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User
Reviews 6
Approval 93%
Soundoffs 54
Album Ratings 680
Objectivity 65%
Last Active 01-05-23 12:08 am
Joined 04-20-18
Review Comments 1,479
| Founding Fathers of Nu Metal
Time has not always been kind, or accurate, to Nu Metal. Great to see the recent rejuvenation; but so many inaccuracies abound. For example, Linkin Park did not start Nu Metal, and Kittie isn't a mix of Jinjer and Arch Enemy. Nu metal and I began to resonate together around 1996, when the Crow - City of Angels and Escape from L.A. soundtracks came out; and I was "all in" from there on. As I was a college student in ATL at the time - I got to live it by going to as many shows as I could. So did get a decent view of its formings. The first 10 bands below, IMO, were instrumental to the underground creation and early success of Nu Metal - and were out of the greater LA area, and to a lesser extent Sacramento. Nos 11 and 12 were also key LA area bands that stoked the fire. However, other bands across the US threw in a bit of "secret sauce" - these are nos. 13 onward below. | | 1 |  | Korn
Neidermeyers Mind
Formed in 1993, from Bakersfield - to the N-NW of LA
There wouldn't be any nu metal without the down-tuned, slowed down riffing of Korn, as well as the emotionally-charged lyrics of J. Davis. Following 1993 demos; this album really was unlike anything else out there at the time - and in some way was darker and heavier than the heaviest grunge before it (not an easy task, as AIC-Dirt was a dark album). | | 2 |  | Deftones
(Like) Linus
Formed in 1988, from Sacramento
After Korn, Deftones followed shortly thereafter. By this time, everyone had heard rap rock done (early RATM, 311, others) - but not like this. A prime example is the Deftones track "Teething" off the Crow City of Angels soundtrack. IMO, Korn and Deftones were the big two - and the yin and yang of early nu metal. | | 3 |  | Coal Chamber
Giving The Devil His Due
Formed in 1992, from Los Angeles
Always seemed that Coal Chamber was a bit deriviatve of Korn's sound early on, until the release of Chamber Music. However, Coal Chamber was pushing out demos in 1994 and 1995, and big in the scene; supporitng that they were a bit part of making that sound. | | 4 |  | Manhole
The Early Years
Formed in 1993, from Los Angeles
Melding a mix of hard rock/metal with Tarrie B's screamed or rapped vocals; Manhole was also an oddity in the scene. But an absolute force to be reckoned with. Saw them and bought "All is Not Well" in 1996; which was also the first time I ever heard Lynn Strait guesting on the track "Down". | | 5 |  | Snot
Snot 1995
Formed in 1995, from Santa Barabara.
Snot was also pretty dominant in the nu-metal scene, releasing several demos that formed their one album "Get Some" released in 1997. An exciting mix of punk, metal, hardcore, hip hop - and whatever else - all rolled up together. RIP Lynn Strait. | | 6 |  | Sugar Ray
Lemonade And Brownies
Formed in 1986, from Newport Beach
WTF you say? Not my fault that Sugar Ray ruined their legacy by releasing album after album of "Fly"-like songs post Floored. But early on, they were significant in the nu metal scene. The track "10 Seconds Down" is a great example. | | 7 |  | Human Waste Project
HWP
Formed in 1993, from Huntington Beach
Sounds almost like a nu metal Janes Addiction - with sung and screamed female vocals by Aimee Echo. Disbanded shortly (and sadly) after release of their full-length E-Lux in 1997. | | 8 |  | Incubus (USA-CA)
Enjoy Incubus
Formed in 1991, from Calabasas
Not sure how involved Incubus were in the scene with the above bands; nevertheless, they were locals to the LA area, came out the gate early with Fungus Amongus (1995), were perhaps a bit more FNM and Mr. Bungle influenced, and were one of the first nu-metal bands to have an in-house DJ (DJ Lyfe). | | 9 |  | Far
Tin Cans with Strings to You
Formed in 1991, from Sacramento
Was on the same label (Immortal Records) as Korn, Incubus, and The Urge. This album showed a strong nu-metal vibe, but also was an early post-hardcore precursor. | | 10 |  | (hed) p.e.
Church of Realities
Formed in 1994, from Huntington Beach
Similar to Snot, (hed)p.e. mixed a plethora of genres (hip hop, metal, punk, etc.) into a big mixing pot. Emblematic of the early "everything goes" of nu metal. | | 11 |  | Rage Against the Machine
Evil Empire
Formed in 1991, from Los Angeles
I know, I know - they were more of an alternative band - like Tool - not part of the nu-metal scene. But this album hit like fire in 1996, and was much more mainstream and accessible than their 1992 release. I feel that this album, and the success thereof, injected a lot of mainstream attention into the scene; which was not there previously. | | 12 |  | System of a Down
System of a Down
Formed in 1994, from Glendale
A lot of people put SOAD as a founder of nu metal - not so sure of that. However, they were releasing demos in 1995 and 1996, with songs like Sugar and Suite-Pee, which would form the nexus of their 1998 self-titled album. | | 13 |  | Powerman 5000
True Force
Formed in 1991, from Boston, MA
Can't really talk nu-metal, without acknowledging the early output from PM5K - mixing funky hard rock with loosely rapped vocals, under space tones. Definitely a contributor to the later nu-metal sound. | | 14 |  | Mushroomhead
Superbuick
Formed in 1993, from Cleveland, OH
A truly underappreciated band, who was making FNM-influenced music early, and infusing it with horror-film visuals. Similar to Coal Chamber, do not get their due. | | 15 |  | Staind
Tormented
Formed in 1995, from Springfield, MA
Can't have a nu-metal list without Staind or Limp Bizkit, unfortunately. However, this exceedingly dark Staind album was released in 1996, and along with their next breakout album Dysfunction, were integral to the more mainstream side of nu-metal; later proliferated by Staind themselves, Cold, and unfortunately several succeeding same-same sounding bands. | | 16 |  | P.O.D.
Snuff the Punk
Rec by arthropod
Formed in 1992 from San Diego
Unsure of their overall significance. P.O.D. had their signature sound and were releasing Christian-themed albums early on, but hadn't hit the secular marker yet and broken out with the track "Southtown". | | 17 |  | Stuck Mojo
Snappin' Necks
Rec by Butkuiss
Formed in 1989, from ATL
Unsure of their overall significance. I saw Stuck Mojo live several times - during the Pigwalk and Rising album cycles - but they seemed to be more of a local flair/regional event to me. That said, did see various bands attending their shows including Life of Agony. Started getting overly conservative and cringy, and going downhill with the album "Rising". | | 18 |  | Clawfinger
Deaf Dumb Blind
Rec by arthropod
Formed in 1989 from Sweden
Can't really speak to their significance - weren't on my radar at this time. | |
JDubb
06.16.24 | Let me know what early, progenitor nu-metal bands you feel I may be missing. To qualify - they need to have been releasing demos or albums in the timespan before 1996. | bellovddd
06.16.24 | nu metal sugar ray always trips me out lmao | arthropod
06.16.24 | Clawfinger and P.O.D. fit in the given timespan but I'm clueless 'bout their potential importance. | Butkuiss
06.17.24 | Missing Stuck Mojo here :( |
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