User
Reviews 130 Approval 97%
Soundoffs 39 News Articles 235 Band Edits + Tags 334 Album Edits 1,321
Album Ratings 1419 Objectivity 75%
Last Active 02-16-18 5:17 pm Joined 12-18-08
Review Comments 8,576
| The Definitive Nu Metal Albums
Like the title says, these are the 25 best nu metal albums (in my opinion, of course) | 25 | | Linkin Park Hybrid Theory
I think this must be one of my most spun-to records of all time, but the record has lost its appeal for me during the years. Nevertheless, it gets the last spot on this list because of nostalgia and because it was a great gateway album for people | 24 | | Slipknot Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)
For some reason I've always thought that this is the best Slipknot album, even though the debut is also a close contender. I guess it's the added melodies that are executed very well that rise it above their s/t for me | 23 | | Amen Amen
Punk rock + nu metal = fun, didn't you know? | 22 | | Sevendust Animosity
Very similar to Nonpoint, only I don't enjoy them as much. In fact, basically every time I even think about listening to Sevendust I will listen to Nonpoint instead because they are better. Still, these guys aren't bad at all and have some catchy tunes | 21 | | Snot Get Some
Thanks go to Karl (aka Wizard) for this (and Amen, too). Really fun hardcore-meets-nu-metal record that has great replay value. | 20 | | Disturbed The Sickness
My least favorite Disturbed record, but it still has some good tunes on it. They made a big leap forward with Believe, but on the other hand, Believe wasn't exactly pure blooded nu metal anymore either, now was it. | 19 | | Twin Method The Volume of Self
The only album these guys ever released. It's pretty good, even though all the songs here are very alike, so there aren't any certain standouts. Still a good record though (NOTE: not to be confused with the awful band Twisted Method) | 18 | | Drowning Pool Sinner
The only good album by Drowning Pool, mostly thanks to Dave Williams (R.I.P). After this album, Drowning Pool decided to go down the bland radio rock way, and even though this was very radio friendly too, it at least had its own identity and a distinct sound. "Sinner" is still such an awesome track. | 17 | | One Minute Silence Buy Now...Saved Later
One of the funkiest nu records I have ever heard. One Minute Silence really utilize the RATM influenced funky guitar lines and a semi-political message well here. The vocalist isn't half-bad either. | 16 | | SEV All These Dreams
You know, since this is a nu metal list after all, it's a nice trip down the memory lane and it's pretty much a given that I'm going to use the word "fun" a lot here. But mark my words, this is the funnest nu metal record of them all. Mixing alt rock, nu metal and hip hop, Sev has managed to create a one of a kind crossover nu metal record, that while not technically very impressive, is a real blast to listen to. It's filled with fun sing-alongs and is great to listen and mutter along to, especially in the summer. Trust me, if you haven't heard this, you should aquire it. | 15 | | Korn Follow The Leader
There can not be an acceptable nu metal list without it having one of the genre's main pioneers on it. It was a very close call between this, their debut, and Untouchables, but I picked this only because it's my most spun-to and it has that awesome "Freak On A Leash" song. Also, Follow The Leader striked the perfect balance between raw and commercial nu metal so it deserves props for that. | 14 | | Static-X Wisconsin Death Trip
Out of the stuff I've heard from the Static boys, this and Cannibal seem to be the only worthwhile albums. Wisconsin Death Trip perfectly utilizes buzzsaw guitars and Wayne Static's semi-unique voice, keeping the album interesting throughout. | 13 | | Ill Nino Revolution/Revolucion
Ill Nino is one of those bands that is seriously pissed off. The "You make my life so aching/ with every thought you're breaking / my ears begin to bleed / words you're riffing /I've come to shut you up /your life is one big fuck-up / you think I'm fake, you are a snake"" lines are sung with an unquestionable amount of angst that if it's pissed-off nu metal to break stuff to you want, there is hard to find a better record. | 12 | | Papa Roach Infest
I dare you to say you didn't at least hum along to Last Resort, I dare you! | 11 | | Unloco Becoming I
The brand of melodic nu metal with soulful vocals Unloco presents to us on Becoming I is both a surprise and a refreshing experience. While their debut was on the side of, and I quote "Hey man, do you really wanna be that guy, that I...HATE!" nu metal, with downtuned drop D picking, and angsty screamed vox, this is a more mature, refined, and overall versatile record, with solid melodies, vocals, and an overall believable feel. | 10 | | Incubus S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
Alright so I may get flamed for putting this on a nu metal list but leaving out Deftones for that exact reason (I've heard only Deftones' new one and White Pony, and neither of them really fit the nu metal bill in my honest opinion), but this does feature enough qualities to be called nu metal imo. Yes, it can be called experimental as far as nu metal goes, but experimental nu metal is still nu metal. But, who cares really, since this is undoubtedly awesome and everything works about it. The funk, the slightly hidden angst, the guitars - all's good in the hood on S.C.I.E.N.C.E. | 9 | | Spineshank Self Destructive Pattern
