Lovely Western music

Recommendation of Western Rock: Recommended Foreign Rock Bands, Popular Bands

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.
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.

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!

Recommendations for Western Rock: Recommended and Popular Foreign Bands (51–60)

Twist of FateBad Lieutenant

Bad Lieutenant – “Twist of Fate”

Twist of FateBad Lieutenant

It’s the new band formed by Bernard Sumner, the vocalist of New Order.

They’re not very famous, but if you like UK rock, you should know this band too.

Their songwriting is excellent, and the fusion of rock and dance music is superb.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

ParanoidBlack Sabbath

BLACK SABBATH – “Paranoid” (Official Video)

ParanoidBlack Sabbath

Black Sabbath is a British rock band that continues to be respected as the original heavy metal band.

The period with vocalist Ronnie James Dio is also highly regarded, but many still champion the original members as the golden era: charismatic heavy metal vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, who cemented the power-chord riff in the public consciousness, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward.

The band generally reserves the name “Black Sabbath” for this lineup.

They have produced many albums, but 1970’s Paranoid, packed with famous songs, is a work that could be called a sacred text.

Raise the rankinglower

Hirata Hiroyasu

Report a problem

CharlemagneBlossoms

Blossoms – Charlemagne

CharlemagneBlossoms

This song was my first introduction to the band Blossoms.

When I heard the intro, I thought it sounded like the backing track of a Japanese kayōkyoku karaoke.

But as the song went on, I was drawn in by Blossoms’ uniquely pop sensibility.

There’s a catchiness in their deliberate use of “cheesy” sounds—what you might call a subtractive approach—and yet they maintain a perfect balance that never feels lacking.

I think they’re an outstanding pop band.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

LudensBring Me The Horizon

Bring Me The Horizon – Ludens (Official Video)

LudensBring Me The Horizon

Hailing from Sheffield in Yorkshire, England, Bring Me The Horizon have grown into one of the most influential and important bands of the 2020s.

Formed in 2004 by teenage boys, they first drew attention with a style known as deathcore—an even more extreme, heavier take on metalcore—but they continued to evolve their sound with each release.

Their fifth album, That’s the Spirit, featured more sung melodies than shouts and actively incorporated elements from a variety of genres such as alternative rock and electronica, reaching No.

2 on the U.S.

charts.

In both name and reality, they became a globally popular rock band.

Released in 2019, amo pursued an even broader musical palette and delivered a superb crossover sound, and in October 2020 they put out an EP featuring none other than BABYMETAL—proof that their creativity shows no sign of slowing down.

If you’re looking for Western rock that isn’t too heavy but still loud and modern with electronic elements and strong melodies, we highly recommend Bring Me The Horizon’s recent work.

Of course, their early, ferocious deathcore era is also insanely cool, so once you’ve gotten used to heavier sounds, give it a try.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

WaterslideCHON

CHON – Waterslide (Official Music Video)

WaterslideCHON

What kind of image do you have of the genre called progressive music? Difficult? Hard to grasp? Fast? Lots of notes? They’re probably all correct.

But this band CHON, while undeniably progressive—difficult, complex, fast, and note-dense—has a fantastic sense of balance that makes their music very easy to listen to.

Perhaps it also helps that the members love listening to video game music; every single phrase is genuinely cool.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem