I can dig Breaking Benjamin. One of the very few modern radio-metal bands I can dig. "Wise men wonder, while strong men die." Great line. Not my typical jams, but I like 'em.
Most people can't comprehend Meshuggah because of the complex nature of their music, but Jens has some seriously intelligent, thought-provoking lyrics. Check out the album Destroy, Erase, Improve if you're not familiar with them. Heavy as can be, but the time signatures, melodies, leads, drums... oh my my. Usually too much for a person to take in one listen the first time around. Thomas Haake is by far leagues ahead of any other drummer in the genre, possibly in music period, arguably. They are what Metallica should have become.
System of A Down is a talented band. Unfortunately they do submit to the typical cookie-cutter songwriting formula. Like his voice or not, Serj is a master vocalist. As talented as an Opera singer. Vocal range for days. Their lyrics seem silly, but when you break them down, it's all very politically charged. One band that does a great job of writing nonsense and yet coming across as masterful musicians was Faith No More. Mike Patton... doesn't get much better than Mike Patton if you ask me. That dude can do it all. That band could do it all, and do it all very well.
Pantera. Nobody in metal will ever be as heavy and yet as successful as they were. Dime had more talent in his drunken pinky than 99.9% of the modern guitarists you hear on the radio. Phil.. another man, like Mike Patton (although not quite as clean) that can do it all, but in a very angry way. Lyrics weren't the most intelligent, but let's face it, anger doens't require intelligence. It requires brutality and sadism. That's what you got.
Weezer. A radio band that actually exhibits great musicianship, and really don't push themselves to the limits they could achieve. Catchy, simple riffing and beats, great melodies... you'd never know that backup guitarist was a Joe Satriani student.
Run DMC and Aerosmith were the pioneers of this Hip-hip/rock crossover, over 20 years ago. Now we've got crap like Fred Durst blowing up the market. The dude can't write an intelligent lyric to save his life, and I've heard trash compactors with more vocal range and tone control. On the other hand, the dude's got some serious BUSINESS savvy. No musical talent, but loads of business smarts, and in the end, that's all that matters when it comes to making money and selling records.
