Top 10 Best Modern Rock Bands

What I love about Linkin Park is the diversity of sounds incorporated into their music, as well as the emotion and real-life connections in each song. For example, two completely different songs can be found on the same album: Given Up, a song with powerful screams dealing with the struggles of everyday life, and Hands Held High, which incorporates deep raps and group vocals to criticize the corruption of government.

Also, unlike many bands, the members maintain close friendships with one another, and issues like alcohol and drug abuse probably aren't going to cause the band to implode. They are all just a bunch of honest, genuine, hard-working guys.

These guys are hands down the absolute BEST! Linkin Park should not be number one here. They left the rock radar around 2008 and went more mainstream, becoming like a darker and less poppy Maroon 5.

3DG should also not even be on this list. The last time they were relevant was One-X. After all these years, BB is still getting better with each album. Ember is so different, yet so familiar. After meeting them at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, I found them to be some of the humblest and most awesome people, especially considering their level of success.

They are one of the few remaining successes of the early 2000s. In my opinion, Breaking Benjamin is number one on this list!

First of all, this is how the list should be:

1. Three Days Grace
2. Linkin Park
3. Sick Puppies (underrated)
4. Rise Against
5. Crossfade (super underrated)

This site sickens me. There's no reason why Sick Puppies and Crossfade should be ranked under bands that aren't even really bands. None of you know anything about good rock music, especially modern rock. I'll suggest one song from every band I just listed, and I encourage you to listen to them:

- Three Days Grace - Never Too Late
- Linkin Park - Crawling
- Sick Puppies - Pitiful
- Rise Against - Hero of War
- Crossfade - Cold

Thank you to every real rock fan who actually listened to the songs I just listed. If you don't like those songs, I suggest you switch to reggae music. Thank you.

Green Day blends unique sounds with high-octane guitar riffs and drum beats. Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt are two of the best at their instruments, and Billie Joe Armstrong lends his vocals in a fantastic blend. Their lyrics started off simplistic but over time grew to be the deepest and most thought-provoking in the business.

With songs like Jesus of Suburbia, Holiday, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, and Letterbomb, American Idiot proves to be their best album. The rock opera stands apart from even 21st Century Breakdown as the most relevant and patronizing albums of the day. Dookie has some amazing singles as well, from Basket Case and Longview to Welcome to Paradise and When I Come Around. The aforementioned 21st Century Breakdown has some great tracks as their third-best, notably 21 Guns and Peacemaker.

Other albums have great songs as well, like Brain Stew and Jaded from Insomniac, Hitchin' a Ride and Time of Your Life from Nimrod, and Church on Sunday and Misery on Warning. Green Day stands apart from the other rock bands of the modern era as a unique and wonderful artist.

I think most people can agree that the music "normal" people listen to usually doesn't include rock. The most they'll consider is probably alternative. I listen to rock for three reasons: the message behind the song, the background music, and the attitude of the songs.

Avenged Sevenfold is perfect if you are looking for those reasons. They create songs about subjects that matter, like everyday problems or tributes to their late drummer. Each song sounds different too. For example, "Dear God" has a soft rock tone, while "Afterlife" incorporates classical instruments like a piano or violin. If you want a rock band with everything you could look for in rock, I recommend this band.

The reason why Skillet should be number one is not just because they play what I consider to be the best music. They also do a lot more with their music than most bands. Adding violins and cellos might not work for every rock band, but for Skillet, it enhances the skill level at which they perform and sounds amazing. I could talk at length about why this band is the best, but the most compelling argument is this: go see them live. Enough said.

If you listen to their albums and see how they vary their style around a common theme, it makes it much more enjoyable. The weight they place on significance and meaning in every song is a nice touch.

Their lyrics contain the kind of words that can literally change how you view everything.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are the greatest band ever! They currently hold the world record for the most number one hits on the alternative rock charts. Like Linkin Park, they have combined several different music genres, including funk, punk, alternative rock, and rap.

