Rock music in the 2000s saw reinvention such as nu metal, and innovation such as the inclusion of DJs that added hip-hop and electronica. Indie and minimalist rock flourished. Here are the 20 best rock bands of the 2000s.
20. The White Stripes
The White Stripes was formed in 1997. They led a garage rock revival and were innovative with their minimalistic indie rock style. Mainstream success came with their fourth album Elephant (2003) reaching #6 with the song “Seven Nation Army” hitting #1 on the US alternative chart. Their next two albums only achieved gold, but charted better reaching #3 and #2 respectively.
19. The Strokes
The Strokes was formed in 1998. Their 2001 platinum-selling major-label debut This Is It reached #33 in the US. Their 2003 platinum follow-up Room on Fire reached #4. Neither album charted singles in the US. Nonetheless, the two albums that followed also achieved gold. Still active, in 2021, they won a Grammy for Best Rock Album.
18. Paramore
Paramore was formed in 2004. Their eclectic sound blends pop, punk, emo, alternative, new wave, grunge, electropop, and synth-pop. All six of their studio albums achieved platinum, gold, or silver status. Their most successful album Riot! (2007) has gone triple-platinum in the US. As of 2023, Paramore has sold at least 5.5 million units in the US.
17. Puddle of Mudd
Puddle of Mudd was formed in 1991. Labeled as post-grunge, they play straight-ahead rock with a tinge of country at times. Their triple-platinum debut album Come Clean (2001) reached #9 and yielded three #1 singles. The next two albums also achieved #1 singles. Puddle of Mudd has sold over 7 million albums worldwide.
16. My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance formed in 2001 and were progenitors of the emo genre. Success came with their triple-platinum second album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004) which yielded 3 singles on the Hot 100. Their next album The Black Parade (2006) went quadruple platinum, driven by the #9 single “Welcome to the Black Parade.” They’ve sold 8.7 million albums.
15. Tool
Tool was formed in 1990. Their sound can be described as post-grunge, progressive metal. Their unique grooves are a result of most songs being in 3/4 rather than the standard 4/4 time. While their two 1990s releases were successful, from the 2000s onward all their albums reached #1. As of 2019, Tool had sold 13.4 million albums in the US.
14. Disturbed
Disturbed was formed in 1994. Their sound combines nu-metal with doses of electronica and detuned guitars reminiscent of Black Sabbath. The band’s debut album The Sickness (2000) has sold over 4 million copies. Their next five albums all reached #1. They scored two US mainstream #1 singles and three at #2. Disturbed has sold more than 17 million records worldwide.
13. Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin was formed in 1999. They play a blend of alternative post-grunge, rock, and metal. Their pop-infused melodies have scored them seven #1 singles on the US mainstream chart. All but one of their six albums have achieved platinum or gold status. Breaking Benjamin has sold more than 19 million units in the US.
12. Godsmack
Godsmack was formed in 1995. Their sound blends post-grunge and nu metal, with obvious Metallica and Black Sabbath influences. Five of their eight studio albums have achieved platinum or gold status. They’ve scored thirteen #1 hits on the US mainstream rock chart. As of 2023, Godsmack has sold over 20 million albums worldwide.
11. The Killers
The Killers was formed in 2001. Their debut Hot Fuss reached #7 in the US and went multiplatinum. Their next two albums went platinum and the fourth went gold. All her albums have reached the top ten in the US. They released five top-10 singles in the 2000s and one #1 The Killers has sold more than 28 million records worldwide.
10. Muse
Muse was formed in 1994. Their sound blends classical, R&B, electronica, and opera. While their albums did well in the UK, their fourth album Black Holes and Revelations (2006) was their first big breakthrough in the US reaching #9. As of 2022, Muse had sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, placing them among the best-selling music artists ever.
9. Slipknot
Slipknot formed in 1995. Their theatrical costumes and aggressive music redefined heavy metal for a new generation. The band’s eponymous debut reached #51 on the Billboard 200. Their next six albums reached #3, #2, #1, #1, #1, and #2 respectively. Slipknot has sold 30 million records worldwide placing them among the best-selling artists of all time.
8. 3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down plays rock and was formed in 1996. The band released six studio albums, all but one reached the top ten, two reached #1, and their 2016 album reached #14. During the 2000’s the band had several #1 singles. 3 Doors Down has sold 30 million albums worldwide placing them among the best-selling artists of all time.
7. Evanescence
Evanescence was formed in 1994. Their music blends classical, hard rock, metal, electronica, and industrial music. Singer Amy Lee’s operatic voice was a key factor in making the band unique. Their debut album Fallen (2003) has sold over 17 million copies worldwide. Evanescence has sold 31.9 million albums, placing them among the best-selling music artists ever.
6. Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit was formed in 1994. The group blended nu-metal with hip-hop, creating infectious hooks that garnered chart success. Their third album, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water was the first rock album to sell a million copies in a week. Limp Bizkit has sold 40 million albums worldwide placing them among the best-selling musical acts ever.
5. Matchbox Twenty
Formed in 1995, Matchbox Twenty plays pop-rock. Their greatest chart success came in the 2000s when “Bent” hit #1. Five more singles reached the top 30, including two reaching #5. Their first three albums all went multiplatinum, and the fourth went gold. Matchbox Twenty has sold 42.9 million albums worldwide as of 2023, placing them among the best-selling artists in history.
4. Blink-182
Blink-182 was formed in 1992. Their blend of pop and punk appealed to both audiences and spearheaded the pop-punk genre. The 2000s was their most successful decade where they landed two #1 singles and four that achieved #2. Overall, nine songs reached the top 10. Blink-182 has sold over 50 million albums worldwide placing them among the best-selling artists ever.
3. Nickelback
Nickelback was formed in 1995. Lambasted by critics, Nickelback’s success defies naysayers. Nine of their 10 albums have achieved platinum, gold, or silver status. From 2001-2003 they had four #1 US singles and the other went to #2. Nickelback has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
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2. Linkin Park
Linkin Park was formed in 1996. They are pioneers of nu-metal, blending hip-hop and electronica. Their debut album Hybrid Theory sold 20.8 million and its follow-up Meteora sold 13.3 million. The band had 11 top 5 singles in the 2000’s including five at #1. Linkin Park is among the best-selling music artists ever, with between 70-100 million albums sold worldwide.
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1. Coldplay
Coldplay formed in 1997. They play piano-driven melodic pop. All nine of their studio albums reached #1 in the UK and four went #1 in the US. Coldplay has won 415 awards from 890 nominations, including 7 Grammys from 39 nominations. Coldplay has sold more than 100 million albums, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
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