The death of Pantera and Hellyeah drummer Vinnie Paul has stirred up plenty of emotion in the rock and metal industry as many musicians had befriended or crossed paths with Paul and his late brother Dimebag Darrell over the years. While reflecting on the skinsman, Korn's Brian "Head" Welch was taken back to a very notable period in his career, fresh off of drugs and reeling from news of Dimebag Darrell's death onstage at the hands of a gunman in Ohio. During that period, Head channeled his feelings into music, writing a song called "Letter to Dimebag," and that track he's now decided to re-dedicate to both Dime and Vinnie.

In a posting, Head says, "Only a few weeks had gone by and I just couldn’t shake the shock, confusion and sadness of how that could’ve happened. With Dime’s murder, my leaving Korn and my new spiritual life ... I was dealing with a tornado of confused emotions to say the least."

"It was as if the pain over Dime’s tragedy came from deep down in my soul, out of my heart, through my veins, into my hands, out of my fingers, and poured into this little piece of music called 'LETTER TO DIMEBAG,'" says Head of the song, admitting he felt a release after completing the song and that he's still moved by it today. Head says that the song has been back on his mind lately with the death of Vinnie Paul, and his whole missive can be read below.

LETTER TO DIMEBAG

It was 2005. I was fresh off of drugs, freshly awakened spiritually and feeling positive, yet I was truly alone for the first time in my adult life, away from my best friends I had grown up with and taken Korn to the top of the music world with. What an exhaustive whirlwind of emotions. I can’t even tell you.

But there was also a deep cloud of sadness from a completely different source that was weighing heavily on my soul. Dimebag Darrell from Pantera had been murdered on stage in front of his brother, his other bandmates, his friends in the road crew and a club full of devoted fans. Only a few weeks had gone by and I just couldn’t shake the shock, confusion and sadness of how that could’ve happened. With Dime’s murder, my leaving Korn and my new spiritual life... I was dealing with a tornado of confused emotions to say the least.

Only a few weeks after the murder, I remember sitting in my studio/office at home, just days after leaving Korn. I couldn’t stop thinking about Dime. So I picked up my guitar and wrote a piece of music in a style I had never written before. It all came so naturally and quickly. It was as if the pain over Dime’s tragedy came from deep down in my soul, out of my heart, through my veins, into my hands, out of my fingers, and poured into this little piece of music called LETTER TO DIMEBAG. I felt a release after I finished it. It was a surreal experience in my life and every time I listen to it I feel the same emotions I felt that very day I wrote it; like my soul crying out over the injustice done to Dime, having to let him go, and witnessing a part of Dime’s closest family and friends die right along with him—especially his brother Vinnie. Vinnie was never the same after that.

After the recent and sudden passing of Vinnie Paul, I wanted to post this again as they have both been on my mind and heart so much lately. So I dedicate this track to Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul.

RIP my brothers,

Brian

The Korn guitarist also included a link to his song so that fans can share in the feeling of the track. Take a listen to "Letter to Dimebag" below.

Brian "Head" Welch, "Letter to Dimebag"

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