NU METAL THEN VS. NOW

Nu Metal stripped out much of the ornamentation of traditional metal - it was all about simple groovy riffs, down-tuned guitars, and angst-driven lyrics, often combined with electronic, rap, or industrial elements. This simplicity made heavy music that was extremely accessible and broke through to the mainstream like never before, with bands like Linkin Park, System of a Down, and Limp Bizkit reaching their peaks in the 2000s. However, these same qualities have caused nu metal to sometimes be rejected by hardcore metalheads as "not metal enough."
After dying down by the late 2000s, nu metal has started to re-emerge recently with modern bands that draw heavily from those early nu metal giants, this time combined with metalcore and djent influences. The focus on groove remains, but how do you think their riffs stack up to the classics? Let me know in the comments!
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[@sweetypuss]

putting vended right after slipknot was very clever, hehe

[@davemorris7678]

There’s the comment I was looking for! I thought the same thing lol

[@thelittleowl1]

static-x push it. Total banger of a song.

[@Landekar]

Industrial

[@thelittleowl1]

@@Landekar industrial nu groove metal I define it lol

[@myfaceismyshield5963]

​@@Landekarit's NU metal. Textbook definition of it, barely proper industrial elements to it. Even Slipknot has more industrial in it than Static-X does.

[@schwann145]

​@@myfaceismyshield5963well that's just wildly inaccurate 😂

[@salsashark2004]

Metalcore has definitely rubbed off on a lot of new nu metal and I dig it.

[@lendariorandom]

prog metal yet

[@AgachartSukchouy]

djent

[@Frankieskorns]

@@AgachartSukchouysound not a genre

[@carlosgarate5708]

Jajajajajajaja que alguien le explique quien influenció a quien

[@ristoherranen816]

And vice versa

[@luciopaz6271]

I really miss 2000's nu metal songs, thanks to them I got into metal and eventually heavier stuff, but nu metal was where I really found my starting point identity as a teenager.

[@TheSimonHxC]

These twins really know how to play the guitar. Wow!

[@vladv5126]

The guy on the left has better taste though.

[@viscid09]

Triplets you miss the third brother behind the camera!

[@Kupferhans]

One step closer decides it! Im impressed by the creativity of some of the older riffs. Thanks for this great video!

[@TheVVK1991]

never been a fan of Nu metal but those old tracks sound so gorgeous and remind me of my school time when everyone used to listen to LP, Korn, Papa Roach, SOAD etc. Goose bumps indeed

[@hatempire]

Tallah has some tricky riffs without losing that nu metal "bounce". A vibe similar to "we could go full on mathcore if we wanted". Hope to see them live someday.

[@RainbowGravity92]

Bonus song is Push It from Static-X. They're my all time favorite industrial metal band, and Wisconsin Death Trip is my favorite album from them. May Wayne forever rest in peace.

[@cardinalcopia2762]

Old Nu Metal for Life ❤️🤘 RIP Chester

[@digitaldeathsquid3448]

Was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of Nova Twins and discovering Omerta. If anyone happens to be attempting to look for a modern nu-metal band with some fantastic original content, I believe Red Method should have you covered.

[@BenMcManus]

They're really good, thank you for that recommendation

[@apoplexiamusic]

still blows me away how nu metal came back in fashion and that it's ok to like it now

[@salvadorricardojimenez5401]

It's probably the kids of original Nu Metal fans & artists that are making the subgenre come back. I don't see how else it could come back. Nu Metal riding the popularity of Rap's 90s mainstream success helped catapult it, so now I think it's just the Gen Z kids of original Nu Metal fans & artists resurrecting the subgenre.

[@apoplexiamusic]

@@salvadorricardojimenez5401 it is most likely because of millennials’ nostalgia. A lot of us got into metal, or more into metal because of nu metal. Also it was a really fresh sound at the time, completely divorced from what were then perceived as outdated musical tropes or playing super fast and soloing and what not

[@northwindkey]

Honestly? I think Bring Me The Horizon has a lot to do with it. They put A LOT of Linkin Park inspiration on Semptinernal and That's The Spirit, both of which became very influential albums in their own right. Suddenly you had Motionless In White bringing in KoRn influence after that.

[@skullcrushincaleb13]

TALLAH!!!! Finally someone recognizes them such a good band

[@MattCanev419]

Thomas, these are really really well done on so many levels. The song choices are killer 🔥 ..and once again youve introduced me to a few new songs/bands 🤘

[@ryandonavon7451]

Push It! Wayne was a legend! great vid!

[@treyelrey8548]

Facts!! Criminally underappreciated band.

[@-.MICHAEL.-]

Old: Nu-Metal New: "Hey! Let's play Mick Gordon!"

