Taken from www.mxtabs.net on 6/22/2003
Whatcha all make of this? I agree, but what do I know? I'm just one "old school" fan amongst a sea of metalheads.
Is Nu-Metal Dying?
For those who don't know what nu-metal exactly is, here are 2 possible definitions:
nu met·al
Talentless, corporate music that is created by major record companies and marketed to scared, suburban teens in an effort to ween them off of boy bands and into another demographic.
or
nu met·al
The music is more raw and aggressive than the Metal of the 80s and 90s. There is generally an absence of a guitar solo, and more emphasis placed upon the rhythm guitar.
Nu-metal certainly has its fans, but it also has critics who have been deriding nu-metal as a cheap fad for years. Although almost no one would say that it is as bad as hair-metal, boy bands, or overly processed pop, it is generally put into the same category. The reason is that although nu-metal is aggressive, angry, and often rebellious, it remains completely mainstream. Many feel like nu-metal is the equivalent of boy-bands for guys (we're not saying whether this view is justified or not)
I must confess that I actually liked nu-metal for quite some time. It was new, exciting, and sharply drew the line between 'modern' and 'classic' metal. However, as the years have passed, I have kept hearing the same stuff over and over again. Realizing this problem, record companies have resorted to gimmicks such as covers, face masks and costumes. Despite the fact that nu-metal still is a large genre, the audiences are growing younger and younger, and are more often turning to rap than nu-metal. As a result, I believe nu-metal, as it exists today, is dying. This doesn't mean that all the current nu-metal bands will dissapear, but will be forced to change or die. Or perhaps in the 2030's, a group of bands beginning with "The" will begin to start playing nu-metal again, and start the craze anew. Who knows. But in any case, we predict that nu-metal as it is known today is on its way out.
The Evolution of Nu-Metal
Deftones
The Deftones' latest release blazes a 'nu' trail (yes, its a pathetic pun) in the nu-metal scene by getting both darker and more melodic. Many songs seem impossibly heavy when compared to former deftones tunes, while others rise and soar on both walls of sound and simple melodies. In many ways the deftones are blazing a new trail that is seperate from nu-metal.
Verdict Alive, but decide whether you are hardcore or not
Staind
Staind has been steadily getting lighter and lighter, and lost many fans when Break the Cycle became a pop phenomenon. I used to cringe whenever I'd hear pop DJ's introducing the new band 'Staind', and cringed even more after I heard "It's Been Awhile" for the 300th time. Despite the fact that they've changed, Staind doesn't seem to mind, and have created a whole slew of softer rock ballads this time around.
Verdict: Moving, we don't like the direction
Linkin Park
Some people like them, others hate them. Their new album is both a step forward and a step back. On one hand they've perfected the driving, rap/melodic song, complete with rather inspiring riffs, and on the other they degenerate into straight rap or lackluster churning songs. Linkin park has to decide whether they want to start trends, or to make music.
Verdict: Waffling
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit has died a screaming death. Their last album was pathetic, they've lost their guitarist, and Fred Durst has grown lame.
Verdict: Dead
Korn
Korn has come up with the same old formula again, and while it might have started a trend in the early 90's, it feels uninspired and lackluster now. Korn would be wise to call it quits while they are ahead (unlike Limp Bizkit)
Verdict: Dead
Chevelle
Relatively unknown band Chevelle hit it off big with this album, which features amazing vocals (the singer is similar to Maynard) and pounding, syncopated rhythms. Comes across as heavy without being boring or monotonous.
Verdict: Alive and Kicking
Metallica
Metallica was never nu-metal, but evidence from late interviews seem to suggest that they want to be. We are hoping they don't become nu-metal. Metallica is advised to stick to the formula or retire, they've already made their mark on music.
Verdict: ???
That's all for now folks
We'd also like to predict that you won't see Puddle of Mudd, Trapt, Cold, Mudvayne, P.O.D, or Godsmack in 5 years.
Whatcha all make of this? I agree, but what do I know? I'm just one "old school" fan amongst a sea of metalheads.
Is Nu-Metal Dying?
For those who don't know what nu-metal exactly is, here are 2 possible definitions:
nu met·al
Talentless, corporate music that is created by major record companies and marketed to scared, suburban teens in an effort to ween them off of boy bands and into another demographic.
or
nu met·al
The music is more raw and aggressive than the Metal of the 80s and 90s. There is generally an absence of a guitar solo, and more emphasis placed upon the rhythm guitar.
Nu-metal certainly has its fans, but it also has critics who have been deriding nu-metal as a cheap fad for years. Although almost no one would say that it is as bad as hair-metal, boy bands, or overly processed pop, it is generally put into the same category. The reason is that although nu-metal is aggressive, angry, and often rebellious, it remains completely mainstream. Many feel like nu-metal is the equivalent of boy-bands for guys (we're not saying whether this view is justified or not)
I must confess that I actually liked nu-metal for quite some time. It was new, exciting, and sharply drew the line between 'modern' and 'classic' metal. However, as the years have passed, I have kept hearing the same stuff over and over again. Realizing this problem, record companies have resorted to gimmicks such as covers, face masks and costumes. Despite the fact that nu-metal still is a large genre, the audiences are growing younger and younger, and are more often turning to rap than nu-metal. As a result, I believe nu-metal, as it exists today, is dying. This doesn't mean that all the current nu-metal bands will dissapear, but will be forced to change or die. Or perhaps in the 2030's, a group of bands beginning with "The" will begin to start playing nu-metal again, and start the craze anew. Who knows. But in any case, we predict that nu-metal as it is known today is on its way out.
The Evolution of Nu-Metal
The Deftones' latest release blazes a 'nu' trail (yes, its a pathetic pun) in the nu-metal scene by getting both darker and more melodic. Many songs seem impossibly heavy when compared to former deftones tunes, while others rise and soar on both walls of sound and simple melodies. In many ways the deftones are blazing a new trail that is seperate from nu-metal.
Verdict Alive, but decide whether you are hardcore or not
Staind has been steadily getting lighter and lighter, and lost many fans when Break the Cycle became a pop phenomenon. I used to cringe whenever I'd hear pop DJ's introducing the new band 'Staind', and cringed even more after I heard "It's Been Awhile" for the 300th time. Despite the fact that they've changed, Staind doesn't seem to mind, and have created a whole slew of softer rock ballads this time around.
Verdict: Moving, we don't like the direction
Some people like them, others hate them. Their new album is both a step forward and a step back. On one hand they've perfected the driving, rap/melodic song, complete with rather inspiring riffs, and on the other they degenerate into straight rap or lackluster churning songs. Linkin park has to decide whether they want to start trends, or to make music.
Verdict: Waffling
Limp Bizkit has died a screaming death. Their last album was pathetic, they've lost their guitarist, and Fred Durst has grown lame.
Verdict: Dead
Korn has come up with the same old formula again, and while it might have started a trend in the early 90's, it feels uninspired and lackluster now. Korn would be wise to call it quits while they are ahead (unlike Limp Bizkit)
Verdict: Dead
Relatively unknown band Chevelle hit it off big with this album, which features amazing vocals (the singer is similar to Maynard) and pounding, syncopated rhythms. Comes across as heavy without being boring or monotonous.
Verdict: Alive and Kicking
Metallica was never nu-metal, but evidence from late interviews seem to suggest that they want to be. We are hoping they don't become nu-metal. Metallica is advised to stick to the formula or retire, they've already made their mark on music.
Verdict: ???
That's all for now folks
We'd also like to predict that you won't see Puddle of Mudd, Trapt, Cold, Mudvayne, P.O.D, or Godsmack in 5 years.
