KoЯn: Reward The Scars

KoЯn "Reward The Stars" Cover

Gustavo Vincentin

Metal

May 1, 2026

The Californian band KoЯn, pioneers of the nu-metal movement since the early 1990s, is back after a four year recording hiatus with “Reward the Scars,” a single released this Thursday, April 23, in collaboration with Diablo IV and its upcoming expansion Lord of Hatred.

Releasing their first new music since Requiem in 2022, KoЯn is making its way back into the music scene with a new single tied to the fourth title in the Diablo franchise, a game that tells the story of Lilith, the Daughter of Hatred, returning to Sanctuary to awaken humanity’s latent power so it can break free from the control of both angels and demons.

In this, Lord of Hatred tells the story of Mephisto, a Prime Evil who corrupts minds and societies through manipulation, turning hatred into the foundation of power. This concept of psychological corruption and internal conflict provides a fitting backdrop for the band’s latest release, reinforcing the connection between the music and the game’s dark, oppressive atmosphere.

The Diablo partnership fits KoЯn almost too well. The world of corruption, obsession, and internal decay mirrors themes the band has been exploring for decades. But rather than feeling like a marketing crossover, “Reward the Scars” lands closer to a shared aesthetic language, where two dark universes feed into each other without losing their identity.

The new single is fully packed with KoЯn’s signature sound, driven by Jonathan Davis’ iconic vocals, crushing rhythmic grooves, and aggressive bass lines. The atmospheric guitar deepens the track’s intensity, creating a stark contrast between eerie, restrained passages and explosive bursts of raw aggression.

However, this single also marks a notable transition within the band. It is their first studio recording not to feature founding bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu, who stepped away after the recording of their last studio album. Since late 2021, Roberto “Ra” Diaz has been filling in live.

Earlier this year in February, KoЯn’s Brian Head Welch gave a Loudwire update on the band’s current situation regarding new music.

“We’re focusing right now on our live show… It feels like we don’t even need a new album,” he explained. “Everything’s just going so well, but that’s not to say we’re not going to find some time to go in again. I feel like it’s not a priority right now.”

He also added, “We’re going to meet together and see where we’re at… There could be a couple of surprises this year… We’re going to have some cool announcements for dates around the world and stuff coming this year,” giving fans a glimpse of hope for more good news in the future.