Korn

For other uses, see Korn (disambiguation).

Korn

Korn (sometimes typeset as "KoЯn" to fit the official logo) is a Grammy Award-winning alternative metal band from Bakersfield, California.

They are often credited with creating the nu metal genre and, along with other bands of the time, inspiring a wave of nu metal, alternative metal and rap metal bands through the mid 1990s and early 2000s. Despite this, Korn have been quoted for disliking the term and even being called 'metal'. Jonathan Davis has said that Korn's music can't be classified and that it contains many other influences besides simply 'metal'. The official review on the iTunes Store for their first album goes as far as saying that Korn "disdain the term".

Since their 1994 self-titled debut, Korn have sold over 25 million records worldwide - including 16 million in the U.S., making them one of the best-selling metal acts of the last twelve years. The band's catalogue consists of seven consecutive platinum studio albums, one platinum compilation album, and seven consecutive debuts (including the compilation album Greatest Hits, Volume 1) in the top 10 of Billboard Top 200 best selling albums. To date Korn has scored 6 Grammy nominations, and won 2 such awards. 8 of their albums have been certified as as multi-platinum. The band has also the biggest number of retired videos for a rock/metal band in MTV Total Request Live history - five.

The band is deep in the writing and recording process of their as-of-yet untitled eighth album, tentatively due for a June 2007 release. For their next opus the band is yet again working with See You on the Other Side collaborators The Matrix and Atticus Ross. Due to the hiatus of David Silveria, the band's drummer, Terry Bozzio will be filling in both on record as well as touring duties. Korn have also enlisted Zac Baird for help with electronics and keyboards. Baird toured with the band on all their tours in year 2006 as keyboardist wearing horse mask while on stage.

Band history

Early history

During 1993 Jonathan Davis got together with Human Waste Project for their first demo tape dueting with vocalist Aimee Echo on a strictly non-saccharine cover version of 'This Town' by The Go-Go's. This recording was to be unearthed on a subsequent Korn bootleg. (Such was the fascination between fans of both bands that during late 1997 the acts convened once more in the recording studio to lay down a a further take on the song interbred for use as Korn single B side). Munky, Head, Fieldy, and Silveria in the meantime, had assembled LAPD. This originally stood for Love And Peace Dude but was later changed to mean Laughing As People Die. Whilst on the lookout for a singer, Silveria was headhunted for Mike Muir's Infectious Grooves, but opted to remain with his colleagues. Whilst on the hunt for a singer the quartet spotted Davis performing with Sexart at John Bryan's Bar. Guitarist Shaffer and Welch, went to see their friends band, they had finished watching the set, and were on their way out the door, when they heard the voice of their future singer in Jonathan Davis. Davis almost didn't go to the audition offered him by the band, but after visiting a psychic who told him he'd be stupid to pass on this, he decided to go. ("Who Then Now?" VHS Video, Published by Epic Music Video, 1997) Auditions in Huntington Beach secured the band's new frontman, before the quintet even finished singing the first song (which was performed through a cheap vocal mic).

In 1993, the band released their demo titled "Neidermeyer's Mind," which featured the songs "Predictable," "Blind," "Daddy," and "Alive." The song "Alive" was the band's first ever song, which was an early version of the song which later became "Need To" on the band's self-titled major label debut album, and was also reworked for the band's 2003 album "Take a Look in the Mirror".

In 1994, Korn released their self-titled debut. The album was produced by famed record producer Ross Robinson and released by Epic/Immortal records. The album featured the singles "Blind," "Clown," and "Shoots and Ladders." ('Shoots and Ladders' earned the band the first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance)

The band toured incessantly to promote the debut album. With no commercial radio play or MTV they relied on their intense live show which created a large cult following of dedicated fans (many of whom lost interest in the band after the large commercial success of Follow The Leader).

