The Best Rock Bands Of 2025

The Best Rock Bands Of 2025

Akansha Kakkad
Updated June 15, 2025 66.7K views 32 items

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21.7K votes
3.0K voters
6 reranks
Voting Rules

Vote on the artists based on their recent music and performances.

Are you ready to rock out throughout 2025? In a post-pandemic digital age of endless TikTok reels and electropop dancing, rock has taken the backseat across pop culture. However, this year has a lot of great rock music that may be the ultimate cure to your social media Top 40 blues. 

From the legendary Grammy Award-winning Red Hot Chili Peppers to alternative punk royalty Fall Out Boy and Blink-182, 2024's hottest rock bands are moving full-speed-ahead with electrifying new music and international concert tours. Emo supergroups My Chemical Romance and Paramore return to the forefront of the music industry with new records and sold out shows; and Italian glam rock foursome Måneskin finally have a Grammy nomination under their belt.

Which trending rock musicians are you most excited to see live, and whose records are you currently listening to? Vote below for the best rock bands of 2025, and be sure to also check out this year's top new rock songs afterwards. 

Most divisive: Arctic Monkeys
Over 3.0K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Best Rock Bands of 2023
  • Metallica
    1
    1,563 votes
    Metallica, an iconic heavy metal band, was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, California. The original lineup consisted of vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and bassist Ron McGovney. However, the band underwent several changes in its early years, with Mustaine being replaced by Kirk Hammett and Cliff Burton stepping in for McGovney. Tragically, Burton was killed in a bus accident while touring in Sweden in 1986, leading to the recruitment of Jason Newsted as the new bassist. The band's debut album, Kill 'Em All, released in 1983, established Metallica as a pioneering force in the thrash metal genre. Their subsequent releases, Ride the Lightning (1984), Master of Puppets (1986), and ...And Justice for All (1988) enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success, further cementing their place in metal history. During this period, the band was known for its aggressive sound, complex compositions, and powerful lyrical themes that often tackled political and social issues. With the release of their self-titled album, commonly referred to as The Black Album, in 1991, Metallica achieved mainstream success. The album, featuring hits like "Enter Sandman" and "The Unforgiven," showcased a more accessible sound, which led to a wider audience. Despite facing criticism from some fans for moving away from their thrash roots, the band continued to explore different musical styles in their subsequent albums. Over the course of their career, Metallica has received numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. They remain one of the most influential and successful bands in the history of rock music, with a legacy that continues to inspire countless musicians around the world.
    • Fade To Black
      1Fade To Black
       
       
      2,177 Votes
    • Master of Puppets
      2Master of Puppets
       
       
      2,662 Votes
    • For Whom The Bell Tolls
      3For Whom The Bell Tolls
       
       
      2,254 Votes
    • One
      4One
       
       
      2,668 Votes
  • The Red Hot Chili Peppers is a legendary rock band hailing from Los Angeles, California. The group was established in 1983 by Anthony Kiedis, Michael Balzary (also known as Flea), Hillel Slovak, and Jack Irons. Through their unique blend of funk, punk, and psychedelic rock, the band cemented its place in music history. Their dynamic sound and raw energy have earned them a global fan base, numerous awards, and commercial success. The band's journey was not without its hardships. In the late 1980s, they faced the tragic loss of guitarist Hillel Slovak due to drug overdose. The following years saw several lineup changes, with the entrance of John Frusciante and Chad Smith proving pivotal in shaping the band's signature sound. Together, they produced some of the Chili Peppers' most acclaimed work, including the quadruple platinum album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. This album featured hits like Under The Bridge and Give It Away, which have since become anthems of the 90s rock scene. Despite experiencing intermittent periods of hiatus and personal struggles, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have displayed remarkable resilience. They have released 11 studio albums, with their 2006 album Stadium Arcadium earning them five Grammy Awards. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, a testament to their significant contribution to the music industry. Their enduring influence continues to resonate within the realm of rock, inspiring countless musicians and captivating audiences worldwide.
    • John Frusciante
      1John Frusciante
       
