Korn are back with new music, and the iconic nu-Metal stars are finding fresh ways to reach new audiences. The band first rose to fame in the 1990s, but are managing to stay relevant by embracing technology.
Korn’s latest track, Reward the Scars, came through a collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, providing an excellent way for their music to reach audiences beyond their established fanbase.
Korn Have Realised that the Entertainment Landscape is Changing
Korn’s latest release suggests they’ve realised they need to change their marketing methods to attract modern fans. The entertainment industry has evolved greatly over the last few decades, with the great majority of people discovering media online nowadays.
Various industries have adapted to this shift, finding new ways to engage people online. Bingo is a prime example of this, with popular bingo games such as Cash Cubes and Diamond Room now giving players a variety of ways to play. Even television series have adapted to the age of streaming, with writers on shows like Slow Horses trying to make them as engaging as possible to keep people interested in the platform.
The music industry has adapted to the online entertainment shift as well, with most acts now making their content available on streaming platforms like Spotify. Korn and others also see the importance of leveraging other branches of entertainment to get attention. This can involve appearing in games or releasing documentaries on YouTube or streaming platforms.
Korn Are Finding New Ways to Promote Their Music
Bands like Korn that have been around for decades may have spent a lot of time building loyal fanbases, but they need to adapt to remain visible in the changing landscape. The release of Reward the Scars shows how this can work. It was done as a collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment in the Lord of Hatred expansion to Diablo IV, and the accompanying music video was connected to the game’s dark fantasy setting.
Korn are one of the latest acts to do this, and there are various others exploring similar opportunities. For example, in 2025, Beast in Black also collaborated with Blizzard on Enter the Behelit. Papa Roach took a slightly different approach, and had their music featured in Netflix’s animated adaptation of Devil May Cry.
Metal Acts Need to Constantly Explore New Options to Remain Relevant
The gaming industry has clearly been a good place for Metal bands to get their content into, with developers such as Blizzard willing to work with different acts. However, it’s important that Korn and others continue to keep in touch with trends and adapt as they emerge.
In the next few decades, other forms of entertainment may become more important than gaming. For example, virtual reality could become more influential in the 2030s. In this scenario, Metal bands may need to explore representation on the platform.
Korn’s exceptional longevity has spanned several generations, with many of the band’s original fans likely to be in their 50s by now. The nu-Metal pioneers have realised that newer audiences hang out in different places, and have evolved to market themselves in new ways.