Their first large tour they opened for Danzig and Marilyn Manson in March and April of 1995. After that they hit the road again opening for 311 in May and June of 1995. After a stint in Europe they returned to the US and opened for Megadeth with Fear Factory and Flotsam and Jetsam also supporting in August of 1995. In the fall they went out with KMFDM and God Lives Under Water but were not well-received by industrial fans. After that they landed an even bigger tour opening for Ozzy Osbourne in the Winter of 1995 along with Deftones in a support role. In December of the same year they did a small headlining club tour of the Western US with Sugar Ray and Cradle of Thorns opening. After Christmas they were invited to go back out with Ozzy and Life of Agony for another couple of months. In early March of 1996 they wrapped up their touring with another string of headline shows brining along Cradle of Thorns and Dimestore Hoods before going back to the studio to record Life is Peachy.

Life Is Peachy, Elementree Records

The band followed up their debut album with their second album, Life Is Peachy, in October, 1996. The album was more successful than their first, debuting at No.3 on The Billboard 200 without much radio airplay or video play in music channels, nor any press promotion. It spawned a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance for the song "No Place To Hide." To date, the album has sold nearly 3 million copies worldwide, and went double-platinum in the US. The band supported the record by opening up an arena tour for Metallica.

The album's release featured the first live Internet broadcast by the band, and thus Korn became the first music artist to appear live on the Internet to promote their new LP. Korn performed songs from the new album and took calls from Internet fans watching at home. The event was hosted by longtime Korn friend, Adam Carolla, known best for his hosting of The Man Show. The online performance was one of the first of its kind and helped launch Korn's Internet presence which soon became a predominant part of their marketing and availability to fans.

In late 1997 the band formed their own label, Elementree Records. The first band they signed was Orgy (featuring former members of Davis' old band Sexart), who became successful with their debut album "Candyass," which was certified platinum. Over the next few years they signed such acts as Videodrone, rapper Marz, and Deadsy.

Breakthrough success

Prior to the release of the band's third album, Korn was featured once a week on their internet TV show, KornTV, which showed behind the scenes of the making of the record as well as special guests such as porn star Ron Jeremy, Limp Bizkit, 311 and many more. It also gave fans the chance to call in and ask the band questions. Korn was already ahead of the game by utilizing the internet to reach their fans. October 1998 saw Korn at their peak as they released their third album, Follow the Leader. It is generally recognized as their breakthrough album, and the album that ultimately ushered "nu metal" into the mainstream. It featured a number of guest vocalists such as Ice Cube, Tre Hardson from the Pharcyde, and Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit. Korn launched a whirlwind political campaign-style tour (from August 17, 1998 in Los Angeles through September 1 in Phoenix) to promote the release of Follow the Leader. It took the group all over North America to spread the news of their "Family Values" platform to hordes of fans at special "fan conferences" that were organized at every stop along the tour route. Korn chartered a jet, which took them to record stores in such cities as Riverside (CA), Mt. View (CA), Sacramento, Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Toronto, Atlanta, and Dallas. They talked to fans at every stop, answered questions during the special "fan conferences" and signed autographs. Jim Rose hosted the entire "Kampaign" tour. Celebrities at various stops included Ice Cube and Todd McFarlane. The album was a success, reaching No.1 on the U.S. and Canadian charts and spawning the singles "Got the Life" and "Freak On A Leash." Follow The Leader debuted at the #1 slot in Canada, New Zealand and Australia; #4 in Finland; #5 in France, the UK and Norway; #8 in Japan; #10 in Holland; #12 in Germany; and it registered the highest debut on the Pan European "Music & Media" chart (at #6). The animated bullet segments in the video for "Freak On A Leash" were directed by Todd McFarlane (creator of the Spawn comic book and a former artist for Spider-Man comics). Greg Capullo, long-time Spawn penciler, drew the cover art for the album. The live action in the video, directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, used innovative techniques which featured 'the magic bullet' that the camera followed through various scenes as well as a performance of the band in a Twilight Zone like room. "Freak on a Leash" won a Grammy for Best Video (Short Form), earned 9 MTV Awards nominations, for: Video of the Year, Breakthrough Video, Best Direction, Best Special Effects, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Viewer's Choice. Eventually it won 2, for: Best Rock Video, and Best Editing. Follow the Leader is the band's most commercially successful album, being certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA and having sold almost 10 million copies worldwide.

