Nu Metal is a movement that mostly exploded onto the scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was a new generation of metal fans who mixed and matched across many of the previous sub-genres of metal that came before them. Some of them would eschew the use of guitar solos, and some would not. They did not fit into a nice "this is what you must sound like" categorization, but they did share common sonic ancestry.
This continues the series I have titled Metal Tree that can be followed simply by clicking on the #metaltree tag for the post to see all the past posts. It began in my original post that was inspired by the Metal Evolution documentary series by Sam Dunn and Banger Films. While I was still able to edit that original post I was adding links to all of the follow up posts at the bottom. I have not been able to do that for over a week, so to see them all at this point clicking the #metaltree tag is the best way to ensure you don't miss a post.
Let Us Begin
The key thing here seems to be bands that released in the late 1990s and early 2000s that were often a hybrid of many sub-genres. They were not going for the ultra technical approach though so you couldn't really refer to them as Progressive Metal or some experimental hybrid sub-genre like that. This was indeed experimentation and progress for the sounds of metal, but it did not focus on crazed technical ability either. It simply tried to do new things. A lot of them like to mix rap and hip hop techniques and sounds in with the metal. This music is also radio friendly and tends to get a lot of airplay. That also helps with its exposure.
Korn
Band First Released: 1994
Nationality: United States
Freak On A Leash
Coming Undone
Falling Away From Me
P.O.D.
Band First Released: 1994
Nationality: United States
Southtown
Goodbye For Now
Boom
Stabbing Westward
Band First Released: 1994
Nationality: United States
Save Yourself
Shame
What Do I Have To Do?
Deftones
Band First Released: 1995
Nationality: United States
Change
Diamond Eyes
My Own Summer
Stuck Mojo
Band First Released: 1995
Nationality: United States
Open Season
I'm American
Not Promised Tomorrow
Staind
Band First Released: 1996
Nationality: United States
It's Been Awhile
Outside
For You
Limp Bizkit
Band First Released: 1997
Nationality:United States
Break Stuff
My Way
My Generation
Papa Roach
Band First Released: 1997
Nationality: United States
Last Resort
Scars
Hollywood Whore
Coal Chamber
Band First Released: 1997
Nationality: United States
Loco
Fiend
I.O.U. Nothing
Sevendust
Band First Released: 1997
Nationality: United States
Praise
Denial
Angel's Son
System of A Down
Band First Released: 1998
Nationality: United States
Chop Suey!
B.Y.O.B.
Aerials
Kittie
Band First Released: 2000
Nationality: Canada
Brackish
What I Always Wanted
Cut Throat
Linkin Park
Band First Released: 2000
Nationality: United States
Numb
New Divide
In The End
Disturbed
Band First Released: 2000
Nationality: United States
Stricken
Down With The Sickness
Indestructible
Closing
As with all of my previous metal tree posts if you feel I left out an important act you think should have been included in the Nu Metal sub-genre please reply with a video link. Note there will be a New Wave of American Heavy Metal coming up as a sub-genre in the near future and some acts may fit there. I would say if your metal act fits with these above and came out in the late 1990s to early 2000s then it might indeed be a good fit for Nu Metal. Thank you for reading, listening, and watching.
Steem On!
