Nu Metal is a subgenre of alternative metal that emerged in the late 1990s. It blends elements of heavy metal with other genres, including hip-hop, grunge, and industrial music. Characterized by its use of downtuned guitars, aggressive vocals, and often rapped lyrics, nu metal gained popularity with bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park. The genre often explores themes of personal struggle, alienation, and emotional turmoil. Nu metal's fusion of styles and its appeal to a younger audience helped it dominate the music scene in the early 2000s, leading to a significant cultural impact during that time.