Cory Marks is one of the latest artists to meld metal music with country lyrics. A sound developed with Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Papa Roach, Modern Science, Five Finger Death Punch, Disturbed, In This Moment, Shania Twain, and Hellyeah) on Who I Am, Cory's latest album. Not the most trendsetting music on country radio for those that do listen to the radio. No surprise if you know that Cory isn't one to follow the current waves that "the man" sets. For one not to follow trends, it's a pattern in life. Cory was a semi-pro hockey player from Canada that was in training as a fighter pilot for one thing. A few nights in jail is probably the only thing for an "outlaw" that would be common in his life. Coming from a musical family and being introduced to some of the original outsiders like Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings. It took one night while in college to jump on stage for the first time publicly that set the tone and change Cory's career trajectory. Now in the game, nostalgia and sad songs from artists like Merle Haggard and Jimmy Rodgers are what's missing in country music. Cory even adds that there is more in common with the pain and angst of Pantera, with the lonesome songs of country music than people realize. Can you write "I shot a man in Reno..." and not live that moment in today's lyrics?