There is no denying that the groundbreaking HBO series The Sopranos was a masterclass in television. There is, however, one glaring element to the show’s legacy that has consistently been shunned by critics — AJ Soprano’s unparalleled collection of nü-metal shirts.
It only took twenty years, but finally, the injustice has come to an end. One valiant Twitter user has set up an account dedicated to archiving all of AJ Soprano’s hectic nü-metal fits.
‘AJ Soprano’s nu-metal shirts’ is here to catalogue all the great nü-metal moments featured over the course of The Sopranos. From AJ’s Hypebeast Slipknot windbreaker to the Linkin Park instrumentals used to soundtrack the shows most poignant scenes. It truly is gospel.
season 01, episode 4: AJ wears his first band shirt and it's a Marilyn Manson one. Plus, he rocks his room with several posters of Ulver, Moonspell, Nevermore and Stuck Mojo. What a start. #numetal #thesopranos pic.twitter.com/vD4GITeS5b
— AJ Soprano's nu-metal shirts (@ajsopranoshirts) December 13, 2018
season 03, episode 03: AJ visits Meadow at her dorm and he's busting out a 1999 burgundy Slipknot windbreaker. GOD TIER NU METAL. pic.twitter.com/l6ZunGO4RS
— AJ Soprano's nu-metal shirts (@ajsopranoshirts) January 5, 2019
As well as offering a complete history of the intersection between nü-metal and Italian family dynamics, the Twitter account also dishes servings of scathing societal critique.
1999 AJ: 20 years from now hardcore bros will try to impress fake goth girls by bringing nu metal back pic.twitter.com/wWbzTjT5Tm
— AJ Soprano's nu-metal shirts (@ajsopranoshirts) May 10, 2019
Robert Iler, the actor who plays AJ, had dabbled in the realm of nü-metal before he landed his major role in The Sopranos. In 1995 Iller appeared in the video for Marilyn Manson’s single ‘Dope Hat.’ In the video, Iller plays an innocent child who is subjected to the torments of a very menacing Manson. Check it out below.
Watch: Marilyn Manson ‘Dope Hat’
You too can channel your inner AJ Soprano later this year when Slipknot grace our golden shores with their masked metal stylings. The band will be joining Metallica on the Australian leg of their WorldWired tour. Check out the tour dates and ticket information below.
Metallica’s WorldWired Australia Tour 2019
With special guests Slipknot
Thursday, October 17th
Optus Stadium, Perth, WA
Sunday, October 20th
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, SA
Tuesday October 22nd (Sold Out)Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday October 24th
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday October 26th
ANZ Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Tuesday, October 29th
QSAC, Brisbane, QLD
Thursday, October 31st (Sold Out)Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, NZ
Saturday, November 2nd
Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, NZ
Tickets available through Live Nation