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Washed by Blood: Lessons from My Time with Korn and My Journey to Christ
An Out-of-Control Rock Star. An Inescapable Addiction to Drugs. A Miraculous Redemption through Jesus Christ.
You think you've heard this story before but you haven't. Washed by Blood is a look at the dramatic saving power of Jesus Christ unlike any other—one that shows how God looks out for all of us, even those who seem farthest away from his grace.
Brian "Head" Welch was a rock star who thought he had it all. He was the lead guitarist in Korn, one of the biggest and most controversial rock bands on the planet. He lived in a mansion, had millions of dollars in the bank, and legions of fans all over the globe.
He was living the good life, and it should have been perfect. But it was all a lie.
What no one knew was that backstage and away from the crowds, Head was fighting a debilitating addiction to methamphetamines, and that nothing—not even the birth of his daughter—could make him quit for good. He had given up. He was empty inside. He spent his days contemplating suicide convinced that each high would be his last.
And that was when he found God.
Washed by Blood tells the remarkable story of how God's unconditional love freed Head from his addictions and saved him from death. Here Head describes the joys and struggles of his journey to faith, detailing how Jesus has helped him cope with his pain and find the path that's right for both him and his daughter. An account of triumphs, hardships, and the healing power of Jesus, Washed by Blood is an inspirational demonstration that God is always there to save even the most troubled souls.
You think you've heard this story before but you haven't. Washed by Blood is a look at the dramatic saving power of Jesus Christ unlike any other—one that shows how God looks out for all of us, even those who seem farthest away from his grace.
Brian "Head" Welch was a rock star who thought he had it all. He was the lead guitarist in Korn, one of the biggest and most controversial rock bands on the planet. He lived in a mansion, had millions of dollars in the bank, and legions of fans all over the globe.
He was living the good life, and it should have been perfect. But it was all a lie.
What no one knew was that backstage and away from the crowds, Head was fighting a debilitating addiction to methamphetamines, and that nothing—not even the birth of his daughter—could make him quit for good. He had given up. He was empty inside. He spent his days contemplating suicide convinced that each high would be his last.
And that was when he found God.
Washed by Blood tells the remarkable story of how God's unconditional love freed Head from his addictions and saved him from death. Here Head describes the joys and struggles of his journey to faith, detailing how Jesus has helped him cope with his pain and find the path that's right for both him and his daughter. An account of triumphs, hardships, and the healing power of Jesus, Washed by Blood is an inspirational demonstration that God is always there to save even the most troubled souls.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
37 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Brian Welch
26 books114 followersFormer lead guitarist for the band Korn, see Brian "Head" Welch
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 10, 2009
I pretty much devoured this autobiography by Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. His story was pretty gripping. His life before Korn was sad, but not atypical. When the band experienced success, his life got incredibly worse. A lot of his story focuses on his struggles with addiction and the sad depravity it brought him. His rock star life seems to have been one of unrelenting misery. Especially pathetic are the years he functioned as a single parent while totally strung out.
I was struck by his understanding of how Christ had always pursued him since childhood. At each painful shock he suffered, he writes something to the effect of, "Looking back, I can see this was another warning to repent and turn to God before things got worse, but I still ignored it."
There is no beautiful prose or turns of phrase here. This is written by a guy who spent almost his entire adult life out of his mind on drugs. Nevertheless his "conversion" and his subsequent visceral experience of God was jaw-dropping. When I was in high school I read and was deeply struck by _Seeds of Change_ the autobiography and conversion story of Kansas songwriter Kerry Livgren. _Washed by Blood_ struck me in a lot of the same way, but had a more intense, darker edge to it.
I was struck by his understanding of how Christ had always pursued him since childhood. At each painful shock he suffered, he writes something to the effect of, "Looking back, I can see this was another warning to repent and turn to God before things got worse, but I still ignored it."
There is no beautiful prose or turns of phrase here. This is written by a guy who spent almost his entire adult life out of his mind on drugs. Nevertheless his "conversion" and his subsequent visceral experience of God was jaw-dropping. When I was in high school I read and was deeply struck by _Seeds of Change_ the autobiography and conversion story of Kansas songwriter Kerry Livgren. _Washed by Blood_ struck me in a lot of the same way, but had a more intense, darker edge to it.
