Top 10 Rock Bands That Have Improved Over Time

Rock bands that have improved during their career overall.
The Top Ten
1 Breaking Benjamin Breaking Benjamin is a American post-grunge/alternative metal/rock band formed in 1998. The bands members all changed in the time between 2010 to 2014, with the exception of Ben Burnley (Vocals). The Ex-Members included Chad Szeliga (Drums), Aaron Fink (Guitar) and Mark Klepaspi (Bass).

The band is one of the most well-known bands of its genre and is associated with its electronic sounds in... read more

Breaking Benjamin opened my eyes to not just rock, but music as a whole! They've inspired me to write and play since the very beginning and I respect everything about the band and my idol Ben Burnley!
Their sound and style never ceases to amaze me! Never changes too much, and if it does it's always for the better!
The diary of Jane will always be my favourite song but I can't wait to here their hopefully new stuff soon!
Rock on you Legendary Gods!

This is the only band every song is legendary I can't find even a single worst song I listen their 1st album and last album they are really improved even their recent album is really good this band better than all other overrated bands each single blow your mind u can connect with their music they sing about YOU...those bands who sell million copy of their records should listen breakingbenjamin once :-)

Phobia and Dear Agony are two of the greatest albums ever. They've improved immensely throughout time from their first studio album to their fourth. Skillet have also massively improved over time too overall, those two should be top of this list.
I dunno why Linkin Park are on this list though, because they're nowhere near as good as they used to be.

2 Skillet Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996 and based in the United States.

Skillet are EASILY number one for improvement in my opinion, and Breaking Benjamin are easily number 2. The Skillet originally started off as a small unknown Christian Rock band, back then John Cooper had very weak vocals, there were no great guitar solos, and there wasn't any real strength or punch to their songs. However, their 2003 album Collide changed all that, and with it they improved massively. Their 3 most recent albums, Collide, Comatose and Awake are much better than anything they'd done before. They've changed their style and changed their genre.

O. K for those of you that don't know, the first three albums combined only sold 93, 000 copies. But then they worked their way up to 127, 000 copies on the next record, then 200, 000, then 500, 000(Gold), Finely 1, 000, 000(PLATINUM). Expect their next album, coming out early-mid 2013 to go multi-platinum and sell 2, 500, 000.

Skillets music has its own amazing but unique sound to it. There is no band that I think sounds like skillet and I believe they should be number 1 on this list they have improved so much since there first album.

3 Bring Me The Horizon Bring Me the Horizon is a British rock band from Sheffield, Yorkshire. Formed in 2004, the group currently consists of vocalist Oliver Sykes, guitarist Lee Malia, bassist Matt Kean, drummer Matt Nicholls, and keyboardist Jordan Fish. They are signed to RCA Records globally and Columbia Records exclusively in the US. The style of their early work, including their debut album Count Your Blessings, has... read more

I feel like the longer their music goes on, the more innovative the band becomes. From starting out as sheerly deathcore, to gradually adding electronics or guest starring others from different genres (such as the Canadian female singer, Lights, and her appearance in the song "Don't Go", to Oliver sharpening both his singing and screaming skills, to even adding interesting hooks like the sarcastic cheerleader intro of their newer song "Happy Song" (which isn't at all happy by the way), this band never stops evolving, and that's why they are my favourite.

That said, their newest album to date, That's the Spirit, shows how much more mainstream they have become, making me fear that sooner or later, they may lose their metalcore or even rock sound altogether in trade for a new mainstream pop sound. If this happens, I swear to god I''ll cry.

Don't get me wrong, I loved their E. P and Count Your Blessings, in fact I like all of their albums, but Sempiternal really does show how far they've come and how much they've matured in time. The lyrics are the strongest they've ever been and the songs are phenomenal as a whole, with Sleepwalking being my all time favourite song of theirs.

