[2026] Essential Japanese Loud Rock Anthems for Beginners

Although it falls under the category of so-called “wasei-eigo,” the term “loud rock” is widely used in today’s music scene.

As the name suggests, it’s a genre centered on loud, intense guitar sounds while encompassing a broad range of elements.

A disc guide themed around “loud rock” was already published back in 1999, so its history is surprisingly long.

But for music fans who’ve only recently gotten into loud rock and are thinking, “I kind of get the image of what loud rock is, but where should I start listening?”, this piece introduces a curated selection of essential classic tracks from the Japanese loud rock scene.

From legendary bands to up-and-coming acts making waves in recent years, be sure to check out these standout tracks representing the many shades of “loud rock.”