Metal Track of the Week: Nu-metal...or New Metal?

Trends are a funny thing, how they come and go, how something hailed at the height of popularity can be derided at the turn of a hat. Was that even a phrase? Anyway, let us take the shortened nu-metal case study. Largely unrecognised in the underground scene during the late 90’s, nu-metal burst onto the scene in the early 2000’s with unprecedented velocity. However, by the mid 2000’s it had become completely over saturated and stale. As a result it was all but dead and plagued by derision and mockery soon after.

But, as is the law of trends, nu-metal was gone long enough for nostalgia to set in, and eventually become cool again. This week has seen some tracks from straight up old school nu-metal, to tracks that would easily have been classed as nu-metal had they been released in 2001. Heading the pack is Tetrarch, with their new single Negative Noise off their upcoming second album Unstable. Their heaviest track yet, with lead guitarist Diamond Rowe slaying throughout. Tetrarch‘s rise through the metal scene is inevitable.

As for the ‘not so straight forward but would easily be classed as nu-metal had they come out in 2001’ category (I’m sure that will catch on…), Afterlife released new single Burn It Down, channeling a Hollywood Undead style of rap-rock with classic metalcore breakdowns. Frustration and expiration felt by the recent global pandemic boils over throughout, providing some cathartic release for the listener. The bouncy riffs reminding me how much I am looking forward to the return of live music.

Falling somewhere in the post-L.D.50 Mudvayne era – when they put some of the earlier jazzy rhythms to one side, mixed with a bit of emo broodiness, A Killer’s Confession released their latest single Light to Darkness. This is the second single released this year, after Remember. A Killer’s Confession is the project of former Mushroomhead lead vocalist Waylon Reavis, and it clearly shows. It’s relatively straight forward groovy hard rock influenced modern metal, and largely non distinct, but easy to listen to nonetheless.

Do you wish your Ice Nine Kills was bouncier? Well Sweden’s Mister Misery are here to fulfil your evil fantasies with new track Mister Hyde off their upcoming second album A Brighter Side of Death. A creepy melodic keyboard intro sets the stage much the same way as their fellow countrymen Avatar would. I’ve always got time for a band who incorporates a tasteful gimmick, with so many bland groups around nowadays. The anthemic chorus would easily fit on The Silver Scream. Of course we round out with the obligatory ‘woah-oh’s and a breakdown on an excellent track.

Outside of the new nu-metal scene, legendary German power metal pioneers Helloween released the first track from their epic return with Skyfall. Combining all 3 singers past and present, Kai Hansen, Michael Kiske and Andy Deris join forces for an epic unison on an equally epic track. Skyfall is everything you could ask for from a Helloween track, speed, intensity, harmonised riffing and obviously, glorious vocal work. Michael Kiske‘s pipes are one of the most recognisable in all of metal. It’s glorious to see him back in full force with Helloween. A full 12 minute version of this track is due to come on their upcoming self titled album.

I can without hesitation say I had not heard of anime-core until this week. New single Otaku Pride by Becko follows the modern industrialised Ghostemane trap-metal style that seems to be slowly working it’s way to becoming a modern metal front-running genre. I can already feel the thump of the heavy metal traditionalists falling on the floor simultaneously on hearing this decree. Personally, I am always ready to give anything a fair chance. Being a fan of Ghostemane I am interested to see how this evolves.

The final musical outing of the late great Alexi Liaho kicked off this week, with the first track from the upcoming Bodom After Midnight EP Paint the Sky with Blood released. The title track shows us what we had in store from Bodom After Midnight, and it’s a cracking track. Mixing the older Follow the Reaper style melodic side of Children of Bodom with the heavier modern Blooddrunk side (much like they did on their final album Hexed). It’s a tragedy we will never see this project play out in full following Alexi‘s heartbreaking recent passing.

Did you ever think you would see a supergroup formed of Corey Taylor, Lzzy Hale, Scott Ian and Dave Lombardo? Well now we do. The four legendary musicians have teamed up with composer Fil Eisler and Tina Guo to record the title track from the upcoming superhero film Thunder Force. Bearing an uncanny opening resemblance to another Thunder titled song, and bringing the groovy hard rock, with clearly epic composition elements that will fit squarely within the superhero domain.

French progressive metalcore (or do we still just call it djent?) crew Pathfinders have released the second single from their upcoming album Ares Vallis this week. Imposters is a brutal head banging journey through chuggy melodic riffs and of course – a savage breakdown. Just two releases into their debut offering, and Pathfinders are already showcasing their musical chops. They are squarely set to rise up through the scene on release of their debut album.

Man, who is going to win this week? Growing up through the glory days of nu-metal I am partial for a course of bouncy goodness. There has been so much stunning metal nourishment this week alongside. However, if I think hard and push nostalgic and personal feelings to one side, there can only be one winner. When 3 great vocalists come together in one of heavy metal’s greatest bands and put on a performance so epic it makes The Lord of the Rings feel like a short story, they must be victorious. So this week’s Metal Track of the Week honour goes to the mighty Helloween with Skyfall. Praise be to the thunderous might of power metal!

WINNER: Helloween – Skyfall

Check out last week’s Metal Track Of The Week.

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