Metal Mondays: My Top 5 Nu-Metal Bands

Nu-metal is an oft-maligned sub-genre, and some of the reasons for this are legitimate.  It is a little disconnected from the heavy metal sound in a traditional sense.  Also, it is true that many nu-metal groups were simply cashing in on trends that were popular at the time.  However, a handful of bands transcended the sub-genre and made a mark on music with their unique sounds.  Here are my top 5.

Image from: http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/groupe-groupe-Drowning_Pool-l-en.html

5. Drowning Pool

This is my freebie pick.  I discovered the band as a kid through a Dragonballz feature film and fell in love with their sound.  The first album is good, but after it was finished the vocalist passed away and the group was never the same.

Image from: http://thebambooshoots.wordpress.com/author/xerolt9/

4. Linkin Park

Sure, they’ve gone downhill since their first slew of releases, but at their prime they created perhaps the most fluid fusion of metal, hip-hop, and electronic sounds.  They deserve recognition for their innovative style and for bringing a wide range of music fans together.

Image from: http://www.coolchaser.com/graphics/tag/system%20of%20a%20down%20logo

3. System of a Down

Serj Tankian’s charming voice provided the clever lyrics while the band provided a wicked attitude.  Through their Armenian heritage, they brought an interesting Eastern sense of melody to their heavy riffage.

Image from: http://pittydecals.com/product.php?id_product=1355

2. Deftones

At times eerily serene; at times mercilessly aggressive; always haunting and vulnerable.  Chino Moreno’s vocal package is one of a kind.  A must listen band.  R.I.P. Chi Cheng.

Image from: http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2010/06/review-rage-against-the-machine-live-at-finsbury-park/

1. Rage Against the Machine

Through raps, whispers, and screams, Zack de la Rocha delivers bona fide poetry with an uncompromising political stance.  Tom Morello is one of the most experimental and pioneering guitarists of all time.  Together with an underrated rhythm section, they form hands down the greatest nu-metal band.

 

Scouting Report: Hacktivist

Image from: http://www.bilbaobbklive.com/2013/en/lineup/saturday-13/13-bandas-sabado/243-hacktivist-en

They're like a djent version of Rage Against the Machine.  Sound interesting?  Founded in 2011, Hacktivist are a relatively new group from the UK trying to make their way in the music industry.  They deliver rapped lyrics with a political consciousness similar to that of Rage Against the Machine (though far from a carbon copy) on top of djent stylings that should please fans of Meshuggah.  But comparing them to other bands really doesn't do Hacktivist justice; they have truly forged a unique sound of their own.  To put it in their own words (taken from their Facebook page), they pride themselves on "hardwiring huge, devastating grooves with intelligent and insightful rhyme."  Unfortunately, it seems that they are a little more productive in the PR department than in the studio.  The have a snazzy-looking website, plenty of merchandise, and some high quality videos, but with only one EP to their name.  Therefore, I encourage you to go check them out at their website (hacktivist.uk.com), on youtube, or on Facebook.  Maybe if they gain more listeners, they will put out more music.  For now, at least give their newest music video a watch.  It's for their song "Elevate."  If you like it, the song is available for free download on their website.

Enjoy!