The same year Follow the Leader was released, Korn started their own annual rock tour called the Family Values Tour. That year they headlined the tour along with Incubus, Orgy, Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube and Rammstein. It was a highly successful tour, there was a live CD and DVD from Family Values Tour'98 which earned gold and platinum status, respectively. In 1999, Limp Bizkit headlined, along with Primus, Staind, The Crystal Method, Method Man & Redman, and Filter. System of a Down was kicked off the tour by Fred Durst after he failed to sign the band Taproot. Korn were not featured on the bill and instead only made surprise appearances at a few of the tour's stops to perform their first single off of their next album, "Falling Away From Me." The tour took a break in 2000 due to heavy competition.

In 1999 Korn performed at Woodstock '99 on 23 July in front of 250,000 fans. The band cites its performance as one of its most memorable moments. Other memorable moments include a feud with Ben Folds during which Folds released his Rocking the Suburbs music video with a "Korn Sucks" protest frame in the middle of it.

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Korn in an episode of South Park

Issues

The band's fourth album, Issues, produced by Brendan O'Brien, featuring cover art designed by Alfredo Carlos who won a contest held for the fans to design Korn's new album artwork, was released in November 1999. The album debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 and was certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA, following up the success of Follow the Leader. It featured a broader range of styles compared to previous albums, since the band's decision to no longer incorporate hip hop into their sound. Davis said in an interview "I like hip hop, I am a fan of it, but I don't want to be associated with it anymore." To celebrate the album's release, the band performed the record in its entirety in front of a live audience at New York's historic Apollo Theater and broadcast the concert simultaneously across many radio stations. This performance made Korn the first rock band, and only the second white musical group to ever perform at The Apollo after the legendary Buddy Holly in the late 1950's. This special event featured the NYPD marching drum and bagpipe band conducted by Richard Gibbs as well as a group of back-up singers to enhance the more melodic choruses and backing vocals Jonathan Davis used on the album. Earlier that year, Korn had appeared on an episode of South Park, titled Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery, in which the first single from Issues, "Falling Away From Me" was premiered. (The video was directed by Fred Durst). In the episode, the band helped the boys solve a Scooby-Doo style mystery. Korn released two more singles off of Issues, "Make Me Bad" and "Somebody Someone", both of which fared well on US charts. Videos were also shot for all three singles, with longtime friend Fred Durst directing the dark "Falling Away from Me", and Udo Kier and Brigitte Nielsen starring in a concept video for "Make Me Bad." The video for "Somebody Someone" was a simple performance with some CGI effects. All the videos were staple of MTV Total Request Live. "Issues" is considered by some critics to be less metal-influenced and closer to alternative metal then nu metal, however there is still the same signature aggresion of other Korn albums present.

In 2000 Jonathan Davis commissioned famous Swiss, surreal artist - H.R. Giger to create a special mic stand. The idea was suggested to him by one of his friends who knew that Jonathan was a fan of his artwork. H.R. Giger is an artist for whom music is really important, and he must like it, before he will work with the band. He listened to the Korn CDs the band sent him, and on the same day agreed to do the project. He started doing some sketches of plantlike snakes and vertebrae mixed with technical elements. In the meanwhile Giger's agent went to the U.S. to tape some Korn shows, in order to analyze the way Jonathan performs. Jonathan called him from his dressing room and told him that he had complete freedom to design the microphone stand as he wanted and his only concern was that it had be totally functional and as movable as possible. He also wanted it be biomechanical and very erotic. The band visited his museum and met him in July of 2000 when they were touring in Europe. The bio-mechanical mic-stand was finished in 2001. It was introduced to fans one year later during Korn's Untouchables Tour.