       
      597 Votes
    • Flea
      2Flea
       
       
      489 Votes
    • Chad Smith
      3Chad Smith
       
       
      354 Votes
    • Anthony Kiedis
      4Anthony Kiedis
       
       
      358 Votes
  • Foo Fighters
    3
    1,567 votes
    Foo Fighters are an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1994. The band was founded by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of Nirvana after the suicide of Kurt Cobain. The group took its name from foo fighter, a nickname coined by Allied aircraft pilots for UFOs and other aerial phenomena. Over the course of their career, Foo Fighters have won 12 Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album four times. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, their first year of eligibility. Prior to the release of Foo Fighters' 1995 debut album Foo Fighters, which featured Grohl as the only official member, Grohl recruited bassist Nate Mendel and drummer William Goldsmith, both formerly of Sunny Day Real Estate, as well as Nirvana touring guitarist Pat Smear. The band began with performances in Portland, Oregon. Goldsmith quit during the recording of their second album The Colour and the Shape (1997).
  • Linkin Park
    4
    661 votes
    Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. The band's current lineup comprises vocalist/keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Mike Shinoda, lead guitarist Brad Delson, bassist Dave Farrell, DJ/keyboardist Joe Hahn, and drummer Rob Bourdon, all of whom are founding members. Vocalists Mark Wakefield and Chester Bennington and bassist Kyle Christner are former members of the band. Formed in 1996, Linkin Park rose to international fame with its debut studio album, Hybrid Theory (2000), which was certified diamond by the RIAA in 2005, and multi-platinum in several other countries. Its second album, Meteora (2003), continued the band's success, topping the Billboard 200 album chart in 2003, and was followed by extensive touring and charity work. Having adapted nu metal and rap metal to a radio-friendly yet densely layered style in its first two albums, the band explored other genres on its third album, Minutes to Midnight (2007). The album topped the Billboard charts and had the third-best debut week of any album that year.Linkin Park continued to explore a wider variation of musical types in its fourth album, A Thousand Suns (2010), layering their music with more electronic sounds. The band's fifth album, Living Things (2012), combined musical elements from all of its previous records. Its sixth album, The Hunting Party (2014), returned to a heavier rock sound, and its seventh album, One More Light (2017), was a more electronic and pop-oriented record.Linkin Park is among the best-selling bands of the 21st century and the world's best-selling music artists overall, having sold more than 70 million albums worldwide. They have won two Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards and three World Music Awards. In 2003, MTV2 named Linkin Park the sixth-greatest band of the music video era and the third-best of the new millennium. Billboard ranked Linkin Park No. 19 on the Best Artists of the Decade chart. In 2012, the band was voted as the greatest artist of the 2000s in a Bracket Madness poll on VH1. In 2014, the band was declared as "The Biggest Rock Band in the World Right Now" by Kerrang!.Linkin Park went into an indefinite hiatus after longtime lead vocalist Bennington died from suicide by hanging on July 20, 2017. The other members of the band have yet to decide whether to continue with a new vocalist.
  • Green Day
    5
    1,312 votes
    Green Day, an American punk rock band, established their name in the music industry with their distinctive blend of raw energy, rebellious spirit, and catchy melodies. The band was formed in 1986 by childhood friends Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt, originally under the name Sweet Children. Later joined by drummer Tré Cool, they rechristened themselves as Green Day, a slang term for a day spent smoking marijuana, reflecting their lighthearted approach to serious subjects. The band's breakthrough came in 1994 with the album Dookie, which sold more than 10 million copies in the United States alone. This album introduced the world to Green Day's trademark sound: powerful, fast-paced punk peppered with infectious hooks and sharp lyrics. It spawned hits like "Basket Case" and "When I Come Around," catapulting the band to international fame. Green Day's success continued with albums like Insomniac, Nimrod, and Warning. Green Day's ability to evolve artistically was further proven with the rock opera American Idiot in 2004. The politically charged narrative album resonated with audiences worldwide, earning the band new acclaim. It was later adapted into a successful Broadway musical. Despite facing various challenges, including Armstrong's struggles with substance abuse, Green Day has remained a vital force in the music industry. Their contribution to punk rock music is undeniable, marking them as one of the genre's most influential bands.
  • Pearl Jam
    6
    486 votes
    Pearl Jam are an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. The band's lineup consists of founding members Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), and Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guitar), as well as Matt Cameron (drums), who joined in 1998. Keyboardist Boom Gaspar has also been a touring/session member with the band since 2002. Drummers Jack Irons, Dave Krusen, Matt Chamberlain, and Dave Abbruzzese are former members of the band. Pearl Jam outsold many of their contemporaries from the early 1990s, and are considered one of the most influential bands of the decade, being dubbed as "the most popular American rock & roll band of the '90s". Pearl Jam sold more than 85 million albums worldwide by 2018, including nearly 32 million albums in the United States by 2012, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. Pearl Jam were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 in their first year of eligibility.
  • Arctic Monkeys
    7
    1,258 votes
    Arctic Monkeys, an English rock band, was formed in Sheffield in 2002. The group initially consisted of four members: Alex Turner (lead vocals and guitar), Jamie Cook (guitar), Andy Nicholson (bass), and Matt Helders (drums). Nicholson left the band in 2006, and Nick O'Malley stepped in as the new bassist. Over the years, the band's music style evolved from garage rock and post-punk revival to incorporate new wave, hip-hop, and indie pop. The Arctic Monkeys gained significant recognition with their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, which was released in 2006. This album still stands as the fastest-selling debut album by a band in UK chart history. In the same year, they were awarded the Mercury Prize for this record-breaking album. Their subsequent albums Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) and AM (2013) also received critical acclaim, each earning them Brit Awards for Best British Album. Throughout their career, the Arctic Monkeys have been praised for their lyricism, often characterized by a keen sense of observation and wit that set them apart in the music industry. Turner's lyrics, coupled with the band's evolving sound, have continuously kept listeners intrigued. From performing at local venues in Sheffield to headlining music festivals worldwide, the Arctic Monkeys have imprinted their mark in the music scene, resonating with fans across different generations. Their contribution to music has led to numerous awards and nominations, further establishing their reputation as one of the most influential bands of the 21st century.
  • Fall Out Boy
    8
    853 votes
    Fall Out Boy are an American rock band formed in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz, lead guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band originated from Chicago's hardcore punk scene, with which all members were involved at one point. The group was formed by Wentz and Trohman as a pop punk side project of the members' respective hardcore bands, and Stump joined shortly thereafter. The group went through a succession of drummers before landing Hurley and recording the group's debut album, Take This to Your Grave (2003). The album became an underground success and helped the band gain a dedicated fanbase through heavy touring, as well as commercial success. Take This to Your Grave has commonly been cited as an influential blueprint for pop punk music in the 2000s. The band has received two Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist (2006) and Best Rock Album (2019).
    • Infinity On High
      1Infinity On High
       
