Head

Brian 'Head' Welch is a foundational figure in modern metal, specifically credited with co-creating the 'nu-metal' sound as a founding member of Korn. His solo work, primarily under the moniker Head (and later evolving into the band Love and Death), represents a significant pivot in his career arc.

Following a highly publicized departure from Korn in 2005 due to drug addiction and a religious conversion, his solo output serves as a bridge between secular alternative metal and the Christian metal scene. Sonically, he utilizes the Ibanez seven-string guitar to create low-frequency, percussive riffs paired with dissonant, high-register 'siren' melodies. His solo debut, 'Save Me from Myself' (2008), was critically noted for its industrial textures and unflinching lyrical content regarding his personal history. While his work is categorized as Christian metal, it maintains the sonic aggression and technical hallmarks of the Bakersfield scene he helped establish. His influence is seen in the widespread adoption of down-tuned guitars and the integration of hip-hop-influenced rhythmic structures within heavy music. After rejoining Korn in 2013, his solo project remains a distinct outlet for more overtly personal and spiritual themes.