Nu-Metal Perspective: Then and Now

Written by: Andrew Ferell

I’m certainly not a withstanding product of the late nu-metal craze. But it seems now more than ever a reemergence of the style and attitude is coming back from those who never outgrew it. For better or worse, I was extremely rambunctious during my adolescent years when such bands as Korn and Limp Bizkit appeared to rule the world. I remember being only ten when I was introduced to Three Dollar Bill Ya’ll$ from the latter and was enthralled due to it being nothing I had ever heard before. The content was definitely something a little kid would feel rebellious listening to at the time. I found myself instantly drawn to the abrasive nature each track presented and set forth on a mission to acquire more exciting fixes.

I still spin a few old nu-metal records from time to time out of pure nostalgia (Snot – Get Some, Mushroomhead – XX, Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory, Mudvayne – L.D. 50, Slipknot – Self-Titled, Powerman 5000 – Tonight The Stars Revolt, Flaw – Through The Eyes), but I can’t lie and say it’s all as awesome as I remember it. The older I get the harder my ears find a reason as to why I ever thought some bands sounded captivating in the first place. Typically, an iconic period in music still retains some artistic merit to those submerged in it. So why has this specific genre aged poorly, to a degree, when others from the past still maintain weight?

Perhaps it’s what people claimed it to be all along– a fluke movement. I’m not sure if it was always a joke to outsiders looking in, but I don’t believe I’m the only one oblivious to the possibility given my youth. At risk of sounding like a dweeb, I can’t deny the impact a collective bunch of acts made on me back in the day. My first concert ever was when I had just turned eleven and The Family Values Tour ‘98 was a dream come true since, as far as I was concerned, the roster was nothing short of a wish list. The arena size at my impressionable age, with all the larger than life theatrics, only reassured that I had truly stumbled upon something I’d always cherish. I’ll never forget the experience despite now cringing at certain acts I used to religiously support. Nevertheless, I still hold that night fondly for what it meant in the moment and it will never falter no matter how much I may grow up.

What you’re first exposed to is usually a roll of the dice out of your control. It’s no mystery, as it depends heavily on a number of factors that vary for every individual. It’s rather neat how such childish singles about misplaced angst can transport me back to select memories the tunes spark, which matter more now than the songs themselves. In my mid 20s it’s easy to over-analyze and mildly chuckle at how silly the dynamics were for a good portion of these groups. But for what it’s worth, the strange phenomenon known as the “so bad it’s good” mentality has steadily formed with the motions. I’d never alter my musical arch if I had the chance because shortly after Junior High greener pastures I never once imagined arrived. 

There are always exceptions to the rule because Deftones are as strong now as they’ve ever been and have somehow eluded turning into irrelevant news. It begs the question, if they were able to roll with the punches by adapting then where did the others who came up with them fumble the ball? I’m sure we can all draw our own conclusions but I doubt I’m alone in wishing certain bands from that era would just accept their fate and bow out gracefully. For those who can actually relate to this piece, it’ll be for a slew of different reasons aside from the fact it can taint the reminiscent qualities shared, no matter how they might be naive.

This naturally brings me to a view I have about this whole nu-metal revival we’re quickly seeing come into fruition. History repeats itself in confusing, yet intriguing cycles, and it’s the same formula all over again for the new batch of impressionable kids. The popularity of bands like Emmure, who lets face it, are this generation’s aforementioned Limp Bizkit, have opened up the floodgates tweaked by the next frontier of similar artists following suit. There’s a current wave of nu-core (nu-metal influenced metalcore or deathcore) melding the old with new tricks for the masses. They may one day look back with the same tongue-in-cheek nostalgia some of us have about the nu-metal of yesteryear with a likewise insight. But in the meantime, I hope they enjoy the ride, as I sure am by playing devil’s advocate in a nu-chapter.