I was convinced to use that terminology as well because its the really only genre that had fit Hybrid Theory and Meteora, though as others specified they hated specific genres such as Emo. There are a lot of unused or unheard of genres. I mean hell I never knew there was a Nu-Jazz, Power Metal or Math Metal. Its ridiculous for some genres.
Their label is or was suppose to originally be whatever you would consider the equivalent of the Rock + Hip Hop + Electronica success formula to be. This label was often referred to as "Nu-Metal", which originally meant a new and more aggressive sounding type of metal that was different then metal itself for bands that were breaking ground back in the nineties such as KoRn, but many Nu-Metal bands and fans of those bands alike now seem to want to denounce "Nu-Metal" as a false label for probably one of two reasons. 1.) The genre of Nu-Metal is on the verge of extinction and has been for a few years now. Linkin Park pretty much revived the entire Nu-Metal genre single handedly around the time of Meteora's release. So to continue on with their signature "hybrid" style for the third record would seem to be taking an even greater risk then expanding their sound, thus they moved on and striped away their original sound to maintain their forefront status on the mainstream. 2.) The term "Nu-Metal" is often considered a slander and degrading term by critics who strictly listen to just metal only or even mostly black-metal. Visit the site blabbermouth.net if you don't know what I'm talking about. So whatever genre you choose best to describe the origins of Linkin Park's TRUE sound, whether it be Nu-Metal, Rap-core, Hybrid-Rock, fusion, know that Minutes to Midnight is only an echo or a dark shadow reflected from their true sound of earlier and more glorious, energetic filled hybrid theory days and I don't see it as a true representation for their entire music catalog. It's also my interpretation that all the elements of the hybrid were striped away almost completely on Minutes to Midnight. Do bands need to change to stay in the business and remain competitive? Sure, but Linkin Park's change was way too radical and this caused their music to turn out way too raw and striped down to near nothingness and they lost everything that originally made them so special, awesome and unique to begin with, like Joe Hahn and Mike Shinoda for example. Yes Minutes to Midnight is more so alternative-rock, then Nu-Metal and yes I am a huge fan of Lp, but I honestly just didn't really like MTM that much, kind of the same way that some fans didn't like Collision Course and that's my choice. All fans have their biases and can point out things that they see to be flaws in the band. I think I have that right too, I waited four years for a huge disappointment! Yes Linkin Park did change, only to survive, but I don't believe MTM is truly what Linkin Park is either. That's my 2 cents and Minutes to Midnight bitching for the day, hope the next album is better.
I wouldn't say Power Metal and Math Metal are ridiculous, Power Metal is sort of like symphonic metal but faster and more solos and Math Metal is metal with complex times signitures and rythms, hence why people say something like 'Black Metal with a bit of math'. And emo is not specific genre. I'd say Linkin Park are mainly alt rock or nu-metal and a bit experimental.