Spineshank's aggressive nu metal/industrial metal hybrid worked incredibly well back then, and for a year or two I was absolutely hooked onto these guys. I must admit that their albums haven't aged quite as well as I had hoped, but they do still provide a very nice listen every now and then (I just don't get the "wow, awesome!" effect anymore). I'm definitely looking forward to their new album, though. Should be a blast. | 8 | | Dope Life
Dope is one of those bands that I have listened to a looooong time already. Ever since Felons And Revolutionaries came out in 1999, I have been jamming to various albums from them (needless to say I have their full discography). With that in mind, I almost lost hope in them when American Apathy came out in 2005, since that album really was apathetic. Thank god that they redeemed themselves in 2009 with No Regrets. Instead of that one though, I'm going to list Life here, as it's their most straight-forward nu metal record (their debut had industrial rock influences, Group Therapy had a decent rock vibe to it, American Apathy just sucked and No Regrets is more Alt metal than anything else (ala the Deftones situation)). Good nu record to listen to if you're ever in the mood. | 7 | | Sixstitch The Collapse Of American Dreams
Sixstitch is also one of those on-the-edge bands. With a decent amount of electronics and a pretty metal sound, you could consider Sixstitch alt.metal, or even modern metal, but I'm gonna list them here because: a) this album rules, especially the songs "Ruined and "The Curse" which make great usage of synth lines and b) because this is practically the only arena where I can rep these guys. Most certainly worth looking into | 6 | | Crossbreed Synthetic Division
Ahhh, as some of my friends here already know, there can't be a Metalstyles list without Crossbreed on it. The countless hours I've bugged people here, regarding this band. Oh the good times. But yeah, Synthetic Division is the album where these guys decided that they want to play industrial metal instead of nu metal. Their following releases are already pure indu metal records, but this one is an inbetween, transitional record, showcasing qualities from both the industrial- and nu metal genres. Highly recommended for anyone into that sort of stuff | 5 | | Rikets All American Death Cult
Rikets proved that it is possible to make good nu metal even in the year 2010. Even though I would consider this more of a modern metal record, calling it nu metal isn't too much of a stretch either. If you might be curious as to whether or not the genre is truly extinct by now, check All American Death Cult out and decide for yourself. | 4 | | Nothingface Violence
As far as pure technical and compositional aspects go, this is my number 3 nu metal record of all time. My only gripe is that the record is just a tad too long for its own good, and might get a little repetitive upon repeated listens. Nevertheless, the musical side of things is near perfect as far as nu metal goes. Considering that Nothingface never made a huge breakthrough, there is a good chance that you have never heard of this record. Well, this is one of those albums that you should definitely aquire if you have at least a little love left for nu metal. | 3 | | P.O.D. Satellite
P.O.D., like Dope, is one of those bands that I have listened to since the late 90's (when Southtown came out) and am still listening to today. They're one of the rare nu metal bands with good lyrical content, and Sonny Sandoval's delivery is always either soulful, motivating, or just pure gripping. He can rap, he can scream, and he can also sing well. Why I chose Satellite over Southown - well I really don't know as the records are both equally awesome to me (the only big difference lies in the lyrical content, which is much much better on Satellite - they never even use the f-bomb!). I still dearly love both of them, and never shy away from saying that P.O.D. is a band that will most likely stay with me throughout my life span. I've always loved them, and I'll continue to love them. | 2 | | Mudvayne L.D. 50
Probably the most technically proficient nu metal record ever, L.D. 50 is a ball of musical fury. The vocals are truly crazed, the time signatures wicked, the guitars blaring and abrasive, the songwriting is incredibly complex and thought-out, and not only when compared to other nu metal records, either. L.D. 50, along with Nonpoint's Statement, can truly be called a flag carrying album for the genre. | 1 | | Nonpoint Statement
And now we reach the point where I earnestly declare that my pick for the best nu metal album of all time is Nonpoint's Statement. It has got everything: the angst, the great vocals, the captiveness, the fun parts, solid guitar work, excellent replay value - if all nu metal would have sounded like Nonpoint or Mudvayne did, it would have been praised not shunned (by the critics and above-average music listeners of course, the kids/teens loved the shit out of the genre). This, for me, is the epitome of superb nu metal, and I can rather safely guarantee that this opinion of mine will never change. So there you have it; even though I think all 25 of these are, or at least were good nu metal records, if I had to pick one to recommend, it would be this one. Thanks for reading everyone. | |
Metalstyles
09.20.10 | That's the way to nu metal | Maniac!
