Top 30 Best Modern Metal Bands

#30: Crossfaith

Japanese group Crossfaith are quite an aptly-named band, due to their melding of different genres. In their best work, their foundational metalcore is crossed with electronic influences, with dubstep making the most prominent appearances. Ask any fan what their live shows are like, and they’ll tell you that the experiences lie somewhere between traditional metal intensity and a full-blown rave. Formed in 2006 in Osaka, Japan, Crossfaith deserves some real praise for bridging the gap between these two schools of music, allowing fans to discover art forms they might never usually engage with.

#29: Whitechapel

The deathcore flag is most certainly being flown high by Tennessee’s Whitechapel. These guys are a true example of how to evolve in sound and identity without losing sight of who you are or alienating your fanbase. The influences this band carries with them puts their growth into context. Each core member brings something a little different to the table - ranging from the expected death metal and black metal to hardcore punk and hip-hop. The more time that passes, the harder it’s getting to put Whitechapel in a box, and yet, they only seem to be growing in stature and acclaim.

#28: ALL SHALL PERISH

Deathcore as we know it today could well have ended up in a very different place if it weren’t for pioneering band ALL SHALL PERISH. After coming out of Oakland, California in the early 2000s, they were signed to Nuclear Blast and went on to make real strides in their sound with their debut album, “Hate, Malice, Revenge”. The fusing of the sounds of death metal and hardcore helped them build off this early success, climbing into the Billboard charts with their third LP, “Awaken the Dreamers”. Now revered as the pioneers and architects that they are, their influence is felt in many modern day bands.

#27: The Amity Affliction

Emotional catharsis is pushed to the front and centre when it comes to The Amity Affliction. Formed in Queensland, Australia, this post-hardcore band are known for producing some of the most emotionally dense and personal pieces of lyric writing in the genre. The psychological conflict of vocalist Joel Birch is showcased brilliantly through their wild dynamism. In many ways, their music is melodic enough for wider audiences, while being heavy enough for those who love metalcore. A prolific band who tend to put out an album every two or three years at most, they have maintained a strong identity, despite several lineup changes over the years.

#26: Sleep Token

As one of the few bands where the lore is almost as interesting as the music, Sleep Token have truly been a revelation since bursting onto the scene at the end of the 2010s. Very little is known about their origins or even the identities of their band members. At the centre of it all, is the masked frontman, the anonymous Vessel, who is joined by members known only by the Roman numerals for two, three, and four. It’s not just a gimmick, though, the music is genuinely thrilling. Unlike traditional metal’s emphasis on aggression, Sleep Token foregrounds themes of heartbreak, devotion, and psychological dependency, melding genres into something truly fresh.

#25: KONVENT

When it comes to European metal, there has to be a mention given to the Danish group, KONVENT. After surging onto the scene in 2020 with their debut album “Puritan Masochism”, KONVENT have gone from strength to strength. This death doom band take influence from many adjacent genres, emerging out of the COVID 19 pandemic with a wealth of material. The band’s singer, Rikke Emilie List, is a true force of nature on the mic, a spearhead that is singling out KONVENT as a real standout within the new wave.

#24: SANGUISUGABOGG

One of the first things that stands out about SANGUISUGABOGG is the name. Their rather creative band moniker comes by combining the word ‘sanguisuga’, the Latin word for ‘leech’ and also singer Cameron Boggs’ last name, which also doubles as a British word for ‘toilet’. It’s their style that truly gets them to the dance, though. Crude, punchy, and often humorous styles are interwoven to make something that is truly unique. They don’t sugarcoat their sound or lyrical themes either, often taking a satirical approach to the tropes that often define the genre. Upon releasing their debut album in 2021, they’ve continued to hone their sound into an increasingly effective and brutally heavy result.

#23: Anciients

Somewhere on the line between progressive metal and sludge metal, you’ll find Anciients. Led by lead singer and guitarist Kenny Cook, these Canadian standouts have been delivering the goods since back in 2011. They caught a break after opening for Lamb of God and were seemingly set for a major takeover. Unfortunately, they were forced into a hiatus and Cook withdrew for personal reasons. Thankfully, they pulled themselves back together, and their use of complex harmonic layers and driving power chords has never sounded better. The only question now, is how far they can take it.

#22: Hollywood Undead

While certainly being the type of band who split opinions down the middle, Hollywood Undead have forged a lasting place for themselves in the modern era. Seen as revivalists of nu-metal and rap-rock after the genres fizzled out, they act as a real treat for the senses, especially in the live setting. The mask-wearing trope has been done to death, sure… but the visual element of Hollywood Undead is undeniably a lot of fun. It also must be said that they have acted as a gateway of sorts for a lot of younger listeners who eventually find their way onto the stuff that the purists listen to. In short, they’re an important band who sit at the gateway between several genres.