       
      187 Votes
    • From Under The Cork Tree
      2From Under The Cork Tree
       
       
      192 Votes
    • Folie à Deux
      3Folie à Deux
       
       
      227 Votes
    • Take This To Your Grave
      4Take This To Your Grave
       
       
      151 Votes
  • Twenty One Pilots (stylized in all lowercase or as twenty øne piløts) are an American musical duo from Columbus, Ohio. The band was formed in 2009 by lead vocalist Tyler Joseph along with Nick Thomas and Chris Salih, who both left in 2011. Since their departure, the line-up has consisted of Joseph and drummer Josh Dun. The duo is best known for their singles "Stressed Out", "Ride", and "Heathens". The group received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards for "Stressed Out". The band independently released two albums, Twenty One Pilots (2009) and Regional at Best (2011), before being signed by record label Fueled by Ramen in 2012. Their label debut, Vessel, was released in 2013 and became the second album in history on which every track received at least a gold certification, making Twenty One Pilots the first band in the history of music to see every song on two albums earn gold or platinum awards.
  • Coldplay
    10
    1,068 votes
    Coldplay, a British rock band, was formed in London in 1997. The band's original members include Chris Martin who serves as the lead vocalist and pianist, Jonny Buckland the lead guitarist, Guy Berryman the bassist, and Will Champion who is known for his skills as a drummer, backing vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. These four talented musicians met during their college years at University College London and decided to create a band, initially called "Starfish". They later renamed it to Coldplay, a name suggested by Tim Rice-Oxley of the band Keane. Coldplay's musical journey truly began with their debut album Parachutes in 2000, which included the hit single "Yellow". The song gained widespread popularity, propelling them to international fame. The album won the Best Alternative Music Album at the 43rd Grammy Awards, marking the beginning of their critically acclaimed career. Their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, released in 2002, was also a major success, winning multiple awards including the prestigious Grammy for Record of the Year for the track "Clocks". Throughout their career, Coldplay has been known for their unique sound, blending alternative rock with pop elements. They have continuously evolved their music style, evident in their subsequent albums such as X&Y, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, and Mylo Xyloto. Each album showcases a distinct musical exploration, from electronic music influences to orchestral and folk elements. The band's efforts have paid off, with over 100 million records sold worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling music artists. Also notable is their philanthropic work, often contributing to various social and environmental causes. This dedication to music and societal impact cements Coldplay's place as an influential force in the global music industry.
  • Blink-182
    11
    936 votes
    Blink-182 are an American rock band formed in Poway, California, in 1992. Their current lineup consists of guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba, bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus, and drummer Travis Barker. Though their sound has diversified throughout their career, their musical style blends catchy pop melodies with fast-paced punk rock. Their lyrics center on relationships, adolescent frustration, and maturity—or lack thereof. The group emerged from a suburban, Southern California skate-punk scene and gained notoriety for high-energy live shows and irreverent humor. After years of independent recording and touring, including stints on the Warped Tour, the group signed to MCA Records. Their biggest albums, Enema of the State (1999) and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001), saw international success. Songs like "All the Small Things", "Dammit", "I Miss You", and "What's My Age Again?" became hit singles and MTV staples. Later efforts, including an untitled album (2003), marked stylistic shifts.
    • Take Off Your Pants and Jacket
      1Take Off Your Pants and Jacket
       
