Korn Rejivinated with the addition of Drummer Ray Luzier

June 8, 11:21 PMRock Music ExaminerSteven Douglas Losey

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Korn Drummer Ray Luzier

I was never a Korn fan.

I do alot of work for Modern Drummer Magazine, many features, updates, reviews and such things. i enjoy being in bed with the magazine, three months ago I wrote the cover story on Daniel Adair from Nickelback. It was my second feature with Daniel with Modern Drummer. I write for many other rock magazines as well but the truth is I meet alot of famous drummers. Occasionally one will stand out as being a bad ass on the kit, a good cat and a demanded commodity,   Ray Luzier is all three.

I knew Luziers work from his eight year stint with David Lee Roth, Luzier spanned the world five times the Van Halen's frontman. In addition his resume includes either playing or touring with artist's like Billy Sheehan, Steve Vai, John 5, Zakk Wylde, the Nixons, Slash, Seal and a bevy of other musical threats.

It wasn't until I heaard Ray play with the biggest supergroup no one had ever heard of titled Army of Anyone that I first took notice. The band included Filter vocalist Richard Patrick, and the Stone Temple Pilot's brethen Dean and Robert Deleo on guitar and bass. The record was phenominal but was heard by few and Army of Anyone was histrory quickly.

Shortly following Luzier hooked up with the band Korn, he played some shows and in October was offered full membership to the band. I went and saw them last week and was blown away by the vibe and explosiveness that Luzier brings to Korn. The band sounded completely regenerated despite enduring line up changes and a lenghty absence.  I watched vocalist Jonathan Davis, guitarist  "Munky" and and bassist "Fieldy"prowling the front of the stage, all road worthy veterans, dreadlocked cats you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. Then there's Ray, he's  alittle blonde haired guy that looks 10 years younger then he is, crashing, and flailing and twirling and catching his sticks on the downbeat. The contrast is comical but the groove was unmistakably Ray Luzier.

 I told him that night I'd pitch him as a cover for Modrern Drummer when the new Korn record releases.

I told Ray that night that the only reason I pitched him to MD is because he's a good cat. Good people are hard to find and he's a solid one. I brought two buddies to the show, one a rock and roll fanatic who was thoroughly impressed with Ray's genuine demeanor and excited to meet him and another a rather accomplished drummer who was blown away musically, actually purchasing the Army of Anyone record the next day.

 A day later I got the call from Modern Drummer, they said 'a cover is possible but it would have to wait until 2009 but go ahead write 2,500 words on Ray.' That's a big feature, I called Ray, he was happy I was happy and now I look forward to hearing the band go into the studio in the next few months with a powerhouse filling the back beat.

And by the way, after seeing the band live now I'm a BIG Korn fan!