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The metal genre is alive and well, and these bands are proof! Join us as we count down our picks for the best modern metal bands keeping the genre heavy, innovative, and thriving. For this list, we're only looking at groups who launched their careers in the year 2000 or after. Which band do you think deserves the top spot? Let us know in the comments below!
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00:07Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 30 bands who are
00:12flying the flag for the genre of metal in the modern era. For this list,
00:16we'll only be counting the groups that kicked off their careers in the year 2000 or after.
00:2830. CrossFaith
00:36Japanese group CrossFaith are quite an aptly named band, due to their melding of different genres. In
00:43their best work, their foundational metal core is crossed with electronic influences,
00:47with dubstep making the most prominent appearances. Ask any fan what their live shows are like,
01:00and they'll tell you that the experiences lie somewhere between traditional metal intensity
01:05and full-blown rave.
01:074. CrossFaith
01:15Formed in 2006 in Osaka, Japan, CrossFaith deserves some real praise for bridging
01:20the gap between these two schools of music, allowing fans to discover art forms they might
01:25never usually engage with. 29. Whitechapel
01:37The Death Corps flag is most certainly being flown high by Tennessee's Whitechapel.
01:47These guys are a true example of how to evolve in sound and identity without losing sight of who you
01:53are,
01:53or alienating your fanbase.
02:00The influences this band carries with them puts their growth into context.
02:05Each core member brings something a little different to the table,
02:08ranging from expected death metal and black metal to hardcore punk and hip-hop.
02:21The more time that passes, the harder it gets to put Whitechapel in a box,
02:25and yet, they only seem to be growing in stature and acclaim.
02:3628. All Shall Perish
02:44Death Corps as we know it today could well have ended up in a very different place if it weren't
02:49for
02:49pioneering band All Shall Perish.
02:5628. All Shall Perish
03:19The fusing of the sounds of death metal and hardcore helped them build off this early success,
03:25climbing into the Billboard charts with their third LP, Awaken the Dreamers.
03:29Now revered as the pioneers and architects that they are, their influence as felts,
03:34and many modern-day bands.
03:4227. The Amity Affliction
03:45Emotional catharsis is pushed to the front and center when it comes to Amity Affliction.
03:5027. Only so I've runnin' low and runnin' from myself
03:55Formed in Queensland, Australia, this post-hardcore band are known for producing some of the most
04:00emotionally dense and personal pieces of lyric writing in the genre.
04:0527. When the dreamer dies, so dies the dreams on the inside out, so clean and clean.
04:11The psychological conflict of vocalist Joel Birch is showcased brilliantly through their wild
04:16dynamism. In many ways, their music is melodic enough for wider audiences, while being heavy
04:21enough for those who love metalcore. A prolific band who tend to put out an album every two or
04:33three years at most, they have maintained a strong identity, despite several lineup changes over the
04:44years. 26. Sleep Token
04:47As one of the few bands where the lore is almost as interesting as the music, Sleep Token have truly
04:53been a revelation since bursting onto the scene at the end of the 2010s.
05:0427. Very little is known about their origins or even the identities of their band members.
05:08At the center of it all is the masked frontman,
05:11the anonymous Bessel, who is joined by members known only by the Roman numerals for 2, 3, and 4.
05:1827. It's not just a gimmick, though. The music is genuinely thrilling.
05:3527. Sleep Token
05:35Unlike traditional metal's emphasis on aggression, Sleep Token foregrounds themes of heartbreak,
05:40devotion, and psychological dependency melding genres into something truly fresh.
05:4727. Take me back to Reader
05:5625. Convent When it comes to European metal,
06:00there has to be a mention given to the Danish group Convent.
06:11After surging onto the scene in 2020 with their debut album Puritan Masochism, Convent have gone from strength to strength.
06:2227. This death-doomed band take influence from many adjacent genres,
06:30emerging out of the COVID-19 pandemic with a wealth of material.
06:3327. The band's singer, Rika Emily List, is a true force of nature on the mic,
06:45a spearhead that is singling out Convent as a real standout within the new wave.
06:5624. Sangui Shugabob
06:58One of the first things that stands out about Sangui Shugabob is the name.
07:0225. Sangui Shugabob
07:08Their rather creative band moniker comes by combining the word Sangui Shugab, the Latin word for leech,
07:14and also singer Cameron Boggs' last name, which also doubles as a British word for toilet. It's
07:20their style that truly gets them to the dance, though.
07:2326. It's time to be good. It's time to die.
