Rock music has long been one of the most influential forms of expression. Over time, its evolution has yielded numerous styles ranging from Elvis Presley’s orchestrated wall of sound to harmonic surf fantasies like those by The Beach Boys.
As the 2000s began, rock music seemed poised for irrelevance.
Disturbed
Disturbed was one of the heaviest acts to emerge in the 2000s. Their mix of hard rock and metal won them a dedicated fanbase. Frontman David Draiman created their signature sound with aggressive growls mixed in with melodic passages; drawing upon personal experiences to write lyrics that resonated with audiences; his powerful voice and commanding stage presence all contributed greatly to Disturbed’s success.
Before they formed Disturbed, guitarist Dan Donegan and drummer Mike Wengren formed Brawl with singer Erich Awalt. Following Awalt’s departure, Donegan and Wengren advertised for singers in local music publications; after 20 auditions they met singer David Draiman who became their permanent singer – his high-range screams and emotive vocals set him apart from other rock and metal vocalists while his wide variety of musical styles add depth and intensity to Disturbed’s sound.
Disturbed’s songs often draw inspiration from real-life events and situations. Their lead single, “Inside the Fire,” was written after witnessing a friend commit suicide; making this song both personally meaningful and captivating to listeners.
Disturbed became widely recognized during the Guitar Hero video game craze of the 2000s and their hit single, “Stricken”, still receives airplay on classic rock radio stations today. Their music has inspired numerous bands like Five Finger Death Punch and Marilyn Manson as well. On top of their hit singles, Disturbed have released several critically-acclaimed albums throughout their tenure.
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold quickly rose to become one of the most beloved rock bands of the 2000s due to their distinctive musical style and energetic live performances, which drew inspiration from numerous other bands with their riff-driven songs and energetic live shows. Influencing many other groups with their musical mix of metal, hard rock and biblical references that has many fans worldwide; touring alongside famous artists; winning over both teenagers and adults alike and receiving rave reviews from critics.
Though Avenged Sevenfold have grown increasingly adept at complex songwriting over time, their early material remains enjoyable to listen to – The Stage being no exception as it displays their ability to craft grand concept albums while maintaining their hardcore sound – plus some of Avenged Sevenfold’s most breathtaking guitar work!
After debuting with their 2004 release Waking the Fallen, Avenged Sevenfold quickly made waves in 2004, winning Vans Warped Tour and performing at MTV Video Music Awards alongside Rihanna, Panic! at the Disco, and James Blunt. Since then they have recorded multiple albums and toured extensively around the globe; City of Evil reaching number two on Billboard Modern Rock Charts as well as taking home first prize at MTV Headbanger’s Ball.
Critics have often accused Avenged Sevenfold of copying other musicians’ styles; however, these same critics also accused these other musicians of plagiarism at various points in time. Furthermore, Avenged Sevenfold have stated they do not intend to copy other artists’ work and instead draw inspiration from scripture for their lyrics; nonetheless some critics argue their music doesn’t sound as powerful or authentic as that produced by The White Stripes, Metallica, and Queens of the Stone Age.
Muse
Muse is an English rock band known for combining progressive style with heavier sounds to produce their signature genre of music, creating something completely original. Their cinematic sounds and virtuosic musicianship has garnered them an avid following, yet despite their success they have not lost touch with their roots; Will of the People marks a return to guitar-driven sound and recalls early work from Muse. One of few worldwide rock acts with such influence visible today, Muse stands alone as an innovator among their genre.
Muse was formed in Teignmouth, Devon, England in 1989 by Matthew Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, and Dom Howard. They selected Muse as its name was short and looked good on posters. While having difficulty breaking into England at first, Maverick Records signed them to help further increase exposure abroad and they then played numerous big gigs across America which built up a loyal fan base for them.
With the release of their debut album Showbiz, the band gained more momentum. Produced by John Leckie – who had also worked with Radiohead and Stone Roses – its rough production helped showcase the bands raw talent; songs on it featured soft verses alternating with aggressive choruses for maximum impact.
Muse has since diversified their sound by adding classical and symphonic elements into their albums, and began exploring more political ideas in their lyrics – initially libertarian anarchism was prevalent; while later albums dealt with issues apocalyptic themes as well as science fiction (Ayn Rand). Right-wing commentator Glenn Beck is often heard citing Muse as an influence.
Pop Rock
Rock music provides young people with an outlet for venting their anger against society and venting frustrations, often found in its lyrics which cover themes such as heartbreak and social issues. Many songs feature catchy melodies and guitar riffs that instantly become memorable; additional bands often adopt unique styles to set themselves apart from the rest of the music scene: Grunge bands popularized the “anti-fashion” look with torn jeans and flannel shirts while artists like Bon Jovi and Guns N’ Roses adopted glam rock styles such as teased hair and leather pants to name just two examples of many variations of this form of music.
The 2000s witnessed a new generation of rock bands that revolutionized the genre with raw energy and emotive songwriting, pushing its limits into new genres like pop-punk and nu metal as well as incorporating elements from other genres like electronica and hip-hop to craft an original sound that resonated deeply within listeners’ souls. Their songs covered topics such as self-discovery and love.
Linkin Park was an immensely popular rock band during this era, helping introduce nu metal into mainstream consciousness with their debut album Hybrid Theory – an example of nu metal’s distinctive blend of electronic beats and emotional lyrics. They also served as an influential model to many young musicians who adopted similar styles as inspiration for themselves.
Rock music remains an integral component of modern culture despite its diminished popularity over the last 20 years, serving as an influence to new generations of artists with its intense sounds and rebellious lyrics.
Mainstream Rock
Mainstream rock is a broad music genre that encompasses various styles. Softer, melodic versions of rock appeal to an array of socioeconomic and gender groups while hardier, louder versions fall outside this definition; harder rock can also include harder distortion. Furthermore, mainstream rock has now expanded to encompass substyles with classical or orchestral sounds such as gothic rock or symphonic rock for greater musical variety.
In the 2000s, several influential rock bands such as Linkin Park and Avenged Sevenfold dominated the charts with their theatrical stage presence and intricate musicianship, such as Linkin Park bringing metalcore and alternative rock sounds into mainstream rock, while Avenged Sevenfold mixed hard rock with heavy metal and metalcore music for massive commercial success. Muse combined elements from rock music with classical pieces as well as electronic tracks to form their unique sound.
At the turn of the millennium, several bands played an influential role in rock scene. Emo and pop punk bands shaped rock music during this era with catchy melodies and introspective lyrics that resonated with young listeners; My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy achieved enormous popularity by exploring themes such as heartbreak, loss, and self-discovery through their songs.
This decade saw the birth of both garage rock and post-punk revivals, with bands like The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys garnering critical acclaim for their raw, energetic sound. Interpol and Franz Ferdinand utilized angular guitar riffs as signature styles; challenging mainstream music industry by means of independent streaming services and live performances to gain recognition and gaining notoriety through independent means such as live performances.