Korn's genre defining debut

The opening of this album fascinated me for about 2 years! It has to be one of the all time most classic openings to a metal album, the slow build up of tension is released in a downtuned, pummeling riff released when john davies (singer-korn) asks us "are we ready"?
The truth is that it is hard to be ready for this astounding album, the like of which korn have never really managed to produce properly again. There are absolutely no fillers on this album, it does not fade out after the legendary "blind", nor does John Davies show any sign of letting up as he produces the insane sounds that make up the chorus of "ball tongue" - which is where we are first properly introduced to the unique korn bass sound - this consists of rhythms slapped unusually fast at ridiculously low pitches on the bass. While it is simple, the bass sound is amazing, and the clicks produced enhance the sinister atmosphere of korn's music. The guitar sound is equally brilliant, ultra low (down tuned seven string guitars!) but nonetheless crisp, with intricate layers of sound and dissonance often crafted by the two guitarists.
While i would not describe korn's music as "rap metal" there are definitely hip hop elements to the sound, and korn were one of the first bands to do this; however i will make a point here that korn never ever sink to the unmusical level of football crowd shouting choruses etc, that are typical of most hip hop influenced metal bands. Whatever korn do they carry it off with style and energy, and the emotional content of the songs and John davieses voice are never dull or repetitive. For people new to metal who consider it "all shouting" this is perhaps a good listen, as many(not all) of the songs are entirely melodic and there are some really quite catchy tunes on this album!
It would take too long to carry on and go through every track; suffice to say that every single song which is on this album is a finely crafted masterpiece. Korn's songwriting skills and ross robinson's brilliant production make the depth and intricacy of this album amazing.
While not every single song seems this way immediately, several listens later you will understand. Every time i listen to this album on headphones, i discover some new effect, riff, production technique that i never heard before and in my opinion this is why this album is so great.
Not only does it contain some brilliant songs, delivered energeetically with real heartfelt emotion and some truly chilling moments, but it just gets better with every listen. Three years on from when i bought this cd, even though i don't really listen to other "nu-metal" bands any more, this album continues to be one of my all time favourites, and is a truly inspiring effort from one of the first bands to produce a sound like this.