Ross Robinson

Ross Robinson (born February 13, 1967) is an American music producer who became known as the “godfather of nu-metal”, producing Korn’s first three albums, Limp Bizkit’s debut, Fear Factory’s first album demo as well as Slipknot’s first two albums. He was also responsible for producing change-in-artistic-direction albums for both Machine Head (resulting in fan backlash) and Sepultura (resulting in critical acclaim).

His albums are synonomous with a raw energy, prefering to record bands playing live, often utilising unusual methods:

People treat me like I’m this animal freak but all I want is to capture the spirit that people have in them. I know it’s there – it’s just hidden behind layers and layers of the mind and I want to be able to bring that out. Fearlessness is the ultimate love.

I put the microphone on the floor, put Jonathan on all fours and stood over his middle part. My hands were on him, on his shoulder muscles, and I told him, ‘Sing, and if I feel you holding back, I’m going to fucking hurt you
- discussing the recording of Follow the Leader

After changing the landscape of late 90s/early00s metal, he branched out into producing post-hardcore producing At the Drive-In’s Relationship of Command, The Blood Brothers' …Burn, Piano Island, Burn, both of Glassjaw’s first two albums everything you ever wanted to know about silence and Worship and Tribute, as well as Amen’s first three albums Amen, We Have Come for your Parents and Join, or Die. As with his foray into nu-metal, his production on these albums was met with critical and commerical success.

Branching even further out, he has also produced Tech N9ne’s Therapy EP as well as the critically acclaimed self titled, 2004 release from The Cure.