Think hair metal and glam rock are dead? Think again. The genres are thriving, mainly in Europe, but also globally. Here is a non-comprehensive list of some modern bands that sound like 80s hair metal of old, many which have released new music in the past couple of years.
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Crazy Lixx
Crazy Lixx was formed in Malmö, Sweden, in 2002, and recently released their ninth studio album, Thrill of the Bite, on February 14. They’ve long taken influences from bands like KISS, Aerosmith, and Def Leppard, and they’re keeping the hair metal/glam-rock genres alive and well. Their new album features crisp, clean guitar work and nostalgic vocals while still remaining modern, bringing new life to a style many thought might have died out.
The Cruel Intentions
Swedish hair metal band The Cruel Intentions were formed out of the band Vains of Jenna when frontman Lizzy DeVine left the group. DeVine and Vains of Jenna were the first artists signed to Bam Margera’s record label, Filthy Note Records, in the early 2000s, and DeVine’s The Cruel Intentions have seemingly picked up where his former band left off. Their most recent album, Venomous Anonymous, was released in 2022.
Löve Razër
Löve Razër was formed in 2015 in Ontario, Canada, and took inspiration from hair metal bands like Motley Crue and Guns N’ Roses. According to the band, they started as a tribute band, but eventually evolved to writing and creating original music. There’s a lot of team work involved in creating a Löve Razër original song, as the band stated in an interview with Italian magazine Melody Lane, and they’ve kept their founding lineup all these years. “We are the original four and thats the way it will be when we play shows … It wouldn’t be the same if we substituted any one of us for our live show,” said the band.
Wig Wam
Hailing from Norway, Wig Wam has been in the hair metal scene since 2001. Recently, they released a new single, “HUMAN FIRE,” and gained attention with their explosive hit “In My Dreams.” They have kept their founding lineup for 24 years, even through a breakup and reformation. Additionally, thye are known for blending heavy instrumentation with humorous lyrics. “In My Dreams” earned them ninth place in the 2005 Eurovision competition, breaking them through into the mainstream. Then, James Gunn used their song “Do Ya Wanna Taste It” in the opening sequence of his HBO series Peacemaker, and Wig Wam earned further acclaim.
Kissin’ Dynamite
Kissin’ Dynamite formed in Germany in the 2000s as a school band, but emerged on the hair metal and glam rock scene with a bang with their 2008 debut. This is, aptly, the theme of their most recent album, Back With A Bang, which released in 2024. Kissin’ Dynamite takes inspiration from Bon Jovi and Motley Crue, but, according to the band, their name comes from the AC/DC song of the same title.
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