So many awesome albums on here. Yeah I definitely agree alternative metal is hard to define but I do think a lot of these have homes in other sub genres. Either way, most, if not all of these would still fit under the "alternative" banner by definition. I always hated the term nu metal, and I believe a lot of the bands that people consider nu metal don't even have the defined nu metal sound anyway. So I think bands like Deftones and SOAD fit much better in Alternative metal. But then there's things like experimental metal and avant-garde metal which could easily be threw into alternative haha. It really starts to get silly. So many sub genres and sub sub genres now.

It's great to see the evolution of what's possibly the most difficult genre for me to fully digest. I never really liked the term nu metal myself either, but it is what it is, and I appreciate the way metal has developed over the years regardless. I like the idea of experimenting and trying something new in metal, but I'm more of a traditionalist myself and have always preferred the simpler way, with catchy melodies and easy to digest songwriting, but even traditional forms of heavy, black and death metal are influenced by one genre or another.

Very hit and miss genre for me. I like a few albums in the list.
Nice to see the overlooked Living Colour at number 1.

A side of metal that I have practically no knowledge of. I should definitely dive into this sometime

Written by F3ynman on 20.08.2023 at 10:42

A side of metal that I have practically no knowledge of. I should definitely dive into this sometime

I sure hope you'll find something you like in here. This is likely the most diverse of my lists, as in bands on here won't be as similar to one another. Alt metal is definitely fun if you wanna explore new sounds and ways of doing metal.

Written by JoHn Doe on 20.08.2023 at 10:41

Very hit and miss genre for me. I like a few albums in the list.
Nice to see the overlooked Living Colour at number 1.

It is absolutely unthinkable for me to make an alternative list and not include Living Colour. Not only are they great but they're also among the first to be called that. Which is kinda funny because they're definitely not that much into experimenting compared to others on this list. There's certainly funk in there, but they could probably just fit under the "hard rock" banner as well.

Written by Oldy86 on 20.08.2023 at 09:58

So many awesome albums on here. Yeah I definitely agree alternative metal is hard to define but I do think a lot of these have homes in other sub genres. Either way, most, if not all of these would still fit under the "alternative" banner by definition. I always hated the term nu metal, and I believe a lot of the bands that people consider nu metal don't even have the defined nu metal sound anyway. So I think bands like Deftones and SOAD fit much better in Alternative metal. But then there's things like experimental metal and avant-garde metal which could easily be threw into alternative haha. It really starts to get silly. So many sub genres and sub sub genres now.

Absolutely agree with the Nu metel label, I totally get why people did it though. We like to put things in boxes and label them because doing so makes it easier for us. Whether to organize, remember or find sounds that have similarities to what we like and then recommend them to others. Proof of that lies in those very lists we do on MS right?

But I think that back when the Nu metal label was created, the term alternative metal simply wasn't used as much. Fusing non-metal genres so wildly the way they did was sort of marginal and kind of new too. So perhaps it was a way for people to classify those odd sounding, experimental bands. There was such a boom of alt bands in the late 90's and early 00's that I guess people just threw 'em all under the same banner because it was easier. I mean for sure if you take Nu as being mostly Rap Metal, then yeah SOAD and later Deftones, to name just a few, do not fit the bill at all.

Also, most Nu metal bands ended up evolving over the years. Changing their sound and experimenting other ideas and direction. So yeah its really one of those label that doesn't mean much outside "we have hip-hop influences". I guess, like you pointed out, we could say that for a lot of metal sub-genres too.

Written by Guib on 20.08.2023 at 15:09

Written by JoHn Doe on 20.08.2023 at 10:41

Very hit and miss genre for me. I like a few albums in the list.
Nice to see the overlooked Living Colour at number 1.

It is absolutely unthinkable for me to make an alternative list and not include Living Colour. Not only are they great but they're also among the first to be called that. Which is kinda funny because they're definitely not that much into experimenting compared to others on this list. There's certainly funk in there, but they could probably just fit under the "hard rock" banner as well.

Well, they inserted some soul, blues and funk into their sound, never released a weak album, always made interesting, entertaining music.

Written by AndyMetalFreak on 20.08.2023 at 10:16

It's great to see the evolution of what's possibly the most difficult genre for me to fully digest. I never really liked the term nu metal myself either, but it is what it is, and I appreciate the way metal has developed over the years regardless. I like the idea of experimenting and trying something new in metal, but I'm more of a traditionalist myself and have always preferred the simpler way, with catchy melodies and easy to digest songwriting, but even traditional forms of heavy, black and death metal are influenced by one genre or another.

