These Newer Metal Bands Are the Face of the Genre Today
Bad Omens is one of our newer metal bands that are the face of the genre today – Author Anne Erickson, Photo via Bryan Kirks
Heavy metal and rock are not dead. In that spirit, which bands are the newer metal bands that are the face of the genre today? Sure, it’s not like it was in the 1980s, when hard rock and hair metal rules the top 40 chart. But, if you go to any popular rock or metal show today, you’ll likely find a slew of fans eagerly supporting their favorite musical genre.
Newer Metal Bands That Are the Face of the Genre Today
To define metal music is a slippery slope. There are so many sub-genres of metal today. But, in general, metal separates itself from rock with its more aggressive playing style, distorted guitars and a double bass drum. Metal music also has extreme subgenres, such as doom, death and black metal.
That said, which younger bands are the face of metal music today? These bands don’t really sound like Megadeth or Metallica. Instead, they bring a newer style of metal that might not even be considered heavy metal. Here, you’ll find a lot of metalcore, which to me is the most popular style of metal music today. It seems to be the musical genre that’s most keeping younger people interested in heavy music. For that, metalheads, even classic ones, should be grateful to metalcore for keeping kids into guitars and screams.
In that spirit, here are a five newer metal bands that are the face of metal music today, in alphabetical order.
Bad Omens
Bad Omens is probably the “lightest” band on this list. Their latest album, 2023’s “The Death of Peace of Mind,” is on the soft side, outside of a few rages. If you’re looking for their heaviest track as of late, it’s probably “Artificial Suicide,” which is choc full of Noah Sebastian’s aggressive screaming and the band’s forceful riffs and breakdowns. Bad Omens continue to sell out shows around the world, and they’re certainly one of the newer metal bands that’s keeping metal music alive.
Falling in Reverse
Falling in Reverse might not be considered metal to some, because of their heavy amounts of rapping. But, musically, these guys play a fiery blend of metalcore music, with super heavy guitars and breakdowns. They’re also one of the most popular heavy bands with Gen Z. So, they’re definitely keeping heavy music alive. Falling in Reverse recently released a new song, “Ronald,” featuring frontman Ronnie Radke, rapper Tech N9ne and Slaughter to Prevail frontman Alex Terrible.
Mastodon
Mastodon are the most classic band on this list. They got their start in 2000 and play an old-fashioned style of heavy metal that combines stoner metal with doom. But, they’re certainly not contemporaries of Metallica or Megadeth, and they’re still one of the newer metal bands that’s keeping heavy music alive. Their groovy heavy metal is simply pure bliss. The band’s latest release is 2021’s “Hushed and Grim.”
Motionless in White
Here’s another metalcore darling. Motionless in White combine the metalcore sounds, with especially heavy breakdowns, along with an almost horror-metal aesthetic. Think Alice Cooper, but today. Their music is really catch and has some pop sensibility, so that’s fun, too. Their latest full-length is 2022’s “Scoring the End of the World.”
Spiritbox
I can’t leave the metal ladies out of here. After all, I’m one of them. Spiritbox is one of the newer, female-led bands that’s keeping metal music alive. Lead vocalist Courtney LaPlante has smooth alto vocals that are easy on the ears, but she also has totally brutal screaming that will rip through any guitar riffing. So far, the band only has one full-length album to their name, 2021’s “Eternal Blue.”
As a bonus, check out and follow my metal band, Upon Wings. I’m a metal vocalist and songwriter, and we have a few bangers out, including “Last Love” and “Distant Memory.” New music is coming soon, too.
Did I miss one of your favorite newer metal bands? Contact me at anne@audioinkradio.com.
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