[2025] Overseas Metal Bands You Absolutely Can’t Miss — From Veterans to Newcomers
No matter which genres come into vogue with the times, and no matter how regularly negative discourse flares up, heavy metal has always kept metalheads around the world fired up.
That said, “metal” encompasses countless subgenres, and especially in this information-saturated era, beginners might find themselves wondering, “I don’t even know which bands to listen to…”
In this article, we highlight the breadth of what “metal” can be—from legendary bands to post-2000 metalcore and deathcore acts, as well as groups with hybrid styles—while introducing bands you should start with.
You’re sure to find a band that will ignite your metal spirit!
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[2025] Overseas Metal Bands You Absolutely Can’t Miss — From Veterans to Up-and-Comers (21–30)
The Gift Of MusicDream Theater
A pioneering presence among American progressive metal bands.
Formed by members with advanced skills from Berklee College of Music, they fuse the complex song structures of progressive rock with the stylistic beauty of heavy metal, enjoying immense popularity particularly in Japan.
Their 1992 release, Images and Words, was not only their breakthrough but continues to reign as a landmark work of progressive metal.
In 2010, drummer and key member Mike Portnoy left the band, but with his successor Mike Mangini, they have continued their activities consistently.
Ace Of SpadesMotörhead
A one-of-a-kind band beloved even by fans of heavy metal and punk, they have remained faithful to a roaring, full-throttle rock ’n’ roll sound since their 1975 debut.
Centered around their Rickenbacker-wielding frontman, Lemmy Kilmister—whose wild life was chronicled in the 2010 film “Lemmy”—the group went through several lineup changes.
Yet, unusually for a band with such a long career, they never took a hiatus, consistently releasing albums and relentlessly touring the globe right up until December 2015, just before Lemmy’s passing.
[2025] Overseas Metal Bands You Absolutely Can’t Miss — From Veterans to Emerging Acts (31–40)
Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little BoyMr. BIG
An American rock band whose members were all already acclaimed virtuosos even before the group formed.
Because of their top-tier musicianship, rumors at the time suggested they’d become a band that traded in technical showdowns.
Instead, they launched as a rock outfit that showcased bluesy vocals.
Even so, their early releases still delivered on expectations: they always put a heavy metal–style, technically demanding track as the first song on the album, and they featured tricky techniques like playing guitar with a power drill.
In doing so, they evolved into a truly one-of-a-kind presence in the rock world.
Rain Of FuryRhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian symphonic power metal band.
Their grand, orchestral sound has been highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad.
The band also has ties to Japan, and their song “Rain of Fury” has been arranged in Japanese.
They’re also known for frequent lineup changes—eleven members, including the vocalist, have been replaced over time.
Currently they are a four-piece band, with the unusual distinction of having no drummer.
JadedSpiritbox
Spiritbox, hailing from Canada, is a band formed by the married duo Courtney LaPlante and Mike Stringer.
While rooted in metalcore, their sound boldly incorporates progressive and electronic elements, shifting like a kaleidoscope.
Their 2021 debut, Eternal Blue, shocked fans around the world and earned acclaim as standard-bearers of the next generation.
They’ve continued their rapid rise with milestones like a Grammy nomination, becoming one of the scene’s leading acts.
Courtney’s vocal prowess—seamlessly moving between death growls and angelic cleans—is nothing short of breathtaking.
Their relentless curiosity fuels music that is sure to move you.
Hunting High and LowStratovarius
A band from Finland with a long and distinguished career, renowned as a leading force in Nordic metal.
When they formed in 1982, their sound was closer to hard rock, but they transitioned to a neoclassical metal style influenced by acts like Helloween and Yngwie Malmsteen.
Their 1994 release Fourth Dimension became a hit and brought them widespread recognition in the scene.
Their melodic power metal style is also very popular in Japan, and bands such as Galneryus have been influenced by Stratovarius.
The World Is YoursArch Enemy
Hailing from Sweden, they are one of the flagship bands of Scandinavian melodic death metal.
Formed around British-born guitarist Michael Amott, they established the “melodeath” sound that fuses the distinctively Nordic, melodic, tear-jerking guitar work with extreme death growls.
In their early years the band had a male vocalist, but from 2000 onward Angela Gossow—whose ferocious death vocals defied expectations for a female singer—joined and propelled the band to worldwide popularity.
After Angela’s departure, former The Agonist frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz took over, and the band continues to be highly active.