Untouchables

In June 2002, after two and a half years of hard work and a long creative process, Korn re-emerged into the media spotlight with their 5th album, Untouchables. The release of this album was preceded by the show at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York on 10th June 2002, one day prior to the album's release, broadcasted digitally through the theaters in U.S. The album had a very dark and gothic feel while featuring synths, strings and various effects the band had never used in an album before. The overall feel was drastically different from previous efforts particularly tracks like "Alone I Break," "Hating," and the haunting "Hollow Life," which singer Jonathan Davis claims is his favorite Korn song to this day. While the album received critical praise from fans, Untouchables had disappointing sales. The band has blamed Internet piracy for the drop in sales - as an unmixed version of the album had leaked a whole five months prior to its official release date (from Munky's computer).

The album's first single "Here to Stay" earned a Grammy for Best Metal Performance. Untouchables has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA. The first 2 videos from Untouchables were directed by the Hughes Brothers (best known for their films, Menace II Society and From Hell). The first video, "Here To Stay," has the band playing inside a TV on a static background along with controversial news stories and world issues being presented. The video was nominated to Mtv Video Music Award for Best Rock Video and won MuchMusic Video Award for Best International Video (Group). The second video, "Thoughtless," was a nod back to Jonathan's childhood as the character in the video is picked on and constantly beaten. The character ultimately gains revenge in a rather grotesque but deserving way (puking jets of bile onto the bullies). The third video for Untouchables, "Alone I Break," was directed by Sean Dack who won the honor of directing Korn's video through an MTV contest. The video kept with the darkness of Korn, showing Jonathan Davis killing off the members of the band after a supposed mistake made by Munky when they were performing. The band later admitted the video would have been more fun to do if the director was actually a Korn fan.

Prior to their next album, Korn released the single "Did My Time," which was featured on the soundtrack to the Angelina Jolie film, Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life in early 2003. Angelina Jolie appeared in the video for "Did My Time," however due to scheduling conflicts the band's performance was shot at a different time and location than Angelina Jolie's. The single Did My Time was also used on the next album.

Take a Look in the Mirror, Greatest Hits

Korn's sixth album, Take a Look in the Mirror was released in November 2003. Korn produced this record themselves and cited it as a look back upon their career by returning back to a more stripped down and raw sound. The album featured the singles "Right Now," "Everything I've Known," and "Y'All Want a Single." The first two singles were animated videos while the third single, "Y'All Want a Single," was a performance video, which featured Korn and a large group of fans destroying a record store. The album peaked at No. 9 on The Billboard 200. Although the album provided what the fans were supposedly looking for, it was considered a disappointment by many who thought the first album could never be duplicated. Still, the album is obviously a change back into the "nu metal" sound of Korn's first album.

During February of 2004, Guitar World released a list of the world's "100 greatest metal guitarists of all time" ranking Head and Munky at #26.

In October of 2004, Korn released their greatest hits album, Greatest Hits, Volume 1. It featured two cover songs and a compilation of the band's hits from the past 10 years. The first single was a cover of the song "Word Up!", which was originally made popular by the group Cameo. The album also featured a medley of all three parts of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall", and Dante Ross remix of their smash hit single "Freak On A Leash". To the disappointment of some fans, the compilation did not feature the hit single "Thoughtless", according to an official Korn boards moderator, their record company at that time - Sony BMG - didn't allow it.

Head's Departure

On 22 February 2005, Brian "Head" Welch announced that he had "...chosen the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, and would be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end", and was formally leaving Korn. Initial speculations that this was a hoax or practical joke were proven wrong; he has turned highly spiritual, even being baptized in the Jordan River and speaking openly about his faith and conversion, especially on his website [1]. Welch has also stated that his reason for leaving the band had to do with his daughter reciting obscene Korn lyrics and the fact that he was fighting an addiction to crystal meth. This was to be the band's first line up change in their history. Brian's website was recently hacked and a post was made by someone posing as him saying he was going to come back to Korn but was confirmed by Jonathan as well as Brian as false. Brian has also said on his website (speaking about the guys in Korn) "I love those guys."

See You on the Other Side, EMI

Upon completing their record deal with Sony Records, Korn has since partnered with EMI and signed to Virgin Records. EMI has paid Korn $25 million upfront in exchange for a share in the profits of their next two LPs, including tours and merchandising. In exchange, EMI received a 30 percent stake in the band's licensing, ticket sales and other revenue sources.

