Alternative Metal

Alternative metal is a style of heavy metal and alternative rock which emerged in the mid-1980s, and gained popularity in the early 1990s. Alternative metal usually combines heavy metal with influences from genres like alternative rock, and in some cases hardcore punk, and other genres not normally associated with metal as well. Alternative metal bands are often characterized by heavy guitar riffs, melodic vocals, unconventional sounds within other heavy metal genres, unconventional song structures and sometimes experimental approaches to heavy music. Prominent bands in this genre include Alice in Chains, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Faith No More, Helmet, Life of Agony, Soundgarden, System of a Down and Tool.

Associate Sub-Genres: Funk Metal, Nu Metal, Rap Metal

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_metal