Wes Borland interview

[Inflames626]

Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Deftones were popular when I was in high school and college. I never took Wes that seriously because while nu metal may have had the aggression of death metal it didn't have the darkness.

They ended up looking like a bunch of frat guys who sort of liked metal but not enough to fully embrace it if it would cost them mainstream popularity.

It seemed like a refreshing change of pace coming off the heels of grunge. The thing is, I think grunge was a lot more creative and had much more to say.

That said, I admit I underestimated Wes Borland. I thought he was just some guy who knew three chords and had a gift for putting them together in creative ways. He had the changing looks thing like John 5, but not the chops. Or so I thought. This video changed my mind.

Kind of weird that he now looks a bit like Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation. I didn't think that skinny kid on stage in the late 90s would grow into a mustachioed hipster shop teacher.

https://youtu.be/8Yg_Mw1yPlU

 

[Clint 55]

Nu metal was plenty dark.

 

[Inflames626]

Nu metal was plenty dark.

The guitar tone is great. That's Mike Mushok. Aaron Lewis, on the contrary, gets on my nerves.

This is dark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Os7ohgtDLE

Also, nu metal guys didn't want to practice as long as necessary to get as fast as Nick Barker is here on drums.

 

[Clint 55]

Yes compare everything to black metal, the darkest most extreme form of music in existence. They're both dark you foo.

 

[Inflames626]

Yes compare everything to black metal, the darkest most extreme form of music in existence. They're both dark you foo.

Nu metal came across as whining. Black metal comes across as theatric and cheesy.

I guess I just look at it as, if you're going to be angry, go full on, or don't do it at all.

 

[Clint 55]

The Staind tune is dark foo. It's not Taylor Swift level just because there are theoretically more extreme songs.

 

[Inflames626]

The Staind tune is dark foo. It's not Taylor Swift level just because there are theoretically more extreme songs.

Not dark to me, Clint. I do like the guitar tone, though. It kind of makes me smile when Aaron gets mad and yells because I think it's funny.

 

[Inflames626]

I mean this (Aaron depressed about his life, whining, and hating himself):

And it's been awhile
Since I could hold my head up high
And it's been awhile
Since I first saw you
And it's been awhile
Since I could stand on my own two feet again
And it's been awhile
Since I could call you
And everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem
The consequences that are rendered
I've stretched myself beyond my means
And it's been awhile
Since I can say that I wasn't addicted
And it's been awhile
Since I can say I love myself as well and
And it's been awhile
Since I've gone and fucked things up just like I always do
And it's been awhile
But all that shit seems to disappear when I'm with you
And everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I've gone and fucked things up again, again
Why must I feel this way?
Just make this go away
Just one more peaceful day
And it's been awhile
Since I could look at myself straight
And it's been awhile
Since I said I'm sorry
And it's been awhile
Since I've seen the way the candles light your face
And it's been awhile
But I can still remember just the way you taste
And everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem to be, and I know it's me
I cannot blame this on my father
He did the best he could for me
And it's been awhile
Since I could hold my head up high
And it's been awhile
Since I said I'm sorry​

vs. this (Slayer narrating reality):

Propaganda death ensemble
Burial to be
Corpses rotting through the night
In blood laced misery
Scorched earth the policy
The reason for the siege
The pendulum it shaves the blade
The strafing air blood raid
infiltration push reserves
Encircle the front lines
Supreme art of strategy
Playing on the minds
Bombard till submission
Take all to their graves
Indication of triumph
The number that are dead
Sport the war, war support
The sport is war, total war
When victory's a massacre
The final swing is not a drill
It's how many people I can kill
Be dead fiend from above
When darkness falls
Descend into my sights
Your fallen walls
Spearhead break through the lines
Flanked all around
Soldiers of attrition
Forward their ground
Regime prophetic age
Old in its time
Flowing veins run on through
Deep in the Rhine
Center of the web
All battles scored
What is our war crimes
(Era forever more...war)
Propaganda war ensemble
Burial to be
Bones shining in the night
In blood laced misery
Campaign of elimination
Twisted psychology
When victory is to survive
And death is defeat
Sport the war, war support
The sport is total war
When victory's a massacre
When victory is survival
When this end is a slaughter
The final swing is not a drill
It's how many people I can kill​

In the first case, the darkness is awkward. In the second, it's deliberate. No contest.

Also, Slayer didn't need to swear to get the point across.

 

[Clint 55]

I'd much rather listen to Staind than Slayer..

 

[Inflames626]

I'd much rather listen to Staind than Slayer..

Not me. But I said I didn't like nu metal even when it was new.

 

[Clint 55]

.

 

[Inflames626]

.

We used to go to house parties in high school with some good ol' JD playing the bagpipes.

And if you were a kid with a bass who could play Schism by Tool you probably (thought you) were going to get a new girlfriend that night.

 

[Clint 55]

Those were the days.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

No idea who Wes Borland is...but...Just stepping in to to correct you..


Nu metal & black metal were pussy chicken**** compared to good old (early 90's) death metal :bigthumb:


Like so...

 

[JOLLY]

https://youtu.be/8Yg_Mw1yPlU

I enjoyed that. Thanks!!

 

[Inflames626]

I enjoyed that. Thanks!!

And thanks for the response I was expecting, JOLLY.