One thing can be said for the nu-metal/rap-rock trend of the later nineties. Fred Durst was all but the official poster boy for the movement, equipped with trademark red hat, vulgar lyrics and frenzied onstage presence. His band, Limp Bizkit, worked their way up in the Florida scene when Korn’s people took serious notice. From there, it was full throttle.
So with their first album release in 1997, Three Dolla Bill Y’all, they kick started one helluva new form of rock music. Going beyond even the insanely popular covering of George Michael’s “Faith”, the group’s total repertoire was basically an unheard sound and vibe in popular music. Love it or hate it, they were undeniably unique, and released a handful of raucous records, played Woodstock and of course had some controversy and band member issues.
As all good things come to an end sometimes, Limp Bizkit more or less disintegrated a few years into the new millennium, but many of us still crave the goods. They’re not officially gone with the wind though; there’s word of a studio album in the works right now. Nevertheless, here’s a new release of an older performance, essential for any fan of this band, or the rap-rock revolution in general. Rock Im Park – no, it’s not misspelled – is a 2001 live concert DVD filmed when the band played in Germany. Fifteen of the group’s most energized and popular hits made the cut, including “Break Stuff”, “Nookie”, “My Generation, a cover of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”, and closing with the hyperactive Air Raid Vehicle version of “Rollin.” The DVD is broken into three sections – the original concert, a slightly shorter remix version, and an interview with DJ Lethal. The concert is pretty straightforward as a show would naturally progress. The remixed version is artistically altered, but equally cool for a ‘music video’ variation, and both the sound and visual quality of this disc is good. Lethal’s commentary, paired with extensive band history in the liner notes, adds the finishing touches.
Limp Bizkit is certainly one of kind, even within the ranks of other nu-metal pioneers, and Rock Im Park offers viewers one more chance to relive the onstage intensity the band always brought to shows.
