Korn (1983: Doomsday)

Korn (stylized as KoЯn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, Visalia, formed in 1993. The band's current lineup includes founding members Jonathan Davis (vocals, bagpipes), James "Munky" Shaffer (guitar), Brian "Head" Welch (guitar, backing vocals), and Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu (bass), with the addition of Ray Luzier (drums), who replaced the band's original member, David Silveria in 2007.

Style, influences and legacy
The band has stated that their primary influences include Metallica, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Alice in Chains, Sepultura, Faith No More, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Duran Duran, Fear Factory, Cathedral, Living Color, Helmet, Rage Against the Machine, Slayer, Pink Floyd, Primus, Tool, Ministry, Mr. Bungle, Biohazard, Nine Inch Nails, Pantera, Beastie Boys, Black Sabbath, N.W.A, Anthrax, and Jane's Addiction.

They are viewed as the first band to be labeled as nu metal, being identified as the pioneers of the nu metal genre. Alongside this genre, the band has also been labeled as heavy metal, alternative metal, alternative rock, grunge metal, post-grunge, hard rock, rap metal, funk metal, groove metal and industrial metal.Their debut album mixed metal, hard rock, hip-hop, groove, and dissonance. Their lyrics focus on pain and personal alienation rather than traditional heavy metal themes.

The band's debut album warranted a Parental Advisory label because of the album's lyrics. Many of Korn's first works are based on early experiences. The song "Daddy" was described by lead singer Jonathan Davis: "When I was a kid, I was being abused by somebody else and I went to my parents and told them about it, and they thought I was lying and joking around. They never did shit about it. They didn't believe it was happening to their son.... I don't really like to talk about that song. This is as much as I've ever talked about it..."

Bassist Reginald Arvizu plays his instrument using both the techniques of fingerstyle and slapping. Jonathan Davis was said by Doug Small to be "the eye of the storm around which the music of Korn rages." Small described the band as "a basket-case full of contradictions." Although the band virtually had no support by television or by radio broadcasting in its first four years, Korn would go on to influence other great nu metal bands.

Korn's debut album is said to have established the nu metal genre. Bands such as Coal Chamber and Limp Bizkit were inspired by the album's "churning rage, emphasising similar grooves and song structures" and "the sound's hip–hop elements."

Band Members

 * Current members
 * Jonathan Davis – lead vocals, bagpipes (1993–present)
 * James "Munky" Shaffer  – guitars (1993–present), backing vocals (2005–present)
 * Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu – bass (1993–present)
 * Brian "Head" Welch – guitars, backing vocals (1993–2005, 2013–present)
 * Ray Luzier – drums, percussion (2007–present)
 * Current touring members
 * Zac Baird – keyboards, piano, backing vocals (2006–present)
 * Former members
 * David Silveria – drums, percussion (1993–2006)

Discography

 * Korn (1994)
 * Life Is Peachy (1996)
 * Follow The Leader (1998)
 * Issues (1999)
 * Untouchables (2002)
 * Take A Look In The Mirror (2003)
 * See You On The Other Side (2005)
 * Untitled (2007)
 * Korn III: Remember Who You Are (2010)
 * The Path Of Totality (2011)
 * The Paradigam Shift (2013)