07:28Crude, punchy, and often humorous styles are interwoven to make something that is truly unique.
07:34They don't sugarcoat their sound or lyrical themes, either,
07:37often taking a satirical approach to the tropes that often define the genre.
07:4126. It's time to be good.
07:46Upon releasing their debut album in 2021, they've continued to hone their sound in an
07:51increasingly effective — and brutally heavy — result.
08:0023. Ancients
08:03Somewhere on the line between progressive metal and sludge metal, you'll find Ancients.
08:0824. Is it your God who gave you this life?
08:17Led by lead singer and guitarist Kenny Cook, these Canadian standouts have been delivering
08:21the goods since back in 2011. They caught a break after opening for Lamb of God and were
08:26seemingly set for a major takeover. Unfortunately, they were forced into a hiatus and Cook withdrew
08:42for personal reasons. Thankfully, they pulled themselves back together, and their use of complex
08:46harmonic layers and driving power chords has never sounded better.
08:57The only question now is, how far can they take it?
09:0722. Hollywood Undead
09:10While certainly being the type of band who splits opinions down the middle,
09:14Hollywood Undead have forged a lasting place for themselves in the modern era.
09:23Seen as revivalists of new metal and rap rock after the genres fizzled out,
09:28they act as a real treat for the senses, especially in the live setting.
09:36The mask-wearing trope has been done to death, sure. But the visual element of Hollywood Undead is
09:41undeniably a lot of fun. It also must be said that they have acted as a gateway of sorts for
09:54a lot of younger listeners who eventually find their way onto the stuff that the purists listen to.
09:59In short, they're an important band who sit at the gateway between several genres.
10:03So don't you ever give up, if you ever get shot!
10:0621. Baby Metal
10:09To simply try to explain what Baby Metal does is a lot tougher than just showing someone.
10:21This Japanese band are at the forefront of the genre, taking heavy sounds and pairing them with
10:26complex and gritty metal instrumentation. The live show experience deserves a mention, too,
10:31as lead vocalist Sue Metal and her two backing singers continually buck the trend.
10:44Baby Metal's sound falls into what the band describe as kawaii metal, or cute metal, translated.
10:51It's basically somewhere between J-pop and very fast heavy metal.
11:04The contrast between kawaii aesthetics and aggressive riffing creates cognitive dissonance
11:09that becomes addictive rather than alienating. They certainly know how to make an impression.
11:14That's for sure.
11:2520. Bad Omens
11:28The tone of all modern metal may be set by Bad Omens. The Virginia industrial metalcore phenoms may be
11:42young, but Noah Sebastian's expressive songwriting screams to a whole new generation. And the mix of
11:48elaborate breakdowns and pop hooks is just as resonant with critics.
12:00Bad Omens quickly became rising stars on the charts and have collaborated with the likes of hyper-pop star
12:06Poppy and Corey Taylor of Slipknot.
12:15Certainly, the 2022 single Just Pretend Going Platinum is no small feat for a racket so big. The band's twisty
12:23style has been validated by the metal community as much as the public. With a steady output, accolades,
12:29fans, and a dedicated fanbase, it looks like a bright future for the Bad Omens.
12:4219. Lorna Shore
12:52Something about being named after one of Batman's girlfriends sets the tone for this New Jersey
12:58group's dark contrasts. After cutting their teeth on more orthodox metalcore, Lorna Shore began
13:04combining symphonic and blackened death metal in a way that's both haunting and harrowing.
13:0919. Lorna Shore
13:17Anchoring it all is an unforgivingly technical rhythm driven by drummer Austin Archie's rapid-fire
13:23double bass. It's all so beautifully brutal, captivating critics with elaborate compositions
13:29and bleak philosophical lyrics. The band then became a viral sensation after the Spotify hit
13:35to The Hellfire was named the best metal track of 2021 by Loudwire.
13:47With more accolades from there, Lorna Shore is being hailed as one of the most notable names
13:53films of contemporary deathcore.
14:0218. Death Clock
14:12They're the most powerful force in metal, at least on TV.
14:1619. Berklee-educated comedian Brendan Small created the virtual band Death Clock as the focus
14:22of Metalocalypse. Both the twisted animated sitcom and its soundtrack were praised for their spoof of
14:29mainstream death metal tropes and the music industry.
14:43Of course, Small's satire is so credible because his musicianship is so genuinely epic.
