Is Limp Bizkit the Best Nu Metal Band?
Nu Metal has been the most popular alternative music genre in the early 2000s. Numerous new bands became super successful creating music in this style during those years. Just to name a few: Papa Roach, Linkin Park, P.O.D., Crazy Town, System Of A Down, Limp Bizkit. Since then fans has been arguing which of those groups is the best nu metal band.
I can make a strong argument that based on multiple factors, including the band’s cultural impact, worldwide popularity, recording success, music released and others, one band stands apart. And that is Limp Bizkit.
Limp Bizkit is the best Nu metal band ever. No other group has had such an enormous cultural impact combined with commercial success and notoriety as LB during their prime. That and their music, especially three first albums, puts them on Nu Metal pedestal.
You might not like their music, or lyrics, or their front-man Fred Durst. But it’s impossible to deny that they in large measure defined the whole nu metal genre during their peak. I can give more reasons to support my statement.
What Makes Limp Bizkit Best Nu Metal Band
It’s a tough competition for the #1 spot of the Greatest nu metal band. And a couple groups can make their claim for it. Not that they necessarily want to be labeled as a nu metal band to begin with. I have discussed how with time some artists tried to distance themselves from the genre in this article – Does Nu Metal Deserve The Hate?
For example there’s Linkin Park, who achieved extraordinary commercial and critical success and positive reception with their debut album Hybrid Theory, which became the best selling debut album of the 21st century. Followed by their second album Meteora that also had elements of Nu Metal it in but to a less degree. However their next albums were no longer in nu metal style.
Certain albums or songs by P.O.D., Papa Roach, Korn, SOAD definitely put them in the conversation, and each band does have a place among the best in the genre. But if we judge a band against the entire scope of achievements and characteristics, it is Limp Bizkit who comes out victorious. Here’s what you should take into consideration.
Nu Metal Musical Elements
Nu metal is a rather broad style. It is not characterized by any specific strictly defined musical element. Rather it is a heavy metal subgenre that incorporates certain styles from other music genres. These styles include hip hop, funk, electronic, scratching.
No other band managed to combine all these elements together consistently like Limp Bizkit could. Starting form their debut album Three Dollar Bill, Y’all (1997) and with their last release Still Sucks (2021), the band has had strong nu metal sound throughout their discography.
The combined talents of the band members allowed them to experiment within the genre, making each album sound different, yet remain a superb example of nu metal. DJ Lethal’s turntables, Wes Borland’s guitars, Fred Durst’s vocals and lyrics, John Otto’s drums – they all make a perfect mix. Sure, some albums have a more prominent nu metal musical characteristics, but all of them belong in this style.
Cultural Impact
It’s undeniable that in late 1990s and early 2000s Limp Bizkit was the most notorious metal band. Their music hits, their personalities, live shows, ongoing controversial headlines and appearances constantly put them in the spotlight.
Other bands and musicians often had a beef with LB or at least with their lead singer Fred Durst. Who, let’s not deny it never shied away from such clashes and welcomed all the publicity he could get. These were bands from metal and rock genre, but also pop artists. Constant feuds were a part of the music scene and Fred knew how to exploit that.
It sure seems that it only made the band more popular among millions of fans around the world. The buzz, the hype were always on. Just look at the festivals or live shows that LB had during their prime. Those were crazy, to put it mildly. Some unfortunately even had accidents with casualties. Woodstock 1999 being one such example.
The reach and influence of Limp Bizkit seemed limitless. They even influenced fashion trends. Fred Durst’s iconic look at that time was baggy pants with hoodie or long t shirt, baseball cap and goatee. He did not invent it of course. But he popularized it for sure. So many tried to emulate that style.
Commercial Success
Limp Bizkit remains one of the most successful nu metal bands ever. They have sold dozens of millions copies worldwide. They made tones of money. They sold out arenas and stadiums. This is a simple fact, it’s not a speculation.
Staying on heavy radio rotations, being at numerous music awards, appearing in the news outlets, releasing viral video clips – this was all part of the band’s everyday life. And it all brought in great financial gains. They are set for life.
Yet, they still do music. Not because they have to, but because they can. And that speaks to the last point, that also helps them in the argument of being the greatest Nu Metal band ever.
Longevity
There’s plenty of bands and artists who are labeled as one-hit wonders. Not only in nu metal but in all genres of music obviously. But nu metal in particular often falls under the scrutiny of so called critics, who like to diminish its significance or try call it a fluke of a genre.
Well, no matter what they say about Limp Bizkit, they can’t possibly call them a one-hit wonder. The band has been established in 1994 and it is still active. That’s 30 years of the ongoing history. And LB is still actively touring. And they have zero problems getting sold out shows. Which just shows that they are still popular.
Some are fans from their 1999-2003 period. And some are only discovering their music now. But whatever the case, LB still connect with the audience. This is longevity in its finest.
Fair & Unfair Criticism
Limp Bizkit got a lot of criticism. Most of it was directed towards the band’s actions during live shows, where some people in the crowd got hurt. And while the band influences how people act, it’s not like they are directly responsible for others’ actions. Most of the time performers simply can’t see what’s going on in the crowd.
Another share of band’s blame rests on the shoulders of Fred Durst. He was always fast to start or at least support a feud with fellow musicians. But mostly for publicity and not with real bad intentions.
Don’t forget, Durst and the band in general never took themselves seriously. That’s one of the big misconceptions about the group that critics always had. They believed the lyrics were written with all seriousness. They could not separate real motives from showmanship. In reality the band just had fun and had a laugh most of the time.
The band was also criticized for their music. For the very first album, when LB were still relatively unknown and into their hey day years, critics called their music unimaginative, simple, lackluster, offensive etc. With that I can’t agree. That music was a great product of its time. The musical quality stood the test of time and Bizkit’s best hits sound just as cool now as they did 25 years ago.
Band’s Legacy
The band will always be mentioned as icons of nu metal. That is not going to change, because they are the integral part of that whole music scene and movement from that time period. They have some bright and some dark spots in their history, no doubt. Plenty of controversies and crazy stories.
But after all said and done Limp Bizkit has their discography, which offers amazing songs and really captivating music. And this music keeps finding its new audience and bringing good energy for long-time fans. In terms of musical heritage, that’s all that matters.
Limp Bizkit Best Songs
Depending on what style of Nu Metal you prefer, you will like a different album by the band. Early Limp Bizkit had a harsh, raw sound. Second album had a more polished style with a melodic side. Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water is arguably the best album for most of the fans.
In here I have the – TOP 15 Limp Bizkit Songs playlist. Check their greatest hits.
And meanwhile, enjoy one of their most famous tracks called “Take a Look Around” from the 3rd album. It was the soundtrack to the movie Mission: Impossible 2.
Conclusion
If you love nu metal, give LB a try. They were on top of the genre and music scene fore many reasons. And while nu metal has a lot of sides and style variations, for millions of fans, the Limp Bizkit style was the most fun.
