Top Ten Rock and Metal Bands from Ontario
The Top Ten
1 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 defunct.
The band has become one of the most well-known progressive rock bands in the world, with such albums as "2112", "Hemispheres" and "Moving Pictures". More than half of their albums have gone gold or platinum, as certified by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America).
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 defunct.
The band has become one of the most well-known progressive rock bands in the world, with such albums as "2112", "Hemispheres" and "Moving Pictures". More than half of their albums have gone gold or platinum, as certified by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America). They deserve more attention than they get. Definitely.
2 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 ...read more.
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 ...read more.
3 Protest the Hero
4 Sum 41
Sum 41 is a Canadian pop-punk band from Ajax, Ontario, Canada. Originally called Kaspir, the band was formed in 1996 and separated in 2023. The band members included lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Deryck Whibley, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Dave Baksh, co-lead guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Thacker, bassist and backing vocalist Jason McCaslin, and drummer Frank Zummo... read more
Sum 41 is a Canadian pop-punk band from Ajax, Ontario, Canada. Originally called Kaspir, the band was formed in 1996 and separated in 2023. The band members included lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Deryck Whibley, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Dave Baksh, co-lead guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Thacker, bassist and backing vocalist Jason McCaslin, and drummer Frank Zummo... read more
5 Finger Eleven
6 Our Lady Peace
7 Billy Talent
Billy Talent is a Canadian rock band from Mississauga, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Benjamin Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk.
Billy Talent is a Canadian rock band from Mississauga, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Benjamin Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk.
8 Kittie
Kittie is a Canadian nu-metal/alternative metal band that was formed in London, Ontario, in 1996. They have released six studio albums, one video album, four extended plays, thirteen singles, and thirteen music videos.
Kittie is a Canadian nu-metal/alternative metal band that was formed in London, Ontario, in 1996. They have released six studio albums, one video album, four extended plays, thirteen singles, and thirteen music videos.
9 Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire is a five-piece Canadian post-hardcore band that formed in St. Catharines, Ontario in 2001. The band consists of George Pettit, Dallas Green, Wade MacNeil, Chris Steele, and Jordan Hastings.
Alexisonfire is a five-piece Canadian post-hardcore band that formed in St. Catharines, Ontario in 2001. The band consists of George Pettit, Dallas Green, Wade MacNeil, Chris Steele, and Jordan Hastings. underrated
10 My Darkest Days
My Darkest Days was a Canadian rock band based in Peterborough, Ontario consisting of lead singer Matt Walst, bassist Brendan McMillan, drummer Doug Oliver, and keyboardist Reid Henry. Matt Walst left the band in 2013 to become the lead singer of Three Days Grace. Their last album that came out was ...read more.
My Darkest Days was a Canadian rock band based in Peterborough, Ontario consisting of lead singer Matt Walst, bassist Brendan McMillan, drummer Doug Oliver, and keyboardist Reid Henry. Matt Walst left the band in 2013 to become the lead singer of Three Days Grace. Their last album that came out was ...read more.The Contenders
11 Annihilator
Annihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band founded in 1984 by vocalist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, engineer, producer, mixer and mastering engineer Jeff Waters and former vocalist John Bates.
Annihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band founded in 1984 by vocalist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, engineer, producer, mixer and mastering engineer Jeff Waters and former vocalist John Bates. Strange that the best metal band from Canada (not only from Ontario) wasn't on the list.
12 Anvil
Anvil are a Canadian heavy metal band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 1978. The band consists of Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Robb Reiner and Chris Robertson.
Anvil are a Canadian heavy metal band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 1978. The band consists of Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Robb Reiner and Chris Robertson. Same here - these guys wrote some of the first thrash songs ever, before the thrash exposion in the 80s.
13 Caym
One of the best metal bands formed after 2000.
14 Silverstein
Silverstein (/ˈsɪl.vər.stiːn/) is a Canadian rock band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 2000. Their band name is a reference to the famous children's author Shel Silverstein, whom the band had admired and whose work they had read as children. They have released a total of 11 studio albums, seven EPs, a compilation album and a live DVD/CD. Their lineup remained unchanged for eleven years from December 2001 to September 2012, then consisting of lead vocalist Shane Told, lead guitarist Neil Boshart, rhythm guitarist Josh Bradford, bassist Billy Hamilton, and drummer Paul Koehler. In September 2012, the band had announced that Neil Boshart had been fired and would be replaced by Paul Marc ...read more.
Silverstein (/ˈsɪl.vər.stiːn/) is a Canadian rock band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 2000. Their band name is a reference to the famous children's author Shel Silverstein, whom the band had admired and whose work they had read as children. They have released a total of 11 studio albums, seven EPs, a compilation album and a live DVD/CD. Their lineup remained unchanged for eleven years from December 2001 to September 2012, then consisting of lead vocalist Shane Told, lead guitarist Neil Boshart, rhythm guitarist Josh Bradford, bassist Billy Hamilton, and drummer Paul Koehler. In September 2012, the band had announced that Neil Boshart had been fired and would be replaced by Paul Marc ...read more.
15 The Birthday Massacre
The Birthday Massacre is a Canadian dark wave and synth rock band currently consisting of Chibi (vocals), Rainbow (guitar), Falcore (guitar), Owen (keyboard), Rhim (drums) and Nate Manor (bass), that formed in 1999 (even though the 2016 demo collection "Imagica" dates some tracks back at 1998). Originally... read more
The Birthday Massacre is a Canadian dark wave and synth rock band currently consisting of Chibi (vocals), Rainbow (guitar), Falcore (guitar), Owen (keyboard), Rhim (drums) and Nate Manor (bass), that formed in 1999 (even though the 2016 demo collection "Imagica" dates some tracks back at 1998). Originally... read moreBAdd New Item