Seven Nü-Metal Bands That Should Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

An artist is eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first recording, which means that any band who put out their debut album during or before 1999 is ready. So on the heels of this week’s disappointing announcement that Ozzy Osbourne is the only metal artist to have been nominated, it’s time get out your wallet chains and JNCO jeans! We’re headed well into nü-metal territory with these seven bands that really ought to get the recognition they deserve.

So why these seven bands? Well, for two main reasons – first and foremost is that they’ve stood the test of time and become influential on a whole new generation of artists. Second is that they were successful in their heyday, and still are now (in varying capacities). They’re artists that people who aren’t into the genre know and whose names have become synonymous with a certain period of time. This isn’t to say that they’re the only seven bands of this generation that deserve it, but they’re certainly some of the big ones.

It’s also worth noting that these bands are not nü-metal anymore (and probably even despise the tag), but had their initial burst of popularity during that time and with that material.

Linkin Park

There are a lot of reasons Linkin Park should be inducted, ranging from their immense talent and the legacy of Chester Bennington to the fact that they’ve sold over 100 million records worldwide. But if there was only one reason Linkin Park should be in the Rock Hall, it’s Hybrid Theory. Hybrid Theory is one of the best-selling albums of all time in both the United States and worldwide, has spawned gargantuan singles like “In The End” and “One Step Closer,” and has been influential on countless artists over the years. Linkin Park had an incredibly successful career right up to the death of Bennington in 2017 and should be recognized for it.

Linkin Park will be eligible in 2025 (or are currently eligible if the Rock Hall counts their 1997 demo tape under the name Xero).

Korn

Korn released their self-titled debut album in 1994, meaning they’ve been eligible for a few years now. Korn arguably spearheaded the entire nü-metal movement in the ’90s and has sold over 11 million copies of their first four records alone. The band has been nominated for seven GRAMMYs over the past few decades, and even won two – Best Short Form Music Video for “Freak On A Leash” in 2000 and Best Metal Performance for “Here To Stay” in 2003. Korn is still going strong with the release of their new record Requiem, and really ought to be recognized for their contributions.

System Of A Down

System Of A Down released their self-titled album in 1998 and had a truly great run as a recording band between then and 2005 (and again briefly in 2020). System Of A Down did a great job mixing creative metal with political lyrics, had three albums debut at the No. 1 position on the US Billboard 200 chart, and have sold millions. The band was nominated for four GRAMMYs across their career in the Best Metal Performance and Best Hard Rock Performance categories, and won one – Best Hard Rock Performance for “B.Y.O.B.” in 2006. System Of A Down is still very much the only band that sounds like System Of A Down, and should be recognized for their popularity.

Slipknot

Slipknot‘s success was twofold back in the day – excellent music and a shock value that landed them in the spotlight quite a bit. The former of which started with their nü-inspired self-titled in 1999, which branched out into the seethingly-pissed-off Iowa in 2001. Slipknot has scored a handful of Platinum singles over the years, ranging from “Wait And Bleed” in 1999 and going all the way up to “The Devil In I” in 2014. Slipknot has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have been nominated for a whopping 10 GRAMMYs over their career. The band still tours regularly and are becoming more of a name in the festival circuit with their Knotfest performances. Plus, how many bands have you heard cite Slipknot as an influence over the years? I’m wagering “a lot.”

Disturbed

Disturbed has had plenty of success over the years with their records and touring schedule. Though let’s face the fact that as meme-able as their 2000 record The Sickness has always been, it’s still a pretty big deal. The record has sold over 5 million copies in the United States and spent 103 weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart after its release. Which is especially insane considering The Sickness is also the only Disturbed album not to debut at No. 1 on the same chart. Disturbed has turned into more of a hard rock band over the years, but still should be recognized their contributions to the groovy nü-metal scene of the time.

Disturbed will be eligible in 2025.

Limp Bizkit

Limp Bizkit‘s results have varied ever since the turn of the century, but there’s no denying how massively popular and important the band was in the late ’90s. The streak of Three Dollar Bill, Y’all in 1997, Significant Other in 1999, and Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water in 2000 resulted in over 14 million sales and tons of charting. Sure, the wheels fell off a bit after guitarist Wes Borland took a break between 2001 and 2004, but still – Limp Bizkit added something important to the nü-metal genre and should be recognized for it. Plus it’s still pretty crazy that Limp Bizkit remains as popular as they currently are despite their intermittent activity.

Limp Bizkit is eligible now, and I really want to see them play “Break Stuff” to the Rock Hall induction ceremony audience.

Deftones

I know. Deftones don’t consider themselves nü-metal and have made it known they hate the term. But it’s hard to deny that the band’s 1995 album Adrenaline was in that vein. Deftones started their ascent to success with Adrenaline and Around The Fur in 1997 before going full-throttle with White Pony in 2000. The band has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and, while they may be the most “obscure” band on this list, their name constantly comes up when talking about this specific era of metal. When it comes down to it, they’re just an influential band that deserves the recognition.