4 Linkin Park Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), and Rob Bourdon (drums). Linkin Park is associated with a mixture of alternative rock, hip hop, and techno. Some of their influences include Nine Inch Nails, Deftones,... read more

What people? Changing is good, and they made a great decision on EVOLVING! If they had stick to their beginning music style, pepole would have got tired of it. There's a reason why they were the first rock band to get 1 billion views on Youtube! It's because they reamined excellent over time! Great singing + Great rapping + Great music = what do you want more?!
I'm just saying, they sould be higher, and they also should be taken off the list of the bands that have gotten worse over time (or at least be taken down).
I love LP, I think I can be considered an LP fan. And the main reason why I love them is because they tried to evolve, they challenged themselves, and I personnally think they succeeded it.

Lol. They were saving trees till now but they have started cutting trees in 2017. This change not at all means that they have improved. As of till 2014 I loves their each album as they had experimented something which included some effort

5 Avenged Sevenfold Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band, that was formed 1999 in California. Their longest lineup of members was M. Shadows (Vocals), Synyster Gates (Lead Guitar), Zacky Vengeance (Rhythm Guitar), Johnny Christ (Bass Guitar), and The Rev (Drums).

Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan (Drums), their most notable drummer, passed away in 2009, being temporarily replaced by Mike Portnoy, who was replaced... read more

Started off as a terrible metalcore band and evolved into an amazing heavy metal band. Not that there is anything wrong with metalcore, such as great bands like All That Remains (Fall of Ideals era), but a7x's adoption of it was awful. Matt Shadows is an extremely talented vocalist, but not meant for screaming. His screams in Unholy Confessions were dreadful, but now his powerful vocal range is properly showcased in their newer work. Ever since the 2005 album City of Evil, a7x has been one of the best bands there is. Now Shadows can display his vocal prowess, Gates can shred, and the Rev could drum like no one else.

These guys should be number one! Listen to Sounding the Seventh trumpet compared to Hail to the king! Especially the vocals. I'll admit this, well to me Matt didn't sound the best on the first 3 albums. But the white album, Nightmare and Hail to the king sound 10 times better! And without the Rev they have continued and gained power to make awesome music again! My opinion

6 Disturbed Disturbed is an American alternative metal/nu-metal/hard rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The band comprises vocalist David Draiman, bassist John Moyer, guitarist Dan Donegan, and drummer Mike Wengren. They are known for songs like "Down With the Sickness" and "Stricken".

Every single member in this band has gotten progressively better and better. This band deserves to be number 1 without any doubt in my mind.

Awesome lyrics and epic ness rushing through disturbed's veins. I also love their concept art of the albums!

True after believe their albums got way better though their first two albums were still good

7 Lamb of God Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler.

Lamb of God hands down is the best band of the 2000's

8 Tool Tool is an American alternative metal/progressive metal band, that was formed in 1990. The band is set together between Maynard James Keenan (Vocals), Danny Carey (Drums), Adam Jones (Guitar) and since 1995 Justin Chancellor (Bass). The band is known for their influences from electronic sounds and their overly complex and strangely structured songs. They released their debut album "Undertow" in 1993 and later put out other famous albums, like "Lateralus" and "10,000 Days". The band has established a legacy as one of the most well-known and beloved progressive metal and alternative metal bands of all time.

Although an uncommmon opinion, I find every album better than the predecessor. Maybe objectively, Lateralus is the best, but I enjoy listening to 10.000 Days the most.

9 Pantera Pantera was an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul. The band started out as a glam metal act in the 1980s with little success. After discarding their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, the band signed a major record deal with Warner Music Group via Atco Records. Around this time, Pantera underwent a major change in their musical... read more

They got a lot better, but Dime was always awesome, he just got a lot more

10 The Beatles The Beatles were an English pop rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The members consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They were soon known as the foremost and most influential act of rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several genres, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard... read more

People tend to forget that the earliest Beatles albums were truly awful, just because their generally overrated status blinds people to the fact that they had NO musical talent in their beginning stages. Of course, by the end they created some of the greatest albums of all time (mostly thanks to George Martin being the best producer in history). Even if they still are overrated.

