Modern & Fusion
Modern metal fused with hip-hop, electronics, industrial and post-rock.
Nu metal adds rap and turntables, industrial metal machine rhythms, progressive metal and djent complex meters, metalcore and electronicore breakdowns and EDM, while post-metal goes long and atmospheric. Suits games, action and modern urban stories. Kawaii metal puts sweet Japanese idol melodies inside metal's weight.
What they share
- Down-tuned syncopated riffs
- Breakdowns
- Screams paired with clean singing
How to choose
- Rap and the streetNu Metal
- Machines and factoriesIndustrial Metal
- Complex metersProgressive Metal
- Breakdowns and EDMMetalcoreElectronicore
- Long atmospherePost-Metal
- Floor-low breakdownsDeathcore
- Sweet idols against heavy metalKawaii Metal
Starter prompt
Modern metal, 140 BPM, down-tuned syncopated guitar chugs, heavy breakdown, electronic textures, screamed verses and soaring clean chorus, tight modern productionA general starting point for this family; swap in a specific style’s keywords for sharper results.
Side by side
| Style | Era | BPM | Mood | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nu Metal | Late 1990s–early 2000s | 90–110 | Rebellious & boldGroove & energyDark & heavyHype & thrill | Battle & action · Everyday & school |
| Industrial Metal | 1990s–present | 100–140 | Dark & heavyFuturistic & techRebellious & bold | Battle & action · Sci-fi & cyberpunk |
| Progressive Metal | Late 1980s–present | 80–160 | Futuristic & techEpic & vastTense & suspense | Sci-fi & cyberpunk · Fantasy adventure |
| Metalcore | From the 1990s | 120–180 | Rebellious & boldTense & suspenseEpic & vastHype & thrill | Battle & action · Stage & idols |
| Deathcore | Mid-2000s–present | 120–220 | Dark & heavyTense & suspenseRebellious & bold | Battle & action · Horror & thriller |
| Electronicore | Late 2000s–present | 130–160 | Futuristic & techGroove & energyRebellious & boldHype & thrill | Battle & action · Party & dance floor |
| Kawaii Metal | Early 2010s onward | 150–200 | Hype & thrillBright & sweetRebellious & bold | Stage & idols · Battle & action |
| Post-Metal | Late 1990s–present | 60–110 | Epic & vastMelancholy & lonelyDark & heavy | Memories & farewells · Fantasy adventure |
All styles
- Nu Metal
Down-tuned grooves, rap and turntables brought metal to late-'90s streets and MTV.
- Industrial Metal
Drum machines, noise samples and distorted guitars interlock, like a factory playing metal.
- Progressive Metal
Odd meters, long forms and precise playing, metal designed like architecture.
- Metalcore
Screams tear the wound open; the clean-sung chorus pulls you back.
DeathcoreDeath-metal gutturals plus metalcore breakdowns: guitars tuned to the floor, landing like a wall.
ElectronicoreMetalcore breakdowns collide with EDM synths and drops, made for jumping on a rainy rooftop.
Kawaii MetalHeavy metal guitars and drums with sweet J-pop idol melodies and choreography: cute and violent, both turned up to the max.
Post-MetalPost-rock's long builds meet metal's weight, like a storm rolling over the sea in layers.