Review Summary: This album is incomparable to any other of its time, or time to come. Its excellence is hindered by the fact that it leaves its follower abandoned.
Korn has ultimately been through quite a bit even though it’s only their 3rd record. The everlasting awe fans found themselves in is just about wrapped up in this album. 'Follow the Leader' couldn't possibly have been released a better time. At the time, nu-metal was flourishing, and the cauldron of masterpieces in the nu-metal industry was filled to the brink. 'Follow the Leader' would be considered another faithful addition to this seemingly, endless collection. But 'Follow the Leader' has taken a different route, far different than could've been imagined.
This album carries right away into what Korn really is. 'It's on' shows Korn's typical heavy side, however we notice a small side of an electronic/industrial sound in the background behind 'Head's' typical rhythm guitar style. 'Freak on a Leash' is the end-all-be-all of nu-metal impressions. It compiles all of the required aspects for justification of the label. I honestly believe though, it happened too soon in the album. There is still an entire album filled with amazing styles, amazing titles. But as many blessings there are in this album, there is a reflection of situations that seemed to have slipped many minds.
All the way to 'All in the Family', Korn has managed to enjoy their experimentation, make their touch-ups, and craft this damn near perfect album of the century. But, something happened. 'Reclaim My Place' is the beginning of the end for this album. Do NOT get me wrong, these songs show as much deepness and emotional reasoning as the previous content, if not, then more. But Korn dives too well, and overall, too deep into this trance. It would have been better for them to have waited to compile these tracks into 'Issues' and escape the fatality that is presented in the end.
'Seed' should have, in the long run, been the end of this album. But Korn goes on with 'Cameltosis' and goes practically insane from then on. 'My Gift to You' is very dark, extremely dark. And probably does the best at putting the listener back on track, but the hidden track 'Earache My Eye' takes whatever control the album had, and rapes it in the butt. It leaves the listener in an unconscious-like state. It’s almost as if 'Follow the Leader' is part 1 of the compilation that ends with 'Issues'. But wherever 'Follow the Leader' leaves off, it still makes for a fantastic listen. This album is definitely a must have for any Korn fan, hardcore or not. It is after all, the height of the nu-metal genre.
To conclude, Korn have without a doubt premastered the effect of darkness and desire. Even though the lyrics are something Korn have always stuck with, it doesn’t get quite old enough to ignore this masterpiece. The instruments are perfectly composed with the rest of their distortions they have decided to add.
