Alternative metal: surprising and daring genre!

Hi!

Today, we meet to talk about alternative metal!

If you like to discover new sounds, if you have an open mind, this style is perfect for you!

Let’s discover together what’s hidden in this genre!

DISCLAIMER: This post is based on some of my knowledge and is backed up and supplemented by research done before its writing. You can find the sources at the bottom of the page.

Note: Bands/ artists I quote in the posts, I only mention them to give you an idea of the sounds you find in the different genres. But I want to be clear that over time it has become more and more complicated to do it with style blends and so on.
In addition, my goal is not to categorize artists, but to present them to you so that you discover the different possibilities that there are in rock and metal. And even make you enjoy those genres.

WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE METAL ?

This is a «movement» that starts in the mid 80’s. It’s part of both heavy metal and alternative rock. It is in opposition to «mainstream» metal. We talk about mainstream metal for bands that are well known «off the metal scene».

Even if there’s a debate right now, I’ll take as an example Metallica which is known by all. Or relatively, because some people think it’s just a clothing brand (Hopeless? Yes. Does it really surprise me? No).

Their goal is to go away as far as possible from this kind of «mainstream» metal. For this, they will test and innovate so that their sound is unique.

ORIGINS OF THIS GENRE

The genre started with bands like Faith No More or Red Hot Chili Peppers who mixed metal with funk and rap.

Caricature Faith No More, alternative metal

Caricature Red Hot Chili Peppers, alternative metal

However, a band will really influence the movement and trigger a wave of alternative metal in the 90s: Tool.

This first wave will come from all styles:

Hardcore punk
Noise rock
Grunge
Stoner rock
Sludge metal
Post-hardcore
Gothic metal

The latter will be more accepted by the public with the simultaneous appearance of another well-known «cousin» genre: grunge

In fact, alternative metal will be the most popular style of metal in the 90s, and it will even become more popular than alternative rock (a genre that influences it greatly and of which it is relatively part, remember it)!

Following these first mixes, a genre totally derived from alternative metal and a more aggressive one will see the light of day: Nu-metal.

The latter will experience ups and downs in contrast to alternative metal, which will remain present in a much more constant way.

ALTERNATIVE METAL FEATURES

Well, you understand it, which says a lot of different influences, says a lot of different characteristics. We can still say two or three things about this genre.

Singing and melody

Different singing techniques are applied. We can hear the use of 2 techniques. Clear singing, but also, together or separately, “harsh” singing techniques.

I’ll write a dedicated post on these techniques in the future.

Instrumental and rhythmic

We can say that in alternative metal, we hear:

Using guitar riffs (sometimes with or close to experimentation)
Unusual sounds to metal
A more syncopated rhythm
Unusual techniques for metal
Using sounds influenced by heavy metal, progressive rock, and other genres outside of metal (e.g., jazz or classical music)

Group formation

We find:

The singer,
One or more guitarists,
The drummer,
A bass player
And sometimes a keyboard or piano

Alternative metal is one of those genres where there is something for everyone, as with progressive metal.

ALTERNATIVE METAL BANDS

Some consider Faith No More, Jane’s Addiction, and Soundgarden to be the first alternative metal bands.

Caricature Soundgarden, alternative metal

Of course, many groups are also part of the genre. We mentioned Tool earlier, but we can also talk about Rage Against The Machine, Alice In Chains, and many others.

Caricature Rage Against The Machine, alternative metal

Artists categorized as «nu-metal» can also find their way there. I’m thinking of bands like Disturbed, System Of a Down, Deftones, Godsmack or even Slipknot.

Note:
I haven’t specified it yet, but the more time goes by, the more difficult it is to categorize a band or an artist in a single kind of rock or metal. Many take different gender codes they like and integrate them into their music.
It goes beyond even those genres, but I prefer to say it just in case.