Start the Healing

Last updated

"Start the Healing"
Single by Korn
from the album Requiem
ReleasedNovember 11, 2021 (2021-11-11)
Recorded2021
Studio Buck Owens Studio, Bakersfield, California
Genre
Length3:28
Label Loma Vista
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Chris Collier [3]
Korn singles chronology
"Finally Free"
(2020)
"Start the Healing"
(2021)
"Worst Is On Its Way"
(2022)

"Start the Healing" is a song by American nu metal band Korn, released as the first single from their fourteenth studio album Requiem . The song topped Active Rock chart in mid-February.

Contents

Background

Just like it was done with You'll Never Find Me , the lead single from their prior album, the release of this single came alongside the revealing of the album cover for Requiem, [4] the album's release date [5] and its track listing, [5] revealing Start the Healing to again be the third track on the album.

Music video

The music video for Start the Healing was directed by Tim Saccenti, known for his work with Run the Jewels, [6] Flying Lotus and Depeche Mode. [7] 3D artist Anthony Ciannamea also assisted with visuals. [6] The music video was leaked a day ahead of its intended release, revealing Fieldy's absence from the video. It amassed over 500,000 views within the first 24 hours of its official release. [8]

Featuring scenes described as "ethereal" and "otherworldly", [4] the music video is largely influenced by surrealism and body horror. [6] The band is seen playing throughout, among the presence of humanoid entities, mutating beasts, and what appear to be aliens. [9] [10]

"Our idea for this video was to mutate that aspect of the DNA of Korn, of what makes them so inspiring, their mix of raw power and transportive aesthetics and human emotion.
I wanted to take the viewer on an emotional journey, as the song does, a visceral, cathartic death and rebirth that will hopefully help transport the listener through whatever their personal struggles are.
Collaborating with 3D artist Anthony Ciannamea, we tapped into Korn's mythology and explored their vast well of light and darkness to create a surreal, liminal-pace body-horror nightmare."

- Tim Saccenti [3] [4] [6] [7] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Promotion

Korn had teased the release of this single earlier in the month through purchasing billboards [4] worldwide [14] featuring the band's logo on a gray static background, with a QR code and the song's name in the lower right quadrant. Specific sightings of billboards had been made in Camden, London, [15] and Crowbar, Sydney. [16] Upon scanning this QR code, mobile telephone users would be redirected to an augmented-reality Instagram [12] filter featuring a 3D model of a hand grasping a baby's face from the top, [15] a graphic which would be later revealed to be the focus of the Requiem album cover. This filter was also posted about by the band's associated social media accounts.

Cryptic promotional video snippets by the band heavily referenced "11:11", [17] which would eventually turn out to be the release date of the song, as well as the symbol for infinity.

Composition

The start of the song features a gradually loudening, staccato guitar riff. [8] [18]

A "rollercoaster in dynamics", [11] the song is said to evoke what is described as a "push-pull dynamic to create a sense of nervous tension". [17]

Jonathan Davis' vocals on this song, particularly in the verses, are said to be relatively soft, contrasting against the harsher tone of the instrumentation. [17] The vocals during the chorus, however, feature a much more intense vocal performance [14] [19] backed by "powerchords and massive-sounding octave lines". [11]

Davis' vocals later turn into characteristically much more raspy yells during the bridge. [8]

Reception

While mostly positively received, accounts of its connection to Korn's earlier material has been mixed. A Brooklyn Vegan review of the single states it "nails a balance between sounding like classic Korn and feeling fresh", [6] with Rock Cellar Magazine reinforcing this sentiment, comparing it to a mixture between more recent albums and Untouchables . [13] It has also been considered a return to their roots. [8] A Louder Sound review, contrarianly, asserts "it doesn't really sound like a Korn song." [9] The song's hook appears to be one of its most widely praised aspects. [8] [13]

Axl Rosenberg of MetalSucks, though by his own admission not a Korn fan, wrote highly of the song, saying it "might be the best thing they’ve ever done." [19]

It was elected by Loudwire as the 19th best metal song of 2021. [20]

