Before we start, a few bands deserve a nod for almost making it to the top 10 - that's Porcupine Tree, Alter Bridge and Between The Buried And Me. They all earned a tonne of votes, but since they already receive coverage on UG whenever possible (we announced a new Porcupine Tree album on the very day of this poll), we decided to make room for other acts that really are underrated.
Let's plug in those headphones or pump up the speakers, and listen to this awesome range of bands that deserve more attention.
10. Portugal. The Man
Kicking off with something you might not expect, Portugal. The Man (full stop intended) started out in Alaska in 2004. It might sound a little too hipster for some UG readers, but for something so melodic it's a refreshing sound with plenty of smart production.
9. Sacred Mother Tongue
Super-tight metal from Northampton, England. Guitarist Andy James is recognised as one of the best breakthrough artists in the UK according to their Wikipedia page, but with four solo albums under his belt, there's no reason to disbelieve it. He sounds pretty rad to us.
8. Clutch
Clutch have been one of the most respected touring bands in the world for well over a decade, but get less attention than they deserve because they're too busy rocking to play the press game. This track from their forthcoming album perfectly demonstrates how they sound like no-one else while sticking tightly to the to the classic ethics of real rock. Make sure you see them live.
7. Annihilator
Authentic thrash metal from the best selling metal band in Canadian history. If they're that big, why did they make it to this list? Because they haven't appeared on the UG news agenda for years, and because this shred-tastic video is worth sharing.
6. Tremonti Project
Guitarist Mark Tremonti is well known for his role in Creed and Alter Bridge, but his solo project got a lot of love in the vote this week. Wolfgang Van Halen even joined as a touring bassist last year, and apparently wants to stay in the lineup permanently.
5. Maximum The Hormone
We had no idea where to start with this lot. YouTube is awash with barmy Japanese pop videos, but there's also this quirky rock video. Basically, we have no idea what is going on. Maybe that's the intention.
4. Red Fang
That's more like it; ballsy head-banging rock from Portland, Oregon. Some people say they're stoner rock, but judging from this song it's more like being pelted with actual rocks than a sly cannabis reference.
3. John Butler Trio
John Butler leads this folk-driven trio. Critics love them, but all we need to say it: hit play on this. We were caught in a trance right until he started tapping. Beautiful stuff.
2. TesseracT
Progressive metal with pin-sharp production from Reading, England. This is their 10th year together, and the trailer for their new "Perspective" EP sounds very promising - and not just because it includes a cover of one of the best songs ever, "Dream Brother" by Jeff Buckley.
1. Protest The Hero
Your winner is another progressive metal band. Actually, as a genre title, that sounds too tame - some of their songs take a massive black metal influence, and the vocal acrobatics are more energetic than a Russian gymnast. Awesome stuff.
That's your top 10 most underrated acts. It's a shame there's only room for 10 acts, because there were some really good tips in there. Ones that we completely agree with: Converge, Baroness, Explosions In The Sky, Neurosis, Mono, Cult Of Luna, Tortoise... the list goes on. Check them all out.
Keep those tips coming in the comments, and try to add a YouTube video or Soundcloud link so we can check them out. We'll be listening to everything you share.
I sense you didn't listen to all of the above mentioned tracks. there are some non metal songs among them. listen to John Butler, utterly amazing and not metal.
Don't let this comment detract positive attention from Rival Sons; they are a fantastic hard rock band and their Zeppelin-esque riffs are a breath of fresh air in the world of modern music's electronic tendencies.
Tremonti was probably the lightest thing on the list just from a glance. It was based on votes also, so clearly your Rival Sons band isn't all that popular around UG YET haha
i cant dig guys like john butler.i really cant get into guy on acoustic who plays rhythm while tapping with a capo. it all sounds the same to me and they could just as easily get a drummer to do that stuff while they play chords it just comes off as pretentious to me. plus i get tired of hearing hammer ons
He has more than one song, 80%+ of which are played with a drummer and bass player (thus the TRIO in the name)... Ocean is the only song which he "plays rhythm while tapping with a capo". He also plays more than acoustic guitars: electric, banjo, ukulele to name a few...
