Something remarkable occurred following this year’s Grammy nominations announcement: Rock and metal fans did not express their usual discontent over a perceived lack of relevance or representation.
Does this indicate that the Recording Academy has finally made progress in recognizing heavy, guitar-driven music? However, it may be premature to draw such broad conclusions.
It is still early to make definitive statements about the Grammys concerning rock and metal music. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that this year’s nominees are significantly younger and more contemporary than in previous years.
READ MORE: Here Are the 2026 Rock, Metal + Alternative Grammy Nominees
Rock nominees include Hayley Williams, Yungblud, Sleep Token, Turnstile, and Amyl and the Sniffers — all relatively young, trendsetting artists who are establishing themselves as leaders in the genre with successful albums and outstanding live performances. Even the “elder statesmen” among the rock nominees, Deftones and Linkin Park, are a significant departure from the legacy acts nominated in earlier years.
Sleep Token and Turnstile also made their way into the metal category alongside Dream Theater, Ghost, and Spiritbox. While Dream Theater has been around for decades, this year’s metal nominees generally represent younger bands — or at least those primarily from the 21st century.
As a result, rock and metal fans were more celebratory than resentful as they reacted to this year’s Grammy nominations on social media. However, it wasn’t all positive — some users called for additional metal categories, while others contended that repeat nominees like Spiritbox are overdue for recognition.
A selection of reactions to the 2026 rock and metal Grammy nominations can be found below.
2026 Rock and Metal Grammy Nominations – Social Media Reactions
The Heaviest Bands That Have Won Grammys
These are the heaviest bands that have won Grammys — not just those nominated for Best Metal Performance.
Gallery Credit: Lauryn Schaffner
