Nu Metal music can emphasize atmosphere through the use of pedals and rhythm over melody and complex instrumentation; often, Nu Metal songs use rhythmic, syncopated riffs, played with distorted electric guitars tuned in low ranges to create heavier music than traditional music, often making use of seven-string guitars to accomplish this purpose.
The band Korn is the pioneer of Nu Metal because they made such a sound of Alternative Metal mixed with the rhythmic Funk Metal making use of seven-string guitars and a five-string bass, resulting in a sound both rhythmic and heavy on their 1994 debut album Korn when no one else was doing it, becoming the inventors of Nu Metal.
The band Slipknot was a very important band for Nu Metal because they showed the most aggressive side influenced by Death Metal; their first two albums, Slipknot and Iowa, are the most influential for this side of Nu Metal.
And finally, the band Linkin Park with their two albums Hybrid Theory and Meteora created a school of Nu Metal more focused on Pop, being very influential for the development of the genre during the 2000s.
It is called Nu Metal because it comes from "new metal", because the press and certain producers believed that this was a totally new sound for Metal (though it hasn't evolved so much since the late 2000s).
Chop Suey!
System of a Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wake up (wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make up
Hide the scars to fade away the shake up (hide the scars to fade away the)
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go, create another fable, you wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little makeup, you wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shake up, you wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table? You wanted to
I don't think you trust
In my
Self-righteous suicide
I cry
When angels deserve to die
Ah
Wake up (wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make up
Hide the scars to fade away the (hide the scars to fade away the)
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
(Here you go) create another fable, you wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little makeup, you wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shake up, you wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table? You wanted to
I don't think you trust
In my
Self-righteous suicide
I cry
When angels deserve to die
In my
Self-righteous suicide
I cry
When angels deserve to die
Father (father), father (father)
Father (father), father (father)
Father, into your hands
I commend my spirit
Father, into your hands
Why have you forsaken me?
In your eyes forsaken me
In your thoughts forsaken me
In your heart forsaken me, oh
Trust in my
Self-righteous suicide
I cry
When angels deserve to die
In my
Self-righteous suicide
I cry
When angels deserve to die
The song “Chop Suey!” by System of a Down is a complex and layered criticism of both societal and individual hypocrisy. The opening lines are a reference to suicide, with the lyrics “We’re rolling suicide,” which sets the tone for the song's message of self-destruction. The first verse is sung in the second person, with lyrics like “Grab a brush and put a little makeup, hide the scars to fade away the shake-up.” This can be interpreted as societal pressure to hide one's true self and present a flawless exterior. The question, "Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?" can be seen as a direct challenge to the singer's hypocritical behavior. By leaving the keys on the table, the singer has given someone else control over their life.
The chorus is where the message of the song becomes clearer, with the lyrics “I don't think you trust in my self-righteous suicide, I cry when angels deserve to die.” The singer is lamenting the fact that their voice is not being heard and that their actions could ultimately lead to their own ruin. The second verse can be seen as a criticism of the capitalistic society, with lyrics like “Here you go, create another fable, you wanted to.” The singer is criticizing the cycle of lies, deception, and greed perpetuated by those in power.
The bridge of the song is a religious reference, with the lyrics “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit, why have you forsaken me?” This can be seen as a criticism of religious hypocrisy, with the singer asking why God, who is supposed to be all-knowing and all-loving, has abandoned them. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, driving home the message that those in power will inevitably fall, and those who are the most deserving will suffer.
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up (wake up)
Start paying attention because something important is happening.
Grab a brush and put a little make up
Try to cover up or distract from the truth of a situation, making it look better than it is.
Hide the scars to fade away the shake up (hide the scars to fade away the)
Conceal the evidence of past trauma in order to avoid feeling or appearing vulnerable.
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Questioning why someone would knowingly leave something important within reach of someone else who might misuse or exploit it.
Here you go, create another fable, you wanted to
Asserting that the person who left the keys on the table is lying about their intentions and values, and likely has ulterior motives for doing so.
You wanted to
Emphasizing the idea that the other person had full control over their actions and was not a victim of circumstances or manipulation.
I don't think you trust
Expressing the singer's doubts about the level of trust and honesty in the other person's relationship with them.
In my
Referring to the artist's sense of self, beliefs, or emotions.
Self-righteous suicide
Suggesting that the artist's willingness to engage in self-destructive behavior stems from a sense of moral superiority or desire to prove something to others.
I cry
Acknowledging the emotional toll that destructive behavior takes on the artist.
When angels deserve to die
Using the metaphor of angels dying to express the idea that innocent or good things are being lost or corrupted as a result of the situation.
Father (father), father (father)
Addressing a higher power or authority figure who is perceived to have control over the situation.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit
Surrendering control or responsibility to a higher power or authority figure.
Why have you forsaken me?
Expressing feelings of abandonment, betrayal, or injustice towards a higher power or authority figure.
In your eyes forsaken me
In your thoughts forsaken me
In your heart forsaken me, oh
Asserting that the higher power or authority figure has failed the singer across all aspects of their relationship.
Trust in my
Asserting that the artist has confidence in their own values, beliefs, or actions.
Self-righteous suicide
Repeating the earlier phrase to emphasize the theme of self-destructive behavior as a way of expressing moral superiority or asserting control.
I cry
Repeating the earlier phrase to reinforce the idea that destructive behavior comes at an emotional cost.
When angels deserve to die
Repeating the earlier metaphor to underscore the idea that innocent or good things are being lost or corrupted as a result of the situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Serj Tankian, Daron V. Malakian, Shavo Odajian, John Dolmayan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Canudo Foda
LYRICS
Wake up (wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make-up
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up (hide the scars to fade away the-)
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go create another fable, you wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little make-up, you wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up, you wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table? You wanted to
I don't think you trust
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
Wake up (wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make-up
Hide the scars to fade away the (hide the scars to fade away the shake-up)
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go create another fable, you wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little make-up, you wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up, you wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table? You wanted to
I don't think you trust
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
Father (father)
Father (father)
Father (father)
Father (father)
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit
Father, into your hands
Why have you forsaken me?
In your eyes forsaken me
In your thoughts forsaken me
In your heart forsaken me, oh
Trust in my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
Jagger the Dachshund
The lyrics “Why have you forsaken me?” Still gives me goosebumps.
Randomwhitekid12
Yea It's crazy to think that whole verse with father why was something he had just came across when he was stuck so someone told him to get a book and open a random page and read the first thing and that's what u hear at that part and its honestly the best part
Chris Z
3,000 years later, that lyric still gets an emotional impact.
Fernando Hernandez
@Randomwhitekid12Rick Rubin told him to do that.
gaming_nightmare
fr
gaming_nightmare
@Randomwhitekid12 true
sean trebley
His vocals are absolutely insane...to be able to change up that much so quickly is amazing. You can hear the passion in his voice always, he is one of the best!
marcus
serj has one of the most iconic voices. i said for years if they remade aladdin that he should sing arabian nights (since they’re all of arabian descent if i remember correctly, don’t quote me)
Osama Bin Ballin
@niichiiriin, *Armenian
EliteTeamKiller
@marcus Jesus Fucking Christ that would be an amazing cover.