Sonic Characters As Nu Metal Bands

Our fearless leader here at The Nu Metal Agenda, Holiday Kirk, is killing it DJ'ing themed rave nights, with the next one being a Sonic Adventure themed rave taking place on Saturday, October 25th in Los Angeles, California. Brought to you by the Sega Dreamcast, just like Ozzfest 2000. Also, grab some sick Sonic Adventure x Nu Metal Agenda merch while you're at it.

To me, the Sonic franchise goes hand in hand with nu metal. They both rose to prominence and entered the mainstream during the 90's and early 2000's, and have since found a resurgence in popularity during the 2020's. Crush 40, the band who created the music for multiple Sonic games during the 2000's, made their first appearance on Sonic Adventure. With the franchise going from 2D to 3D with this game, they also wanted to switch the music from the previous electropop to funky rock music. This shift resulted in Crush 40 creating some amazing nu metal bangers that I have saved in my regular every day playlist, they're that good. Since I am halfway across the country, I sadly cannot attend and I will have major FOMO. I wanted to participate in some manner, so I present to you my designations of iconic Sonic characters and their nu metal counterparts.

Sonic - Limp Bizkit

Much like this fast little blue hedgehog is the mascot of the Sonic franchise, it could be argued that Limp Bizkit is the mascot of the nu metal genre. There can be cases made for other bands, but the Bizkit brought nu metal to new heights. Hell, one could even go as far as to say that LB frontman Fred Durst himself was the face of nu metal with his iconic look. Even if one doesn't know much about video games, Sonic the hedgehog is an instantly recognizable character. The same could be said for Limp Bizkit being a household name, even if one isn't a nu metal extraordinaire. Plus the edits of Sonic with Fred's famous backwards red NY Yankees cap with his chunky red shoes are just so cool. Sonic would absolutely be getting down to "Rollin'" and "Nookie" in his free time.

Knuckles - Slipknot

Knuckles the Echidna would absolutely throw down in a Slipknot pit. Especially with those sick ass spiked gloves of his. Originally portrayed as an antagonist before joining Sonic's team, Knuckles has a short temper and is always searching for a fight. The last of his clan, he had to grow up fast and hone in on his strength to portray a tough demeanor in order to ensure his survival. Early Slipknot fits this vibe perfectly. Much like Knuckles in later portrayals, we eventually get to see a softer and more tame side to Slipknot with songs such as "Vermilion, Pt. 2" and "Snuff", but that violent and aggressive side is still ever present. Tell me an edit of Knuckles kicking ass with "Custer" or "(sic)" wouldn't go hard. You can't. (Seriously though, can someone get on this? I would very much like to see it).

Tails - Incubus

Miles "Tails" Prower is an interesting little fox dude. He is gentle and can be timid upon first meeting, but once you dig deeper you get to see how energetic and humble he is in the best way. Tails loves working on new creations, spending a lot of time in his workshop making new gadgets and gizmos. These inventions often come in handy when facing off against foes, but he doesn't take the spotlight or credit for himself. I think Incubus is the perfect match for Tails. They're not super heavy or aggressive, they're more laid back and chill, especially after their second album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E. However, that record was the band at their most experimental, eclectic, and innovative. While they might not appreciate how amazing it is, much like Tails wouldn't with his inventions, everyone else around them can see its greatness. I also think Tails would love the funky tunes featured on S.C.I.E.N.C.E.

Shadow - Linkin Park

This one is a no brainer to me. Shadow the Hedgehog has a heartbreaking past whose pain has shaped him into the emotionally complex character that we've come to know and love, and no nu metal band fits that bill like Linkin Park does. While nu metal often gets a bad reputation for being juvenile or lacking substance and meaning to their lyrics, that doesn't apply to LP. I can see it now: Shadow locking his door and laying on his bedroom floor blasting the band's discography as loudly as possible, wallowing in his emotions. I have come across numerous edits of Shadow with so many different Linkin Park songs playing in the background, such as "Runaway", "Faint", "With You", "One Step Closer", and "Figure.09" and they get me every time (search "Linkin Park Shadow the hedgehog" on TikTok, you won't be disappointed). This little emo hedgehog is more than just a brooding edgelord, he just needs therapy and to learn how to process his feelings. Jamming to Linkin Park would be his release of his pent up anger, hurt, and sadness. Plus, have you seen him? Black and red spiked hair is SO nu metal.

