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What Do You Think The Current State Of Rock Music Is?

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This I feel is a really hard question to answer. Mainly because in general I think the genre is growing, but I think to the outside world the impression is very much the opposite.

Nothing But Thieves – Amsterdam (All Rights Are Retained By Nothing But Thieves)

I think we have really exciting bands at the moment breaking genre norms and creating something completely new and refreshing. A example is Sleep Token who have like 5 genre’s sometimes even in a single song… Their latest album “Even In Arcadia” is a modern day masterpiece!

Sleep Token – Emergence (All Rights Are Retained By Sleep Token)

But I think outside looking in people think that rock is a genre that is slowly dying out. I think this is not helped by festival repeatedly booking the same acts to headline. What is the use of bands (who I love) like Iron Maiden etc headlining year after year, if it blocks the path for younger fresher bands?

Iron Maiden – The Trooper (All Rights Are Retained By Iron Maiden)

The result could very well be a lower listener base for the next generation of rock bands. I for one though hope this isn’t the case and I will be doing my little bit to show people hot and fresh new bands do exist! In the next few years I really expect bands like Motionless In White, Nothing But Thieves & Seven Blood to make the step up… Lets see what happens!

Seven Blood – Killing From The Inside (All Rights Are Retained By Seven Blood)

What do you think the current state of rock is? Let us know in the comments section!

All rights to the music used in this post are retained by the recording artist. This site claims no rights over it.

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38 responses to “What Do You Think The Current State Of Rock Music Is?”

  1. Leon Stevens avatar
    Leon Stevens

    There’s always ebb and flow in music. With rock, we go through periods of recycling styles and slight innovations, not so much with hip hip and pop. If rock is waning, musicians wouldn’t be forming new rock bands, but I don’t think it will ever be as popular as the other styles.
    Note: if you like Sleep Token, you may enjoy Matthew Good (https://linesbyleon.com/2022/07/18/music-monday-matthew-good-band/)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      I will check out Matthew thanks! 🙂

      Yeah i think you hit the nail on the head with the recycled styles point.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. cookie avatar
    cookie

    I feel like modern rock sounds unsure of itself. the energy and boldness I hear in old stuff, like Nirvana, just aren’t there anymore. not a lot of fire in it right now. it feels more safe and more nostalgic. and more controlled by the business side of things. it’s hard to find anything truly new or real in it now.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Yeah i think you’re right. I think what it is lacking is a real “Movement” eg like when grunge started !

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. isabellawolgoth avatar
    isabellawolgoth

    I pondered a similar question just yesterday while I thought of Ronnie James Dio’s career. Check out Ronnie and the Red Caps, check out the vibe. But then note the splintering from that line of music to Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and then Dio (the band). For my money, Dio’s career models the splintering of rock from the 50s to the 60s, and then from the 60s to the 70s, and etc. If rock music is a straight line, then we might (by Dio’s example) see that line splinter into various “timelines.” That’s just my primitive model. I am not a musician.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      He is an excellent example of how one man can have a profound effect on the rock community as a whole. Did you ever listen to the tribute album ?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. isabellawolgoth avatar
        isabellawolgoth

        I did not.
        I suppose I better check it out.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
          Fox Reviews Rock

          It’s actually really fun , lots of cool artists covering his songs

          Like

          Reply
  4. Di Houle avatar
    Di Houle

    Sleep Token is outta this world. What other band can get people who haven’t touched a book in years to dive into classic literature chasing ghosts? None. They’re truly legendary. Older bands also seem to be making a comeback, thanks to their devoted fan bases. Even after record labels dropped artists during the “end of music” crisis, cutting off their commercial marketing and production. It left them disconnected from their audience, these bands and fans are finding a way back. With independent artistry, flexible alternative mainstream label contracts, and indie labels, the music industry has become a much more welcoming space for their emergence. (pun intended).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Oh yeah I’m getting into sleep token in a big way!

      It does feel like the industry might be starting to heal slowly but surely.

