KORN have unveiled the official music video for their brand new track “Reward The Scars,” marking a powerful return with their first new material in over four years.
The song arrives as part of a collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment, tying into the latest expansion for Diablo IV, titled Lord of Hatred. Blending the band’s signature darkness with the game’s bleak and brutal universe, “Reward The Scars” dives deep into themes of pain, endurance, and the lasting marks left behind after conflict.
Fans first got a taste of the song when it was performed live during KORN’s set at the Sick New World Festival this past weekend in Las Vegas. The newly released music video expands on that debut, offering a visual experience steeped in dread, power, and defiance, inspired by the dark fantasy setting of Diablo.
“I’ve played Diablo for years, so getting to step into that world creatively felt natural,” said Jonathan Davis. “I’ve always connected to the darkness in the game and the idea of confronting what lives beneath the surface — that’s something KORN has explored in our music from the beginning. ‘Reward The Scars’ came out of our own writing sessions as a new KORN song, and it became clear pretty quickly that it was a natural fit for Diablo.”
“This collaboration came together naturally — KORN and Diablo live in that space of confronting darkness head-on,” added Kevin Bjelajac, , VP of brand and creative marketing at Blizzard. “With Lord Of Hatred, we’re telling a story about consequence, choice, and what it means to embrace — or resist — the pull of evil. ‘Reward the Scars’ captures that spirit perfectly.”
“Reward The Scars” serves as KORN’s first release since their 2022 album Requiem. Produced by Chris Collier alongside the band, Requiem achieved significant success, topping Billboard’s Hard Rock Albums chart and landing strong positions across multiple rankings, including Top Rock Albums, Top Alternative Albums, and the Billboard 200, where it debuted at No. 14.
The band’s lineup situation, however, has remained a topic of ongoing discussion in recent years. Bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu stepped away from touring duties in 2021, citing personal reasons and a need to address what he described as “bad habits.” Since then, he has been replaced on the road by SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bassist Roberto “Ra” Díaz, though Fieldy still contributed bass on Requiem.
Reflecting on his decision to step back, Fieldy recently discussed the circumstances in a conversation on the Shady Characters podcast alongside former L.A.P.D. bandmate Richard Morrill. He pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a key turning point.
“COVID happened. That’s it,” he said. “I’m like, ‘I’m not going out there.’ That’s what happened, ’cause it was new. Now. I’m like… The whole time — I mean, I didn’t get vaccinated or anything — but when you reflect on it, that’s what happened. They’re like, ‘We’re going to Florida and all this.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m not going to get vaccinated.’ I’m not going. I go, ‘People, this is weird right now.’
“But I mean that’s kind of what happened,” he continued. “But it gave me time to sit, and once you sit, you can reflect and you’re like, you’re kind of just waiting you know to what’s next, ’cause I don’t know what the rest of this day is going to bring. I’m just on fire for whatever, whatever is ready.”
Reflecting on his decades-long run with KORN, he added a more personal perspective on the experience.
“Man, I look back at my life and like, you know, almost 30 years with KORN, that was a blast, man. I mean, it was… I can’t explain it. It’s like you’re going on you’re going to the ultimate [thrill]… It’s not easy. But it is a blast. I don’t look back going, ‘That sucked.’
“I mean, I could look at it and complain, but how are you going to complain? That was everything everybody dreams of. And I got to go almost like a vet. I put in 30 years and now here I am. You know? it’s like I’m cool with that.”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.