They are the band of a generation. I will even create a list of their greatest songs for those who might be interested: By the Way, Can't Stop, Venice Queen, Around the World, Scar Tissue, Purple Stain, Cabron, Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder Cover), Havana Affair (Ramones Cover), The Adventures of Raindance Maggie, Look Around, True Men Don't Kill Coyotes, Californication, Readymade, Purple Stain, Under the Bridge, Save the Population, Give It Away, Even You Brutus?, and Soul to Squeeze. Those are just a few off the top of my head. Listen to them and try not to be overwhelmed by their talent.

They are the best thing music has to offer since the grunge movement. Of course, everyone is impressed with Dave Grohl's musicianship, but it's their chemistry as a band that sets them apart from any contemporary band. They are not a band of posers. They do not pretend to represent a generation, nor do they claim to be among the best in the world. They just get together and rock out, which is exactly what other bands are lacking. Rock 'n' roll isn't all about elaborate compositions and "the rock star lifestyle."

It is best practiced when your friends are next to you so that you do it for fun and for the love of the craft.

Long live Foo Fighters!

Seriously, people, Linkin Park at #1? These guys are way better. Sure, LP is good and has some really good songs, but these guys have WAY better songs than them. Songs like Ten Thousand Fists, Down with the Sickness, Stupify, and Sound of Silence are just a few examples. These guys cleared out battlefields. It was against their religion to listen to this music, and they played it through towns taken by the Muslims, and it was cleared. Has Linkin Park done that? Didn't think so.

However, RIP Chester.
You weren't the best, but you were amazing.

This band has changed my life for the better. Seeing them live and meeting them all afterward was a transcendental experience. Almost every album of theirs is a different genre altogether. They all seem to be subtly interlinked, and most albums even tell stories. Moreover, they released five killer albums in 2017 - no other band can come close to that kind of magic! They'll forever be my favorite band of all time. They deserve so much recognition!

They have all the characteristics we need more of in modern music: They are inventive, energetic, and hard-working! They bring something fresh to modern rock music. They don't follow the same formula that many bands do. They just do what they like and always try to push their boundaries without being afraid. Also, they are the only band I know of that has two drummers!

Nothing against Avenged Sevenfold, but seriously, this band is way better than them, in my opinion. They put so much meaning and emotion into their songs. Their lyrics are off the wall, emotional, relatable, deep, and simply the most amazing songs ever.

They may not have the most insane shredding, but they have skill leaking out of their ears in everything they do. Every album they've released has touched me emotionally.

You haven't listened to System of a Down if you don't vote for them. Their Toxicity album was their masterpiece. Songs like Chop Suey, Toxicity, and Forest are just amazing. Serj's voice gives life to their music.

For the record, their songs are unique from one another. Chop Suey, Forest, and Toxicity have different musical characters, even within the same album. And I haven't even mentioned other songs like Sugar, Radio/Video, Holy Mountain, BYOB, and many more.

Muse is the best band in the world. Each band member's individual talent and the range of sounds and styles they incorporate into their music make Muse stand out. Even a person who doesn't listen to rock music can find at least one Muse song they love. Linkin Park is great, except for their newer musical endeavors, but I think the top five should really be Linkin Park, Muse, Foo Fighters, Green Day, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The other five bands listed here are terrible. I've listened to them all, and they are all subpar. Three Days Grace? Rise Against? Alter Bridge? The people who chose these bands must also be the ones who voted Barack Obama into office.

My Chemical Romance ingeniously bridges the gap between metaphorical punk and David Bowie-esque revelations. They do this while masking their brilliance through eras and eras of different personalities, both physically and lyrically.

No matter what kind of punk or emo rock you might be into, it's guaranteed that My Chemical Romance will have something for you. Even if you're not into emo or punk at all, it's still likely that My Chemical Romance will find their way into your heart and head with social satire, ballads, and a wealth of angst and regret, as well as contrasting love-for-life, get-up-and-go bouncers.

