The albums that define
funk metal.
Our picks for where to start with funk metal — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top funk metal artists
Start with one of these.
The funk metal essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Incubus
If Not Now, When?
Melodic alternative rock infused with reflective lyrics and a blend of atmospheric soundscapes and rhythmic grooves.
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Incubus
Light Grenades
A vibrant mix of alternative rock and funk metal, blending introspective lyrics with infectious grooves and dynamic instrumentation.
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Living Colour
Vivid
A vibrant blend of hard rock and funk grooves, charged with socially conscious lyrics and explosive energy.
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Living Colour
Shade
A bold fusion of alternative metal and funk, blending socially conscious themes with energetic instrumentation.
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Buckethead
Reunion
An eclectic blend of avant-garde jazz and dark ambient soundscapes, exploring emotional depth through intricate guitar work.
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Buckethead
Intelligence Failure
A chaotic blend of intricate guitar work and experimental soundscapes that challenge conventional structures and provoke thought.
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Extreme
Get the Funk Out
A vibrant fusion of funk grooves and hard rock energy that showcases Extreme's eclectic style and musicianship.
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Extreme
Extreme
A vibrant fusion of hard rock and funk metal, layered with catchy hooks and theatrical flair.
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Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
This album showcases their groundbreaking fusion of genres and their passionate lyrical content right from the start. It encapsulates their ethos of resistance and social awareness, making it a crucial listen for understanding their artistic voice.
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Rage Against the Machine
Renegades
A politically charged collection of covers blending alternative metal with funk-infused rhythms and rap-rock energy.
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Fishbone
In Your Face
An exhilarating fusion of punk energy and funky grooves that challenges genre boundaries with unabashed creativity.
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Fishbone
Give a Monkey a Brain and He'll Swear He's the Center of the Universe
A chaotic fusion of punk energy, funk grooves, and sharp social commentary that pushes musical boundaries.
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Ugly Kid Joe
Uglier Than They Used Ta Be
A gritty blend of hard rock and funk, underscored by an unapologetic attitude and a modern edge.
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Ugly Kid Joe
Stairway to Hell
A gritty blend of hard rock and funk metal infused with a self-deprecating humor that defines Ugly Kid Joe's signature style.
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Tom Morello
The Atlas Underground Flood
A genre-blending exploration of personal and political themes, merging rock, electronic, and folk influences into an electrifying soundscape.
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Tom Morello
The Atlas Underground Fire
A fiery blend of rock, electronic, and folk influences ignites a powerful call to action through innovative guitar work.
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Sugar Ray
Lemonade and Brownies
A vibrant fusion of funk and metal, blending sharp riffs with playful grooves and an irreverent spirit.
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Sugar Ray
14:59
A sun-soaked blend of pop melodies and funk-infused grooves, embodying the carefree spirit of late '90s rock.
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Mike Patton
Irony Is a Dead Scene
A chaotic blend of genre-defying experimentalism and biting lyricism, merging avant-garde metal with unsettling atmospheric elements.
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Mike Patton
Mondo Cane
A vibrant fusion of Italian pop classics and avant-garde sensibilities, showcasing eclectic arrangements and Patton's dynamic vocal range.
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24-7 Spyz
This Is...24-7 Spyz!
A vibrant fusion of funk, metal, and hip-hop energy that grooves with infectious rhythms and dynamic instrumentation.
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24-7 Spyz
Harder Than You
A vibrant fusion of funk grooves and metal riffs creates an energetic soundscape that is both eclectic and fiercely rhythmic.
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Chuck Mosley
Will Rap Over Hard Rock for Food
A gritty blend of rap-infused vocals over dynamic hard rock riffs, capturing a raw, energetic spirit.
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Scatterbrain
Here Comes Trouble
A chaotic fusion of thrash metal and funk, mixing humor with biting social commentary over frenetic instrumentation.
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Adjacent sounds
By decade
Where funk metal landed in each era.