Classified by some people to be any rock band that sounds sorta hard and gets MTV and radio play. Much of it IS unoriginal and contains meaningless repetitive lyrics but that doesn't mean all nu-metal sucks. Unimaginative doesn't equal untalented. Sounding similar doesn't necessarily equal cookie cutter pattern. Some is all of the above but if you like it, then that's your choice. Songs like Headstrong by Trapt are pretty catchy, though.
by kaze2k5 March 08, 2004
A marketing term used by record companies to classify a band. Usually it is used in an insulting kind of way, and many bands are unwillingly placed in the genre. Often confused with New Metal.
by Stigma July 09, 2004
A genre of music that was formed in the late 90s in the post-grunge era. The influences are the meaning of songs from the grunge bands like Nirvana and Alice in Chains and the sound from the metals bands from the 70s, 80s and early 90s like Black Sabbath, Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Pantera. Personally, I think nu-metal is o.k. Some of the bands are pretty good (Linkin Park, KoRn) while others are a disgrace to music all together (Limp Bizkit). The whole music war going on is pointless because nu-metal is no where near the best type of music out there and it will never be. For all of the die hard haters, just think of it as metal with maybe Megadeth or Motley Crue. For the die hard fans, listen to Queen, Sublime, STP or Foo Fighters for a little, then you'll see what good music is.
Linkin Park and KoRn are pretty good bands. Limp Bizkit is horrible. STP, Metallica, Foo Fighters and Led Zeppelin are 100x better than any nu-metal band out there.
by Jamarcus Fat May 31, 2010
Nü Metal isn't classic metal. It's not supposed to be classic metal. It is a different genre. That's what everybody that has defined nü metal needs to understand.
For nü metal, I mainly listen to Mudvayne, System of a Down, and Stone Sour. But I also listen to real metal; Children of Bodom, In Flames, and Arch Enemy to name a few.
Just because it isn't as hard as classic metal, that doesn't mean it isn't good.
For nü metal, I mainly listen to Mudvayne, System of a Down, and Stone Sour. But I also listen to real metal; Children of Bodom, In Flames, and Arch Enemy to name a few.
Just because it isn't as hard as classic metal, that doesn't mean it isn't good.
by brqgn June 22, 2004
Classic metal fan: Let's listen to Manowar.
Nu metal fan: I'd rather listen to Korn.
Classic metal fan: Fuck, dude, it isn't REAL metal, it's just shitty nu metal, without awesome guitar solos or musical talent.
Nu metal fan: a music's value isn't based on its complexity. Read Adorno, asshole.
Classic metal fan: I'd rather play WoW.
Nu metal fan: I'd rather listen to Korn.
Classic metal fan: Fuck, dude, it isn't REAL metal, it's just shitty nu metal, without awesome guitar solos or musical talent.
Nu metal fan: a music's value isn't based on its complexity. Read Adorno, asshole.
Classic metal fan: I'd rather play WoW.
by bluesmaster June 11, 2010
Copied from wikipedia:Bands linked with nu metal derive influence from a variety of diverse styles, including electronica/electronic music, funk, glam rock, gothic rock, grunge, hardcore punk, hip hop, industrial rock, jazz, post punk and synthpop. Also, nu metal derives influence from multiple subgenres of heavy metal including rap metal, funk metal and thrash metal. Nu metal music is mostly syncopated and based on riffs. Its lack of guitar solos and virtuousity contrasts it with other metal subgenres. Another way in which nu metal is contrasted with other metal subgenres is its emphasis on rhythm. Similarities with other metal subgenres include its use of common time, distorted guitars, power chords and note structures primarily revolving around Dorian, Aeolian or Phrygian modes. Some nu metal bands use 7-string guitars over traditional 6-string guitars. 7-string guitars, which are sometimes downtuned to increase heaviness, resulted in bass guitarists using five-string and six-string instruments. Some nu metal bands feature a DJ for additional rhythmic instrumentation. The vocals of many bands may range from melodic singing to rapping to screaming to death growling or in some cases have all of these styles in a single song but it can range from song to song. The lyrics of many nu metal bands focus on pain and personal alienation rather than the themes of other metal subgenres. I thought Id put a definition in that doesnt use childish behaviour to put foward biased arguments
by Metalftw December 05, 2010
A garbage term where anything new, which people can't reconcile with straight archetypal Hard Rock, Metal, Punk, or Rap, goes. To give an example, while Linkin Park may be more closely associated with the 'mainstream' sides of punk, Slipknot is undoubtedly a prime figure of aggro metal. This is where the often misunderstood value of nu metal lies. It attempts an unconscious vocalization of primordial anger, perhaps even without deeper meanings, complex metaphors, or beautiful or technical instrumentals. And that is why it does something that no other genre has ever been successful in doing. It does not try to appeal to intelligence or to a technically minded ear. It appeals to anger, rage, frustration, and, yes, even to angst but all of these things only to feed Hatred. To truly arrive at hatred, it is necessary to sometimes incorporate a grabbag of other emotions, or even to disregard any sort of musical sanity. For example, it is to numetal we owe the completely original vocalization of hatred that is offered by Johnathan Davis in the popular song "Freak on a Leash." We hear insane grunts and intake of breath before we arrive at the end of the song, where Davis breaks into a hate filled nonsense utterance rap that is could never have existed in another genre. In short, the point of aggro is to bypass the conscious, to claw it away, and to reach and agitate the subconscious death drive and hatred of all living things, all humanity.
John Pobbleton sat down, unwound his dirt laden white ipod headphones, and turned on some nu-metal, specifically, "Freak on a Leash." For the next couple of minutes he began to furiously rip all of the skin off his index finger. After about three minutes, he bolted up from his seat, and commenced to systematically drive the bone of his index finger through the now seemingly paperthin skulls of everyone in the room. Luckily, the nu-metal drowned out all of their resistance and screams, and by the time the song was over, Pobbleton was the only sentient organism left in the room. Additionally, he felt much, much better.
by DomINick February 09, 2012