Fun fact: The first Evanescence song I ever listened to was "Call Me When You're Sober," followed by "Bring Me to Life." One of the reasons why I love this band so much is the blend of Amy Lee's vocals with the band's hard rock/metal sound. "Fallen" was an awesome album, but I can't stop listening to "The Open Door." Some of my favorite songs from Evanescence are "Going Under," "End of the Dream," "My Last Breath," "Cloud 9," and "Weight of the World." I also really enjoyed their most recent song, "Wasted on You."

It kills me to see this band at #11, cheated out of the top 10. I fell in love with this band the day I first heard their music. I bought a ticket to one of their concerts the same day I heard them as well. I have been to some pretty intense concerts. They were fun, but Rise Against was the best I have been to by far.

These guys should be at the top of this list, with Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace right behind them. They put so much thought and meaning into every single song, and each one has a different impact that may make you reconsider its importance compared to your original thoughts. Tim McIlrath, one of the most caring and meaningful vocalists ever, makes this band better than the rest.

I encourage anyone who has underrated this band to listen to their music, not just the popular songs like "Savior" and "The Good Left Undone." Also, consider songs such as "Help is On The Way," "Make It Stop," "Hero Of War," and "Collapse (Post-Amerika)." These songs demonstrate their care and concern for various serious issues. I would also encourage those same people to listen to songs like "Satellite," "Ready To Fall," "Give It All," and "I Don't Want To Be Here Anymore" to see how energetic and inspiring they can be. All these elements create the ultimate best band out there, and that's what Rise Against is. I am sick of people underrating this band just because their songs are not on the radio 24/7, like those of Green Day or Linkin Park.

I'm voting for Shinedown, not because they're the best - Linkin Park gets that title - but because Shinedown is really good. They should probably be above Rise Against and definitely don't deserve to be in 26th place. They need to be above Evanescence at least. I mean, their song "Devour" was the theme for a Madden game.

They're touring with Three Days Grace this spring, and Three Days Grace is number 4 now, not to mention my current favorite. So, Shinedown should probably be around 6 or 7. It's worth noting, however, that they did a Foo Fighters cover. Foo Fighters are number 7 now. A cover signifies respect, so Shinedown respects Foo Fighters. Maybe that means they should not be above Foo Fighters, but placing them more than one space apart would not be giving due credit.

If we are talking about the best rock band of all time, Radiohead clearly should be number one. They might not be the most fun to listen to or have the most meaningful lyrics, but they are by far the most musically talented rock band since 1990 (I'd argue since Pink Floyd). Sure, I like Three Days Grace, and I'm more likely to sing along with Avenged Sevenfold, but Radiohead is the best rock band. Anyone who understands music on a sophisticated level will know what I'm trying to say. The transition from OK Computer to Kid A was incredible. I honestly like Kid A a little bit more than OK Computer. Radiohead are true pioneers of music, and I am excited to see what's coming in the next few months.

While not as modern as other bands on this list, Nirvana is the best in terms of quality. They revolutionized grunge and alternative, two genres that I don't necessarily like, but whose impact I can't ignore. Nirvana led the rise of alt-rock, with bands like Weezer following closely behind.

Not only that, but Kurt Cobain's guitar skills are often overlooked. While he is not the best guitarist ever, his skills deserve more attention. Dave Grohl is a fantastic drummer, and Krist Novoselic is a fine bassist. They are definitely better than other entries on this list, like Linkin Park, Evanescence, and Nickelback.

Speaking of Nickelback, some fans claim people only hate them because they are Canadian. I love Celine Dion and Rush, so nationality is not an issue for me. I dislike Nickelback because their music does not appeal to me. However, Nirvana's gritty and sometimes dark mood was a major contributor to the grunge movement in the '90s. Although they were more prominent in the '90s, their influence can still be heard today, though modern music is often produced with computers.

I might only be fifteen, but Coldplay means everything to me. They are the fuel to my joy, the mirror to my conflict, and the antidote to my sadness. I've been listening to them since 2009, which is admittedly pretty late, but their unique sound captivates me. It is diverse yet uniform.