#21: BABYMETAL

To simply try to explain what Babymetal does is a lot tougher than just showing someone. This Japanese band are at the forefront of the genre, taking heavy sounds and pairing them with complex and gritty metal instrumentation. The live show experience deserves a mention too, as lead vocalist Su-Metal and her two backing singers continually buck the trend. Babymetal’s sound falls into what the band describe as ‘kawaii metal’, or ‘cute metal’, translated. It’s basically somewhere between J-pop and very fast heavy metal. The contrast between kawaii aesthetics and aggressive riffing creates cognitive dissonance that becomes addictive rather than alienating. They certainly know how to make an impression, that’s for sure.

#20: Bad Omens

The tone of all modern metal may be set by Bad Omens. The Virginia industrial metalcore phenoms may be young, but Noah Sebastian’s expressive songwriting screams to a whole generation. And the mix of elaborate breakdowns and pop hooks is just as resonant with critics. Bad Omens quickly became rising stars on the charts, and have collaborated with the likes of hyperpop star Poppy and Corey Taylor of Slipknot. Certainly, the 2022 single “Just Pretend” going Platinum is no small feat for a racket so big. The band’s twisty style has been validated by the metal community as much as the public. With a steady output, accolades and a dedicated fanbase, it looks like a bright future for Bad Omens.

#19: Lorna Shore

Something about being named after one of Batman’s girlfriends sets the tone for this New Jersey group’s dark contrasts. After cutting their teeth on more orthodox metalcore, Lorna Shore began combining symphonic and blackened death metal in a way that’s both haunting and harrowing. Anchoring it all is an unforgivingly technical rhythm driven by drummer Austin Archey’s rapid-fire double bass. It’s all so beautifully brutal, captivating critics with elaborate compositions and bleak philosophical lyrics. The band then became a viral sensation after the Spotify hit “To the Hellfire” was named the best metal track of 2021 by Loudwire. With more accolades from there, Lorna Shore is being hailed as one of the most notable names of contemporary deathcore.

#18: Dethklok

They're the most powerful force in metal, at least on TV. Berklee-educated comedian Brendon Small created the virtual band Dethklok as the focus of “Metalocalypse.” Both the twisted animated sitcom and its soundtrack were praised for their spoof of mainstream death metal tropes and the music industry. Of course, Small’s satire is so credible because his musicianship is so genuinely epic. With drummer Gene Hoglan as the only other consistent studio member, Dethklok really has built a serious fanbase and topped charts. Their live performances are also a must-see spectacle, with much stricter safety measures than the concerts on the show. Although “Metalocalypse” was canceled in 2013, Dethklok continues to rule and riff on the world of metal.

#17: Volbeat

Rock n’ roll has evolved considerably through the years, though you wouldn't know it from hearing Volbeat. Dominus frontman Michael Poulsen formed the more old-school heavy metal project after growing weary of modern death metal. He went so far as to incorporate elements of groove, hard rock and even rockabilly. The skilled musicianship and Poulsen’s commanding vocals somehow make it all work. Volbeat has thus achieved great commercial and critical success, especially in their native Denmark. They’re practically darlings at the Danish Music and Metal awards, on top of the many international honors. Even though their eclectic sound has softened a bit over time, Volbeat remains a favorite among hard rock and metal traditionalists.

#16: Spiritbox

Courtney LaPlante told Loudwire in 2023 that she “[doesn’t] care about genre.” This seems to be the philosophy on which she and her guitarist husband Mike Stringer founded their band after they left Iwrestledabearonce. Spiritbox is a mind-bending blend of modern metal styles, mixed with electronics and contemporary R&B. The progressive product caught metal fans’ attention, with particular praise going toward LaPlante’s stellar clean and harsh vocals. The band was blowing up charts even before the release of their first full album in 2021. Since then, they’ve been nominated for multiple Grammys and won several Heavy Metal Awards. There may be no fitting Spiritbox in a box, but audiences are liking what they hear.

#15: While She Sleeps

There's been no rest for one of the UK’s leading metalcore acts since they won the Kerrang! Award for Best British Newcomer in 2012. This was just the culmination of While She Sleeps’ cult following after years of touring the scene. They stood out for representing the full, confrontational intensity of the genre’s hardcore punk roots, while creatively incorporating melodic and electronic elements. This modern sound and its organic progression across a regular output have earned the band consistent acclaim and a passionate fanbase. And yet, inconsistent sales lead some to still consider them a cult sensation. Everyone can at least agree that there’s no sleeping on While She Sleeps, as if anyone could with their dynamic noise.