       
      329 Votes
    • Enema of the State
      2Enema of the State
       
       
      373 Votes
    • blink-182
      3blink-182
       
       
      356 Votes
    • Dude Ranch
      4Dude Ranch
       
       
      223 Votes
  • Muse
    12
    1,007 votes
    Muse, a renowned alternative rock band, hails from Teignmouth, Devon in the United Kingdom. Consisting of Matthew Bellamy as the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter, Christopher Wolstenholme on bass and backing vocals, and Dominic Howard on drums, Muse was formed in 1994. The trio met at their school in Teignmouth, and their shared love for music led to the formation of the band. Their unique blend of rock, electronica, classical music, and progressive rock has garnered them international acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. The band's discography is impressive, with a total of eight studio albums released. Their debut album, Showbiz, was unveiled in 1999, but it was their second album, Origin of Symmetry in 2001, that truly put them on the map. Muse continued to evolve their sound with each successive album, experimenting with various musical styles and themes. Some of their most popular songs include "Uprising," "Starlight," and "Knights of Cydonia," which showcase their dynamic range and innovative musicality. Aside from their music, Muse is known for their energetic and extravagant live performances, often incorporating elaborate stage designs and light shows. They have performed at some of the world's biggest music festivals, like Glastonbury and Coachella. Their contribution to music has not gone unnoticed, as they have received numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album. Despite the many changes in the music industry over the years, Muse has remained a consistent force, continually pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to be a rock band in the 21st century.
  • My Chemical Romance are an American rock band from Newark, New Jersey. The band's current lineup consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, lead guitarist Ray Toro, rhythm guitarist Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way. Founded by Gerard, Mikey, Toro, and Matt Pelissier (and later joined by Iero), the band signed with Eyeball Records and released their debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, in 2002. They signed with Reprise Records the next year and released their major-label debut, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, in 2004. Shortly after the album's release, Pelissier was replaced by Bob Bryar. The album was a commercial success, and it attained platinum status over a year later. The success of the band's previous albums was eclipsed by that of their 2006 concept album, The Black Parade, which generally received favorable reviews from music critics and was certified triple platinum in the United States and the United Kingdom.
    • The Black Parade
      1The Black Parade
       
       
      188 Votes
    • Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
      2Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
       
       
      176 Votes
    • I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love
      3I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love
       
       
      123 Votes
    • Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
      4Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
       
