KoRn’s Munky Reveals 40 Songs Written for New Album and Shares Insights on Bassist Fieldy’s Exit

KoRn's Munky opens up about the band's creative surge with 40 new songs and sheds light on bassist Fieldy’s departure from the group.

A Flood of Creativity: 40 Songs and Counting

If you’ve been itching for new KoRn music—and really, who hasn't?—guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer has some thrilling news. The nu-metal legends from Bakersfield, California, have been hard at work, penning an astonishing 40 tracks for their next album. That’s right, forty! It’s no secret this band takes their craft seriously, and Munky’s words reveal just how painstakingly selective they’ve been about what makes the cut.

In an exclusive interview, Munky described the process as a long, meticulous journey: "We’ve gone through… I swear to God, we’ve written probably almost 40 songs, and gone through ’em, and rewrote ’em, and got rid of ’em, and tore ’em apart, and rebuilt ’em." You can practically hear the band’s devotion to quality and authenticity in that statement.

The band is being especially critical because they want to preserve their signature sound. “You can’t really get away from that – when we start playing, it sounds like KoRn, especially with all five of us,” Munky asserted. It’s a comforting nod to fans who crave that unmistakable blend of angst and groove that only KoRn can deliver.

From ‘Reward The Scars’ to the New Album Buzz

Just last month, KoRn dropped their first fresh track in four years, “Reward The Scars.” The song was a killer addition to the video game Diablo IV: Lord Of Hatred, perfectly capturing that dark, intense energy the game demands, and the band’s uncanny ability to blend metal and atmosphere.

If you haven’t seen it yet, the band also released a gruesome, animated music video for the track, ramping up the hype for what’s next. It’s the kind of collaboration that perks up fans from both the metal and gaming worlds, and it sets a fiery tone for the upcoming album.

Inside the Studio: A Lengthy, Intense Writing Process

Digging deeper into the album creation, Munky shared how the band has been in the studio working since their 2022 album Requiem. He admits, “It’s taking a fucking long time,” but that’s because the band is demanding when it comes to their art. The creative process has involved tearing tracks down and rebuilding them multiple times to get everything just right.

The band’s commitment to their original sound is key. It’s that raw, visceral KoRn vibe that draws listeners in and keeps them coming back. There’s an art to evolving while still sounding unmistakably like themselves, a balance that KoRn seem to be chasing with fierce dedication.

Fieldy’s Departure: A Bittersweet Hiatus

One of the biggest talking points recently has been the departure of bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu from KoRn in 2021. Munky opened up about this sensitive topic with a tone of understanding and kindness.

“Trying to get him engaged was a little bit difficult, just to stay in the room while we’re writing,” Munky said. “He would always just kind of leave… and he’d be in there for a few minutes and then kind of just not focused, and he just kind of lost his ambition, I guess.”

Rather than framing it as a bitter split, Munky insists it was more of a mutual understanding. “We’re definitely not mad at him or anything, we want him to be happy. And it didn’t really feel like he was happy being a working musician at the time.” He emphasized that the band considers it a hiatus more than a permanent break-up.

Fieldy himself has talked about battling personal issues that led to some tension within the band. At the time of stepping back, he admitted he’d been “dealing with some personal issues that at times have caused me to fall back on some of my bad habits and has caused some tension with the people around me.” In a candid admission last year, Fieldy revealed he hasn’t spoken to his former bandmates since 2019, underscoring the personal nature of his struggles.

KoRn’s Return to the Stage and Tour Announcement

Amid all this, KoRn hasn’t lost momentum. Last month, they debuted “Reward The Scars” live to a roaring crowd of 50,000 at Sick New World in Las Vegas—a testament to their enduring appeal and the loyalty of their fan base.

Looking ahead, the band has announced a headline tour across the UK and Europe set for later this year. This marks their first major string of shows in these territories in over a decade! After headlining Download Festival last year, fans in Europe are beyond excited to see them back on home turf.

"We’ve gone through ’em, and rewrote ’em, and got rid of ’em, and tore ’em apart, and rebuilt ’em.” — James “Munky” Shaffer

Reflecting on ‘Requiem’ and the Path Forward

Their latest full album Requiem, released in February 2022, was hailed as one of their most nuanced records yet. It wasn’t the cheerful, carefree KoRn we sometimes joke about wanting, but rather a deeper, more emotionally raw journey.

One reviewer noted: “It would be a push to call this Korn’s first ‘happy’ album. More accurately, ‘Requiem’ has brought something new to a discography that, until now, has been an exploration of human suffering.”

As fans, it’s exciting to see where they’ll go next—with the 40 songs in the pipeline, there’s a treasure trove of potential for new directions, but always with that unmistakable KoRn essence.

KoRn: The Evolution Continues

With a wealth of new material and a fresh tour on the horizon, KoRn is proving they’re still a force to be reckoned with in the nu-metal scene. The band’s honesty about their struggles and creative process only deepens the connection with their audience.

So, are you ready for the next chapter in KoRn’s journey? With Munky and the crew carefully crafting their sound, it’s sure to be worth the wait.

FAQ

• How many songs has KoRn written for their upcoming album?
  KoRn has written approximately 40 songs, which they have been refining and selecting from for their new album.
• Why did bassist Fieldy leave KoRn?
  Fieldy stepped back due to personal issues and a loss of ambition to continue as a working musician. The band describes it as a mutual hiatus rather than a permanent departure.
• When did KoRn release their last album?
  Their most recent album, Requiem, was released in February 2022.
• Has KoRn performed any new music live?
  Yes, they performed “Reward The Scars” for the first time live at Sick New World in Las Vegas to a crowd of 50,000 people.
• Is KoRn touring soon?
  Yes, KoRn has announced a headline UK and European tour for late 2026, their first in over ten years in these regions.

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