Mudvayne surprised us by releasing not one but two new songs, “Hurt People Hurt People” and “Sticks and Stones,” back in August and September. For those who grew up during the age of nu metal, seeing bands like Mudvayne, Slipknot, System of a Down, and Deftones that shaped our youth, and then later watching these bands become major acts or return even bigger than they were over twenty-five years ago, is a whole separate experience in itself.
And now these bands are welcoming new generations to enjoy the thrill of a sub-genre that has somehow taken on a taboo reputation. People still love it or claim it’s alternative metal, while denying the labeling of a band they enjoy in the nu metal category. Well, nu metal is back, and it’s bigger than ever. The shock factor of its strong revival doesn’t just come from veteran fans; it also comes from the bands themselves, like Mudvayne.
In a recent conversation with Talk Toomey podcast host Joshua Toomey, Mudvayne drummer Matt McDonough discussed the band’s first new material in sixteen years, admitting the group felt some pressure on how fans would receive their new sound after such a long hiatus, admitting: “You can’t help but be concerned about the reception.”
McDonough continued:
“You don’t wanna repeat yourself. You wanna push the envelope, at least the way we are. We enjoy exploring new space and trying new stuff, whatever, and sometimes that can backfire on you. And after the band was separated for quite a long time, coming back, we’re different people, we’re older.”
The drummer later reflected on the revival of nu-metal, noting how bands like System of a Down, Deftones, and Limp Bizkit are once again dominating major stages.
He expressed:
“The strange renaissance of that time period, it’s almost like we’re the classic rock now. Back in 2019, 2020, when we first started talking about a reunion, I was, like, ‘No one’s even gonna remember us. Who’s actually gonna come out?’ And the response for those first festivals, the Danny Wimmer, the DWP festivals, was just absolutely surreal and overwhelming. And now it’s, like, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration, we see four generations of people. People in their early sixties, late fifties that were late ’90s fans, and then their grandkids.”
He went on to say it’s not just happening to Mudvayne:
“It seems to be happening for everybody. Obviously, Deftones have blown up. It’s crazy, they’re bigger than they’ve ever been. So I don’t know. Maybe the world just is ready to come to a nu metal show, I guess.”
Mudvayne are currently on their L.D. 50 25th Anniversary tour, celebrating their 2000 debut album. Guitarist Greg Tribbett was forced to sit out following the tragic loss of his wife after losing a battle with cancer. The trek concludes on October 26 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
