Photo by Danielle Parsons
The field of nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards has been revealed and among the superstars expected to be the most prominent, heavyweights including Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter are among the artists earning considerable acclaim in multiple categories.
In the universe of rock and metal, the Grammys have compiled a cluster of some of guitar music's most celebrated artists in a way that spans generations. Pooling emerging punk sensations like Amyl and the Sniffers, hardcore breakout gamechangers Turnstile, veteran prog powerhouse Dream Theater and theatric metal innovators Ghost, the rock and metal categories for the 2026 Grammys offer a healthy snapshot of the changing landscape of the orbit of rock.
In the 'Best Rock Performance' category, Aussie punk renegades Amyl and the Sniffers earn a nod for “U Should Not Be Doing That,” from the late 2024 Cartoon Darkness. Hayley Williams scored big with her solo effort on "Mirtazapine" with Turnstile landing with "NEVER ENOUGH" and Linkin Park scoring with their return in "The Emptiness Machine".
Rounding out the category, YUNGBLUD might be the runaway winner for his legendary rendition of "Changes" live from Birmingham earlier this summer. The performance would arguably be the standout highlight in what was a historic night as the young sensation paid homage to Ozzy Osbourne with a showing that shook an arena and a streaming audience worldwide.
In the 'Best Metal Performance' category, Spiritbox returns to the red carpet with their showing on 'Soft Spine". Turnstile is again included with their entry for "BIRDS". Occult heroes GHOST score for “Lachryma" while prog legends Dream Theater were recognized for “Night Terror.” The 2026 Grammys might be the year of Sleep Token however, with the enigmatic unit scoring for "Emergence" and "Caramel" in the 'Best Rock Song' category.
As for the best in show for rock overall, the 'Best Rock Album' category features Deftones earning their first nod in the category for Private Music. The band last took home the hardware in 2001 for 'Best Metal Performance' with "Elite" from White Pony. Deftones did earn two nominations for 'Best Metal Performance' and and 'Best Rock Performance' back in 2022 during their Ohms cycle.
Vying for 'Best Rock Album,' Turnstile make a strong case with NEVER ENOUGH. In fact, the Baltimore collective tallied five nominations in total for their universally praised album. Linkin Park are also in the mix for their reemergence with From Zero. HAIM is the wild care in the field with their effort on I Quit. Lastly, YUNGBLUD proves formidable with this lauded full length IDOLS.
See the list of rock, metal and alternative nominees below. The 2026 Grammy Awards will tale place February 1st at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. See the full list of nominees - HERE
Best Rock Performance
“U Should Not Be Doing That,” Amyl and The Sniffers
“The Emptiness Machine,” Linkin Park
“NEVER ENOUGH,” Turnstile
“Mirtazapine,” Hayley Williams
“Changes (Live From Villa Park) Back to the Beginning,” YUNGBLUD Featuring Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, II
Best Metal Performance
“Night Terror,” Dream Theater
“Lachryma,” Ghost
“Emergence,” Sleep Token
“Soft Spine,” Spiritbox
“BIRDS,” Turnstile
Best Rock Song
“As Alive As You Need Me To Be,” Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, songwriters (Nine Inch Nails)
“Caramel,” Vessel1 & Vessel2, songwriters (Sleep Token)
“Glum,” Daniel James & Hayley Williams, songwriters (Hayley Williams)
“NEVER ENOUGH, Daniel Fang, Franz Lyons, Pat McCrory, Meg Mills & Brendan Yates, songwriters (Turnstile)
“Zombie,” Dominic Harrison & Matt Schwartz, songwriters (YUNGBLUD)
Best Rock Album
private music, Deftones
I quit, HAIM
From Zero, Linkin Park
NEVER ENOUGH, Turnstile
Idols, YUNGBLUD
Best Alternative Music Performance
“Everything Is Peaceful Love,” Bon Iver
“Alone,” The Cure
“SEEIN’ STARS,” Turnstile
“mangetout,” Wet Leg
“Parachute,” Hayley Williams
Best Alternative Music Album
SABLE, fABLE, Bon Iver
Songs of a Lost World, The Cure
DON’T TAP THE GLASS, Tyler, The Creator
moisturizer, Wet Leg
Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, Hayley Williams
