Best New Rock Bands To Check Out For 2023

Although many have long feared the death of rock music and all its glory, when faced with the latest, freshest, and most daring modern rock bands, it's clear to see that the genre isn't quite dead and buried. In fact, according to a survey carried out earlier in 2022, rock was still the most popular genre for American adults - although perhaps not among younger people. 

With this in mind, however, as we stare into the darkened abyss that is 2023, let's take a look at some of the most promising and best new rock bands we should keep an eye on across the next 12 months. We’ve scoured the USA and the UK to bring you the best of English rock, there’s bound to be some gems in here that you wouldn’t expect. No more boring lists, put together by the music industry just copying one another, we’ve actually put some work in here. So if you’re looking for the best underground bands you’re in the right place. 

How we chose the best rock bands of 2023  

We've been scouring the web for hidden gems missed by the music industry at large, if you're looking for the next major hit, or something that your friends haven't heard of yet then you're in the right place. We're not just looking for more of the same auto tune reliant tiktok memesters with some eyeliner and boring same old sounds. We're here for something different. We're looking for originality, production quality and that little something special that makes great music. So welcome to our Best Rock Bands To watch for 2023. A good stage performance also goes a long way, we're not just looking at studio albums, but someone you'd actually want to go and see live. 

Best New Rock Bands Unsigned - Bishop Takes Queen 

Hailing from the bustling city of Leeds, Bishop Takes Queen look set to shake the foundations of venues across the country as the band gears up to release its long-awaited forthcoming album. Unsigned artists don't typically get a lot of love from the modern rock press, and rock fans don't really have anywhere good to find artists since the glory days of myspace. 

Comprised of Mike Litson, Lee Newman and Roni, the band has already released a streak of high-production singles and music videos; one of which you can see below. 

Although the band has so far kept its cards close to its chest, Bishop Takes Queen has already been compared to the likes of Billy Talent and was recently featured on Formula Indie, Europe's hottest independent radio station. There upcoming studio album is due for finalised release in April 2023, and we look forward to hearing more from our favorite unsigned band. 

If you're a fan of pop punk with a sprinkling of something grittier, we recommend Bishop Takes Queen's first single, Fahrenheit. 

Check Out Fahrenheit  

Best New Rock Bands Major Label - The Mysterines 

While most consign both grunge and garage rock to decades past, The Mysterines prove that there's still a little DIY and Seattle spirit left in the world. Originating from Liverpool and the Wirral, The Mysterines released their acclaimed debut rock album, Reeling, on Fiction earlier in March. 

Fronted by the dynamic Mia Metcalfe, The Mysterines promise to spit and snarl their way through 2023 and beyond as they launch a full tour across the UK, including some precious support slots with the Arctic Monkeys throughout June. 

In late October the quintet released All These Things, consisting of a series of live recordings from a gig at London's Rough Trade East. You can pick up a copy of the EP from the band's site, which includes a limited edition glow-in-the-dark vinyl release. 

Best New Classic Rock Band - Thadeus Gonzolaz 

Although technically a singer/songwriter, we simply could not complete this article without featuring Thadeus Gonzolaz, the masterful hard rock genius from Oakland, California. 

Once named as a "frontman to watch" while taking lead vocals for his old band Electric Sister, Gonzolaz has since launched an impressive solo career that combines soulful vocals, an unbridled classic rock spirit with soaring vocals and a great stage presence. It really shines of a feast of inspiration from bands such as Guns N' Roses, Led Zeppelin, and Def Leppard. 

With a couple of shows set for late December, there is no limit to where Gonzalez will go next year, as his latest single "Leopard Skin" hit the streaming platforms to great fanfare earlier in 2022 making him undoubtedly worthy of the spot even if technically he's a solo artist rather than a typical entrance in our "best new rock bands" list Thadeus has put out one of the best classic rock albums in a while so we can't leave him out. Also one of the best front men we've seen in a while, despite often playing to a wide variety of crowd sizes always seems to capture an electric atmosphere live, and puts on a performance more akin to the 80s showmen of the past something that's often missing from modern rock bands.  

