Static-X - Wisconsin Death Trip (1999)

   A fun fact and a returning feature was among nu metal bands whose style was more characteristic than most others of their coetaneouses, that neither their fans or themselves described their music as nu metal. It was the same about Slipknot, System of A Down, and Static-X too. But unfortunately for them, nu metal wasn't a too unified style, that might made a bit difficult to determine rules or certain features that could have been returning at all bands who played this style. Since hip-hop, alternative rock, death metal or like in case of Static-X, industrial style features could have been responsible for the diversity of the genre, the common ground should be looked for from a bit different (an less specific) perspective. Nu metal had to be: 

1. easy to go into, therefore 

2. simplicity had to be it's most determining feature both in themes and song structures,

3. must have been able to show something new and unusual for the genre, but since it wasn't possible anymore, they had to mix up metal with other styles, 

4. it should have been able to address young audience, so simpler topics and everyday's life problems were in focus instead of horror, gore, fantasy or complex, philosophical topics, and last but not least

5. it should have been ready to compromise to be able to build up a brand.. since the style was business oriented from the very beginning. 

   By this approach not even Static-X could slip out from the nu metal stigma, though their style was definitely stronger influenced by industrial, than any other nu metal bands. On their debut the features of '90s industrial waving back, but their music was on a different level already. At one hand it was audience friendlier, but still more diverse than most '90s industrial projects. For this diversity the wider scale of metal elements have been responsible on the side of the more diverse vocal performances. This quality had refreshing effect not only for the incredible amount of new fans who have been gathered by nu metal, but also in industrial music. This combination immediately emerged Static-X to the most successful bands of the genre.