Nu Metal

Hello, metalheads! Last week we talked extensively about the alternative metal subgenre, and this week we are going to talk about its close cousin, nu metal. Nu metal was pioneered in the late 1990s, based on the roots laid in place by alternative metal. Its popularity continued into the early 2000s, until around 2005 when the subgenre lost its momentum.

Nu metal is a subgenre that was devised by bands who decided to experiment with heavy metal music by combining it with other genres such as hip-hop and grunge. This subgenre was different from anything else that had come before it because it really attempted to blend heavy metal with popular music. There are a lot of pop sensibilities to nu metal that make the subgenre more marketable to a larger group of young fans. 

Musically speaking, the subgenre involves the more frequent usage of seven-string guitars and five or six-string bass guitars. Music sampling, scratching and electronic sounds are very common features of nu metal music. Additionally, nu metal features a wide variety of vocal styles, but the subgenre is particularly notable for featuring rapping vocals, which is traditionally very uncommon in heavy metal music.  

Before I continue to talk about the major bands of nu metal, there is a common misconception that I would like to clear up. There is no such thing as “rap metal.” A lot of critics and heavy metal fans alike have used the term “rap metal” to describe metal bands that use rapping vocals. The truth is that most of these groups are just nu metal bands and alternative metal bands working within the confines of their subgenre. The term “rap metal” is an outdated way to describe these bands before the terms “alternative metal” and “nu metal” were actually coined. 

Moving on. The most important bands of nu metal are Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, Deftones and Staind. Often lumped into the nu metal scene are Linkin Park, Disturbed, Marilyn Manson, System of a Down and Rob Zombie due to their musical similarities to many bands in the subgenre. Many of these bands have worked with producer Ross Robinson and because of that, he is often referred to as “The Godfather of Nu Metal.”

Korn is the first band to truly be labeled as a nu metal band, and is often credited with starting the scene of music. Korn’s first three albums pioneered the subgenre, with 1998’s Follow the Leader bringing nu metal to mainstream audiences. The band is known for their vulgar lyrics, with many of their songs being based off of traumatic personal experiences. Korn has continued to experience success even today, and are now experimenting with combining heavy metal and dubstep in order to reach a new generation of metalheads.

Limp Bizkit is particularly known for their unique combination of heavy metal, rap and hip-hop. The band experienced a great amount of success during the late 1990s and early 2000s, selling over 33 million albums worldwide. They were one of the first bands to really commercialize nu metal and they helped to develop the imagery of the subgenre.

Slipknot is one of the most iconic bands of the nu metal subgenre, featuring nine members. The group was heavier than most bands in the subgenre, though they still made use of many of nu metal’s signature qualities. Slipknot is notable for being instantly acclaimed by much of the heavy metal community, whereas many other nu metal bands received criticism. This was mostly due to the chaotic and intense live shows that the band thrives on. Additionally, the group is notable for their usage of masks and costumes during concerts, and many members of the band have rarely been seen without them. Slipknot continues to achieve great success today, however they recently lost their bassist due to a drug overdose, reducing the band from nine members to eight.

Deftones are another major nu metal band. Along with Slipknot, they were notable for their heavier nature than bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit. Deftones was well respected as they rose to popularity due to combining more traditional styles of heavy music with the nu metal template. Deftones have three platinum albums and have managed to achieve much critical acclaim, particularly for their most recent album, Diamond Eyes. The album was the first recorded without Chi Cheng due to his involvement in a terrible career-ending car accident, leaving him mentally impaired.

Staind is the final nu metal band which we must talk about. Staind is more of a hard rock-oriented nu metal band, often delving into post-grunge and alternative rock territories. Nonetheless, the group helped to transition the world from grunge to nu metal and has sold 15 million albums worldwide to date.

Nu metal was not initially well-received by many traditional metalheads and critics alike. Since then, many have accepted the subgenre as a part of history and heavy metal culture. Many older bands in the subgenre continue to experience success today, but the scene has greatly died down and now there aren’t many new acts experiencing success in nu metal. Still, the subgenre is a huge part of the history of heavy metal music, and it impacted the direction of genre to come.