April 14, 2014
This book is encouraging and reminds us how powerful God is against Satan. It also demonstrates God's love and patience for us as He goes to great lengths to woo our hearts unto Himself.
March 16, 2015
It's the same as Save Me From Myself!
The only difference is the study questions. These are good, but I wish I had known it was the same book.
The only difference is the study questions. These are good, but I wish I had known it was the same book.
October 19, 2016
A Rampant Discourse book review!
Brian "Head" Welch made headlines in 2005 when he walked away from the successful band Korn. He made even more headlines because of the reason for leaving the band: he found religion, became a Christian, and let Jesus Christ into his life. Quite the turnaround for a hard-living drug addicted rock star. His brief autobiography attempts to explain his life's journey to religion and offer it as proof that anyone can be saved. And therein lies the problem.
Washed by Blood is split into two parts. The first part, "Life Without God", provides a whirlwind summary of Head's life before becoming a Christian. He goes over his childhood, his relationship with his wife Rebekah, the birth of his daughter Jennea, the formation of Korn, and his life in the successful band. The second part, "God Finds Me", is pretty much an endless stream of how he lives for God and leaves everything in his life up to God.
There are likely two audiences interested in this book. The first are Korn fans interested in the origins of the band and an inside look at its workings. This was the portion I was most interested in reading. "Life Without God" provides some details on the development of Korn, including most saliently the origins of each member's nickname (or lack thereof). The reader gets to experience all the highs and lows of the early incarnations as they searched for a sound and a singer. But most of the focus is on Head's frustration, anger, depression, and addictions, along with his toxic relationship with Rebekah. All of that is provided as fuel for his conversion to Christianity.
"I fell deeply and passionately in love with God, and I made up my mind that he was in control of every part of me from that moment on."
Which leads to the second part of the book, which services the other audience for this book: devout Christians. "God Finds Me" details Head's rapid acceptance of Christ despite several relapses. I was actually interested in this part but I wound up being underwhelmed. Head talks a lot about giving up his life to God. He completely throws himself into the Christian life. He points out all the signs God sent him to guide him to salvation, including many past friends who also converted. As a skeptic I have to wonder how much of that is selection bias. Several times I've been taken by a specific car. I then start noticing that exact car everywhere I go. Is that God telling me I should get that car? Or is it simply me noticing cars that were there all along? But that's a huge part of faith, particularly faith in an entity such as God. The faithful naturally wind up viewing everything through the prism of their faith, even retroactively. But giving up control of your life to God feels like a cheap way to live life, and even offers a way for people to not take full responsibility for their life since any pitfalls get chalked up as tests from God.
Head attempts to not be hypocritical but does strongly urge people to his specific practices. His friends that originally guided him to Christianity don't push him to church, and in fact even tell him God doesn't live in church. Still Head winds up going to church as much as possible, although he does become overwhelmed by the larger congregations. Once he discovers talking in tongues he believes it whole-heartedly. And while he initially states talking in tongues is not for everyone, he continuously reiterates how much better it is than normal praying. The tongues practice also brings up the stark differences between the Christian denominations when his original pastor won't keep studying the Bible with Head once he learns Head is also studying with another church. This lack of acceptance of exploring multiple viewpoints is one aspect of organized religion that irks me. It's a shame that someone as fervent as Head was shunned for looking at things in different ways.
Each chapter includes discussion questions at the end. Many of them feel hokey, like something you would hear characters discussing in a Hallmark movie or I guess a children's Sunday school. They often ask the reader to find Bible passages, either simply as an exercise or to back up claims. Relying so heavily on the Bible is another facet of Christianity I have some issues with, so those questions tended to raise my hackles. Most of the queries are clearly targeted at youth Christians. Pretty much all of them assume the reader is a Christian who has already been saved. That is an odd tack to take considering the epilogue specifically beseeches the reader to say a prayer to let Christ into his or her life. The book's religious focus gets confused between "preaching to the choir" and attempting to convert new believers.
