To celebrate the United States’ July 4th holiday we launched the USA 50 reader’s poll to find out your favourite rock, punk and metal bands. There’s a huge amount of variety across the country, from metalcore to pop punk and our readers have reflected that. Thank you to all the readers who voted. The Top 5 might seem obvious, in part due to longtime popularity, but there’s a number of newer bands in the Top 25 that are well worth your time (and money). Here’s Part 2 of the countdown. You can recap Part 1 [50-26] here.
25 - Wage War
They’ve just released their new album STIGMA, which explores electronic influences alongside their melodic metalcore roots. They guys are fast becoming hot property across the world, and could take over the popularity of fellow Ocala, Flordia residents, A Day To Remember.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYKTwRw_ESM&t=1s
24 - Better Lovers
From the ashes of Every Time I Die, comes Better Lovers with Will Putney and Greg Puciato on board with the ex-ETID members. Their EP, God Made Me An Animal, is a belter and they’ve already released a follow up single, ‘The Flowering’. The band indicated they're heading down under in 2025 (so cross them off your wishlist for Good Things Fest).Reader comment: "I'm team Jordan Buckley til the day I die. Can't wait to see this band in Australia!"
23 - Kublai Khan TX
Apparently our readers love being sworn and barked at by one of the most badass bands to ever come out of Texas. Their first headline tour of Australia is nearly sold out too and if that's an indication of their popularity here, you're gonna get left behind if you don't jump on the bandwagon.
22 - Motionless in White
They’ve been touring their 2022 album, Scoring the End of the World, and our very own AdamRicecaught them in Seattle last year. The horror-core act are well known in these parts and they're only getting bigger with every visit.
21 - Anthrax
For more than forty years, Anthrax has thrashed their way across the globe. It’s been a while since they released For All Kings, but we chatted guitars with Scott Ian while we waited for the follow up which should start releasing music any day now...
20 - Blink-182
A glorious return to their most popular lineup with Tom DeLonge back in the trio. They toured a lot and released a new album ONE MORE TIME… Despite the album title, there might well be more to come with a deluxe edition scheduled in for August.Reader comment: “fuck yeah!”https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FsvWZsehOhk
19 - Fit For A King
A band with a solid fan base so their high placing isn’t a surprise. Check out the recent single, ‘Keeping Secrets’, if you have any doubts left or take reader Justin's advice: "One of the most consistent and forward-thinking modern metalcore bands with an exceptional stage show to boot."
18 - Bad Omens
Arguably the biggest rising force in modern rock, I’d expect them to be higher next year. Their 2024 collaboration with Poppy is a banger too and globally they're on the same level as Sleep Token or BMTH.Reader comment: “they are just awesome.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNeaifrC5Tk
17 - Lamb of God
Now a mainstay of the scene, the Virginians' huge popularity comes from a relentless touring schedule and unwavering commitment to being the best and heaviest band on any bill. Their last album Omens is full of anthems, their live shows are incendiary and they’ve prepared to celebrate twenty years of Ashes of the Wake by collaborating with Malevolence and Kublai Khan and touring with Mastodon.
16 - Boundaries
Reader comment: “100000%. criminally underrated.” Another metalcore band from Connecticut but one of the only to finish in the top 20 of our USA 50, so maybe their days of being underrated are coming to an end. We will be sure to cover them from now on!
15 - Ice Nine Kills
The Massachusetts horrorcore band that never stops surprising us, whether it is opening for Metallica or releasing new film-inspired bangers. Fans won't be waiting much longer to see them when they hit our shores supporting The Amity Affliction in November.
14 - Limp Bizkit
The boss man’s favourite nu-metal band that were down under for Good Things and some well-received headline shows. They sucked for a while (and even wrote an album about it) but seem to be cool again, as one reader commented, "Cultural icons. Influenced some of my favourite artists today!"