Personnel

Korn

Other personnel

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Staind</span> American rock band

Staind is an American rock band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki. The lineup has been stable outside of the 2011 departure of Wysocki, who was replaced by Sal Giancarelli. Staind has recorded and released eight studio albums: Tormented (1996), Dysfunction (1999), Break the Cycle (2001), 14 Shades of Grey (2003), Chapter V (2005), The Illusion of Progress (2008), Staind (2011), and Confessions of the Fallen (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korn</span> American nu metal band

Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, originally formed in 1993 by James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu and David Silveria, who were members of the band L.A.P.D. Their current lineup features Shaffer (guitar), Arvizu (bass), Brian "Head" Welch (guitar), Jonathan Davis (vocals), and Ray Luzier (drums), the last of whom replaced Silveria in 2007. The band is notable for pioneering and popularizing the nu metal genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trapt</span> American rock band

Trapt is an American rock band formed in Los Gatos, California. Nine studio albums have been recorded to date: Amalgamation (1999), Trapt (2002), Someone in Control (2005), Only Through the Pain (2008), No Apologies (2010), Reborn (2013), DNA (2016), Shadow Work (2020), and their newest album The Fall (2024) was released in May. Its lineup for all studio recordings have consisted of Chris Taylor Brown (vocals) and Pete Charell (bass), with various members filling other roles over the course of their career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avenged Sevenfold</span> American heavy metal band

Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1999. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist M. Shadows, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, bassist Johnny Christ, and drummer Brooks Wackerman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reginald Arvizu</span> American bassist

Reginald Quincy Arvizu, also known as "Fieldy", is an American musician, best known as the bassist for nu metal band Korn. He is also the guitarist/bassist for rock band StillWell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In This Moment</span> American rock band

In This Moment is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed by singer Maria Brink and guitarist Chris Howorth in 2005. They found drummer Jeff Fabb and started the band as Dying Star. Unhappy with their musical direction, they changed their name to In This Moment and gained two band members, guitarist Blake Bunzel and bassist Josh Newell. In 2005, bassist Newell left the band and was replaced by Jesse Landry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asking Alexandria</span> English rock band

Asking Alexandria are an English rock band formed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and now based in York, North Yorkshire, consisting of guitarist Cameron Liddell, drummer James Cassells, vocalist Danny Worsnop, and bassist Sam Bettley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avatar (band)</span> Swedish metal band

Avatar is a Swedish heavy metal band, formed in Mölndal, Gothenburg in 2001. The band has released nine studio albums, the most recent being Dance Devil Dance in 2023. The band has had some success on US rock radio, notably with their song "New Land", which peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in May 2017 and "The Dirt I'm Buried In" peaking at number 1 of the same chart in August 2023, making it the song with the longest journey to number 1 in the last 20 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love and Death (band)</span> American Christian metal band

Love and Death is an American Christian metal band formed by Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. The group was officially announced in February 2012 as a re-branding of Welch's solo music project.

"Chaos Lives in Everything" is a song by American nu metal band Korn and dubstep artist Skrillex, released as the final single from their tenth studio album The Path of Totality.

"Rotting in Vain" is a song by American nu metal band Korn. Written by the band and produced by Nick Raskulinecz, it was featured on the band's 2016 twelfth studio album The Serenity of Suffering. The song was also released as the lead single from the album on July 22, 2016, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart and number 26 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart. It was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ded (band)</span> American nu metal band

Ded is an American nu metal band from Tempe, Arizona made up of members from Greeley Estates and Man Made Machine. The band released its debut track "FMFY" in December 2016 with production by John Feldmann. Ded followed up with its first radio single "Anti-Everything" on February 3, 2017 with an exclusive premiere on Sirius XM Octane.

"Take Me" is a single by American nu metal band Korn, from their studio album, The Serenity of Suffering. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in April 2017.