09.20.10 | 2 > 1 | Maniac!
09.20.10 | I hate 12-14, but your list is better than mine besides that. | Emim
09.20.10 | Now you have to compete with my list too! hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Great list, bro. I should edit Sevendust into mine. | Apollo
09.20.10 | nice man this must have taken some time | Metalstyles
09.20.10 | In all honesty, this took like a fucking hour haha, maybe even more. And in some way, that means I just wasted more than an hour of my life since 95% of people on this site hate the genre. | Apollo
09.20.10 | hahaha I think it'll probably get featured though | Metalstyles
09.20.10 | son of a bitch you nailed that quicker than I can nail...well...anything. Thanks for the feature mods! | TheSpirit
09.20.10 | Can't really comment on the quality of the list because besides Vol. 3 I've never heard any of the other albums in their entirety. Although while on the subject of Vol. 3 that' s never really been I've considered nu-metal. | Metalstyles
09.20.10 | ehh, definitely sounds like nu metal to me. Not the classical drop D nu metal chuggage with whammy bar, but nu metal still | BigHans
09.20.10 | Needs moar Cold. | Maniac!
09.20.10 | Needs less Cold | Curse.
09.20.10 | 14 got me into heavy stuff. It is just such an awesome album | Curse.
09.20.10 | Cold rules Maniac! stfu | BigHans
09.20.10 | Colds 13 Ways to Bleed Onstage is as good as any album on here. | Maniac!
09.20.10 | Never was a fan of Cold, oh well. | Curse.
09.20.10 | WHATEVER FAGGOT FOAD
jkilu | Apollo
09.20.10 | Cold rules | Dryden
09.20.10 | yawn | bloc
09.20.10 | 3, 24, and 25 are king | Intothepit
09.20.10 | Perfect. | Nagrarok
09.20.10 | Nicely done and no, S.C.I.E.N.C.E. indeed shouldn't be on here. | Metalstyles
09.20.10 | Thanks Nag (and others too of course), like I said, Incubus may or may not be considered nu metal. I just consider that album experimental nu metal, though it can most definitely be called alt rock too. | JWT155
09.20.10 | No Limp Bizkit WTF holmes!?!? | Metalstyles
09.20.10 | I grew up and realised they suck. Sorry holmes :/ | Willie
09.20.10 | definitely missing some things... Flaw and 40 Below Summer instantly come to mind. I don't see why S.C.I.E.N.C.E. wouldn't be on here. It was part of the nu-metal movement and considered nu-metal. Oh, and Limp Bizkit is fun unless they shove a stick in your ass when you grow up in Estonia ;) | Metalstyles
09.20.10 | you know Willie, I've heard that shit like that has happened in what we down here call forceful studie centres for the troubled youth ;). Good thing I haven't been to those haha. Oh and Limp Bizkit still sucks (they could be decent if they'd drop Mr. Durst)
Also, Flaw I haven't listened to in a loooooooooong time so I kinda forgot both them and their music haha. 40 below Summer really isn't anything special though, or at least the stuff I've heard from them. | Willie
09.20.10 | For 40 Below Summer, "Invitation to the Dance" is a required nu metal album, easily. So is Flaw's debut. Maybe you should re-visit those two bands ;)
Also, totally unrelated, check out those Flotsam song streams on the site and get into some of the good old school thrash! | Emim
09.20.10 | " I still dearly love both of them, and never shy away from saying that P.O.D. is a band that will most likely stay with me throughout my life span. I've always loved them, and I'll continue to love them."