Head has another book entitled With My Eyes Wide Open: Miracles and Mistakes on My Way Back to KoRn . I'm not quite interested enough to read it but I am curious how Head goes from such a devout lifestyle to return to life with the band.
Washed by Blood is a quick read that won't quite satisfy Korn fans. Christians will likely appreciate the journey to salvation, but I wonder how many will even bother to read the book based on the image of Korn.
Brian "Head" Welch made headlines in 2005 when he walked away from the successful band Korn. He made even more headlines because of the reason for leaving the band: he found religion, became a Christian, and let Jesus Christ into his life. Quite the turnaround for a hard-living drug addicted rock star. His brief autobiography attempts to explain his life's journey to religion and offer it as proof that anyone can be saved. And therein lies the problem.
Washed by Blood is split into two parts. The first part, "Life Without God", provides a whirlwind summary of Head's life before becoming a Christian. He goes over his childhood, his relationship with his wife Rebekah, the birth of his daughter Jennea, the formation of Korn, and his life in the successful band. The second part, "God Finds Me", is pretty much an endless stream of how he lives for God and leaves everything in his life up to God.
There are likely two audiences interested in this book. The first are Korn fans interested in the origins of the band and an inside look at its workings. This was the portion I was most interested in reading. "Life Without God" provides some details on the development of Korn, including most saliently the origins of each member's nickname (or lack thereof). The reader gets to experience all the highs and lows of the early incarnations as they searched for a sound and a singer. But most of the focus is on Head's frustration, anger, depression, and addictions, along with his toxic relationship with Rebekah. All of that is provided as fuel for his conversion to Christianity.
"I fell deeply and passionately in love with God, and I made up my mind that he was in control of every part of me from that moment on."
Which leads to the second part of the book, which services the other audience for this book: devout Christians. "God Finds Me" details Head's rapid acceptance of Christ despite several relapses. I was actually interested in this part but I wound up being underwhelmed. Head talks a lot about giving up his life to God. He completely throws himself into the Christian life. He points out all the signs God sent him to guide him to salvation, including many past friends who also converted. As a skeptic I have to wonder how much of that is selection bias. Several times I've been taken by a specific car. I then start noticing that exact car everywhere I go. Is that God telling me I should get that car? Or is it simply me noticing cars that were there all along? But that's a huge part of faith, particularly faith in an entity such as God. The faithful naturally wind up viewing everything through the prism of their faith, even retroactively. But giving up control of your life to God feels like a cheap way to live life, and even offers a way for people to not take full responsibility for their life since any pitfalls get chalked up as tests from God.
Head attempts to not be hypocritical but does strongly urge people to his specific practices. His friends that originally guided him to Christianity don't push him to church, and in fact even tell him God doesn't live in church. Still Head winds up going to church as much as possible, although he does become overwhelmed by the larger congregations. Once he discovers talking in tongues he believes it whole-heartedly. And while he initially states talking in tongues is not for everyone, he continuously reiterates how much better it is than normal praying. The tongues practice also brings up the stark differences between the Christian denominations when his original pastor won't keep studying the Bible with Head once he learns Head is also studying with another church. This lack of acceptance of exploring multiple viewpoints is one aspect of organized religion that irks me. It's a shame that someone as fervent as Head was shunned for looking at things in different ways.
Each chapter includes discussion questions at the end. Many of them feel hokey, like something you would hear characters discussing in a Hallmark movie or I guess a children's Sunday school. They often ask the reader to find Bible passages, either simply as an exercise or to back up claims. Relying so heavily on the Bible is another facet of Christianity I have some issues with, so those questions tended to raise my hackles. Most of the queries are clearly targeted at youth Christians. Pretty much all of them assume the reader is a Christian who has already been saved. That is an odd tack to take considering the epilogue specifically beseeches the reader to say a prayer to let Christ into his or her life. The book's religious focus gets confused between "preaching to the choir" and attempting to convert new believers.
