There were those who said it would never work – that a rock band was no place for the gentle soothing tones of the piano. But pianists can rock out too, and its tool as a composition instrument should not be underestimated. With that in mind, here is our recommended bunch of piano-driven rock songs that will have you tapping your fingers on the table as opposed to playing the air guitar.

Fightstar's excellent song Floods, which appeared on their album One Day Son This Will All Be Yours is our first example. Featuring excellent use of pentatonic scales, the piano provides a fantastic backdrop to some incredible guitar riffs. It also plays a key part in slowing down the song for the quiet subdued bridge, before the guitars bring the tempo back up for the final climactic chorus.

Muse usually have the last say where piano-driven rock is concerned, and the piano section of their song Butterflies and Hurricanes illustrates why. Coming in about halfway through the song, Matt Bellamy plays a tense syncopated section before moving smoothly up into a trill, and then playing a sweeping set of arpeggios interspaced with further musical decorations. It's awe-inspiring to listen to, and when performed live, the audience watches in rapt silence.

Evanescence are also known for their catchy leading piano melodies. One of the most complex of these has emerged in Your Star, which features notes played at octaves at opposite sides of the piano, and then a much faster section of quavers played solo at first, and then joined by the guitars. The overall effect is incredibly powerful, and it'll have you rushing to learn piano.

Truth or Dare is the first studio album of American emo/rock band Automatic Loveletter. Produced by Josh Abraham (30 Seconds to Mars, Velvet Revolver) the album was released in 2010 and features the songs and vocals of lead singer Juliet Simms. It's been a long ride to the top for Ms Simms. She's toured the US countless times, been dropped by her label, picked up by another one, and spent a ridiculous amount of time sleeping on dirty floors and in the back of cars. But she's also had a lot of success, having topped the Myspace ‘Emo' chart for six months, amongst other stories.

The album itself is largely made up of ballads and anthems, describing heartbreaking moments and moments of emotional trauma in life. Fade Away is one such song – it's passionate and somewhat desperate, but catchy and easy to sing along to despite this. Story of My Life is a strong power ballad about Simms' difficult journey in the music industry – it has an intense sound with the percussion dominating the band's sound. Let It Ride is also strong. It has a furtive feel to it, building into a great bridge, demanding the listener to ‘catch a falling star' and chase all their dreams. Again, the chorus is the part you'll remember. But while each song has a certain amount of individuality and diversity, you can't help but feel that the band play it safe. The sound feels very similar throughout, and this might have been improved with some keys or other sound effects.

But the sound is only half of the equation, as Simms' powerhouse vocals take centre stage. As rocky as a cliff face and, at times, incredibly powerful, she portrays emotion perfectly. The songs might not all be distinctive but her voice certainly is.

That aside, a lot of the album feels like filler material, and if you haven't heard their previous material, you might find yourself pressing ‘skip' rather a lot. But we recommend you give it a try. It's got a fantastically rocky vibe to it, and the vocals are quite incredible. Start with Story of My Life or Hush if you're unsure of the electro influences in the first song Heart Song.

Slayer are not a band who like to toe the line, and they have courted controversy throughout their long careers since those early days in 1982. They created their own identity in the thrash metal scene very quickly and grew into one of the most extreme and subliminal bands of their era, without question. They have toured the world many times over, and their endurance is still strong to this day, having played with their old stable mates Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax in 2010 in a big 4: concert in Sofia, Bulgaria.

No one could compete with the break neck speed of their guitar work, and challenging solos full of strange and sinister combinations. They brought more chaos in their releases than any of the other heavyweights of the thrash movement. Hard-line conservatives blasted their music as Satanic and believe it was responsible for popularising extremist views such as Nazism, and all of this added to bands sense of alienation which the fans loved.

This mythology followed them for years, but Slayer were always most comfortable on the stage and in the studio, and they have a back catalogue of some truly innovative albums. This includes the ground breaking album Reign in Blood. This has been heralded as one of the most important records of its kind, and as a result the cynics and critics who lambasted them before made a b-line for the side door exit. Their influence on the burgeoning death metal scene and other permutations of the heavy metal sound has been unquestionable.

Slayer came together back in 1982 on the Huntington Beach strip, when guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman joined forces and enlisted the talents of singer and bass player Tom Araya along with stick man Dave Lombardo. The original band members did not write their own material in the beginning, and instead relied on covers of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden to express their creativity.

Nothing quite shakes the sinews and the inner ear drum like a raucous heavy metal track. Now think of a compendium, a list of some of the biggest thrash and metal tracks ever, and imagine the damage that could do to some poor soul's innocent ears.

Well here is that compendium, a list of the heaviest, the scuzziest, and the most violently loud metal albums ever. Of course the term “heavy” is an utterly subjective term, but these albums are collectively acknowledged as some of the outliers, the genuine yardsticks in heavy metal music.

4. Godflesh: Streetcleaner – Justin Broadrick was a prodigy in the metal scene after leaving Napalm Death in the late 80's. This album best represents his misanthropic view of mankind, dark and savage, and the music behind his lyrics is pure nihilism.

3. Black Sabbath: Master Of Reality – Ozzy Osborne is the quintessential metal front man: unpredictable, alienated, prone to spontaneous acts of animal brutality, with a seething voice full of rage. Guitarist Tony Lommi tuned the guitar down so it was easier to play after a severe hand injury. The lower tones set a precedent for a heavier sound that is still copied to this day.

