Korn brought back a bunch of nostalgia during last week’s performance at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Photos by Evan J. Thomas/ The Pit
Its been 20 years. Let that sink in for a moment. Where were you 20 years ago in 1994?
I was a year out of high school, photographing concerts at the Metro and Riviera Theater trying to start off my photography career. I was listening to music like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots just to name a few.
Then out of no where came these five guys from Bakersfield, California who broke the mold of those “alternative/grunge” bands. My buddy Dennis Stover got me onto Korn since he snagged a demo tape and we had a listen. A sound that was rarely heard up until that point with crunching guitar licks, sick bass lines, killer drumming and a front man with some major angst to his lyrics. Put it all together and Korn had people in awe.
I first saw Korn live in 1997 at the same Aragon Ballroom where they were on Thursday night for their 20th anniversary tour. In 1997 it was crazy, I was actually moshing and body surfing at that time though I no longer I engage in those actions. That show was intense, bodies flying all over, long hair flowing, sweaty people rocking out to the guys on stage, it was awesome.
Fast forward to Thursday night, the anticipation grew as the set of Suicide Silence had finished. The lights were still somewhat on and it was almost 10pm. 10:03pm hit and the stage went dark, all you hear was the symbols starting off… then the crunching guitar, then the bass and finally Jonathan Davis strolled to the stage and belted out “Are you ready”?? The packed Aragon Brawlroom sang along with him as Korn thrashed about the stage with dreadlocks flowing.
This tour is all about that first album, cleverly named Korn. They played the album from beginning to end and knocked out all the big hits that started the band off. Davis even brought out his signature bag pipes for “Shoots and Ladders”.
It was an awesome set that brought out the nostalgia of years past. If you get a chance to see this tour and you are a fan, do not miss out. It’ll be worth it.
