JDubb: Nu Metal Primordial Soup

JDubb 12.25.25	Unfortunately, there were several bands listed that I could not nail down. Perhaps these bands were too much of a "flash in the pan". Some examples included: Back Alley Gators; Cointelpro; CPS; Crumble; Goon; Lil Mo Bigsley; Morticia; Old School; R-Tribe; Silmarils; Society's Engine; Speedway Dust; STS; and Wing Nut.
JDubb 12.25.25	Let me know if any other CA bands that need to be included.
RVAHC13 12.25.25	Don’t know much about the California scene but in the general scope of rap rock 85 and 86 (especially New York) were very important; Run DMC had a lot to do with it since they were one of the earliest groups to feature rapping over heavy guitars (Rock Box, King of Rock, Tougher than Leather), RHCP and Beastie Boys followed soon after. Of course the Public Enemy/Anthrax collab was very important. NY hardcore bands also explored this in the turn of the 90’s; Cro-Mags’ Alpha Omega, Biohazard’s (whom Korn used to tour with early on) Urban Discipline, Leeway’s Desperate Measures. Tons of artists like Faith No More, Mordred, Ice-T, 24-7 Spies, Infectious Grooves, Helmet, Ministry, Urban Dance Squad, KRS-1, 311 all had something to do with it imo
arthropod 12.25.25	So, a compendium of nu-metal precursors. Thank you for your research. It kind of made me recall the existence of c-engine. They've nothing on the topic, it's just that they're completely unknown and I only know about them because my dad knew the guitarist. That's an interesting comparison, you won't find anything on bands perhaps relevant to the genre's inception but could easily figure the background of an irrelevant 2000's band because one member is a streamer.
arthropod 12.25.25	Actually, who included P.O.D. in their "thank you" section? Or do they qualify as progenitors? I remember suggesting them for a list of the relatively oldest nu-metal bands and the user who made the list responded with something like "they fit the timeframe but I'm not sure about their significance".
jrlikestodance 12.25.25	I think E-Town Concrete and Fury of Five should make the list
RVAHC13 12.25.25	Might be worth watching some of those old Korn home videos they used to put out. They mention a couple local bands in there somewhere I think I know Fieldy, Munky and David were in a funk rock band in the early 90’s prior
JDubb 12.25.25	@RVAHC13 - good catch. I forgot about L.A.P.D., a funk metal band up to 1992. Also some great notes on the precursors from NY and other locations. As someone who was a late teen when nu metal was forming, I didn't equate Run DMC/Aerosmith, Beastie Boys, or Anthrax/Public Enemy to nu metal. And RHCP, FNM, and RATM; felt that these bands were more alternative bands. But looking back, there is a link. I generally equate the start of nu metal to Korn (1994)/Deftones (1995) - there was nothing that sounded like those two bands at that time.
JDubb 12.25.25	@arthropod, I hesitated to put P.O.D. in there. They didn't include "thank you's" in their inlets until TFEoS - and that was in 1999. At that time, they appeared to be tied in with bands like Sprung Monkey and even the Deftones. But they were more tied in with Project 86 and other Tooth & Nail type Christian metal bands. So true - they were likely of little significance until later in the 90's.
JDubb 12.25.25	The "Thank You's" from the Korn (1994) album is the earliest I have - and this is likely most representative of the initial, local scene. The local bands that Korn thanks include the Deftones, Sprung Monkey, Human Waste Project, Cadillac Tramps, HFL, Sex Art, Electric Love Hogs, Bitch Funky Sex Machine, Old School, Manhole, Downer, Cradle of Thorns, Coal Chamber, Man Will Surrender, Triptothane, Crumble, Brother Vibe, Grinchfist, and Ghoulspoon. And Clutch from MD and Plant Shock from TX. Unfortunately, the Deftones "thank you's" in Adrenaline were less specific - calling out Korn, Bad Brains, Human Waste Project, and all the Sacto bands (likely including Far, Luxt).
Emim 12.25.25	P.O.D. was definitely an important early band and obviously became one of the biggest later on
RVAHC13 12.26.25	What made Korn’s sound stand out against other bands at the time was definitely 1. David’s drumming, 2. Fieldy’s loose string bass sound, 3. Ross Robinson’s direction/production. Also a lot of their visual mystique was built around Jonathan’s appearance, the long hair, track suits with nail polish, kilts and bag pipes. It was out there for a metal band at the time
JDubb 12.26.25	@RVAHV13, agreed - and would add to that: Jonathan Davis’ emotive lyrics and vocals; dark imagery (album cover, noticed that before even heard them); and extreme down tuning.