Is Linkin Park "metal"?

[opethdisciple]

Having debate with a friend whether Linkin Park is "metal".

I argue that it being "nu-metal" which is considered to be a sub genre of metal makes it a metal band.

He's argument is that the metal scene is divided on the subject and points me at articles such as this.

So please give me your opinions is Linkin Park "metal"?

 

[opethdisciple]

It's nu-metal.
Nu-metal is not metal.
/thread

Why?

Nu-metal is a subgenere of metal.

Is wikipedia wrong then?

Ask google and it says it is a sub genre.

 

[opethdisciple]

It’s ‘nu-metal’ which sits under the ‘metal’… much in the same way that ‘progressive rock’ and ‘punk rock’ are sub-genres of ‘rock’.

Apparently we are wrong.

 

[opethdisciple]

I lost track of all the genres years ago. I know the point of the thread is due to a discussion between friends, but who really cares if a band is X or not? Would it maximise your enjoyment if you could slot it neatly into a category?

As has been said, that’s one of the really naff things about the general community who like heavier music, it comes across as elitist and something to beat others with if they don’t conform to someone’s own tastes, when really it doesn’t matter one jot.

Yes, its not that I particularly care about if said band is x or y, its the point that every resource out there puts them as nu-mtal which is a subgenre of metal and yet my friend refuses to believe that nu-metal is a sub genre of metal at all.

Apparently its a big debate amongst the community.

The fact its even a debate means there must be some truth that nu-metal is a sub genre of metal.

Ask google it tells you yes its a sub genre.

Ask an AI chat bot and it tells you its a sub genre.

Look at Wikipedia and it tells you its a sub genre.

Look up metal concerts 2025 and your find linking park.

Even look at discussions on redit and nu-metal is listed as a subgenre.

However apparently we are wrong and Nu-metal is in fact NOT a subgenre of metal....

 

[opethdisciple]

You wouldn't define linken park metal but it is part of the family tree.

This is from the movie "Metal: a head bangers journey" which is worth a watch for the origins and understanding the genre. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal:_A_Headbanger's_Journey

This isnt a great tree to be honest. Opeth are listed as Goth metal when they are Prog Death Metal.