A Case For Nu-Metal, Why I Think it Doesn't Suck and Why I Think You Do if You Don't Agree

[SirRexington]

Nu-metal: a subgenre of alternative metal that combines elements of heavy metal music with elements of other music genres such as hip hop, alternative rock, funk, industrial and grunge.

For those that don't know or don't remember, Nu-metal hit us all in the head at the turn of the 21st century. It all started with Korn, Machine Head, Limp Bizkit, Deftones and POD. These bands created the era of metal we know now, whether kids today want to admit it or not. Metalcore as the "brootal" kids refer to it was heavily inspired by hardcore beatdown and nu-metal. Escape the Fate, Motionless in White, Stray from the Path, Upon a Burning Body and others all found great success as the revitalized and evolved version of nu-metal.

Nu-metal gets a lot a hate. And I'm not sure why. Maybe because its not "really" metal or whatever other metal elitist bullshit is spewed out of the overabundant but unwanted critics. It revolutionized music in the 90's, fusing rap with metal and bridging a gap that had now become a large highway where musicians of all genres joined together to make new music. Cultures that never mingled now were intertwined and woven together like a quilt blanket. Hugging on the others success, more followed.

Branches of it emerged, different sounds and styles. Chevelle, Slipknpot, Linkin Park, Papa Roach, Flaw. They received success and some even saw themselves make the Top 40 charts.

Drowning Pool (while it has gone through many vocalists) will always be remembered for "letting the bodies hit the floor" and "raising peoples hands for being a sinner". They had their spotlight, until Dave Williams died tragically of heart failure. By 2005 Nu-metal started to wane off and bands like Godsmack, Staind and Dope all lost their moment of stardom. But it lives on, as a cult following of anxiety ridden fans old and new fight desperately to keep it breathing. They should have all given up hope, but they didn't And that will always be what allows any music the ability to come back.

My favorite band of all of these? I can't say. I don't really have a favorite band. But Korn would definitely be quick answer. Jonathan Davis, the lead singer of Korn has seen some horrible and experienced some horrible things in his life and that is reflected in their songs, songs often written off as nasty, horrible and violent. Their message to anyone who isn't retarded, is not to glorify these tragedies but to shed light on them, allow for people to see what is going on behind closed doors. It might not be pretty, but the lives being ruined aren't pretty either. Jonathan's wife just died recently, adding to yet another depressing and heartbreaking account in his life. I hope he doesn't dive into a depression and lock himself away (as he is known to do) because the world doesn't need to lose another great pioneer of music, a nor a great person who has offered so much but sadly has received so little.

[castratedwhiteguy]

Saying someone sucks because they don't agree with your musical taste is a bad way stat a My Take. Having said that, I can think of four excellent reasons, right off the top of my head, which say that Nu-metal is second rate music. You need to broaden your horizons. Enjoy:

Yes - Cinema - 90125

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXj62Zwg5Hc

Rush ~ Tom Sawyer ~ Exit Stage Left [1981]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYi93Hr02Vw

ASIA ❖ heat of the moment (official music video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsTasQET9UI

Bruce Springsteen - Backstreets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USQ697oqkaw

[SirRexington]

I can start a MyTake anyway I want. It was mostly a joke but I do get sick of all the needless hate the genre gets.

It's not second rate. Especially not compared the overrated music you provided.

I don't need to broaden my horizons. In no way is Nu-metal the only thing I listen to. It is merely a genre I was fond of. But thank you for commenting.

[castratedwhiteguy]

I wouldn't call the videos that I posted here to be over rated! Most of these musicians are in the Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame! All of these bands have more talent in their pinky than any Nu-metal band will ever have. However, if Nu-metal is a thing that turns you on, then God bless you. Although, personally, I think you could be listening to a much higher quality of music.

[castratedwhiteguy]

Just a quick question for you, and be honest with me. Did you even bother really listening to the music that I posted here? If so, and if you really like good rock music, then you should have been blown away by these four songs. What's up with that?

[SirRexington]

I've heard those songs all before. Tom Sawyer is overplayed.

These songs are very well known. But they aren't my type of music. Music is subjective. These artists are not higher quality than Nu-metal. They are just different.

I listen to all sorts of metal. I merely was making a take on all the assholes who shit on this genre in particular. That's all. This is not all I listen to.

[castratedwhiteguy]

Well, I'm glad to see that you've at least heard some of these songs. I don't listen radio apps like Rhapsody and Spotify so I have no idea if a song like Tom Sawyer is still being played or not. All I do know is that most people whom I know who are your age don't even realize that this music even exists. That's why I was making suggestions.

[SirRexington]

I don't have those apps either. I don't like apps. Apparently this site has an app but I use it, I keep the tab open or it in Google. It takes but 10 seconds.

I don't know a single person that doesn't know Tom Sawyer. I can understand not knowing Asia but still, everyone knows who Bruce Springsteen is. But again, that old school rock don't do it for me. Now if we're taking punk, then that's a whole nother story.

