In the mid- and late 1990s came a new wave of US metal groups inspired by the alternative metal bands and their mix of genres. Dubbed 'nu metal', bands such as Korn, Papa Roach, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot and Linkin Park incorporated elements ranging from hip-hop to death metal.

Nu metal gained mainstream success through heavy MTV airplay and Ozzy Osbourne's 1996 introduction of Ozzfest, which led the media to talk of a resurgence of heavy metal. While nu metal was widely popular early in the 2000s, traditional metal fans did not fully embrace the style. By 2005, the nu metal movement was waning, although Korn and some other bands with related styles, such as System of a Down, remained successful.