Noise Rock · Genres
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What is noise rock?

Noise rock (sometimes called noise punk) is a noise-oriented style of experimental rock that spun off from punk rock in the 1980s. Drawing on movements such as minimalism, industrial music, and New York hardcore, artists indulge in extreme levels of distortion through the use of electric guitars and, less frequently, electronic instrumentation, either to provide percussive sounds or to contribute to the overall arrangement.

About noise rock

Some groups are tied to song structures, such as Sonic Youth.

From Last.fm, where 18,174 listeners have tagged music as noise rock.

Artists to start with

  1. Chat Pile
  2. Show Me the Body
  3. Butthole Surfers
  4. HEALTH
  5. Mannequin Pussy
  6. Unwound
  7. ミドリ
  8. Big Black
  9. black midi
  10. The Jesus Lizard

Albums to hear first

  • あらためまして、はじめまして、ミドリです。 by ミドリあらためまして、はじめまして、ミドリです。ミドリ
  • Schlagenheim by black midiSchlagenheimblack midi
  • EVOL by Sonic YouthEVOLSonic Youth
  • You Won't Get What You Want by DaughtersYou Won't Get What You WantDaughters
  • Pretty on the Inside by HolePretty on the InsideHole
  • Fetch by Melt-BananaFetchMelt-Banana
  • Shot by The Jesus LizardShotThe Jesus Lizard
  • Fake Train by UnwoundFake TrainUnwound

Noise Rock songs

  1. Kerosene by Big Black
  2. Little Fury Things by Dinosaur Jr.
  3. Card Declined by Charli xcx
  4. Passing Complexion by Big Black
  5. Samurai Sword by The Microphones
  6. On GP by Death Grips
  7. Oxygen by Swans
  8. Woman on the Screen by Boris
  9. The Power of Independent Trucking by Big Black
  10. Bad Penny by Big Black

Noise Rock on Risocast

  • Ringo Deathstarr by Ringo DeathstarrRingo DeathstarrRingo Deathstarr · 2020
  • Hayday by feeble little horseHaydayfeeble little horse · 2021
  • Swimming Pool by HTRKSwimming PoolHTRK · 2025
  • april’s-bloom by julieapril’s-bloomjulie
  • desire machine by spirit bluedesire machinespirit blue
  • Green Eyes by WavvesGreen EyesWavves
  • Worth It (Intro) by feeble little horseWorth It (Intro)feeble little horse · 2021
  • Picture by feeble little horsePicturefeeble little horse
  • Chores by feeble little horseChoresfeeble little horse · 2021
  • Silver Lights by CoconutsSilver LightsCoconuts
  • Tricks by feeble little horseTricksfeeble little horse · 2021

Neighbouring genres

In the rock & punk family. All genres

alternative rockrockcrust punkart rockart punkdeathrockindietronicaexperimental rockanarcho-punkglam rockgrungehard rock

Questions

What is noise rock?
Noise rock (sometimes called noise punk) is a noise-oriented style of experimental rock that spun off from punk rock in the 1980s. Drawing on movements such as minimalism, industrial music, and New York hardcore, artists indulge in extreme levels of distortion through the use of electric guitars and, less frequently, electronic instrumentation, either to provide percussive sounds or to contribute to the overall arrangement. Some groups are tied to song structures, such as Sonic Youth.
Who are the best-known noise rock artists?
By Last.fm listening: Chat Pile, Show Me the Body, Butthole Surfers, HEALTH, Mannequin Pussy and Unwound.
What genres are similar to noise rock?
On Risocast it sits with alternative rock, rock, crust punk, art rock, art punk and deathrock.

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Download for WindowsFree · v4.0.9Open RisocastRight here · Spotify or Last.fm

Updated 6 October 2026

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