Music of a wonderful world

[2026] Recommended German bands: Popular bands from abroad

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Suddenly, but what kind of image do you all have of the German music scene?

If you’re into classical music, you might think of giants like Handel, Bach, and Beethoven—but what about rock and pop?

Germany has many distinctive bands across genres such as rock, metal, and dance music.

Some sing in English, while others have achieved global success with lyrics in their native language.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of popular German bands all at once!

Even if you don’t know much about German bands, this is a great place to start—so be sure to check it out.

【2026】Recommended Bands from Germany: Popular International Bands (21–30)

Love TygerEdguy

EDGUY – Love Tyger (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

Love TygerEdguy

Influenced by bands like Helloween and brilliantly sublimating that influence into their own unique sound, Edguy stands out.

In terms of German metal, they’re considered part of the third generation, and thanks to steadily gaining popularity, they now boast a level of fame that rivals major metal bands.

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Land Of NobodyELOY

Eloy – Land Of Nobody

Land Of NobodyELOY

They’re a long-running band active since 1971.

Much like Birth Control, they play music that sits between hard rock and progressive rock.

This epic track, which runs over 17 minutes, appears on their second album from 1973.

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[2026] Recommended German bands: Popular overseas bands (31–40)

Take Care Of IllusionFRUMPY

Frumpy – Take Care of Illusion

Take Care Of IllusionFRUMPY

Frumpy is a band that represents German hard rock of the 1970s.

Their second album, “2,” released in 1971, is considered their masterpiece, and this track—though hard rock—unfolds with dramatic development.

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Ride The SkyLucifer’s Friend

Ride the Sky

Ride The SkyLucifer's Friend

Lucifer’s Friend, a renowned 1970s German hard rock band with a Satanism-tinged name meaning “Friend of the Devil,” played music akin to British hard rock, alongside the Scorpions.

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Eagle Fly FreeBASSINVADERS

Bassinvaders – Eagle Fly Free

Eagle Fly FreeBASSINVADERS

This is a heavy metal project by Helloween’s bassist, Markus Grosskopf, with the bass taking center stage.

Only a metal powerhouse like Germany could come up with something like this.

As you’d expect, the bass really stands out in the songs, making them irresistible for bass enthusiasts.

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Journey to the Centre of the EyeNektar

Nektar – Journey To The Centre Of The Eye (432 Hz) [Full Album]

Journey to the Centre of the EyeNektar

Nektar is a renowned group that sits somewhere between progressive rock and hard rock, formed in Germany.

However, most of the members are British, they interacted with Pink Floyd, and their musical style began with similarities to early Pink Floyd.

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AufbruchNovalis

Aufbruch (Remastered 2016)

AufbruchNovalis

Novalis was also a band that played progressive rock with a leaning toward hard rock.

They were a group with broad musicality, even performing Ravel’s Boléro at times.

The opening track of their third album, Sommerabend—known as one of their masterpieces—is this song.

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