KORN's James 'Munky' Shaffer Reveals 40 Songs Written for Upcoming Album
In a candid conversation with Igor Miranda for Rolling Stone Brasil, KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer opened up about the band's extensive writing and recording sessions for their anticipated follow-up to 2022's "Requiem." "It's taking a fucking long time. We've gone through... I swear to God, we've written probably almost 40 songs, and gone through 'em, and rewrote 'em, and got rid of 'em, and tore 'em apart, and rebuilt 'em," Munky shared, reflecting on the meticulous process that defines their current creative phase.
He emphasized the band's commitment to preserving their signature sound, stating, "You can't really get away from that — when we start playing, it sounds like KORN, especially with all five of us. Ra [current KORN bassist Roberto Díaz] has actually been such a great addition to bringing a lot of energy in the rhythm section. It's fun to watch those guys work out parts, because they do some stuff that I wouldn't think of." Munky noted the synergy between Ra and drummer Ray Luzier, highlighting how their collaboration has infused fresh energy into the writing process.
"As an artist, you don’t wanna paint the same picture over and over again. You wanna add some flavor, add some color, add something new so it feels fresh. So, it still sounds like KORN, for sure. There's no heavy electronics, or you're not gonna get anything too far out of left field. It's still very guitar driven and bass heavy," Munky explained, underscoring their dedication to innovation within the framework of their established sound.
When asked about the delay in releasing new music, Munky attributed it to their rigorous touring schedule post-COVID. "We were excited to get back out on the road. We didn't really go out to support [2019's] 'The Nothing.' When COVID hit, I was going insane being trapped at home, and I kind of assembled everybody to, like, 'Can we get together? Can we all safely get together in a studio?' And that was the result of 'Requiem.'" He stressed that their aim is to avoid mediocrity, continually rewriting to ensure they deliver something truly exceptional.
Munky also addressed the ongoing absence of original bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, who announced in June 2021 that he would be stepping back to address personal issues. "There've been moments where it's difficult imagining what it could be if he was in the band, but on the last couple of records, he was kind of checked out," Munky noted, expressing understanding for Fieldy's need for a hiatus. "It happens. Everything goes in cycles. We're definitely not mad at him or anything. We want him to be happy." He further added, "We work our asses off. Even when we're not touring, we're writing music or working on things. After 30 years, it takes a lot of stamina, and I just don't feel like he had it at the time."