Korn's new bassist is the 12-year-old son of a Metallica member

Nu metal band Korn has a new bassist, and he happens to be the 12-year-old son of rock royalty.

Tye Trujillo, an eighth grader and bonafide bass-shredder, is hardly a stranger to the rock-and-roll lifestyle. His dad is Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, and a gift for slapping a four-string apparently runs in the family.

The tween will be filling in for Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, who is unable to attend the first week of Korn's South American tour due to "unforeseen circumstances."

"We are bummed Fieldy can't join us on this run but excited to do a few gigs with a young player like Tye," reads a statement posted to the band's Facebook page on Saturday. "We look forward to welcoming our brother Fieldy back when we return to the States in May."

Young Trujillo is currently the bassist for NorCal-based band The Helmets. The self-described "pint-sized punks" have played on the kids' stage at Lollapalooza and BottleRock in Napa.

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 01: Tye Trujillo of The Helmets performs during 2015 Lollapalooza Day Two at Grant Park on August 1, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/WireImage) CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 01: Tye Trujillo of The Helmets performs during 2015 Lollapalooza Day Two at Grant Park on August 1, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/WireImage) Photo: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage Photo: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Korn's new bassist is the 12-year-old son of a Metallica member 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Known for hits like "Freak on a Leash" and "Coming Undone," Korn rose to fame on the wave of MTV and grunge rock. The two-decades-old band from Bakersfield is still penning albums and touring globally.

Their latest album, "The Serenity of Suffering," was released last October.

Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.