Alternative metal

Alternative metal
Stylistic origins Alternative rock, heavy metal
Cultural origins Mid–late 1980s, United States
Typical instruments Vocals, guitar, bass, drums
Mainstream popularity Underground in 1980s, moderate in early 1990s, mainstream in mid to late 1990s, moderate in 2000s, slowly rising in late 2000s, revival in early 2010s
Derivative forms Nu metal, funk metal
Other topics
Artists, Lollapalooza

Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s.[1] Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.[2]

Contents

Origins

Initially alternative metal appealed mainly to alternative rock fans since virtually all 80s alt-metal bands had their roots in the American rock underground scene.[2] Alt-metal bands commonly emerged from hardcore punk (Corrosion of Conformity), post-hardcore/noise rock (Helmet, The Jesus Lizard), grunge (Alice in Chains, Soundgarden), or industrial (Ministry, Nine Inch Nails).[2] These bands never formed a distinct movement or scene; rather they were bound by their incorporation of traditional metal influences and openness to experimenting with the form.[2]

Bands like Faith No More and Living Colour injected funk and hip hop into their brand of alternative metal.[2][3] The aggressive riffs of Korn, the acoustic ballads of Staind and the rap rock of Limp Bizkit created the sonic template for a new movement which became known as nu metal.[1] By the latter 90s, nu metal bands were playing a combination of thrash metal, rap, industrial, hardcore punk and grunge.[2] Newer bands like Linkin Park drew inspiration from the same influences that included Nine Inch Nails, Faith No More, Helmet, Korn, Rage Against the Machine and Deftones.[4]

See also

Sources

References

External links