I’ve written a few times in reviews about the current resurgence of the Nu-Metal sound that was so popular and prevalent in the mid 90’s to early 2000’s. Ultimately the genre became so over saturated and watered down it imploded with only a handful bands surviving and progressing beyond it. Looking to pick up the nu-metal ball again are Arizona’s Dropout Kings who are about to release their debut album Audiodope (Napalm Records).

What is very apparent from the outset of this album is that this band are coming to the party with a much harsher sound both in the music and the delivery of the rapping. It’s grittier, more urban and in some ways, feels more “real” than say the stylings of Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst. That is not to downplay the Bizkit whatsoever, more that Dropout Kings will feel far more relevant to the current musical climate.

Something Awful’ is where we begin and immediately the music reminded me of Significant Other-era Limp Bizkit with the single note echo guitar leading us into a slow and really effective build. Far more a rap song in nature than a metal song, the heavy guitars when they do come in serve as a real balance to the rap parts of the track.

The notion of balance is perhaps key as to why this album works so well, there is no reliance on one element over the other. Take a track like ‘Burn1’ which musically again is very minimalist in delivery with guitars and drums only being there to service the song rather than just ‘metal’ it up.

Nvm’ is the leadoff single for the album and shows another side to the band, that being the bravado and confidence they have in their sound. Not shying away at all it flows seamlessly from fast rapid-fire attitude filled verses to a gloriously headbang inducing chorus that flits effortlessly between metal screams and machine gun fast rhymes.

Going Rogue’ is the epicenter and the very core of what Dropout Kings are all about the sheer amount of groove and bounce exude the part vibes that form much of Audiodope and requires multiple listens. They don’t stop there though as an almost industrial metal type tinge like latter albums by genre legends Korn, then blends with the hip-hop stylings to give a unique take on what has come before.

Scratch and Claw’ is so damn good it will bury deep into your brain before you have had a chance to catch your breath. Heavy guitars are complemented with more electronics. Another huge chorus is just around the corner with vocals far more intense and seemingly more personal than other songs. This song had the air of something from Linkin Park’s classic album Hybrid Theory.

All in all, what we have here is something that feels at once old and new the fierce hip-hop vocals and heavy guitars feels as fresh as anything from the 90’s era of Nu Metal. It speaks to a band that are already truly in command of their powers as songwriters. They have confidence and ego in abundance and don’t mind telling you this to your face. The world is about to get a new dose of reality.

8.5/10

KIERAN MITCHELL