The Path of Totality

The album features production by Skrillex, Datsik, Feed Me, Excision, 12th Planet, Downlink, Kill the Noise, and Noisia. Monti, and Datsik contributed to the mixing process. The band recorded The Path of Totality with electronic producers back in Davis' home studio in Bakersfield during inspired sessions. It was revealed by Jonathan Davis that vocals were actually tracked in the singer's home theater or in closets and hotels everywhere from Korea to Japan.

File:Skrillex Ottawa Bluesfest.jpg on the album]]

The Path of Totality is claimed by the band to be a fusion of their traditional sound with dubstep.{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/korn/60697 |title=Korn preview new 'dubstep' album 'The Path Of Totality' online | News |work=NME |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=December 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202210342/http://www.nme.com/news/korn/60697 |url-status=live }} Korn collaborated with a number of producers for the album with each producing their own individual tracks. Roadrunner released the following statement: {{cquote|The Path of Totality is unlike any previous Korn release; it's an experimental record which finds the band shifting gears and exploring new territory. For the record, Korn collaborated with some of the leading dubstep and electronic music producers in the world, including Skrillex, Excision, Datsik, Noisia, Kill the Noise, and 12th Planet. The result is something completely new, yet utterly and definitively Korn.}}

Korn frontman Jonathan Davis describes the new album as "very well-rounded, with a mix of mellow, upbeat tracks; possibly the most well-proportioned Korn album of all time." In a new biography on Roadrunner Records' official website, Jonathan Davis declares The Path of Totality as "future metal". "We're mixing metal and electro music, and you're not supposed to do that. Since day one, Korn has always been all about going against the grain, experimenting, and trying to take music different places."{{dead link|date=June 2012}}

The album title was revealed as The Path of Totality. "The title The Path of Totality refers to the fact that in order to see the sun in a full solar eclipse, you must be in the exact right place in the exact right time," says Jonathan Davis, explaining the story behind the name. "That's how this album came together. I think all the producers feel the same way. I'm not sure it could ever happen again."{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/korn/59480 |title=Korn announce new dubstep album 'The Path Of Totality' | News |work=NME |date=28 September 2011 |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=December 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219061059/http://www.nme.com/news/korn/59480 |url-status=live }}

Munky stated; "I wanted to come up with a name that felt otherworldly," Shaffer explained. "A shadow is cast on the earth when a solar eclipse occurs. The moon has to be perfectly aligned with the sun to create this flawless shadow that completely covers the sun from the earth. Similarly, all of the producers and writers had to come together at the perfect time to cast these songs onto tape."{{cite web |url=http://www.theprp.com/2011/11/30/news/korn-speak-on-dubstep-new-album-title-choice-get-slammed-by-bring-me-the-horizon-guitarist/ |title=Korn Speak On Dubstep, New Album Title Choice; Get Slammed By Bring Me The Horizon Guitarist | Theprp.com – Metal, Hardcore And Rock News, Reviews And More |website=Theprp.com |date=November 30, 2011 |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=January 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103083957/http://www.theprp.com/2011/11/30/news/korn-speak-on-dubstep-new-album-title-choice-get-slammed-by-bring-me-the-horizon-guitarist/ |url-status=live }}

The album is a standard 11-track album, with the deluxe edition featuring extra songs and The Encounter as a bonus DVD. The band's website also offered special pre-order packages that include a Path of Totality T-shirt and signed lithograph as well as the CD/DVD deluxe combo. Hot Topic offered a signed lithograph with pre-orders for a limited time.{{cite web |url=http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/Music/Mp3CDs/NewReleases//Korn+-+The+Path+Of+Totality+Deluxe+CDDVD-377460.jsp |title=New Releases | CDs & VINYL | Music |website=Hottopic.com |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=March 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325000357/http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/Music/Mp3CDs/NewReleases//Korn+-+The+Path+Of+Totality+Deluxe+CDDVD-377460.jsp |url-status=live }}

