Nirvana is primarily classified as a grunge band, a genre of rock music that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s with a distinctive sound combining elements of punk rock, heavy metal, and alternative rock. Nirvana's breakthrough album Nevermind in 1991 played a key role in popularizing grunge music globally. The band also incorporated influences from punk and pop, with their music featuring a mix of raw, distorted guitars, dynamic changes in tempo and volume, and emotionally intense lyrics. While grunge is the main genre associated with Nirvana, the band’s sound also crosses over into alternative rock, punk rock, and elements of pop.
