If you can cast your mind back to the launch of Diablo 4, the base game, we had the collaboration "Lilith" with Halsey and Suga. While I get that Blizzard wanted to reach a wider, more commercial audience with the partnership, it definitely felt a lot more corporate despite Halsey declaring herself a fan. It really split opinion, as polished as the track was (and I still have it on rotation), it didn't really scream desperate struggle against the Prime Evils.

Seeing Blizzard pivot back to metal feels like a homecoming. Diablo is a franchise built on gothic dread, grime, and aggression (from and against demons)!. Korn and their sound feel infinitely more appropriate for the tone of Lord of Hatred, and match the aesthetic perfectly.

It also dovetails perfectly with the new Warlock class arriving with the expansion, which the devs describe as the "metal" class. This couldn't be more on theme.

Reward the Scars is a significant moment for the band, as it's their first new music since 2022, ending a four-year sabbatical since the band released Requiem (hey guys, have you considered a Resident Evil collab next?)

According to Kerrang this is also the first studio recording since the official departure of founding bassist Fieldy, who stepped away due to touring complications and personal choices regarding the covid vaccine.

In a classic interview with Ultimate Guitar, Davis revealed he used to run his own World of Warcraft guild called "Children of the Corn" on the Stonemaul server. He played an Undead Warrior tank. He famously noted that he preferred playing a tank because he felt like one in real life, constantly "taking all the s***" emotionally and physically while on the road. Although I'd like to be a mage 'cause I'd like to be able to cast spells and do cool shit like that too."

Fun fact: he also had something to say about the creative exploits of our very own Jez Corden when he judged a song competition at Blizzcon 2005. He thought Jez's World of Warcraft tribute was "meh."