13 - Lorna Shore
Symphonic deathcore from New Jersey that has been a big hit with fanatics and almost cracked the Top 10. They are finally bringing their Pain Remains tour to Australia and it is SOLD OUT. One reader's comment sums it up: “the deathcore revolutionists.”https://youtu.be/UxLmZ14PeaA
12 - Avenged Sevenfold
Hard to know how they would rank on a reader’s poll since they have fans with undeniable devotion, but also released the more than odd Life is But a Dream last year. Johnny Christ told us that the fans who stick with them feel like family. Read our interview here. We also fantasised about what an Eras Set List would look like for A7X.
11 - Currents
The highest place of the Connecticut metalcore bands, rewarded for their tremendous showing on Polaris’ Fatalism Tour in 2023. Their album The Death We Seek is still on rotation it seems.
10 - Megadeth
Lineup changes don’t stop DaveMustaine. They are still touring and releasing solid thrash albums, making them a worthy top 10 finisher. One of our readers commented that “This is the band that first introduced me to thrash metal as a kid. Their music continues to remain strong to this day with few low points throughout their career.”Revisit our chat with bassist JamesLomenzo at Knotfest 2023 below!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3NsY0j8sA8&t=3304s
9 - Foo Fighters
They’ve remained one of the biggest bands in the world, overcoming the tragic death of Taylor Hawkins to release the reflective 2023 album But Here We Are and fill stadiums worldwide. Whilst KJ loves it when Dave Grohl screams, our reader Lorie has only recently come around: “I was never that into them, but they’re just so incredibly good live. One of the best shows I’ve seen.”
8 - Knocked Loose
If we were polling the best album of 2024, would these Kentucky hardcore wonders be number one? You Won’t Go Before You’re Suppose To is an album of remarkable emotional depth without ever losing sight of the breakdowns and screams. They back it up live too, check out our review of their 2023 gig.
7 - Beartooth
A band Wall of Sound have long since championed and whose fans remain utterly devoted to CalebShomo and crew. Latest album The Surface might have confused some listeners but it’s part of a progression that has evolved over each album. Australia loves them and they love us back.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANgl86iv-9U&t=105s
6 - Pearl Jam
The last of the grunge bands with (more or less) their original lineup intact. New album Dark Matter is a return to form and their stadium shows are still a wonder of deep cuts and timeless radio hits. One reader summed up their influence: "The GOATs, been crushing it since the early 90s. Started off epic, got weird (in a good, experimental type of way), and have now transitioned into stadium friendly, Dad rock - love, love, love!"
5 - Pantera
Apparently our readers approve of the reunion with Zakk Wylde and CharlieBenante stepping in for Dimebag and VinniePaul. No sign of new music but as their Knotfest AU 2024 run showed, they are paying tribute to the brothers and giving young fans a chance to see the songs performed live with an energy that cover bands could never match. Gig review here. Wall of Sound reader told us, "A band fundamental in my youth. Spearheaded metal in the 90’s at a time when metal was perceived to be dead. Carried the torch when grunge reigned and nu-metal infected the genre. (I like nu-metal but so many bands succumbed to its influence and modified their styles accordingly). Pantera defined metal in that decade and influenced decades of bands in the process."
4 - Tool
Don’t be surprised they made the top 5. They’ve continued to tour the USA and Europe and have the most hardcore fanbase this side of Radiohead. Just don’t take your phone out at a show and you’ll be OK.
3 - System of a Down
Only qualified for this pole because they headlined Sick New World, but they continue to pop up for special occasions almost to remind audiences that they still have it.
2 - Slipknot
The turnover rate of band members might have increased but Maggots worldwide are still enthralled by the biggest, most extreme band to exist. The Iowans are celebrating 25 years of their self titled debut and will be bringing it to Oz for Knotfest 2025. We love to chat with them when they’re here, as we did with V-Man. https://youtu.be/D3NsY0j8sA8
1 - Metallica
The biggest metal band of all time. Even if 72 Seasons was something of a disappointment, their 72 Worldwide tour has been a rousing success, with the two nights in a city concept selling out stadiums and festivals. We saw them dominate Download Fest UK in 2023 and are desperate for them to tour here again, for the first time since 2013! Rob has teased us, now it is time to deliver. https://youtu.be/zhg-wciQJ2M
Concept by KJ Draven (Twitter X and Instagram).
Spin our USA 50 Playlist below.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Kupx8QORRHm0OS9zzixuX
