Recommendation of Western Rock: Recommended Foreign Rock Bands, Popular Bands
You still hear people say things like, “I listen to Japanese rock bands, but I’m not so good with Western music,” even today, when it’s easier than ever to listen online to music from any era and anywhere in the world from the comfort of your home.
There are many reasons for this, but it seems some people feel a hurdle simply because the lyrics aren’t in Japanese.
So this time, we’ll introduce recommended Western rock bands for those who are thinking of getting into Western rock.
From legendary big names to bands lighting up the 2020s, we’ve picked a diverse lineup to enjoy!
- Popular Western Music Band Rankings [2026]
- Cool Western music bands. Recommended overseas bands that will get you pumped just by listening.
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- Must-Listen Now! Classic and Hit Western Rock Songs from the 2000s
- The Greatest American Rock Band [All Time Best]
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- [2026] A roundup of the best UK bands, featuring many up-and-coming acts!
- 90s Rock Revolution! A Collection of Masterpieces by Western Bands That Colored the 90s
- Masterpiece and hit songs by recommended Western bands from the 2000s
- [2026] Trending Western Music: The Latest Hit Songs to Watch
- Classic songs by foreign (non-Japanese) all-female bands. Recommended popular tracks.
- [2026] A roundup of classic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless staples!
- Western pop music popular with Gen Z. Hit songs.
Recommendation of Western Rock: Recommended Western Bands, Popular Bands (71–80)
FlickeringLapalux
I feel that the artist Lapalux often crafts tracks that carefully and fully extract the “sadness” evoked by electronic digital sounds, set it to rhythm, and polish it to completion.
I can’t quite put it into words, but there’s a vague sense of loneliness.
A vague sense of sorrow.
Slightly rough, abrasive sounds are mixed in, further amplifying that feeling.
It’s wonderful music—please give it a listen.
Immigrant SongLed Zeppelin
It’s no exaggeration to say they are one of the greatest and most important rock bands in the world.
Led Zeppelin is the miracle band that distilled many non-rock musical elements into their own sound.
There’s Robert Plant, with princely looks and soaring high vocals; Jimmy Page, one of the world’s three greatest guitarists; John Paul Jones, the bassist highly regarded as a composer; and John Bonham—Bonzo—who sadly passed away in 1980.
Though Led Zeppelin, blessed with these four miraculous members, didn’t leave a large catalog during their relatively short career, every one of their albums is a masterpiece that’s deeply satisfying to hear.
Rollin’Limp Bizkit
A nu metal and rap metal band formed in the United States.
Among the members, Fred Durst is especially well-known.
In 1997, one track from their album “Three Dollar Bill, Y’all$” drew attention and marked a brilliant debut.
Their musical style can be described as both metal and hip-hop, placing them in the “rap metal” genre.
Recommended Western Rock Music: Recommended Western Bands, Popular Bands (81–90)
The Beautiful PeopleMarilyn Manson
Even on the global music scene, Marilyn Manson stands out in a singular way—so much so that putting his presence into words almost feels trite.
His look, his songs—everything is out of the ordinary and brimming with originality.
With hard-hitting sounds, dangerous performances, and addictive tracks, once you’re hooked, you’re instantly captivated.
He’s an absolutely top-tier musician.
EWIMoon Hooch
Moon Hooch is a three-piece band consisting of drums and two saxophones.
Their appeal lies in their highly danceable tracks that incorporate abundant elements of EDM—something you wouldn’t expect from that lineup.
In particular, drummer James Muschler’s playing is truly one-of-a-kind, conveying a sense of playfulness that’s not often found in what’s considered “danceable” drumming in Japan.
While Moon Hooch may not be a household name, their debut album, Moon Hooch, was nominated for No.
9 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, and they are gradually gaining attention.
BelovedMumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons is a folk band from London, England, formed in 2007.
In 2013, their album BABEL won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
When they released this album, they broke numerous records set by other artists, but the most remarkable was when six of their songs charted simultaneously on the U.S.
singles chart.
In fact, the only other band to achieve this feat was The Beatles.
Although they didn’t set a new record, it was a monumental achievement—the first time in 48 years since September 1964.
SometimesMy Bloody Valentine
Are you familiar with the music genre known as shoegaze? Coined in the UK in the 1990s, it’s a subgenre of alternative rock characterized by whispery vocals delivering shimmering melodies amid a flood of noise-laden guitars that make heavy use of spatial effects.
I’ll skip the details of its etymology and development here, but among the bands labeled shoegaze, the most famous is My Bloody Valentine.
Also known by the nickname “My Bra,” the band was formed in Dublin in 1984 around the genius Kevin Shields, and with two albums released from the late ’80s to the early ’90s, they secured their place in music history.
After a long hiatus, they announced their return in 2007, finally toured Japan, and in 2013 released their first new album in 22 years.
The sound world crafted on MBV’s 1991 release Loveless—an ecstatic, Eden-like realm woven from swirling walls of sound—has been cited as an influence by many Japanese musicians and bands.
Even if you’ve only ever seen the name “My Bloody Valentine,” this is the perfect chance to dive in!
