Nu Metal

Infected Rain – TIME Review

By Iceberg on February 19, 2024 in Reviews, Djent, Electronic Metal, Metalcore, Nu Metal, 89 comments

““Progressive” is one of the most flippantly applied adjectives we have for genres today. “Modern” is equally abused, so one can imagine the clanging of alarm bells when the promo sheet for Moldova’s Infected Rain described the band as “modern progressive metal.” But I’m not one to judge a book by its cover, even if said book devolves into the Buttgate of late January. Plus vocalist Elena Cataraga goes by the stage name Lena Scissorhands, which means I get to write the word scissorhands a lot in this review, a tiny joy I never thought I’d experience.” Touchy slicey.

Dear Hollow’s Mathcore Madness [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

By Dear Hollow on February 2, 2024 in Things You Might Have Missed 2023, Deathcore, Mathcore, Metalcore, Nu Metal, 42 comments

Sure, there were a lot of releases in 2023. And yes, it’s impossible to keep up with. And honest, who even knew mathcore was still a thing? Our own Dear Hollow knew and he wants you to know, too.

Tariot – Drag Me to Hell Review

By Dear Hollow on December 14, 2023 in Reviews, Electronic, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Post-Hardcore, 35 comments

“Look, I’m one of like three metalcore apologists at Angry Metal Guy HQ, and I’ve had it up to here. No more sticky noted car, printer wrapped in festive holiday paper, or the squirting flower trick, okay guys? Plus the rubber rat with “BREAKDOWNS” scrawled with Sharpie was going too far. I already get my seven daily lashes from the Most Holy Gorilla when the punishment of metalcore promos seemed insufficient. As we approach the holidays, the last thing I want to do at the office Christmas party is to open my bonus addressed to “sellout.” Don’t even fucking think about it. And Jesus, Tariot sure ain’t helping my reputation.” Apologists and collaborators up against the wall.

Of Virtue – Omen Review

By Dear Hollow on October 31, 2023 in Reviews, Djent, Hard Rock, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Post-Hardcore, 18 comments

“If I’m being brutally honest, I follow Michigan collective Of Virtue in the vain hopes they reclaim their former glory, and to express my disappointment whenever they fail to reach that. I get that it’s not fair to have low expectations, but as the saying goes, how the mighty have fallen. While they used to be aligned with a progressive edge and heart-wrenching melodic hardcore foundation not unlike Misery Signals or Counterparts, 2019’s What Defines You featured a sound that can only be defined by its devolution. What can we expect from Omen? Realistic expectations are a virtue.

Till the Dirt – Outside the Spiral Review

By Dear Hollow on August 29, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Nu Metal, 218 comments

“Till the Dirt is comprised of Atheist members Shaefer, guitarist Jerry Witunsky, and bassist Yoav Ruiz-Feingold, as well as Soreption guitarist Ian Waye and Fermentor drummer Dylan Marks. With an Atheist-heavy lineup, what can we expect from Till the Dirt? Well, death metal with nu-metal was not on my Bingo card.” Things that should stay buried.

Skindred – Smile Review

By Dear Hollow on August 5, 2023 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Nu Metal, Reggae Metal, 181 comments

“I felt awful foolish choosing Skindred’s promo when no one else did. My brain was adequately pummeled by single “Gimme That Boom,” complete with its curb-stomping riffs, plodding drums, and Benji Webbe’s formidable vocals and memorable one-liners, providing a perfect soundtrack for the NFL intro to Thursday Night Football. While grooving, I kinda forgot about the fact that the Welsh quartet was a force to be reckoned with in the late 2000s and early 2010s.” Skin in the game.

A Dark Halo – Omnibus One Review

By Itchymenace on July 23, 2023 in Reviews, Electronic Metal, Nu Metal, 38 comments

“What is cyber metal? That’s the question that I got stuck on as I was snorkeling through the dregs of the promo bin and came across A Dark Halo’s sophomore album, Omnibus One. I had never heard of this band (billed as cyber metal) before but maybe they were all robots or some sick shit like that. A quick scan of the liner notes further whetted my curiosity with mention of “a fierce display of ludicrously heavy guitars.” Since I love anything that’s ludicrous and I love heavy guitar, it seemed like I had found a golden nugget in a sea of turds.” Cyber warriors.

Kapnas – Kapnas Review

By Grymm on July 6, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Nu Metal, 118 comments

“We’ve all said, done, and worn things we aren’t necessarily proud of. Pants with legs that can hold a family of five comfortably? Yepper! Wallets with chains longer than an average CVS receipt? Been there, done that, got stuck on way too many things walking by. What I’m saying is that… well, in all of our lives, some cringe has happened. It’s unavoidable, yes, but we’ve moved on. Or at least some of us have. That leads us to the self-titled debut from masked Montreal “funeral doom” duo, Kapnas. All we are is dust on the weed.

Memorrhage – Memorrhage Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on June 22, 2023 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Metalcore, Nu Metal, 37 comments

“Nostalgia is one hell of a drug, but as a creative tool, it can offer us the ability to look at the past to dig through elements that shine rose-tint or otherwise—or at least cover them with a modern spit polish. Not far removed from the idea of Brents’ chiptune grind explorations with Gonemage, Memorrhage explores the br-deng grumblings of Mudvayne, the hazy aggro-interventions of Deftones, and the stop-start core-isms of Zao.” Nu hage music.

Pupil Slicer – Blossom Review

By Dear Hollow on June 19, 2023 in Reviews, Mathcore, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Punk, 43 comments

“Pupil Slicer really shook things up in 2021. While undeniably a slab of Converge-meets-Dillinger core with a nice dose of Botch, the trio’s debut Mirrors was a tour-de-force of grindy intensity, a neat balance between heart and callousness, and a marvel of songwriting. Songs like “Husk,” “Collective Unconscious,” and “Wounds Upon My Skin” still get regular plays in the Hollow household, with mad mastermind Kate Davies’ frantic vocals, insane axework, and boundary-pushing ideas taking center stage.” Eye on the prize.