They'd be labeled as "New Metal" as are allot of so called "Metal bands" these days.
Actually bands that sound like that piss me off, they have a typical Metal sound with their instrumentation, yet they mix it with piss poor half-ass wannabe Death Metal vocals. Many bands are lucky I don't run a record label because I'd laugh them out of my office.
You should tell your friend to check this website. There is a contest called Music Nation, groups are sending in vids from all over the country. The winner gets a recording contract with Epic Records.