Jonathan Davis Calls Sepultura’s Roots “a Blatant Korn Rip-Off”

Statistically speaking, any idiot who speaks for a long enough time should make at least one intelligent remark, even if only by accident.

Ladies and gentlemen, Korn’s Jonathan Davis in a new interview with Metal Hammer:

“One that I thought was a big compliment, but I also thought was fucked up, was Sepultura’s ‘Roots’ album. That was just a blatant Korn rip-off, and I had it out with producer Ross Robinson about that, because he just took our sound and gave it to Sepultura.”

Well… yeah. That is exactly what happened. I mean, Sepultura incorporated some elements from Brazilian music, but that was about it as far as differences go. They even got Davis and Korn drummer David Silveria to appear on the album. Roots is a nu-metal album, through and through. I’ve always been baffled by people who assert otherwise.

ANYWAY, lest you think this mean there’s beef between Korn and Sepultura and/or the Cavaleras, you should know that it’s all bridge under the water now. Says Davis…

“But they were one of our biggest influences, so I guess they get a pass. And that’s a classic album, so it’s all good.”

…while Munky adds:

“Here’s the thing – that was us trying to imitate them! When Sepultura released Chaos A.D.in 1993, that was a huge influence on us, and it’s still one of my favourite records. Now I’m older, I can appreciate art inspiring art.”

Cool cool cool. What does art have to do with this conversation about Korn records and Roots, though? I don’t get it.