Nu Metal

I wrote before that I thought the much of what was played on the radio in the late 90s was pretty terrible. While this was true in the most part. There was an exception, out of the ashes of Grunge came the angst and anger of Nu Metal.

I hate the term Nu Metal, it is such a poor way to describe a loose collection of bands. Honestly, what is the 'Nu' supposed to mean? i think it is frankly derogatory. It uses the texting spelling to show what exactly? Some sort of illiterate idea that this is more updated than something that came before. The more I think about it, the more I hate all pigeon holing terms to describe music scenes. I think this term in particular caused more issues for the bands that it helped in describing them.

There was a strong feeling among many of the metal purists that Nu metal was not up to much. The other term that was sometimes used was Rap metal. Although this was generally used to describe a slightly different genre than Nu Metal.

The metal purists were very dismissive of Nu Metal, the idea that anything these new kids did was anything like as good as Pantera, Slayer, Metallica was frankly laughable. However, far from coming through and destroying the scene an unusual thing happened. The new bands invigorated the scene as a whole and gave us the thriving scene we have today.

When most people think of the beginning of the scene they think of Korn. With very good reason. they were and are still one of the best bands of the genre, they have a lot of great songs, and a lot of great videos, here is make me bad

That is a great video. More than a bit creepy though

The haters of the scene had the guns aimed at one band in particular. Limp Bizkit. I will admit that I was on their side to start with. However , I came around fairly quickly. I see nothing wrong at all with a band that has buzz saw guitars and a lot of attitude. They are not as technically proficient as many, but far better at writing songs than most. Their music to me is about burning off some energy or having a bit of a laugh. There is little that beats the adolescent anger of this

I think that was the issue with Limp Bizkit. A lot of people saw them as a bit childish. Frankly, claiming to be mature because you are into different music is really failing to see the point of a song like that. It did unfortunately enforce some of the stereotypes about metal. Now obviously ruminators are not like that are we? We see through the snobbish rubbish and recognise that there isn't anything better or worse about Limp Bizkit or Opeth, they're just different.

A person that also didn't help this was Kid Rock. I do not know about Kid Rock. I like the attitude a lot. He comes across as some of my wilder friends do. A little bit dangerous to know, but on the good days, brilliant fun.

There are an awful lot of stereotypes in that video. But it is fun. You can imagine though that it doesn't really help the credibility of metal.


One thing you may have noticed if you have watched the videos posted is that there is a lot of swearing in the songs. This is a lot different from classic metal. Even the heaviest of Slayer, Metallica etc contains very little swearing. It is perhaps an interesting historical statement for the linguists out there. This came through the rap scene's where it was much more accepted. The guys making this music in the late 90s had all grown up with that music and you can see the influences. Not just in the swearing, but in the delivery style of the vocals and the way the beat of 4/4 is used in a different way. We are now quite a long way away from the Blues.

Same sentiment as the blues though. The message never really changes. Things suck, I have a bad woman, I love women, I am the hardest, meanest, coolest. I want to have some fun. Actually it is the same since the beginning isn't it? I guess metal just adds in the I hate something, but most of that you could trace back to Opera anyway.

So where did the credibility come in and how did it revive the metal scene? Well it managed to do the revival act by the fact that massive music concerts became more and more the norm. Bands like Slipknot, marilyn manson, System of a Down, played alongside, Black Sabbath, Slayer, Iron Maiden at festivals such as Oz Fest, lollapalooza, Donnington monsters of Rock etc. Introducing two sets of fans to new music. Once people got over their prejudices they appreciated the newer or older music. Suddenly the older bands had huge audiences to play to again. Although my favourite quote about Metallica goes along the lines of. If they can plug in they can sell out the stadium. Anywhere. That makes them the biggest band in the world.

Credibility came through the cream of the new metal scene. There is so much. But my personal favourite is Slipknot. Slipknot moved the game for many of these bands. Here was early 21st century angst at a world that didn't understand. My favourite song is Wait and Bleed. Angry and brilliant

That said though System of a Down and Chop Suey is also brilliant

The new stuff is just as good as the old stuff it seems.