Nu metal is a type of music that is part of the alternative metal group. It mixes elements of heavy metal with other music styles, such as hip-hop, funk, industrial, and grunge. Nu metal rarely uses guitar solos or shows off musical skills. Instead, it focuses on rhythm with music that has complex, offbeat patterns. Guitarists often use seven-string guitars that are tuned lower to create a heavier sound. Singing styles are usually rhythmic and influenced by hip-hop, including singing, rapping, screaming, and sometimes growling. DJs sometimes join to add sounds like sampled music, turntable scratches, and electronic background tracks. Nu metal is one of the main types of the new wave of American heavy metal.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, bands like Pantera, Helmet, and Faith No More helped shape nu metal with their groove metal and alternative metal styles. Korn is often credited with starting the subgenre in the mid-1990s with their first album. Nu metal became popular in the late 1990s, with bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Slipknot releasing albums that sold millions of copies.

Its popularity continued into the early 2000s, with bands such as Papa Roach, Staind, and P.O.D. selling many albums. The genre reached its peak in 2001 when Linkin Park’s first album, Hybrid Theory, sold a record number of copies. By the mid-2000s, however, too many bands tried to be popular at the same time, and some big releases did not do well. This led to the subgenre’s decline. Many nu-metal bands stopped performing or changed their music style.

In the 2010s, nu metal had a comeback. Bands that mixed it with other styles, like metalcore and deathcore, appeared. Some older nu-metal bands from the 1990s and early 2000s returned to the sound. Bands such as Of Mice & Men, Emmure, Issues, My Ticket Home, and Bring Me the Horizon combined nu metal with metalcore or deathcore. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, artists like Grimes, Poppy, and Rina Sawayama used nu-metal sounds in electronic pop music. Interest in nu metal grew again in the early 2020s.

Characteristics and fashion

Nu metal is a type of alternative metal music. It is sometimes written as "nü-metal" or called "aggro-metal." MTV says that the band Korn helped start the nu metal scene in 1993, which later became known as nü-metal, similar to how college rock became alternative rock. Stereogum describes nu metal as a strange development from the alt-metal scene of the Lollapalooza era. Nu metal combines heavy metal with other music styles like hip hop, grunge, funk, and alternative rock, according to Blabbermouth.net. Bands in this genre use elements from subgenres such as rap metal, groove metal, and funk metal. Some bands, like Static-X and Dope, mix nu metal with industrial metal. Unlike other metal styles, nu metal often follows the same structure of verses, choruses, and bridges found in pop music.

A funny thing happened: some conservative metal fans disliked hip hop, so bands that blended genres like Faith No More and Infectious Grooves were labeled "funk metal." This did not stop bands from mixing styles further, such as adding DJs who scratch records. Later, bands like Pantera from Texas brought more rhythmic elements to metal, helping create the nu metal movement with bands like Korn, Deftones, Slipknot, and Limp Bizkit.

Nu metal music uses heavily syncopated rhythms, mostly based on guitar riffs. These riffs are inspired by groove metal, but guitar solos are not common in the genre. Mid-song bridges and the lack of solos make it different from other metal styles. Kory Grow of Revolver wrote that nu metal simplified riffs so much that guitar solos became rare. Unlike other metal styles, nu metal focuses more on rhythm than on complexity or mood. The wah pedal is sometimes used in nu metal music.

Bassists and drummers in nu metal are often influenced by funk and hip hop, adding to the genre's rhythmic feel. Fast drumming techniques like blast beats and double bass drumming, common in black metal, thrash metal, and death metal, are rarely used in nu metal. Exceptions include drummers like Slipknot's Joey Jordison and Mudvayne's Matt McDonough.

Nu metal shares similarities with other metal styles, such as using common time, distorted guitars, and power chords based on musical scales like Dorian, Aeolian, or Phrygian. While loud, distorted guitars are a key feature of all metal, nu metal guitarists made the sound of "violence and destruction" even more intense. Music journalists Kitts and Tolinski compared this sound to "a Mack truck being crushed by a collapsing skyscraper."

Some nu metal bands use seven-string guitars that are tuned lower than traditional six-string guitars. Bassists sometimes use five- or six-string instruments. Funk influences are common in bass playing. DJs are sometimes included in nu metal songs to add scratching, sampling, or electronic sounds. Nu metal often includes hip hop rhythms and grooves.

Nu metal combines the vocal style of hip hop with the intensity of metal. Bands often use singing, rapping, screaming, or growling. Vocals are usually rhythmic and influenced by hip hop. Some bands, like Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park, include rapping in their music, while others, like Godsmack and Staind, do not.

