Korn’s Jonathan Davis Claims Band Was Dubstep Before Genre Was Created

Korn have made a significant change in musical direction over the past year. The nu-metal pioneers tenth studio album, The Path of Totality, is heavily influenced by dubstep. While long-time Korn fans may not like this sudden shift in style, Davis says Korn were "dubstep before there was dubstep."

Speaking to Billboard (via NME), Davis described how Korn incorporated elements of dubstep before the electronic music sub-genre blew up in south London, England.

"We were dubstep before there was dubstep," Davis says. "Tempos at 140 with half-time drums, huge bassed-out riffs. We used to bring out 120 subwoofers and line them across the whole front of the stage, 60 subs per side. We were all about the bass."

For The Path of Totality, in stores December 6, Korn enlisted the help of influential dubstep producers, including the poster boy for the new dance movement Skrillex (aka Sonny Moore). The Korn frontman has always had an affinity for electronica and teaming up with Skrillex just made sense.

"I've been a fan of electronic music since the beginning," Davis says. "When I first heard Skrillex's stuff, I was blown away. That's when I called Sonny, and he was like, 'F___ yeah!'"

Davis appreciates younger fans for embracing Korn's new direction and shows his annoyance for old school metalheads' criticism of the sound.

"These kids are onto something completely innovative and new," says the singer. "It's pure and awesome and underground and heavy and different, not like stale-a__ metal and rock'n'roll. I love them all, but the old-school metalheads are not open to change."

Korn are currently on the road and Davis has witnessed two different types of crowds come together to have a good time. In the end, that's one of the main things music is supposed to do, right?

"It's really cool to see glow sticks at the show, to see dance music culture infiltrating and becoming one with the metal community," states Davis. "At the last show, there was one mosh pit where they were moshing, and another with kids doing glow stick tricks. They were taking turns and s___. I think we've opened up a new style that both sides are happy with."

Watch the music video for Korn's latest single, "Narcissistic Cannibal", below.

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