Nebraska's Dirtfedd has already been receiving a buzz in the metal world and with just cause. Their debut album, The American Nightmare, was produced by Slipknot percussionist M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan, who also is credited with “discovering” the band.

Musically, Dirtfedd molds metalcore, death metal, Southern rock and industrial influences into a straightforward, no-bullshit brand of American metal. They are most similar to Slipknot and Five Finger Death Punch. Given the album's producer, there's a huge emphasis on percussion and the double-bass attack is on. Vocally, take your pick from death metal growls, hardcore screaming and clean vocals—vocalist Dustin Travels sounds like a disciple of Slipknot's Corey Taylor. The guitar riffs are heavy, songs are fast and furious, and there seems to be a new trick behind every corner. Lyrically, it's partying, getting fucked up and drinking, most evident on the hardcore anthemic opener, “Salute,” with a gang vocal chorus of “Drink! Fight! Fuck!” and the album closer, “Wasted.” A few songs reflect on a wartorn society like “The American Nightmare,” “War Criminal”and one of 2009's standout metal songs, “Trained To Kill.” The crazy keyboard effects carry this manic hardcore metal anthem. The combination of death metal vocals and hardcore is perfectly executed. And what's not to like about a repeated verse of “Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!” Other songs deal with love, loss and revenge, like “Said the Spider to the Fly,” featuring the most death metal vocals of the album, and the piano-driven“Shotgun Romance.”

The American Nightmare is about as impressive a debut as you'll hear. Sure, this is music crafted to sell records and to have meatheads bash each others faces in the pit, but Dirtfedd has carved out an identity for itself—a frat-boy, party image that many will hate. But they have a sound that many will admire and take for what it is: kick-ass American metal.