Love and Death
Between Here & Lost

THE REVIEW

I have always appreciated Brian "Head" Welch for his dark, solemn, unsettling, penetrating, gothic sound that revolutionized the concept of lead guitar in Metal and allowed Korn to emerge in the '90s. And what can we say about his voice? Angry (who doesn't remember "Ball Tongue?!") but also sweet when necessary, as in his solo album "Save Me From Myself" (2008), where he confronts the ghosts of his past, the departure from the Bakersfield quartet, and the great difficulties of his present as a single father and former drug addict in the light of his conversion to Christianity (obviously unexpected and, for some malicious people, nothing more than a mere marketing choice). In 2013, however, Head returned to Korn, surprising everyone and simultaneously announced a new musical project called "Love and Death" with members: JR Bareis (guitar), Micheal Valentine (bass), and Dan Johnson (drums) with whom he toured to promote the aforementioned autobiographical CD. In the same year, the band released its first effort, which, in my opinion, can only please fans of the old guard Korn: a lot of heaviness from the front and powerful guitars and percussion, all seasoned by Valentine's bass, whose sound vaguely recalls his mentor, Fieldy; Welch's singing thus gives that extra touch that makes these four guys more interesting and "commercially appealing". A substantial album, without too many frills, where electronics are very minimal to make space for a typically Nu Metal sound, but also enclose hints of Goth Rock. This is what awaits you when you listen to the first work of "Love and Death", whose best track in my opinion is "The Abandoning", although the musical level remains very high in all tracks. In short, if you like the primordial Korn, you can't help but give a listen to this great band that, if more promoted, could, in my humble opinion, become a reference point in its genre. Eventually, not long from now (just time to find a new bassist given Valentine's step back, right?), their second album should be released, preceded in 2016 by the single "Lo Lamento". PS To give you an idea, I leave you the video of their performance at "Rock am Ring 2013".