Nu metal songs sometimes feature hip hop artists as guests. For example, Korn's song "Children of the Korn" includes rapper Ice Cube, and their song "Play Me" features Nas. Limp Bizkit has worked with artists like Method Man, Lil Wayne, and Snoop Dogg. Linkin Park collaborated with Jay-Z on their 2004 project Collision Course. Kid Rock has also worked with Eminem and Snoop Dogg. Trevor Baker of The Guardian wrote that bands like Linkin Park, Korn, and Limp Bizkit helped break down barriers between rock and urban music.

Nu metal lyrics often focus on angry or negative themes like pain, angst, bullying, emotional issues, abandonment, betrayal, and loneliness, similar to grunge music. These lyrics are usually direct in tone. However, some songs have different themes. For example, P.O.D. writes about hope and promise, and Drowning Pool's song "Bodies" is about moshing. Limp Bizkit's lyrics have been described as misogynistic, while Dope's songs often focus on sex, drugs, and relationships. Deftones' lyrics, once considered nu metal, are more complex and open to interpretation.

Nu metal fashion includes baggy clothes, JNCO jeans, Adidas tracksuits, sports jerseys, baseball caps, hoodies, cargo pants, and sweatpants. Hairstyles often include dreadlocks, braids, spiky hair, chin beards, bald heads, goatees, frosted tips, or dyed hair. Accessories like wallet chains, tattoos, and piercings are common. Nu metal fashion is similar to hip hop style.

Some bands, like Motograter, Mushroomhead, Mudvayne, and Slipknot, wear masks, jumpsuits, costumes, or face paint. Other bands, such as Coal Chamber and Kittie, have gothic styles.

History

Thrash metal band Anthrax influenced nu metal by mixing hip hop and metal in their 1987 rap metal EP I'm the Man. This helped prepare the way for nu metal to develop. Nu metal bands often took their metal influence from groove metal band Pantera. Jonathan Davis, the lead singer of Korn, said that without Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, there would be no Korn. Mike Patton, a singer from Faith No More and Mr. Bungle, influenced many nu metal vocalists because of his wide range of singing styles.

Joel McIver said Korn created the nu metal genre with their 1993 demo Neidermayer's Mind. He also said Korn started the new wave of American heavy metal, a music movement that began in the 1990s. Korn's aggressive guitar riffs, Limp Bizkit's rapping, and Staind's melodic ballads helped shape the sound of nu metal. The term "nu metal" is often linked to producer Ross Robinson, who is called "The Godfather of Nu Metal." Robinson worked with bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Slipknot. Early nu metal bands, such as Korn and Deftones, came from California. However, the genre spread across the United States, with bands like Limp Bizkit from Florida, Staind from Massachusetts, and Slipknot from Iowa. In the book Brave Nu World, Tommy Udo wrote that Coal Chamber might have been the first band to be called "nu metal" in a live review in Spin magazine.

In 1994, Korn released their first album, which is widely considered the first nu metal album. At that time, Korn was popular underground, and their album reached number 72 on the Billboard 200. In 1995, Sugar Ray released its first album Lemonade and Brownies, described as both funk metal and nu metal. That same year, Deftones released their first album Adrenaline, which reached number 23 on the Heatseekers Albums chart in 1996. In 1996, Deftones faced controversy when their singer, Chino Moreno, was blamed by TV news for a riot at the U-Fest festival. Adrenaline was certified gold by the RIAA in 1999 and platinum in 2008.

Sepultura's 1996 album Roots included nu metal elements that influenced the genre, and Roots itself was inspired by Korn's first album. Nu metal became more popular when Korn's 1996 album Life Is Peachy reached number 3 on the Billboard 200 and sold 106,000 copies in its first week. Ozzy Osbourne's 1996 introduction of Ozzfest helped many nu metal bands gain attention, including Limp Bizkit.

Few artists were playing nu metal until 1997, when bands like Sevendust, Coal Chamber, Limp Bizkit, and Papa Roach released their first albums. Billboard called this a "banner year" for the genre. Limp Bizkit's first album, Three Dollar Bill, Y'all, was released in 1997. It became popular in 1999, reaching platinum status in the United States and double platinum in 2001. Coal Chamber's first album, released in 1997, was certified gold in 1999 and compared to Korn. The band appeared on Ozzfest in 1996 and again in the following years. Sugar Ray's 1997 album Floored achieved mainstream success, with its single "Fly" becoming a hit. However, the band later moved away from nu metal and became a pop rock group. Deftones' second album, Around the Fur, released in 1997, reached number 29 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold in 1999 and platinum in 2011.