Good list! I was delighted to learn about the Maximum The Hormone - had never heard of them - crazy Japanese guys
So, the structure of this song and video reminds me of another crazy band (from Russia) called Spermadonarz - check out the video below:
UG just opened Pandoras Box... Every single local scene has underrated bands, and everybody have personal favorites they think needs more acknowledgement.
im not saying protest the hero isnt good, im just saying its odd to me to hear that someone could possibly think they're underrated.. anyone who talks about them always sounds obsessed with them.. and there's no shortage of people talking about them (especially on sites like this)
I would like to say that animals as leaders are underrated, but they are getting around a bit now.
deds on getting annihilator, TesseracT and protest the hero though! (even if you choose the worst videos to sum them up)
Glad to see Protest up there as #1!
pretty cool list!
there is a really cool instrumental prog jazz/rock band called Father Figure that need to be heard!
I dunno if John Butler Trio should be on there as I have heard of them and I am by no means ahead in the trends of cool, underrated, hip bands.
Ocean, though, is my favourite instrumental of all time. Gives you hope for humanity every time you hear it.
Yeah John Butler is pretty huge here in Australia. He lives about half an hour from me, so I've seen him a few times and met him once or twice. He's an amazing musician and a great guy from what I've seen.
Terrible list. Everyone knows the most under rated bands ever are Nirvana, Pantera, and Rush.
In all seriousness though, glad to see Protest the Hero here, even more stoked to see Red Fang getting recognition. They both put on fantastic live shows, and the members are all extremely friendly guys.
Protest the Hero deserve a lot of recognition that they don't get. They tour extensively, and are just about the perfection of what I want to hear in metal today. I wish they'd do some softer songs though (not complaining about what they do though , perhaps bring back the piano.
John Butler is always awesome here in Aus. Surprised to see him on this list actually, I thought he was bigger around the world. Check out his song "Betterman" (NOT BETTER THAN) it really is one of the most heart wrenching songs ever.
John Butler is known in certain artistic circles though, which is good.
I'd agree with you on PtH, at least as far as modern progressive metal* goes. I got "Kezia" a couple of months back, and I'm still trying to figure it all out.
*Why I say, "as far as modern progressive metal goes" is because I do really love the diversity of Metal. There's a lot of great and interesting bands, ranging from bands like Neurosis to bands like Periphery to bands like PtH to bands like modern Black Metal bands (can't think of any off the top of my head). The list goes on and on.
I never really liked TesseracT. I tried. I watched their YouTube videos and listened to short clips on iTunes. I just couldn't get into them. In fact, I'd barely even call them progressive.
They released a new song 3 months ago and released an e.p last year. They are also currently touring. I think it's safe to say that the are still "active".
The shame is that I'd love the band if they had, say, Opeth's lead singer. But with this lame Coheed and Cambria type lyrics, my ears just cry for releif. Sure he has amazing range, but it just doesn't suit what the band does, not to mention it just sounds like ass.
i agree rival sons are amazing, the vocals are very much like robert plant, seen them live an they played like 6 songs supporting black stone cherry i think, and yh i wanted to hear more from them
Rush are basically a household name. How is that underrated? Yeah, they've not gotten recognition in the RnRHoF, but everyone (who doesn't live under a rock) has heard of Canada's most successful band.
Oh man, Portugal. The Man made it? I got "In the Mountain in the Cloud" and "Church Mouth" almost on loop on my headphones for days! Nice one, UG. Good list, overall.
FUCKING PTH. YES! One of my favourite bands and, although still very successful, I always felt their creativity is overlooked. In my opinion, InMe are the most underrated band in the world (mainly because their first album was shit and that's all people remember : /) but every album since has been riddled with bangers, especially 'Daydream Anonymous' and their latest 'The Pride'.
Protest the hero would be an epic band if it weren't for that awfull voice the singer has! don't hate on me, I've seen them live and gave them a chance but I can't get arround to liking that damned voice.
SMT and that John Butler were amazing finds for me
Glad to see annihilator on this list they definitly need more recognition, I've seen them live and they pu on a great show.
You don't always hear a band's influences in their music. But, I will say that UG typically gets these things wrong. I'd say they've more of an progressive old school Death Metal influence. /shrug
John Butler Trio??? One of worst bands in Australia...now at least. He just writes hippy rubbish now. The first couple of albums anyway were admittedly ok but now they are horrible. As Frenzal Rhomb once said "you made me listen to John Butler and other rubbish that bored me to shit"...says it all If people listen to his recent crap like "treat yo mamma" etc. they might change their opinion.
