Seven years, two albums and a global pandemic have passed since Korn last played a headline show in the UK. With the exception of Download Festival 2022, the nu-metal icons have kept fans patiently waiting, only wetting the appetite of their endearing fanbase with those two stellar records – ‘The Nothing’ and ‘Requiem.’ It’s only appropriate, therefore, that their return marks their most spectacular show on UK soil hosting 30,000 strong in West London’s Gunnersbury Park.
One of the crown jewels in their 30th anniversary celebrations, alongside a stadium show in Los Angeles, this much-hyped gig was curated for a special purpose, bringing four eclectic support acts along for the ride. Perhaps the hottest ticket for the capital’s metalheads all summer, the bill showcases the best in emerging heavy talent, from London’s Wargasm and Liverpool’s Loathe through to US metalcore hotshots Spiritbox , who cross the pond for just the third time in their career. The curveball inclusion, however, is Denzel Curry – with the Florida rapper set to continue his hot streak of metal crossover episodes and sub-headline the event.
However, he is forced to pull out through illness, promising to “make it up” at Reading and Leeds in a fortnight. With perhaps a slightly longer set length at their disposal, Loathe open proceedings with a scintillating display of measured aggression and heaviness. Wargasm successfully transport the crowd to the nu-metal rave, though Milkie Way and Sam Matlock’s vocals feel breathless at times, attempting to deliver their hyperactive brand of heavy to the masses.
As the sweltering summer sun sets beneath the trees, Spiritbox blow all expectations out of the water with a cataclysmic live show, having grown into their position as the heirs to the metalcore throne. Courtney LaPlante doesn’t miss a single note or guttural scream, coexisting majestically against guitarist Mike Stringer’s razor-sharp riffs. Check back here in three years’ time when Spiritbox are headlining this place, because they are simply unstoppable – with just one album under their belt.
Up next, is a band with a staggering fourteen albums to their name. As Korn hit the stage, the sold-out crowd have filled Gunnersbury Park to its brim: it’s sardines all the way to the sound tower. A translucent screen displays their name and logo, before being lifted up ever so gradually, to unveil the band, who launch into ‘Rotting In Vain.
’ Majestic and still quintessentially scrawny, Jonathan Davis frolics around the stage in his sparkly, dark green Adidas gear – a tracksuit donned by plenty of the crowd today, despite the 30°C heat. By ‘A.D.
I.D.A.
S.’, he’s ditched the jacket, and the first weird and wonderful sing-along of the day kicks in: “All day, I dream about sex.” A man of few words, Davis rattles through the set with a sense of frantic urgency, almost aware of the 10pm Sunday curfew.
‘Requiem’ cut ‘Start The Healing’ gets an outing, a brief ode to their newer material before taking things back to square one: it’s time for ‘Blind.’ Comfortably the highlight of the night, the crowd is sent into raptures all the way to the back – almost an animalistic ritual – when that beast of a riff kicks in. Guitarist Brian ‘Head’ Welch looks utterly possessed, committed to delivering the iconic opener to their debut album exactly like it’s 1994.
While the resurgence of Limp Bizkit ’s ‘Break Stuff’ has recently generated some wild audience moments around the globe, ‘Blind’ can’t be far behind, safely holding on to second-place in the nu-metal leaderboard. We’re transported to Mordor in ‘Got The Life’, as the fiery wastelands on the screens add a splash of terror to the occasion. Davis beats his chest.
It’s strictly greatest hits from now, signified by the one-two punch of ‘Falling Away From Me’ and ‘Coming Undone.’ 11 songs into the night, Davis finally addresses the crowd: “It’s kind of emotional for me, this is fucking amazing” , he muses, finally processing the magnitude of the night. It’s rare that any band can hit new heights this far into their career, but Korn have pulled it off, not with a ground-breaking new album, but by simply leaning into the heritage of their timeless back catalogue.
Returning for the encore after ‘Y’all Want a Single’, ‘Shoots and Ladders’ pays homage to Metallica ’s ‘One’, which is barely discernible at first amongst the pure peppering of riffage. ‘Twist’ still remains as stupid as ever, before the inevitable ‘Freak On A Leash’ brings the occasion to a close. The 75-minute set flies by – much like the three decades Korn have been kicking around for.
It’s a schooling in how to execute a headline set of this scale. Spiritbox, Wargasm and Loathe, take note – because the time will surely come. Most importantly, however, it’s a celebration.
Of Korn, of nu-metal – which is enjoying its second wind in the spotlight – and their adoring fanbase, plenty of whom have stuck by the band since 1994. Alongside these more seasoned metalheads are plenty of teenagers, living proof that Korn have pierced through into yet another generation – a streak that will continue long after they’re gone. “Next time they come back, they have to be headlining, surely?” were the words of Download boss Andy Copping, after Limp Bizkit crushed their set earlier this year.
Tonight, Korn prove that they are surely worthy of that same call-up – something that has eluded the band since Download began in 2003. With new music promised to arrive by the end of the year, Korn have got the wind in their sails as they power on into their fourth decade. Bring it on.
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