Nu Metal / Emo

Nu metal is a form of Alternative Metal that emerged in the mid-1990s, beginning with bands such as Deftones and Korn. Musically, there is a large emphasis placed on rhythm. The guitar is often used as a rhythm instrument, relying more on techniques like syncopation, palm muting, drop tunings and power chords than the more intricate lead guitar work of traditional Metal styles. The rhythm section frequently displays elements of Funk Metal, Hip Hop, and various types of metal; it often eschews techniques more prevalent in extreme metal such as double bass drumming in favour of a more groove-oriented sound. Some bands also employ a DJ on turntables as part of their lineup to further emphasize these elements. The genre does have some crossover into other styles. Most notably is the blending with Rap Rock and Rap Metal, as nu metal often has rapped vocals and a similar aggression like the other two. Additionally, some groups would play with the contemporary style of Post-Grunge, which nu metal sometimes adopts the vocal style and pop sensibility of.

Lyrically, nu metal often deals with themes of angst and hostility and the vocals are usually aggressive, though not to the point where the lyrics become indiscernible. Stylistically, the vocals can be in the form of rapping, singing, or a shouting/screaming style similar to Hardcore Punk or extreme metal. Many bands combine several of these styles and alternate between them within songs.

Production also plays a part in the nu metal sound, often favouring a “clean” and polished production style with liberal use of distortion and post-processing effects to both music and vocals to further enhance the atmosphere of the music. Ross Robinson is a notable producer in the genre and had a hand in the production of many staple nu metal releases of bands such as Slipknot and Korn.

Although nu metal started around 1994, the genre would reach its largest popularity at the turn of the millenium. Bands of this boom included Limp Bizkit, Disturbed and especially Linkin Park, who had the metallic elements and rapping of nu metal but carried a more melodic sound. Several tours around this time like Family Values, Woodstock 1999 and Ozzfest would expose nu metal to a larger, mainstream audience. After peaking and breaking into the pop charts in the early 2000s, the genre sharply declined in popularity. Part of this was fueled by large groups moving away from the style, most notably Deftones on White Pony, but much of the decline can be credited to the rise in popularity of other rock movements like Indie Rock and Pop Punk.

Despite nu metal losing popularity in the mid-2000s, it would have some influence on future trends. For example, bands like Emmure would start incorporating elements into their aggressive, mosh friendly style of Metalcore.