“I’d play Bodies five times a night if people really wanted it that bad!" How a misunderstood mosh anthem and patronage by Sharon Osbourne made Drowning Pool nu metal's new superstars - before tragedy snatched it all away

Drowning Pool in the video for Bodies

Drowning Pool’s breakout single, Bodies just might be the ultimate nu metal anthem. Even well over 20 years on from release, the song maintains a near-ubiquitous presence in metal clubs, bars and gig playlists right across the planet. An unabashed love letter to mosher culture, the song arose during the golden age of nu metal, proof positive that any new band could fly from obscurity to stardom with the right song. Only, Drowning Pool never really saw themselves as a nu metal band.

“We actually always wanted to be Pantera,” admits bassist Stevie Benton. “But by the time our first album came out bands like Limp Bizkit and Korn were popular, so when Bodies became really popular the logic was that we also must be a nu metal band like Limp Bizkit.”