#14: Alter Bridge

By the time they first disbanded in 2004, Creed was one of the biggest acts in post-grunge. The instrumentalists rode that momentum into bridging–as it were–alternative metal and hard rock with Myles Kennedy as their new voice. The former Mayfield Four frontman was a mostly cult figure, praised for his distinct, powerful vocal style and showmanship. Alter Bridge made him a megastar, while showcasing the full measure of the band's technical range and ability. The old-school musicianship with a modern sound seems to exhilarate listeners more and more with each record. And with millions of them sold worldwide, Alter Bridge is still going strong as a staple of 21st century rock and metal.

#13: Epica

After leaving After Forever, Mark Jansen built a new sound around his vision of symphonic metal for heavier listeners. Led by his harsh vocals and Simone Simons’s stunning soprano, Epica finds harmony in grand classical drama and the intensity of various forms of extreme metal. This drastic yet ingenious juxtaposition marked a breakthrough in the band's already challenging niche. Simons alone became one of the genre’s most revered and sought-after voices. All the while, Epica’s critical and audience reception earned them the Buma Export Award for the top-grossing Dutch band in 2015. True to their name, the band represents the creative and influential height of symphonic metal as we now know it.

#12: Jinjer

Over the years, the Ukrainian group Jinger has replaced all of the founding members. But they have incredibly never lost the uniquely blended sound that distinguished them in metalcore. Tatiana Shmayluk is especially recognized as one of the most versatile and visceral vocalists in this male-dominated genre. And with many more genres packed into progressive songwriting, fans never know what to expect. The band is further noted for backing up their impassioned political themes. After going on hiatus to focus on humanitarian work during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Jinjer were designated cultural ambassadors by their government. They thus began a long-term tour in 2022, continuing to push the boundaries of their art and activism along the way.

#11: The Contortionist

A variety of modern metal subgenres bent to form The Contortionist early on. The Indiana ensemble won immediate praise for their experimental and intellectual approach to progressive deathcore. Over time, however, they've gained much more esteem for defining their own unique sound. The juxtaposition of prog rock and ambient elements with still-pretty extreme metal would make an impression on many artists within the scene. The Contortionist’s sophisticated songwriting and musicianship has unfortunately resulted in a limited output through the years. Moreover, their niche aesthetic hasn't seen that much commercial success outside of certain rock circles. But as far as their artistry and influence reach, The Contortionist continues to captivate their following.

#10: Archspire

This Vancouver five piece may be the very pinnacle of technical death metal today. Archspire’s ridiculously complicated and cosmic songwriting is not just mind-bending. They are all true virtuosos, performing on a level and at a rapid tempo that hardly seems real. With evidence in monstrous live performances, they've achieved a commercial success rarely seen with metal this extreme. They've also won some of Canada’s highest awards in the genre. But the programming team Dadabots may have delivered the highest honor when they used Archspire to train an AI neural network that's been streaming since 2019. The band literally plunges the depths of the mind as one of the most exciting and unpredictable machines in tech-death.

#9: Animals as Leaders

After pushing progressive metal to the extreme with Reflux, guitar virtuoso Tosin Abasi did the same to jazz with Animals as Leaders. The instrumental three piece soon banged heads with experimental time signatures, blistering riffs, and contrasts between drastic distortion and bright leads. This mind-bending style would come to be called “djent.” Of course, Abasi just thinks this is a crude term for heavy music too sophisticated for classification. He, Javier Reyes and Matt Garstka influenced a new era of elevated metal, while achieving great critical and commercial success. Abasi is even widely recognized as one of the greatest guitarists today. At least metalheads and music snobs can agree that Animals as Leaders just plain rule.

#8: TesseracT

True to their name, the English ensemble TesseracT spent years developing new layers and shapes to their progressive metal. Finally, in 2011, the album “One” introduced the world to their polyrhythmic grooves between the harshest and cleanest tones. The deep lyrics and Daniel Tompkins’s either serene or screaming vocals rounded out what critics would cite as a paradigm shift in metal. Between Ashe O'Hara and Tompkins's return, these djent pioneers have earned consistent acclaim for their sweeping, enchanting pushes of sonic boundaries. While it can be argued that TesseracT are a bit niche for wider mainstream recognition, they have left a lasting impact on progressive music. Granted, nothing sounds quite like their beautifully controlled chaos.

