Just because you're in a (massively successful) radio rock band doesn't mean you're not yearning to be super heavy. Nickelback bassist Mike Kroeger sure wants to be.
In a recent interview with Wall Of Sound, Kroeger says he'd love to do a Slayer covers album with the band. He also kind of hints at the fact that maybe they've even talked about it by saying "but let's just say I wouldn't count it out."
"Metal is what makes me go. It's what I listen to without fail. If we could actually sink in and do a metal album, all four of us would love it. I know that we're all — on differing scales — metalheads at our core. We all know everything about the 'Big Four' — Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer. I would do a Slayer cover album if I could. That's where my heart lies. There are just never enough hours in the day to do everything, but let's just say I wouldn't count it out."
Kroeger goes on to voice his love of bands like Meshuggah, Gojira, Lamb of God and Animals as Leaders. Though not quite as destructively heavy, Nickelback's 2017 single "Feed The Machine" kind of touched on a much chunkier sound than everyone was used to at the time. So these revelations make sense in a way.
"I listen to bands like Meshuggah, Gojira, Lamb of God… and we became friends with those guys. Daniel and I nerd out on stuff they do, and as musicians, we love to listen to it. Have you ever listened to Animals As Leader?… I've never seen them play live, I've only seen what I can dig up on YouTube, and their newest record, The Madness Of Many, is so heavy. I just cannot believe how sick it is. I love it… The freedom of expression is extraordinary, and really inspirational. There are no boundaries, and that's the kind of music I like."
I'll also be the first say that if Nickelback did something just a touch heavier and rawer than "Feed The Machine," maybe even under a different name, there's a good chance it might actually be pretty sweet. It's also worth noting that that track's writing credits included both Mike Kroeger and drummer Daniel Adair, and is the only song on that album to have been penned by both members.
We've poked our fun at Nickelback plenty over the years, but it seems like the joke has jumped the shark a bit. I mean, yes, when the school paper did it, it was funny – but when cops are getting in on the joke, not as funny. Even Deadpool is defending Nickelback now.