14:50With drummer Gene Hoagland as the only other consistent studio member,
14:54Death Clock has really built a serious fan base and topped charts. Their live performances are also a
15:01must-see spectacle, with much stricter safety measures than the concerts on the show. Although
15:06Metalocalypse was cancelled in 2013, Death Clock continues to rule and riff on the world of metal.
15:17We call out to the beast of the sage of comfort and join us. This night is yours. Because one
15:26day,
15:26we will all be with you in the black and pink. One day, we will all go into the water.
15:32Number 17. Full Beat
15:42Rock and roll has evolved considerably through the years, though you wouldn't know it from hearing
15:47Volbeat. Dominus frontman Michael Paulson formed the more old-school heavy metal project
15:52after growing weary of modern death metal. He went so full as to incorporate elements of groove,
15:58hard rock, and even rockabilly. The skilled musicianship of Paulson's commanding vocals
16:13Volbeat has thus achieved great commercial and critical success, especially in their native
16:19Denmark. They're practically darlings at the Danish Music and Metal Awards, on top of the many
16:24international honors. Even though their eclectic sound has softened a bit over time, Volbeat remains
16:31a favorite among hard rock and metal traditionalists.
16:42Number 16. Spirit Box
16:53Courtney LaPlante told Loudwire in 2023 that she
16:56doesn't care about genre. This seems to be the philosophy on which she and her guitarist husband,
17:02Mike Stringer, founded their band after they left, I wrestled a bear once.
17:14Spirit Box is a mind-bending blend of modern metal styles, mixed with electronics and contemporary R&B.
17:21The progressive product caught metal fans' attention with particular praise toward LaPlante's stellar,
17:27clean and harsh vocals.
17:36The band was blowing up charts even before the release of their first full album in 2021. Since then,
17:43they've been nominated for multiple Grammys and won several heavy metal awards. There may be no fitting
17:48spirit box in a box, but audiences are liking what they hear.
18:00Number 15. While She Sleeps
18:11There's been no rest for one of the UK's leading metalcore acts since they won the Kerrang Award for
18:17Best British Newcomer in 2012. This was just the culmination of While She Sleeps' cult following after
18:23years of touring the scene. They stood out for representing the full, confrontational intensity of
18:29the genre's hardcore punk roots, while creatively incorporating melodic and electronic elements.
18:42This modern sound and its organic progression across a regular output have earned the band
18:48consistent acclaim and a passionate fanbase. And yet, inconsistent sales lead some to still
18:54consider them a cult sensation. Everyone can at least agree that there's no sleeping on While She
19:00Sleeps — as if anyone could with their dynamic noise.
19:12Number 14. Alter Bridge
19:22By the time they first disbanded in 2004, Creed was one of the biggest acts in post-grunge. The
19:30instrumentalists rode that momentum into bridging, as it were, alternative metal and hard rock with Miles
19:37Kennedy as their new voice. The former Mayfield 4 frontman was a mostly cult figure, praised for
19:55his distinct, powerful vocal style and showmanship. After Alter Bridge made him a megastar, while showcasing
20:02the full measure of the band's technical range and ability, the old-school musicianship with a modern
20:07sound seems to exhilarate listeners more and more with each record.
20:18And with millions of them sold worldwide, Alter Bridge is still going strong as a staple of 21st century
20:26rock and metal.
20:35Number 13. Epica
20:37After leaving After Forever, Mark Janssen built a new sound around his vision of symphonic metal for
20:51heavier listeners. Led by his harsh vocals and Simona Simone's stunning soprano, Epica finds harmony in
20:59grand classical drama and the intensity of various forms of extreme metal.
21:10This drastic yet ingenious juxtaposition marked a breakthrough in the band's already challenging niche.
21:17Simone's alone became one of the genre's most revered and sought-after voices. All the while,
21:23Epica's critical and audience reception earned them the Buma Export Award for the top-grossing
21:29Dutch band in 2015.
21:39True to their name, the band represents the creative and influential height of symphonic metal as we now know it.
21:47Trying to keep myself apart, now I'm discreet, but I know...
21:54Number 12. Ginger
21:56Over the years, the Ukrainian group Ginger has replaced all the founding members, but they have incredibly
22:09never lost the uniquely blended sound that distinguished them in metalcore.
22:13Fire! The band is walking around, there's no way out of here...
22:21Tatiana Shmaliuk is especially recognized as one of the most versatile and visceral vocalists
22:27in this male-dominated genre. And with many more genres packed into progressive songwriting,
22:33fans never know what to expect.