       
      141 Votes
  • Imagine Dragons
    14
    1,173 votes
    Imagine Dragons are an American pop rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Imagine Dragons' lineup consists of lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne "Wing" Sermon, bassist Ben McKee and drummer Daniel Platzman. The band gained exposure following the release of their debut studio album, Night Visions and first single "It's Time". The band's second studio album Smoke and Mirrors reached number one on the Billboard 200, Canadian Albums Chart, and UK Albums Chart. Night Visions peaked at number two on the weekly Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart. According to Billboard, Imagine Dragons topped the year-end rock rankings for 2013; Billboard named them "The Breakthrough Band of 2013", and Rolling Stone named their single "Radioactive" "the biggest rock hit of the year". MTV called them "the year's biggest breakout band." Imagine Dragons won an American Music Award for Favorite Alternative Artist, a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance, five Billboard Music Awards, and a World Music Award.
  • Journey
    15
    718 votes
    Journey are an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1973 by former members of Santana, Steve Miller Band, and Frumious Bandersnatch. The band currently consists of guitarist/vocalist Neal Schon (the only constant original member), keyboardists/vocalists Jonathan Cain and Jason Derlatka, drummer/vocalist Deen Castronovo, and lead vocalist Arnel Pineda. Journey had their biggest commercial success between 1978 and 1987, when Steve Perry was lead vocalist; they released a series of hit songs, including "Don't Stop Believin'" (1981), which in 2009 became the top-selling track in iTunes history among songs not released in the 21st century. Escape, Journey's seventh and most successful album, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and yielded another of their most popular singles, "Open Arms". The 1983 follow-up album, Frontiers, was almost as successful in the United States, reaching No. 2 with more hits. In 2017, Journey was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  • Def Leppard
    16
    850 votes
    Def Leppard, a prominent English rock band, was formed in 1977 in Sheffield. The initial lineup consisted of Joe Elliott, Pete Willis, Steve Clark, Rick Savage, and Tony Kenning. Known for their distinctive sound that blends heavy metal and pop, Def Leppard quickly gained prominence in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in the late 1970s. Their debut album, On Through the Night, released in 1980, successfully established them in the music industry and marked the start of a career that would span decades. The band's most successful period was in the 1980s when they released a string of multi-platinum albums, including Pyromania and Hysteria. These two albums alone have sold over 10 million copies each in the U.S., certifying them as diamond albums. Hysteria, released in 1987, yielded seven hit singles and solidified Def Leppard's place in rock history. Despite facing significant adversity, including the tragic death of guitarist Steve Clark in 1991 and drummer Rick Allen losing his arm in a car accident, the band persevered and continued to produce hit music. Def Leppard's influence on rock music is undeniable. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists in history. Despite lineup changes and personal tragedies, the band has consistently produced hits and remained relevant in the constantly evolving music industry. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, Def Leppard's legacy continues to inspire new generations of rock musicians.
  • Paramore
    17
    906 votes
    Paramore are an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, guitarist Taylor York and drummer Zac Farro. Williams and Farro are founding members of the group, while York, a high school friend of the original lineup, joined in 2007. The band are signed to Fueled by Ramen, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records, both owned by Warner Music Group. Williams is separately signed to Atlantic as she was scouted when she was a teenager, and they were the only label to let her stay in the band instead of going solo, but Atlantic said the rest of the band had to sign to FBR. She is also the only member to appear on all five of Paramore's studio albums. The group released its debut album, All We Know Is Falling, in 2005, with the album reaching number four on the UK Rock Chart in 2009 and number thirty on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart in 2006. In 2013, the band's fourth album gave them their first #1 on the US Billboard 200.
  • Blur
    18
    313 votes
