The Enthusiast’s Guide: Nickelback
- Rock Metal Machine
- Dec 28, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 5
Mike Newdeck gives us his take on one of Canada’s most successful musical exports…
The Controversy Surrounding Nickelback
Hate: /heit/ - verb “An intense dislike”
This is a strong word. It's one that became closely linked with Nickelback in the mid-noughties after the release of their biggest-selling album, All The Right Reasons.
The band faced a barrage of memes and criticism, as highlighted in the recent documentary Hate To Love. Despite this, they maintained a brave front and often responded with good humour. Critics have claimed that lead singer Chad Kroeger is not a very nice person. Some even go as far as to label him a "douche," if you believe our American cousins. Others criticize their music as generic or accuse the band of faking their past with nostalgia-based lyrics. There are also claims of misogynistic undertones in their songs, a recurring theme in rock music.
Popularity often breeds contempt. Despite the backlash, Nickelback has remained a popular act for over 25 years. They continue to sell out arena shows worldwide. This success can be attributed to two main factors: their incredibly loyal fan base and Chad Kroeger’s knack for writing appealing songs. His repertoire includes everything from headbangers to catchy pop tunes and emotional ballads. He knows what his fans want to hear.
The Band's Origins
Nickelback's journey began in Hanna, Alberta, in the early '90s. Initially, they were known as Village Idiot, performing covers of Metallica and Led Zeppelin. The original trio consisted of Chad and Mike Kroeger, along with Ryan Peake. Their cousin Brandon Kroeger was the drummer initially but left as the band gained popularity. He couldn't dedicate enough time to the band. Mitch Guidon replaced him but also departed soon after, citing touring issues.
The drum position has been the only one to see changes over the years. Ryan Vikedal replaced Guidon and played on Silver Side Up and The Long Road. However, he was later replaced by Daniel Adair, the drummer from 3 Doors Down. After a royalty dispute and burnout from heavy touring, Vikedal spread the word that the upcoming album would be very "ballady." Ironically, that album, All The Right Reasons, became their biggest-selling album and one of America's top-selling albums of all time. Fortunately, Vikedal and the band have since reconciled.
Adair, still a vital part of the band, faced his own challenges. In 2020, he was diagnosed with Radial Tunnel Syndrome, a condition that compresses the radial nerve between the upper arm and wrist. This was particularly debilitating for a drummer. Adair initially resigned from the band, but Chad Kroeger encouraged him to seek treatment. After minor surgery and relearning muscle memory, Adair is back to normal. The band has faced several medical crises, including bassist Mike Kroeger's stroke at 41 and Chad’s vocal cord surgery in 2015.
A Resurgence in Popularity
Interestingly, much like Creed, Nickelback is experiencing a resurgence as a new generation discovers their music. It’s time to ignore the hate and appreciate the band for what they are. In this guide, we’ll delve into the band’s album history, sorting the wheat from the chaff. Think of this as your personal Nickelback combine harvester!
If you’re a casual fan of Nickelback, you might have only heard their hit singles. Perhaps you despise them because of those very singles. Or maybe you’re one of the original social media influencers who hated the band without actually listening to their music. If that's the case, you might have matured over the last twenty years and realized that Nickelback isn’t so bad after all. Maybe you just thought you were being cool by disliking them. Regardless of which group you belong to, isn’t it time to give them another chance? You’d be batshit crazy not to!
Nickelback's Albums Rated
Essential Tracks to Explore
Here are some essential tracks to explore from Nickelback's discography:
San Quentin
Vegas Bomb
(from Get Rollin’)
Bottoms Up
Holding On To Heaven
(from Here And Now)
Leader Of Men
(from The State)
Animals
Fight For All The Wrong Reason
(from All The Right Reasons)
The Devil Went Down To Georgia
(non-album single)
Never Again
Where Do I Hide
(from Silver Side Up)
If Today Was Your Last Day
Burn It To The Ground
(from Dark Horse)
Home
Coin For The Ferryman
(from Feed The Machine)
Million Miles An Hour
The Hammer’s Coming Down
(from No Fixed Address)
Do This Anymore
(from The Long Road)
Unredeemable
(from the Spirited soundtrack, Ryan Reynolds movie)
Listen to it on Spotify.
This article appeared in Fireworks Rock & Metal Magazine Issue #108. The printed edition is sold out, but the digital edition is still available for purchase.
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