Jump to content

Metal Forum Top 10 Nu Metal Bands


The Strategos

Recommended Posts

I'm sure it won't come as a shock to anyone here that I like my share of nu metal... You're not alone! ;) I have to disagree with the bands people are listing, though. Limp Bizkit are a little too silly and Linkin Park too poppy. My favourite bands under this bracket would be early Deftones (not saying I don't love newer Deftones- I just wouldn't class it as nu metal), Korn, Slipknot, Ill Nino, and American Head Charge are pretty underrated imo. Other stuff I dig that has been associated with nu metal would be Chimaira, 36 Crazyfists and SOAD, if you could put them into that category (I don't). I quite like Disturbed, but wouldn't call anything past their first album or so nu metal. Most of it comes under hard rock or mainstream/commercial metal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Metal Forum Top 10 Nu Metal Bands

I'm sure it won't come as a shock to anyone here that I like my share of nu metal... You're not alone! ;) I have to disagree with the bands people are listing' date=' though. Limp Bizkit are a little too silly and Linkin Park too poppy. My favourite bands under this bracket would be early Deftones (not saying I don't love newer Deftones- I just wouldn't class it as nu metal), Korn, Slipknot, Ill Nino, and American Head Charge are pretty underrated imo. Other stuff I dig that has been associated with nu metal would be Chimaira, 36 Crazyfists and SOAD, if you could put them into that category (I don't). I quite like Disturbed, but wouldn't call anything past their first album or so nu metal. Most of it comes under hard rock or mainstream/commercial metal.[/quote'] I don't mind Deftones, but can't really get into them. Deftones first album fits the nu-metal tag, but their other stuff is a bit questionable. Chimaira's first album was nu-metal, but their other stuff if metalcore, and they're one of the better bands in that pop/metalcore sound IMO. Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree that only the 1st album (and possibly their second) by the Tones is nu metal, but we have to differ on Chimaira. Such a description may fit Attack! Attack! or BFMV, but Chimaira fit more in with the post-Pantera groove metal thing imo. Yes, there are elements of hardcore in their sound (for example, the vocals), which could give the metalcore tag validity, but to describe them as pop metalcore in the vain of the aforementioned bands or Asking Alexandria is a bit inaccurate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Metal Forum Top 10 Nu Metal Bands

I agree that only the 1st album (and possibly their second) by the Tones is nu metal' date=' but we have to differ on Chimaira. Such a description may fit Attack! Attack! or BFMV, but Chimaira fit more in with the post-Pantera groove metal thing imo. Yes, there are elements of hardcore in their sound (for example, the vocals), which could give the metalcore tag validity, but to describe them as pop metalcore in the vain of the aforementioned bands or Asking Alexandria is a bit inaccurate.[/quote'] Pop/metalcore, as embodied by Killswitch Engage, Unearth, BFMV, Shadows Fall, Lamb of God, etc..., is a watered down mixture of Pantera and In Flames, the lowest common denominator of their riffs and melodies moulded to pop song structures. Chimaira does fit this sound, but may be on the "heavier" side of the spectrum. Bands like Atreyu may have a bit more emo and less of the toughguy "bro" Pantera stuff going on, but it's still there. Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

But, isn't pop music all about making big commercial catchy tunes with big choruses that you can dance/sing along to? That may fit the 'softer' bands on your list, but I don't feel it fits Chimaira or Lamb of God at all. I feel there needs to be a way we can sensibly differentiate Chimaira from Atreyu because, in reality, the 2 bands don't sound all that alike. Out of interest, where would you put Converge or Hatebreed? Surely they're Metalcore, yet sound completely different to both those bands...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Metal Forum Top 10 Nu Metal Bands

But' date=' isn't pop music all about making big commercial catchy tunes with big choruses that you can dance/sing along to? That may fit the 'softer' bands on your list, but I don't feel it fits Chimaira or Lamb of God at all. I feel there needs to be a way we can sensibly differentiate Chimaira from Atreyu because, in reality, the 2 bands don't sound all that alike. Out of interest, where would you put Converge or Hatebreed? Surely they're Metalcore, yet sound completely different to both those bands...[/quote'] Pop music is about being simple and hook laden, with the intention of grabbing people's ears with easy and catchy parts, a chorus is merely a tool for that purpose. That's not to say that non-pop music can't be catchy or use choruses, nor that it can't be simple, it's all about intention. It has been pointed out to me that intent is difficult to determine, but a comparison of bands like Integrity, Ringworm, or Converge to bands that combine metal and hardcore (metalcore) in a poppy way like Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Unearth, etc..., does show that there is a great deal of difference. As you said, grouping these under the same label of metalcore is confusing, as they clearly sound different, which is why I try to call the latter pop/metalcore, emocore, or something closer to what they actually sound like than just calling them "metalcore". Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
    • I
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • Reputation Points

      • 3 replies

    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...