Story & Photos By Christina Marchioni – Special to SWOMP
London, Ontario got loud and heavy when Korn rolled into town on their Korn in Kanada Tour, delivering a set that proved why they’ve stayed at the top of the nu-metal game for more than two decades.
The night opened with Loathe, whose gloomy, atmospheric set laid down a dark mood. Their sound hit hard, even if the low lighting made it tough to catch much of their stage presence. Still, they set the tone for what was ahead.
Gojira followed and turned things up several notches. Known for their precision and sheer heaviness, they tore through a blistering set that left the arena buzzing. Joe Duplantier’s growls cut through the mix while Mario Duplantier’s machine-like drumming showed exactly why he’s considered one of the best out there. With pyro erupting around them and a tight, commanding stage presence, Gojira’s performance felt massive—like the room could barely contain it.
Then came the headliners. Before Korn even started, drummer Ray Luzier gave fans a moment to remember, handing a stick and a fist bump to someone in the crowd. From there, the energy inside Canada Life Place shifted—the anticipation snapped into a frenzy as the curtain dropped and Korn stormed the stage.
Korn have been shaping heavy music since the early ’90s with their mix of detuned riffs, hip-hop swing, and raw, emotional weight. In London, they proved they haven’t lost an ounce of that power. The show was a full-on assault—lasers sliced across the stage, strobe lights fired in bursts, and the band locked into their signature grooves with unrelenting force.
Jonathan Davis poured himself into every scream and whisper, his vocals carrying the same pain and urgency that first hooked fans decades ago. Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu’s stand-in, Ra Díaz, drove the low end so hard the floor shook. Guitarists Brian “Head” Welch and James “Munky” Shaffer moved with chaotic energy, feeding off the crowd’s frenzy, while Luzier hammered everything home with ferocious precision behind the kit.
The setlist pulled from across Korn’s catalog—early cuts like “Twist” and “Blind,” mid-era staples like “Coming Undone” and “Somebody Someone,” and of course a final encore of “Freak on a Leash,” which had the crowd shouting every word.
For fans in London, it was more than just a concert—it was a reminder of Korn’s lasting impact and continued dominance. Three decades in, they’re still playing like a band with something to prove.
Korn
Gojira
Loathe
