Photo: Zac Mahrouche
Thanks to the barmy number of band tees and accessories, Brixton tonight looks more like 2001 when nu-metal craze was at its peak in this country. In the moments leading up to Korn’s only UK show on this stint – apart from Reading and Leeds – the sewn-on band patches become a nostalgic reminder of when high street culture was all about hanging around the streets and being ‘a goth’.
As the Godfathers of nu-metal – their song ‘Blind’ and its accompanying video, arguably kick-started the genre that quickly stagnated – it’s hardly a surprise to feel a palpable sense of expectation and seeing the streets of South London transformed by something other than another annoyingly titled yuppie chicken restaurant. For those who are of the median age of people here, Korn will have had a mighty influence of their life, and opened them up much more music they’ve come to love.
Korn’s music – and other bands of their ilk, i.e. Napalm Death, Slipknot and Machine Head – gave fans a sense of community with other people who dressed and behaved outside of established norms set by society. Their hold on mainstream television in the late 90s and early noughties was a liberating thing for teenagers. It encouraged a time where it was ok to be yourself and it’s an empowering trait to carry. Afterall, Jonathan Davis wearing a gold kilt and Korn’s grizzly dreadlocks don’t exactly reek of an attempt to fit in.
This sense of community is definitely felt upon entering Brixton Academy, the whole venue feels like a temple of worship as – unlike guitarist Head, who claims to have discovered Christianity – the only religion people here are devoted to is heavy metal. Implying this sense of whole-hearted devotion are screams and yelps from the seated area that overhangs the pit floor: they are deafening and reminiscent of evangelists losing their shit - the volume is more piercing and passionate than 99 percent of gigs I’ve ever seen. I turn to my left and see 500 people head banging in unison as they open with their single from their new album, ‘Rotting In Vein’, and the band have a sincerely impressive sound with the bass hitting you firmly in the chest.
And although there’s lots of great imagery with abstract geometric shapes acting like the best Windows Media Player screen saver you’ve ever seen, it’s the band members themselves that you can’t keep your eye off. They saunter through their back-catalogue with fluency and confidence that being at the top of the live music game for years gives you.
The centre of attention, naturally, is the frontman and Jonathan Davis. He does a phenomenal job of endearing his already devout “Crazy sexy English motherfuckers”: “I’m pumped the fuck up. I can barely talk. You all want to get crazy with me, “ he yells.
From there, everyone abidingly gets down with a version of ‘Y’all Want A Single (Fuck That)’ where the entire venue scream in unison the words “Fuck That”.
The most poignant moment of the night comes as they show video recorded footage of the hardcore Korn fans they see on tour in tandem with the love song ‘4U’. It indicates that they’ve been really humbled by all the support they’ve had all the years, and the montage footage shows how important this band are: many sporting tattoos of the band or in near tears of joy.
Ultimately, the performance here keeps them at the forefront of heavy music and as innovators and pioneers - it’s no wonder they’re still around. They’re a group of some of the most sublime live musicians on the planet and no matter your music taste, you’ll be a convert to the church of Korn if you go and see them live.
