Recommended hard rock and heavy metal

Recommended Western alternative rock bands that connect to the modern rock scene

Live Spot LugHirata Hiroyasu
I’m Hiroyasu Hirata from Live Spot RAG. When I was 15, I was blown away by how cool music—especially rock—was, and I started playing guitar and formed a band. I’m from Kochi Prefecture, where there weren’t many live houses or concert venues, so there were few opportunities to experience live music. Back then, our sources of information were magazines, CDs, and even VHS tapes (!?). Still, I was captivated by the sparkle of music, and I spent my days enjoying guitar and music, mostly neglecting my studies. I moved to Kyoto for university and “graduated” from the light music club, so to speak (laugh). Until then, I mainly listened to Japanese rock and Western hard rock, but thanks to seniors and peers I learned there was so much more music in the world. Now I listen to anything that strikes me as good, regardless of genre. After graduating, I joined RAG. After about six years in the office and about ten years in the music studio, I now work at the long-established Live Spot RAG, which has been around for 39 years, mainly handling promotions. Being exposed to the “real music” performed by Japan’s top musicians and delivering it to our audience lets me feel the brilliance of music anew every day. I still play guitar and keep a band going casually, and in recent years I’ve even started singing—better late than never. I’ve fully become an old guy by now, but I hope we can continue to chase “what lies beyond the dreams I painted with music back then” together.

In the 1980s, rock music gained a vast audience, and at the same time a mainstream industry took shape.

Meanwhile, as various genres emerged and branched out, the media introduced a category defined as “rock that didn’t fit the existing mold”: alternative rock.

This time, while tracing the roots of alternative rock, we’re also focusing on the musicians who went on to lead the scene.

Be sure to check it out.

Recommended Western alternative rock bands (11–20) that connect to the modern rock scene

Silver RocketSonic youth

SILVER ROCKET (Sonic Youth)

Silver RocketSonic youth

This is a track from the landmark ’90s album Daydream Nation.

Among Sonic Youth’s songs, it maintains a relatively traditional rock structure, but it has a striking arrangement where all the members unleash noise during the development section and then return to the original song.

It’s really cool.

My Bloody Valentine’s track You Made Me Realise uses the same structure, showing how greatly the band influenced those that followed.

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Reel Around The FountainThe Smiths

The smiths- Reel around the fountain lyrics

Reel Around The FountainThe Smiths

The opening track of The Smiths’ debut album.

The echoing, quintessentially ’80s snare and Johnny Marr’s luscious arpeggios are wonderful.

Morrissey’s lyrics, said to have captured the hearts of introverted boys of the time, unfold here as well into a sensual, imagination-stirring poetic world.

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Animal NitrateSuede

Suede – Animal Nitrate (Remastered Official HD Video)

Animal NitrateSuede

This is a track from the debut album by Suede, a band formed in London, England, in 1989.

The allure lies in vocalist Brett Anderson’s androgynous, seductive appearance and the dangerous lyrics that hint at incestuous sexuality.

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TemptationNew Order

New Order – Temptation (Official Music Video) [HD Upgrade]

TemptationNew Order

Hailing from Manchester, England, New Order was formed in 1980 by the remaining members of Joy Division.

They are known for a wide-ranging musical style that spans from post-punk to synth-pop and dance music.

They released their debut album, Movement, in 1981, followed by a string of quintessential ’80s albums such as Power, Corruption & Lies and Low-Life.

Their innovative fusion of electronic music and rock influenced many later artists.

Their 12-inch single released in 1983 is recorded as the best-selling single of its kind.

They’re a recommended band for those interested in the fusion of dance beats and rock.

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Them BonesAlice In Chains

Alice In Chains – Them Bones (Official HD Video)

Them BonesAlice In Chains

Alice in Chains is another band that represents 1990s America.

While they fall under the broad category of alternative rock, they’re known as an alternative band leaning toward heavy metal and hard rock.

Amid the movement of American alternative bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, they achieved worldwide success.

Their track Them Bones epitomizes “alternative metal,” delivering an intensely heavy sound that stays powerful all the way through to the very end.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Where It’s AtBeck

Beck – Where It’s At (Official Music Video)

Where It's AtBeck

This is a track from the second album by Beck, an American artist known for changing up his sound with each album.

It’s a jumble of elements—breakbeats and scratching that likely draw from hip-hop.

Even though the influence is there, it doesn’t come across as overly hip-hop, which I think reflects Beck’s sensibility.

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Recommended Western alternative rock bands connected to the modern rock scene (21–30)

Eddie’s GunThe Kooks

The Kooks – Eddie’s Gun

Eddie's GunThe Kooks

This is a track from the debut album by The Kooks, formed in the UK.

Opening with a brisk snare and choppy guitar, the song centers on unpleasant memories involving a woman—something you can glean from the title.

Its straightforward, crisp rock sound, free of unnecessary effects, feels refreshing and makes it a song you’ll want to put on in spontaneous moments.

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