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 variety across the country, from metalcore to pop punk and everything in between, and our readers have reflected that. The votes came through all weekend and we've split the countdown in two with the first part covering the bands from 50 to 26 in the countdown... we'll reveal the second part tomorrow, so make sure to check back in...
50 - The Ghost Inside
The California metalcore kings released new album, Searching for Solace, back in April and have been a staple in the genre for two decades. Catch them supporting ParkwayDrive in September.https://youtu.be/c4lpnJa_Y-Q
49 - In This Moment
Also reigning from California. Let's hope they bring their latest album, Godmode, down under at some point soon.
48 - Pennywise
These loose Cali punks have touring non-stop, including a couple visits to Australia, more recently for Good Things Festival 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeK8HvWsVF0
47 - Disturbed
The Chicago, Illinois hard rock/nu-metal icons are still touring their 2022 album, Divisive. Fans caught them back down under in Australia at Knotfest 2024 (review here).https://youtu.be/QZNFuy3j6OM
46 - Trivium
Actually on a brief hiatus this year, but gearing up for an Ascendancy anniversary tour with Bullet For My Valentine. Toured Australia with Knotfest 2023, including co-headliner sideshows with Amon Amarth. Review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3NsY0j8sA8&t=3304s
45 - Turnstile
The hardcore/punks are still touring the Grammy-nominated, Glow On. One of our readers commented on the Maryland-based act stating “A newish sound is hard to do these days.”
44 - The Plot In You
Pushing the boundaries of heavy/alternative music with every release. The Ohio boys dropped Volume I & II of their EP series and it's unclear how many more are inbound...yet! WoS reader Mason commented: “Their variety and quality pushes them to the front of the genre at the moment, plus they are insane live.”
43 - Fear Factory
Touring the world to introduce new singer Milo Silvestro to fans. Most recently in Australia with Machine Headback in March but will be back for an Australian Exclusive spot at Froth & Fury in RADelaide this November.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEbJyebjvqI&t=40s
42 - From Ashes To New
Pennsylvanian rap/rock heroes who are still basking in the glory of their latest album, BLACKOUT (including a fresh Deluxe Edition just released last month). We sat down for a chat with vocalist MattBrandberry to chat all about it.https://youtu.be/1KN7hyYUOBU
41 - Dream Theatre
They just reunited with original drummer Mike Portnoy and are preparing their new album and a 40th anniversary tour. Staples in prog metal reigning from New York.Gabriel Johnson, reader comment: “my fav band is Dream Theater, because of their melodies and interesting instrumentals.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8QZlVyOQ9U
40 - Halestorm
They’ve been touring their stellar album, Back From the Dead, and been to Australiatwice! The Pennsylvanian's freshest cut is their collaboration with I Prevail titled ‘Can U See Me in the Dark?’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-EpKHNj5Pc&t=230s
39 - Misfits
A surprise they placed this high since they are only just back to playing occasional shows with the Jerry/Danzig/Doyle lineup. Yet to tour or play outside the USA.
38 - Left To Suffer
Dropped their debut album Feral in 2023 and new single ‘Lost in the Dark’ in February.One reader stated: “They are the future of deathcore”https://youtu.be/tIlLi7MwIug
37 - Alice Cooper
He’s been going for more than fifty years at this point, touring his album Road and packing houses who watch him pull off an illusion of his death every night.
36 - Mastodon
It’s already been three years since Hushed and Grim, but we talked to Troy Sanders about his new bass last year. They are about to celebrate Leviathan’s 20th anniversary on a co-headline tour with Lamb of God.
35 - A Perfect Circle
Back on the road to celebrate Maynard turning 60... Just don't take your phones out at any shows or you may be removed from the venue. Live in the moment.
34 - August Burns Red
One of the earliest pure metalcore bands who keep trucking along, thanks to their 2023 album Death Below. Last here supporting Polaris on their Fatalism Tour.
33 - END
A metalcore supergroup from New Jersey who push every limit possible, as they showed when they toured Australia last year. Gig review here.
32 - Falling in Reverse
One of the scene's most polarising acts. New album, Popular Monster, is finally dropping later this month on July 26th and the Nevada band turned heads with countrycore (!!!) single, ‘All My Life’, featuring JellyRoll.
31 - Testament
It has been more than four years since Titans of Creation but they seem to enjoy playing shows that celebrate their storied career through the early Cali thrash years to now.
30 - Silent Planet
Had a big 2023 with new album, Superbloom, and GarrettRussell reviewing the year for Wall of Sound. Revisit it here. Reader comment: “So many good albums, so good live.”
29 - The Story So Far
The pop punkers toured here for Good Things Festival and sideshows in 2022, but with the new album, I Want To Disappear out in the wild since June 21st, they could be coming back sooner than later!
28 - Chelsea Grin
UFFFFFF! They released two albums within six months, the Suffer in Hell, Suffer in Heaven combo, and then got a new drummer. Part one of Tom Barber's bullshit crazy bands he's fronting at the moment...Reader comment: "Tom Barber is such a talented vocalist in so many ways."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhUuWYbMY9w&t=7s
27 - Code Orange
One of the world’s great bands in terms of creativity, as showcased on their most recent genre-bending album, The Above. You can recap their career with our playlist. Reader comment: “Their creativity & versatility never ceases to blow me away.”
26 - Machine Head
They are back to being a fierce studio and live band, thanks to ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN and their continuing tour in support of it. They were down under in March and didn’t disappoint. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCDS6TIxCDg&list=PLtEYeI-GCi_0LKYLGzqbPyhfIw75HypYs&index=6
to be continued... The USA 50 Top 25 drops July 9.
