist Reginald ‘Fieldy’ Arvizu. Capturing the angst and disenchantment of the Generation X crowd, Korn started a musical movement when lead single Blind came out.
Numerous major groups in the years after acknowledged Korn’s debut as a vital influence including Coal Chamber, Slipknot, Sepultura and Limp Bizkit. On top of launching Korn as a premier act, the LP also established producer Ross Robinson as the real deal. Robinson would go on to work with the likes of Deftones, The Cure and Machine Head.
Not only is Korn the first, it remains one of the finest.