Whenever I hear the term ‘Nu-Metal’, I think of a simpler time when baggy denim shorts, fitted baseball caps, wallet chains, Globe skate shoes and goatees were all the rage. A time when rap infiltrated our radio, our video hits and our metal. A time when the only thing we cared about US politics is whether or not the president was getting a blowjob in the white house. This was a time when we grouped bands into genres, even if they didn’t identify with it. Some of the most popular nu-metal bands shun the label; proving that even nu-metal bands weren’t fans of nu-metal.
What is nu-metal? I hear the young ones cry. It’s personified by the mixing of metal with other genres, primarily rap, giving a poppy sound that is acceptable to be played during the football and other assorted public areas. Being edgy without offending anyone. However, this was not the case when these bands started the sound in the mid 90s. The same girls that told you that ‘metal is for depressed losers’ now use the same songs as a staple to show how they are ‘breaking the mould’ and ‘loved this song back in the day’. We’re talking about bands like Limp Bizkit, Korn, Static-X, and those one hit wonders Crazy Town.
Some bands that get roped into this labelling don’t even have the typical rap-metal vibe, and don’t actually sound anything like the rest of the genre, such as Slipknot, System of a Down and Coal Chamber. One of the most defining nu-metal bands is Linkin Park, and even Mike Shinoda has openly said that they are not a nu-metal band. Confused yet?
However you see the genre through your rose-tinted sunglasses is purely objective, but its notable to say that nu-metal has been making a comeback in the last few years. New bands such as Darke Complex, King 810 and Stray From the Path are carrying on the old sound, with a bit of modern polish. You’ve probably seen Ocean Grove being injected onto your social media with a video of a futuristic, ripped, hipster dancing in a dimly lit room and down back alleys - another band showcasing the resurgence of nu-metal. Even the old bands are making a comeback, with Korn releasing Rotting In Vain last year, and Linkin Park’s single Heavy off their album One More Light which is due to come out in May.
Whether you like it or not, it’s back in force. I for one just hope that Christian Metal doesn’t make a comeback, because there is nothing more annoying than hearing someone growl ‘I love jesus’.
Ed Howson