The Beatles started off as a fun, but mindless boyband. After Rubber Soul, they became individuals in their songs. They went from a plastic boyband to people with diverse talent and personality. And that showed in Rubber Soul/Revolver. Than they reinvented themselves as a progressive and almost alternative rock band. They basically grew up for the better.

A part from Let It Be that was a bit of a letdown, they kept improving. Besides, Abbey Road was recorded after Let It Be, so technically even their last album was among their greatest.

The Contenders
11 Blind Guardian Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing. They also incorporate large amounts of orchestral arrangements. Hansi Kürsch creates a huge choir effect by overdubbing his own voice multiple times in complex, overlapping harmonies. Thanks to overdubs and numerous backing vocals Blind Guardian stand out with a very dense sound.

Their recent album (2015) is my favorite and it's an awesome result of constant improvements. They've been improving for 30 years

12 Black Veil Brides Black Veil Brides is an American rock band currently consisting of Andy Biersack (vocals), Jinxx (guitar), Jake Pitts (guitar), Christian Coma (drums) and Ashley Purdy (bass), that formed in 2006 in Ohio.
In the beginning of their career, the band was heavily associated with the emo subculture, and had strong metalcore, screamo and alternative influences, however got more metal oriented over the... read more

They saved my life... If it weren't for them my little brother wouldn't have anyone to look up to my parents would be dead and my other brother would have been in a mental hospital and my boyfriend would probably have been in jail... So because of them saving me I saved others

Andy's voice has improved so much over the years. Listen to his voice in knifes and pens compared to faithless. It's different. Also, Jake and jinxx have improved on guitar, Ashley has improved on bass and cc on drums. They all have improved over the years. It's amazing.

Yep, they did.

Just listen to 'Knives And Pens' and then to 'When They Call My Name' and 'Goodbye Agony'.

If you don't think they've improved, you're very wrong.

13 Foo Fighters Foo Fighters are an American alternative rock band, formed in Seattle in 1994. The band was founded by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl after the death of Kurt Cobain and the dissolution of his previous band. The band consists of Dave Grohl (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar, main songwriter), Pat Smear (rhythm guitar), Nate Mendel (bass), Taylor Hawkins (drums, backing vocals), Chris Shiflett (lead guitar,... read more

How can a band be listed as "the top 10 band that have improved over time", if they already have a greatest hits cd out? I love the foo fighters and their music but come on. Just saying.

Foo Fighters is not just a rock band is a feeling when you listen to their songs you have such an strange feeling inside you and it's the most beautifull feeling in your life

Wasting Light was their best album other than the colour and the shape, but no album of theirs can can ever beat that

14 Rush Rush was a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. The band has had an iconic lineup since 1975, which included Neil Peart (Drums, Percussion), Geddy Lee (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards), and the guitarist, Alex Lifeson. Peart passed away after a 3 year battle with brain cancer in January of 2020. Because of this, Lee says there are no plans to keep the band going, so Rush is most likely... read more

I can't believe rush isn't on here! Clockwork Angels is one of rushes greatest albums and there is snakes and arrows!

The band is exactly what Progressive Rock is all about. They progress, they change, they get better all the time.

Rush has went from great to awesome if you haven't heard clockwork angels then you are missing out

15 Soilwork Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork.
16 Asking Alexandria Asking Alexandria are an English metalcore band from York, North Yorkshire formed initially in 2008 by lead guitarist Ben Bruce along with former lead singer Danny Worsnop, bassist Joe Lancaster, keyboardist and synth player Ryan Binns, and current members drummer James Cassells and rhythm guitarist Cameron Liddell. Lancaster and Binns later departed from the band in 2009 with Lancaster joining heavy... read more

Danny have improved his voice in Run Free % The Death Of Me Rock Mix.

