There’s only so many hours in a day. If I could, I would investigate nu-metal 24/7 but I’m pretty sure I would literally die, slumped over my desk 33 minutes deep into a recently uncovered Alabama teen’s nu-metal demo cassette from 1996. So here’s a new column for the albums I’m into but not versed enough into to judge. Check em out if you’re trying to get a headstart.
A Precious Moment, Distortion Drum [2004, Self Released]
Recent add discovered via a HazSub meme on Instagram (if you’re not already following HazSub on every platform you can go do that). If Korn had dropped an album between their s/t and Life is Peachy it might have sounded like this.
Epidemic, Epidemic [2002, Elektra]
Post-grunge flops always have an easier time clicking with me because their clench fisted “sorry I’m so fucked UP"s hit harder knowing they didn’t move millions of units. “Walk Away” was absolutely jammed in my head all week, “Individual” has a pleasingly hard hitting chorus. Haven’t unlocked the full thing yet, will return to this if it reveals.
No One, No One [2001, Immortal]
A tragicomic story; signed to Immortal because of their reputation for having never dropped a band, went on to become the first band ever dropped by Immortal. Yikes. First two tracks go exceptionally hard but the rest haven’t risen beyond ‘meh’ yet.
Maximum Exposure, Thumb [1997, EMI Music Germany]
This one has a really attractive plucky energy to it that grows on me a little more each time. “Sell Myself” and “Seize the Day” have passionate choruses while “Dad” might be the only nu-metal song ever about apologizing to your father for the way you treated him.
Super Junky Alien, Super Junky Monkey [1996, Sony Music Japan]
Jammy psychedelic female fronted funk metal from Japan. Let’s be real you can never have too much of that. While it may be a little too jammy for my taste you should give it a listen.
Synthetic Division, Crossbreed [2001, Artemis]
Speaking of things you can never have too much of; Cybergoth Nu-Metal. This is a really solid “nu-metal w/ industrial sound fx” album. “Underlined” catchy as hell; “Machines” heavy as fuck.
The Audio Injected Soul, Mnemic [2004, Nuclear Blast]
Speaking of heavy. This is fucking heavy. Packed to shit with crazy post Meshuggah syncopated accents and invigoratingly big production. Do not attempt your next bench press without this on your playlist.
Voyeurs, 2wo [1997, Nothing Records]
Honestly can’t get past the first track, it’s too catchy. “I Am a Pig” has one of those undeniable choruses that inspires record labels to take a chance on a fortysomething Rob Halford making an industrial comeback. I suspect most of this is pretty good, just clicked on “Deep in the Ground” at random and it has a surprising indie-lightness to it, but haven’t got far enough to fully judge.
Super Junky Monkey sounds right up my alley! Thanks!