[castratedwhiteguy]

I'm just the opposite. As far as I'm concerned the music died back in the late 1980's. The popularity of thrash metal, beginning during the late 1980's, and all the metal and punk that came after it, plus the popularity of rap has ruined popular music for me. Most of the metal and rap that I've heard released over the passed 30 years is way to over amplified, thuggish and violent for my taste. I prefer music from the 1960's, '70's and through most of the '80's.

[SirRexington]

That's what metal is dude. It's the anger and the sadness, the violence they builds up inside of us manifested as music. Thats the point. People who have been through things no kid should have to go through listen to metal and punk.

Those genres were made to say "fuck you" to all the "safe" music you suggested.

[castratedwhiteguy]

My music reaches for the light and goodness, while your music wallows in darkness and depression. That's why metal music can only drive you deeper into anger and despair. Personally. I only listen to music that will raise me above my anger and give me peace in my soul. If a song makes me feel hate and anger then I'll dump it like a bad habit. I've lived through some hard shit just like you, but I need music that will show me love and not more of the hate that I'm trying to escape from. Hope you understand?

[SirRexington]

What the fuck are you talking about? It's been recorded and proved that when people who like metal listen to metal that their mood tends to get better and they calm down or they get an emotional boost. It's emotional music that reveals the dark shit. It's good for some people. To say that your music is better or that it brings people to the "light" and metal to the dark, is such an ignorant and uninformed statement that I have decided that you're a very unintelligent and close minded individual. You're too old to change too, so stick to your old uninformed ways.

Don't respond. I'm not interested in listening to anything else you have to say.

[OldSchool_Metalhead]

awesome take! Nu-metal is pretty frickin diverse. I don't think it sucks

[SirRexington]

Thats what I like about it. No two bands sound the same, they all have their own unique and definable sound.

[milesgeorgedavis]

I'm not a huge fan of Linkin Park or Limp Bizkit but look me in the eyes and tell me Jonathon Davis isn't one of the best vocalists on earth. He can scream, scat, trill, the dude can probably yodel. I'm going to name my first born son after him.

[Benedek38]

"These bands created the era of metal we know now, whether kids today want to admit it or not."
Fucking not. Numetal didn't create black metal, death metal, heavy metal, power metal, etc... This sentence only tells me you have a very vague understanding of metal music. 7
I have nothing against GOOD nu-metal, but saying it is the metal or the current day, when nu-metal is basically dead, and metal of various genres unrelated to it are alive and well is frankly incredibly ignorant.

[SirRexington]

But I'm not talking about those genres. And don't you dare tell me I "have a vague understanding" of metal music. Fuck you.

[Benedek38]

"But I'm not talking about those genres."
Sucks for you, because those genres are very much integral parts of "metal we know now".

"And don't you dare tell me I "have a vague understanding" of metal music."
Well, you kinda sorta implied that all the genres not related to nu-metal are not relevant in the current day, which is total bullshit... So yeah, you demonstrated that you either have a vague understanding of metal, or you just suck at explaining yourself.

[SirRexington]

But I never said those other genres don't have Influence. Again I'm specifically talking about Nu-metal and it's influence on metalcore. The only thing implied is that you are an elitist. You might not be, but "you demonstrated" that might be. Maybe you aren't good at explaining yourself.

What it shows is that you pick and choose qoutes and when I explain them you continue to use the same argument I already answered.

[Benedek38]

"But I never said those other genres don't have Influence."
You said: "These bands created the era of metal we know now"
There is no "among others", or "contributed to", or anything. They created it. That's it.
Again, you either suck at explaining yourself, or you were wrong.

"Again I'm specifically talking about Nu-metal and it's influence on metalcore."
Metalcore isn't "metal as we know now", metalcore is a genre of metal. Yes, metalcore is derived from nu-metal.

"The only thing implied is that you are an elitist."
I literally never implied anything like that. I don't have to be an "elitist" just because I know there are other genres alive than metalcore.
And even if I am an "elitist" (which I am far from) - so fucking what?

"You might not be, but "you demonstrated" that might be. Maybe you aren't good at explaining yourself."
That's just silly.

[Benedek38]

"What it shows is that you pick and choose qoutes and when I explain them you continue to use the same argument I already answered."
I don't care about your answer, I care that you said something stupid in your myTake, and you don't want to admit making a mistake.

[SirRexington]

I could say the exact same thing to your response.

[Benedek38]

No you couldn't.
I mean, you could... if you wanted to look likr a jackass.

[SirRexington]

Again, i could say the same thing about you.

[Wowgirl10q]

Awesome take dude

[Wowgirl10q]

I like it

[Byakugan]

Nu metal never sucked. There a ton of good nu metal bands

[MisterSir]

thank you

[SirRexington]

You're welcome

[Anonymous]

Nice take