KIBBUTZ KINNERET, Israel - Former Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch was baptized Saturday in the Jordan River, just weeks after quitting his band, drug habits and rock-and-roll lifestyle for religion.

Welch, a founding member of the multi-platinum band, and about 20 other white-robed Christian pilgrims from a Bakersfield, Calif., church were immersed by their pastor, Ron Vietti.

Welch said the ritual baptism had washed away his anger. "You know when you get angry and it builds up? I felt like hurting someone before, now I feel like hugging people," he said.

Vietti said Welch — who has "Jesus" tattooed across his knuckles and "Matthew 11:28," tattooed prominently across his neck — is already attracting a new group of young people to the message of Christianity.

"In recent weeks people have committed their lives to God because they're so inspired by his story," Vietti said.

Korn announced Welch's resignation last month after 13 years with the band. Welch said he had become increasingly depressed and drug-addicted in recent years, but that religion helped him quit.

He said he plans to release more music without the band.

"My songs are God saying things to me, him talking to people. He's going to use me to heal people and people are going to be drawn to it, just watch, they will be," he said.

Thousands of pilgrims are baptized annually in the Jordan River where, according to Biblical tradition, John the Baptist baptized Jesus.





Hey, at least it's not Scientology.

Hope this doesn't change the quality of the videos

Korn's been around for 13 years?!

He really thinks he can get his soul back, huh?

Let me just say that pic is avatar material.

sinisterpentatonic said:

Now THAT'S funny.

I don't want to doubt his sincerity about his faith but I feel that the over zealousness of his conversion ( baptized in The river Jordan, his beard and look, the tattoos ) is a bit too much. It makes him look like a phony, as if having tattoos of bible verses and biblical symbols is proof that he's the real deal. I look at that as idolatry, a serious sin to say the least. He seems to want all of the attention on him rather than Jesus, the REAL GOD.

My two cents, that is all.

What a waste.

What baffles me is why some people think you can't have religion and rock.

EvilWhiteMale said:

UncleGrandpa said:

true--seems to be diving headlong into it all, rather than baby steps. it seems like it's kinda forced, rather than genuine.

VoicesCarry said:

too late!!

mrdespues said:

mrdespues said:

omg...

But you know at least he's doing something he feels will better himself.

AnckSuNamun said:

UncleGrandpa said:

That is a bit much. I don't think he's a phony, however. Sounds like the real deal religious fanatic. At least their music already has the energy that so compliments this type fanaticism.

Just hoping they don't go Creedish 'cause that would be Korn-e. But I bet that the next video has someone on some mountain top, arms outstretched...wind blowing.

Will be interesting to see how this one unfolds.

anon said:

Didn't you read the article? He quit. No Korn for him.

meow85 said:

yeah but it says the he plans to release more music..
I thought it said "with the band". You're right, it says "without".

Guess that leaves him alone to stand on that mountain top, wind blowing....

Having said all this, I'm not pointing a finger at him in anyway. They say you point a finger and you have three pointing back. I don't want that. He's doing more than I am in this regard.

sinisterpentatonic said:

LMAO!!!

---that's okay, I still have Tripp Eison! BBWWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

one of my favorite quotes in the world is "why should I be born again when I can just grow up?" Seriously, why do people always trade one bad drug for another. everything in moderation people!

mrdespues said:

Thank God he doesn't have a unibrow!!

AnckSuNamun said:

Nah, he just needs more drugs.

EvilWhiteMale said:

Nothing says "Praise the Lord!" better than Jesus knuckle tattoos.

RipHer2Shreds said:

I guess it's better than having the words Ozzy.

UncleGrandpa said:

I hear you. But there's no quiet way he could convert and quit a band as huge as Korn. I think it's awesome that he's being so vocal about it. As far as tattoos and whatnot ... look, that's his way of letting his little light shine. And all he knows is that kind of lifestyle. To be a missionary, you gotta speak the language, right? How would he reach kids looking like Paul Crouch?

I used to listen to Korn but got rid of it all, because it's just a bunch of bad energy on wax. I do plan on buying Welch's next record, providing it isn't totally without merit.

Dansa: I wouldn't call it forced, personally. The guy's just fired up and expressing it the only way he knows how. I'm rooting for the guy, he could be a positive Christian influence on millions of kids.