Before Collin could even crawl, metal was sprinting headfirst into a new millennium — and 2000 might’ve been one of the wildest years in the genre’s history.
In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom dig into the year that kicked off Y2K-era metal, when both nu-metal angst and power metal grandeur were colliding in glorious chaos.
It’s the year Canadian nu-metal icons Kittie dropped their ferocious debut Spit, Disturbed infected the world with The Sickness, and Linkin Park unleashed Hybrid Theory, an album that practically redefined mainstream heavy music. Meanwhile, the legends were far from done — Iron Maiden reunited with Bruce Dickinson for Brave New World, Nightwish delivered the Tarja-era gem Wishmaster, and Pantera released what would become their swan song, Reinventing the Steel.
Collin dives into all of it — the game-changing debuts, the legendary returns, and the albums that soundtracked a new age of metal. From Stratovarius to Rhapsody, Devin Townsend to Killswitch Engage, it’s a stacked lineup that makes the year 2000 one of the genre’s most pivotal.
And after revisiting every riff, roar, and ridiculous album cover of the era, Collin reveals his Top 3 Favourite Albums from the Year He Was Born.
If you remember the days of Chocolate Starfish and Last Resort… buckle up. Click play and brace yourself, this episode’s about to hit you right in the nostalgia.
DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.
Check out more from the Influencers of Metal Podcast!
Lindsay Schoolcraft returns to the Influencers of Metal Podcast for a Halloween edition of What Have You Been Listening To?
From Jared Dines and Stevie T to underground creators and friends of the show, Collin and Tom celebrate the metal YouTubers, streamers and internet personalities making a difference in the community.
Collin and Tom welcome progressive musician Tom de Wit (TDW) to explore the best of progressive metal!
Sabaton brought tanks, pyro and 18 songs of Swedish power metal to Toronto — but getting through the parking chaos, opening bands and merch prices was a battle of its own.
Collin and Tom dive into their favourite September listens, revisit one massive release that narrowly missed August, and more!
Collin finally saw HammerFall headline Toronto — and somehow walked away loving them even more.
HammerFall and Sabaton are invading the GTA in the same week, so Collin and Tom are building their dream setlists!
Collin and Tom summon a whale and dive into Gojira’s discography to settle one of the toughest Heaviest Songs rankings yet.
Powerwolf has werewolves, vampires, church organs and enough Catholic imagery to make one hell of a Sunday service — but does the gimmick overshadow the music?
Some bands spend decades chasing their masterpiece. Others release it almost immediately, and never top it.
Metal meets the squared circle again as Collin introduces an extremely underprepared Tom to wrestling themes from Killswitch Engage, Fozzy, Code Orange, Megadeth, White Zombie, Metallica and more.
Forget the trade war — we’re heading south of the border to pick six of our favourite American bands!
Alice in Chains helped bring a darker, heavier sound to grunge, but does that make them metal?