While this material can be questionable in terms of metal, Corey Taylor’s opinion on Imagine Dragons being the next “hated” band has sparked our interest. Let’s face it, Nickelback has been a running joke for years that even Deadpool is getting tired of it. With that being said, we decided to go ahead and ask: Does the Slipknot/Stone Sour frontman have a point? Will Nickelback finally have a break from having famous memes of them shared all over the internet and has Imagine Dragons truly replaced them?
Jeff Podoshen: You know what? In terms of plain vanilla FM radio rock, Nickelback is one of the better ones. I’ll take listening to Nickelback’s “Hero” over Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” any day of the week. I guess I’m with Corey Taylor. Imagine Dragons is pretty dreadful.
Zenae Zukowski: The only Dragon’s I would like to imagine is to see how they will look on the final season of Game of Thrones. Personally, I had a distaste for Creed before all of this went down. It was the song “Can You Take Me Higher,” from 1999’s Human Clay that did it for me. I heard it everywhere to the point that I felt I was in my own A Clockwork Orange. The only other song that had a similar reaction was Metallica’s “Invisible Kid.” However, I think Corey Taylor has a point, and yes, when it comes to “vanilla FM rock radio,” I would rather blast Nickelback than Imagine Dragons. Nickelback’s music has more depth than Imagine Dragon’s repetitive “Thunder” and “Radioactive” hits.
Matt Brown: Until Imagine Dragons become the low-hanging fruit punchline to every joke, Nickelback still seems to be more hated of the two. But honestly, why does there even have to be a “most hated” anyway? Both bands are harmless. Nickelback is just catchy formulaic rock and there’s dozens of bands similar to them but for some reason they’re the ones that get shit on. I remember when it all first started and I didn’t understand where it was coming from. Now it’s just so aggravating and played out. “Ha! That movie was so bad it was like the Nickelback of movies!” Wow, have a Starbucks on me, Mr. Comedian, because you must’ve been up all night curling that one out.
I actually liked Imagine Dragons when they first came out. I caught them live once and they played a surprisingly faithful rendition of Rush’s “Tom Sawyer”, much to the delight of chaperoning dads and confusion of teenage girls. I don’t really care much about them nowadays, but I don’t think they’re that bad.
Anyway, the whole thing is juvenile and stupid.
Chris Annunziata: I’m going to have to agree with Corey Taylor on this one. Nickelback were never as bad as they were portrayed to be and basically became a meme. The Nickelback jokes have gotten old and overused, so now another band must take their place. If that happens to be Imagine Dragons, that’s fine with me. I rather listen to Nickelback than Imagine Dragons any day.
Mark Zapata: When I teach drums, every little boy and girl wants to learn to play the newest Imagine Dragons song. I think their success has sparked hate among musicians because the music is basically air. There is not very much to it. A catchy melody and some fake drums. It’s pretty empty. But kids need simple music to like so in that sense they serve a purpose. I don’t like what their popularity says about music in general in our society. Imagine Dragons music has no soul and is very popular. People hate their success because there is no there, there. Nickelback is a more talented band with a lot more to offer any fan of music. I agree with Corey Taylor even though I hate him. There’s a twist I bet you didn’t see coming. Imagine Dragons are and should be the new most hated band in the world.
On a side note. I thought that Nickelback was considered a joke but not really hated.
Joe Koza: I can understand what Taylor is saying, but I think there are way too many bands that are similar to Imagine Dragons making music today to specifically single them out as the next joke band. This will now continue to evolve as a meme for no real reason, though I do agree much of their music lacks any sort of soul or meaning. They’re simply another product of popular music culture.
Zenae Zukowski: As much as I mentioned my distaste for Creed, it has been proven that people evolve over time. If there was no Creed, would there be a Tremonti or Alter Bridge? Etc.. Even Scott Stapp is doing well. With that being said, I don’t know where Imagine Dragons will end up in ten years. With technology these days, it’s easy to assume the “group” is just one dude with a laptop in his parental unit’s basement. Surprisingly, it turns out they have a full band to create their tunes. As much as people may be tired of hearing what “Corey Taylor has to say,” I thought this was a fun debate, especially for a Friday. This also makes me think, people have poured “hatred” on bands all over the metal spectrum ranging from Metallica, As I Lay Dying, Disturbed, Taake, Asking Alexandria, Ghost to Babymetal. Despite what anyone considers as the most “hated band,” you should not hold back on listening to what you like. Therefore, as I said, it’s Friday: sit back and enjoy the new music. Speaking of today’s New & Noteworthy, listen to the new Candlemass’ House of Doom or check out Dream Theater’s Distance Over Time.
