[2025] The State of Western Hard Rock Today: A Roundup of Notable Tracks

Hard rock, which took influence from 1960s psychedelic rock and blues rock and became established from the 1970s onward, is centered on louder, more aggressive guitars.

There isn’t a clear-cut standard that distinguishes it from heavy metal, but even in the 2020s there are bands—both veterans and newcomers—playing what you could call “hard rock” that’s distinct from so-called heavy metal.

In this article, we’ll introduce the latest popular tracks and recommended songs by bands that play hard rock in a broad sense—from the genre’s legendary figures to younger acts who show the influence of vintage hard rock.

It’s also a great way to get a handle on the state of hard rock “right now” in the 2020s!