With deep respect for the vibrant Asian rock community—and knowing there will be passionate cries of “what about this band?”—let us start with a few diverse representatives for everyone’s listening consideration. With that in mind, here are five amazing bands from Asia that you and your friends should be listening to. And, “yes,” the band you are thinking of could also be mentioned here. Trust me, we will get to them in time. For now, this post aims to highlight the notable artists from their respective countries in Asia. If you like this, then check back for future breakdowns.
BABYMETAL
Emerging from Japan, this group ignited a revolution in Tokyo by pioneering “kawaii metal”—an audacious fusion of heavy metal’s thunderous instrumentation with the infectious charm of “cute” pop vocals. In 2010, BABYMETAL grew from a sub-unit of an idol group into a world-renowned phenomenon by the middle of the decade. They originally performed with a metal band on back tracks and consisted of Suzuka Nakamoto as lead vocals, with Yui Mizuno and Moa Kikuchi on backing vocals, becoming Su-metal, Yuimetal, and Moametal, respectively. Later, a real band of heavy metal musicians would back the three performers and go on to cement a unique sound and theatrical performances that gained global acclaim. Their explosive 2011 debut single, Doki Doki Morning, ignited a nationwide sensation and paved the way for their 2014 self-titled album, BABYMETAL, which quickly became a top seller.
But the biggest shock came with the music video Gimme Chocolate!! [ギミチョコ！！] earning over 100 million views on YouTube in 2014 and charting the song internationally. As they approach fifteen years of success, there has been only one change in the front lineup, as Yuimetal left in 2018 due to health reasons and has since been replaced by Momoko Okazaki as Momometal. Their elaborate live shows have taken them around the world to music festivals and several headlining world tours. Their boundary-shattering sound may have divided old-school metal purists, but with millions of streams and international hits, they’ve forged an unstoppable global following!
Ado
This one-of-a-kind artist from Tokyo burst onto the scene in 2020 with her hit single Usseewa [うっせぇわ]. That song, known for its raw vocals and lyrics that reject societal conformity, topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and Oricon Digital Singles chart, reaching 100 million plays in 17 weeks. An amazing achievement, it was the sixth fastest in history and especially noteworthy for a young solo artist. Ado was influenced by vocaloid music and utaite culture. In Japan, utaite is a genre where amateur singers post songs on the Internet, sometimes anonymously. She began posting her covers in 2017 while still 14 years old.
In 2022, Ado was tasked with creating songs for One Piece Film: Red, the 15th movie from the popular anime series. The biggest hit from the soundtrack New Genesis gained global fame, becoming the first Japanese song to top Apple Music’s Global Top 100 chart. Notably, fans are captivated by Ado’s powerful, versatile singing, even as she maintains an enigmatic anonymity. Instead of putting herself in the spotlight, she conceals herself, using an anime-style avatar and performing as a silhouette locked in a cage at concerts. Ado is soaring with success, reaching higher stream counts from albums and EPs, plus embarking on sold-out world tours. Japan’s next big thing looks like a prodigy in the form of an anime girl with a booming, vivacious voice.
Rolling Quartz
While K-pop dominates the global stage, this all-female rock band from South Korea is determined to carve out its own electrifying legacy. Formed in 2019, the group consists of five members: Ja Young (vocalist), Iree (guitarist), Hyun Jung (guitarist), Arem (bassist), and Yeong Eun (drummer). Originally two separate bands, they merged their incredible talents to create Rolling Quartz. Immediately after debuting with songs like Blaze [블레이즈] and Azalea, their blend of alternative rock, glam metal, and emo gained global attention.
Additionally, a string of popular EPs, venturing overseas on world tours, and appearances at music festivals have leveled up their star power. Initially, the band performed in Seoul’s Hongdae clubs but shifted to social media during the COVID pandemic, posting covers of songs by artists like BTS and Dreamcatcher quickly attracted a wide audience. Moreover, they have an extraordinary ability to connect with fans around the world, who they affectionately refer to as “Diadems”, by packing anthemic tones and dynamic harmonies in songs with tenderness and joy.
Bodyslam
From Thailand, this rock band evolved from their earlier pop-rock incarnation as La-On to a more mainstream rock act. Originally a six-member group, they rebranded with a heavier rock sound, debuting their self-titled album Bodyslam in 2002. The current lineup includes Artiwara “Toon” Kongmalai (vocals), Thanachai “Yod” Tantrakul (guitar), Tanadol “Pid” Changsawek (bass), Suchuch “Chad” Chaneed (drums), and Ohm Plengkhum (keyboard). Known for dynamic performances and deep lyrics, they gained fame with four top-selling albums from 2003 to 2010. The latter of which spawned a massive concert, Bodyslam Live in Kraam, with thousands of roaring Thai fans in attendance.
Even after 20 years, they are still touring, and their 2024 album Sunny Side Up continues their legacy with millions of streams and downloads. Also, Bodyslam has won multiple awards, including Channel [V] Thailand’s “Favorite Group” and the Season Awards for Best Rock Group, Album, and Song. Frontman Toon is a national figure, known for charity runs and collaborations with artists like Palmy and F. Hero.
The HU
Formed in 2016, this Mongolian folk-metal band harnesses a unique style they call “Hunnu Rock”. It is the blending of heavy metal with traditional Mongolian instruments such as the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), tovshuur (Mongolian guitar), and death growl-like throat singing. Their debut album in 2019, The Gereg, featured chart topping songs Yuve Yuve Yu and Wolf Totem, which also amassed over millions of streams and views on YouTube. That same year, they received Mongolia’s Order of Genghis Khan for promoting Mongolian culture.
Their lyrics, sung in Mongolian, incorporate ancient war cries, poetry, and themes of nature, spirituality, and the legacy of Genghis Khan. Furthermore, The HU continues to gain global acclaim by performing at festivals such as Coachella and Aftershock. Also, they expand their notoriety by collaborating with artists such as Lzzy Hale (Halestorm) and Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach). Their second album from 2022, Rumble of Thunder, continues to propel these musical warriors on a relentless global conquest.
Finally, to answer those cries of “but my band!” Yes, your band is worthy of being discussed. So, leave a comment and share. In future round-ups, the feedback will be used to help our community learn and grow. For now, let these five be the conversation starter.
To wrap it all up, here is a sample of why you must listen to these bands—from 2024, LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND, this banger is an exciting collaboration between F.HERO and two bands from above, Bodyslam and BABYMETAL.
