Full Breakdown
Korn Crafts Fifteenth Album Amid Lineup Change
5/16/2026, 9:07:58 PM
Album Development and Creative Process
Guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer says Korn has produced about 40 songs for the follow-up to 2022’s *Requiem*. He describes the sessions as a lengthy cycle of writing, rewriting, discarding and rebuilding, driven by a perfectionist aim to preserve the band’s signature sound.
Background & Context
After *Requiem* debuted in February 2022, Korn released the single “Reward The Scars” for *Diablo IV* and resumed a post-pandemic tour schedule. Original bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu entered an extended hiatus in 2021, which the band called a mutual break. Fieldy cited personal issues and “bad habits” that strained relationships with his bandmates.
Why It Matters / Impact
The upcoming album will be Korn’s first without Fieldy’s bass, testing the band’s ability to retain its low-tuned heaviness. Current bassist Roberto Díaz is credited with fresh rhythmic energy that may shape the record. Fans heard a preview when “Reward The Scars” played to 50,000 in Las Vegas, and the band’s first UK/Europe shows in over a decade are set for a 20-date autumn tour.
Official Statements & Responses
Munky said the band is “very critical” of new material and will not release a “mediocre” record. He praised the synergy between Díaz and drummer Ray Luzier as proof of the lineup’s cohesion and commitment to Korn’s original sound. The group also announced a European headline tour, its first in over ten years.
Criticism & Opposition
Munky said Fieldy “wasn’t happy” and lacked the stamina for Korn’s demanding schedule, describing his disengagement as “lost his ambition”. Fieldy’s own remarks about personal struggles and tension with bandmates offer a contrasting perspective.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Munky describes the exit as a “mutual hiatus”, while Fieldy says he has not spoken to former bandmates since 2019 and cites personal issues. No firm release date has been announced, leaving the final tracklist and launch schedule uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s taking a f*cking long time. 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,” — James “Munky” Shaffer, guitarist, Rolling Stone Brasil
- “It was obvious that he wasn't happy.” — James “Munky” Shaffer
- “And Ra [current Korn bassist Roberto Díaz] has actually been such a great addition to bringing a lot of energy in the rhythm section.” — James “Munky” Shaffer
- “I think it’s just been a lot of touring and us taking our time to release something that… We didn’t wanna release something mediocre. That’s why I think we keep on writing and rewriting.” — James “Munky” Shaffer
What’s Next
Korn will start a 20-date European tour in October 2024, with Architects supporting. The band continues to trim the 40-song pool, targeting a full-length release later this year, though no official date is set.
