2005 marked the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Brian “Head” Welch as well as an uncertain future for the metal band he co-founded, Korn. In February of 2005, Welch announced that he had been saved by Jesus Christ and was quitting his position as axeman for Korn after nearly 13 years of helping the band reach multi-platinum and Grammy-winning success. This subsequent move left fans asking what Welch’s next move would be.

Welch has since written a memoir, “Save Me From Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story,” talking candidly about how he came to be a member of one of the most influential metal acts of the 90s and why he decided to leave what seemed to be the perfect rock star lifestyle and accept Jesus Christ into his life.

The book has the classic “VH1: Behind The Music” vibe as Welch takes the reader through the band’s Bakersfield, Calif., roots to their rise as an internationally successful band, and ending with Welch’s conversion to Christianity.

The first half of Welch’s memoir is captivating. He steadily opens up with his childhood and the joy of coming to love and understand how music helped him cope with childhood depression. He then builds momentum, revealing how himself, Jonathan Davis (Lead Singer), Reginald Arvizu (Bass), James Shaffer(Guitar) and David Silveria (Drums) became friends and eventually rose from a house party band to the L.A. music scene to change the sound of metal.

However, Welch’s book is not a memoir on the glamours of being a famous musician; instead Welch reveals how fame could not hide the fact that he was suffering from deep depression, dealing with the depression by using methamphetamines, and taking his frustrations out violently on his girlfriend. Welch is revealed through his story as an isolated human being who, despite being seemingly happy on the outside, is slowly destroying himself inside and pushing those who love him further and further away.

Most important, “Save Me From Myself” is a demonstration of a man’s ability to choose life (Welch attempts to commit suicide once) and family (quits Korn after hearing his daughter singing lyrics to “All Day I Dream About Sex”). The book could be an inspiration for those who have suffered from depression or contemplated suicide, and Welch’s ability to turn his life around is a powerful example of human will power.

In the second half of the book, Welch gives insight on how a friend introduced him to Jesus Christ and his teachings, and despite a relapse with meth, Jesus has saved him from a life of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll.
Overall, “Save Me From Myself” is a must read for all music fans. Currently, Welch is working on his first solo album, “It’s Time to See Religion Die,” to be released in early 2008.

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