For Brian “Head” Welch, faith isn’t just a part of his life, it’s his purpose. The Korn guitarist left the Grammy-winning nu-metal band in 2005 after giving his life to Christ, shocked fans when he returned to the group in 2013. Some Christians questioned his decision, while others were confused by his continued presence in a band known for its dark, aggressive sound. But Welch is clear: God called him back—not to compromise, but to be a light in the darkness.
In a recent interview with Church Leaders, Welch explained that his return to Korn wasn’t a rash decision.
“I’ve checked and double-checked and confirmed and quadruple-confirmed that I’m supposed to be there,” Welch said. “So I don’t care what anybody says. God just puts His hand on it, and I just see Him all the time. So that’s all I’m focused on.”
Leaving the band in 2005 was necessary for Welch’s spiritual growth. His struggles—substance abuse, depression, and the pressures of fame—had left him broken, and he knew he needed Jesus. But nearly a decade later, God showed him it was time to go back.
“He was showing me, ‘Don’t be afraid to be a light in the dark,'” Welch recalled. “He never meant for me to never go back [to Korn]. He just meant it wasn’t the right time.”
Welch’s return to Korn wasn’t met with open arms from everyone.
“I’ve got this odd calling where a lot of Christians don’t understand it and write me off,” he admitted.
Many believers struggle with the idea that a committed Christian can thrive in the heavy metal world, especially in a band with lyrics that sometimes include dark themes and explicit language.
But Welch has drawn clear boundaries. Since rejoining Korn, his vocal role has been significantly reduced, meaning he’s no longer contributing to the lyrics or background vocals.
“Honestly, [lead singer] Jonathan [Davis] would write parts for me back in the day, and when I came back, I was out of the band for so long he never wrote parts for me again,” he explained.
Some assume that the rockstar lifestyle includes constant partying and temptation, but Welch says that’s far from the truth.
“Everybody is in relationships and dedicated,” he revealed. “We are boring backstage. The excitement is on that stage with the fans. Afterwards, it’s about a meal, a shower, and a good night’s sleep.”
One of the most powerful aspects of Welch’s testimony is the impact he’s having on his bandmates. While they respect his faith, some have been wounded by past church experiences.
“If you don’t lead with love and have that as your motive, then Paul said, ‘You are nothing,'” Welch said, referencing 1 Corinthians 13:2.
His bandmates, he explained, have been skeptical about Christianity, but not because they reject Jesus—rather, because they’ve seen hypocrisy and corruption in the church.
“A couple of them grew up in really strict religious churches, so they’re wounded,” Welch said. “They’re open to [Christianity], but they’re open to other things too because they’ve had bad experiences.”
Despite this, Welch is committed to sharing the love of Christ, whether through personal conversations or through the many videos circulating online of him discussing Jesus with fans.
And though his platform is unconventional, his purpose is clear:
“God just puts His hand on it, and I see Him all the time,” Welch said. “That’s all I’m focused on.”