Rouge - Kittie

Rouge is a strong, cunning, and independent woman (...well, bat) that isn't afraid to put a man in his place, much like how the nu metal female quartet of Kittie have preached in many of their songs. "Do You Think I'm A Whore?", "Spit", and "Choke" criticize patriarchal standards and injustice in society, while Rouge is someone who fights for those she is loyal to. She is intelligent and ambitious, knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to give it her all to achieve what she wants. The same could be said for Kittie, who were mere teenagers when they burst onto the music scene, even dropping out of school in order to be able to pursue their music career and spread their message. Plus, I think Rouge would look so cute in a classic Kittie tee, even just the nu metal fashion in general that women wore in the early 2000's.

Amy - Evanescence

Miss Amy Rose doesn't give off nu metal vibes at all, but that means Evanescence is the perfect band for her. Growing up, I knew so many girls who didn't really listen to rock music at all, but they loved the handful of Evanescence songs that they knew. Oh, and of course we can't ignore that she shares a name with the vocalist Amy Lee (which I didn't even realize until I started writing). They are both intelligent and stand up for what they believe in, especially those who cannot fight for themselves. Amy the Hedgehog is not one to bottle up her feelings, rather she openly expresses all of her emotions, including happiness, sadness, and anger. On the other side of the same coin, Lee has shared her feelings and experiences with fans through her beautiful songwriting for the past couple of decades. I think both Amy's would make great friends for each other.

Big - 311

Big the Cat is a laid-back and carefree character, and while I struggled for a bit on who to designate to him, once 311 popped into my brain I knew it was a perfect fit. While 311 might not be nu metal per se, they are adjacent enough in my eyes. Big doesn't understand why others are always in a hurry or worrying about every little thing, so he lives in a jungle away from technology and modernity. Even when he is in danger, he remains positive, calm, and unbothered. 311 is an upbeat and groovy band that doesn't take themselves too seriously and they create music that is catchy and fun. They give off summer vibes, and I can easily picture Big fishing like he loves to do and relaxing by the water with his friend Froggy while listening to "Amber" and "Two Drops In The Ocean".

Dr. Ivo Robotnik - Static-X

Dr. Eggman is known for his love of mechanics and robots, so what better fit than industrial nu metal giant Static-X. If you've ever seen Static-X live, then you know that they bring out a giant robot mascot during songs like "Terminator Oscillator", which looks like it could come straight out of Dr. Robotnik's mind. Plus, Static-X have branded their sound as "evil disco", and if there is one genre of music that sounds like it's right up Dr. Eggman's alley, it would be one called evil disco. Songs like "Push It" and "Get To The Gone" would definitely be on his playlist that he has to hype himself up.

E-102 Gamma - Pitchshifter

One of Dr. Eggman's robotic creations who was created with the flaw of having free will, E-102 Gamma was initially loyal to his master due to programming, even though he felt remorse and regret any time he brought harm onto others. While he is a robot and doesn't necessarily possess human qualities, he blended robotic speech such as phrases like "does not compute" with casual speech he has heard spoken by characters such as Dr. Robotnik and Amy. Thus, Pitchshifter is the band I think closely resembles E-102 Gamma due to the funky electronic and industrial elements in their music. He would feel a sense of relatability to the songs, since he sees Dr. Eggman's other Gamma units as friends who need rescuing. Plus, Pitchshifter has an album that is literally a URL, www.pitchshifter.com.

Metal Sonic - Mudvayne

Created to be the polar opposite of Sonic the Hedgehog, Metal Sonic is a robot sculpted by Dr. Eggman to possess the strength and speed of Sonic, but his personality is cold, mean, and hostile. Despite his mechanical makeup, Metal Sonic is capable of feeling emotions, using his anger and rage to fuel his motivation for vengeance and his need for domination and destruction. Mudvayne is a band that is known for their brash and violent musical style, with songs like "Dig", "Not Falling", "Trapped in the Wake of a Dream" and "Internal Primates Forever" packing a vicious punch. Vocalist Chad Gray has been open about the hatred and fury he has felt since childhood, finding music to be his release. Metal Sonic would be able to find a piece of himself in the lyrics to relate to, and would totally decimate a Mudvayne mosh pit.