Top 10 Best Rock Bands of the 1990s

1. Nirvana

   

   Nirvana was an American grunge band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. The band consisted of Kurt Cobain (vocals, guitar), Krist Novoselic (bass), and Dave Grohl (drums), who joined in 1990. Nirvana disbanded following Cobain's death by suicide in 1994.... read more

   Nirvana almost wasn't eligible for this list, having had a strong base in the 80s. However, Nirvana still had major success and influential breakthroughs before Kurt Cobain's suicide in 1994. Nirvana unquestionably had more emotion, songwriting, and popularity than just about every other band from the 90s.

   BEST SONG: HEART SHAPED BOX

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers

   

   The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American funk-rock and alternative rock band founded in 1983 in Los Angeles. The current core lineup includes Anthony Kiedis, Michael "Flea" Balzary, Chad Smith, and Joshua Klinghoffer, although John Frusciante remains the most acclaimed guitarist associated with the... read more

   Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Californication were both masterpieces. Even One Hot Minute with Navarro was still beyond great.

   RHCP is such a unique, wild, and very talented bunch of individuals.

   They deserve a spot here. They are such a good band.

3. Radiohead

   

   Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway, and Ed O'Brien.

   Known for their experimentation and sonic evolution, they rose to international prominence with OK Computer and continued... read more

   Personally, I think Radiohead is basically Nirvana with actual technical ability. But actually, that's a great thing, especially since bands like Creed and Collective Soul are just shallow rip-offs. Radiohead is pretty much the only post-grunge band who is allowed on this list.

   BEST SONG: PABLO

   Best Band Ever. No questions asked. They are the modern Floyd, with a better knack for harmony and atmosphere. They were better in the 2000s, but Ok Computer and The Bends nudges them ahead of Nirvana for the 1990s.

   One of the best rock bands ever, not to mention in the 1990s. The 1990s is just when they were the best. They had their two best albums in the 1990s. Seriously, Radiohead is the best.

4. Green Day

   

   Green Day are an American pop punk and punk rock band formed in East Bay, California, in 1987. The core members are Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), and Tré Cool (drums), with Jason White often performing live on guitar. They blend punk rock, pop punk, and alternative rock, drawing... read more

   I really cannot see Green Day being lower than number two. The early 1990s were almost the end of great rock bands, but Nirvana has to fit here, and Green Day is the exception to the decline of the rest into navel-gazing emos or thrashing thuds. Navel-gazing emo isn't always a bad thing, but it sure isn't "Rock".

   Almost missed this one. But I would not be able to do that. Green Day is a great alternative band. Note that their old music is better than their new stuff, but they are a great band altogether.

   Green Day is like my life. Their music has inspired me to do so many things with my life. They should be at least top five, though I love Nirvana too. In my opinion, Green Day is the best. Billie, Mike, and Tre for life!

5. Soundgarden

   

   Soundgarden was an American grunge and alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto.

   The band was one of the pioneers of the grunge movement and released critically acclaimed albums... read more

   Chris Cornell was the best singer of the decade! They also had several big hits. Way too low on this list!

6. Metallica

   

   Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album... read more

7. Pearl Jam

   

   Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. The founding lineup included Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard, and Jeff Ament. The band is best known for its debut album Ten, which features the hit singles "Even Flow," "Black," and "Jeremy," and was named after basketball... read more

   Even though Vedder directly influenced the vocal style of Creed, Collective Soul, and company (barf), they still had incredible angst and powerful guitar riffs, which makes them slightly better than most grunge bands of the early 1990s. BEST SONG: ALIVE

   I think Pearl Jam deserves more than third. Twenty-five years and they are still selling out stadiums.

   No band better... And they're still doing it!

8. The Smashing Pumpkins

   

   The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The group was formed in 1988 by frontman Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha, with bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin joining to complete the original lineup.... read more

9. Alice In Chains

   

   Alice in Chains is an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The band's most notable hits include "Man in the Box," "Down in a Hole," "Heaven Beside You," "No Excuses," "What the... read more

10. Foo Fighters

    

    Foo Fighters are an American alternative rock band formed in Seattle in 1994. The band was founded by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl after Kurt Cobain's death and Nirvana's breakup. The current lineup consists of Dave Grohl (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, primary songwriter), Pat Smear (rhythm guitar... read more

    They deserve to be on the upper level of the list!

