Revolver has teamed with Portrayal of Guilt for an exclusive vinyl variant of their new album, Devil Music. Only 200 made — order yours now!
On the face of it, Portrayal of Guilt's challenging, experimental new LP, Devil Music, doesn't sound at all like a record made by Korn fans. It features five original blackened hardcore songs on Side A, and then reimaginings of those same five songs on Side B, with much of the traditional "metal band" instrumentation replaced by classical string section and brass horns. There's no scatting vocals or slap bass to be heard. Nonetheless, Portrayal of Guilt's vocalist-guitarist Matt King is, in fact, an unabashed Korn die-hard.
"Korn is one of the only bands whose songwriting has stuck with me since I first got into heavy music around third and fourth grade, thanks to MTV and the radio," King tells Revolver when we reach out to get his selections for his five fave Korn songs. "They've been a consistent favorite and hold a heavy influence on my own songwriting. No one has ever and will never do it the way they did. To ask me to pick my top five is a disservice, so I'll pick five that come to mind first ..."
"Helmet in the Bush"
Rare industrial metal Korn track. Replace the vocals with Justin Broadrick's and it's Godflesh.
"A.D.I.D.A.S."
Highly influential riffs throughout, but the hook is what makes this track. Guitar, vocals, etc. I have always imagined this going hard in a strip club. I hope to one day write a song just as suitable, on some real rocker shit.
"Ass Itch"
I relate to this song because it's about writing, lyrics in this case. The least enjoyable thing about writing music, in my opinion. The main riff throughout is one of my all-time favorites, and the demented pick scraping at the end seals the deal.
"Pretty"
The verses remind me of Dystopia musically, which is why I like this song so much, but as a whole it's incredible, not to mention the vocals are perfectly executed. The story behind the lyrics is disturbing but adds to why this is such a unique song.
"No Way"
This is genuinely one of my favorite Korn songs of all time. The way the tone and effects on the main riff shift throughout is perfect. When the vocals kick in at the end, it brings a fucking tear to my eye. Track is a masterpiece.
