We Were Loud Once

Welcome back to another deep dive on We Were Loud Once! This week, Dan and Jeff are plugging into the neon-blue industrial wasteland of 2001 to revisit a certified cult classic: Crossbreed’s debut masterpiece, Synthetic Division. Crossbreed brought a unique, high-energy fusion of industrial synths straight out of the Florida rave scene and added crushing nu metal riffs that still sounds ahead of its time.

The guys are breaking down why this album remains a cornerstone of the underground scene and why every single track on this record earns its place on the track list. You won't just listen to one song, you'll listen to them all...

This week on We Were Loud Once, Jeff and Dan are descending into the shadows, and exploring the "Goth Side" of the Nu-Metal era. While the internet loves to debate if Type O Negative belongs in the Nu-Metal pantheon (and trust us, they try really hard not to go down that rabbit hole), they’re looking at the bigger picture. How did a genre built on "The Jump" and "Caveman Riffs" suddenly get so moody and atmospheric? Soundtracks in the late 90s and early 2000s gave artists a "hall pass" to experiment outside their main album sound. Jonathan Davis and Richard Gibbs created the ultimate blueprint for Goth-adjacent Nu-Metal with the 'Queen of the Damned' soundtrack which set the stage for one of the best selling records of the decade.

In Episode 37, Dan and Jeff sit down to discuss the (at times) heartbreaking and complex most recent updates regarding American Head Charge frontman Cameron Heacock. From the viral Soft White Underbelly interview to the Holiday Kirk-led "Something Beautiful Project," we’re breaking down the current situation in Los Angeles and how the nu metal community is rallying to support one of its most unique icons.

In 1998, the kings of thrash did the unthinkable. Slayer dropped Diabolus in Musica, an album that seemed to swap breakneck speed for downtuned grooves, experimental textures, and a gritty atmosphere that many fans immediately labeled "Nu Metal." But is that a fair assessment, or was it simply Slayer evolving with the times?

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff dive deep into the chaos of the late '90s. We’re breaking down the impact of tracks like "Bloodline" and "Stain of Mind," comparing it to the other members of the 'Big 4''s releases during that time, and discussing how it paved the way for one of the heaviest records of all time: God Hates Us All.

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Jeff and Dan get into one of the most persistent theories in the metal world: The Next Generation Takeover. With rumors swirling and the "end of an era" always looming, they explore the possibility of Griffin Taylor and Simon Crahan eventually stepping into the masks of their fathers, Corey and Clown. Is this a logical passing of the torch, or a conspiracy theory that goes against the chaotic spirit of the Nine? Here's something to ponder...The "Ship of Theseus" Argument: If every original member is replaced, is it still Slipknot?

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Jeff and Dan sit down with Dustin Travels, the voice and force behind Dirtfedd, and most recently Wayne Ryan & The Red Soles. From the cornfields of Nebraska to the national stage, Dirtfedd defined a gritty, unapologetic era of Midwest metal. Dustin pulls back the curtain on the band’s meteoric rise, the intensity of working with M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan, and the raw reality of nu-metal on the Rockstar Mayhem Tour and the very first Knotfest. We’re talking about the brotherhood, the breakdowns, and the volume that never quite left our ears.

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff are putting their A&R hats on to assemble their ultimate all-female Nu Metal supergroups. From the vocal powerhouses of the early 2000s to the instrumentalists who defined a generation of heavy music, you'll never guess how different their picks are. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia of Ozzfest or you’re just discovering the depth of women in heavy music, this episode is a deep dive into the talent that shaped—and continues to shape—the genre.

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff sit down to discuss the updates surrounding Cameron Heacock, the iconic frontman of American Head Charge. After his recent appearance on the Soft White Underbelly YouTube channel—which revealed he had been living unhoused and battling a fentanyl addiction for years—the nu-metal community has rallied together. We’re diving into the incredible work being done by Holiday Kirk (The Nu-Metal Agenda).

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff are discussing the complicated relationship between the Recording Academy and the heavy music scene (or the lack of one altogether). They go deep into this year's Grammy nominees/winners, performances, and why Post Malone needs to do a rock record.

Plus, the conversation everyone wants to have: Courtney LaPlante (Spiritbox) vs. Tatiana Shmayluk (Jinjer). The internet says you can't be fans of both...we are and state our case, but let us know your take.

They also get into the difference in vibe between Deftones and Turnstile shows. We're assuming that each side of this debate will die on their respective hill...

Is there anything more polarizing than a Disturbed cover?

In this episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff are diving deep into the world of musical reinterpretations—the good, the bad, and the downright over-produced. They tackle one of the most covered tracks in history: Phil Collins’ "In the Air Tonight." They debate which Nu Metal band (or Nu adjacent) actually captured that legendary drum fill and haunting atmosphere the best, Nonpoint or In This Moment (or Phil himself). If you know someone who did it better than either, drop it in the comments! Then they get into a bit of a heated discussion on why Disturbed’s "The Sound of Silence" (and their subsequent covers) might actually be ruining the art of the cover song. Are they operatic masterpieces or just musical melodrama? (hint: Dan and Jeff aren't fans...).  They then find themselves discussing the first albums they ever bought, mixes of 80's songs, and the mix of people in crowds they've played for.