Jonathan Davis, Black Labyrinth - album review
His is one of the most distinctive voices in music, that rasping half-scream that has powered the hits of KoRn since 1994.
He always seems to have something to say, something to give, and this first fully solo record from the Californian does not disappoint.
Read an interview with Jonathan Davis ahead of his performance at Download Festival here.
KoRn fans, breathe a sigh of relief. There is enough here to appease your love of the uber popular nu metal giants. But also fear not. There is so much more here to this expansive sound - mainly Eastern influences through long percussion instrumentals and huge, classically-infused choruses.
Oh, and fear not again - nothing from KoRn's weird dub phase.
This is a riff-heavy record full of the aggression and unhappiness at life's pitfalls that made his band's lyrics so popular.
Basic Needs takes his painfully sharp writing and lifts it higher and higher through that soaring chorus. A big orchestral accompaniment grows the sound further into a swirling beauty of a tune.
Medicate couldn't be more different. Almost understated in its sound, that dark and reverberating bassline will freak out even the bravest of souls. A drifting chorus punctuates the gloom and suddenly we float atop high-reaching synths like a vampiric funeral.
For those that like their music heavier there is Underneath My Skin. This is where KoRn fans may be happiest. Jangling guitars that skit about frenetically sound almost haunting at times as Jonathan shouts over some heavy-hitting percussion during the break-downs.
Happiness has some fantastic melodies. It sounds like a duet with Josh Homme. And again, another roaring chorus really rips at the spine with that fantastic riff. This will be a beast of a track live.
Walk On By is another loud and brash number. Especially with the hard-hitting outro that really slams in with a dance-beat that demands your body move with it.
And while encompassing more of a stadium sound - or perhaps a dark musical - The Secret takes some of the same elements but strains out the aggression. It's Walk On By's softer, more sensual sibling if you like. Smooth and seductive.
The changing nature of the record never sounds out of place. And we hope JDevil might grace us with some of these inner thoughts again some time. They sound great.
Rating: 8/10
Jonathan Davis will be on the bill at Download Festival at Donnington Park on June 8
