Korn’s Brian ‘Head’ Welch, has been slammed for calling Chester Bennington’s suicide ‘cowardly’.
The Linkin Park vocalist was found dead at a private residence in Palos Verdes Estates in L.A County, law enforcement sources confirmed and his death is currently being investigated as a suicide.
While much of the music industry mourns one of the greatest rock voices, and the beloved stalwart of nu-metal, Welch instead chose to condemn Chester’s death as ‘cowardly’ adding:
I’m sick of this suicide shit!
Welch shared a ‘pissed off’ post from his Facebook soapbox, saying:
Honestly, Chester’s an old friend who we’ve hung with many times, and I have friends who are extremely close to him, but this is truly pissing me off!
How can these guys send this message to their kids and fans?! I’m sick of this suicide shit!
I’ve battled depression/mental illness, and I’m trying to be sempethetic [sic], but it’s hard when you’re pissed! Enough is enough!
Giving up on your kids, fans, and life is the cowardly way out!!!
He continues with a half-arsed apology – a sure sign that what you’re going to say next makes you sound like a dick – writing:
I’m sorry, I know meds and/or alcohol may have been involved, I’m just processing like all of us and I know we are all having some of the same thoughts/feelings.
Lord, take Chester in your arms and please re-unite him with his family and all of us one day.
Be with his wife and kids with your grace during this difficult time.
His attempts at sympathy fall very, very short and Welch manages to make these tragic events all about him.
While he’s entitled to his opinion, the message that taking your own life ‘is the cowardly way out’ won’t help anyone – particularly Korn’s own fans – overcome suicidal thoughts they might be experiencing.
One fan wrote:
Wow. Expected more from someone who has battled depression. Not cowardly at all. At that particular moment they felt it was the ONLY way. Sad statement, hoping you amend it.
Another said:
Just because you made it through doesn’t mean everyone does, Brian. Some people are stronger than others. I just kinda lost a lot of respect for you. RIP Chester.
Welch’s criticisms reflect those of former Foo Fighter, Franz Stahl, who dubbed Chris Cornell’s suicide, just two months ago, ‘selfish‘.
In fact, these ignorant condemnations show just how far we have to go until depression and addiction are taken for what they are: a very serious threat to the lives of sufferers, through absolutely no fault of their own.
Rather than condemn those who have died by suicide, perhaps we should instead learn from their suffering and continue to offer those in similar emotional turmoil the support they need, not the critical opinions no one asked for.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Chester, a hugely talented creative voice, who managed to echo the thoughts and feelings of a generation.
If any of these issues have affected you, please don’t suffer in silence. Call Samaritans on their free 24-hour hotline on 116 123.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.