Alternative metal

Main article: Alternative metal

Alternative metal band Life of Agony.

Alternative metal is a style of heavy metal and alternative rock which emerged in the mid-1980s, and gained popularity in the early 1990s.[1]

Alternative metal usually combines heavy metal with influences from genres like alternative rock, and in some cases other genres not normally associated with metal as well. One of the main characteristics of alternative metal and its subgenres are heavily downtuned, mid-paced "chug"-like guitar riffs.[2][3][4] Alternative metal bands are also often characterized by melodic vocals, unconventional sounds within other heavy metal genres, unconventional song structures and sometimes experimental approaches to heavy music.[5] Many of the early alternative metal bands originated from Los Angeles.[6] Prominent bands in this genre include Alice in Chains,[7] Faith No More,[8] Helmet,[9] Life of Agony,[10] Rollins Band[6] and Tool.[6][11] More modern bands include Breaking Benjamin,[12] Chevelle,[13] Godsmack[14] and System of a Down.[15]

Derivatives of alternative metal

Funk metal

Main article: Funk metal

dUg Pinnick of King's X, substituting for Corey Glover of funk metal band Living Colour

Funk metal is essentially a fusion of heavy metal and funk. It started off in the late eighties as a subgenre of alternative metal, and was heavily influenced by bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Fishbone. Funk metal bands often use a conventional riffing style influenced by 1980s thrash metal, unlike bands from other alternative metal genres.[16] During the late-'90s, many bands which started out as funk metal branched out into more commercially viable genres, such as alternative rock and nu metal. Notable funk metal bands include Living Colour, Infectious Grooves, Mordred, Primus, and Rage Against the Machine.[17] The biggest regional scene during funk metal's prime was San Francisco.[18]