| Korn | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Korn |
| Cover: | Korn-Korn.jpg |
| Border: | yes |
| Recorded: | May–June 1994 |
| Studio: | Indigo Ranch Studios (Malibu, California) |
| Genre: |
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| Length: | 65:45 |
| Producer: | Ross Robinson |
| Prev Title: | Neidermayer's Mind |
| Prev Year: | 1993 |
| Next Title: | Life Is Peachy |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
Korn (printed and stylized as KoЯn) is the debut studio album by American nu metal band Korn. It was released on October 11, 1994, through Immortal and Epic Records. Before recording the album, the band was approached by Immortal/Epic Records after a performance at Huntington Beach, California. The band signed to their label because they did not want to "sign away all of their creative freedom". The band would record at Indigo Ranch Studios in Malibu, California, with producer Ross Robinson, who also produced their 1993 demo Neidermayer's Mind. The recording took place from May to June 1994. After the recordings, Korn toured with Biohazard and House of Pain.
The album's themes include child abuse, drug abuse, and bullying. The album cover depicts a young girl sitting on a swing being approached by a large man who is holding what appears to be horseshoes or possibly blades. Furthermore, the girl's shadow gives the appearance that her body is being hanged due to the position of the band's logo. Photography was done by Stephen Stickler, and the design was directed by Jay Papke and Dante Ariola.
The album's first single, "Blind", charted at number 15 on the Canadian Alternative 30, and the album peaked at number 10 in New Zealand as well as number 72 on the Billboard 200. The album had sold at least 2.1 million copies in the United States by 2003.
Korn toured with many bands to promote the album. Initially, Korn joined the Sick of It All Tour. Following the Sick of It All Tour, Korn joined the Danzig 4 Tour. Korn also toured with Megadeth, Fear Factory, and Flotsam and Jetsam.
Before Korn developed a name, they had moved into a small house together in Huntington Beach, California, south of Los Angeles, where they began working on songs. Soon after moving, they rented Underground Chicken Sounds, a recording studio, from Jeff Creath, who had previously allowed lead singer Jonathan Davis to live in his garage. While they were recording at the studio, they attracted a crowd of people when performing the prelude to "Clown". The band's bass guitarist, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, said that the crowd gathered because the band's style sounded so "different". Korn was formed in 1993.[1] Within two weeks of their establishment, they recorded a demo containing "Blind", "Predictable", and "Daddy".[1] A couple of weeks later, Korn played their first-ever show at a club called California Dreams in Anaheim.[1] Korn began playing gigs in the summer of 1993. While performing at Huntington Beach, the band was spotted by Immortal/Epic A&R Paul Pontius. He approached the band offering to record an album through their company. Although the group had offers from several other labels, Korn went with Immortal/Epic because they did not want to "sign away all of their creative freedom".