Korn Planting Nu Metal Underground Roots And Growing A Rock & Roll Empire

When their band L.A.P.D. dissolved, band members Reginald Arvizu, James Shaffer, and David Silveria decided to keep going. They recruited guitarist Brian Welch and a singer named Corey to help them start a new band called Creep. Later, in 1993, the band saw vocalist Jonathan Davis performing with his band, Sexart. The musicians met and Creep attempted to get Davis to join them. Davis wasn't initially interested though. Rumor has it that he consulted a psychic before he was convinced the move was a good one.

Shortly after Davis joined Creep, the band name was changed their name to Korn. They set to work on their first demo CD which they titled 'Neidermeyer's Mind'. It was 1994 and Korn set out to get themselves a record deal. The music scene at the time was primarily centered around the Grunge genre and Korn wasn't fitting the bill. Finally, Immortal Records signed the band and they got to work on their first album.

Korn self-titled the new album, which was a wild combination of hip-hop, funk, punk rock and heavy metal. After the album's release, Korn hit the road for an intense bout of concert dates. Korn packed venue after venue and their fan base exploded. By 1995, Korn was in the position to open for rock legend, Ozzy Osbourne. This single event threw Korn into the public eye and ensured their place in mainstream rock.

Korn's second album 'Life Is Peachy', debuted in 1996. In the first week alone, the album sold more than 100,000 copies and soared up the charts to the number 3 spot. In support of the new album, Korn went on tour with Metallica. They continued to make rock fans want more when they performed with Tool in 1997 at the Lalapalooza Music Festival. Then, in 1997, Korn formed their own successful record label called, Elementree Records.

Korn released their third album, 'Follow The Leader' in the fall of 1998. It was a resounding success, shooting up the charts, straight to number one. Two singles, "Got The Life" and "Freak On A Leash" were wildly popular in the mainstream music world. Both song videos were heavily requested on MTV and 'Freak On A Leash' even won the band a Grammy Award for Best Music Video, Short Form. The video also won the band nine different MTV video awards the same year.

In support of their new album, Korn started the 'Family Values Tour'. Korn was the headline act for the tour, which turned out to be highly successful. Incubus, Orgy, Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube, and Rammstein toured with Korn. The following year, the tour resumed, but Korn only made surprise appearances, instead leaving the headline to Limp Bizkit.

For the band's fourth album, they let fans submit artwork through MTV. The winner's artwork was featured on the 'Issues' album when it was released in 1999. Korn became one of the only all-white groups to play at the Apollo in support of the new album. To a full house, Korn played the entire album, end to end with the help of some NYPD musicians and house back-up singers.

It wasn't until 2002 that Korn released another album. Although 'Untouchables' debuted at number 3 on the charts, it wasn't nearly as successful as the previous albums were. Overall, the album did well though and the single 'Here To Stay' even won Korn a Grammy for Best Rock Performance.

Korn's 'Greatest Hits Vol 1' debuted in 2004. It hit the charts solidly at #4 and sold like mad. A compilation of covers and Korn's hits over the previous 10 years. One of the singles was actually a medley of the three parts of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall". A remix of their hit single "Freak on a Leash" also made it onto the album as a bonus track.

By 2005 Korn's musical enterprise was growing and they entered into a very unique contract with Virgin Records. Virgin paid the band a reported $25 million dollars up front with a 30% future royalty agreement tacked on. Virgin would then get a portion of all Korn's merchandising and ticket sales. It was a deal that neither side could refuse.

Korn's first album for Virgin, 'See You on the Other Side', was released in late 2005. The album debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, "Twisted Transistor" peaked at #3 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks. The second single, "Coming Undone", was accompanied by a wild video with special effects never seen before.

Korn set out on the 'See You On The Other Side' tour in support of the album. The tour kicked off in the bands hometown of Bakersfield, where the mayor declared it 'Korn Day' which is Feb. 26 for those who wish to celebrate. The tour was eventually canceled though when Davis fell ill.

Korn's untitled eighth album was released on July 31, 2007, and once again topped the charts, debuting at number 2. The singles "Evolution", "Hold On" and "Kiss" have all been quite successful releases. "Hold On" and "Kiss" both managed to get into the top 10 on the charts, keeping Korn in the mainstream.

Rumor has it that Korn will be recording a new album later this year. The yet-to-be titled 9th studio album from the band should be released sometime in fall of 2009. It's also rumored that Korn will once again hit the touring circuit with the 'Family Values Tour' on behalf of the album.