Metal / Fusion

The fusion metal scene brings together bands that blend the power of distorted guitars with funk, rap, jazz, or even electronic influences. Here, musical boundaries disappear, giving way to a vibrant and inventive style, carried by artists who master both groove and aggression.

From incisive flow to groovy basslines, each record is a different sonic experience, but always rooted in the energy of metal.

The perfect collection to explore the scene's creativity and its most striking sounds on vinyl.

Metal Fusion Vinyl: Nu Metal, Rap Metal and Crossover Records on LP

What this metal fusion vinyl collection covers

This metal fusion vinyl collection covers metal that crosses its own borders: funk metal, rap metal, nu metal and avant-garde metal, along with a large share of modern metalcore and post-hardcore. Late-1980s pioneers sit next to current bands such as Architects, Parkway Drive, The Ghost Inside and Falling in Reverse. What ties it together is heavy riffing mixed with other languages, from funk grooves and hip-hop vocals to electronics and fractured song structures.

The records that built metal fusion

Fusion took shape when bands like Faith No More and Living Colour brought funk and rap into metal. Faith No More released "The Real Thing" in 1989 and "Angel Dust" in 1992, and Living Colour put out "Vivid" in 1988. Rage Against the Machine's 1992 debut then made political rap metal a force.

Nu metal broke big in the late 1990s and 2000s: Korn's 1994 debut, Deftones' "White Pony" and Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory" in 2000, System of a Down's "Toxicity" in 2001. On the experimental side, Mr. Bungle's 1991 self-titled album and The Dillinger Escape Plan pushed the hybrid toward controlled chaos. Mike Patton later co-founded Ipecac Recordings, a home for this adventurous streak.

Original pressings, reissues and color variants

Many nu metal albums arrived at the height of the CD era, so period vinyl pressings, when they exist, were small runs that now sell for a premium. For those records, a recent reissue is usually the sensible route. Current bands, on the other hand, almost always release albums in several color variants, some exclusive to a single store.

Check whether it's an official reissue or an original pressing
Compare standard black with color variants, which often cost more
Look for deluxe editions with bonus tracks
On used copies, check both sleeve and disc condition

Finding cheap metal vinyl by comparing stores

Vinyles.com compares prices from several partner stores for the same album. On a metal fusion reissue or a new metalcore record, the gap between two shops can be significant, especially for color variants. Open the record's page, pick the edition you want and click through to the store with the best offer. The links at the top of the page also lead to new releases and pre-orders in the metal section.

Frequently asked questions

What is metal fusion?

Metal fusion is metal that absorbs other genres: funk, rap, jazz, electronic or folk music. It emerged in the late 1980s with Faith No More and Living Colour, then led to rap metal and nu metal in the 1990s through bands like Rage Against the Machine, Korn and Deftones.

Is nu metal the same as metal fusion?

Nu metal is one branch of metal fusion. Fusion is the wider term and also covers funk metal and the experimental metal of Mr. Bungle. Nu metal refers to the 1990s and 2000s wave of down-tuned guitars, heavy groove and often rapped vocals, with Korn, Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit.

What are the best metal fusion albums on vinyl?

A solid starter set: Faith No More's "Angel Dust," Rage Against the Machine's self-titled debut, Deftones' "White Pony," System of a Down's "Toxicity" and Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory." For the experimental side, add Mr. Bungle's self-titled album. Most of these are available as reissues, so compare editions before buying.

Do colored vinyl records sound worse than black?

On a well-made pressing the difference is usually small, and most listeners can't hear it. Picture discs are the exception, as they often have more surface noise. If you're buying mainly to listen, standard black vinyl is often the cheapest edition too.

Explore Metal / Fusion styles

Metal / Fusion 5261 records