This is why you're my favorite contrib, styles :)
I think that Fungus Amongus is way more Nu-Metal than SCIENCE. Really is a great list with a lot of effort put into it; I'll have to get the albums I don't have on here (except Static-X, they suck). | Gmork89
09.20.10 | Needs some bizkit. | SeaAnemone
09.20.10 | well-written and comprehensive list styles, props!
buuuuuuut
when Slipknot, Disturbed, Papa Roach, Korn, and Drowning Pool are in the top 25 in a genre, I htink it's time to question said genre's merits. | BigHans
09.20.10 | 40 Below Summer Invitation to the Dance is a kick ass album. | Yeahtoast
09.20.10 | Pretty awesome dude, I'd probably replace 24 with one of their first two albums though. | greg84
09.20.10 | You're missing out on quite a few important releases. Still, it's a decent list. My advice - listen to
more music. Many of these discs aren't very nu metal. | Oneiron
09.20.10 | This list has a lot of amazing albums, but some of them aren't nu metal. Slipknot isn't, and never really was. Mudvayne isn't and never really was either. Drowning Pool, Dope (don't know the album though, only Dope album I don't have), and Incubus really aren't nu-metal, and Wisconsin Death trip is far more industrial than nu. I'd say Machine was Static-X's best nu-metal album.
I'd add Skindred, Flaw, Otep, Straight Line Stitch, Coal Chamber, Staind (Dysfunction and Tormented), Motograter, Chimaira (Pass Out of Existence), Five Pointe O, Mushroomhead, | LG
09.20.10 | Of course Statement is your #1 nu-metal album.
| Emim
09.20.10 | "Chimaira (Pass Out of Existence)"
Hmmmm, I really should have made more spots on mine... | Cerbyrus
09.20.10 | Pulse Ultra - Headspace | jingledeath
09.20.10 | Good list bro, I used to love a lot of these haha | Zanders
09.20.10 | The Deftones' album "Around the Fur" was nu-metal for sure. | greg84
09.20.10 | It's one of the best nu metal releases for sure. | SteelErectedb4you8er
09.21.10 | Some of these nu metal releases were later in the game by the time I was stepping out, but the ones I do recall loving were Snot, Sevendust, Korn, Nothingface, Static X's first album, Incubus, and Mudvayne, but I think I have tons of different ones on mine as I do recall having nu metal day with all of you. | Urinetrouble
09.21.10 | sevendust suck ballz | zarquan99
09.21.10 | there are no 25 good Nu-metal albums imo. But I do fucking love Nothingface. amen to Hybrid Theory as well (angstangst). Also thanks to the lack of deftones, I REALLY dont know why everyone is losing their shit over them. | dominics
09.21.10 | where is white pony? deftones? anyone? | Dwap
09.21.10 | Nu-Metal is horrible and its sad that Snot are included in that category (rightly or wrongly - there is an argument for both sides I reckon)
Get Some is one of the greatest albums ever and for it to be put in the same category as P.O.D and Papa Roach is sickening. | JayVex
09.21.10 | Needs much moar Deftones. Srsly. | TheSpirit
09.21.10 | needs less "moar" | Puzzles
09.21.10 | Oh thank god you didn't put deftones in there. I fucking hate it when they get compared to that shitty scene. | Maniac!
09.21.10 | "Oh thank god you didn't put deftones in there. I fucking hate it when they get compared to that shitty scene."
so you hate when a people put a good band in their correct genre? | Puzzles
09.21.10 | deftones + nu metal lol
deftones are unclassifiable. they transcend genres | Metalstyles
09.21.10 | Thanks for the comments all. One thing though: all you who say a lot of these aren't nu metal - I do dare to disagree. The only on-the-fence bands here are Incubus, Sixstitch, Spineshank and that Slipknot album I put here. All else are undoubtedly nu metal records first, having possibly some influences from other genres included also.
Oh and Greg, nu metal really is the only genre of music where I feel I really don't need to broaden my horizons any further. I've heard most of the good nu metal there is and to be fair, I haven't found a new (previously unheard) nu metal band that can hold my attention for a long time now (Amen was the last one who accomplished that). | Oneiron
09.21.10 | How is Drowning Pool -not- hard rock? What about the album throw it into nu-metal when it quite apparently isn't? How does Mudvayne fit into nu-metal?