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Korn's See You on the Other Side

The band's first release for Virgin Records, See You on the Other Side was released on December 6, 2005, and debuted on #3 on the Billboard 200, representing the band's 7th Top 10 debut. The first single off the album, "Twisted Transistor" was accompanied by a comic video directed by Dave Meyers in which famous rap stars Xzibit, Lil' Jon, Snoop Dogg, and David Banner portrayed Korn. It received massive video play on TV music stations throughout the world. The single itself peaked on #3 on Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, and on #9 on Billboard Modern Rock chart. The second single, "Coming Undone" peaked on #4 on Mainstream Rock Chart, and on #14 on Modern Rock Chart, and the video directed by Little X also received considerable video play. Korn also, for the first time has brought two singles from one album to Hot 100 Chart. The album has sold over 2 million copies worldwide up to date, and went platinum in the U.S. on March 16. The album managed to stay in Top 100 of Billboard 200 chart for 34 straight weeks, and it's very likely that it will be certified double-platinum later, signaling the success and acceptance of their evolution, as well as a sales lift from 1.1 million copies sold of Take a Look in the Mirror.

On January 13 2006, Korn threw a giant party at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery announcing the See You on the Other Side World Tour. Guests at the party included Guns N' Roses lead singer Axl Rose, Linkin Park members - Chester Bennington, and Joseph Hahn, and actress Jessica Biel. The first leg of tour, with 10 Years and Mudvayne, began on 24 February 2006 in their hometown Bakersfield and ended on 4th April in Toronto. It was highly successful leg of tour, and Korn earned $6.4 million gross for it, and reached #47 spot on Pollstar's Top 100 Concert Grosses of 2006.

The Australian part of the See You on the Other Side tour consisted of Korn , 10 Years, Hatebreed, and Disturbed. The bands performed in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne on the 24th, 27th and 29th of April 2006 respectively, and were received well in all three cities. This marked the first time Korn visited Australia since their Take A Look In The Mirror tour in February of 2004.

Support acts for headlining shows past this point have not been confirmed. However, Korn are slated to perform at various European rock festivals over the summer of 2006, many of which feature such bands as Guns N' Roses and Metallica.

Korn had also announced the resurrection of their "Family Values Tour", which kicked off July 29, 2006 in Nashville, TN. The Family Values Tour featured Korn, Deftones, Stone Sour, Flyleaf, Dir en grey (when confronted about the news that this band may be there, Jonathan called them "this crazy Japanese band that are just out of their minds"), 10 Years, Bury Your Dead, Deadsy, Bullets and Octane, and Walls of Jericho. This was also the first Family Values Tour to have a second stage and to be in outdoor-pavilions.

In April, Jonathan Davis teamed up with the Atlanta crunk rap group Dem Franchize Boyz to record a mash-up of their latest hits Coming Undone and Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It, which occurred due to both the groups being signed to Virgin Records. During the session, Jonathan Davis stated that he believed that crunk and heavy metal were in the same vein. "They are both energy. It just works," the singer said. Before recording with Dem Franchize Boyz, the group was featured on "Wake Up," a track from The Notorious B.I.G. album Duets: The Final Chapter.

In 2006, Korn's most popular song, "Freak On A Leash" appeared on a countdown of VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs Of All Time at #23. They also charted on a user-based interactive list of the 100 Greatest Videos Of All Time in the UK magazine Kerrang! at number 10 with the same song.

On May 6 Korn won a MTV Asia Video Music Award in the "Favourite Video" category with their first single off of See You on the Other Side, "Twisted Transistor", beating Green Day, Kanye West, My Chemical Romance, and Franz Ferdinand. The band also performed "Twisted Transistor" live in front of 5,000 people. Jonathan Davis also presented an award for favorite artist from China, Vicky Zhao.