{{More citations needed section|date=January 2012}}

Korn commenced a world tour to promote the album named The Path of Totality Tour, which offers special VIP packages.{{cite web|author=Sebastien |url=http://www.korn.com/news/47591 |title=Korn to Release 'The Path of Totality' in December, Tour in November |publisher=Korn |access-date=2012-01-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101083711/http://www.korn.com/news/47591 |archive-date=January 1, 2012}}{{cite web|author=eddyctrl |url=http://www.korn.com/news/47743 |title=VIP Packages Now Available at Korn.com! |publisher=Korn |access-date=2012-01-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106023920/http://www.korn.com/news/47743 |archive-date=January 6, 2012 }} "Get Up!" was released as a promotional single, becoming a top ten hit on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs chart and would be featured in the soundtrack for EA Sports video game Madden NFL 12. The digital single has sold over 200,000 downloads in the US according to Nielsen SoundScan. A lyric video for the single was released on YouTube which accumulated over 3 million views and more than 35,000 likes. The second single, "Narcissistic Cannibal", was released to radio stations and digital music outlets on October 18 and 24, respectively;{{cite web|url=http://www.harddriveradio.com/Today-s-Dirt/3803425 |title=Today's Dirt |website=HardDrive Radio |date=14 September 2011 |access-date=2011-09-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203195031/http://www.harddriveradio.com/Today-s-Dirt/3803425 |archive-date=February 3, 2010 }} a music video was filmed in Hollywood by ShadowMachine (Moral Orel, Robot Chicken). A number of new songs have been added to the tour's setlist, including "Kill Mercy Within", "My Wall", and "Way Too Far". "Narcissistic Cannibal" leaked onto YouTube on October 11. It was later released for free download on Korn's official website as a WAV file. A lyric video was also released on both Korn's official YouTube channel and Roadrunner's channel as well. It has since accumulated more than 461,000 views and 6,200 likes. Hot Topic premiered a new track, "Sanctuary", on November 16. Roadrunner Records and Korn started streaming the album in full on December 1, as well as offering lead single "Get Up!" as a free download. "Way Too Far" and "Chaos Lives in Everything" were released as the album's third and fourth singles, respectively.

{{Music ratings

| MC = 58/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2score = F

| rev3 = IGN

| rev3score = 7.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/05/korn-the-path-of-totality-review|title=Korn: The Path Of Totality Review|publisher=IGN|last=Grischow|first=Chad|date=December 5, 2011|access-date=November 23, 2012|archive-date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202115350/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/05/korn-the-path-of-totality-review|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = The List

| rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6score = 6/10

| rev7 = PopMatters

| rev7score = 7/10{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/152176-korn-the-path-of-totality/ |title=Korn – The Path of Totality |author=Dane Prokofiev |publisher=PopMatters.com |date=10 January 2012 |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=January 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117130613/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/152176-korn-the-path-of-totality/ |url-status=live }}

| rev9 = Spin

| rev9score = 7/10

| rev10 = Sputnikmusic

| rev10score = {{rating|0.5|5}}

}}

The album received mixed reviews.{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-path-of-totality |title=The Path of Totality Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=December 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207125444/http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-path-of-totality |url-status=live }} Rock Sound gave the album an 8/10 rating, remarking that "It may not be perfect, but Korn have thrown caution to the wind and set out an impressive template for a future sound, for a band doing that nearly 20 years into their career, they deserve your respect". They do note however that the album sounds "a little formulaic" and "monotonous" at times.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}} Spin gave the album a 7/10, saying "Thing is, dubstep's slithering textures actually suit Davis' demented croon".{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Mikael |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/korn-path-totality-roadrunner |title=Korn, 'The Path of Totality' (Roadrunner) |work=Spin |date=6 December 2011 |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=December 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202004948/http://www.spin.com/reviews/korn-path-totality-roadrunner |url-status=live }} Henry Northmore from The List gave the album a rating of 4/5 saying that "the purists (both metal and dubstep) will probably hate it, but if you are willing to have your brain assaulted from every direction by a new Frankensteinian metal/beats hybrid, you'll find an album packed with pure adrenaline".{{cite web |last=Northmore |first=Henry |url=http://www.list.co.uk/article/38914-korn-the-path-of-totality/ |title=Korn – The Path of Totality – Blistering new dubstep direction from the nu metal overlords |work=The List |date=25 November 2011 |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=November 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129183814/http://www.list.co.uk/article/38914-korn-the-path-of-totality/ |url-status=live }} AllMusic gave the album 4/5 saying that "despite all the electronics, there's no mistaking The Path of Totality as a Korn album...and one of their better ones to boot".{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Stephen |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-path-of-totality-r2311367/review |title=The Path of Totality – Korn |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107233526/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-path-of-totality-r2311367/review |url-status=live }}

