Featuring one of guitarist Brian "Head" Welch's last recorded performances before leaving the band (following his religious conversion), this new Korn DVD from their 2004 Montreux Jazz Festival show is one of their best performances I've seen — filmed or otherwise.
That this ferocious rock spectacle comes from as unlikely a place as the Montreux Jazz Festival adds an even more twisted air to the proceedings. Which is saying something considering the band's groundbreaking mix of heavy metal, funk, and hip-hop elements. Not quite what you think about when the name "Montreux Jazz Fest" is brought up!
All that has changed recently, because even though the festival was a pure jazz fest for the better part of its history, Montreux has of late opened itself up to other genres, becoming more of a pure music fest.
The live sound is excellent as well. Anyone even remotely into the band needs to check out this DVD. I feel safe in saying it is one of the best Korn shows ever. Fans of metal in general, and the band in particular, should thank God the crew at the Montreux Jazz Fest had the foresight to capture Korn's performance for posterity. Which is fitting as the group is one of the most groundbreaking bands to emerge in the past twenty years.
The band first formed in 1993, evolving out of a Bakersfield, California band called LAPD, and paved the way for what is now known as alternative or nu metal. Korn has been incredibly influential on the bands following in it's wake. Just about every band considering themselves metal formed after Korn's first album has been indelibly influenced by the band, whether they know it or not. Albums like 1996's Life Is Peachy and 1998's Follow The Leader cemented the band's status as metal trailblazers. This live show proves the band hasn't lost one iota of energy in the ensuing years.
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