The history of NU METAL - in 22 riffs

Following up the last video ("iconic nu metal riffs"), I thought it would be fun to explore some more legendary riffs. From the humble beginnings to the current state of nu metal.

Some of the song choices are based on the documentary series "Metal Evolution", others are my personal selection. In no way is this a super complete overview. Anyway, have fun :)

Chapters

0:00 Epic
0:44 Cowboys from Hell
1:22 Bring the Noise
1:47 Bombtrack
2:06 Blind
3:00 Bored
3:20 Roots Bloody Roots
3:51 Sway
4:15 Faith
4:35 Liberate
5:02 Down with the Sickness
5:39 Last Resort
5:49 One Step Closer
6:08 Spit
6:25 Chop Suey
7:12 Co-dependent
7:31 You only live once
8:05 Hot Soap
8:22 Nemesis
8:53 Happy Song
9:17 Holy Roller
9:46 Bang ya Head

[pauliewalnuts]

Nu metal is basically post groove metal.

[Ewmaschek]

I have never heard Pantera ever classified as Nu Metal.

[David_Downs]

I would have maybe thrown in a Helmet riff somewhere, I think they had a pretty big influence on what that style would become.

[Chiwawa]

To me the "going mainstream" tracks should have been
Korn - Freak on a leash
Limp Bizkit - Nookie

Those 2 were all over the MTVs of the world and high schools radios, it was insane.
Great vid!

[TranzparentMethods]

Good to see you give Kittie some love. They are so often overlooked.

[henriqueapolonio]

Man it's so satisfying to see someone throwing all of these riffs using Telecasters. :D

[BenMcManus]

Kittie and Adema, now we're talking!

[Casey_Hannum]

I love that you put My Ticket Home on this. Always thought they were under appreciated for their last two albums.

[vivelecorn]

Mr Bungle was one of the hugest influence for early nu metal that should’ve been mentioned in beginning. Korn literally calls their earlier riffs “the bungle riff” for a reason

[ibanezrg]

Glad to see some Adema love. People seem to forget about them.

[mot_wadd]

I have one of those Green LTD 607bs. Stephen's signature guitars are so sick

[michaeltillman]

Just had a hell of a throwback moment to my teens. Thank you.

[rabituin]

I never considered Happy Song as Nu Metal, but now that you point it out i can defo see it

[Johannes]

That Cowboys from Hell tone gives me life 🤘

[f.a.b.m.]

omg great memories this riffs reminds me my youth and very cool moments of my life 🥲

[revedepapillon]

Wonderful work and sound !!! But i was wondering how many guitars do you have ?

[przemekw.]

te tele od LTD są po prostu przepiękne, brzmią też przepięknie. super film ;)

[BrianIglesiasROTrecords]

man that's a nice drum sound! Would it be okay to ask what VST drums you used?

[k.h.]

What about prong, lost and found 1990. And the rap-metal thing goes back to 1984 with I'm the man by anthrax, and that afrikka bambaata john lydon collab, not to mention the run dmc aerosmith thing a year or 2 later.

Also the judgement night soundtrack of rock-alt-metal/rap collabs which iirc was 1993, might have been 94.

Also faith no more's we care a lot goes back to 1986, before mike patton.

And of course like others have mentioned, mr bungle, and the riffs and lack of solos of helmet, who also had a collab with house of pain on the judgement night soundtrack

And early run dmc had some serious guitar riffage on a few tunes.

[DavidMAdkins]

Bored by Deftones is actually played in standard, not Drop D.