Alistair Lawrence from BBC Music criticized the album saying that "once the novelty of the squelching, space-aged din they've birthed fades, what's apparent is how little Korn have to say for themselves these days".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/8qd3 |title=Music – Review of Korn – The Path of Totality |publisher=BBC |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308100143/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/8qd3/ |url-status=live }} Sputnikmusic strongly criticized the album giving it a score of 0.5/5 stating that "The Path Of Totality is a truly horrible album, built on a foundation of tired and overwrought stereotypes put together not by just a clueless band, but a bunch of equally confused artists who truly have no proper understanding of the genre they claim to be a part of".{{cite web |author=Deviant. |url=http://sputnikmusic.com/review/46804/Korn-The-Path-of-Totality/ |title=Korn – The Path of Totality (staff review) |website=Sputnikmusic |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721164933/http://sputnikmusic.com/review/46804/Korn-The-Path-of-Totality/ |url-status=live }} No Ripcord gave the album a 1/10 stating that "it is samey, ugly and spectacularly stupid at the same time".{{cite web |url=http://www.noripcord.com/reviews/music/korn/path-totality |title=Korn: The Path Of Totality – Music Review |website=No Ripcord |date=22 December 2011 |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112112100/http://www.noripcord.com/reviews/music/korn/path-totality |url-status=live }} Jason Heller from The A.V. Club gave the album an 'F', stating: "To Korn's credit, The Path Of Totality is its most radical reinvention to date. It's also the worst slab of sludge it ever shat."{{cite web |last=Heller |first=Jason |url=https://www.avclub.com/korn-the-path-of-totality-1798170812 |title=Korn: The Path Of Totality |work=The A.V. Club |date=13 December 2011 |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=January 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105005708/http://www.avclub.com/articles/korn-the-path-of-totality,66406/ |url-status=live }}NME gave the album a 6/10 saying that it's "not quite a car crash, but a near miss" and jokingly asking: "What do you do when you're 10 albums into your career, sliding down festival bills and trying to bury the tag of creators of a genre you now despise? If you're Korn, you Google '2011 music' and rope in a bunch of DJs for a 'dubstep' album, of course".{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/korn/12520 |title=NME Album Reviews – Album Review: Korn – 'The Path Of Totality' |author=Tom Goodwyn |work=NME |date=2 December 2011 |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-date=December 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207014318/http://www.nme.com/reviews/korn/12520 |url-status=live }}

On April 11, 2012, The Path of Totality won "Album of the Year" at the 2012 Revolver Golden Gods Awards. This was Korn's first ever win at the Golden Gods Awards.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/2012-revolver-golden-gods-award-winners-and-performances/|title=2012 Revolver Golden Gods Award Winners and Performances|website=Loudwire|date=April 12, 2012 |access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-date=April 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413220510/http://loudwire.com/2012-revolver-golden-gods-award-winners-and-performances/|url-status=live}}

{{Track listing| headline=Standard edition{{cite web|title=Korn – Path of Totality|url=https://www.amazon.com/Path-Totality-Special-Explicit/dp/B006BZ8WAI/|website=Amazon.com|access-date=November 22, 2011|archive-date=November 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127181504/http://www.amazon.com/Path-Totality-Special-Explicit/dp/B006BZ8WAI|url-status=live}}

| extra_column=Producer(s)

| title1=Chaos Lives in Everything | note1=featuring Skrillex | extra1={{hlist|Skrillex|Jim Monti {{small|(add.)}}}} | length1=3:47

| title2=Kill Mercy Within | note2=featuring Noisia | extra2={{hlist|Noisia|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}}} | length2=3:35

| title3=My Wall | note3=featuring Excision | extra3={{hlist|Excision|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}|Downlink {{small|(add.)}}}} | length3=2:55

