Top 10 Rock Bands That Have the Most Unique Sound

The Top Ten
1 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.

I was surprised Pink Floyd wasn't on the list whereas most of the listed bands actually sound pretty usual.

2 Primus Primus is an American funk metal band based in San Francisco, California, currently composed of bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Tim Alexander. Les Claypool is regarded as one of the best bassists of all time for his slap-bass ability in notable songs like "My Name Is Mud", "The Toys Go Winding Down", and "Jerry Was a Racecar Driver".

Jethro Tull has a very unique prog folk sound, but this band... This is something else. They have their official ID3 genre, "Primus", and as the other commenter said, their song structures are like nothing else. Just listen to the frantic instrumental of "Hamburger train", or the extremely short yet disturbing "Grandad's little ditty". Any of their song is weird in fact. They are very experimental. The Shaggs is another very unique band.

They are so unique they are difficult to get into. Les Claypool doesn’t take music as seriously as most other musicians which in turns reflects in his music giving him more creative liberties. He doesn’t care what people think about him or his music. He play whatever the hell he likes and doesn’t need the approval of others. The band combines funk, metal, and talk poetry into their own blended melting pot they dubbed Primus. They can be heavy whilst maintaining their light hearted grooviness. No one comes close to Primus when it comes to originality and uniqueness. True musicians in these fields :-).

Don’t really love much of their music but I love a couple. This band isn’t something else. They have some of the strangest sound combinations ever in music. Their abstract structure and unusual distorted noises make this band extremely unique and unusual. Kinda silly that Three Days Grace is number two. They’re definitely one of the most recognizable but not one of the most unique. Also, why the hell isn't System of a Down on this list anywhere. Just listen to Bounce and you’ll see just how strange and unique they are lol

3 Jethro Tull Jethro Tull are a British rock group, formed in Luton, Bedfordshire, in December 1967. Initially playing blues rock, the band soon developed its sound to incorporate elements of British folk music and hard rock to forge a progressive rock signature.

I'm not their fan but their sound is quite bizarre.

4 Mr. Bungle Mr. Bungle was an American experimental rock band from Northern California. Known for a highly eclectic style, the band often cycled through several musical genres within the course of a single song, including heavy metal, avant-garde jazz, ska, disco as well as funk.

Mr. Bungle took the reins from Frank Zappa and did something original. Not just blending musical styles and tempos in an album they blended and switched them up inside songs.

A rough first listen. But after a few times around you’ll get it.

11? This made me laugh. Mr Bungle should be number 1 followed by primus, radiohead and pink floyd

5 Queen Queen are an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar, vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury was a fan of Smile and encouraged them to experiment with more elaborate stage and recording techniques. He then joined the band in 1970, suggested "Queen" as a new band name, and adopted his familiar stage name. John Deacon was also recruited to complete the line-up. ...read more.

I like how some of their songs have a bit of dramatic atmosphere.

6 The Doors The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore.

Instead of a bass player, the doors had co-founder Ray Manzarek on electric organ, resulting in a distinctive and immediately recognizable sound unlike any other rock group.

No band comes close to sounding like The Doors

There guitar has some weird technique to it

7 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.

Damn, tool has his own sound and his own genre! A "Progressive Heavy Rock band". Not Hard Rock, not Metal...

The guitar is not very exceptional but is very original and effective. The bass is very present with its own melodies. The drums are really extraordinary, technical and tribal. And the voice... Keenan's voice is really deep and powerful like the Lyrics... And the composition is exceptional! The Odd Time signatures are not boring and complex like some Dream Theater songs but look natural. The band uses almost every time the drop D. Too lazy? really effective goal. The exotic / tribal aspect is accentuated by the drums but also by the Phrygian range often used.

All of these few aspects make, for me, Tool one of the bands that have the most unique sound.

Tool's sound is very unique. Just listen to!

8 Pixies The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The group disbanded in 1993 in acrimonious circumstances, but reunited in 2004. The group currently consists of founders Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering.
9 Sonic Youth Sonic Youth was an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founding members Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon and Lee Ranaldo remained together for the entire history of the band, while Steve Shelley followed a series of short-term drummers in 1985, and rounded out the core line-up.
10 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 ...read more.
The Contenders
11 Phish Phish is an American rock band that was founded at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont in 1983. It is known for musical improvisation, extended jams, blending of genres, and a dedicated fan base.
12 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.

Distinctive dense sound thanks to multi-layered vocals and intense drumming.
Ex. - Ride Into Obsession

13 Metallica Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman".

With their first two albums, Kill 'Em All and Ride The Lightning reaching underground success, their third effort, Master of Puppets has since become one of the most important heavy metal albums ever, as it became the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum. The title track has since become the band's most played song live. ...read more.
14 Radiohead Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwoood (bass guitar), Phil Selway (drums), and Ed O'Brien (guitar).
15 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 band. In 2013 Gontier left the band due to creative differences. He was replaced with Brad's brother Matt Walst.

You can call primus garbage all you want, but they are one of the most unique bands out there, and les claypool is one of the greatest bassists ever.

Phish are the greatest improvisers ever to take the stage, hands down

Listen to Primus or Phish and tell me Three Days Grace is more unique

16 Journey Journey is an American arena rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1973, composed of former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch.
17 Mercyful Fate Mercyful Fate was a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen, formed in 1981 by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann.
18 Nine Inch Nails Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock band, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio.
19 Melvins The Melvins are an American sludge metal band that formed in 1983 in Montesano, Washington. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers.
20 Type O Negative Type O Negative was an American gothic/doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York City in 1989. Their lyrical emphasis on themes of romance, depression, and death resulted in the nickname "The Drab Four".
21 Skillet Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996 and based in the United States.
22 King Crimson King Crimson were a British progressive rock band that was formed in 1969. While the band has had numerous lineup changes, the head of the band has always been Robert Fripp (guitar). However, the most notable lineup is between 1972-75, consisting of Fripp, John Wetton (bass/vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), and David Cross (strings/keyboard). The band is most well-known for their debut album "In the Court of The Crimson King", with which they made a large impact on the progressive rock genre.
23 Theory of a Deadman Theory of a Deadman is a Canadian post-grunge band. Formed in 2001, the band is currently signed to Roadrunner Records as well as 604 Records. They were discovered by Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger. Theory of a Deadman has gone on to release eight studio albums. Their most well-known songs include "The Bitch Came Back," "I Hate My Life," "Santa Monica," and "Not Meant to Be," among others... read more
24 AC/DC AC/DC are a Australian hard rock band, formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, who continued as members until Malcolm's illness and departure in 2014 . They were fronted by Bon Scott until his untimely death due to alcohol poisoning in 1979, after which they hired Brian Johnson ...read more.
25 Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983. ...read more.
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