Of course even more traditional & extreme metal bands throw in non-metal influences here and there. When you think about it I could've thrown a lot of folk metal bands in here or even some more technical ones that dabble in prog and instrumental music in the extremes of metal (death metal would have some interesting picks).

Also, there's really nothing wrong with prefering a more traditional sound either. After all that is metal in its purest form.

Great list, I like your choices. I am everything else but an expert or fan of these subgenres, plus I can only speak for their early years, say till the end of the nineties. But for that, I would say, you got it all there, dude.
There is maybe just a single band I am missing in the list overall. Not because they are particularly good, or very popular, but seeing you are calling this a guide, and also getting the impression that you seem to be trying to mention each relevant band at least once in the list overall, I have this one act to suggest. It is Life Of Agony. Myself would pick the '93 debut I guess, the album I know best, but I am aware that not everybody puts their debut in alternative metal. Their subsequent albums would probably qualify more easily.

Written by Redel on 20.08.2023 at 21:44

I have this one act to suggest. It is Life Of Agony. Myself would pick the '93 debut I guess, the album I know best, but I am aware that not everybody puts their debut in alternative metal. Their subsequent albums would probably qualify more easily.

Hey Redel thanks for your comment man!

Now considering Life Of Agony, you're right their debut would absolutely fit in the list even if its more on the hardcore side. Though I would not replace any of the 93's 4 picks to put River Runs Red but it is an absolutely great release for sure!

Trust me picking was difficult and there's a lot of relevent bands that I've skipped. Even though they get a lot of hate, Limp Bizkit could easily be in this list but didn't make it just because some releases from other bands were simply superior to theirs in the relevent years. Especially in the 1993 spots I would have to remove some of the best alt albums ever made in my opinion. Slip, Deaf Dumb Blind, Pork Soda & Undertow are just classics of the genre.

But yeah great pick though tbh!

Quite a few that I enjoy here, notably Soen and Devin Townsend. Will definitely check out some more of your picks!

Written by 24emd on 21.08.2023 at 07:51

Quite a few that I enjoy here, notably Soen and Devin Townsend. Will definitely check out some more of your picks!

Great! Hope you'll discover some new stuff you'll like.

Not my kind of music but there is few great records

Great list, Guib.

You picked almost all worthy ones here especially P.O.D. Our guilty cheesy HS pleasure rap tracks with nu infused in were worthy to our attention like "Youth of a Nation".

Tremendous work.

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 21.08.2023 at 20:29

Great list, Guib.

You picked almost all worthy ones here especially P.O.D. Our guilty cheesy HS pleasure rap tracks with nu infused in were worthy to our attention like "Youth of a Nation".

Tremendous work.

Thanks man! Means a lot and I'm glad you enjoyed it

Alright so first entry for 2023's spots:

- - - - -

Voice Of Baceprot - Retas (Alternative, Nu, Funk Metal)

So this all women Indonesian act is absolutely great and their debut album is excellent. I love the composition, theme, energy and delivery and I hope they will keep making music of this quality in the near future. The only thing I enjoyed less are the lyrics which are somewhat weak and on the cringy side. Otherwise, an amazing alternative album! Extremely catchy.

I almost wish they would sing more in their own language because it sounds AMAZING on the track "School Revolution" which is my personal favourite. They do it a little too in "PMS". It just feels overall more natural and fluid. The music would absolutely benefit from it. That flow... I mean c'mon.

They could switch it up, mix it up in the vocal department "À La" Alien Weaponry as well and it would work wonders, especially since they harmonize too.

Anyways, great album go check it out now... C'mon go! What are you waiting for?

- - - - -

Guib's Rating: 7.8/10

Originality: 8
Performance: 8
Production: 8
Songwriting: 7

Alternative metal is a funny genre, partly because it's quite ill-defined (partly due to alternative rock also being very broad, I suppose); to some degree it has overlap with prog and unconventional structuring, as the likes of Tool, Karnivool and Wheel are testament to, but at the same time nu metal and other turn-of-the-millennium alt-metal is about as anti-prog as possible. I guess a sense of groove, varying accessibility, mild melodicism (nu metal would certainly have hooks, but they often weren't big poppy ones), and downtuning would be reliable features, but the description on the genre's wiki page of alt metal as "a style united by its nonconformist sensibility rather than any immediately classifiable sound" feels quite apt; certainly I find it a lot harder to define than most other metal genres.