22:41The band is further noted for backing up their impassioned political themes. After going on hiatus to
22:48focus on humanitarian work during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Ginger were designated cultural ambassadors by
22:54their government. They thus began a long-term tour in 2022, continuing to push the boundaries of their
23:01arts and activism along the way.
23:04Destroy your weapon! Destroy your weapon! Before I drive mine!
23:11Number 11. The Contortionist
23:21A variety of modern metal subgenres bent to form the Contortionist early on. The Indiana ensemble won
23:28immediate praise for their experimental and intellectual approach to progressive deathcore.
23:34Vocation did save the mechanism through implied revocation. Over time, however, they've gained much more
23:44esteem for defining their own unique sound. The juxtaposition of prog rock and ambient elements
23:50with still pretty extreme metal would make an impression on many artists within the scene.
24:02The Contortionist's sophisticated songwriting and musicianship has unfortunately resulted in a
24:08limited output through the years. Moreover, their niche aesthetic hasn't seen that much commercial
24:14success outside of certain rock circles. But as far as their artistry and influence reach,
24:20the Contortionist continues to captivate their following.
24:31Number 10. Archspire
24:33This Vancouver five-piece may be the very pinnacle of technical death metal today.
24:45Archspire's ridiculously complicated and cosmic songwriting is not just mind-bending,
24:50they are all true virtuosos, performing on a level and a rapid tempo that hardly seems real.
25:05With evidence in monstrous live performances, they've achieved a commercial success rarely seen
25:11with metal this extreme. They've also won some of Canada's highest awards in the genre.
25:22But programming team Databots may have delivered the highest honor when they used Archspire to train
25:28an AI neural network that's been streaming since 2019.
25:32And you're listening to everything it's generating. And it's generating live. Let's listen to it.
25:50The band literally plunges the depths of the mind as one of the most exciting and unpredictable
25:56machines in tech death.
26:06Number 9. Animals as Leaders
26:17After pushing progressive metal to the extreme with Reflux, guitar virtuoso Tosin Abasi did the same to
26:24jazz with animals as leaders.
26:33The instrumental three-piece soon banged heads with experimental time signatures, blistering riffs,
26:40and contrasts between drastic distortion and bright leads. This mind-bending stunt would come to be
26:46called djent. Of course, Abasi just thinks this is a crude term for heavy music too sophisticated
26:52for classification.
27:01He, Javier Reyes, and Matt Garstka influenced a new era of elevated metal while achieving great
27:08critical and commercial success. Abasi is even widely recognized as one of the greatest guitarists
27:14bands today. At least metalheads and music snobs could agree that animals as leaders just plain rule.
27:28Number 8. Tesseract
27:38True to their name, the English ensemble Tesseract spent years developing new layers and shapes
27:44to their progressive metal. Finally, in 2011, the album One introduced the world to their polyrhythmic
27:51grooves between the harshest and cleanest tones. The deep lyrics and Daniel Tompkins's either
28:04serene or screaming vocals rounded out what critics would cite as a paradigm shift in metal.
28:19Asher O'Hara and Tompkins's return, these djent pioneers have earned consistent acclaim for their
28:25sweeping, enchanting pushes of sonic boundaries. While it can be argued that Tesseract are a bit
28:31niche for wider mainstream recognition, they have left a lasting impact on progressive music.
28:36Granted, nothing quite sounds like their beautifully controlled chaos.
28:48Number 7. Bring Me The Horizon
28:58They may not be as metal as they used to be, but Bring Me The Horizon is where extreme
29:04meets commercial appeal. The British outfit didn't have much of the latter in their early rendition of
29:09melodic death chord. With encouragement from producer Frederick Nordstrom, they gradually adopted
29:14a more mainstream, alternative sound behind Oliver Sykes' powerful shrieking.
29:26They've been gradually skewing toward rock and pop ever since, and yet,
29:31BMTH have earned consistent acclaim in fandom for experimenting with their always intense style.
29:44They've also claimed many accolades along their climb up the charts, and with the occasional return
29:50to extreme metal. BMTH shows a creativity and range seldom heard in an extreme act this hot.
29:57We are the children of the desolation
30:00We speak with pride as the stars of the sun
30:03Number 6. Trivia
30:06Blindfolded and gassed to the waiting
30:08With the full world
30:10My flowering squad
30:13Just when it seemed proper thrash metal was a thing of the past,
30:18Florida's Trivium rebooted it for a new millennium.