    Blur are an English rock band, formed in London in 1988. The group consists of singer/keyboardist Damon Albarn, guitarist/singer Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Their debut album Leisure (1991) incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing. Following a stylistic change influenced by English guitar pop groups such as the Kinks, the Beatles and XTC, Blur released Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993), Parklife (1994) and The Great Escape (1995). In the process, the band became central to the Britpop music and culture movement, and achieved mass popularity in the UK, aided by a chart battle with rivals Oasis in 1995 dubbed the "Battle of Britpop". In recording their follow-up, Blur (1997), the band underwent another reinvention, showing influence from the lo-fi style of American indie rock groups. The band's third UK number one album, Blur included the "Song 2" single, which brought them mainstream success in the US. Their next album, 13 (1999) saw the band members experimenting with electronic and gospel music, and featured more personal lyrics from Albarn. In May 2002, Coxon left Blur during the recording of their seventh album Think Tank (2003). Containing electronic sounds and more minimal guitar work, the album was marked by Albarn's growing interest in hip hop and African music. After a 2003 tour without Coxon, Blur did no studio work or touring as a band, as members engaged in other projects. Blur reunited, with Coxon back in the fold, for a series of concerts in 2009. In the following years they released several singles and retrospective compilations, and toured internationally. In 2012, the group received a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Their first major release in twelve years, The Magic Whip (2015), became the sixth consecutive Blur studio album to top the British charts.
  • MÃ¥neskin
    19
    1,178 votes
    MÃ¥neskin are an Italian glam pop rock band formed in Rome in 2016. The band is composed of vocalist Damiano David, bassist Victoria de Angelis, guitarist Thomas Raggi, and drummer Ethan Torchio. Performing in the streets in their early days, they rose to prominence after finishing second in the eleventh season of the Italian talent show X Factor in 2017. Their international breakthrough ensued when the foursome won the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 for Italy with the song "Zitti e buoni." The band have released two studio albums Il ballo della vita (2018) and Teatro d'ira: Vol. I (2021), one extended-play, and nine singles, which have topped the Italian and European music charts. They have collected 28 platinum and 7 gold certifications from FIMI (Federation of the Italian Music Industry), and have sold over one million records in Italy before their post-Eurovision breakthrough. In 2021, MÃ¥neskin became the first Italian rock band to reach the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart.
  • Greta Van Fleet
    20
    Greta Van Fleet are an American rock band from Frankenmuth, Michigan, formed in 2012. The band consists of Kiszka brothers Josh (vocals), Jake (guitar) and Sam (bass guitar, keyboards); and Danny Wagner (drums). They were signed to Lava Records in March 2017, and a month later they released their debut studio EP, Black Smoke Rising. Their debut single, "Highway Tune", topped the Billboard U.S. Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts in September 2017 for four weeks in a row. Their second EP, From the Fires, containing the four songs from Black Smoke Rising and four new songs, was released on November 10, 2017, alongside a second single, "Safari Song". From the Fires went on to win the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. Their debut full-length studio album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army, was released on October 19, 2018, and topped the Billboard Rock Album charts in the first week after its release. A second studio album, The Battle at Garden's Gate was released on April 16, 2021.
  • Nickelback
    21
    772 votes
    Nickelback is a Canadian rock band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta, Canada. The band is composed of guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan Peake, bassist Mike Kroeger, and drummer Daniel Adair. The band went through several drummer changes between 1995 and 2005, achieving its current lineup when Adair replaced drummer Ryan Vikedal. Nickelback is one of the most commercially successful Canadian rock bands, having sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. In 2009, Billboard ranked them the most successful rock group of that decade; their song "How You Remind Me" was listed as the best-selling rock song and the fourth best-selling song of the decade overall. They were listed number seven on the Billboard top artist of the decade, with four albums listed on the Billboard top albums of the decade.The band signed with Roadrunner Records in 1999 and re-released their once-independent album The State. The band achieved significant commercial success with this album, as well as with its follow-up, Silver Side Up, in 2001. Following the release of Silver Side Up the band released their biggest and most well-known hit today, "How You Remind Me", which peaked number 1 on both the Billboard and Canadian Singles Charts. The band's fourth album The Long Road, was released