The Death of Nu-Metal

I have noticed that metalcore usually feels a lot like heavier alternative rock and screamo, which generally I don't like too much. It could be that I've been hearing the wrong stuff, but as awesome as some of that stuff is at the first listen, I lose interest in it on subsequent listens.

HughesJB4 wrote: Nu Metal never really entirely died, but obviously it fell from the mainstream a few years ago and as a result, it's perceived to be dead by many people. In terms of musicianship, many of the nu metal bands had better players than many people realize. Wes Borland, formerly of Limb Bizkit, actually used some rather complex chord voicings (compared to just smashing around using root 5 chords) in his playing, and is actually really really good at the two handed tapping technique. Mick Thomson, as many may or may not be aware, was a guitar teacher for a while and interviews with him shows he has a good grounding in music theory, and as much as I don't like Slipknot that much (I think their latest album is not terrible though, if nothing special), he has amazing rhythm guitar technique and can play 6 string sweep picked arpeggios way better than I can play 5 string arpeggios. Mudvayne, to be honest, I've never really heard. Linkin Park, well I wont lie, I think they had some cool songs on Hybrid Theory and I still do think they are cool songs but never liked anything else from them really. Korn, I used to really like, but I tried listening to them again recently, and I honestly can't stand listening to it anymore. The only songs I can sit through are Blind and Helmet In The Bush from their debut album. And I can't deny both Munky and Head made some cool noises with their guitars that you don't notice unless you listen real closely and they had this cool interplay thing going on too. Both good rhythm guitarists (if not spectacular) and I've seen youtube vids of them demonstrating some lead guitar. They aren't virtuosos, but their level of musicianship is much better than that of a bunch of a hacks in a garage pop punk band. The drumming isn't bad either. Coal Chamber, one of the earlier nu metal bands, I never cared for, very boring to my ears, never could like them. Papa Roach, had some okay riffs on some songs, but otherwise, not for me. P.O.D, I'll pass. Same for SOAD, don't like them. Probably some other bands I know but can't think of right now that I don't like in nu metal either. Deftones, to this day, remains pretty much the only nu metal band I can listen to regularly, and a very creative band they were and still are too IMO. I love the atmospheric feel they can bring to their music other nu metal bands never had. They are proof nu metal hasn't died entirely, as they still remain relatively popular in metal circles, although their only pure nu metal work was their debut, and everything since then was to some extent, mixed up with experimental aspects, but their music always had enough of a nu metal sound to it to call it nu metal.

Either you simply forgot to mention Disturbed, or you intentionally left them out/. If it's the latter, then I'm assuming that means you don't consider them Nu-Metal.

If that is the case, I am with you on that one. If not, well, then I'll explain why I never found Disturbed to be a Nu-Metal band:

David Draiman is one of the best singers alive today. He has great range and an all-around beautiful voice. Pretty decent songwriter too, though he has a habit of using the two word combo of "To me" way too many times in his lyrics.

Dan Donegan. Virtuoso as far as I am concerned. He never really showed off his playing style on the first two records, but the most recent two albums are full of interesting and technically impressive guitar work. And I know I will be crucified for this, but I would take Donegan's "Overburdened" solo over anything Petrucci did post-SfaM any day.

Their Drummer Mike Wendgren is phenominal. Not as technically adept as one might think a mdetal drummer should be, but he's solid, and very creative from what I can hear.

They've rotated bass players over thbe course of their career, so I can't really judge this new guy yet.

Besides, listening to their music reminds me much more of Maiden or Priest than Limp Bizkit. Know what I mean? These guys are clearly influenced by the classic rock/metal guys, and the music is very rich and alive because of it. That's my opinion, anyway.