The Associated Press reports that Brian “Head” Welch, former Korn guitarist and founding member of the multi-platinum band, was baptised on March 5 in the Jordan River, near the Kibbutz Kinneret in northern Israel, just weeks after quitting his band, drug habits and rock and roll lifestyle for religion.
Welch and about 20 other white-robed Christian pilgrims from a church in Bakersfield, California, were immersed by their pastor Ron Vietti in the Jordan River where, according to Biblical history, Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.
Welch said the ritual baptism had washed away his anger. “You know when you get angry and it builds up? I felt like hurting someone before, now I feel like hugging people,” he said.
Vietti said Welch, who has “Jesus” tattooed across his knuckles and “Matthew 11:28,” tattooed prominently across his neck, is already attracting a new group of young people to the message of Christianity.
“In recent weeks people have committed their lives to God because they’re so inspired by his story,” Vietti said.
Korn announced Welch’s resignation in February 2005 after 13 years with the band. Welch said he had become increasingly depressed and drug-addicted in recent years, but that religion helped him quit. He also said he plans to release more music without the band.
“My songs are God saying things to me, him talking to people. He’s going to use me to heal people and people are going to be drawn to it, just watch, they will be,” he said.
A statement published on the official Korn site reads:
“Korn respects Brian’s wishes and hope he finds the happiness he is searching for. Jonathan, Fieldy, James and David are personally closer than ever, and are currently in the studio working on their 8th record.”
However a news article posted March 5 on Blabbermouth.net claims Korn frontman Jonathon Davis allegedly posted the following contrary message on his Butt Sex Crisps website:
“Well, the writing [for the new album] is almost done.
“I have been having fun watching my ex-guitar player [Brian ‘Head’ Welch] bash us. What can I say but good luck, bro. I’m done with your false crusade. KORN will keep ‘polluting’ the world as long as we have fans.”
That particular post was nowhere to be found when I went to BSC on March 7 to validate the claim, but a recent post by Davis stated the band have been busy working on the new album, with 13 songs already at demo stage and Dallas Austin selected as producer.
The new record is due to be released this September.
Incidentally, two Bakersfield radio DJs were were given their final checks after they used this (rather amusing) catch phrase on air: “Korn Gave Head to God”. The phrase began appearing online following announcements of Welch’s departure from the band, and you could even get the T-shirt, albeit briefly.