in 2003 and spawned five singles including Canadian number one "Someday", which also peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Afterwards, the band put out their biggest-selling album to date, All The Right Reasons (2005) which produced three top 10 singles and five top 20 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 including "Photograph", "Far Away", and "Rockstar". The band's album Dark Horse (2008) was another commercial success, producing eight singles, one of which peaked on the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and two of which peaked on the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2011, the band released their seventh album Here and Now which again topped the charts. Their eighth studio album No Fixed Address was released on 17 November 2014, and their ninth studio album, Feed the Machine, was released on June 16, 2017. The band is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The band's original domestic signing was with EMI Canada, but they subsequently obtained an American deal with global distribution via Roadrunner Records. For the release of their seventh album, the band parted from EMI Canada and signed to Universal Music Canada.
  • Glass Animals
    22
    496 votes
    Glass Animals are a British indie rock band formed in Oxford in 2010. Led by singer, songwriter, and producer Dave Bayley, the group also features his childhood friends Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer and Drew MacFarlane. Bayley wrote and produced all three Glass Animals albums. The first, Zaba (2014), spawned the single "Gooey," which was eventually certified platinum in the United States. Their second full album, How to Be a Human Being, received generally positive reviews and won in two categories at the 2018 MPG Awards for UK Album of the Year and Self Producing Artist of the Year, as well as a spot on the Mercury Prize shortlist. The third, Dreamland, their first fully autobiographical album, included the single "Tokyo Drifting" which peaked at number seven on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. Their song "Heat Waves" reached number one in Australia in February 2021 and was voted number one on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020.
  • The Lumineers
    23
    509 votes
    The Lumineers are an American folk rock band based in Denver, Colorado. The founding members are Wesley Schultz (lead vocals, guitar) and Jeremiah Fraites (drums, percussion, piano). Schultz and Fraites began writing and performing together in Ramsey, New Jersey in 2005. Cellist and vocalist Neyla Pekarek (cello) joined the band in 2010, and was a member until 2018. The Lumineers emerged as one of the most popular folk-rock/Americana artists during the revival of those genres, their popularity growing in the 2010s. The band's stripped back raw sound draws heavily from artists that influenced Schultz and Fraites such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. They are known for their energetic live shows and several international hit singles including "Ho Hey", "Stubborn Love", "Ophelia" "Angela" and "Cleopatra." The band has become one of the top touring bands in the United States and is also popular in other countries.
  • Arcade Fire
    24
    459 votes
    Arcade Fire, a Canadian indie rock band, was formed in 2001, comprising of several multi-talented musicians including the husband-and-wife duo Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, along with Richard Reed Parry, William Butler, Tim Kingsbury, and Jeremy Gara. The band is known for their captivating performances, signature anthems, and instrumental versatility. Notably, members are proficient in a plethora of instruments - an attribute that has significantly contributed to the unique symphony of sounds that defines Arcade Fire's music. The band's debut album, Funeral, released in 2004, often receives reference as a landmark indie rock album of the 2000s. This universally acclaimed work solidified Arcade Fire's place in the music industry with its emotive lyricism and grandiose, layered soundscapes. Following this triumph, they released several more successful albums. Their third studio album, The Suburbs (2010), achieved remarkable acclaim by bagging the prestigious Grammy Award for Album of the Year, a Juno Award for Album of the Year, and a BRIT Award for Best International Album. Arcade Fire's music, characterized by its eclectic fusion of different musical styles and introspective narratives, has always challenged conventional genre boundaries. Their innovative approach to music-making can be seen in projects like their interactive music video for "Neon Bible" and their film score for Spike Jonze's movie Her. These ventures display their creative dexterity and willingness to experiment beyond the realm of traditional music-making. Over the years, Arcade Fire's dramatic artistry and profound lyrics have not only carved a distinctive niche in the global music scene but also inspired a generation of indie rock enthusiasts.
    • Funeral
      1Funeral
       
