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.
- [Masterpiece Selection] A Compilation of Classic Western Rock Songs
- Must-Listen Now! Classic and Hit Western Rock Songs from the 2000s
- The Greatest American Rock Band [All Time Best]
- [Western Music] Start with this one! Classic and popular songs of alternative rock
- [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 Music: Recommended Western Bands, Popular Bands (21–30)
Chop Suey!System Of A Down
System of a Down is an American rock band that began performing under this name in 1995.
While rooted in heaviness, they are a modern heavy rock band known for dramatic shifts in intensity that weave in delicate, beautiful passages, as well as melodic vocal lines.
They went on hiatus in 2006 but resumed activities in 2011.
That said, they haven’t released a studio album since 2005, and fans are no doubt eagerly awaiting new material.
Where To StartBully
Bully is an American rock project that revives the spirit of ’90s grunge for the modern era.
It currently operates as the solo project of founder Alicia Bognanno, who also honed her skills as an engineer at a renowned studio.
The project debuted in June 2015 with the album “Feels Like.” While it has no official awards, the 2023 release “Lucky for You” was selected for many year-end best-of lists by music media, earning widespread critical acclaim.
Alicia’s raw, scream-like vocals and guitar sound—heavy yet packed with pop hooks—are truly one-of-a-kind.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking both the ruggedness of grunge and catchy melodies.
Recommended Western Rock: Suggested Western Bands, Popular Bands (31–40)
Killing In the NameRage Against The Machine
Alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the standard-bearers of rap-rock are Rage Against the Machine.
With solid technique, they deliver high-energy performances of technically demanding songs, layering them with politically charged, radical messages rapped on top.
That unheard-of style absolutely floored the band kids of the time.
Guitarist Tom Morello not only sounds cool playing conventionally, but also uses techniques like kill-switch style playing to produce tones you wouldn’t think could come from a guitar, earning attention for his tricky approach.
He’s a virtuoso frequently featured in guitar magazines.
Viva La VidaColdplay
Combining the ’90s and 2000s, this band is the top-selling album act from the UK.
And yet, when it comes to favorite song rankings at home, they rarely place at the top or near it.
That’s a role reserved for Oasis, The Stone Roses, The Smiths, and The Beatles.
Dracula MountainLightning Bolt
If you’re looking for intense rock, I think this band is the best.
As you can see in this video, their live shows are pure chaos.
This is what the word “rock” was originally meant to describe, and once you get used to this sound, you’ll likely feel repulsed by so-called commercial rock.
Graffiti On The TrainStereophonics
This is one of my personal favorite bands.
All the songs on their albums are high quality, and they keep releasing them every few years.
I think they deserve to be more well-known in Japan, so it’s a bit disappointing that they aren’t.
If you like them, please buy their best-of album.
Do I Wanna Know?Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are a British rock band.
Even before their debut, they were already generating buzz on the internet.
Their 2005 debut single, “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor,” entered the UK chart at number one, and their 2006 first album, “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not,” also reached number one, marking their meteoric rise as a remarkable new act.
Every album they have released to date has topped the UK charts, making them one of the bands poised to lead not only the UK but the global music scene in the future.