Not trying to be an ass, I just don't follow where you're coming from. | yetanotherprofile
09.21.10 | It's a crime not to have Deftones, and Limp Bizkit regardless if you like them! Incubus are not, and never were, nu-metal. Having saif that I did enjoy reading your list. | Metalstyles
09.21.10 | Oneiron - Drowning Pool's all other releases are hard rock (and crappy hard rock at that), but Sinner is most definitely nu metal. Just listen to it: the downtuned, simplistic, whammy guitars are definitely taking more from metal than from hard rock; the lyrics are full of angst; they always follow the typical nu metal styled verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus formula, and besides, if you listen to Sinner and their other records back to back, you'll hear that it's louder and angrier than all their other stuff.
Mudvayne has always been a great nu metal band, and just because the band is more innovative than almost any other nu band, the songs more thought-out, and I even dare to say that the music is slightly proggy, doesn't mean the band isn't nu metal; it just means that they are not sticking to the confines and are pushing both their own and genre limits. All the typical nu metal traits are there too, Mudvayne just makes its sound a lot more interesting than 99% of other nu bands do.
Oh and I'm also not trying to be an ass, but I really have no idea what you wanted to ask me about with your second question. Maybe clear that up (and rephrase) a little.
Thank you yetanotherprofile | Oneiron
09.21.10 | @Metalstyles - You answered my second question (it was just a rephrasing of the first), I just disagree. I think if we put any rock album with downtuned, simple guitars into nu-metal then we have to send a whole bunch of bands there. Seether's album Disclaimer, Everything by Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin's first one, and everything by Rammstein. I can hear a similarity to the bouncy nu-metal style, but I think it falls more on the hard rock side of the line.
And I see what you mean about Mudvayne. I've always considered them general metal like Slipknot because for every -1 or Dig that they have there's a Cradle or Severed. And I feel that the album as a whole does not give off the feel of bounce and catchiness that I associate with nu-metal acts. It's a very difficult album to fully get into and really get to know, whereas I've always thought one of the basic tenets of nu-metal was that it was a fairly simple, catchy style of music. And while I can hear the nu-metal in the album I think it uses the style more as a tool than as a center for the sound. But I'll probably think you're right next time I listen to the album. | lukempls
09.21.10 | it's cool to see that people listen to this music and care enough to talk about it. never woulda thunk. must have bad nu-metal fans in my area, they're all idiots. can't listen to this stuff, personally, but more power to ya. | NeutralThunder12
09.21.10 | god there are so many terrible records on this list
good to see somebody so passionate about a genre though | greg84
09.21.10 | Well... For starters check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK7CjAylSaE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkAlB4GfMx0 | PayneTiger777
09.21.10 | 22 is my favorite album of all time. Don't judge me. | renegadestrings
09.22.10 | great to see love for Nonpoint. To The Pain was my favorite though. too bad they suck hard now | Locrian
09.22.10 | "I dare you to say you didn't at least hum along to Last Resort, I dare you!"
Okay then! I didn't at least hum along to Last Resort. | LG
09.22.10 | To the Pain is an amazing album. I mean you gotta love COde red and bullet with a name. | Asiatic667
09.22.10 | you gotta hate it | renegadestrings
09.22.10 | personally, Code Red is one of my least favorite songs. my faves are There's Going to Be a War, Explain Yourself, and the title track... and Skin | Wizard
05.13.11 | You please me with this list however, my list is better ; ). | Remer17
05.13.11 | Should have picked the first Slipknot album or Iowa. | KjSwantko
07.26.17 | On a serious note, I'm pissed this list doesn't contain Flaw Through the Eyes. | mryrtmrnfoxxxy
08.05.17 | hi kj why are you here in 2017 im here from the mudvayne page | AnimalsAsSummit
08.05.17 | damaged - token remedies research | mryrtmrnfoxxxy
08.05.17 | smae | artiswar
08.05.17 | Really interesting list. I like the descriptions, someone gives a shit for once. But I do think you mixed some truly great nu-metal albums in with guilty pleasures that aren't that good honestly. Like, there's not a single Deftones album here which is more than questionable and SOAD's S/T is nowhere to be found. Lots of great picks but there's big stuff missing. And dude fucking Nonpoint over Mudvayne is wtffff..... Also you admit The Sickness is not Disturbed best record yet you pick it anyway? Who are you trying to cater to? |
|