The nu-metal phenomenon came and went in the space of several years starting in the late nineties, with a lot of bands seemingly jumping on board without a lot to say. The bands that have survived are groups like System Of A Down, who get by on sheer originality, a rarity for the field. American Head Charge aren't as quirky as SOAD, but throughout the sixteen tracks that make up 2001's The War Of Art the band displays an impressive songwriting ability, cleverly avoiding the every-song-sounds-the-same trap while remaining intrenched in the nu-metal genre -- this is really an excellent album. Bolstered by Ozzfest appearances in support of Art, the band has become a major player in modern American metal. After several lineup changes, the band returned with The Feeding in early 2005, but then suffered a major setback with the untimely passing of guitarist Bryan Ottoson. As of this writing, the band is continuing to tour in Ottoson's honor.