#7: Bring Me The Horizon

They may not be as metal as they used to be, but Bring Me the Horizon is where extreme meets commercial appeal. The British outfit didn’t have much of the latter in their early rendition of melodic deathcore. With encouragement from producer Fredrik Nordström, they gradually adopted a more mainstream, alternative sound behind Oliver Sykes’s powerful shrieking. They’ve been gradually skewing toward rock and pop ever since. And yet, BMTH have earned consistent acclaim and fandom for experimenting with their always intense style. They’ve also claimed many accolades along their climb up the charts. And with the occasional return to extreme metal, BMTH shows a creativity and range seldom-heard in an extreme act this hot.

#6: Trivium

Just when it seemed proper thrash metal was a thing of the past, Florida’s Trivium rebooted it for the new millennium. Most of the band were still teenagers when their debut album displayed the confrontational songwriting and killer musicianship of the genre’s golden age. But with their particularly hardcore, scream-driven style, they helped bring metalcore to the mainstream. Trivium has since continued to evolve in exciting ways. While consistent commercial performance has thus been inconsistent, reliable praise from fans and critics have earned them plenty of accolades. Frontman Matt Healy even won the highest honor at Metal Hammer magazine’s Golden Gods Awards in 2006. It’s the least Trivium deserves for their contributions to both classic heavy metal and the new wave.

#5: Architects

How fitting of a name for the British band that helped design metalcore as a progressive art form. Architects initially had a more traditional sound, but their melodic and mathematical influences made them stand out. As they’ve gradually adopted more progressive elements, their contrasts between the heavy and the emotive have crafted a style unlike anything within their circle. This has made the band uniquely successful and influential. They have topped charts and won scores of awards, while undergoing frequent personnel changes. It was uncertain if they could come back from guitarist Tom Searle’s passing in 2016. But the highly prolific Architects have persevered as one of the most dynamic and heavy figures in modern prog metal.

#4: Periphery

From their namesake to the center of the metal world, Periphery have always been outsiders. Visionary guitarist and producer Misha “Bulb” Mansoor leads the massive ensemble with an elaborate tapestry of tones, rhythms and genres. With Spencer Sotelo’s insane vocal range on top of that, they were touring with some of the biggest names in prog metal before their first album. Periphery formally ushered in the age of djent with that 2010 gem, and arguably ended it with the 2023 album “Djent Is Not a Genre.” There is no truly describing the band’s innovative style or quantifying its influence. Periphery’s seemingly unstoppable rise in creativity and popularity just solidifies them as one of the defining figures in modern metal.

#3: Between the Buried and Me

Between high-minded proggers and metalcore adrenaline junkies, one band reigns supreme. North Carolina’s Between the Buried and Me blasted out of the ‘90s with a cosmic cacophony of hyper-technical extreme metal. No less elaborate than their genre-bending compositions are profound concept albums, usually consisting of full-length suites. They have the phenomenal musicianship to back up their constantly evolving ambitions, plus the loyal fanbase to boost them up. Ever since critics declared 2007’s “Colors” to be one of the great metal albums of the modern age, BTBAM have become one of the most important figures of heavy progressive music. Of course, few of the many talents they’ve influenced can measure up to their scope of creativity.

#2: Ghost

There’s nothing wrong with a little eccentric showmanship. But the Swedish project Ghost put classic, versatile virtuosity at the center of their otherwise unpredictable brand. They’ve experimented with many forms of heavy metal, rock and even pop through the years, earning consistent acclaim and many awards. Their reputation was further boosted by dazzling live performances, irreverent themes, and an elaborate lore. This is supported by the band members’ anonymity, their consistent frontman having undergone numerous changes in stage persona. It wasn’t until a royalties dispute in 2017 that Tobias Forge was unmasked. By then, the world had embraced the genius behind the gimmicks. With each album climbing higher on the charts, Ghost continues to haunt the masses with their music and mastery.

#1: Mastodon

It doesn’t get much more singularly metal than Mastodon. Even then, the American foursome have brought just about every variety of subgenre and lyrical content to their complex, progressive-infused symphony of rage. With the perfect balance of explosive musical capabilities, unshakable hooks and long-term concepts, they were certainly the right band at the right time. Their success on the charts has amassed a loyal global following. They won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance, and are regarded by some of the top publications in metal as one of the best examples of the genre in the 21st century. At the very least, the highly influential Mastodon kicked off the new millennium by setting its creative and commercial standard.

But who do you consider to be the best modern metal band? Let us know in the comments below.