Suck It, Lars: Why Meshuggah is More Important Than Metallica (Yeah, We Said It)
Alright, look. Put down the pitchforks for a second. We love Metallica. They’re the kings of the hill, the guys who put metal in stadiums. But if we’re talking about who is actually running the metal scene in 2026—who is actually changing the way bands play their gear—it isn’t the guys from San Francisco.
Metallica taught us how to sell t-shirts and fill arenas. Meshuggah taught us how to actually evolve. Thanks to the djent flavor that they largely created, Meshuggah is the reason your favorite modern bands sound the way they do. They didn't just follow the rules—they broke them and used the pieces to build a giant progressive metal machine.
The Rhythms: Brain Twisting Patterns:
Metallica is great for 4/4 time chugging. It’s easy enough to digest, we can all headbang to it. Meanwhile, Meshuggah uses polymetric structures. While most of us are used to bouncing our heads on one-two-three-four, Meshuggah plays three different rhythms at once while still making it groove. It’s math for people who hate school.The 8-String Arms Race:
Back in the day, most guitars had six strings. Then they had seven. Then Meshuggah said "Nope, we need more" and brought out the 8-string monsters. Now, every kid in a bedroom studio has one, including yours truly. They changed the actual sound of metal by continually lowering their tunings, giving them an even meaner and darker flavor.They Birthed Djent Before Anybody Knew What Djent Was:
You can’t throw a rock at a metal festival without hitting a Djent band. That whole genre? It exists because of Meshuggah. While Metallica was busy making St. Anger (don’t get me started on that snare), Meshuggah was inventing a whole new subgenre. They are the Big Bang for every tech-death and prog-metal band on the planet right now.Zero Sell-Out:
Metallica has tried a bit of everything—sometimes it worked, sometimes we got Lulu. Don’t get me wrong, Derek and I talk all the time about whether or not an artist or band has the right to evolve and change their style. (Yes, they absolutely do…) But Meshuggah has stayed exactly who they are: a cold, heavy, terrifying machine. They didn't change for the radio; the radio just eventually got weird enough to play them.
Meshuggah FAQ for the Newbies
Who the hell is Meshuggah?
They’re a bunch of geniuses from Sweden who have been making "weird-heavy" music since 1987.
What does the name mean?
It’s Yiddish for "insane." Which fits, because unless you’re really into the style, it can be a bit overwhelming to digest and understand.
What is "Djent"?
It’s that "GENT-de-GENT-GENT-de GENT-GENT" sound a tight, distorted guitar makes when you palm-mute them really hard. Meshuggah invented it. Now it’s a lifestyle. Is it actually math metal? Kind of. It’s complex, but you don’t need a calculator to enjoy it. A lot of bands get labeled in one way or another. Sometimes it’s accurate, sometimes it’s just a podcaster who thinks they know what they’re talking about.
Where do I start on my Meshuggah journey?
The "I’m new here" pick: Destroy Erase Improve The "I want to be confused" pick: Nothing The "I want my face melted" pick: ObZen
WATCH:
Is Metallica still the GOAT, or has the Swedish machine taken the crown? Fight us in the socials.
Co Chief Idiot
John is a music lover, drummer, guitar hack and producer. John has spent time working in radio and as a professional musician. While largely a serious hack at most things, John is extremely adept at finding the middle. Join him on his journey to the very top of the midsection.
Favorite Bands: Meshuggah, The Dali Thundering Concept, Pink Floyd, Rush, Dream Theater.
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