Jonathan Davis's illness

On June 12, 2006, Jonathan Davis was diagnosed with Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a blood defect that hospitalized him for the weekend, preventing him from performing at the renowned Download Festival which takes place annually at Donnington, England, but the band still performed, with guest singers including Slipknot and Stone Sour's Corey Taylor; Stonesour playing earlier on the same day. This led to Korn cancelling the rest of their European bill. It was originally unknown to the public what his ailment was, but the singer revealed in a letter to fans that he was 'dangerously low on blood platelets and at a high risk of death from a hemorrhage if the problem was not treated.' His illness did not affect the 2006 Family Values Tour.

Recent history

On July 13 Jonathan Davis announced that "Politics" would be the third single of "See You on the Other Side" and promised a music video. On stage during the Family Values Tour in East Troy, Wisconsin, Jon Davis said they were going to shoot the live video and said they would have to play the song twice. What's more, James Shaffer told CJAD.com that he and Davis are writing the score for an animated short film that tackles national politics which actually will be a separate project, and not a music video for band's latest single July 18, the band appeared in Jimmy Kimmel Live performing in television acoustic versions of their latest two singles, Coming Undone, and Twisted Transistor. That was band's first televised acoustic set.

On July 30, 2006, a violent fight allegedly broke out in the mosh pit at the Family Values Tour in Atlanta, Georgia while Deftones were performing, resulting in the death of Andy Richardson, age 30, on August 1, 2006. Lawyers representing Mr. Richardson's family said they may pursue civil actions against Korn and the show's promoters. Mr. Richardson's mother, Gloria Richardson, said "It's not right that someone could go to a concert for a good time and wind up dead ... There needs to be more security or they need to not have these concerts at all ...", in a statement to Cox News Service made on August 1, 2006. One week later, a 24-year-old Douglas County man was charged with delivering a deadly punch in a dispute over a ballcap at a Korn concert. Atlanta police and Douglas County authorities arrested Michael Scott Axley Monday afternoon on a murder warrant in the death of 30-year-old Andy Richardson. Atlanta PD spokesperson Marion Lee said Axley was taken in without incident after officials received tips from witnesses who saw the altercation and knew Axley.

On August 28, in an interview with Launch Radio Network, Korn announced that they would re-release their seventh studio album, "See You on the Other Side", on September 26 as a chopped and screwed mix album titled "Chopped, Screwed, Live and Unglued". It was re-released with live tracks, bonus DVD footage, and 8 album tracks chopped and screwed by DJ Michael 5000 Watts. Lead singer Jonathan Davis told Launch he's even more enthusiastic about the album now after playing the songs live for the past eight months. Davis says, "I love that record. I think it's one of the best records we've ever done. I love it for the fact that it was experimental. It reminds me of 'Untouchables', which I think is another one of our best records. And adding the background band has just opened up so many new doors for us. You know, there's just so many different possibilities, and going out on the road and being able to play it live is just gonna inspire us to do bigger and better things."

On November 14, albumvote.co.uk announced that the band is to release MTV Unplugged: Korn, on February 19, 2007 in the UK and February 20 in the US. The release date has since been pushed back to March 6. Full details including artwork have been confirmed. The first single off the acoustic live album is "Freak on a Leash" with guest appearance of Amy Lee from Evanescence.

Korn have been confirmed to play festival dates in Norway, Norwegian Wood and in Germany, Rock am Ring in June 2007. The band has also been confirmed to play the massive Live Earth concerts on July 7th 2007.

Eighth studio album

Main article: Korn's eighth studio album

On August 7, in an exclusive interview with The Gauntlet, Korn frontman, Jonathan Davis, stated the band has begun writing material for the follow-up to last year's hit "See You on the Other Side":

"...we did two or three tours for the last album where we wrote stuff and we are working on more stuff out here. We are going to keep working on stuff after The Family Values Tour and get in the studio soon to record it and get it done."

In an other interview with The Rock Radio, Jonathan Davis discussed the writing process and producers of the next 8th studio album.

"...Yeah, we're working on it right now. We don't know when we'll put it out.....I mean, we're gonna write. It's when we have down time we go and write. But it's exciting and we like writing and keeping that going." Davis said Korn will probably work with See You on the Other Side collaborators The Matrix and some different producers on the next album. "

On September 14, 2006 a message posted by a hacker on former guitarist Brian Welch's blog claiming that he was rejoining the band for their next tour and album. The message read:

"Ive been spoken with jon and munk' about us and the split.. and finally i can say that im taking the right side of the stage again for our next Korn tour and album ;-) im so exited!! i will post more later peace all.."

