[2026] A roundup of must-break (sure-to-break) recommended Western music bands

I’ll Know You’re Not AroundDying Wish

Dying Wish – I’ll Know You’re Not Around (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

Dying Wish are known for combining the signature aggression of metalcore with melodies that hit straight to the heart.

Since forming in 2016, they’ve steadily built a fanbase through relentless live performances.

Their 2019 track Enemies In Red, featuring the vocalist of Knocked Loose, drew major attention, and their October 2021 debut album Fragments of a Bitter Memory firmly established their presence in the scene.

Frontperson Emma Boster’s soul-baring screams, together with the band’s cohesive, heavy sound, seem to resonate with listeners’ feelings of frustration and anger.

With their third release, Flesh Stays Together, slated for 2025 and widely expected to propel them even further, anyone seeking a touch of melancholy amid ferocious music should give them a listen.

Their dramatic sonic world is sure to stir your emotions.

Pulling TeethHouse Of Protection

House of Protection – Pulling Teeth (Official Music Video)

House of Protection is a project formed in 2023 by two former members of The Fever 333.

It’s striking how they’ve stepped away from commercial pressures to pursue a pure love of music.

Their sound absorbs a wide range of elements—trap, trip-hop, post-punk—and effortlessly crosses genre boundaries.

Their debut EP, GALORE, produced by former Bring Me The Horizon member Jordan Fish, was released in September 2024 and quickly became a hot topic, racking up over 10 million streams worldwide.

They’ve already become indispensable to the scene, even being selected for Spotify’s “Artists to Watch in 2025.” If you’ve been feeling unsatisfied with conventional rock, you might just find yourself hooked on this innovative sound.

Take Your AimRocket

Rocket – Take Your Aim (Official Video)

Rocket is a Los Angeles–based rock band formed by childhood friends.

They began activities in 2021 and carry forward the sound of 1990s alternative and grunge head-on.

The starting point of their career was the EP “Versions of You,” released in October 2023, and their long-awaited debut album “R Is For Rocket” is slated for release in 2025.

Their talent is beyond question: they were selected for an NME cover and tapped as a support act for the Smashing Pumpkins in the summer of 2025.

Their music unites walls of overlapping, roaring guitars with vocals that cut right through—essential listening for anyone who loves muscular guitar rock.

Sickle WalkYHWH Nailgun

YHWH Nailgun – Sickle Walk

Yahweh Nailgun is an experimental rock band making waves with a shocking, unforgettable sound that sticks in your head after a single listen.

Formed amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, their aggressive style—devouring elements of post-punk and noise—has drawn serious attention.

Their debut album, “45 Pounds,” released in March 2025, earned high scores on review sites and was hailed as “universally acclaimed.” Their TIDAL Rising grant win also speaks to their promising future.

The sound—where machine-like precise drumming that makes full use of rototoms collides with percussive vocals—is truly breathtaking.

Highly recommended for those seeking boundary-defying, cutting-edge music in the vein of This Heat or Battles.

DoomsdaySunday (1994)

Sunday (1994) – Doomsday (Official Video)

An indie trio from the Los Angeles scene, they captivate with a dreamy atmosphere.

Carrying on the lineage of The Sundays and Mazzy Star while adding a modern twist, their sound feels like delightfully quirky dream pop.

Their debut EP, “Sunday (1994),” released in 2024, and their first track, “Tired Boy,” have enchanted many listeners with themes of forbidden love and wistful melancholy.

The fact that their first live show in October 2024 sold out immediately speaks to their rising profile.

Blending reverence for past music with contemporary sensibilities, their work is irresistible for listeners who want to sink into a nostalgic soundscape.

There’s no doubt they’re poised for even greater heights—keep an eye on them!

Total euphoriaCaroline

caroline – Total euphoria (Official Video)

Caroline is a London-based musical collective.

Rooted in post-rock and folk, their experimental sound blends elements of classical and minimal music.

Their ensemble’s striking contrast between silence and roaring intensity is nothing short of breathtaking.

Their debut single “Dark blue,” released in 2020 on the prestigious Rough Trade label, achieved the remarkable feat of earning a nomination for the AIM Awards’ newcomer category on the strength of that one track alone.

Their 2022 album “caroline” also received widespread critical acclaim, firmly establishing their reputation.

With a Japan tour set for 2025, they’re a must-see for fans seeking innovative rock.

Lick the StarGlixen

Glixen – Lick the Star (Official Music Video)

Emerging from Arizona and garnering major attention in the US shoegaze scene, Grixen is a band to watch.

Since launching in 2020, they’ve made their mark with a signature contrast between engulfing, heavy guitar tones and airy, delicate vocals that float above the mix.

Following their debut EP She Only Said around 2021, they went on to perform at the Coachella festival in 2025.

Their talent is widely recognized, with leading music outlets naming them among “new artists to watch.” On their EP Quiet Pleasures, produced with a renowned producer, you can feel the musical depth—like the beauty of melody shimmering beneath the wall of sound.

Highly recommended for listeners seeking a heavy yet beautiful sound that carries the spirit of ’90s alternative.