Nu metal

Nu metal is a controversial subgenre of alternative rock. It sometimes bears some influence from hip-hop, because rhythmic innovation and syncopation are primary. Nu metal bands also feature aggressive vocals (either rapped, shouted, or sung), drop-tuned guitars that are clean or distorted, (with riffing similar to the Seattle scene of the early 1990's) a funk-based rhythm section, and occassional DJ techniques such as turntables and sampling. Generally speaking, the emphasis is on either communicating feelings of angst and hostility, or motivating a crowd to move with the beat -- ideally, both at once. The popularity of such music in the late 1990s led to widespread negative associations with the phrase "nu metal", particularly due to commercialisation, and many nu-metal fans and artists reject the term, which has become almost an all-purpose musical insult. A related term, mallcore, is used similarly to dismiss aggressive music that is seemingly calculated to appeal to angst-filled young teenagers.

Grunge, Post-Grunge and Nu-Metal

After Kurt Cobain's death in 1994, grunge's viability would die as well: Alice In Chains' appearances would be sporadic due to Layne Staley's reclusive (and eventually fatal) drug addiction, Soundgarden would record only one more full-length, "Down on the Upside", before splitting up the following year, and Pearl Jam would scrap the rainy bleakness of "Ten" in favor of more politically-focused rock songs, mostly taking form as a side-project with singer Eddie Vedder.

Related Topics:
Alice In Chains - Layne Staley - Soundgarden - Pearl Jam - Eddie Vedder

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Perhaps more than any other musical definition, grunge is the most recognizable ancestor of nu-metal; the quick jolts of distorted guitar chords, tortured vocals and lyrics of angst have found clear public display in signature nu-metal artists, including those with a reputation for initiating "hip hop" into their sound. Grunge song structures have found noticeable influence to the hooks of many nu-metal bands. For example, both genres usually start with a pounding intro which subdues for a softer and vulnerable verse. The vocals start clean. The chorus loses vulnerability, and becomes loud (with the song intro sometimes being a part of this) with the vocals becoming harsh. The bridge is sometimes in-between both soft and loud, or both. Finally, both outros usually consist of the chorus being repeated a number of times.

Related Topics:
Grunge

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The most apparent offspring to grunge is post-grunge, which is often quickly dismissed as nu-metal. Whether it is or isn't has been a subject of debate or matter of opinion, since both styles sometimes cross-over.

Related Topics:
Grunge - Post-grunge

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Days of the New is perhaps the first post-grunge band with a sound that best defines the groups that would precede: Mostly acoustic riffs, and a less iconclastic, more radio-driven mentality liklier to appeal to an older, mainstream audience. Creed, Nickelback and 3 Doors Down are nondebatable examples of post-grunge bands.

Related Topics:
Days of the New - Creed - Nickelback - 3 Doors Down

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Others, such as Cold, Staind, and Puddle of Mudd have been

Related Topics:
Cold - Staind - Puddle of Mudd

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seen as both, since the song paces are usually faster, the guitars are louder, and the consumer field is generally younger and usually a fan of what could comfortably be defined as "nu-metal".

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