Lead singer Jonathan Davis said the next day in an interview:

"It's Bullshit. Not real, false, incorrect, deceitful. Head is NOT coming back to Korn. Repeat... Head is NOT back in Korn".[2]

In the interview conducted on September 13th by 102.7 WEBN in Cincinnati, Ohio, bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu revealed the band will begin work on the album as early as Sunday, 24 September. He also revealed plans for releasing his solo project, a DVD and a biographic book called "Got The Life". The bassist also opened his clothing line called "Immanuel One Twenty Three".

It was also revealed in an interview that Korn is including Zac Baird in the recording process as a keyboard player.

"Pop producers The Matrix, who worked on "See You on the Other Side," will return for another project. And the band is including a keyboardist in the writing process for the first time.

"He's doing really cool melodies and very ambient stuff too," Davis says.

In a recent interview, Korn's frontman Jonathan Davis said that there are 18 tracks ready for the next album, all written in a month.

"I can't wait. I know it's gonna be insane. The band is really on fire and has some phat shit to record." Davis had said in earlier interviews that he and guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer had both been writing new material while on the road in support of the band's last album, "See You on the Other Side".

In December 2006, David Silveria announced he would take a hiatus from the band, and will not appear on Korn's upcoming album and tour. Jonathan on his blog also mentioned that the band completed 8 songs for the upcoming, yet unnamed, 8th studio album, and stated that the further recording process will take place after New Year's Eve. The frontman also stated that this album will not feature any of David Silveria's contributions and that the band will be having fill-in drummer as long as David stays on hiatus.

On January 7, 2007, Korn announced that well-respected drummer, Terry Bozzio will replace David Silveria for at least one studio album and at least one tour.

The band's management has made following statement:

"They are currently writing and rehearsing with (Bozzio) and things are going well," the spokesperson said, emphasizing that Silveria is still KoRn's official drummer, but added that, for the moment, "the band members aren't looking too far into the future."

Davis told KNAC.com host Philthy Phil, the band will not name any of their songs until the album is finished, and there is, as of yet, no name for the album. He called the music a mix of several styles of music, including some heavy, "dirge" music, and even a couple of "prog-type" songs (Bozzio's influence).

Band members

Current members

• Jonathan Davis - Vocals, Bagpipes
• Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu- Bass Guitar
• James "Munky" Shaffer - Guitar, Backing Vocals
• Terry Bozzio - Drums, Percussion (Filling in for David Silvera)
• Zac Baird - Keyboards (not on a permament basis)

On Hiatus

• David Silveria - drums, percussion

David, claiming to need a break from the band, is on indefinite hiatus and will not contribute to next studio album nor attend on the promoting tours.

Previous Members

• Brian "Head" Welch - guitar, backing vocals (1993-2005)

Left the band in 2005, due to new beliefs and to reinvent his music as a Christian solo artist

Session members

Sick And Twisted World Tour (2000)

• Mike Bordin (Faith No More, Ozzy Osbourne) - filled in for David Silveria on the drums, who had suffered a serious wrist injury, on the Sick, Sad And Twisted World Tour during 2000.

Download Festival (10.06.2006)

While Jonathan Davis was absent and recovering from ITP, vocalists from other bands participating in this festival filled in for him:

• Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour) - filled in for Jonathan singing "Freak on a Leash" and "Clown"
• Dez Fafara (Devildriver) - performed "Somebody Someone" and "Coming Undone"
• Jesse Hasek (10 Years) - performed "It's On"
• Benji Webbe (Skindred) - performed "A.D.I.D.A.S."
• M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold) - performed "Falling Away From Me"
• Matt Heafy (Trivium) - performed "Blind"

See You on the Other Side Tour (2005-2006)/ Family Values Tour (2006)