Treat Yo Mama is off Sunrise over Sea. Sunrise Over Sea finishes with Sometimes which is an absolute masterpiece, dark as hell and eleven minutes in length. So stop trying to be hipster.
i always seem to think armored saint got way overlooked back in the day... check out delirious nomad, how that album went virtually un noticed in the 80's is beyond me?
i (personally) think john butler should be no. 1 here, but this version of ocean isn't the best, just type in 'ocean' to youtube and check out the first vid, it's his best known version and it's just so beautiful
Dir en Grey are incredible but definitely not underrated, even in the west they tour with huge bands. I would say one of the more successful acts to cross over from Japan.
Maximum the Hormone are awesome thanks for introducing me! Although I'll never understand Japanese bands' fascination with vomiting shit outta their mouths...
That MtH video was a poor choice.
It was a preview for their new album (which hasn't been released yet...), and they wanted to fool people into thinking they completely changed their sound into full-blown, commercial, pop.
Also, the vomiting part is a statement of their views about said commercial pop.
Not the best choice of Maximum the Hormone song, UG - why not Koi No Megalover or any of the fan vids for Shimi? Otherwise good list, but Shai Hulud should have made it as well
Candiria should be on this list, I'm not one to complain about a list, but these guys have been around since the early 90's and get absolutely no recognition. Fantastic Musicians.
Clutch are amazing! Also I personally prefer TesseracT with their original vocalist, he has an incredible voice. The new one (in that sample video) is kinda meh.
PTH? Underrated? They're one of the biggest bands in the entry-level pseudo-prog scene that all the teenagers seem to love. Do you know how often I hear people fellating that band? If anything, they should be at the top of a most overrated bands list, as well as the top of some "bands that are labeled as progressive when they aren't progressive" list along with BTBAM and the like.
I could actually almost say the exact same thing about TesseracT. Annihilator is just a downright lousy thrash band. Though I am glad to see the John Butler Trio and Clutch on the list.
Theo, your opinion is usually quite toxic in these areas. That said, you're right about TesseracT. and Annihilator. Your opinion on PtH & BTBAM is utter garbage though.
PTH is over rated. theo's take on PTH is spot on in my eyes. waaay over rated, I hear about them too much from stupid scene kids who don't know shit about metal.
BTBAM is alright, but I have not heard enough of them to have a final "good" or "bad" verdict.
Its honestly funny watching this guy get mad over PtH taking over the top spot. Youd think a Canadian would hate Nickelback, Sum 41, Frickin' A, or Simple Plan.
Sacred Mother Tounges' vocalist sound just like James Maynard Keenan, they just sound like a more mainstream TOOL.
And I think Valient Thorr is a much better band than Clutch; they have better songwriting and riffs, and while they are definitely hard rock, nobody sounds like their crazy vocalist.
Protest the Hero underrated? LMAO give me a break. This list just seems like a Hit parade of UG's favorite artists or artists people see on the site.
Agalloch aren't underrated at all, the only USBM-ish band they compete with is WITTR (in terms of popularity). Their albums are all highly acclaimed even from non-metal media.
The Tremonti Project underrated? Beg to differ on that one, just because they're new doesn't make them underrated. They get plenty of recognition already for just releasing their debut not all that long ago.
If you want underrated for bands of a similar style to Tremonti, check out Call Me No One, Projected, and Eye Empire for truly underrated modern hard rock acts.
Nah, none of these bands aren't recognized as good. Everyone recognizes the talent and appreciates their musicality.
They are many things but underrated they are not.
An example of an underrated band would be, slipknot. Extremely talented lineup and real showmen on the stage. Their music isn't something i relate to but i'm not the only one, for they are hated on by just about every self acclaimed musician on the internet.
But that's what makes them underrated, that's what the means. In this example the fact that everyone hates slipknots fans for being the fanboys they are has caused us to hate the band which is all but bad.
The truth of the matter is the only way you know your list is good is if the majority of the people viewing this article rated it negatively. Oh well, still some good bands on here, but imo under the wrong article title.
Wait, wait, wait...did you just call one of the biggest (and worst talented really, imho) Metal bands of the '90s and early '00s underrated?! Ahahahaha!
Their size is irrelevant, but due to you saying they are untalented kind of enforces that they are "under-rated".
That's how it works, if you consider something bad because you don't like it. Then you are rating something poorly.
