Korn Guitarist Brian 'Head' Welch is 'Proud' of Nu-Metal Influence

Korn Guitarist Brian ‘Head’ Welch is ‘Proud’ of Nu-Metal Influence

2021-02-04

Korn – Story by Charles Ken, photo by Tim Saccenti

Brian “Head” Welch says he’s proud of Korn’s legacy as nu-metal creators

The term “nu-metal” is often met with criticism. Who knows why, because nu-metal was one of the most popular heavy music genres to come out of the late-1990s and early-2000s rock scene, mixing rap vocals with dropped-D guitars to great accord, but some people like to shy away from the term.

Bakersfield, California, band Korn – who dropped their new album, “Requiem,” today – is often credited with creating the nu-metal movement. The band’s guitarist Brian ‘Head’ Welch recently discussed the whole idea of Korn being so influential in the nu-metal scene with Metal Hammer, and he doesn’t shy away from the idea of Korn and nu-metal going hand-in-hand.

“We’re proud to be seen as scene elders,” Head said. He added that many nu-metal bands didn’t like being lumped into the genre because it was something they were labeled as, not something they chose.

“When you’re in a band, you want to call the shots, you want to be in charge of your branding, and it was someone else who branded us that,” Head said. “And so we were like, ‘No, that’s not cool.’ So we didn’t like it.”

“But nu metal, love it or hate it, and Korn, has stood the test of time,” he added. “And we’re very grateful that we can be looked at as the originators, and that we started something that still reverberates all these decades later, and people are still liking it.”

Head also went in-depth about what it was liking being a part of the nu-metal movement when the genre was just starting to bloom. He describes it as an exciting, dynamic time in music history.

“The nu-metal era was a fun time,” Head said. “I’ll tell you what, you know, these type of shows, there were no boring shows. People can say all they want about nu metal, or whatever, but you come to a Korn show, you’re going to see energy, you’re going to see a party, and it’s going to be a fun time. Even as we’re getting older, it’s still just a rush, every show. We love our fans, we love the energy, and we’re grateful for what we created.”

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based music reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, Loudwire.com and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.