Jacoby Shaddix on Nu Metal’s Comeback: “It’s Having a Second Go-Around Hair Metal Never Got”

In a recent interview with Rock 108, Jacoby Shaddix, the energetic frontman of Papa Roach, shared his thoughts on the powerful resurgence of nu metal and what sets it apart from other rock subgenres, particularly hair metal.

Shaddix expressed genuine excitement about the renewed interest in nu metal, stating that the genre is experiencing a strong revival — something hair metal never truly managed to achieve.

“Dude, it’s sick, man, because although the ’80s hair metal never really had this major resurgence — I mean, Mötley Crüe had a second wind — but nu metal, for real, is having like a second go-around right now. It’s so dope.”

He went on to explain that a generational shift is playing a key role in nu metal’s rebirth. Modern bands that grew up listening to acts like Papa Roach are now taking the stage alongside their musical heroes, infusing the genre with fresh energy while maintaining its core spirit.

“And it’s cool because there’s this underbelly of bands that were listening to our bands back in the day that we’re now sharing the stage with — all these guys — Beartooth and Bring Me the Horizon, to name a couple — that were fans of this genre of music. And so you could hear how our music inspired them and influenced it, and then they just flipped it on its head and did their own thing.”

For Shaddix, it’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about evolution and continuity. He highlighted how bands like Deftones are also experiencing a renewed wave of appreciation, marking a moment of celebration for the entire scene.

“And it’s just really cool to have this moment. Watching our brothers in Deftones have another moment in their career. And ourselves experiencing that right now — it’s so dope, man. It really is. It’s so cool.”

As nu metal continues to evolve, it’s clear that its legacy isn’t just being remembered — it’s being reimagined by a new generation, with the genre’s original trailblazers leading the charge into its next