       
      163 Votes
    • The Suburbs
      2The Suburbs
       
       
      157 Votes
    • Neon Bible
      3Neon Bible
       
       
      122 Votes
    • Reflektor
      4Reflektor
       
       
      113 Votes
  • Bastille
    25
    444 votes
    Bastille are an English indie rock band formed in 2010. They began as a solo project by singer-songwriter Dan Smith, who later decided to form a band. The four-piece is completed by Chris 'Woody' Wood, William Farquarson, and Kyle Simmons. The name of the band derives from Bastille Day – an event celebrated on Smith's birthday, 14 July. In December 2010, EMI Music announced that they had offered Bastille a record contract with Virgin Records. Their debut single, "Overjoyed" was subsequently released in April 2012. Their first studio album, titled Bad Blood, was released in March 2013 and debuted atop the UK Albums Chart. The band was nominated for four Brit Awards at the 2014 ceremony, including for British Breakthrough Act, British Group, British Single of the Year and British Album of the Year, winning for British Breakthrough Act. As of November 2014, Bastille have sold over 5 million records in the US and 2.5 million records in the UK alone.
  • Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in 1983 by vocalist Nick Cave, multi-instrumentalist Mick Harvey and guitarist Blixa Bargeld. The band has featured international personnel throughout its career and presently consists of Cave, violinist and multi-instrumentalist Warren Ellis, bassist Martyn P. Casey (all from Australia), guitarist George Vjestica (United Kingdom), keyboardist/percussionist Toby Dammit (United States) and drummers Thomas Wydler (Switzerland) and Jim Sclavunos (United States). With their "brutal blues and gothic nightmares" songs, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have been considered "one of the most original and celebrated bands of the post-punk and alternative rock eras in the '80s and onward", They have released sixteen studio albums and completed numerous international tours. The band was founded in 1983 following the demise of Cave and Harvey's former group the Birthday Party, the members of which met at a boarding school in Victoria. By the release of their fifth studio album Tender Prey in 1988, they shifted from post-punk towards an experimental alternative rock sound, later incorporating various influences throughout their career. 2008's Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! and the side-project Grinderman were influenced by garage rock. Synthesizers and minimal guitar work feature prominently on Push the Sky Away (2013), recorded after Harvey's departure from the band in 2009.
  • boygenius
    27
    237 votes
    Boygenius (stylized in all lowercase) is an indie rock supergroup formed by American musicians Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. Their self-titled debut EP boygenius was written and recorded in four days at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles.
  • All Time Low
    28
    412 votes
    All Time Low are an American rock band from Towson, Maryland formed in 2003. Consisting of lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Alex Gaskarth, lead guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist/backing vocalist Zack Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson, the band took its name from lyrics in the song "Head on Collision" by New Found Glory. The band has consistently done year-long tours, has headlined numerous tours, and has appeared at music festivals including Warped Tour, Reading and Leeds, and Soundwave. Beginning as a band in high school, All Time Low released their debut EP, The Three Words to Remember in Dealing with the End EP, in 2004 through local label Emerald Moon. Since then the band has released eight studio albums: The Party Scene (2005), So Wrong, It's Right (2007), Nothing Personal (2009), Dirty Work (2011), Don't Panic (2012), Future Hearts (2015), Last Young Renegade (2017), and Wake Up, Sunshine (2020). They have released two live albums, one in 2010 and another in 2016.
  • HAIM
    29
    400 votes
    Haim is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band consists of sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim, and drummer Dash Hutton. The group's pop sound on their studio work stands in contrast to the more rock-based music of their live shows. The sisters grew up in a musical family, and began playing instruments from an early age in cover bands with their parents. They began performing as Haim in 2007, but did not seriously consider a professional career for some years. Este graduated with a degree in Ethnomusicology, while Danielle became a successful touring guitarist with Jenny Lewis and The Strokes' frontman, Julian Casablancas, on his solo tours. This led to Haim resuming as a full-time operation in 2012. The group's first release, Forever, combined with positive reception at the South by Southwest festival, led to a deal with Polydor Records and a management deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation group in mid-2012. The band began recording material for their first album, Days Are Gone, in between touring, including appearances at the Glastonbury Festival.
  • Band of Horses
    30
    Band of Horses are an American rock band formed in 2004 in Seattle, Washington by Ben Bridwell. The band has released five studio albums, including 2010's Grammy-nominated Infinite Arms. The band's lineup, which included Mat Brooke for the debut album, has undergone several changes. The most-recent lineup of Bridwell, Ryan Monroe, Tyler Ramsey, Bill Reynolds, and Creighton Barrett, was together several years and recorded three albums. That lineup ceased when Ramsey and Reynolds departed in 2017. On October 12, 2021, Band of Horses issued the single "Crutch" and announced the release of Things Are Great, their first album with Matt Gentling and Ian MacDougall, and sixth overall. Calling it "a return to their earlier work and the kind of raw ethos that lies at the heart of Band of Horses", Things Are Great was released on March 4, 2022. Prior to the album's release, MacDougall exited the band and in late January 2022 was replaced by Brett Nash as lead guitarist.
  • The Libertines
    31
    The Libertines are an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât and Pete Doherty. The band, centred on the songwriting partnership of Barât and Doherty, also included John Hassall and Gary Powell for most of its recording career. The band was part of the garage rock revival and spearheaded the movement in the UK. The band gained some notoriety in the early 2000s. Although their mainstream success was initially limited, their profile soon grew, culminating in a No. 2 single and No. 1 album on the UK Charts. In December 2004, their self-titled second album was voted the second best album of the year by NME magazine. Both of their full-length LPs were produced by Mick Jones, of the British punk band The Clash. In spite of their critical success as well as decent commercial success, the band's music was often eclipsed by its internal conflicts, stemming from Doherty's addictions to crack, cocaine, and heroin, which eventually led to the breakup of the band. Doherty has since stated that the breakup of the band was due to relationship difficulties between Barât and himself that were not related to his drug addictions.
  • Guided by Voices
    32
    Guided by Voices (GBV) is an American indie rock band formed in 1983 in Dayton, Ohio. It has made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard, who founded the group with guitarists Mitch Mitchell, Tobin Sprout, Jim Pollard, and drummer Kevin Fennell. The "classic" lineup included these musicians along with bassist Greg Demos, who also has some song co-writing credits. Noted at first for their lo-fi aesthetic and typically Portastudio four-tracks-to-cassette production methods, Guided by Voices' music was influenced by post–British Invasion garage rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, punk rock and post-punk. The band has had a prolific output, releasing 28 full-length albums along with many other releases. Most songs are in the two-minute range, but many are even shorter; often they end abruptly or are intertwined with odd and homemade sound effects. Guided by Voices initially disbanded in 2004. In 2010 the "classic" lineup reunited to perform at Matador Records 21st anniversary party, subsequently touring and releasing six new albums. GBV broke up a second time in 2014, but Pollard again rebooted the band with a new album and a new lineup in 2016.