Slipknot and Nickelback are premier heavy metal bands hailing from United States and Canada respectively. Both have dedicated fan following, release albums periodically and give live performances in world stages. It seems that these bands have turned rock music on its head with varied themes and music styles.
Nickelback has produced six studio albums, one compilation album, twenty-two single songs and seven video albums till now. Although initially the band was country based, they are well known now in different countries including United States and Canada. With such unique songs under its belt, Nickelback has transcended all borders, including political and mental. Initially, it was the youth that got attracted to Nickelback songs, but people from other age groups are also found to be increasingly appreciative to this style of heavy music.
Nickelback discography dates back to the initial album, Curb, released in 1996. The second album, The State came four years later, in 2000. The next three albums were Silver Side Up, The long road and All the Right Reasons released in 2001, 2003 and 2005 respectively. The songs are well admired and have a cult following too. The next one, titled Dark Horse, is in the pipeline and may come out at the fag end of the year 2008. Consisting of eleven tracks, the album is all set to create a flutter, not only in the minds of the avid heavy metal fan, but in the music track industry too.
Slipknot also ranks high up in terms of popularity and exclusivity. The nine member band formed in Iowa plays the heavy metal genre with their own twists and turns. Visually also the band is totally distinctive with every member of the band wearing different masks during live performances and recordings. The debut album, Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat immediately garnered attention, not only because of the songs, but for the title too.
The key musical influences on the band are the death metal, black metal, heavy metal and the nu metal. Its primary influences are Black Sabbath, Slayer, Judas Priest, Beastie Boys etc. They band has also been profoundly influenced by other bands like Head of David, Goldfish, Neurosis and Jungle music. Slipknot is ranked as the path breakers on American new wave heavy metal. The live shows given by the band are well known for the energy flow.
Slipknot music has a unique flow, sometimes in the extreme, and sometimes, a little subdued. Vocal styles range from rapping, singing and growling. However, the later day songs have more melodic singing, but the themes still continue to be aggressive. Darkness, disaffection, anger, psychosis and nihilism are the most preferred themes followed by Slipknot.
Bands like Slipknot and Nickelback are not bubbles formed on the surface of the sea of music. The uniqueness of their themes and unmatchable energy beckons the energetic youth to follow them.
