100 Best Rock Bands of the 2000s

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As the ‘90s faded away, putting the brakes on grunge, a new musical era emerged. While pop music ruled the charts, rock music continued to evolve and develop by merging with other genres.

The 2000s were defined by the emergence of heavy metal subgenres like nu metal, metalcore, and even alternative metal. We also saw the rise of various pop rock and post-grunge bands. The new millennium has brought us many fascinating acts that blend a variety of genres together to form new sonic experiences.

While the decade is gone, it leaves behind a legacy of sheer bliss and nostalgia. The list below showcases a diverse list of rock bands from the mesmerizing 2000s. If you connect with music from this decade, then you'll definitely have opinions about this overview.

Top 10 Best Rock Bands of the 2000s

1. Linkin Park (Nu Metal/Alternative Metal)
2. Avenged Sevenfold (Metalcore/Heavy Metal)
3. Green Day (Punk Rock/Pop Punk)
4. Snow Patrol (Alternative Rock/Power Pop)
5. Korn (Nu Metal/Alternative Metal)
6. Nickelback (Post-Grunge/Alternative Rock)
7. Slipknot (Heavy Metal/Groove Metal/Alternative Metal)
8. Fall Out Boy (Pop Punk/Pop Rock)
9. System of a Down (Heavy Metal/Alternative Metal)
10. Blink-182 (Pop Punk/Punk Rock)

Nu Metal in the 2000s

The early 2000s witnessed the rise of a new musical movement known as nu metal. Although the roots of nu metal emerged in the late ‘90s, the genre gained solid ground in the 2000s. This new wave of metal jumpstarted the careers of many bands. The movement also propelled rap metal in a new direction.

The infectious riff-based grooves that formed the core sound of nu metal became popular during this decade. Certain bands associated with nu metal, rap metal, and rap rock had tremendous mainstream success throughout the 2000s.

#11–20

11. Creed (Post Grunge/Alternative Rock)

12. Radiohead (Alternative Rock/Art Rock)

13. Killswitch Engage (Metalcore)

14. Coldplay (Alternative Rock/Pop Rock)

15. Disturbed (Heavy Metal/Alternative Metal)

16. The Click Five (Power Pop/Alternative Rock)

17. Porcupine Tree (Progressive Rock)

18. Foo Fighters (Post Grunge/Alternative Rock)

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19. Underoath (Metalcore)

20. Audioslave (Alternative Metal/Hard Rock/Post Grunge)

Metalcore in the 2000s

The metalcore movement came into its own in the 2000s. The typical metalcore sound fused elements of hardcore punk and extreme metal. Many bands associated with the genre also started blending grindcore and crust punk elements into their songs.

The characteristic use of breakdowns, followed by slow and intense riffs, created an atmosphere conducive to moshing. This songwriting technique became emblematic of the metalcore sound. Metalcore blended standard singing with screaming, growling, heavy guitar riffs, double bass drumming, and percussive pedal tones together to create its own unique identity.

While few bands found success commercially, a number of bands in this genre found a huge fan base in the underground metal movement. Due to the popularity of metalcore, a number of other heavy metal subgenres came into prominence.

#21–30

21. Papa Roach (Nu Metal/Alternative Metal)

22. Sum 41 (Punk Rock/Pop Punk)

23. Bullet For My Valentine (Metalcore/Heavy Metal)

24. Tool (Progressive Metal/Alternative Metal)

25. The Strokes (Garage Rock/Indie Rock)

26. Weezer (Alternative Rock/Power Pop/Pop Punk)

27. Limp Bizkit (Nu Metal/Rap Metal)

28. My Chemical Romance (Alternative Rock/Pop Punk/Emo)

29. Trivium (Heavy Metal/Metalcore)

30. Animal Collective (Psychedelia/Experimental Pop/Indie Rock/Noise Rock)

Hard Rock and Heavy Metal in the 2000s

The supremacy of grunge music in the ‘90s led to the demise of hair metal and hard rock. However, hard rock bands that had enormous commercial success in the ‘90s continued to maintain their popularity in the 2000s.

Certain bands changed their musical styles to adapt to new trends, while most bands retained the core elements of hard rock and heavy metal. Although there was a decline in album releases among hard rock bands and heavy metal bands, most bands had extensive touring schedules throughout the decade.

