This nu-metal outfit was formed in Peoria, Illinois, USA in 1996 by Gurrg (b. Greg Tribbett; guitar), Spag (b. Matthew McDonough; drums), Kud (b. Chad Gray; vocals), with Ryknow (b. Ryan Martinie; bass) added to the line-up two years later. Always co…

System of a Down may be seen as part and parcel of the nu-metal explosion of the late-'90s, but their style is less akin to the likes of Limp Bizkit and Korn than to vintage thrash from the '80s, spiced with a touch of hardcore punk. The band's sound…

Heavy metal was in danger of losing its hold on the mainstream by the early 1990s, but Korn helped jolt the genre back to life again. Combining rage-purging, rapped/shouted vocals and explosively heavy riffs, these rap-metal pioneers spawned a slew o…

While heavy metal band Disturbed displays all the expected aggression and angst of its peers, it has achieved a wildly successful, chart-busting popularity, bolstered by a melodic complexity and frontman Dave Draiman's persuasive swagger. Formed in C…

This Los Angeles, California, USA-based nu-metal outfit comprises Wayne Static (b. 4 November 1970, Muskegon, Michigan, USA; vocals/guitar), Tony Campos (b. California, USA; bass), Koichi Fukuda (b. Osaka, Japan; keyboards, programming) and Ken Jay (…

Dark New Day formed in early 2005 and was quickly billed as a supergroup for the active rock set since its membership came from various name-brand acts Clint Lowery guitarvocals had been a cofounder of Sevendust while his brother Corey Lowery bass ha…

Not since the days of Kiss have any rockers completely hidden their faces as thoroughly from the public as Slipknot has. Formed in 1996, each member of this nine-man Iowa group hides behind a mask … la Insane Clown Posse. Appealing to the Korn/Limp B…

Before Nine Inch Nails, electronic-based rock was often considered devoid of feeling and danger. Leader Trent Reznor merged synths with tortured vocals/lyrics, distorted guitar, and repetitive, slamming rhythms into an unpredictable amalgam, helping …

This melodic US metalcore band was formed after the demise of two local Massachusetts bands, Aftershock and the underrated Overcast. Combining modern hardcore à la Hatebreed, with the fluid Scandinavian thrash sound of In Flames, Killswitch Engage he…

US nu-metal pioneers Korn spawned quite a few imitators in their path, such as the California-based Adema, but there is a legitimate reason why the two bands sound so similar - vocalist Mark "Marky' Chavez (b. 15 November 1978, Bakersfield, Californi…

These Vacaville, CA boys first got together in high school, influenced by the likes of Rage Against the Machine and Faith No More, they constructed their own rap-metal hybrid. Papa Roach was no overnight success; they toured relentlessly, building up…

After falling out with mentor Ozzy Osbourne following the recording sessions for 1995s Ozzmosis guitarist Zakk Wylde struck out on his own with his first solo album Book of Shadows in 1996 When it failed to score any mainstream success the six-string…

Although they are very much their own band, Staind are often linked to Limp Bizkit, whose singer Fred Durst was instrumental in aiding the band's career. Early on, Durst suggested that lead singer Aaron Lewis integrate solo acoustic touches into the …

US alt-rock band formed in 2000 by Ben Burnley (vocals/guitar), Aaron Fink (guitar), Mark James Klepaski (bass), and Jeremy Hummel (drums). Fink and Klepaski were both previously members of alt-metal band Lifer, while Fink had attended high school wi…

Hailed on their appearance in 2000 as the new hope of nu-metal, Michigan, USA's Taproot spent a couple of years as a college band while building a reputation as a powerful live draw. The quartet (vocalist Stephen Richards, guitarist Michael DeWolf, b…

Vancouver Canadas Theory of a Deadman became the first act to sign with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroegers 604 Records imprint in 2001 Tyler Connolly vocalsguitar reportedly slipped a copy of the bands demo to Kroeger at a post-concert party and the t…

Those who mourn MIA grunge rockers Alice In Chains may find relief in some of AIC's late-'90s musical offspring, especially Godsmack (named after an Alice In Chains song). Leader Sully Erna has a voice that's a dead ringer for that of Layne Staley, a…

Hard rock acts with a Christian message became quite common in the new millennium, as chart-toppers such as Creed and P.O.D. helped pave the way for newer bands such as Chevelle. Comprising three brothers, Sam Loeffler (drums), Pete Loeffler (vocals/…

After a false start as a 1980s glam-metal band, Pantera reinvented itself as a fierce thrash combo for 1990's landmark album COWBOYS FROM HELL. The Texan band distinguished itself by offering up its trademark "power groove" sound--a potent, slowed-do…