A leading example of overseas grunge bands: from Nirvana to Alice in Chains.

Chloe DancerMother Love Bone

Mother Love Bone – Chloe Dancer / Crown of Thorns

Mother Love Bone is the legendary band at the source of the great wave known as grunge.

Formed in Seattle, USA, in 1988, the group included members who would later go on to form Pearl Jam.

Their music was distinctive, blending a heavy sound with the glam-like flamboyance of glitter rock, and, combined with vocalist Andrew Wood’s charisma, it shone with a truly singular brilliance.

Their masterpiece Apple, which features standout tracks like “Crown of Thorns,” is also known as a tragic work, as Wood passed away suddenly at the age of 24 just before its release.

Even though their activity ended with this one album, their music had a profound influence on those who followed.

If you’re looking for rock that’s dramatic and beautiful, why not immerse yourself in their story?

Bruise VioletBabes In Toyland

Babes In Toyland – Bruise Violet (Video)

One band that left a powerful mark on the ’90s grunge scene was Babes in Toyland from Minneapolis, USA.

The group was a female trio composed of vocalist Kat Bjelland, drummer Lori Barbero, and others.

They released their debut album, Spanking Machine, in 1990 and earned high praise in the underground.

Their most commercially successful release was their major-label debut, Fontanelle, in 1992.

Songs from that album were featured on a popular MTV program, boosting their profile and reportedly leading to their appearance at Lollapalooza in 1993.

Bjelland’s near-scream vocals intertwined with aggressive guitar work create a sound that can only be described as overwhelming.

There’s also the anecdote that British DJ John Peel chose their debut as one of his favorites of the year, a testament to their talent.

They’re the perfect band for anyone seeking fierce, unfiltered rock that feels like raw emotion exploding.

Swallow My PrideGreen River

Swallow My Pride

If you trace the origins of the grunge movement, you inevitably arrive at a band that truly deserves to be called its “ancestor”: Green River, formed in Seattle, USA, in 1984.

They debuted the following year with a sound that combined the aggression of punk with the heaviness of heavy metal.

While they had no commercial hit singles, the EP “Dry As a Bone” and the album “Rehab Doll” are recognized as historic works that heralded the dawn of the scene.

They never won major awards, yet their breakup over musical differences later led to the formation of Pearl Jam and Mudhoney—a story that feels almost cinematic.

For those who want to experience the raw, unpolished impulse of rock or delve deeply into the roots of grunge, this is a must-hear band.

Blind Youth Industrial ParkMETZ

METZ – Blind Youth Industrial Park [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

METZ is a Canadian trio that hurls the violent impulses of ’90s grunge into the present with even sharper noise.

The members are guitarist Alex Edkins, bassist Chris Slorach, and drummer Hayden Menzies.

They released their debut album, METZ, on the storied grunge label Sub Pop in October 2012, earning high acclaim and a nomination for the Polaris Prize the following year.

On the album Strange Peace, they enlisted Steve Albini, known for his work with Nirvana, further honing their raw, visceral sound.

Their roaring wall of sound—where distorted guitars and pummeling drums collide—is nothing short of overwhelming.

Balancing raw energy with intelligent sonic design, their music is sure to satisfy anyone seeking something intense.

Possum KingdomThe Toadies

The Toadies – Possum Kingdom (Official Music Video)

The Toadies, a rock band formed in 1989, are known for their tough, dust-of-Texas sound.

Their signature style blends gritty earthiness with heaviness—often described as “Texan yet unmistakably grunge.” Their 1994 debut album Rubberneck produced major hits like the single “Possum Kingdom,” and achieved platinum certification in 1996.

The following year, they even won an MTV Video Music Award, cementing their presence not only among fans but across the scene.

Although they disbanded once, they’ve continued to fire up fans with energetic live shows.

If you’re looking for alternative rock with a dry, distinctly non-Seattle texture, they’re hard to resist.

SeetherVeruca Salt

Veruca Salt – Seether

Veruca Salt, an American band, brought a pop breeze to the grunge scene of the ’90s.

Formed in 1992, they’re a striking band known for the blend of female twin-vocal harmonies by Louise Post and Nina Gordon and fuzz-drenched guitar sounds.

Their 1994 breakout track “Seether” drew major attention, ranking 10th on Paste’s “50 Best Grunge Songs of the 1990s.” Their hit “Volcano Girls” is also known for opening the film Jawbreaker.

Although they went on hiatus for a time, they reunited with the original members—much to the delight of fans who had been eagerly awaiting their return.

If you crave pop melodies that shine through distorted guitars, this band is irresistible.

MachineheadBUSH

BUSH : Machinehead (OFFICIAL)

A song inspired by Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl,” of which Bush’s lead singer Gavin Rossdale is a huge fan.

It was released in 1996 as the final single from their debut album, Sixteen Stone.