Untouchables is the fifth studio album by the nu metal band Korn. The album was officially released on June 11, 2002 and featured the Grammy winning single Here to Stay. Untouchables debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with 495,991 copies sold during its first week, second only to Eminem’s The Eminem Show. The album received positive reviews from music critics. It was certified platinum on July 11, 2002, and has sold at least 1.4 million copies in the United States.
Korn commenced writing Untouchables in early 2001. Tension between band members grew and, in an effort to lessen their tensions and distractions, they continued writing in Scottsdale, Arizona, in hope that the new landscape would inspire them in writing songs. They finished writing the album then went back to Los Angeles, California to begin recording. Hostility between band members was still there. During the tour, band members began to consider firing bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu due to his drug abuse problem, but decided against it.
Untouchables was recorded at Conway Studio, in Hollywood, California and The Village, in Los Angeles, California. The album was produced by Michael Beinhorn and recorded by Frank Filipetti. The album featured the same member line-up as their previous four studio albums. It is the first album recorded in 96 kHz digital sound. It was mixed by Andy Wallace and mastered by Howie Weinberg. On the album’s release date, June 11, 2002, a single, Here to Stay was released by Sony Music Distribution.
The album was re-released on November 12, 2002, as a last-ditch effort to rejuvenate album sales, which had fallen shortly after the album’s first week on the Billboard 200. This limited edition features different artwork, and a bonus DVD, containing a live version of Here to Stay, performance versons of the Here to Stay and Thoughtless music videos, and a live recording of Got the Life.
The band has revealed that the total recording costs of Untouchables were estimated at $3,000,000 due to recording/living expenses and keeping their 15-person crew on retainer for the nearly two years it took to finish the album. As part of the total cost were included five houses rented for $10,000 apiece for four months, when they moved to Phoenix. When they came to Los Angeles, they rented five houses for $10,000 apiece for four more months; and a house rented for $8,000 a week, when they went to Canada.
Tracklist:
- Here to Stay
- Make Believe
- Blame
- Hollow Life
- Bottled Up Inside
- Thoughtless
- Hating
- One More Time
- Alone I Break
- Embrace
- Beat It Upright
- Wake Up Hate
- I’m Hiding
- No One’s There
- Here to Stay (T-Ray’s Mix) (hidden track on limited edition)
Korn
Jonathan Davis: vocals
Munky: rhythm and lead guitars
Head: lead and rhythm guitars
Fieldy: bass
David Silveria: drums
Production and other credits
Michael Beinhorn: producer
Andy Wallace: mixing
Howie Weinberg: mastering