Needless to say, it can be quite hit and miss in terms of me liking bands that fall under the alt-metal umbrella, but while I mostly missed out on the nu metal craze when growing up (I got into Linkin Park but didn't really go any further), the early 90s stuff (Alice In Chains, Faith No More, Jane's Addiction, RATM) was quite formative to my relatively late-blooming interest in metal (btw, how stacked was 1992 that there wasn't space for Dirt in your list - even if I'd pick it if I was doing such a list, none of the four in your list are unreasonable inclusions), and there's been a decent number of albums in recent iterations of the category in MSAs (particularly from Trivium, Wheel, Irist and Origin Of Escape) that I've enjoyed a lot.

For 2023 alt-metal, quite a few of these are borderline with other genres, but I've got some enjoyment out of the likes of Klone, Lokust, Mutoid Man, OHHMS, Spotlights, Sunbeam Overdrive and Venuvian's albums this year (and Ad Infinitum is doing a reasonable job of pivoting from symphonic metal towards alt-metal, even if I think they're wasting their talent considering how good their debut was).

Written by musclassia on 23.08.2023 at 12:43

(btw, how stacked was 1992 that there wasn't space for Dirt in your list

I was missing Dirt as well, but then I thought he must have left it out on purpose, as it can be considered more heavy metal than alternative metal.

Written by musclassia on 23.08.2023 at 12:43

(btw, how stacked was 1992 that there wasn't space for Dirt in your list - even if I'd pick it if I was doing such a list, none of the four in your list are unreasonable inclusions)

Hey musclassia,

Firstly thanks for the comment. Making this list was extremely fun and quite often did I find myself thinking "wait is this still alt-metal?". Especially with the more proggy and industrial bands. Also, its funny you mentionned Dirt because it was in the first iteration of my list which I changed before posting and it actually was removed for a more Industrial band.

Thing is, after reviewing it a few times I really wanted to include a Ministry album, even though it is more on the industrial side and if I was to... It was going to be Psalm 69 (it is the only Ministry inclusion). Then I didn't want to remove the RATM & Helmet's ones because I simply love those albums more (again a lot of subjective choices, it adds personality no?). So it was between Angel Dust and Dirt and I just decided to keep Angel Dust but it could've been either way honestly. I mean both Faith No More and Alice In Chains are well represented in the list already. Which of the two do you personally feel is more essential?

Written by Guib on 23.08.2023 at 16:56

I mean both Faith No More and Alice In Chains are well represented in the list already. Which of the two do you personally feel is more essential?

Honestly I'd say Dirt is perhaps slightly more essential just as the zenith of grunge IMO, but Angel Dust is incredibly close behind with how stellar and diverse it is - out of the 5 I'd drop Helmet (I never really got into that album outside of Unsung), but I totally recognize your reasons for having it in

Written by musclassia on 23.08.2023 at 17:19

Written by Guib on 23.08.2023 at 16:56

I mean both Faith No More and Alice In Chains are well represented in the list already. Which of the two do you personally feel is more essential?

Honestly I'd say Dirt is perhaps slightly more essential just as the zenith of grunge IMO, but Angel Dust is incredibly close behind with how stellar and diverse it is - out of the 5 I'd drop Helmet (I never really got into that album outside of Unsung), but I totally recognize your reasons for having it in

Yeah its very nostalgic for me as I actually got into Helmet's Meantime way before, same for RATM. I really only got to know Alice In Chains better (I knew them by name of course) much later in my rock/metal journey somehow. Which is weird all things considered now, but hey!

Also your point is taken and I'll swap Angel Dust with Dirt! Like I said, to me at this point one or the other Im fine with.

Written by musclassia on 23.08.2023 at 12:43


For 2023 alt-metal, quite a few of these are borderline with other genres, but I've got some enjoyment out of the likes of Klone, Lokust, Mutoid Man, OHHMS, Spotlights, Sunbeam Overdrive and Venuvian's albums this year (and Ad Infinitum is doing a reasonable job of pivoting from symphonic metal towards alt-metal, even if I think they're wasting their talent considering how good their debut was).

For 2023, I've already put Lokust's release in my Thrash List. As for Klone it's a good release but I'm not crazy about it. I'd say it's between a 7 - 7.3 for me, maybe I'll grow to enjoy it more. I will check your other recommendations though, thanks a lot!