The Newcomers
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The Contenders

13. Blind Guardian

    

    Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are widely credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing and incorporate extensive orchestral... read more

14. 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 replacing their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, they signed a major record deal with... read more

    Do I really have to argue this one? Pantera wrote some of the best riffs of all time, kept thrash alive in the 1990s, and did it all in a groovy style that made everyone in the audience go nuts. BEST SONG: CEMETERY GATES

15. Weezer

    

    Weezer is an American alternative rock and power pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1992. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar), Patrick Wilson (drums), Brian Bell (rhythm guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), and Scott Shriner (bass, backing vocals).... read more

16. Blink-182

    

    Blink‑182 is an American pop‑punk band formed in 1992. The original lineup featured Mark Hoppus (bass, vocals), Tom DeLonge (guitar, vocals), and Scott Raynor (drums). Raynor was replaced in 1998 by Travis Barker. The band rose to mainstream success with the album Enema of the State and has released... read more

17. R.E.M.

    

    R.E.M. was an American alternative rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by lead singer Michael Stipe, lead guitarist Peter Buck, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry. They released their debut single, Radio Free Europe, in 1981 on the independent I.R.S. Records label... read more

18. Goo Goo Dolls

    

    The Goo Goo Dolls are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik, vocalist and bassist Robby Takac, and drummer George Tutuska. They achieved mainstream success with hits like Iris, Slide, and Name. The band's style has evolved from punk... read more

    They are so underrated. Listen to their greatest albums: A Boy Named Goo and Dizzy Up the Girl.

    John Rzeznik and Tobby Takac - they are amazing talents! Thank you for all the great music. Please don't stop making awesome songs.

19. The Offspring

    

    The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Originally named Manic Subsidal, the band currently consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Todd Morse, and drummer Brandon Pertzborn... read more

    Fantastic band. Deserves a place in the Top Ten. I recommend their following songs to you: Self Esteem, Pretty Fly, Want You Bad.

20. Rage Against the Machine

    

    Rage Against the Machine is an American rap metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1991. The lineup consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello, and drummer Brad Wilk.

    Their politically charged music, which blended rock, hip-hop, and funk, debuted... read more

    Where to start? Rage Against the Machine unquestionably crafted the nu metal style, had the best bassist of all time, and had the best guitarist of the 1990s. They are the most politically charged band of all time. Rage Against the Machine isn't just the best band of the 1990s. They're one of the best of all time. BEST SONG: WAKE UP

21. Guns N' Roses

    

    Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. In addition to hard rock, they are also... read more

22. Iced Earth

    

    Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. It was formed in 1984 under the name Rose, then Purgatory, by guitarist and main songwriter Jon Schaffer and original drummer Greg Seymour. The band's music has also been described as thrash metal and power metal.... read more

23. Oasis

    

    Oasis is an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. The original lineup consisted of Liam Gallagher (lead vocals), Paul Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass guitar), and Tony McCarroll (drums). A few months later, Liam invited his older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar, vocals) to join the... read more

24. Melvins

    

    The Melvins are an American sludge metal band formed in 1983 in Montesano, Washington. Known for their heavy and experimental sound, they typically perform as a trio, but in recent years have occasionally performed as a four-piece with two drummers. They are considered influential in the development... read more

25. Bon Jovi

    

    Bon Jovi is a hard rock and pop rock band formed in 1983. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora (who left in 2013), bassist Alec John Such (who left in 1994), keyboardist David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres.... read more

    While the '90s were not their heyday, they are still the best band in the world. And what is Led Zeppelin doing on this list? They were long gone by the '90s. Still an awesome band, though.

26. Helmet

    

    Helmet is an American alternative metal band from New York City, formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, the band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with Hamilton as the only constant member. Helmet is known for its heavy, precise sound and has influenced the development... read more

27. Type O Negative

    

    Type O Negative was an American gothic/doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1989. Their lyrics often focused on themes of romance, depression, and death, earning them the nickname "The Drab Four." The band was fronted by Peter Steele and gained a dedicated fan base with albums like Bloody... read more