In an interview with MTV News, Welch stated, "I've had a problem with the way things were going since the second record. . . . I thought they took it too far. It was a little too crude for me."

Welch has joined a small, but growing, rank of well-known heavy rockers who have dedicated or rededicated their lives to Jesus Christ. He follows after others who have done so in recent years, including Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Daniel Spitz (Anthrax), Dave Ellefson (Megadeth), David Hodges (Evanescence), and Eva O (Christian Death).

Welch, who was a founding member of Korn, stayed with the band for more than a decade after its birth in 1992. Welch originally played with guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer, bassist Reginald "Fieldy Snuts" Arvizu, and drummer David Silveria under the band name, "LAPD." In 1993, the current lead singer, Jonathan Davis, signed on with the band, and they changed their name to Korn.

Korn's unique sound, though often mistaken for Goth rock, is actually a blend of post-grunge, alternative and heavy metal, and some rap influences, which has made it very popular in the alternative music community.

The ex-band member, who is the single parent of a six-year-old daughter, had apparently been drifting further and further away from the band in recent years, and his severance of ties was something he had been considering for some time.

Says Welch, "I distanced myself from Korn for probably a year and a half, two years. I just wanted to fade away, it was crazy. I was so gone."

The guitarist, however, says that he has experienced a phenomenal change of heart and lifestyle. "There's a light at the end of the pain tunnel. . . . there's more out there than just aggression," he explained.

What do Korn fans think of Welch's change of heart? Kristi Schmidt, a punk rock enthusiast from Michigan, says, "I think that it's awesome. . . . it's really cool when someone who has had such an influence over youth and music openly states their new found faith. It . . . makes it more 'socially acceptable' to talk about God and faith in a public light."

Others echoed this sentiment, including Timothy Towers, a 22-year-old Korn fan residing in Missouri, who exclaimed, "I think it's great that he converted to Christianity."

Not everyone is so sure that Welch is genuine, however. Whit Akers, a Goth guitarist in the Wichita, KS, area, is not amused by Welch's desire to create a reality TV show centered around his life, or his attempts to convert famous rapper, 50 Cent.

Akers says that he is "growing increasingly skeptical of how long it will last."

Many others also fear that Welch's affair with Christianity will ultimately be short-lived. Welch recently responded to doubts concerning his sincerity in a statement on his new website (www.headtochrist.com), in which he avowed, "I will not fall from my walk with the Lord! Ever!"

Some believe that Welch needs to be encouraged in his newfound faith, to prevent the possibility that he might lose interest in Christ. Explains Schmidt, "I don't believe that once you become a Christian, your life instantly changes into something perfect. . . . I don't think that we as Christians should be so quick to judge him based on any short-comings in the near future. We need to remember that he's young in Christ, and he needs support, not criticism."

Page 2