"Black Is the Soul" is a song by American nu metal band Korn. It was their third single off of their twelfth studio album The Serenity of Suffering. It peaked at number 10 on the Billboard US Mainstream Rock Songs chart in November 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poppy discography</span> Artist discography

The discography of American singer Poppy consists of five studio albums, one reissue, three soundtrack albums, six extended plays (EPs), 42 singles, two promotional singles, and 37 music videos. Signed to Island Records in 2014, she would release her debut single "Everybody Wants to Be Poppy" in June 2015. Her debut EP, Bubblebath, would go on to be released in February 2016, and included the critically acclaimed single "Lowlife".

<i>The Nothing</i> (Korn album) 2019 studio album by Korn

The Nothing is the thirteenth studio album by American nu metal band Korn. It was released on September 13, 2019, through Roadrunner and Elektra. The album was produced by Nick Raskulinecz.

"You'll Never Find Me" is a song by American nu metal band Korn, released as the lead single from their thirteenth studio album The Nothing.

This article summarizes the events related to rock music for the year of 2022.

<i>Requiem</i> (Korn album) 2022 studio album by Korn

Requiem is the fourteenth studio album by American nu metal band Korn. The album was released on February 4, 2022, through Loma Vista and Concord. It was produced by the band and Chris Collier.

"Can You Hear Me" is a song by American nu metal band Korn, released as the penultimate single from their thirteenth studio album The Nothing.

References

  1. "Korn continue their nu-metal supremacy with spicy new jam 'Start the Healing'". November 11, 2021.
  2. "Korn Announce New Album for February, Reveal First Single". November 11, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "KORN To Release Requiem Album In February; "Start The Healing" Music Video Streaming". Bravewords.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Korn announce new album 'Requiem' with the single 'Start The Healing'". Nme.com. November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Korn drop new song, "Start The Healing" (video)". NextMosh.com. November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Korn announce new album 'Requiem,' share new song (exclusive silver vinyl pre-order)". BrooklynVegan.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  7. 1 2 The Editor (November 15, 2021). "KORN // Announce New Album, Share Lead Single". Hysteriamag.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Korn Releases New Single "Start the Healing" Ahead of 14th Studio Album". Musicfestnews.com. November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 Scarlett, Elizabeth (November 11, 2021). "Korn announce new album Requiem, share first track Start The Healing". Loudersound.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Legaspi, Althea (November 11, 2021). "Korn Preview New Album 'Requiem' With 'Start the Healing' Video". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 Roche, Sam (November 11, 2021). "Korn announce 14th studio album Requiem, share brooding first single, Start the Healing". Guitarworld.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Korn Announce Requiem, Share 'Start the Healing'". Spin.com. November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  13. 1 2 3 "Korn Debuts "Start the Healing," New Album 'Requiem' in February". Rockcellarmagazine.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  14. 1 2 "Hear Korn's Cathartic New Song "Start the Healing"". Revolvermag.com. November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  15. 1 2 "Korn are teasing something with mystery billboards and AR filter". Planetradio.co.uk. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  16. Aarons, Ricky (November 9, 2021). "KoRn Are Teasing Something With Posters Spotted in Sydney + Melbourne". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  17. 1 2 3 DiVita, Joe. "Fans React to Korn's New Song 'Start the Healing'". Loudwire.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  18. "Korn announce new album Requiem, unleash first single "Start the Healing": Stream". Consequence.net. November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  19. 1 2 "Korn Announce New Album Requiem, Release Single "Start the Healing"". MetalSucks.net. November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  20. Al-Sharif, Rabab; DiVita, Joe; Hartmann, Graham; Richardson, Jake; Trapp, Philip; Summan, Yasmine (December 6, 2021). "The 35 Best Metal Songs of 2021". Loudwire . Townsquare Media . Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Korn – Start the Healing". November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 via YouTube.
  22. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 11 November 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1688. Australian Recording Industry Association. December 27, 2022. pp. 7, 10.
  23. "CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock" (select "Top 20 Modern Rock" into the search box, then select "202321"). hitparada.ifpicr.cz. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  24. "Deutsche Alternative Charts - Week: 52 Year: 2021 Category: Single". Deutsche Alternative Charts. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  25. "Korn Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  26. "Korn Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  27. "Year-End Charts: Rock & Alternative Airplay (2022)". Billboard . Retrieved December 2, 2022.