However you can like things that aren't well written, and hate things that are well written. Pop music and Classical music are great examples of this.
It just amuses me that people get mixed up in what they dislike and what they disrespect. They aren't the same things, actually tbh they should be completely irrelevant regarding each other. Oh well :p
slipknot underrated? you missed that boat by about 15 years bro... they are almost over-rated now. They are easily one of the top earning metal acts of the past 10 years....
You know that's everything i just tried to point out as the word being used in incorrect context. Popularity =/= rating
Only their drummer and singer are being overrated, every other musician in the band is quite talented considering how large their lineup is i think yes, they are indeed underrated.
Like I can't really say that John Butler Trio are underrated or underexposed. I know loads of people that love them and see that they're very good players.
Oh, and Prtoest The Hero are actually pretty popular in Canada, They used to get regular air time next mainstream acts on Much Music The Canadian equivalent of MTV. They also hit #1 on the charts with fortress lol.
Aww, man! Someone gave Clutch some shine! Whoo! One of my favorites. And TesseracT, too! Daniel F. Tompkins (Vox for TesseracT) sang on an album for a band called Haji's Kitchen. Please check them out if you're into metal. You wont regret it. They rule.
I'm one of the few who's going to catch shit for this. I despise Protest The Hero and there are so many other bands who could go on this list. Such as Death Angel, Kamelot, Pain Of Salvation, Possessed, Sodom, Scar Symmetry, and (of course) Sylosis. Just my opinion!
Electric six, call me a fan boy but they are without doubt one of the best live bands I've seen. It's a shame they are only seen as that band that played gay bar and Danger! High voltage.
Protest the Hero should be on a list of most OVERRATED bands... not underrated. and as some others have said.. I cannot ****ing stand PTH. I hear about them waaaaay too much, and every time some guy is like "oh but you need to hear this song" .. no I ****king don't guy! Their music isn't music!
"Your winner is another progressive metal band. Actually, as a genre title, that sounds too tame - some of their songs take a massive black metal influence "
No. nononononono. No. Just...No. What in the fugg? That's something I expect a nooby 14 year old to say because as far as he knows black metal is just synonymous with any sort of harsh vocals. There's isn't a spec of black metal in their music. This is such a messed 1 choice, I can't imagine a porggy metalcore band that's gotten more airplay than PTH other than BTBAM, which you definetly aren't going to post, so why PTH? dumb.
Well, BTBAM aren't really overrated though, are they? I mean, everyone praises Paul Waggoner and Blake Richardson for their skills on their respective instruments
Don't agree with John Butler, He's pretty big here in Australia plus he was originally a street performer so being underrated isn't a bad thing for him
This is why UG is so pathetic now, cause nothing matters unless its metal. I can think of so many non metal bands that would be perfect for this list, but no one cares about other genres of music. I still give props to Portugal. The Man.
Never heard about Clutch before... they kick some ass!!!
I did know Maximum the Hormone because one of their songs is the intro of an anime called Death Note
Fucking yes to Red Fang and Clutch!
I keep missing out on opportunities to see Red Fang live and it seriously upsets me because I REALLY want to see them at some point....
Also I wouldn't say Maximum The Hormone is underrated though....
what does that have to do with the topic? anyway, ADTR is one of the most highly overrated bands in the hardcore scene today. While I am a huge fan of theirs, you can't say that theyre underrated.
I answered Annihilator on that question you made and I'm glad to see my favorite band on this list x) For the people who don't know them do not judge Jeff Waters as a mindless shredder 'cause you're WRONG! Check out their albums and you'll be amazed!
Good call on Portugal. The Man. Their album "the satanic satanist" is spectacular. I love PTH but are they really underrated? I mean when you have been headlining act in a tour that has Jeff Loomis, I think you're decently well known. I also agree like some people mentioned, Revocation is a really awesome band. Another band that really should get more attention is Corelia. Hopefully they release more songs soon.
He takes them out because he doesn't like the big high-end they give everything and it sounds warmer without them.
The story is that when he was a busker, he would always break the high G strings and could never afford to replace them. He loved the sound without them, and kept it that way!
Dir en grey are incredible. Though I agree, they aren't as underrated as you may think. They do have a lot of recognition and a worldwide fanbase and go on headlining tours regularly. They even made the bill for Ozzfest Japan this year. If I remember right, they're quoted as the only other non-english speaking band to have a great deal of commercial success since Rammstein.
