KORN guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer says the band is deep into the writing and recording process for the long-awaited follow-up to 2022’s Requiem, and the scale of the work has been far bigger than fans might expect. Speaking in a new interview with Igor Miranda of Rolling Stone Brasil, Munky said the band has written “probably almost 40 songs,” then repeatedly rewritten, stripped down, and rebuilt them in search of the right direction. He said the process has taken a long time because the band is being far more exacting about what it releases now.
According to Munky, that level of scrutiny comes from a desire to protect KORN’s identity while still keeping the music fresh. He said the band wants to preserve its signature sound, noting that once the group starts playing together it still sounds like KORN, especially with all five members involved. He also praised bassist Ra Díaz for bringing fresh energy to the rhythm section and said Díaz and drummer Ray Luzier have developed a strong chemistry. Munky added that watching the two build parts together has been an important part of the writing process, especially because they had never worked together on a full record before.
He explained that the newer material is shaped by that collaboration, but also by the band’s larger desire not to repeat itself. Munky said every artist wants to avoid painting the same picture over and over, and KORN is no different. The goal, he said, is to add new colors and textures while still giving listeners something that feels unmistakably familiar. He emphasized that the new music will remain rooted in KORN’s core formula: no extreme electronic shift, no major detour, and a sound that stays heavy, bass-driven, and guitar-focused.
Munky also addressed why the new album is taking so long. He pointed to the band’s heavy touring schedule after COVID and said KORN was eager to return to the road once live shows were possible again. He recalled that after The Nothing was released in 2019, plans to support the record were disrupted, and when the pandemic hit, he pushed for the band to regroup safely in a studio. That creative session became Requiem. Since then, he said, KORN has been constantly touring and carefully shaping new material, because the band did not want to release anything mediocre. He added that KORN enjoys writing and recording just as much as performing live.
The interview also touched on the status of original bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu, who stepped away from the group in 2021. Munky said there have been times when it is hard to imagine what the music would sound like if Fieldy were still in the band, but he also suggested that Fieldy had been increasingly disconnected during the last few records. He said attempts to keep him engaged in the writing room often fell short, but stressed that the band is not angry with him and sees the situation as a break rather than a true split. Munky said Fieldy seemed unhappy with the demands of being a working musician after three decades and that the band only wants him to stay healthy and pursue whatever makes him happy.
Asked whether he still keeps in touch with Fieldy, Munky said he has heard that the bassist is doing well and looks healthier, even though they have not spoken personally in a few months. He added that Fieldy’s son is now playing bass and that Fieldy has been helping him with his band, which seems to have put him in a better place. Munky said that makes the rest of KORN feel good, because the group wants to see him happy at home with his family.
The article also notes that KORN recently surprised fans with “Reward The Scars,” a new song tied to the Diablo IV: Lord Of Hatred expansion soundtrack. The band debuted the track live at Sick New World in Las Vegas in late April, marking KORN’s first new music since Requiem arrived in February 2022. That album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hard Rock Albums chart and also landed high on the Top Rock Albums, Top Alternative Albums, and Billboard 200 charts.
KORN’s upcoming release remains without a firm date, but Munky’s comments make one thing clear: the band is sitting on a huge amount of material and refusing to settle for anything less than something that feels worthy of the KORN name.
