Nu metal
Nü Metal (aka "Rock music for black people" or "Rap music for white people") is the bastard child of Pantera and Mr. Bungle. It is also the murderer of boy bands. It was created in the 90's and has gone to holidays ever since.
History[edit]
Not too long after Nu Metal's formation, it hit the charts like an Emo runs to the darkest corner when the sun comes up. And after KoRn's successful induction into the mainstream, similar acts such as Drowning Pool, Papa Roach, Slipknot, Disturbed, and My Parents HATE ME would follow, to make a trend that would last about a decade. It is unique in sound but its reputation was tarnished when stupid ass preps started liking it cuz' MTV was finally paying attention to the angry, rejected kids instead of rich kids. The creators of this genre were: a whinny vocalist, a guitarist that couldn't play anything else then power chords and played guitar for 3 months only, a bassist just for teh lulz and a drummer that was used to use trash cans as a drum kit. (Lars Ulrich showed his roots of nu-metal later on)
The golden days of Nu Metal also started to come when Metallica turned half Emo, half Country and began playing simple riffs. Bands then had the great idea to keep things simple and eliminate solos, because they couldn't play them anyway. Instead, they let the guitarist go batshit insane all over the guitar, producing the most impressive riffs. At this point, these bands knew that they needed to be cool and act cool, because in the 90's if you weren't cool, you were a fool. So they all decided to go gangsta, using rastas, bling bling and boxers showing up. Nu Metal was on a roll, and finally stood out when KoRn and Deftones arrived to the scene.
The history of Nu Metal would define, and also be defined by President Bill Clinton. All that was wrong with Bill Clinton would be sung by Machine Against Reggae. Clinton wanted that band to get its own back. A close aide to Bill came with an idea. An unknown by the name of William Frederick Durst would dress up in basketball clothing, pretend to be a metalhead, and pretend he got horny by girls in tracksuits. Society wants Fred Durst to drive a car with power steering, but he won’t do it. He will be driving without power steering due to a contract he signed .
Having an "edgy look" and radical attitude, these bands quickly made an impact within teenagers whose parents wouldn't buy stuff. Using adidas sneakers and hoodies, both bands managed to reach mainstream success, that later more bands would copy and earn millions. Limp Bizkit was a perfect example of this, when some douchebag decided to whine about haters, how he never got good grades and how he was bullied at school. This attitude was in all of their albums, being Chocolate Starfish and the Lyrics Clusterfuck Water the most notable one. They also liked to solve traffic jams problems with their song Rollin.
Another band to jump into the Nu Metal ship was Linkin Park. Believe it or not, this band was actually decent since all songs were about pain, but this wasn't a problem to the fan base since they liked to cut themselves in every concert. With a whiny vocalist, a wigger, a guitarist that couldn't play more them 2 power chords and an American DJ, the band had everything to be successful.
The genre reached its peak in 2000. All bands in the world were now Nu Metal.
Sound[edit]
Basically, every Nu Metal band is three members of Korn and one other member of a rap band, but if you need a more detailed breakdown:
- Vocals: a) An angry white man, typically screaming and shouting about how shitty life is; or b) A white man acting like an angry black man, rapping about how shitty life is.
- Guitar: Guitars tuned low. Really low. It is impossible to play a nu-metal song on an acoustic guitar, as the strings are too loose to be heard without an amp. All strings are tuned down to Drop BRUTALZ minus B, even the high E ones.
- Bass: Acts like a quieter second guitar, mimicking everything the guitarist does. No imagination or creativity is required what so ever from the player.
- Drums: must sound like trash cans and always follow the same pattern: hit em hard as FUCK while imagining you were beating your ex-girlfriend.
- DJ: A fat guy that shows up occasionally.
Song structure[edit]
Nu Metal songs CAN'T have solos or any complicated riffs. They should only be made of power chords. These are the basic steps to follow when creating a nu metal song:
- Intro with guitars fading in
- Heavy guitar chorus (with no lyrics or vocals)
- Calm part (lyrics with soft vocals)
- Heavy guitar chorus (with lyrics/vocals, can also be some mumbling shit)
- repeat 3 and 4
- Bridge (aka different part, with DJ using scratches, different lyrics ONLY here)
- Rap a little here
- repeat 4 but scream a bit louder
- PROFIT!!!1
Death[edit]
Nu-Metal died somewhere in 2003. With MTV focusing in Emo shitty bands, all Nu-Metal bands decided to switch their sound to a more pop rock style to keep earning cash. Most of these bands would then deny being Nu-Metal at all costs. Also they started to dress normally. Limp Bizkit's album Results May Suck, This Cd is Shit was one example of this, and later Linkin Park's Minutes to Shitstorm, "A Thousand Sucks" and "Dying Things" did the exact same thing.
Revival[edit]
Lately theres been discussions about Nu Metal coming back. The reality is: its truly dead, there arent any more bands with this genre out there. The best suggestions on reviving Nu Metal involve either a time machine or mass hypnosis.
Deftones latest CD Raymond Eyes and KoRn's Korn 9000: Remember who we were? did managed to capture the old Nu Metal essence, for just under one second. Limp Bizkit's album Gold Turd tried to bring it back, but it was so bad they joined forces with a stupid mumbling syrup drinking ape man to make some quick cash.
Nu Metalheads[edit]
Nu Metalheads often roam the malls in their Chained Tripp pants and oversized band tees. They also wear baseball caps and their pants are below their knees. Some of them use shorts and long, white, tube socks. Their hair is either spiked or unwashed dreadlocks. A goatee is a must.
Ol Metalheads hate Nu Metalheads and vice versa. Both groups describe the other with terms such as gay, while sampling the other's music privately. There are frequent confrontations between both sides. In a skateboard park, Nu Metalheads are identified by the visible butt cracks. When Ol Metalheads fail to keep a respectable distance, the result is called a mosh pit.
Nu Metalheads usually get all the girls, because they are a mix of rockers and thugs, and even girls who do not like thugs enjoy being treated like shit. Also, with some former Nu Metal bands now being girl bands, it's even easier to score.