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 Western Bands, Popular Bands (61–70)

BurnDeep Purple

Burn (2002 Remaster)

BurnDeep Purple

Alongside Led Zeppelin, the British band Deep Purple is hailed as a group that helped cement hard rock as a genre.

Since their formation in 1968, they’ve undergone numerous lineup changes, but the band has featured many key figures in rock: legendary vocalists such as Ian Gillan and David Coverdale, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who delivered countless iconic performances, and organist Jon Lord, the cornerstone of their sound.

There’s no end to the recommended albums and famous songs, but there’s no question they’re a legendary band you absolutely should experience.

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Hirata Hiroyasu

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City On The HillDesaparecidos

Desaparecidos – “City On The Hill”

City On The HillDesaparecidos

The vocalist of this band is Conor Oberst from Bright Eyes.

Conor Oberst is also well-known as a singer-songwriter, and although his most obscure project is this band, Desaparecidos, their songs are excellent and highly recommended.

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A Reason To FightDisturbed

Disturbed – A Reason To Fight [Official Music Video]

A Reason To FightDisturbed

This band, Disturbed, is a heavy metal band based in Chicago.

They were active from their formation in 1994 until 2011, then, after a four-year hiatus, resumed activities in 2015 with the release of the album “Immortalized.” Their song “A Reason To Fight” was released in 2018, and it has a somewhat nostalgic feel, doesn’t it? In recent years, the metal scene has seen an explosion of subgenres that can make it harder to get into, but they’re a band that sticks to their own old-school metal without pandering to trends—a group you can really feel a sense of grit and integrity from.

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Pull Me UnderDream Theater

Dream Theater – Pull Me Under [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Pull Me UnderDream Theater

Dream Theater is a progressive metal band that represents the United States.

Formed in 1985, they released their debut album, When Dream and Day Unite, in 1989.

With a hit from their second album, Images and Words (1992), they gained worldwide acclaim.

Since then, they have continued to release numerous classic albums and remain at the forefront of the scene, even earning a Grammy nomination for a track in 2013.

Their appeal lies in complex song structures, virtuosic musicianship, and a grand, immersive worldview.

Blending elements of progressive rock and heavy metal, their distinctive sound captivates music lovers and never lets go.

Despite the high level of difficulty in their compositions, they also feature compelling melodies that draw listeners in.

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Mary Queen Of Scotseugenius

Eugenius – Mary Queen Of Scots

Mary Queen Of Scotseugenius

There are many Nirvana fans in Japan, but fans of this band are very few.

Since Kurt openly said he wanted to be the band’s Eugenes, please give them a listen and experience their guitar music for yourself.

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