30:21Most of the band were still teenagers when their debut album displayed the confrontational
30:25songwriting and killer musicianship of the genre's golden age.
30:37But with their particularly hardcore, scream-driven style,
30:40They helped bring metalcore to the mainstream. Trivium has since continued to evolve in exciting
30:46ways, while consistent commercial performances has thus been inconsistent. Reliable praise from
30:52fans and critics have earned them plenty of accolades. Frontman Matt Healy even won the highest honor at
30:58Metal Hammer Magazine's Golden Gods Awards in 2006. It's the least Trivium deserves for their
31:05contributions to both classic heavy metal and the new wave.
31:08It's the least Trivium's Golden Gods
31:16Number 5. Architects
31:26How fitting of a name for the British band that helped design metalcore as a progressive
31:31art form. Architects initially had a more traditional sound, but their melodic and mathematical
31:37influences made them stand out. As they've gradually adopted more progressive elements,
31:50their contrasts between the heavy and the emotive have crafted a style unlike anything within their
31:55circle. This has made the band uniquely successful and influential. They have topped charts and won scores
32:02of awards while undergoing frequent personnel changes. It was uncertain if they could come back from
32:16guitarist Tom Searle's passing in 2016. But the highly prolific architects have persevered as one of the
32:23most dynamic and heavy figures in modern prog metal.
32:34Number 4. Periphery
32:42From their namesake to the center of the metal world, Periphery have always been outsiders.
32:49Visionary guitarist and producer Misha Bulb Mansour leads the massive ensemble with an elaborate tapestry
32:56of tones, rhythms, and genres.
33:06With Spencer Sotelo's insane vocal range on top of that, they were touring with some of the biggest names
33:12in prog metal before their first album. Periphery formally ushered in the age of gent with that 2010
33:19Ben Jem and arguably ended it with the 2023 album, gent is not a genre.
33:30There is no truly describing the band's innovative style or quantifying its influence. Periphery's
33:37seemingly unstoppable rise in creativity and popularity just solidifies them as one of the most defining
33:43figures in modern metal.
33:52Number 3. Between the Buried and Me
33:55Between high-minded proggers and metalcore adrenaline junkies, one band reigns supreme. North Carolina's
34:09Between the Buried and Me blasted out of the 90s with a cosmic cacophony of hyper-technical extreme
34:15metal.
34:23No less elaborate than their genre-bending compositions are profound concept albums, usually consisting of
34:30full-length suites. They have the phenomenal musicianship to back up their constantly evolving
34:35ambitions, plus the loyal fanbase to boost them up. Ever since critics declared 2007's colors to be
34:42one of the great metal albums of the modern age, BTBAM have become one of the most important figures
34:48of heavy progressive music. Of course, few of the many talents they've influenced can measure up to
35:04their scope of creativity.
35:14Number 2. Ghost
35:23There's nothing wrong with a little eccentric showmanship, but the Swedish project Ghost put
35:29classic personal virtuosity at the center of their otherwise unpredictable brand. They've experimented
35:35with many forms of heavy metal, rock, and even pop through the years, earning consistent acclaim and
35:42many awards.
35:48Their reputation was further boosted by dazzling live performances, irreverent themes, and an elaborate
35:55lore. This is supported by the band members' anonymity, their consistent frontman having undergone
36:01numerous changes in stage persona.
36:10It wasn't until a royalties dispute in 2017 that Tobias Forge was unmasked. By then, the world had
36:17embraced the genius behind the gimmicks, with each album climbing higher on the charts. Ghost continues to
36:23haunt the masses with their music and mastery.
36:43Before we continue, check out this single from SoundMojo's album current,
36:47EDM Transformed. Check out the full track and album below.
37:05Number 1. Mastodon
37:07It doesn't get much more singularly metal than Mastodon. Even then, the American foursome have brought just
37:21about every variety of subgenre and lyrical content to their complex, progressive-infused
37:27symphony of rage.
37:35With the perfect balance of explosive musical capabilities, unshakable hooks, and long-term
37:41concepts, they were certainly the right band at the right time. Their success in the charts has amassed a
37:47loyal global following.
37:56They won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance, and are regarded by some of the top publications in
38:01metal as one of the best examples of the genre in the 21st century. At the very least, the highly
38:07influential Mastodon kicked off the new millennium by setting its creative and commercial standards.
38:20But who do you consider to be the best modern metal band? Let us know in the comments below.
38:27We'll see you next time.
38:29All right.
38:30We'll see you next time.
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