17 King's X

This is stupid, best work from kings x is their early albums from 80s

18 Green Day Green Day are an American pop punk/punk rock band formed in East Bay, California in 1987. The members include Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), Tré Cool (drums) and Jason White (guitar). Green Day are associated with punk rock, pop punk and alternative rock. Some of their influences include The Ramones, Sex Pistols, NOFX, and Bad Religion. They are best known for their... read more

Maybe this is just nostalgia talking, but dookie is still one of my favorite albums of all time. And they definitely haven't made an album that even came close in quality except for international superhits (which doesn't even really count.

First of all, why the hell are the Jonas Brothers on here. No.

Their music evolved from a distorted '90s punk sound to cleaner sounds with their albums Uno, Dos, and Tre. Don't get me wrong, Kerplunk and Nimrod and 1039 sosh are amazing, but they've improved.

Green Day have improved so much, think of Nimrod, then American Idiot, the best album of our generation. 21st Century Breakdown was the same while the trilogy of albums were all as good as each other.

19 Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitar), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters (Vocals and Bass), and Richard Wright (Vocals and Keyboard). Barrett was replaced by Gilmour in 1968. ...read more.

These guys inspired me to come to this list! Their first album was messy and didn't sound good, and as I scrolled through their discography, I realized I liked every album more than the last one. That happened until I was done looking through it. Pink Floyd has been getting progressively (pun intended) better all their career and they deserve to be number one on this list.

20 Three Days Grace Three Days Grace is a Canadian post-grunge/alternative rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario in 1992 with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer and backing vocalist Neil Sanderson, and bassist Brad Walst. Their original name was Groundswell until they changed it to their current name in 1997. In 2003, the band's current guitarist Barry Stock was recruited to the... read more

Three days grce are like old school. No one can do what they did and they deserve to be at number 3. There album life starts now was amazing however the transit of venus was not as good but songs like chalk outline and the high road were amazing. Long live three days grace.

They seemed a bit shy of their first songs for the first two albums, but all the people who thought they would stay that way should listen to One-X and Transit of Venus! Amazing band!

Three days grace has a lot of great songs and you can hear the improvement in there music

21 Iron Maiden Iron Maiden are an English Heavy Metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. The most critically acclaimed period for the band was from 1983-1989. With vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, lead guitarist Dave Murray, rhythm guitarist Adrian Smith, and drummer Nicko McBrain. Smith left the band in 1989 and was replaced by Janick Gers... read more

Modern maiden is amazing, but I don't think they're necessarily improving. Their 80's stuff is the best, and their 21st century stuff is nearly as good (it's also incredible), but I have to say yes to that because they had a bit of a lull with Blaze Bayley and they've been improving ever since he left. Their new album The Book of Souls rivals Number of the Beast for their best album, in my opinion.

Iron Maiden got better over the course of their first 3-4 albums and then plateaued and then went down hill in the 1990's but now they are bigger than ever! Their 2010 release, Final Frontier, went #1 IN 28 COUNTRIES!

That doesn't mean that this album is their best work, the best albums are killetrs, number of the beast, powerslave! Idiots

22 Katatonia Katatonia is a Swedish metal band formed in Stockholm in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström. The band has released nine studio albums spanning the course of three decades, and their tenth studio album, The Fall of Hearts was released on May 20, 2016.

Oh Yes I agree with that.

23 Living Colour Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by heavy metal, punk rock, funk, jazz, hip hop and alternative rock.
24 Red Red is an American Christian alternative metal/alternative rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The band was formed in 2002 by brothers Anthony Armstrong (guitarist) and Randy Armstrong (bassist), along with lead vocalist Michael Barnes.

I don't think they've Improved or Disproved.

25 As I Lay Dying As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by vocalist Tim Lambesis, the establishment of the band's first full lineup, which included drummer Jordan Mancino, occurred in 2001. As I Lay Dying has released six albums, one split album, and two compilation albums.

I Love this band they are the best and all there albums are very good and meaningful. They are immensely blessed to improve and become the best with all the other Christian bands. -ARF

Most underrated band ever, and it's INCREDIBLE, I think is one of the bands that actually are better with the time, sadly the vocalist are in the jail

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