Clutch and Annihilator..no shit...
Of the stuff I hadn't heard of...
John Butler was some great guitar work...and Protest The Hero I was expecting to sound like I Wrestled A Bear Once or one of those crappy types..but I was pleasantly surprised...The Vocalist has his chops down and overall it was a decent sound...
Tesseract and Portugal. The Man...meh...
The others I was indifferent to.
I gotta say, I opened this expecting to hear of bands I had never heard of or anything. It was a rather pleasant surprise to see Maximum The Hormone on there. I've been into them for about 6 years now, ever since I first heard them on Death Note. Though instead of listening to just those twos songs (which are both fine tracks), I downloaded as much of their music as possible and just gave it all a constant, good listen. Very energetic and crazy, though with a great display of talent, in my opinion. I wish i could see them live, they look like they put on a good ass show.
Allister? Army Of Freshmen? Tonight Alive(female fronted band)? Skye Sweetnam? Sumo Cyco? Billy Talent? Courage My Love? Balance And Composure? Transit? Such Gold? all of them are underrated,I promise you guys
I love Portugal and John Butler (representing AUS!!!!!). Beautiful music. Don't know about the other dudes, so it must be a good list. Will have a listen now and find out but I would've loved to see Big Scary, Children Collide and Regular John in there. Those dudes and dudettes are some of the best and underrated artists out at the moment. Oh well its all personal opinion.
Yeah this list is definitely a little "lack luster". The most promising acts people should check out on this list are the Tremonti Project and Protest The Hero.
No Anterior? They were one of the best Melodic Metalcore bands ever that split up because they weren't getting recognised, they had 2 of the best guitarists I have ever heard in my life!
I think some of you guys are mixing up the term "underrated" with the word "unknown".
I could throw out a random artist like Sauti Sol and you couldn't say they're underrated if you've never heard of them. Underrated would mean that they're known for something but are capable of much more.
Yeah, got to agree with Annihilator. They're pretty well known, but I don't hear many people talk about them compared to bands like Testament and Exodus. Jeff's got style man.
Great to see PTH top the list! I've heard of Maximum The Hormone before, one of their songs "What's Up, People?!" was used as a later theme song in the anime Death Note.
Does anyone realize that Protest is huge...? Not that they suck or anything, but...QUARTER OF A MILLION FACEBOOK FANS AND EVERYONE I TALK TO LISTENS TO THEM. HOW IS THIS UNDERRATED?
More people probably don't know about Sacred Mother Tongue because they use the same riffs as every other metalcore band. Doesn't seem like they're actually trying to separate themselves.
I think that's the exact thing poisoning 'real' metal fans opinion on PTH. They seem to have picked up a younger audience, which is fine, but it's always going to make twenty-somethings go 'WHAT THE FUCK FUCKING EMOS'.
You should look into belgian bands if you want to find underrated bands, these guys don't have a chance to break through, the link I posted is a band who is been playing for 2 years, there will be a new album coming this summer. And they are just awesome! In the new album they really stepped it up a notch, while I think this deserver to be known.
Karnivool, Breaking Orbit, Shihad, Shapeshifter (NZ band), Grinspoon, Tame Impala, Tumbleweed, Cog...just to name a few Aus/NZ bands that get nowhere near the recognition they deserve overseas...GOOGLE NOW!
I don't UG understands what "underrated" means. Converge and Explosions in The Sky are huge and overrated, if anything. I don't listen to bad metal so I can't comment on most of the bands actually on the list though.
There is a ton of bands from Europe only who are underrated owing to coming from countries which are not a popular destination for this type of music...
This band is so incredibly technical. This is probably their least complicated song, but they're surprisingly listenable and indie once you give them a chance.
So If protest is #1 does that mean they are the most mainstream underrated band? Wouldn't you think the bands that didn't make the list for top ten underrated bands are the underrated bands.
nice thread; heres my input. Iv seen these guys live twice. If this doesnt get your blood pumping idk wtf will. New Zealand FTW:
MY MINDS SEDATE, MY MINDS SEDATE, MY MINDS SEDATE, MY MINDS SEDATE, MY MINDS SEDATE, MY MINDS SEDATE, MY MINDS SEDATE, MY MINDS SEDATE.
heres a random vid:
Maximum The Hormone - Bikini Sports Ponchin (HD) (HQ)
this guy knows what hes talking about
