Nu Metal Guide: Explore the Genre’s History and Characteristics

Nu metal, also known as nü-metal, is a subgenre of alternative metal that fuses heavy metal music with other styles like hip hop, grunge, alternative rock, hard rock, and funk. This heavy metal subgenre was influenced by and contains elements of synth-pop, hardcore punk, jazz, rap metal, groove metal, and industrial metal. The musical stylings of ’80s bands Faith No More (an experimental metal band) and Anthrax (rap-metal pioneers) largely influenced the subgenre. Nu metal is a less aggressive form of death metal, and elements of the genre have become a part of other hybrid genres like metalcore and deathcore. Notable nu-metal bands include Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Deftones, Mudvayne, Crazy Town, Soulfly, Alien Ant Farm, and Static-X.

The rise of nu metal is primarily attributed to the band Korn, who released their debut, self-titled album in 1994, ushering in a new wave of metal music. American record producer Ross Robinson, who had previously been a thrash metal guitarist, helped take Korn from an up-and-coming band to massive success. He focused on their low-end guitar sounds and heavy, dark emotion, creating a new sound previously not heard in the metal scene. This subgenre would influence bands like Coal Chamber, Slipknot, and Limp Bizkit, further pushing nu metal into the mainstream and contributing to its rise in popularity.

Nu metal has a few defining characteristics, such as:

• Heavy syncopation. Syncopated rhythms are those that do not align with the downbeats of individual measures. A syncopated beat will emphasize traditional weak beats and tend to sound more striking than non-syncopated rhythmic patterns. Heavily syncopated riffs and beats contribute to nu metal’s dissonant, asymmetrical sound.
• Direct lyrics. Nu metal songs often contain angsty and direct lyrics. However, not all nu-metal lyrics are angry. While some cover various topics like bullying and betrayal, others are about partying, moshing at concerts, hope, and even humor.
• Mixed vocals. Nu metal vocals include a mixture of aggressive singing (though it can still be melodic), screaming, and rapping.
• Turntables. Some groups like Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, and Incubus use DJs to provide additional layers of sound like electronic beats or scratching.

There are a couple of key differences between nu metal and heavy metal:

• Nu metal often features rapping. Nu metal often features rapping, which is one significant distinction between the hybrid genre and heavy metal. Traditional heavy metal uses powerful, aggressive vocal stylings and does not feature rapping.
• Metal features guitar solos. Guitar solos are an essential part of the heavy metal sound. These instrumental passages vary in length and are usually supported by drums and bass. Legendary metal bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, and Black Sabbath are lauded by fans and critics alike for their innovative solos. Conversely, nu metal rarely features guitar solos.

Nu metal has become a part of the fabric of music history since it hit the mainstream in the late 90s. Some well-known nu-metal bands over the years include:

1. 1. Linkin Park: Hailing from Agoura Hills, California, this band debuted in 1996 and originally featured members Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon, and Brad Delson, who eventually recruited lead singer Chester Bennington. Hybrid Theory, the band’s debut album, has sold over 10 million copies since its release in 2000. Some of their biggest hits include “In the End,” “Breaking the Habit,” and “Crawling.”
2. 2. Korn: Considered the pioneers of the nu-metal genre, Korn began in 1993 in Bakersfield, California, and consisted of members James Shaffer, Reginald Arvizu, Brian Welch, Jonathan Davis, and David Silveria (who was replaced by drummer Ray Luzier in 2007). Their more popular songs include “Freak on a Leash” and “Falling Away From Me.” In the late ‘90s, they released their third album, Follow the Leader, which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and certified five-times platinum.
3. 3. Evanescence: Singer and pianist Amy Lee, along with guitarist Ben Moody, formed Evanescence in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1995. Lee’s powerful mixed voice singing style, paired with Moody’s rap verses, sets the group apart from other male-dominated bands in the genre. Two of their biggest hits include “Bring Me to Life” and “My Immortal.”
4. 4. POD: An acronym for “Payable on Death, this band was formed in 1992 in San Diego, California, and is one of the few Christian bands to ascend to the heights of the genre. The original members include Wuv Bernardo, Sonny Sandoval, Marcos Curiel, and Gabe Portillo. Some of their biggest hits include “Youth of the Nation,” “Alive,” and “Satellite.”
5. 5. Deftones: Formed in Sacramento, California in 1988, by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Chino Moreno, the Deftones lineup includes guitarist Stephen Carpenter, drummer Abe Cunningham, and bassist Dominic Garcia. Some of the band’s better-known songs include “Change (In the House of Flies),” “Be Quiet and Drive,” and “Passenger.”
6. 6. Rage Against the Machine: Rage Against the Machine was formed in Los Angeles in the early 1990s. The group is known for their politically charged lyrics and dynamic sound, influenced by Led Zeppelin, Public Enemy, and Gil Scott Heron. Founding members include Zack de la Rocha, Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, and Brad Wilk. “Know Your Enemy,” “Bulls on Parade,” and “Guerilla Radio” are some of their most popular songs.
7. 7. System of a Down: System of a Down is an Armenian-American nu-metal band formed in Glendale, California, in 1994. The band’s current lineup includes lead singer Serj Tankian, vocalist and lead guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian, and drummer John Dolmayan. Their biggest songs include “Chop Suey,” “B.Y.O.B.,” and “Toxicity.”
8. 8. Papa Roach: Formed in 1993 in Vacaville, California, the original members of Papa Roach include Jacoby Shaddix, Jerry Horton, Will James, Ben Luther, and Dave Buckner. “Last Resort,” “Scars,” and “Lifeline” peaked the Billboard charts in the 2000s.
9. 9. Limp Bizkit: Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, the band formed in 1994 with frontman Fred Durst and members Sam Rivers, John Otto, Leor Dimant (known by his stage name DJ Lethal), and Wes Borland. Some big hits include “Nookie,” “Break Stuff,” and “My Way.” Their third studio album, Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water went platinum within its first week of sales.

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