For many music followers, nu-metal was a trend that sprang up in the late Nineties and petered out in the early days of the new millennium.
Limp Bizkit, poster band for the rap-metal hybrid, suffered from the departure of guitarist Wes Borland in 2001, and it seemed for a moment mainstream favor didn't know where to turn.
Among guitarists, however, "nu-metal" had only begun to reach its apex. As 2003 delivered an array of stripped-down garage rock -- The White Stripes, The Black Keys -- and explorations from long-standing heavyweights -- Metallica, Dream Theater -- it was undoubtedly a prolific year for the nu-metal elite. Both Staind and Linkin Park had No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. While Korn, Sevendust and Deftones all released praiseworthy entries into the nu-metal annals.
Of course, there were more than seven-string, down-tuned guitars and guttural vocals in 2003. Although you might not guess that from checking out that year's Guitar World covers; most of the aforementioned bands made appearances. Nonetheless, there are several gems from '03 worth a listen. See this week's Best Guitar Album poll below and let us know which is your favorite.
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!