by Mudvayne drummer Matt McDonough recently shared his thoughts on the unexpected resurgence of nu metal, discussing the genre’s remarkable comeback in an interview with Talk Toomey.
McDonough reflected on how nu metal has evolved into what he describes as “the classic rock” of today, attracting multiple generations of fans to their shows.
“The strange renaissance of that time period, it’s almost like we’re the classic rock now,” he said. “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 DWP festivals, was just a absolutely surreal and overwhelming.”
The drummer noted the diverse age range of fans now attending Mudvayne concerts, spanning four generations.
“And now it’s, like — I don’t think it’s an exaggeration — we see four generations of people,” he continued. “People in their early sixties, late fifties that were late ’90s fans, and then their grandkids. There was an 8-year-old right in front last night in San Antonio.”
McDonough also pointed to other nu metal bands experiencing similar success, particularly highlighting Deftones’ growth.
“So, yeah, again, it’s just — I don’t know — timing, luck, what. But it seems to be happening for everybody,” he said. “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.”
McDonough’s observations reflect a broader trend that has been building momentum across the music industry over the past several years.
Yellowbrick reported that the nu metal revival is largely fueled by nostalgia among millennials and Gen Z, who are revisiting the genre that shaped their youth around the late 1990s and early 2000s. Streaming platforms and social media, including TikTok and Reddit, have significantly boosted this revival by making nu metal easily accessible to a new generation and fostering a community of fans and artists.
The commercial vitality of the genre is evident in recent concert attendance figures. Louder Sound noted that prominent nu metal bands like Korn have filled 25,000-capacity venues in London. Papa Roach has completed arena tours in the UK and Europe, demonstrating strong fan engagement and the genre’s sustained popularity.
Mudvayne’s participation in the revival extends beyond individual tour dates. The band is confirmed for the 2025 Sick New World festival, a key event associated with the nu metal scene, as Nu Metal Agenda highlighted. Their inclusion alongside headliners like Linkin Park and other nu metal veterans at major festivals indicates sustained popularity and significant fan interest in the genre’s original acts.
Beyond Mudvayne and Deftones, other nu metal pioneers are experiencing similar revivals. Linkin Park has returned to headline major festivals alongside Metallica. Newer bands inspired by the original nu metal era, such as Beartooth and Bring Me The Horizon, have taken the genre in fresh directions while maintaining ties to nu metal’s legacy, further cementing the genre’s influence on contemporary heavy music.
