Characteristics
The genre has been described as a fusion between alternative rock and heavy metal, and usually features clean melodic vocals similar to that of alternative rock, in contrast to other heavy metal subgenres. The first wave of alternative metal band's emerged from many different backgrounds, including hardcore punk (Rollins Band, Life of Agony, Corrosion of Conformity), noise rock (Helmet, The Jesus Lizard, White Zombie), Seattle's grunge scene (Alice in Chains, Soundgarden), stoner rock (Kyuss, Fu Manchu), sludge metal, (Fudge Tunnel, Acid Bath) post-hardcore (Quicksand, Hum) and industrial (Ministry, Nine Inch Nails). These bands never formed a distinct movement or scene; rather they were bound by their incorporation of traditional metal influences and openness to experimentation. Jane's Addiction borrowed from progressive rock and Living Colour injected funk into their sound, for example, while Primus includes influence from both progressive rock and funk, and Faith No More mixed progressive rock, funk and hip hop.
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