#31–40

31. Lifehouse (Alternative Rock/Post Grunge/Pop Rock)

32. Deftones (Alternative Metal)

33. Godsmack (Heavy Metal/Post Grunge/Nu Metal)

34. Bon Jovi (Hard Rock/Glam Metal)

35. Alter Bridge (Alternative Metal/Post Grunge)

36. Nine Inch Nails (Industrial Rock)

37. Good Charlotte (Pop Punk/Alternative Rock)

38. Modest Mouse (Indie Rock/Alternative Rock)

39. Franz Ferdinand (Post Punk Revival/Indie Rock)

40. Meshuggah (Extreme Metal)

Emo in the 2000s

While emo made its presence felt in the ‘90s, the genre gained mainstream success in the 2000s. The emo music that emerged during this decade showcased a broader emphasis on confessional lyrics. Emo bands stated being recognized for their unique forms of storytelling.

Furthermore, the term “emo” became emblematic of a subculture associated with fashion, hairstyles, and other aesthetic attributes. Although emo had considerable success throughout this decade, the genre failed to surpass the popularity of pop rock and post-grunge.

#41–50

41. Drowning Pool (Post Grunge/Alternative Metal)

42. Switchfoot (Alternative Rock/Post Grunge)

43. Death Cab For Cutie (Alternative Rock/Indie Rock

44. Jimmy Eat World (Alternative Rock/Emo Pop)

45. The Offspring (Punk Rock/Skate Punk)

46. Interpol (Post-Punk Revival/Garage Rock)

47. Kings of Leon (Alternative Rock/Garage Rock)

48. The Bravery (Post Punk Revival/Alternative Rock)

49. Puddle of Mudd (Post Grunge/Alternative Rock)

50. Stained (Alternative Metal/Post Grunge)

Post-Grunge in the 2000s

The post-grunge scene, which came into prominence towards the end of the ‘90s, scaled to new heights in the 2000s. Angst and anger, which were key elements of the grunge movement, made way for more conventional themes and narratives.

Bands associated with this movement flourished in alternative circles, garnering cult followings. While the post-grunge movement started in the U.S., it gradually gained a global following.

#51–60

51. The Black Keys (Garage Rock)

52. Muse (Alternative Rock)

53. Breaking Benjamin (Post Grunge/Hard Rock/Alternative Metal)

54. 30 Seconds To Mars (Alternative Rock)

55. U2 (Rock)

56. Hoobastank (Post Grunge/Alternative Rock)

57. New Found Glory (Pop Punk)

58. Evanescence (Metal/Rock/Gothic Rock)

59. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Indie Rock/Garage Rock)

60. Seether (Post Grunge/Alternative Metal)

Pop Punk in the 2000s

The ‘90s punk rock movement evolved into a slick and sophisticated sound known as pop punk in the 2000s. The genre became the quintessential teen-scene in this decade.

A number of bands associated with this genre released successful debut albums. The anthem-like verses and choruses (which were often interspersed with power chord riffs) in pop punk songs gave the genre a unique identity.

The second wave of pop punk, which emerged in the mid-2000s, spread its fan base far and wide. While pop punk uses darker lyrical themes, the genre is not complete without its comical flair.

Certain bands associated with the genre had critically acclaimed albums, which became commercially successful with mainstream audiences.

#61–70

61. The Killers (Alternative Rock/Post Punk Revival)

62. Wilco (Alternative Rock/Experimental Rock/Indie Rock)

63. Paramore (Pop Rock/Alternative Rock/Pop Punk)

64. Our Lady Peace (Post Grunge/Alternative Rock)

65. Maroon 5 (Pop Rock)

66. Queens of the Stone Age (Alternative Rock/Stoner Rock)

67. LCD Soundsystem (Electronic Rock/Dance Punk)

68. Pearl Jam (Alternative Rock/Grunge)

69. Simple Plan (Pop Punk/Alternative Rock)

70. The Hives (Garage Rock/Garage Punk)

Pop Rock in the 2000s

The defining musical event of the 2000s was the explosion of pop rock bands. A number of bands associated with the genre kick-started their careers with chart-topping success. What’s noteworthy is the fact that many bands in this genre had breakthrough debut albums.

Suddenly, major record labels started signing upcoming bands and artists in the pop rock domain. Female musicians gave the genre a unique identity, embellishing rock 'n' roll with bubblegum pop. Power pop stamped its authority in this decade and influenced many bands in the years that followed.