Characteristics
Bands associated with nu metal derive influence from a variety of diverse styles, including electronic music, funk, glam metal, gothic rock, grunge, hardcore punk, hip hop, industrial metal, jazz, post-punk, symphonic rock and synthpop. Nu metal also derives influences from multiple sub-genres of heavy metal including rap metal, funk metal, alternative metal and thrash metal.
Nu metal music is mostly syncopated and based on riffs. Mid-song breakdowns and lack of solos contrasts it with other metal sub-genres. Another contrast with other metal sub-genres is its emphasis on rhythm, tending to more elements of groove metal in rhythm. Similarities with other heavy metal sub-genres include its use of common time, distorted guitars, power chords and note structures primarily revolving around Dorian, Aeolian or Phrygian modes.
Many nu metal bands use seven-string guitars over traditional six-string guitars. Seven-string guitars, which are sometimes downtuned to increase heaviness, resulted in bass guitarists using five-string and six string instruments. DJs are also sometimes used for additional rhythmic instrumentation such as music sampling, scratching and electronic backgrounds.
Nu metal is noted for participation of women in the genre in contrast to other metal genres, including bands such as Coal Chamber, Evanescence and the all-female nu metal band Kittie.
Nu metal vocal styles range between melodic singing, rapping, screaming and death growling, sometimes using multiple of these styles within one song. The lyrics of many nu metal bands focus on pain and personal alienation rather than the themes of other metal subgenres. Nu metal uses the traditional pop structure of verses, choruses and bridges, contrasting it with other metal genres such as thrash and death metal.
Trevor Baker of The Guardian wrote "Bands such as Linkin Park, Korn and even the much reviled Limp Bizkit also, incidentally, did far more to break down the artificial barriers between "urban music" and rock than any of their more critically acceptable counterparts. Their concerts also drew huge numbers of women which is much more than you could say for any old-metal band." Nu metal fashion can include baggy shirts, sports jerseys and jackets, basketball singlets and shorts, hoodies, cargo pants, sweatpants, dreadlocks, spiky hair, body piercings, tattoos, jumpsuits and sweatsuits.
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