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11 instrumental bands that prove you don't need a vocalist to rock

[Photos by: Instagram/plinirh, totorromusic, strawberrygirlsmusic, polyphia]

Many can argue that the vocalist can make or break a band. While we agree that the frontman or frontwoman of a band does heavily contribute to their identity, sound and overall persona, we certainly value each and every member of a band, even if there are nine of them (we're looking at you, Slipknot). Here are 11 instrumental outfits that prove that you don't even need a vocalist to rock.

This Patch Of Sky

This Patch Of Sky definitely sound like they could fill in for a fantastic movie score. Their soothing cinematic sound inspires a curious sense of adventure and motivation, while their Oregon roots line up with their creation of a symphonic landscape. 

Polyphia

Polyphia is most known for their technical lead guitar harmonies and catchy riffs that create a unique sound far from their contemporaries in the djent movement. The Dallas, Texas band admits that their influences come from all genres of music, which certainly makes sense. 

CHON

CHON is a progressive math rock band from San Diego, California and have a wide variety of inspirations, from the Fall Of Troy to Rush. Odd time signatures and seventh chords combine with major keys to produce an upbeat, peppy, yet complex tone. 

Covet

Finger-tapping is the most dominant sound of this San Jose, California-based band. They've toured with fellow California instrumentalists CHON and have a slightly similar but somewhat heavier sound. 

Plini

This Sydney, Australia-based guitarist/composer is a champion in the instrumental rock and progressive metal subgenres. He even endorses his own guitars through a Swedish guitar company.

Deaf Scene

Baltimore-based Deaf Scene bring a powerful blend of post-rock, grunge, progressive metal and jazz-fusion in their own psychedelic progressive rock sound.

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Strawberry Girls

Based in Salinas, this experimental rock trio continues the California trend. Guitarist Zachary Garren is actually a former member of post-hardcore act Dance Gavin Dance but has been making music with this band since 2010. The name is derived from a verse in the '80s song “Christine” by English post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees. 

Set and Setting

This quartet has a gorgeous and unexpectedly heavy sound, driven by powerful double bass drums and accented by explosive riffs. Of course, this is topped with a hint of trippy psychedelia that holds everything together. 

Lotus

This instrumental electronic jam band has been around for quite some time. Formed in Indiana in 1999, they smoothly combine elements of rock, electronica, jazz, jam, hip-hop, funk and several more. Their live shows extraordinarily combine fascinating lights and sounds, and they often record their performances, just in case. Improvisation plays a major role in Lotus's style. 

Pray For Sound

Pray For Sound began as Bruce Malley's solo studio project in Boston at the end of 2011, using his severe ear complications as inspirations. Malley translated intensely emotional experiences into instrumental post-rock compositions and recruited four more musicians into the act. Their third album —Everything Is Beautiful — communicates the dichotomy of light and dark without the convenience of vocals and lyrics.

Totorro

While their late 2016 album — Come To Mexico — can be slightly misleading, the Totorro boys are actually a group from Rennes, France. Their songs oftentimes start slow and quiet and build up toward euphoric post-rock magic. The senses of camraderie and friendship are very evident in their creatively goofy music videos. 

Are there any bands we missed? Let us know in the comments.