The Art of Rebellion

Suicidal Tendencies continued to evolve with their 1992 release <i>The Art of Rebellion</i>. Fresh off a tour with Queensrÿche, Mike Muir and company took note of the progressive metal band’s way with dynamics, alternate song structures, and vocals. <i>The Art of Rebellion</i> is distinctly Suicidal, although at times it sounds totally different from the albums that preceded it. It has more of a '90s feel in the funky, grinding grooves of “Tap into the Power,” “Which Way to Free?," and “Where’s the Truth.” These songs were so ahead of their time that they'd still sound fresh when the Ozzfest era started later in the decade. At a time when metal bands were trying to out-aggro each other, Suicidal Tendencies weren't afraid to do the opposite. “Monopoly on Sorrow” and “I’ll Hate You Better” show softer, more pop-oriented elements. Particularly notable are Muir's vocals. While he's always operated outside the shout-along tropes of hardcore and thrash, his deranged croon is in full bloom here. He'd go on to influence some of the biggest singers of the following generation, especially Korn's Jonathan Davis.