Untouchables? A little on the arrogant side, maybe, but then even their harshest critics would admit that Korn have earned the right to feel just a touch pleased with themselves. Having pioneered the nu-metal genre long before it became fashionable, the Californian rockers are now surfing a massive commercial wave - and this violently morbid new album could well be their crowning moment. Vocalist Jonathan Davis has never been known as a particularly happy guy, but this time around he's really excelled himself, turning in a remarkably convincing impression of a man on the edge of a severe nervous breakdown. Yet while this is reputed to be one of the most expensive records ever made, Korn haven't allowed the elaborate production to overwhelm their songwriting, which is consistently impressive throughout. A noisy, grungy feast of hip-hop beats and sledgehammer guitars, Untouchables is a compelling blast of venomous energy that should see Korn comfortably maintain their reputation as America's premier exponents of gothic angst.