[@ZeyTheDaemon]

Truuuuuuuuue lol

[@TooYourBro]

Sound quality is on another level! Great video!

[@ThomasHogue]

Thank you!

[@koki31]

I love this series!

[@Wherespaulbearer]

I'm old as shit but still so much character within the older tracks.

[@isaiasabinadisosagarcia936]

Might just have found a couple of new bands to check out. Thanks!

[@mattreynierberger7529]

Awesome video as always !Seeing Nu Metal in the title I was hoping for some Tallah riff aaaaand.... Yeeaaaa second riff is a Tallah riff. Great playing great tone and great mustache well done !

[@mitchthemetalhead2589]

I clicked on this just to make sure Tallah is in the Nu Metal now, and appropriately they were the first in line! Tallah is SO slept on! 🤘🐸🐇🌀

[@mattreynierberger7529]

@@mitchthemetalhead2589 Yeah another Tallah's fan !! Imo the music they make is so much more than "just" Nu Metal but they Indeed have a huge Nu Metal influences 😁🐰

[@mitchthemetalhead2589]

Yeah I agree…A HUNDRED AND FIFTY PERCENT! 🌀🤘

[@ellocodelbajo2060]

I like Tetrarch, Vended and Ded, of course, but nothing beats the classics.

[@Nishinga.]

That Stricken riff is still one of my favorites, holy shit it rips. That song was so fun to play on Guitar Hero 3 but man my fingers hurt from the chord progression hahah

[@danlesterchua7923]

The pinch harmonic inserted before the second verse sounds badass

[@metallov3r893]

Thanks for the list of cool gangs I haven't heard.

[@AltaPisco]

So hype to see Omerta !!

[@jacksonaugust7310]

That homage to static at the end my dudes magic.

[@burnman669]

Static-X - Push it !!

[@PrakharSrivastav]

Hey man - love your channel for these kinds of videos! It would be awesome if you could also add the tuning of the song in the video or the description so that I can decide to learn them :D

[@deanlewis4074]

Drop C or C# should cover you for just about everything

[@Spiderlix]

The first modern nu song ressembles with a modern metalcore/djent song to me.Good video.

[@astonrichardson5288]

They all sound pretty cool!

[@funnyperson4027]

I love tallah so much thank you for choosing them

[@dimadima2705]

Yeah, you push it!🤘

[@Sxionix]

really cool to see Nova Twins getting some love here

[@ncochran01]

Nu Metal was a product of the time period. The 90s and early 2000s were a time of difficult times in the US. Waco, Ruby Ridge, Oklahoma City. Gang wars, rise in drugs, Y2K. All of this came out in our music. Nu Metal was a rock for many of us angsty teenagers. Glad to see some of that went forward and parts of it can be heard in current songs.

[@x-Gingerbeard-x]

Old Nu-Metal is way better! Much more memorable and recognizable songwriting. People have been and will still be playing Linkin Park, Korn, Disturbed, Static-X, Mudvayne, SOAD, Slipknot etc. for years to come.

[@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125]

I agree with that. I appreciate the new one, but there’s no denying that the old guard had riffs that can be recognized on first listen.

[@x-Gingerbeard-x]

@@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125 Exactly! Not just that, all those bands have a sound of their own, you can easily tell them apart. With these modern bands it just sounds like it could almost be written by one and the same band. Same production styles, same tropes, riffs that are more so about the chugchugs + octaver pedal instead of writing something engaging/memorable/recognizable. This is just my opinion ofcourse and I'm sure there are some great modern nu-metal bands out there that I've not heard of yet.

[@michaelstewart4461]

The new songs ARE memorable and recognizable, you just aren't familiar with them or aren't AS familiar with them. I'm familiar with both old and new and recognized nearly every riff in this immediately.

[@asre1503]

Is it because they are nostalgic to you?

[@funnyperson4027]

@@x-Gingerbeard-xI’d argue that you could tell tallah wrote a song if you heard it those guys are wild as hell

[@DylanJouglah-Shields]

Great to see Nova Twins included! Underrated band who need more attention

[@awaanparis811]

I found classic Nu Metal vibe in Nova Twins and Omerta. Finally.

[@Landekar]

Hey, Tom, been asking you consistently, cause it's in serious demand: how do you achieve such sound? Through which IR or DSP are you processing your tracks? I get that songs are fully arranged, but the sound of your guitar specifically is what I don't get. You better start making your own sound archetype, or give some producer tips away, cause I've dying to find that out.

[@ThomasHogue]

Thank you! I use Helix Native actually and an Ownhammer IR. Maybe one day I should make a quick video about the details...