      I hope these new indie labels stick to the rock community like caramel 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Di Houle avatar
        Di Houle

        I was studying vocal techniques when I found them, Vessel sings weird (throaty). I got drawn in by their musical composition, nerdiness, and lyrical melodies. I think the band and the minds behind it all, are genius. On another terribly phrased note, II is insane… holy, frick’n… yeah!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
          Fox Reviews Rock

          There is just a real addictive quality about their music that took me a while to “get” but when I did boy I’m lost in it now

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Di Houle avatar
            Di Houle

            I’m stuck in their music composition. It’s amazing.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
              Fox Reviews Rock

              I just think it’s all incredible just wish someone didn’t tell me who they all are…

              Don’t worry I won’t be saying here 😁

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
              1. Di Houle avatar
                Di Houle

                I’d hope not lol

                Liked by 1 person

                Reply
                1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
                  Fox Reviews Rock

                  Yeah i think its important they stay as unknown an entity as possible

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply
  5. RasmaSandra avatar
    RasmaSandra

    I was completely enthusiastic about a lot of rock music from the 50s into the 90s. Then I got kind of lost when the 2000s rolled around and would enjoy looking back at the oldies,

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      That’s totally natural I think 🙂 why do you think that was ? And have any bands managed to buck that trend?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. RasmaSandra avatar
        RasmaSandra

        Nope I stick to mostly what I know and enjoy the music I know best.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
          Fox Reviews Rock

          I think that is fair enough , I guess im somewhat of a maverick and when I know i like something i go searching for more.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  6. CapnHollis avatar
    CapnHollis

    OK, this topic set me off to do some research to see if my theory holds water. Sorry about the length, but this is a condensed version!

    What Is the Condition of Rock Music? A Generational Shift, Not a Funeral March

    Ask any rock fan over 40, and you’ll eventually hear it: “Music just isn’t the same anymore.” Maybe they’re right. Or maybe—just maybe—we’re not witnessing the death of rock, but something far more interesting: its evolution.

    To understand where rock stands today, we need to go beyond Spotify charts and TikTok trends. We have to look at how generational shifts and technological change have completely transformed the way young people experience life, culture, and, of course, music.

    —

    Back in the 1970s, teenage life played out almost entirely in the physical world. Socializing meant face-to-face interactions—at parties, in cars, at the mall, or huddled around a record player in someone’s basement. If you wanted to hear your favorite song, you tuned into the radio or bought the record. There was no skipping tracks, no playlists curated by algorithms.

    There was a kind of unity in that era—a cultural monoculture. A few TV stations, fewer radio channels, and limited access to music meant that if a rock band hit it big, everyone knew their name. Led Zeppelin, The Stones, Pink Floyd—they weren’t just popular; they were part of the national fabric. Rock wasn’t background noise. It was identity.

    And it resonated for a reason. Coming off the 1960s, there was a rebellious streak running through youth culture. The Vietnam War, Watergate, civil rights movements—there was no shortage of things to push against. Rock music, loud and defiant, was the perfect outlet for that energy. Teenagers weren’t just fans—they were participants in a cultural movement. The music didn’t just entertain—it validated their anger, hope, confusion, and dreams.

    —

    Now fast forward to today. Teenagers in the 2020s live in an always-on, digitally saturated world. Socializing happens in DMs and Discord chats, often more than it does in person. They’re not tuning into Top 40 radio—they’re discovering music through TikTok snippets, Spotify Discover Weekly, and viral YouTube videos.

    Instead of a monoculture, there’s a million microcultures. Every teen can tailor their feed, find their niche, and live inside it. One kid’s playlist might feature Japanese math rock, while another’s is full of indie bedroom pop, while another’s has AI-generated synthwave. The result? There’s no longer a “mainstream” in the traditional sense—and rock music can’t dominate a cultural space that doesn’t exist anymore.

    That doesn’t mean teens are less passionate about music—just differently connected. The rebellion is still there, but it’s more about identity and self-expression than smashing guitars. It’s in curated aesthetics, gender fluidity, political awareness, and meme culture. It’s more nuanced, sometimes quieter, but no less powerful.

    —

    Let’s be honest—rock music doesn’t rule the charts anymore. Pop, hip-hop, EDM, and genre-bending hybrids have taken over. But here’s the thing:

    Rock isn’t dead. It’s just not the center of gravity anymore.

    Its influence is everywhere, even if the sound has morphed. The energy of punk shows up in hyperpop. The DIY spirit lives on in indie artists recording in their bedrooms. The guitar riff might now live side-by-side with trap beats and synth drops, but it’s still there.

    Even more interesting, the platforms that seem to have buried rock sometimes give it new life. Think about Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” going viral on TikTok, or teenagers discovering Nirvana on YouTube. Classic rock gets rediscovered constantly, not through museums or textbooks, but in memes, TV soundtracks, and algorithmic serendipity.