Alright, the second entry for 2023's spots is all thanks to musclassia.

- - - - - -

Mutoid Man - Mutants (Hardcore, Progressive Sludge, Alt Metal)

Ok so first off, I gotta admit I've been lagging behind a bit as this is actually my first acquaintance with the band. Yup, and what a meeting this was! The first thing that comes to mind with that album is entertaining. Its a party ride from A to Z.

Mutoid Man is like... If you would have crossover thrash metal flirting with prog and sludge. On paper this sounds goddamn awful but in practice, it works just fine and you end up getting a catchier, party central Mastodon. Nah, yeah stop frowning and trust me with this, it's the perfect description. This release is so catchy and fun while remaining instrumentally very strong, a pure delight for the ears.

On top of that, I love my 4 strings and Jeff Matz's heavy, sludgy bass is just crushing it on this one. All in all a fantastic release that makes me wanna explore their discography further.

What a cool band and once again a huge thanks to musclassia for pointing them out to me!

- - - - - -

Guib's Rating: 9/10

Originality: 9
Performance: 9
Production: 8
Songwriting: 10

Guib's Highlights: "Graveyard Love" - "Broken Glass Ceiling" - "Setting Sun" - "Call Of The Void" - "Siren Song"

Edit: Ok so I've changed my rating because I can't stop spinning this fucking album, the songs stay stuck in my head and it's just brilliant.

Now, now! A third entry for 2023's spots.

- - - - - -

Soen - Memorial (Alternative, Progressive Metal)

Yup, it seems to me Soen is a bit like Dozer, right? Not in style silly, in the sense that they just can't put out a bad album. Both bands showed us that loud and clear this year and Soen did so by remaining true to their couple last releases. That's good for now, but I'm left wondering how long will this formula work?

The album itself is really good, apart from the quite generic "Violence" the rest screams quality music. Also, can I point out how brilliant "Hollowed" is? Exceptionally well executed duet-style song and it surprises us right in the middle of the album. Very beautiful and one of my favourites on this one.

Where the album lacks a bit is in originality, really. As I said, we've heard it all before and this formula could become stale quickly. In my opinion the band should probably switch gear on the next release, but hey! That's just me. Overall, great work on Memorial and it's an easy recommend.

- - - - - -

Guib's Rating: 7.8/10

Originality: 6
Performance: 9
Production: 9
Songwriting: 7

Guib's Highlights: "Sincere" - "Fortress" - "Icon" - "Hollowed (Elisa)" - "Memorial"

You've got two early 2024 candidates in Madder Mortem's Old Eyes, New Heart and Charcoal Grace from Caligula's Horse.
Both great albums in my opinion.

Written by Jaro on 30.01.2024 at 21:26

You've got two early 2024 candidates in Madder Mortem's Old Eyes, New Heart and Charcoal Grace from Caligula's Horse.
Both great albums in my opinion.

Hey Jaro! Thanks for those early 2024 recs Im gonna check this out

Alright, for the last entry of 2023 I'm adding:

Molybaron - Something Ominous

I really enjoy this album, it definitely deserves its spot.

Written by Jaro on 30.01.2024 at 21:26

You've got two early 2024 candidates in Madder Mortem's Old Eyes, New Heart and Charcoal Grace from Caligula's Horse.
Both great albums in my opinion.

Alright so I gave Madder Mortem's latest a chance but it honestly doesn't do much for me, it doesn't keep me engaged at all and the vocals aren't something I really care for on this one.

Though, Im really digging the latest Caligula's Horse. Very solid album, I'm gonna have to give it a bit more time to see how it grows on me but this one could very well end up on the list.

So yeah thanks again for the recs I always appreciate it and even though sometimes it takes me a little while to get around to it, I always listen to the recs ppl give me.

Alright so as a first entry for my 2024 alternative picks and as suggested by Jaro, I'm adding:

- - - - -

Caligula's Horse - Charcoal Grace
(Alternative, Progressive Metal)

I mean, another very good release by a band which, at this point, needs no introduction and simply never disappoints. I suppose I could go in details on that one but I'll let musclassia's awesome review do the talking. musclassia does it better than I could ever anyways.

- - - - -

Guib's Rating: 7.8 / 10

Originality: 6
Performance: 9
Production: 8
Songwriting: 8