Nu metal is a subgenre of alternative metal that blends elements of heavy metal with influences from other genres such as hip hop, funk, industrial, and grunge. It typically emphasises rhythm and syncopation, with guitar work often involving down-tuned seven-string guitars to create a heavier sound. Guitar solos and technical displays are generally less common in nu metal. Vocal styles vary and may include singing, rapping, screaming, and occasionally growling. Some nu metal bands incorporate DJs to add elements such as sampling, turntable scratching, and electronic background sounds. Nu metal is considered a significant part of the new wave of American heavy metal.
The development of nu metal was influenced in the late 1980s and early 1990s by bands like Pantera, Helmet, and Faith No More, who contributed through their groove metal and alternative metal styles. Korn is frequently recognised as a pioneer of the subgenre with their self-titled debut album in the mid-1990s. Nu metal gained widespread popularity in the late 1990s, with bands such as Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Slipknot releasing albums that achieved high sales. This popularity extended into the early 2000s, with acts like Papa Roach, Staind, and P.O.D. achieving multi-platinum sales. The peak of nu metal’s commercial success is often marked by Linkin Park’s album "Hybrid Theory," which attained diamond certification in 2001.
By the mid-2000s, nu metal's prominence declined due to market saturation and the less successful reception of some major releases. This decline coincided with the rise of metalcore and led some nu metal bands to disband or shift their musical style towards other genres.
During the 2010s, there was a resurgence of interest in nu metal, often combined with genres such as metalcore and deathcore. Bands including Of Mice & Men, Emmure, Issues, My Ticket Home, and Bring Me the Horizon blended nu metal elements with these styles. Additionally, artists like Grimes, Poppy, and Rina Sawayama incorporated aspects of nu metal into electronic pop music in the late 2010s and early 2020s. This period saw a renewed interest in nu metal in the early 2020s.
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