Rockpedia

Compare

Two genres, side by side. The ratings are editorial judgements on a ten-point scale, not measurements. Where they come out level, the difference is in the prose underneath them.

First genre

Nu metal1994

Second genre

Rap metal1991

Head to headNu metal vs Rap metal
Nu metal: heaviness 8, melody 7, speed 5. Rap metal: heaviness 7, melody 6, speed 6.Heaviness8 / 7Melody7 / 6Speed5 / 6
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Rap metal is the narrower thing nu metal is often reduced to: rapped verses over metal riffs. Nu metal sings as much as it raps, and most of its records are not rap records at all.

Rap metal is rapped where nu metal is part sung, part screamed, at much the same pace, around 80 to 130 bpm. To hear the difference, play Korn next to Rage Against the Machine. Rap metal grew out of nu metal.

Put together from each genre's vocals, tempo, song length, key acts and place in the tree.

In figures

Heaviness
Nu metal8
Rap metal7
−1
Speed
Nu metal5
Rap metal6
+1
Melody
Nu metal7
Rap metal6
−1

Nu metal

1994 · California, USA · 2 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Nu metal

In short

Seven-string guitars tuned very low, hip-hop groove, a DJ or sampler and lyrics about personal trauma. The decade's best-selling and most disputed genre.

How it sounds

  • Seven-string guitars tuned very low, with simple syncopated riffs.
  • Very prominent bass, often slapped or synth-toned, plus a DJ or sampler in the line-up.
  • Vocals moving between rapping, singing and screaming, with lyrics about personal trauma.

Key acts

  • Korn
  • Slipknot
  • Deftones
  • Limp Bizkit

Start here

The pickKorn - Korn. The first track opens with bagpipes, which nobody ever remembers.

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Rap metal

1991 · USA

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Nu metal › Rap metal

In short

Rapped vocals over metal riffs, built around groove and a shouted chorus.

How it sounds

  • Rapped verses over metal riffs, with the groove on the downbeat.
  • DJ scratching, or guitar effects imitating scratching.
  • Shouted choruses built for large venues.

Key acts

  • Rage Against the Machine
  • Limp Bizkit
  • Body Count

Start here

The pickRage Against the Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles. Their best-produced record.

Full page →