The Paradigm Shift
by Korn
  • Record Label: Caroline
  • Release Date: Oct 8, 2013
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 78
  3. Negative: 6 out of 78
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Gorlandi
    Nov 13, 2013
    7
    Unsure where the paradigm shift is. This album is essentially what you have come to expect from Korn. I would say that this album is maybe a little lighter than their older stuff, but it is still better than their dubstep album.
  2. Drkitt
    Jan 3, 2014
    9
    Experimentation is the key word for Korn last album, the band from Bakersfield take a risk evolving the sound of the predecessor album The Path of Totality. The Reunion with Brian 'Head' brings a more nervous and stronger sound. Ray Luziers's drum gives substance and energy to Munky and Fieldy's groove while Jonathan Davis confirms his levels of inspiration. Prey for me, love and meth andExperimentation is the key word for Korn last album, the band from Bakersfield take a risk evolving the sound of the predecessor album The Path of Totality. The Reunion with Brian 'Head' brings a more nervous and stronger sound. Ray Luziers's drum gives substance and energy to Munky and Fieldy's groove while Jonathan Davis confirms his levels of inspiration. Prey for me, love and meth and Mass Hysteria are songs that definitely are "here to stay". The Paradigm Shift is one of the best 2013 album.… Expand
  3. Va_Loot
    Feb 6, 2014
    10
    This is my first review and felt like I needed to get this out there. Paradigm shift (if you are an old school KoRn fan) is a fantastic album. It blends a lot of the old school hard riffing and removes that dub step nonsense. You can tell Head is back as the guitars are fuller and heavy. The band was never the same after he left. Say what you will about their first single, this is anThis is my first review and felt like I needed to get this out there. Paradigm shift (if you are an old school KoRn fan) is a fantastic album. It blends a lot of the old school hard riffing and removes that dub step nonsense. You can tell Head is back as the guitars are fuller and heavy. The band was never the same after he left. Say what you will about their first single, this is an amazing album that should be looked as the perfect successor to Take a Look in the Mirror.
    People need to get off their high horse. This album is KoRn and there is no mistaking that. Waited 8 long years for this. Thank you KoRn.    … Expand
  4. Aijixe
    Sep 24, 2015
    8
    It took a second try, but Korn have bounced back into what made them so great in the 90s and 00s. Korn III was a fine album on its own, but The Paradigm Shift is the nu-metal pioneer's real return to form.
  5. rjmacready
    May 30, 2022
    7
    It's been a long time between new(-ish!) Korn albums for me, and my oh my...their sound hasn't changed one iota (despite the album's title)! I'm sure this is reassuring for some, but I have to ask: how OLD are these guys by now? And how wealthy?

    Here's hoping they find some serenity in their fifties! It can't be pleasant to be that miserable ALL the time...
  6. Colgate
    Jul 7, 2014
    8
    Can definitevly see how korn is coming back. This album is amazing because it mixes all of the other ones. Its got dark lyrics in "Lullaby for a sadist" some interesting riffs, a tiny bit of dubstep which amazingly accompanies the overall metal experience and then this unforgettable melody in for ex. Mass Hysteria (my favorite track from this cd). Id say its korn's 5th best album, becauseCan definitevly see how korn is coming back. This album is amazing because it mixes all of the other ones. Its got dark lyrics in "Lullaby for a sadist" some interesting riffs, a tiny bit of dubstep which amazingly accompanies the overall metal experience and then this unforgettable melody in for ex. Mass Hysteria (my favorite track from this cd). Id say its korn's 5th best album, because I cant say its better than Issues, Life is Peachy, Korn, or FtL. Still definitevly recommend this album to both old-school and new korn fans.… Expand
  7. theultimatesinn
    Aug 13, 2014
    10
    First of all Korn is my favorite band and I love every album except for Path Of Totality was a disgrace.
    This album is really good and KoRn made a progressive album. They were inspired by Issues to make this album and the thing is that they made a fusion with Untouchables and Issues. They have a much more heavy sound from Untouchables and they have some dark lyrics from Issues and    First of all Korn is my favorite band and I love every album except for Path Of Totality was a disgrace.
    This album is really good and KoRn made a progressive album. They were inspired by Issues to make this album and the thing is that they made a fusion with Untouchables and Issues. They have a much more heavy sound from Untouchables and they have some dark lyrics from Issues and combined all of that into The Paradigm Shift. In my opinion its really good I didn't such from them    … Expand
  8. xxDylanxx
    Oct 27, 2014
    10
    This is one of my favorite Korn albums.....it is Alot better than "The Path Of Totality" . This album is Heavy, Groovy and its one of those albums that you can listen to a hundred times and never gets a dull moment!
  9. AlexStand
    Sep 13, 2015
    9
    This album is the best since "Take a Look in The Mirror". I like this record very much.I like every song on this album.It is very good that Korn member came back to old stuff.They made really awesome album and I am not disappointed.Waiting new album...
  10. Robert6200
    Jul 29, 2016
    8
    I don't understand why Metacritic scores are so **** harsh. This is a good Korn album with some pretty great songs on it. I really enjoyed listening to it. 7.8/10 There are some flaws with it, but overall a good album. 3.8/5

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Most Discussed Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Rolling Stone
    Nov 4, 2013
    40
    "Never Never" is a power ballad, and "Love & Meth" is not as funny as one might hope, though the brilliantly titled "Paranoid and Aroused" is.
    Read full review
  2. Uncut
    Oct 31, 2013
    60
    Essentially this is Korn returning to their familiar discomfort zone. [Dec 2013, p.70]
  3. Kerrang!
    Oct 29, 2013
    80
    This is a more organic effort. [28 Sep 2013, p.52]
See all critic reviews »