[@szynom2587]

I love that Slipknot/Vended comparison

[@andrewcoates4952]

For me old Nu metal still reigns supreme

[@joshbabbitt9243]

Ohgghhh, I see it, oogghhh I need it!

[@DigitalBath742]

As an old skool nu metal fan, I love a bit of Cane Hill, Nova Twins, and Wargasm in my playlist.

[@GnildnewOfficial]

Tech Death, then vs. now when?? 😮 Would die for that one. New Job For A Cowboy is an extraordinary example 🤘

[@dorsia6938]

That band made a really cool evolution

[@GnildnewOfficial]

@dorsia6938 yes! They've come a long way and I definitely love them more as they've evolved

[@dorsia6938]

@@GnildnewOfficial me too, their recent singles have been absolute bangers

[@GnildnewOfficial]

@dorsia6938 oh yeah dude. Full album drop on the 23rd!

[@Bravelonelypeople721]

People gate keeping old nu metal is incredibly and hilariously ironic. It used to be the most derided musical genre at the time now its "good". Nostalgia is one hell of a drug. I also say this as someone raised on nu metal.

[@GT-qv1gl]

Tallah is on a whole other level. Nostalgia holds every old band here above water except System of a Down, let's be real here.

[@user-ks3jk2cf5p]

Eeee You Push It! 🤩🤘

[@quinn.89]

Bonus song : Static X - Push it. 😎✊️🤘🎶🎵🎸🥁🎵🎶. R.I.P. Wayne.

[@rayes119]

Nu metal is just so cool!! Also your covers sound ever better than the original!!

[@MattCanev419]

Agree

[@ThomasHogue]

High praise! Thanks so much

[@thomask9577]

Totally agree. I love Nu Metal, but normally don’t like singing in it. I would love full versions of these!

[@raulfigueroa588]

Except the Korn one but yes agree

[@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125]

Bonus Round: Static - X - Push It.

[@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125]

I see that everyone else said it before me, but once I got the end, I noticed the riff right away.

[@Augustines]

What the model LTD do you have? Some kind of custom?

[@rolandvoros6640]

KS M-6 Ken Susi signature

[@MightyGuy8885]

I wouldn't really consider the new stuff Nu Metal. Nu Metal had that funk and hip hopish grove that this other stuff doesn't really have. Especially when you look at the drums, most Nu Metal drummer beats weren't double bass focused. That was more when 2000's Metal started becoming popular, and triple picking became more mainstream. Before that, it was mainly Fear Factory and kind of Static X doing that.

[@thomassochacki128]

Being nearly 40, growing up there was no better album than slipknot's 1st album. Around that time, there was nothing else like it.

[@Matthew-px9nu]

Im 40 too , still remember the day my brother gave the CD and I put it on in the car , jaw dropped - perfect by all accounts raw and aggressive

[@deafworldstudios8644]

Then Iowa came. Tell me you loved Iowa.

[@miahthorpatrick1013]

Slipknot’s first album is an absolute classic from start to finish. There hasn’t been much in the last quarter of a century to top it.

[@deafworldstudios8644]

@@miahthorpatrick1013 what about Iowa? it's literally the best sequel.

[@miahthorpatrick1013]

@@deafworldstudios8644 Iowa is amazing. To be honest it’s just as good and essential as the self titled record.

[@clavicusvile5450]

What guitar amp is good for getting those sounds?

[@clothbooster]

6505

[@nucygnet5881]

Should've used Too Far Gone for Cane Hill and Architect for DED. I also think that instead of Stricken, you should've Stupify for Disturbed, and replace Nova Twins for another band like Ocean Grove or UnityTX.

[@MP-et1eu]

Any other recommendations?

[@Mad-v3d0n]

Antiamorous is the best track I discovered in 2024

[@Armageddon-yt3so]

Yeah Imma go with the old Nu Metal on this one. Listening to the new Nu Metal tracks here, aside from like 1 or 2 songs, the they just sound kinda samey to me. Whereas the old Nu Metal songs all sound different from each other. Also the Bonus Round song is Push It by Static-X!

[@mammontustado9680]

I like that the guy on the right has a thicker mustache 😂

[@farhanvamp]

The old nu metal is where the feel is real. Every song written with lots of pain and hatred

[@juanarroyo5973]

Can someone please tell me the model of both guitars?!?! They are spectacular!!! I’m hard of hearing and it gave me chills. 😢

[@benjipc5637]

Schecter C-1 FR S SLS Elite and ESP LTD KS-7.

[@XannMagus]

These sound like different genres all together lol I was a fan of nu metal back then but nowadays I prefer the modern approach because in the meantime I've come to live djent. Also the bonus is Static X, Push it

[@jordantesta3915]

I was surprised to not see static-x and here it comes ❤

[@miahthorpatrick1013]

Nu-metal from today has definitely taken on other genres and made itself into something that may be seen as a betrayal of old school nu-metal but I like both.

