Meteora was created during a tumultuous period in the music industry. The early 2000s saw the rise of nu-metal, a genre characterized by its fusion of heavy metal, hip-hop, and electronica. Linkin Park, a relatively new band at the time, was at the forefront of this movement. The band's lead vocalist, Chester Bennington, and rapper Mike Shinoda drew inspiration from their own experiences, crafting an album that spoke to a generation of disaffected youth.