Blogger & Scene Journalist
HOW NU METAL OPENED THE DOOR TO ROCK AND SAVED ME ALONG THE WAY
By Dayanne Araujo Blogger & Scene Journalist
WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME HOW I FELL IN LOVE WITH ROCK MUSIC, MY ANSWER IS ALWAYS THE SAME: NU METAL.
I didn’t grow up listening to classic rock or heavy metal. My first real connection to rock music didn’t come from legendary bands of the past. It came from Linkin Park. I remember the first time I heard "Numb." It felt like someone had finally described the storm inside me. That moment changed everything.
From the very first track, I felt seen. The rage, the sadness, the confusion — all wrapped in a sound that felt like rebellion and therapy at the same time. That was the beginning.
Then came System of a Down, with their unapologetic rhythms and political messages. And Korn, raw and emotional in a way that felt deeply personal. Each band unlocked something in me. Each song made me feel less alone.
Nu Metal wasn’t just music. It was a lifeline.
It was the soundtrack to our silent pain, our anger, our need to scream without apology. It blended metal, rap, vulnerability, and attitude into something that felt completely honest. And more importantly, it was accessible. You didn’t need to grow up listening to rock to connect with it. You just needed to feel too much and have nowhere to put it. Nu Metal gave us that place.
There was a time when I didn’t know how to explain what I was feeling. There was a silence inside me that felt unbearable. That silence was broken by a sound: Nu Metal. It wasn’t just a genre. It was a safe place.
It told me that I was allowed to feel broken.
I was allowed to scream.
I was allowed to cry.
And that was okay.
For many people, especially those of us who never quite fit in, Nu Metal was the first time we felt understood. You didn’t have to know the history of rock or grow up in a musical household. You just had to feel something too big for silence. And Nu Metal gave us the words.
In the late 90s and early 2000s, Nu Metal was more than a trend. It was a cultural phenomenon. Bands like Linkin Park, Korn, System of a Down, Limp Bizkit, and Deftones took over the radio and MTV. They blended hip-hop, metal, electronic, and alternative influences.
They sounded like us.
They spoke for us.
They were us.
Today, I create content about music. I decorate my space with vinyl records that saved me. I connect with people who once felt as lost as I did. And now I use my voice to honor the music that gave me one.
Years later, I’m still that girl who turns up the volume when "Numb" comes on. But now, I’m also a woman who understands how powerful music can be — not just to entertain, but to heal.
Nu Metal opened the door to rock for me, and it still holds a sacred space in my soul.
For me,
it was never just a phase.
It was survival.
It was healing.
It was home.
You can listen to my Spotify playlist here!
OZZY: THE DEFINITIVE FAREWELL IN BIRMINGHAM
By Dayanne Araujo Blogger & Scene Journalist
On Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, Ozzy Osbourne made his final live appearance, officially ending his stage career — and closing the curtain on his journey with Black Sabbath. The farewell took place in his hometown, in a night filled with emotion, celebration, and the closure of a legacy that began nearly six decades ago.
A Historic Presence
Seated on his iconic bat-shaped throne, 76‑year‑old Ozzy delivered a moving solo set. Despite his physical limitations, he performed classics like I Don’t Know, Mr. Crowley, Mama I’m Coming Home, and Crazy Train — proving that the Prince of Darkness still commands the stage with presence and fire.
Reunion After 20 Years
After his solo set, Ozzy was joined by the original Black Sabbath lineup — Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — for a long-awaited reunion. They played four of the band’s most iconic tracks, including War Pigs, Iron Man, and the powerful closer Paranoid. It was the first time in 20 years that the classic lineup played together.
A Legendary Night
The event, titled “Back to the Beginning”, became more than just a concert — it was a landmark celebration of heavy metal. With performances by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Tool, Anthrax, Mastodon, and many others, it brought over 40,000 fans to Villa Park, with millions more watching the live broadcast. The event was hosted by Jason Momoa, with surprise tributes and emotional messages from artists like Jonathan Davis, Billy Idol, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Fred Durst.
Ozzy’s Eternal Legacy
Ozzy Osbourne was never just a frontman. He became the voice of heavy metal, a symbol of rebellion, and an icon of authenticity. Since forming Black Sabbath in Birmingham, he gave sound to the struggles of the outcasts and forged a new musical path — blending darkness, emotion, and power. His solo career only solidified his status as one of the greatest to ever grace the stage.
The Iconic Image
To close this chapter, one unforgettable image sums it all up: Ozzy, sitting on a toilet, cigarette in hand, pants around his ankles. It’s unfiltered, raw, and real — just like the man himself. As chaotic as it is legendary, it reflects the very essence of Ozzy: a man who lived (and ended) his journey on his own terms.
To celebrate Ozzy’s final bow, here’s a 7-hour playlist of his greatest hits — including Black Sabbath classics and unforgettable solo tracks