The blending of instrumentals features prominently in their music and it sounds simply beautiful. At other times, solo instrumentals take the lead and make the track shine. The piano and guitar riffs in their songs are pure magic. Chris Martin's heavenly voice is something I have fallen in love with, and I will probably never recover.

If you haven't listened to them, give them a try. Listen to the lyrics and let them touch your heart. You won't regret it.

This band synthesizes melodic melodies with sinister outbursts, while also sprinkling in hints of electronica. It's a beautiful combination of BB and Starset. Michael Barnes' powerful choruses and full-throated screams touch my soul.

Here is a list of my ten favorites:

1. Darkest Part (symphonic masterpiece)
2. Already Over (think What I've Done)
3. The Evening Hate (available only on YouTube)
4. Faceless
5. Chasing Your Echo
6. The Mask Slips Away
7. Gravity Lies
8. Love Will Leave a Mark
9. Hymn for the Missing
10. Shadows (Benjamin Burnley actually wrote this one)

Having sold more than 50 million albums worldwide and ranking as the eleventh best-selling music act, as well as the second best-selling foreign act in the U.S. of the 2000s behind The Beatles, this success would suggest they should be higher up the list. People don't spend money on music if it isn't good. Everyone has an opinion, but money always tells the truth. If they outsell most of their competition, they are doing something right.

Lies! Lies! Lies! That is what hate conspirators spread about this band, and they do so maliciously just because the band is Canadian. That is discrimination! This band has a wider range of music than most bands, and very few of their songs are about sex.

A good 80% of their music is very meaningful, and Chad Kroeger is a brilliant lyricist, even when he does write about sex. He knows just how far to go and uses metaphors better than most could ever hope to. They provide the stadium rock everyone is craving, yet some can't handle the fact that there's a grunge band out there doing better than Nirvana. Listen to them and stop hating for no good reason.

Slipknot is raw, unadulterated music. They don't try to kiss up. They kick ass. Their music is diverse and has transformed over ten years. They put a lot of emotion into their work.

Slipknot wasn't made for the general public. However, I love their music, and it's full of badassery and adrenaline. I can understand that most people don't like it.

How is Five Finger Death Punch better than Slipknot? What? Slipknot rocks! I am a maggot forever. The world needs something like this band!

30 Seconds to Mars is not an ordinary rock band. I have no idea why they're so low on this list! They started off as space rock but have evolved significantly, now having a unique sound. Jared's voice really stands out, much like Matthew Bellamy's. Both have their own styles. The lyrics are incredibly philosophical and make you think. This band should be much higher up on this list!

Jared Leto's voice is something to die for. What I love about them is that they aren't your typical rock band. They have a unique and distinct style and are true to their roots.

It's also fascinating how they deliver their songs using symbolism and subliminal messages. When it comes to this band, you shouldn't just listen. You also need to understand.

The Strokes are so perfect, it's not even fair to other bands out there. Except for Arctic Monkeys, because they rule. Not to mention, The Strokes were a huge inspiration and influence on Arctic Monkeys in the first place.

They are two of the best bands of our time.

The Strokes wipe the floor with these other bands! Great melodies, great lyrics, great guitars, great drums, and a distinct style that cannot be replicated without someone saying, "That sounds like The Strokes."

The United Kingdom has many great bands in the PPR genre: Arctic Monkeys, Kooks, Kasabian, White Lies, and so on. Basically, all of them. But it's hard to beat the greatness of The Strokes.

First of all, Alex Turner has the most amazing voice on the planet. It's just so soothing that I could listen to it and forget about everything else. Not to mention his killer looks! But their music is just genius. The lyrics are so unique and they actually reflect the real and raw image of life through words not easily chosen by other songwriters. Their albums are each one better than the other.

Over the years, they have evolved. They have experimented with their music and have managed to be versatile yet true to their style. I think that's a really important thing that a lot of the bands at the top of the list don't actually have. Not to mention their amazing stage performances.