Jonathan Davis with The Birthday Massacre and Julien-K
Monarch Music Hall
Peoria, Illinois

 

Jonathan Davis is better known as the singer of Korn. He brought the Black Labyrinth tour to Peoria, Illinois. The Black Labyrinth is his debut solo album released on May 25th 2018 through Sumerian Records. The first track from the album “What It Is” was also featured in the movie American Satan. Jonathan Davis has it has taken ten years to write this album and he would work on it during his down time from Korn. We’re seeing him just a few weeks after the death of his estranged wife, Deven Davis.
 

Joining him on stage are electronic rock band Julien-K. Julien-K is a band consisting of ex-Orgy members, Amir Derakh, Ryan Shuck and Anthony “Fu” Valcic. They were also the band, Dead by Sunrise which consisted of these guys plus vocalist, the late Chester Bennington. So this band has gone through heartache of losing someone close to them as well. The band’s name is taken from Richard Gere’s character in the movie, American Gigolo. Julien-K’s latest album is California Noir and their single “Photo Voltaire” has the sing along properties that sneaks up on you and you are singing along before you know it. The band is a good fit for the style of the music for the Black Labyrinth tour. They took the liberty of performing “Blue Monday”, the New Order cover that catapulted Orgy to the charts in the nineties. The crowd loved to hear that old classic.
 

 

The Birthday Massacre is a rock band from Toronto, Ontario and they are a cross between goth and horror rock. Their set was dark and moody. The crowd tried to get into them but there was a disconnect between the music since it was largely unknown by the crowd. They had a decent set but the songs were redundant in the composition and presentation.

 

Jonathan Davis came on stage with dark, red lighting during most of his set. The drum kit was a presence before the band came on stage. When Ray Luzier of Korn came out to play the drums, fans were happy to see him. While I am a fan of Korn, I can honestly say that I am not a fan of the solo material by Jonathan Davis. His vocals are so distinctive that his voice pulls me in. However, listening to the songs put me in a funk that felt like I should just stay in bed all day and cocoon. Maybe others have a different reaction to the music as his fans were there in droves to support whatever he creates.

You can make your own judgment by seeing the Black Labyrinth tour: