REVIEW BY DAVID TAYLOR AND PHOTOS BY ROBERT A CHADWICK | Go Venue Magazine
For 30 years, Korn has been dominating the heavy music sound waves. They returned to Omaha on Friday, October 25, to perform at CHI Health Center. Over 10,000 fans filled the arena to celebrate this band’s longevity, which was most likely their biggest headlining show here.
Metalcore band Spiritbox from Canada opened up the concert. I saw these guys in 2021 open for Limp Bizkit in Chicago, right before they took over the heavy music scene. Courtney LaPlante is one of the best vocalists ever to do it, both screaming and singing. The band was heavy and energetic to warm the crowd up and going. They even played their latest single, which came out last month, “Soft Spine”. It was so cool to watch Spiritbox play in an arena. I hope they get to headline one someday.
Gojira from France was the direct support. This summer, they perform on the world’s stage at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the first hard rock/metal band to ever do so. Many people were turned on by them with their performance of “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)” (and they performed it live during this performance). I had only seen Gojira play in an arena once before this night, but this performance cemented that they were built for them. They brought so much pyro that I couldn’t believe they were only the direct support. I dare anyone to tell me this is one of the greatest metal bands of all time. I hope the Korn loyalists became Gojira fans tonight because they put on an impressive set. Joe Duplantier before they left the stage said by the time they come back to tour America, again, they will have a new album out, which got me very excited. It was another great set from the Gojira guys.
Finally, it was time to celebrate 30 years of Korn. I can’t believe this band sounds as good they have been. Jonathan Davis, who I think Ozzy Osbourne has passed his torch to him as one of our great metal vocalists, still sounds incredible live. James “Munky” Shaffer and Brian “Head” Welch’s guitar tones were thick and packed a punch. I was quite impressed with touring bassist Ra Díaz, who brings such a youthful energy to the band, moves around onstage, and plays Fieldy’s parts well, with Ray Luzier hitting the skins in the back. They played songs they hadn’t played in a while (“Ball Tongue”, “Oildale (Leave Me Alone)”), as well as hits such as “Blind” and “Falling Away From Me”. The mosh pit was going strong throughout their set. Bands don’t usually get to that thirtieth year, but the way that Korn continues to stay relevant to this day is amazing. Korn fans are as diehard as they come. I hope to hear a new Korn album soon.
Korn
Gojira
Follow our socials, only take a second and is free by finding us on:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