Check out Gonzolaz's video for The Surgeons 

Best New Metal Band - Hidden Mothers 

Spawned from the brutal steel heart of Sheffield, Hidden Mothers challenges you to listen to piercing yet entirely satisfying post-hardcore metal. Consisting of Steff, Luke, Ari, Liam, and Adam, the quintet has so far released one single, one EP, and a deliciously impressive remix album entitled REMIXED. 

If you're into Closer, Deafheaven, Sonagi, or Alcest, this blistering South Yorkshire band racked up over 14K Spotify streams in 2022 alone and managed to break into the collective consciousness of no less than 81 countries worldwide. 

Another band that is still only in the dawn of its career, we're stoked to see where 2023 takes Hidden Mothers and dearly hope that the music industry takes note and throws them into sweat-drenched venues across the UK in the next 12 months. 

We recommend checking out Beneath, To The Earth as a first port of call for the our top metal band for 2023.  

Best New Modern Rock Band - To Bloom 

Only the second American rock band to feature in this article, To Bloom offers the perfect harmony of silken melodies and crippling guitar licks. Falling slightly into the warm and underrated genre of prog-rock music, we're excited to see where this daring quartet will head in 2023. 

Perfect for fans of Tool, The Mars Volta, and Dream Theatre, the band released its debut EP, A Healing Kind of Pain, in November and has since enjoyed an impressive stream count. 

While many a hard rock band releases a sizzling EP or two only to depart into the void, we're stoked to hear more from this fresh-faced Californian band as they twist and turn their way through alternative rock career beginnings. 

Check out their stunning single, Scarlet to get an idea for To Blooms modern rock vibe. 

Best New Punk Band - CRASHFACE 

After selling out a series of headline shows in London, the only way is up for one of the UK's most brutal punk/metal bands. Consisting of duo Charlie Hinton and Otto Balfour, CRASHFACE has released a series of sizzling and raucous singles on Spotify, with most picking up tens of thousands of listens. 

Taking inspiration from some of the gods of both punk and metal, CRASHFACE source their inspiration from the likes of Bring Me the Horizon, NIN, Deftones, and David Bowie. 

Unafraid of saying what's on their and their audience's minds, CRASHFACE serves brutally honest lyrics about the state of the world and has launched its righteous ire upon the likes of both Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. 

Check out BEACHBLOOD, the duo's latest release for some of the best punk to come out in the last year. 

The Rest Of The Best New Rock Bands 

While we've tapped into the hottest heavy metal bands we expect to see out on the road and in record stores in 2023, there are also some notable mentions that we felt just couldn't get away from this list. 

Heriot 

A band formed in the mid-2010s, Heriot rose from the ashes after a long hiatus and has since taken over the UK black metal scene. Include a sleuth of brutal singles, including Cleansed Existence, Recreant, and Dispirit, we challenge everyone to check these guys out in 2023.  

We recommend checking out Profound Morality 

Storm St Claire 

An artist with one of the most unique sounds in the UK, Storm St Claire exploded onto the scene in 2020 and has since amassed a healthy following among the alternative and underground scenes. Her latest single, MISS BEHAVIOUR hit streaming platforms in November and has given everyone beautiful yet worthy nightmares ever since.  

Dayseeker 

Having released their debut album, Dark Sun, just over a month ago, Dayseeker enjoyed a colossus summer of festivals and pumping white-knuckle gigs and even featured on Loudwire's Best of 2022 with Neon Grave.  

Sonagi 

One of the most impressive post-screamo bands to come out of Philly in the past few years Sonagi released its sizzling debut album, Precedent, back in July to critical acclaim. If you’re looking for something to scratch that late 00s itch left behind by the likes of avenged sevenfold, then you’re in the right place. 

The Best New Rock Artists Of 2023 

And that wraps up our list for the best new rock bands of 2023, we think we've got some hidden gems here in our list of the best modern rock bands and reckon that there should be something for every rock music fan in here. Whether you're looking for the next timeless album or something that you don't find on the day to day there's loads here that isn't just heavily influenced by the labels marketing department. Whether it's thought provoking lyrics, grunge era riffs, legendary lead guitar or soaring vocals we're sure you'll have a good time with at least one of the rock bands here. Maybe none of them are likely to win a grammy award anyy time soon, but if you're looking for a unique sound and some heavy music to ring in the new year, or show off your knowledge then there's nothing like being the first in on a debut single. Enjoy, and let's hope for some more great new music for 2023, rock is far from dead!