[@asyrafishak4619]

What guitar model is that on the left? Thanks

[@ThomasHogue]

Schecter SLS elite

[@asyrafishak4619]

@@ThomasHogue whoa, got a reply from the man himself. Thanks 👍🏻

[@sadxxaaxxsak4841]

the song was push-it by static x

[@MrAlmostheros]

I love the new stuff but nothing is going to be the old school nu metal that opened the door for all the bands today and this further proves it

[@THCSkateCrew]

Personally I find the new style of nu-metal way more entertaining to listen to and it feels so good how heavier it seems to have become and Tallah is just outright crazy.

[@sabakun0gaara]

Static X- Push it🤘

[@MetalHeadJagger]

the Bonus Round Is Obviously Static-X - Push It my all time favorite band!!!

[@livingeveryday777]

Tallah is the only good new nu-metal band. Love them

[@Raadicality]

I'm fill with 2000s nostalgia

[@dadish90]

The bonus track should be push it, from static-X

[@sadjesuschrist]

я металист новой закалки и так же, как и большинство начинал с ню метала. Но я даже не пытался притрагиваться к современному ню металу. Почему? Хороший вопрос. Тут дело в том, что ню метал это про несколько известных групп, андерграунду внимания никакого не уделяется. Щас слушаю, и вроде даже хорошо. Видос огонь🔥

[@krailanuar]

Love Nu Metal Till Now 41 Y.O

[@mancy101]

I find Tallah because this video, so thanks

[@Elkin-B]

What tuning is it? Drop C?

[@ThomasHogue]

Some on the left are Drop C like Bodies, Strickened and Toxicity. But there's a mix of tunings so I'd google check which song you're interested in

[@quad4machine769]

PUSH IT !!!

[@marcosjuan3142]

Oldy it's goldy

[@nigiltor1486]

5:47 Static-X - Push it

[@alejandrotejadam.151]

Yeah! You push it! (x3) 'yu, ya pasha asha! (x3) 😂 It's 'Static-X - Push it'! It reminds me the year 2000, I was 14 and I loved to watch the weird video 🤘🏼 (similar to Tool's videos)

[@illalternative]

Bonus is STATIC-X - Push it

[@akshayde]

Old numetal was recognizable because the riff was great. It was all about that one riff. New numetal is all about upping the technicality. Also the lower the tuning the less memorable the riff

[@Tyelkormoko]

great video, but I don't even understand what Nu Metal is supposed to be? I thought metal with rap lyrics and a dj, but everybody puts in Disturbed, SoaD and Papa Roach in it too, so ist it just metal bands who made music in the early 2000's?

[@d3th_2_all]

No. Nu Metal is categorized by bouncy and groovy riffs because of the hip hop influence. That’s why SOAD, Disturbed, and Papa Roach are labeled as Nu Metal. If it was only bands that made metal music in the early 2000s then bands like Killswitch Engage, Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet for My Valentine, Converge, etc would be labeled as Nu Metal Edit: supposed to be informative. I’m not being rude

[@nobrkt]

Static-X - Push it. Yeah! YOU PUSH IT!

[@TimOGhoul]

Bonus: Static-X - Push It

[@MooseDefenseAndOutdoors]

YEAAAAHHHHHH NOW PUSH IT! Static-X babyyyyy

[@northwindkey]

Was not expecting the first "Modern Nu Metal" song they played to sound like a Converge instrumental lol. Since when did Nu Metal mix with Mathcore?

[@musicalcompanion5890]

sTATIC x

[@kommissar.murphy]

Somewhere along the way we lost that laid back groove in favour of forced technicality.

[@4pplc0r33]

Clicked for Omerta

[@landmine55]

If anybody liked new nu-metal, definitely check out Moodring!

[@facundoleonel487]

bonus: static x- push it

[@DrxSlump]

Slipknot defined metal playing for so many decades to come...

[@roshanrao4738]

omertà mentioned ‼️‼️‼️

[@marcelpilz5101]

Last song Push it Static X

[@ElAbismo]

Say what you will about modern nu-metal. Vended is awesome! I'm saying it as an old-school kind of musician

[@mflambert]

everyone should just vote THEN

[@ihateyou0000]

somewhere it's getting better. Somewhere worst.

[@loganryan1317]

I feel like that antiamorous song was VERY similar to science by soad

[@custardstuff5178]

I'm just here to learn new bands

[@IamCceeLL]

new nu metal experiments with complexity that ita hard to headbang to it. you cant beat fpr example "korn's blind" riffage in a live concert.