Korn, Limp: Rock With No Surprises

>> Korn's Jonathan Davis dishes it out. >>

>> Sometimes Fred Durst surprises.   In fact, he surprises us a lot. Whether it’s strippers or tossing Britney’s salad, if it shocks and awes, behind the smoke you’ll find Durst and that million-dollar grin.

Sadly, at a recent sold-out performance at the Wiltern Auditorium, the surprise was in fact no surprise. Nothing happened.  No outbursts, no admissions of guilt, not even a salad toss. Can you believe it? This performance was actually about their latest release, Results May Vary. And all along we thought the best of Limp Bizkit was Durst’s off stage accomplishments.

And yes, Britney is an accomplishment.

It’s not our fault that we expect the worst from Durst or the fact that all of these antics overshadow this seminal rock band. To deal with Durst is like dealing with a little brother except for the fact that your little brother is usually not a prick of a rock-star loaded with cash.  Your expectations of grandeur for the lil’ (no pun intended) fellow are consciously removed in order to minimize disappointment. So when the little prick (pun intended) falls short of greatness, or in this case falls short of outrageousness, we are understandably a little disappointed.

>> Korn dish out their 'metallic sludge.' >>

Disappointment certainly did not describe show closers, Korn.   The Bakersfield quartet with their self described metallic sludge rock slammed fans with their signature bone crushing guitars and a set worth watching.  Also on the heels of a new record, Take a Look in the Mirror, Korn filled the hour plus performance with tracks from their five previous releases and paralyzed fans with hit after hit.

>> Do you recognize Fred without a hat? >>

Armed with bassist Fieldy with David Silveria banging away on drums sounding louder than a Gatling gun, guitarist Munky and Head matched lead singer Jonathon Davis in fervor.  It was intense, but also somewhat routine and static.

The Bizkit also performed to maximum strength with new guitarist, Mike Smith. They had somewhat more spontaneity than Korn and also banged out a battery of radio hits with maximum wattage on “Nookie” and “My Generation.”  Using a backdrop of stacked speakers with white speaker cones,  Durst and gang engaged fans with fists of fury and an occasional middle finger.

Most fans returned the gesture. >>