    —

    Rock’s golden era—1960s through the 1990s—is solidified in the musical canon. Bands like The Beatles, Queen, Nirvana, and The Clash aren’t going anywhere. They’re taught in music schools, referenced in pop culture, and revered across generations.

    But we have to accept the truth: the context that gave rise to rock as a dominant force—limited media, shared experience, cultural upheaval—is gone. The landscape is too fragmented now for any one genre to lead the charge. That doesn’t make the music meaningless. It makes it ancestral.

    Think of it like this: dinosaurs are gone, but their DNA lives on in birds. Likewise, the DNA of rock music—its defiance, its honesty, its electricity—is alive in today’s artists. It’s just evolved.

    —

    Sure, some parts of rock’s legacy will be preserved behind glass. Museums, archives, tribute concerts—they’ll all play a role in maintaining the memory. But let’s not underestimate how music continues to be passed down—through families, through films, through unexpected online revivals.

    Classic rock might become something like classical music—respected, studied, and occasionally celebrated in big public ways—but also still loved by those who discover it organically. It’ll survive not because it’s forcibly preserved, but because its raw emotion, craftsmanship, and cultural relevance still connect.

    —

    Here’s something we often forget when comparing generations: art doesn’t happen in a vacuum. To fully appreciate punk, you need to know about the economic and cultural decay that birthed it. To grasp why Zeppelin felt so epic, you need to understand the arena-sized dreams of the 70s. If today’s youth miss that, they might not “get” the music in the same way—but that doesn’t mean they can’t love it on their own terms.

    Still, it’s a reminder that context is everything. The deeper we understand the era that produced a piece of music, the more we can appreciate its brilliance, even if we weren’t there to live it.

    —

    So, is rock dead? Not even close.

    It’s no longer the loudest voice in the room, but it’s still whispering in the walls of modern music. It’s still strumming through our culture, showing up in unexpected places, inspiring new generations in new forms. Maybe it’s not headlining every festival, but it’s in the DNA of countless songs that are.

    The truth is, music evolves because we do. And that’s not a tragedy—it’s a testament to its staying power. Rock might not be the life of the party anymore, but it’s still in the room. And if you listen closely, it’s still got plenty to say.

    —

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. missparker0106 avatar
      missparker0106

      Well stated, and I agree with the crux of your post–evolution, yes…death, no.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
        Fox Reviews Rock

        It was a fantastic comment wasn’t it !

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
    2. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Holy smokes that was an excellent read! I’d love to reply in such detail but to be honest you hit the nail so much on the head that anything I could say would distract from it. You got this spot on. Ps if this is the slim version how long was you writing !

      Thanks again for such an amazing comment!

      Like

      Reply
      1. CapnHollis avatar
        CapnHollis

        I am contemplating posting the long version on my blog. I’ll reference you as the reason I went off on my rant, if you don’t mind?

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
          Fox Reviews Rock

          Please link back this sites post in your blog post 🙂 when you have done that leave a link to your post in these comments too 😁

          Like

          Reply
  7. Lina Valkema avatar
    Lina Valkema

    Rock isn’t dead, it’s evolving into something greater. Every decade has its own distinct rock or metal sound. For example, when I think of 90’s or 2000’s rock or metal, I think of grunge, Nu Metal, and Alt rock. This generation is developing their distinct rock sound, and I think it’s cool that we get to witness it :).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      I’m interested to see who the front runners or that sound will be tbh

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. valenciartist avatar
    valenciartist

    Is there music today?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      If you look really hard yes 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. valenciartist avatar
        valenciartist

        Ok, I am looking… 😊

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
          Fox Reviews Rock

          If you have any bands you love , I dont mind looking for modern day alternatives 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. valenciartist avatar
            valenciartist

            Always loved New York Dolls, Ramones, Kinks, and of course The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Would greatly appreciate it. Cheers!

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
              Fox Reviews Rock

              I’d maybe go something like

              Fontaines D.C
              Tame Impala
              Kasabian

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
              1. valenciartist avatar
                valenciartist

                Thanks so much mate, I’ll check them out.

                Liked by 1 person

                Reply
                1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
                  Fox Reviews Rock

                  Very welcome , let me know if you didnt like these and ill come up with some more 🙂

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply
                  1. valenciartist avatar
                    valenciartist

                    Absolutely!

                    Liked by 1 person

                    Reply
                    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
                      Fox Reviews Rock

                      🙂

                      Liked by 1 person

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