Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Alternative metal, or alt-metal, is a fusion of heavy metal with alternative rock and other unconventional influences, characterized by downtuned, mid-paced guitar riffs, a blend of melodic and harsh vocals, and occasional experimental sounds. Emerging in the 1980s with bands like Faith No More, Living Colour, Soundgarden, and Jane’s Addiction, the genre gained prominence in the 1990s through acts like Helmet, Tool, and Alice in Chains..
Subgenres such as rap metal and funk metal played a role in shaping nu metal, which further expanded alt-metal’s sound by incorporating hip-hop, thrash, hardcore punk, and industrial elements. Nu metal surged in mainstream popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s with bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, System of a Down, Linkin Park, and Slipknot, but its dominance waned after the mid-2000s as many bands evolved into different styles.
Planet Zero is Shinedown’s charged statement on society’s fractures, blending anger with introspection. The album blends explosive rock with thoughtful social commentary, capturing a sense of urgency and offering both resistance and reflection on today’s world.
Spiritbox – Eternal Blue Eternal Blue, released in 2021, is a landmark album in modern metal, blending atmospheric soundscapes with crushing riffs and emotionally charged lyricism. The record seamlessly bridges genres, incorporating elements of metalcore, progressive metal, and ambient music to create a sound that is as heavy as it is ethereal. This dynamic range…
Turnstile – Glow On Turnstile’s Glow On is a groundbreaking album that redefines modern hardcore, blending intense energy with a strikingly diverse sonic palette. Released in 2021, the record pushes genre boundaries by incorporating elements of shoegaze, funk, and even dream-pop into their blistering core sound. It’s an exhilarating listen that simultaneously honors their punk…
Sol Invictus isn’t a comeback—it’s a controlled detonation. Faith No More returns snarling, weird, and razor-sharp, with Patton shape-shifting through menace and melody. No nostalgia, no pandering—just power, precision, and purpose.
The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here isn’t built for easy digestion. It’s brooding, slow-moving, and unshakably bitter. Buried in all that grime is a band unafraid to grow old the hard way, to carry their ghosts like medals. If you want to ache a little, Alice in Chains knows exactly how to feed it.
Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor is a loud, lurid joyride through grindhouse chaos—part horror show, part rock spectacle. With snarling riffs, sleazy synths, and a twisted sense of fun, it’s all guts, no shame, and weirdly catchy.
Diamond Eyes isn’t just a highlight in Deftones’ career—it’s a survival instinct turned into sound. It’s haunted, heavy, and unexpectedly hopeful. The kind of album that leaves scars—and you’ll want to show them off.
The Sound of Madness is where Shinedown became a rock powerhouse—massive hooks, raw emotion, and Brent Smith’s powerhouse vocals delivering anthems built for arenas. From seething aggression to aching vulnerability, every track feels urgent, unforgettable, and unstoppable.
Us and Them blends hard rock and alt-metal, balancing aggression with emotional depth. Exploring conflict and personal struggle, Shinedown crafts an album full of powerful hooks and introspective moments, offering a dynamic, relatable journey through life’s complexities.
Mezmerize demonstrates System of a Down’s unique ability to merge disparate musical elements into a cohesive and impactful whole. It’s an album that challenges conventions and invites listeners to engage with its complex tapestry of sounds and ideas.