10 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 2000 is ready (we're all old, it's fine).

So on the heels of today's disappointing announcement that Iron Maiden is the only heavier 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 eight bands that really ought to get the recognition they deserve.

So why these 1- 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 eight 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

Few bands define the turn of the millennium like Linkin Park. 2000's Hybrid Theory remains one of the best-selling debuts of all time, spawning era-defining singles like In the End and "One Step Closer" while selling over 100 million records worldwide. Blending rap, metal and electronic textures, they cracked open heavy music for mainstream radio. The legacy of Chester Bennington and the band's continued evolution only underscore their cultural weight. If the Rock Hall is about impact, influence and timeless songwriting, Linkin Park check every box.

Korn

Korn didn't just participate in nü-metal – they practically invented it. Their 1994 self-titled debut rewired heavy music, and the band's first four albums sold more than 11 million copies combined. With seven GRAMMY nominations and wins, Korn fused hip-hop rhythms, downtuned riffs and raw vulnerability into a generation-defining sound. Decades later, they're still headlining festivals and releasing new music. Their fingerprints are all over modern metal – and that kind of influence deserves Hall recognition.

System Of A Down

Politically charged, musically fearless and utterly singular, System Of A Down carved their own lane from the moment their 1998 self-titled debut dropped. Between 2001 and 2005, they delivered three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, culminating in the GRAMMY-winning "B.Y.O.B." Their fusion of thrash, Armenian folk flourishes and razor-sharp social commentary made them both commercially dominant and artistically daring. Even with a relatively compact discography, their influence looms large. No band sounds quite like System Of A Down.

Slipknot

Shock and substance collided when Slipknot emerged in 1999 with their ferocious self-titled debut. From "Wait And Bleed" to the platinum-selling Iowa, they balanced chaos with precision, earning 10 GRAMMY nominations and selling over 30 million albums worldwide. Beyond the masks and mythology, Slipknot's rhythmic complexity and emotional intensity reshaped 21st-century metal. Their Knotfest empire and ongoing global tours prove their staying power.

Disturbed

Love it or meme it, 2000's The Sickness was a seismic debut. Spending 103 weeks on the Billboard 200 and selling over five million copies in the U.S., it launched Disturbed into arena territory. Remarkably, every subsequent album debuted at No. 1. Their blend of groove-heavy riffs and anthemic choruses bridged metal and mainstream hard rock, making them one of the era's most commercially consistent acts. Two decades on, they're still packing venues.

Limp Bizkit

It's impossible to tell the story of late-'90s heavy music without Limp Bizkit. The run of Three Dollar Bill, Y'all, Significant Other and Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water moved more than 14 million units and turned "Break Stuff" into a generational rallying cry. Polarizing? Sure. Influential? Undeniably. Their fusion of hip-hop swagger and metallic crunch defined MTV's TRL era – and their continued festival dominance shows the nostalgia (and impact) is real.

Deftones

They may reject the nü-metal tag, but Deftones' early records – from 1995's Adrenaline to 2000's White Pony – were crucial to that movement's evolution. By blending shoegaze atmospherics with crushing riffs, they transcended trends and built a catalog that critics and fans alike revere. Often cited by younger artists across genres, Deftones have become elder statesmen of experimental heavy music. Their artistic credibility and enduring mystique make them one of the era's most deserving candidates.

Papa Roach

Try finding someone who doesn't know "Last Resort". You can't. Papa Roach's breakout anthem – alongside hits like "Scars" – propelled them into multi-platinum territory and etched them into pop culture. Over two decades later, they're still touring globally and releasing new material, bridging nü-metal roots with modern hard rock. Their cultural imprint is undeniable: a band synonymous with a specific moment in time that has refused to fade.

Evanescence

Fronted by Amy Lee, Evanescence exploded with 2003's Fallen, driven by "Bring Me to Life" and "My Immortal." The album sold over four million copies in the U.S. in its first year and earned two GRAMMY Awards. Blending gothic metal, classical flourishes and alternative rock, the band carved out a dramatic, emotionally resonant sound that influenced a wave of female-fronted heavy acts. With nearly 32 million albums sold worldwide, their legacy is both commercial and cultural.

Mudvayne

Emerging from Illinois' underground in the late '90s, Mudvayne fused technical precision with theatrical flair. Their 2000 debut L.D. 50 – powered by the single "Dig" – showcased complex rhythms and bassist Ryan Martinie's virtuosity, setting them apart from their peers. Selling over five million records worldwide, the band went on hiatus in 2010 before reuniting in 2021 and releasing new music in 2025. Their experimental streak and visual identity helped expand what nü-metal could be.