The year 2024 saw the release of many must-hear rock songs, from veterans of the AC/DC, who proved that even through tragedy, they would be uniquely themselves.

While many musicians may dream of having a top single, that's not always what it's all about, as even some songs by the biggest bands didn't reach number one. Instead, many strive to build a brand, or a legacy. There are so many impressive feats that the rock genre brings, and these 2024 hits highlight them all. From excellent vocal performances to instrumentals that command attention, all of these artists have made a remarkable impact.

10 Breaking Benjamin - Awaken

Album: Single Release (October 16, 2024)

Since their debut album in 2002, Breaking Benjamin has been one of the most consistent bands when it comes to releasing great songs. Lead singer Benjamin Burnley has a voice that can turn anything he sings into a hit. In preparation for their seventh studio album and first since 2018, the band premiered their lead single, "Awaken."

This is the first song by the band after moving to BMG Records, but on first listen, it is clear that nothing is changing with their sound. Like many of their standout tracks before, this features verses that slowly build until the chorus comes in strong. With lyrics such as "Rip my world apart. In the sorrow beneath, you find the devil in me," the song provokes a great deal of thought throughout, going deeper than what is on the surface.

9 The Funeral Portrait - Dark Thoughts Ft. Danny Worsnop

Album: Greetings From Suffocate City (September 13, 2024)

Years of hard work and dedication led to The Funeral Portrait having one of the biggest breakthroughs of their career thus far. The band, which formed in 2014, has been working diligently for years, opening for other acts and strengthening their unique sound. Their 2024 album, Greetings From Suffocate City, showcased the blending of some of their favorite musical elements.

While songs such as the title track performed well for them, another that stood out was "Dark Thoughts," which featured Danny Worsnop from Asking Alexandria. Over the years, Worsnop has added memorable guest vocals to various tracks, and this can be added to that list. The song explores the anguish that mental health can bring; although this is a sensitive subject to tackle, it also helped endear the band to a wider audience, revealing a vulnerable side to their songwriting.

8 Jerry Cantrell - Vilified

Album: I Want Blood (October 14, 2024)

While not every musician can make it work, guitarist Jerry Cantrell has successfully maintained a career not only in a band but also as a solo artist. Cantrell is best known as one of the co-founders of Alice in Chains. He is the driving force behind their creativity and is one of the key reasons they have become iconic. Aside from his work there, he has four solo albums to his name.

His first two were released in the late '90s and early 2000s. However, his next two are more recent, in 2021 and 2024. The latter received great reviews and was led by the single, "Vilified." The song featured appearances by Metallica's bassist, Robert Trujillo, and well-traveled drummer Gil Sharone. The song addresses the misinformation that AI can spread, making it a sophisticated piece relevant to the time period.

7 Scott Stapp - Black Butterfly

Album: Higher Power (March 14, 2024)

Before Creed captured the imagination of the world again with a massive summer tour in 2024, Scott Stapp added to his solo career with his fourth studio album. While fans love seeing Creed back together, playing their massive hits, Stapp showcased his talents as a musician outside the band with the single "Black Butterfly."

The song successfully conveys a message of overcoming obstacles and serves as a great reflection of Stapp's own career, where he faced adversity and rose from it. This was a perfect lead-in to his reuniting with Creed, as their status had been shaky for many years. Stapp demonstrated a great deal of self-awareness with this tune, and now he is back better than ever.

6 Highly Suspect - Plastic Boxes

Album: As Above, So Below (July 19, 2024)

Since their debut album in 2015, Highly Suspect have made their mark on the rock genre. They began their career with multiple Grammy Award nominations and have built on that momentum in the years that followed. Their fifth record, As Above, So Below, arrived in 2024 with a slew of hit songs, including "Plastic Boxes."

The song showcases one of the best qualities of Highly Suspect: their storytelling ability.

The song showcases one of the best qualities of Highly Suspect: their storytelling ability. This track is about a breakup and instantly keeps listeners hooked from the first line. Not only that, but it features one of the catchiest choruses on the album. Additionally, the music video was simple yet a great concept, as not much more was needed since the words already convey so much.

5 Black Veil Brides - Bleeders

Album: Single Release (June 21, 2024)

Everything that Black Veil Brides creates is undertaken with the highest production value. From their cover art to their music videos and more, they do whatever it takes to place their albums in the best position to shine. As they began yet another new chapter in their storied career, they unveiled the song "Bleeders," which was accompanied by a horrifying music video.

The song stemmed from lead singer Andy Biersack's appreciation for the musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This is a tale of vengeance, a concept the band has explored before. With yet another reinvention to their credit, the band then embarked on a massive tour with Falling In Reverse, where the tune was able to gain popularity each night it was performed.

4 The Warning - S!CK

Album: Keep Me Fed (June 28, 2024)

There have been many popular trios in music, with one of the newest being The Warning. These three sisters from Monterrey have taken the rock world by storm for years, and they added another chapter with their fourth studio album, Keep Me Fed. Now, just over 10 years into their career, they have created many new hits that stand out, with one of the biggest being "S!CK."

This song was the second single released and garnered the band even more success than the lead single did. "S!CK" ended up reaching as high as number eight on the Mainstream Rock chart, where it stayed for 20 weeks. The accompanying music video received a lot of attention as well, as it was created in an animated style, making it distinctive.

3 Linkin Park - Over Each Other

Album: From Zero (November 15, 2024)

After Linkin Park made the decision to continue their career with Emily Armstrong as the new co-lead singer, the question remained of what exactly the band would sound like. While their song "The Emptiness Machine" provided a great example, "Over Each Other" truly allowed Armstrong to shine. For this tune, she was the main focus, allowing those new to her to see what she was capable of.

The lyrics serve as a powerful exposition of a relationship on the verge of collapse. The music video provided a deeper exploration of the song's central message and was even more meaningful since it was directed by the band's turntablist, Joe Hahn. This became their first video ever filmed in South Korea, which Hahn had said was a dream of his.

2 311 - Friend

Album: Full Bloom (October 25, 2024)

Formed back in 1988, 311 has been entertaining fans for decades. With hit songs such as "Amber," the band cemented themselves as one of the leaders in alternative rock, mixing reggae and funk into their style. In 2024, they unveiled their 14th studio album, Full Bloom, which could be regarded as one of the best records they have ever created.

This tune provides the exact ambiance for which the band has become beloved.

Although it wasn't released as a single, one of the standout songs from the record is track number four, "Friend." This tune provides the exact ambiance for which the band has become beloved. There aren't many lyrics needed to feel the power of the song's message. After all, that's what the band has excelled at all these years: creating feelings and vibes.

1 The Offspring - You Can’t Get There From Here

Album: Supercharged (October 11, 2024)

Over the years, The Offspring have established themselves as one of the most legendary acts in rock. They don't just create songs; they create anthems, with some of their standout tunes being "The Kids Aren't Alright" and "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid." Their 2024 album, Supercharged, marked another achievement for them as it was their 11th record.

While the singles from the album were great, one of the best songs was not a single. Instead, it is the final track on the album. "You Can't Get There From Here" is vintage Offspring, featuring an unforgettable instrumental and lyrics to match. This tune truly highlights their strengths, including the voice of lead singer Dexter Holland. It was the perfect way to close the record.