We Were Loud Once

Thirty years of Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.?! Dan and Jeff dive deep into the recent, historic performance by original Slipknot frontman Anders Colsefni and his band, The Crowz, as they celebrate three decades of the record that started it all in Des Moines. Should they take it on the road?

What was it like at the epicenter of the late '90s heavy music explosion? Legendary producer and Ugly Kid Joe guitarist Dave Fortman joins Dan and Jeff to break down the massive shift into nu metal and share stories from his iconic production career.From tearing up the charts on guitar with Ugly Kid Joe to shaping the definitive sonic landscape of the late '90s and 2000s behind the board, Dave has seen it all. We dive deep into the exact moment the rock landscape shifted, the explosion of the nu metal movement, and what it was really like producing era-defining albums for bands like Evanescence, Mudvayne, and Slipknot.

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff dive deep into the evolution of Linkin Park. While Hybrid Theory and Meteora defined a generation and cemented the band as the kings of the late '90s/early '00s heavy music scene, Chester, Mike, and the guys spent the rest of their careers trying to escape a label they never really wanted: Nu Metal.Why was Linkin Park so desperate to distance themselves from the very genre that made them global superstars? Was it a strategic move for longevity, or an artistic necessity? Dan and Jeff break down the sonic shift from Minutes to Midnight onward, the backlash from purists, and how history ultimately proved Linkin Park right.

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff sit down with the legendary Mikael Johnston of Mephisto Odyssey. Mikael takes us behind the scenes of the late 90s/early 2000s electronic-metal crossover era, specifically detailing his work with the iconic late Wayne Static of Static-X.We dive deep into the creation of the high-octane collaborations "Crash" and "Crash:Reborn". Mikael shares the definitive story on his heavy-hitting remix of Static-X’s "Push It". Mikael gives us insights into Wayne’s unique creative energy, the fusion of industrial beats with nu-metal riffs, and the legacy of these landmark tracks. He also details the hurdles he had to overcome to release these tracks.

The definitive A–Z nu metal band list is here c/o Detox! In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff sit down with Jon Carr to break down his ultimate alphabetical guide to the genre. From the undisputed kings that defined an era to the deepest, most obscure underground gems you probably forgot existed (or never heard of), we’re digging through the crates to see if his list holds up. Trust us, you will find some amazing new music on this list...

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff sit down with filmmaker and musician Matt Zane (Society 1) to discuss one of the most controversial and mysterious projects in industrial nu metal history: his unauthorized documentary on Wayne Static and Tera Wray Static.Matt opens up about his personal relationship with the late Static-X frontman and his late wife, the creative vision behind the film, and the legal and personal hurdles that has ultimately kept the project from a traditional release. We dive deep into the (typically misunderstood) complexities of Wayne’s final years, and the stories that haven't really been told—until now.

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff sit down with James Rietz, the visionary frontman of the industrial nu metal powerhouse, Crossbreed!From the glow-in-the-dark paint to the relentless touring cycles of the early 2000s, James breaks down the history and the future of one of the genre’s most visually and sonically distinct bands. We dive deep into the legendary (or infamous rather) Nothingface tour, the transition to Driven Music Group, and the creative process behind their iconic covers. Plus, James gives us a look into his experiences at Wasteland Weekend and what life looks like in the post-apocalyptic subculture.Also, I didn't edit out language because...no.

This week on We Were Loud Once, Jeff and Dan are still deep into the murky, industrial-metal waters of Cleveland’s own MushroomHead!From their 1993 inception to the modern-day lineup shifts, they aren’t just looking at the music—they’re dissecting the decades of controversy that defined them. They’re breaking down the "mask wars," the revolving door of iconic vocalists, and the internal friction that kept the band in the headlines as much as the charts.
Thanks for listening! We appreciate ya!

This week on We Were Loud Once, Jeff and Dan are diving deep into the murky, industrial-metal waters of Cleveland’s own MushroomHead!From their 1993 inception to the modern-day lineup shifts, they aren’t just looking at the music—they’re dissecting the decades of controversy that defined them. They’re breaking down the "mask wars," the revolving door of iconic vocalists, and the internal friction that kept the band in the headlines as much as the charts.

Thanks for listening! We appreciate ya!

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff dive deep into the vault of Roadrunner Records during its absolute prime: the Nu Metal era. Roadrunner wasn't just a label; it was the engine room for some of the heaviest and most influential sounds of the late '90s and early 2000s. The guys are breaking down how they transitioned from a death metal powerhouse into the home of the "Three Headed Monster" and beyond.

In this episode, they boys get into:

The Big Three: The massive impact of Slipknot, Nickelback, and Type O Negative on the label's trajectory.

Cult Classics & Deep Cuts: Remembering the rosters that defined the era—from the groove of Sepultura and Soulfly to the industrial edge of Fear Factory and the raw energy of Coal Chamber.

The Ross Robinson Factor: How the "Godfather of Nu Metal" helped shape the Roadrunner sound.

The Legacy: How the label’s strategy during this period changed the landscape of heavy music forever.

and then they held a funeral...