• Rob Patterson (ex-Otep) - Touring guitarist since 2005 European tour and for See You on the Other Side World Tour, but not an official member. Patterson played hidden from view behind the amplifiers on the right side of the stage during most of the 2005 tour, but was playing onstage behind a mask. For the 2006 tour, he was also contributing backing vocals. He was replaced on current tour by Christian Olde Wolbers of Fear Factory for the first three shows of the European tour in 2006, but it has been confirmed it was only temporarily. Christian played the first three shows (Portugal and Spain). The reason Christian only played the first three shows was because of he was never on time for shows. After them, Rob was again the touring guitarist in the rest of the European tour.

In addition to Patterson, presence of extra musicians makes possible the live performance of more industrial-tingled songs from See You on the Other Side such as "Throw Me Away", "Love Song", and "Tearjerker", as well as experimentation with older songs. All wear masks themed with the characters from the See You on the Other Side album art:

• Kalen Chase - Backup vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. Dons a rabbit mask. He is also a member of 2 bands: illium and The Changing.
• Zac Baird - Keyboardist. Dons a horse mask.
• Michael Jochum - Second percussionist. Wears a pig mask. He is also drummer in the Stephen Collins & The 7th Band. Michael also endorses the company Factory Metal Percussion.

Discography

Main article: Korn discography

Year	Album	US Peak	UK Peak	Label	US Sales
1994	Korn	#72		Immortal Records/Epic Records	2x Platinum
1996	Life Is Peachy	#3	#32	Immortal Records/Epic Records	2x Platinum
1998	Follow the Leader	#1	#5	Immortal Records/Epic Records	5x Platinum
1999	Issues	#1	#37	Immortal Records/Epic Records	3x Platinum
2002	Untouchables	#2	#4	Immortal Records/Epic Records	1x Platinum
2003	Take A Look In The Mirror	#9	#53	Immortal Records/Epic Records	1x Platinum
2005	See You On The Other Side	#3	#5	Virgin Records/EMI	1x Platinum

Representation

Korn is currently managed by Peter Kasis and Jimmy Bryant for The Firm Management. Peter Katsis began his career in Chicago after graduating from Southern Illinois University with a degree in film. Mr. Katsis built a solid foundation for his management career by booking colleges, and up and coming regional acts through out the mid-west, then developing relationships with east-coast venues, and promoters. Mr. Katsis was the first manager for the industrial metal band Ministry, and is also current manager for stoner rock group Queens of the Stone Age. Peter managed a few other popular Chicago based bands, notably Nicolas Tremulus, Eight and One Half, and The Bonemen of Barumba before heading to the west coast with his partner Jeff Kwantinetz.

Influence on other artists

Korn, over the years, has influenced enormous number of artists, including:

• Evanescence (Little Rock based alternative rock band) - mainly their female vocalist - Amy Lee who cites "Untouchables" as one of her all-time favourite albums , and drummer Rocky Gray who has tattooed the band's name on his neck. Evanescence also plays a cover of "Thoughtless" during their live performances. Amy Lee also joined Korn and sang in duet with Jonathan Davis in an acoustic rendition of "Freak on a Leash", which is featured on the upcoming "MTV Unplugged: Korn" album.
• Lacuna Coil (Italian gothic metal band) - mainly their female lead vocalist Cristina Scabbia, who cites the band as one of her favourites.
• Sepultura (Brazilian thrash metal/groove metal band) - the band's last release with first lead singer and founder - Max Cavalera, "Roots" from 1996 was produced by Ross Robinson (who produced Korn's self-titled album in 1994) in Indigo Ranch Studios (the same studio Korn used for recording their eponymous debut album) and features strong nu-metal, and alternative metal influences as well as guest appearances by David Silveria on drums, and Jonathan Davis on guest vocals.
• Staind (Springfield based alternative metal band) - frontman, Aaron Lewis cites band's eponymous album, and Jonathan Davis' emotional attitude as one of his biggest influences.

See also

• Family Values Tour
• Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery, an episode of South Park
• List of awards and nominations

External links

• Official website
• Korn's Official Myspace