Groove Metal

Evolving from thrash metal in the late 1980s, groove metal de-emphasizes speed in favor of percussive, syncopated, and mid-tempo rhythmic patterns. The style is defined by heavily down-tuned, often blues-inflected guitar riffs that lock into a powerful 'groove' with the bass and drums. Pioneered by acts like *Exhorder* and crystallized by *Pantera* on their 1990 album "Cowboys from Hell" released via #Atco Records#, the genre introduced a new form of heaviness built on rhythmic weight rather than sheer velocity. This focus on percussive force and swagger significantly influenced the subsequent development of nu-metal and modern metalcore.