Top 10 Nu Metal Bands of the 2000s

#10: Papa Roach

The heyday of nu metal may be associated with the ‘90s, but many of the genre’s most popular artists continued to deliver throughout the subsequent decade. Chief among them are Papa Roach, who expanded the ‘90s nu metal sound that brought them initial acclaim. Make no mistake, the Papa Roach of 2022 isn’t just resting upon the laurels of “Last Resort” from their 2000 breakout “Infest.” Instead, the band has become more melodic and diverse, incorporating influences from metallic hardcore, punk and pop into their unique and catchy formula.

#9: Chimaira

This Ohio-based band may have formed during the rise of the nu metal craze, but they quickly progressed past early influences to become one of the genre’s heaviest prospects. It’s actually not unfair to say that Chimaira possessed creative feet in two worlds, as the band were also a noteworthy name amongst the new wave of American Metal bands that flourished in the 2000s and 2010s. If anything, they have more musically in common with artists like Lamb of God or Unearth than with Korn or Deftones. And that is definitely a compliment. Chimaira’s complex arrangements, heavy riffs, and dedication to a more-old school way of metallic creativity definitely made them stand out from the nu metal pack.

#8: Limp Bizkit

Limp Bizkit earned early success in the late ‘90s, thanks to their novelty cover of George Michael’s “Faith.” But this controversial group definitely earned their stripes as a nu metal leader around the turn of the new millennium. This is thanks largely to the commercial success of their “Significant Other” LP, as well as the naff-titled “Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water.” The former, released at the tail end of 1999, showcased Limp’s most popular material to date. “Break Stuff” in particular would help the band ride a giant wave of success into the 2000s. The bloom may have fallen off the rose relatively quickly after that, but it’s important to remember how HUGE this band was around this time.

#7: Soulfly

Soulfly was another nu metal act that became progressively heavier, year after year. This is due primarily to the band’s pedigree as a creative offshoot of Sepultura, specifically from that band’s founder Max Cavalera. His death and thrash metal heritage couldn’t be denied, with Soulfly’s sound getting harder and more dynamic with albums like “Dark Ages,” “Conquer” and “Omen.” This was the sound of world music, filtered through the heaviest of grooves and an electric riff assault. Soulfly were the real deal, and they wanted metal fans all around the globe to hear their creative voice.

#6: Evanescence

The worlds of nu metal and goth collided with Evanescence’s Diamond-selling debut album “Fallen.” The LP, released back in 2003 was a creative collaboration between session guitarist Ben Moody and singer-songwriter Amy Lee, but it was the latter’s vocals that truly led the charge. This was an emotionally bare and memorable selection of songs, a break from the aggro-vibe that often permeated nu metal at that time. Evanescence, comparatively, felt like a breath of fresh air, with singles like “Bring Me to Life” and “My Immortal” sitting nicely alongside deep cut album tracks like “Tourniquet.” This one has held up remarkably well.

#5: Kittie

The aforementioned “aggro” of nu metal has been blamed for, among other things, the cultural zeitgeist that allowed tragedies like Woodstock ‘99 and Big Day Out 2001. To that point, we offer Kittie as a counterpoint, an example of female-empowered nu metal that also offered up some of the genre’s strongest songwriting. Kittie leader Morgan Lander has never compromised on her vision of releasing powerfully driven and heavy music with melodic vocals that hook the listener. This was done particularly well on the band’s second album, “Oracle,” and was polished on each subsequent Kittie LP. Some nu metal bands have aged like moldy bread, but Kittie are NOT one of those bands.

#4: Disturbed

If there’s been one constant theme running through this list, it’s the habit of so many nu metal bands to expand their formula beyond the genre. Disturbed did do this, but they also had a secret weapon in David Draiman. The frontman just possesses one of the most powerful and dynamic voices in metal, one that feels indebted to the rich gothic vibes of a Depeche Mode, while also commanding stadiums the world over. Disturbed’s songs are processed and synthesized into an industrial riff-army, a balance of anthemic melody and extended solos that serve as the orchestra for Draiman’s soaring vocal conduction. There simply isn’t a note out of place.

#3: System of a Down

System of a Down may be the quirkiest and most idiosyncratic band on this list, but this ultimately serves as one of their greatest strengths. There’s a wealth of influences that go into the band’s stew, an amalgam of extreme metal, folk, and prog that shouldn’t go together. But somehow, the band makes it all work. Jazzy licks? Check. Harsh yet catchy riffs? Double check. All the while, System of a Down pepper their songs with fiery political content that makes them stand out from their contemporaries. Their “Mesmerize” LP might serve as a creative highlight. But truth be told, it’s all just so awesome.

#2: Slipknot

In the world of nu metal, there’s heavy… and then there’s Slipknot heavy. The band probably blew collective minds back when they appeared on network TV with “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” bringing an all-out assault to the home audience’s unsuspecting senses. And it just got more extreme from there, as each Slipknot album incorporated more and more from the worlds of extreme metal. This was a band that was determined to challenge their fan base at every step, in the hopes that they would come along for the wild journey. And you know what? They succeeded.

Before we name our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions!

Sevendust

Started in ‘97, but Still Going Strong Today

Static-X

Life After the Loss of Wayne Static

Mudvayne

Nu, with a Progressive Edge

P.O.D.

Spiritual Nu Metal for the Masses

Trapt

Headstrong, and Proud of It

#1: Linkin Park

Chester Bennington may be gone, but his legacy with Linkin Park will never be forgotten. Not by the band’s legions of fans, nor the nu metal landscape that received a unique jolt with the band’s creative output. This was a group unafraid of melody and hip-hop, incorporating heavy doses of both into an electronically-based sound that wasn’t your daddy’s nu metal. Does the term NU nu metal fit? Linkin Park wrote songs for everyone, not just the mosh pit. There was sensitivity to balance out the aggression, and catchy hooks to offset the heaviest of heavy parts. Linkin Park was very successful at what they set out to do; and for that, their fans are eternally grateful.

What’s your favorite nu metal band? Let us know in the comments!