Head has another book entitled With My Eyes Wide Open: Miracles and Mistakes on My Way Back to KoRn . I'm not quite interested enough to read it but I am curious how Head goes from such a devout lifestyle to return to life with the band.
Washed by Blood is a quick read that won't quite satisfy Korn fans. Christians will likely appreciate the journey to salvation, but I wonder how many will even bother to read the book based on the image of Korn.
October 31, 2025
very similar to SMFM
Very similar to his previous book, Save me from myself. (I just finished it before reading this and at first thought I had restarted the saw book)
A bit of an easier read than SMFM and has thought provoking questions throughout. Not quite as graphic as the other book. Both books are great but I don’t think it’s necessary to read both.
Very similar to his previous book, Save me from myself. (I just finished it before reading this and at first thought I had restarted the saw book)
A bit of an easier read than SMFM and has thought provoking questions throughout. Not quite as graphic as the other book. Both books are great but I don’t think it’s necessary to read both.
September 5, 2019
Wonderful
Brian revealed himself raw and completely open in this book. I can only imagine how hard that was for him. He has always been my favorite of Korn, but I am so happy he is a brother in Christ too.
Brian revealed himself raw and completely open in this book. I can only imagine how hard that was for him. He has always been my favorite of Korn, but I am so happy he is a brother in Christ too.
August 16, 2018
interesting read. skimmed through most of it. he had it all. or so he thought. then he came to Christ and found it all. God Bless him
June 12, 2025
Wow thank you Brian for sharing your story. God bless!!
He is brutally honest and his story may bless others. By the blood of the lamb our Jesus may others be saved!
He is brutally honest and his story may bless others. By the blood of the lamb our Jesus may others be saved!
March 10, 2014
Found the intro slightly dull and the progression to obsessive Christianity was a little disappointing. What compelled me the most was the Satanic paralysis when Head was at the height of his addictions. The signs from God (and the psychological aspect of it all) were also interesting. Nevertheless, I love Head and will forever be a dedicated fan of Korn, so I consider Washed by Blood worth reading for anyone interested in learning more about Head's story and his reasons for leaving Korn. (I'm so happy he's returned to the band)In other words, you love Korn, read this book.
The scientific component of my brain wonders if his experiences were psychological/an effect of the drugs. (I dismiss all of this considering how much better Head is doing nowadays)
The scientific component of my brain wonders if his experiences were psychological/an effect of the drugs. (I dismiss all of this considering how much better Head is doing nowadays)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2008
Wonderful book! It is touching to see how God can change a person. The peace he can bring to a persons life and the incredible love he has for all of us was evident in this book. What I loved about this is that it destroys the whole argument "I have done too many awful things in my life to be forgiven". God forgives everything no matter what it is, once you accept Jesus and allow him into your heart all is forgiven and you start fresh wrapped in God's love and grace!
September 29, 2016
This book was intense. The things this man went through to finally find Jesus and himself were crazy. I give him as he'll of a lot of credit to find it in himself to overcome all these trials and tribulations to make himself a stronger better man. I luv Korn, and have been involved in the music industry to know these things actually do happen. Thankfully, I never got into all Brian did. I love you Brian Welch, May the good Lord watch over you and continue to guide you through life.
June 23, 2011
My second book I read by Brian 'Head' Welch...and it was just as amazing as my first. This book goes a little more behind the scenes of his life and how he found Christ. The first half of the book is written as 'before Christ' and the second half is the 'after salvation' section. Brian 'Head' Welch is a truly inspiring, amazing and talented writer.
April 2, 2012
Overall a pretty good book, and very interesting to see how someone went deep into the heavy metal music business, but with the amazing power of God brought Brian "Head" Welsh back to Jesus, living good again.
December 29, 2011
Wonderful book. It's amazing to see someone with so much dysfunction to turn his life around with the help of God. Truly inspiring.
July 12, 2013
CHANGED MY LIFE
August 5, 2014
I admire his faith and transformation and I believe his sincerity. Problem is the dude cannot write. :yawn:
January 17, 2016
Very open and honest about his life before Korn, during and after he left Korn. Talks about his relationship with his wife, daughter and God.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews