The band that engineered a new genre called nu metalcore

The band that engineered a new genre called nu metalcore
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In short: Issues didn't just play metalcore; they aimed to replicate the cultural impact of nu metal by fusing heavy riffs with Top 40 pop and R&B. This ambitious sonic experiment led to a decade of rapid lineup shifts, critical acclaim, and a complex legacy of internal conflict.

Founded in 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia, Issues emerged from the wreckage of the band Woe, Is Me. The project was initially conceived by vocalist Tyler Carter as a vehicle for former bandmates to explore a specific aesthetic: a blend of metalcore, nu metal, pop, and contemporary R&B. The band's goal was to mirror how nu metal historically merged heavy metal with hip hop, creating a high-energy hybrid they often referred to as 'nu metalcore' or 'R&Bcore.' This stylistic choice allowed them to draw from diverse influences ranging from Korn and Slipknot to Katy Perry and Michael Jackson.

The band's trajectory was marked by significant instability. In their first two years alone, they underwent four lineup changes. While the Ferris brothers departed before the release of the 2012 EP 'Black Diamonds,' drummer Case Snedecor left in 2013, and bassist Jake Vintson was replaced by Skyler Acord. Despite this churn, the band achieved significant commercial success. Their 2014 self-titled debut album charted at number nine on the US Billboard 200, earning praise for its unique DJ-based breakdowns and electronic textures. They also secured major accolades, including the 2015 Alternative Press Music Award for Artist of the Year.

Internal friction eventually became a defining characteristic of the band's narrative. In 2018, the group fired vocalist Michael Bohn to pursue a different direction, and in 2020, founding member Tyler Carter was removed following accusations of grooming and sexual misconduct. Bassist Skyler Acord later described the grueling recording process for their third album, 'Beautiful Oblivion,' stating that the conflict involved in the creative process 'literally almost killed us' but was necessary for the art. The band remained inactive for three years before announcing their disbandment in November 2023.

The group's legacy concludes with a full-circle moment. Following their final shows in January 2024, the band released a live album titled 'Issues Forever.' In a notable gesture of reconciliation, former member Michael Bohn joined the remaining members during the final two shows in Atlanta to perform the 'Black Diamonds' EP in its entirety. This final act serves as a bookend to a career defined by the tension between artistic ambition and personal upheaval.

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