Grunge music is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States in the mid-1980s. It is characterized by its heavy, distorted guitar sound and angsty, introspective lyrics. Grunge music often features unconventional song structures, dynamic shifts, and a mix of punk rock and heavy metal influences.
The genre gained mainstream popularity in the early 1990s with bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, and became known for its raw, unpolished sound and DIY aesthetic. Grunge music often dealt with themes of alienation, depression, and social disaffection, and was seen as a reaction to the glossy, corporate-driven rock music of the 1980s.
Grunge music had a significant impact on the music industry, and its influence can still be heard in contemporary rock music.
