KORN frontman Jonathan Davis has teamed up with his 29-year-old son Nathan to release a new single called “Dark Fantasy.” Nathan, who is an electronic music producer known by the moniker HI I’M GHOST, shared the track on social media on his birthday, creating buzz among fans of both father and son. The release marks a unique collaboration, blending Jonathan’s signature metal style with Nathan’s expertise in electronic dubstep, creating a cross-genre fusion that reflects both their artistic sensibilities.
A Birthday Surprise: Father-Son Collaboration
Nathan’s announcement came with a lighthearted and enthusiastic message to fans: “Hi it’s my birthday 🙂 and for my birthday I want you to stream dad & son dubstep 100 times.” The post highlighted the personal nature of the project, showing how much this collaboration means to both father and son. Jonathan, in his own Instagram story, shared his excitement about the track, saying, “I had so much fun making this song with my son.”
For fans of KORN, this collaboration offers a fascinating glimpse into a new dimension of Jonathan Davis’s creativity. Known for his raw and intense performances as the lead vocalist of KORN, Jonathan is branching out with “Dark Fantasy,” experimenting with electronic sounds, while staying true to his roots in dark, heavy music. Nathan, meanwhile, brings his own flavor to the table, as a rising talent in the electronic music scene. His HI I’M GHOST project has garnered attention for its heavy, bass-driven sound, making this father-son collaboration an exciting blend of two musical worlds.
The Legacy of Jonathan Davis
Jonathan Davis has been a driving force in the world of alternative and nu-metal for over three decades. His work with KORN has earned him a reputation as one of the most influential voices in rock, blending emotionally charged lyrics with a signature sound that’s as haunting as it is aggressive. Over the years, Davis has shown a willingness to explore different musical avenues, and his collaboration with Nathan is just the latest example of his creative versatility.
While KORN’s music is known for its dark, introspective themes, “Dark Fantasy” offers a fresh take on the genre by incorporating electronic elements. This venture into the dubstep arena may surprise long-time KORN fans, but it also showcases Davis’s willingness to evolve artistically while working alongside his son. The track not only highlights Jonathan’s openness to new styles but also Nathan’s growing skill as a producer and artist in his own right.
A Personal and Emotional Journey
The connection between Jonathan and Nathan goes beyond music, shaped by both triumphs and personal tragedies. Nathan is Jonathan’s son from his first marriage to Renee Perez, his high school sweetheart. Though the marriage eventually ended, it was the foundation of Jonathan’s family life before his rise to fame with KORN.
Jonathan’s personal life has been marked by ups and downs, including the heartbreaking loss of his second wife, Deven Davis, who passed away in August 2018 at the age of 39. Deven’s tragic death was ruled an accidental overdose after she ingested a lethal combination of drugs, including heroin, clonazepam, and fluoxetine. The pain of that loss undoubtedly impacted Jonathan and his family, adding layers of emotion to his creative work.
Jonathan and Deven married in 2004 in a private ceremony in Hawaii and had two sons together, Pirate, born in 2005, and Zeppelin, born in 2007. This loss, combined with the pressures of his career, has shaped Davis’s music, which often delves into themes of pain, struggle, and survival. In this context, his collaboration with Nathan on “Dark Fantasy” may also be seen as a way to bond with his son, using music as a means of healing and connection.
The Evolution of Nathan Davis: HI I’M GHOST
While Jonathan Davis is a household name in the world of rock and metal, his son Nathan has been making a name for himself in the electronic music scene under the alias HI I’M GHOST. Nathan’s work focuses heavily on dubstep, a genre characterized by its use of deep bass lines and syncopated rhythms. Over the years, Nathan has developed his own fanbase, showcasing his talents with heavy, energetic tracks that appeal to fans of electronic dance music (EDM).
“Dark Fantasy” is a blend of Jonathan’s metal roots and Nathan’s dubstep influences, a true merging of styles that reflects their individual strengths as artists. For Nathan, collaborating with his father on this track is not only a personal milestone but also an artistic one, as he steps into a more public spotlight. As a relatively young artist in a rapidly evolving genre, Nathan is carving out his own niche, and this collaboration will likely introduce his work to a broader audience.
KORN’s 30th Anniversary Celebration and Ongoing Tour
While the collaboration with Nathan is an exciting new development, Jonathan Davis has been staying busy with KORN’s 30th anniversary celebrations. In October 2024, KORN performed a special show at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, marking three decades since the band’s formation. The one-night-only performance featured a star-studded lineup of special guests, including EVANESCENCE, GOJIRA, DARON MALAKIAN AND SCARS ON BROADWAY, SPIRITBOX, and VENDED. Fans were treated to a mix of classic hits and deeper cuts, celebrating KORN’s long-standing impact on the rock and metal scene.
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The band has also been on the road for their summer/fall 2024 North American tour, which kicked off on September 12 in Tampa, Florida. The tour, which includes stops in major cities across the United States, is a celebration of KORN’s 30th anniversary as well as a tribute to their influential debut album. The 18-song setlist includes fan favorites like “Oildale” from the 2010 album Korn III: Remember Who You Are and “Hey Daddy,” a deep cut from their 1999 album Issues that had not been performed live for nearly 25 years.
As the tour progresses, KORN continues to be joined by special guests, including Grammy-nominated metal band GOJIRA and Canadian heavy metal group SPIRITBOX. The tour will conclude on October 27 in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a performance at the Xcel Energy Center, wrapping up what has been a momentous year for the band.
A Shared Musical Journey
As Jonathan Davis continues to push the boundaries of his musical career with KORN, his collaboration with Nathan on “Dark Fantasy” represents a deeply personal and creative journey. The father-son duo has managed to merge their distinct styles into a track that is both innovative and true to their individual musical identities. For fans of both KORN and HI I’M GHOST, the collaboration is a must-listen, and it hints at even more exciting projects to come from this talented family.
With KORN still at the top of their game after three decades, and Nathan Davis carving his own path in the world of electronic music, “Dark Fantasy” is a powerful symbol of both legacy and evolution.