| title4=Narcissistic Cannibal | note4=featuring Skrillex and Kill the Noise | extra4={{hlist|Skrillex|Kill the Noise {{small|(add.)}}|Jim Monti {{small|(add.)}}}} | length4=3:10

| title5=Illuminati | note5=featuring Excision and Downlink | extra5={{hlist|Excision|Downlink|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}}} | length5=3:16

| title6=Burn the Obedient | note6=featuring Noisia | extra6={{hlist|Noisia|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}}} | length6=2:38

| title7=Sanctuary | note7=featuring Downlink | extra7={{hlist|Downlink|J Devil {{small|(co.)}}|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}}} | length7=3:24

| title8=Let's Go | note8=featuring Noisia| extra8={{hlist|Noisia|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}}} | length8=2:40

| title9=Get Up! | note9=featuring Skrillex | extra9={{hlist|Skrillex|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}}} | length9=3:42

| title10=Way Too Far | note10=featuring 12th Planet and Flinch{{efn|"Way Too Far" is erroneously credited featuring 12th Planet in the CD album. It is officially credited featuring 12th Planet and Flinch as used in the single and most digital versions of the album.}} | extra10={{hlist|12th Planet|Flinch|Downlink {{small|(co.)}}|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}}} | length10=3:49

| title11=Bleeding Out | note11=featuring Feed Me | extra11={{hlist|Feed Me|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}}} | length11=4:49

| total_length = 37:45

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese edition bonus track{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/21137671-Korn-The-Path-Of-Totality|title = Korn – The Path Of Totality|website = Discogs| date=November 30, 2011 }}

| title12 = Narcissistic Cannibal (The Juggernaut Remix)

| note12 =featuring Skrillex and Kill the Noise

| length12 = 3:34

| total_length = 41:19

}}

{{Track listing | headline=Special edition bonus tracks | extra_column=Producer(s) |

| title12=Fuels the Comedy | note12=featuring Kill the Noise | extra12={{hlist|Kill the Noise|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}}} | length12=2:49

| title13=Tension | note13=featuring Excision, Datsik, and Downlink| extra13={{hlist|Excision|Datsik|Downlink|J Devil|Jim Monti {{small|(co.)}}}} | length13=3:56

| total_length = 44:30

}}

• {{small|(co.) denotes co-producer}}
• {{small|(add.) denotes additional production}}
• The special edition DVD features the complete Korn Live: The Encounter performance.

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

• Jonathan Davis – lead vocals
• James "Munky" Shaffer – guitars, backing vocals
• Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu – bass, additional guitars
• Ray Luzier – drums, percussion

{{div-col}}

• Skrillex ("Chaos Lives in Everything", "Narcissistic Cannibal" and "Get Up!")
• Datsik ("Tension")
• Feed Me ("Bleeding Out")
• Excision ("My Wall", "Illuminati" and "Tension")
• 12th Planet ("Way Too Far")
• Downlink ("Illuminati", "Sanctuary" and "Tension")
• Kill the Noise ("Narcissistic Cannibal" and "Fuels the Comedy")
• Noisia ("Kill Mercy Within", "Burn the Obedient" and "Let's Go")
• Jonathan Davis – executive producer, additional production ("Sanctuary")
• Jim Monti – engineering, mixing, additional production
• Downlink – mixing
• Datsik – mixing ("Tension")
• Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound, NYC
• ROBOTO – cover design
• Edward O'Dowd – package design

{{div-col-end}}

The Path of Totality sold 55,000 copies in its first week to debut at number 10 on the Billboard 200,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/41927/michael-bubles-christmas-stays-atop-billboard-200-black-keys-hit-no-2|title=Michael Buble's 'Christmas' Stays Atop Billboard 200, Black Keys Hit No. 2|magazine=Billboard|date=14 December 2011|access-date=2011-12-14|archive-date=May 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514213852/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/41927/michael-bubles-christmas-stays-atop-billboard-200-black-keys-hit-no-2|url-status=live}} making it Korn's eleventh album to peak within the top 10. The album has sold 270,000 copies in the US as of January 4, 2013 according to Nielsen SoundScan.

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Category:2011 albums

Category:Korn albums

Category:Roadrunner Records albums