Korn

Korn is the foundational architect of nu metal, emerging from Bakersfield, California, in 1993. Their sound identity is built on the interplay between James 'Munky' Shaffer and Brian 'Head' Welch's seven-string guitars and Reginald 'Fieldy' Arvizu's unique 'clicky' bass style, which eschews traditional low-end for a percussive, high-frequency slap.

Vocalist Jonathan Davis introduced a level of raw, confessional lyricism regarding childhood trauma and mental health that was unprecedented in heavy music at the time. Their career arc saw them move from underground sensations to global superstars with 'Follow the Leader' (1998), eventually experimenting with industrial and electronic elements in the 2010s. They are credited with bridging the gap between hip-hop's rhythmic focus and metal's sonic weight. Critical consensus views their early work as a pivotal shift in rock history, moving the genre away from fantasy and toward internal psychological realism. They remain a massive touring force with a deeply loyal multi-generational fanbase.