One of the biggest questions facing Korn fans these days is whether founding bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu would ever come back to the band. He’s been out of the fold ever since he stepped down in 2021 and even though he contributed bass parts to the band’s 2022 album Requiem, he’s largely been radio silence except for a 2025 interview and now this new podcast appearance that explains his absence from the seminal nu metal band.
While on the Shady Characters podcast with his former L.A.P.D. bandmate Richard Morill, Fieldy explained that a lot of the reasoning behind his departure stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affected everything.
“COVID happened. That’s it. I’m like, ‘I’m not going out there.’ That’s what happened, ’cause it was new.
“Now. I’m like… The whole time – I mean, I didn’t get vaccinated or anything – but when you reflect on it, that’s what happened. They’re like, ‘We’re going to Florida and all this.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m not going to get vaccinated.’ I’m not going. I go, ‘People, this is weird right now.’
“But I mean that’s kind of what happened. But it gave me time to sit, and once you sit, you can reflect and you’re like, you’re kind of just waiting you know to what’s next, ’cause I don’t know what the rest of this day is going to bring. I’m just on fire for whatever, whatever is ready.”
Oh, so this is all because he’s an anti-vaxxer. Makes sense if he decided he’s not going to safeguard himself against the disease for the benefit of everyone around him that he’d at least step back and not risk it. There’s something commendable about that in a way. It’s better than going out, getting sick, and spreading the disease because you refused to get vaccinated, but that’s beside the point.
Fieldy was also asked if he’s permanently retired from Korn, but he didn’t really give a straightforward answer.
“I’m retired from Korn today, but we’ll see what the day brings tomorrow.”
Soooo he’s on hiatus, which means he could return to the band anytime he wants. That should at least give Korn fans some hope, since I remember a time when Brian “Head” Welch said he wouldn’t go back to the band and well, he’s back. Anything can happen, really.
In the meantime, Fieldy has another musical project coming soon as he teams up with Sepultura drummer Greyson Nekrutman, and ex-Fear Factory member Christian Olde Wolbers for… something.
“I’m doing another project. We got two rough songs done with Greyson [Nekrutman] from Sepultura on drums. He’s a sick drummer… He’s like a jazz drummer.
“He can play the old school jazz way, but fast. Like that guy, that guy’s an insane drummer. He’s one of the sickest drummers I’ve ever worked with. And you know what? Every drummer I worked with is dope. David Silveria, Ray [Luzier, Korn drummer] Mikey [Bordin] from Faith No More and Ozzy, who else did we work with? Brooks Wackerman.”
We’ll definitely keep an eye out for that, but for now, Fieldy’s not coming back to Korn anytime soon. But there’s a chance he will… one day.