In 1998, nu metal became a mainstream success. Billboard called August 18, 1998, the "Biggest Day in Nu-Metal History," when Korn's Follow the Leader, Kid Rock's Devil Without a Cause, and Orgy's Candyass were released. Follow the Leader reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified 5× platinum. At this time, many nu metal bands signed with major labels and blended heavy metal, hip hop, industrial, or grunge. Hip hop artists like Vanilla Ice and Cypress Hill, along with heavy metal bands like Sepultura and Slayer, released albums influenced by nu metal. In 1999, Korn's Issues reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified 3× platinum in one month. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and P.O.D. appeared on Total Request Live. Nu metal especially appealed to young people, with Limp Bizkit's hedonistic lyrics attracting "jocks" and fraternity members, while heavier bands appealed to mall goths and outsiders who related to the genre's angsty themes.

The Woodstock 1999 festival featured nu metal bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Sevendust. During Limp Bizkit's performance, violence occurred, and people tore plywood from walls while the band played "Break Stuff." Sexual assaults were reported during the festival, including a rape during Korn's set. Despite these incidents, Limp Bizkit's popularity and sales of their album Significant Other remained strong. The album reached number 1 on the Billboard 200, sold over a million copies in two weeks, and was certified 7× platinum in 2001.

In 1999, Slipknot released their self-titled album, which was certified platinum in 2000 and 2× platinum in 2005. AllMusic reviewer Rick Anderson said Slipknot's music was heavier than Limp Bizkit's and noted the influence of death metal. Slipknot's drummer, Joey Jordison, said their music had roots in death metal, thrash, and speed metal.

In 1999, Staind's second album Dysfunction was released. The track "Mudshovel" reached number 10 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Dysfunction was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Legacy

Nu metal became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but many heavy metal fans criticized it. Some called it "mallcore" or "whinecore," which are unfavorable terms. Gregory Heaney of AllMusic said nu metal was "one of metal's more unfortunate pushes into the mainstream." Lucy Jones of NME called it "the worst genre of all time." Garry Sharpe-Young, in Metal: The Definitive Guide, described nu metal as "a dumbed-down and—thankfully short[-]lived exercise."

When Machine Head released The Burning Red and changed their appearance, including vocalist Robb Flynn spiking his hair, fans accused the band of "selling out." Machine Head's drummer, Dave McClain, said, "Pissing people off isn't a bad thing… we know we're going to piss people off with this record." Robb Flynn, the vocalist, did not comment further.

Jonathan Davis, the vocalist of Korn, spoke about the criticism of nu metal. Randy Blythe of Lamb of God said, "Nu-metal sucks… people are ready for angrier music." Megadeth's Dave Mustaine said he would "rather have his eyelids pulled out" than listen to nu metal. Guitarist Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer said he was "so glad" about the decline of nu metal.

Some musicians who influenced nu metal tried to distance themselves from it. Mike Patton of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle said, "I feel no responsibility for that… it's their mothers' fault, not mine." Helmet's Page Hamilton said it was frustrating that people associated his band with nu metal.

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails said he knew Korn members and thought they were "cool guys," but he remained critical of nu metal.

When Limp Bizkit won an MTV Video Music Award in 2000, Rage Against the Machine's Tim Commerford climbed a backdrop and was arrested. In 2015, Commerford apologized, saying, "I really do… feel bad that we inspired such bullshit."

After Korn's 1998 album Follow the Leader, nu metal produced many bands. Some were criticized for mixing rap-rock and alternative radio rock, while others had heavier metal influences. Jody MacGregor of FasterLouder called nu metal "music's most hated genre" but also said it was "not as bad as people think."

Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit defended nu metal, saying it "let people open up." Corey Taylor of Slipknot said nu metal was important for the next wave of American heavy metal. Dez Fafara of Coal Chamber said nu metal "broke new musical ground." Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins praised nu metal for mixing musical styles. Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust said the genre's 2020s resurgence was positive.

Jack Porter of The Michigan Daily defended nu metal. Eduardo Rivadavia of Loudwire said nu metal helped heavy metal regain popularity in the late 1990s, leading to new movements like metalcore.

Some musicians rejected the nu metal label. Slipknot described their music as "metal metal." Jonathan Davis of Korn initially said, "We're not 'nu-metal'… we're just Korn." In 2014, Davis said, "If we invented nu-metal… that's pretty insane." In 2019, he said, "It's pretty cool to say we helped invent some kind of movement."

Aaron Lewis of Staind said, "If we get called a 'nu metal' band one more time…" Chino Moreno of Deftones said, "We told motherfuckers not to lump us in with nu metal." Moreno criticized Korn's 2002 album Untouchables, saying, "It gets too old after a while."