Nu-metal is a subgenre of alternative metal that emerged in the late 1990s. It blends elements of heavy metal with other genres, such as 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 charts in the early 2000s, making it a significant part of the rock music landscape during that time.