System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian shares his vision of Nu Metal, which he sees as a period of musical experimentation rather than a defined genre. He also discusses the reasons for its decline and its recent revival.
Nu metal: a period of musical innovation
In a recent interview for the show New & Approved on 95.5 KLOS, Shavo Odadjian discussed nu metal, a movement often associated with System of a Down. He explained: “It's not a style, it was an era where bands played heavy music differently, mixing Metal and other influences like hip-hop, Punk Rock, or progressive elements.”
Odadjian also praised the unique contributions of some bands from that era, citing Deftones and their “Portishead” influence as an example of the innovation that marked nu metal. He added: “There’s now a whole Deftones-inspired style exploding on TikTok. It’s so cool.”
Also read: Here are the 51 best Rock & Metal albums of 2024, according to Loudwire
A success tarnished by excesses
Despite his admiration for this period, Odadjian pointed the finger at “old-fashioned” groups that he accuses of having damaged the image of the movement: “Like in the 80s with glam metal, less serious bands came in and ruined the atmosphere.” He also noted that the rapid rise of nu metal, supported by record labels seeking to capitalize on its popularity, contributed to its oversaturation and decline.
However, the musician looks back on this period with nostalgia, recognizing its cultural impact and its role in the return of metal to mainstream radio: “Bands like Korn and System of a Down helped bring metal back to prominence.”
A nostalgic renaissance
In recent years, nu metal has seen a resurgence through nostalgia festivals and tours like Sick New World, attracting a young and loyal audience. Odadjian views this renewed interest with optimism, saying that nu metal's best ideas continue to inspire new generations of musicians.
At the same time, Shavo Odadjian is focusing on a more modern musical project, Seven Hours After Violet, a supergroup that includes members of Left To Suffer and Winds Of Plague. Their first album, Seven Hours After Violetwas released in October 2024.