2. Electric Wizard: Dopethrone – How could any list be complete without these revenants of post-apocalyptic Dorset Doom. This album broke just as we entered the new millennium, and ushered with it the paradigm of heaviness and excess that was a breath of fresh air.

Devon-born alternative rock band Muse has a lot going for it. Six studio albums adding up to more than fifty songs (not counting all the B-sides and extras), and with another album due out this year, they're only increasing in popularity. Their tunes are played often – not just on the radio, but also in shops, television programmes and films. With a catalogue that stretches to the stars themselves, nobody has a favourite Muse song. They have a favourite LIST of Muse songs. Here are some of the reoffending culprits which seem to be on everyone's lists.

The ever-mighty Time Is Running Out (Absolution, 2003) makes the list, purely for the way that it develops from subdued start to chugging bass to riffing guitar within about a minute. Throw in a catchy chorus and you've got a winner.

New Born (Origin of Symmetry, 2001) makes great use of the E minor arpeggio to get listeners hooked before turning into a full over-blown rock anthem. It's a great progression, and the listener is rewarded halfway through when the arpeggio returns – this time on guitar – for a dramatic solo. Better listen to this one at home – save yourself the embarrassment of going into full air guitar on the train home.

Plug-in Baby (Origin of Symmetry) gets a nod. Not only does it have one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time at the introduction, it also combines great bass, great drums and great vocals. Be warned – if you own a guitar, you will end up trying to learn the riff. It is that catchy.

With the release of Uprising (Resistance, 2009) it seemed that the Muse style was assured for another album. Although not as heavy as previous songs, Uprising still carries the trademark themes of paranoia and corruption. Sure, it's set to a more space-aged sound. But it's immensely singable nonetheless.

When one mentions rock music, it's all too easy to imagine a group of hulking muscular men, cradling guitars, spinning drum sticks and grunting their way through the lyrics. But women have been proving that they can rock out just as well as men. Here are some current female rock vocalists who are out there right now ensuring that we won't forget their names in a hurry.

Distinctive is the word when it comes to female vocalists and Taylor Momsen has that right on key. Her characteristic deep throaty voice is instantly recognisable, and she is capable of injecting a huge amount of personality into her vocals. Her wardrobe, stage presence, and in fact, her entire ‘don't care' attitude simply screams rock star. She even experiments with a few growls and screams onstage and to cap it all, she can hit the notes that she hits in the studio just as well onstage, without the assistance of autotune. Check out Make Me Wanna Die and Just Tonight, by The Pretty Reckless.

Automatic Loveletter is a band that's been waiting to hit big time for far too long. Led by Juliet Simms, they combine fantastic hooks and memorable lyrics with an exciting rocky sound and emo influences. But it's Simm's vocal ability to communicate mood and emotions which keeps the fans listening. Her strong voice transposes all emotions, from vulnerable to seductive to desperate – and indeed, everything in between. She caresses the lyrics with rather husky tones which may not have the greatest range or strength, but you'd definitely recognise them, if you heard her chatting in a cafe. Check out Story of My Life and Let It Ride for her best vocal pyrotechnics.

With a recent album and two singles currently surfing the radio waves, there's never been a better time to introduce your eardrums to the sound of Evanescence. The band originally found success with the single Bring Me to Life in 2003. Two chart-topping albums later, and the band is proving that they still have what it takes to keep people interested. Their new album Evanescence might not have the most imaginative title, being named after the band itself, but it's the music that's important. 

There's plenty to like for old fans. The chugging guitars and Amy Lee's ethereal voice are both still present, although elements of electronic sound and dance rhythm have crept into one or two of the tracks which might upset some of the hardcore fanatics. Having said that, the sound is still rooted in rock and it's obvious that Lee hasn't lost her touch when it comes to crafting catchy anthems. What You Want and The Change both feature choruses that you'll find yourself singing along to, whilst Made of Stone loses the electronic and dance influences entirely in favour of the band's tried and tested formula of the live band enhanced by the piano, with an awesome guitar solo thrown in.    

After belting out three more powerful ballads, Lee finally slows down for Lost in Paradise. A highlight of the album, Lost in Paradise features a beautiful piano introduction highlighted by strings, reminiscent of the band's early single My Immortal, before the live band returns halfway through. Other highlights include the second single My Heart Is Broken, which features some impressive vocals over a distinctive piano riff and Oceans which swells and roars as dramatically as its namesake in a storm.

Rock musicians, Dan Auerbach, singer/guitarist, and Patrick Carney, drummer, hail from Akron, OH and form Black Keys. They have made it to the top of their profession by mixing of funk, soul, and rock with an impressive straightforward style without overdoing repetition of chord progressions. Whilst, Auerbach sings soulfully with his fine-tuned, mature, inherent blues voice.

• Their debut album, “Big Come Up”, 'was released in 2002.

• Their second album ‘Thick freakiness”, released in 2003

• ‘Rubber Factory' was one of the best records of the year, in 2004.

• A live DVD followed in 2005

• ‘Chulahoma' EP and ‘Magic Potion' was produced in 2006.

The group's live concert performances were produced for DVD and their music entered the new millennium billboard at number 14. Dan Auerbach's first solo effort, ‘Keep It Hid', was released at February 10, 2009.The release of the group's latest album “El Camino” on Tuesday Dec 6, 2011, brought them to Number 46 on Billboard's Social 50 Music chart. The album “El Camino” added 36,000 fans every week with an additional 81,000 YouTube profile viewers.The video for the latest single “Lonely Boy “debuted on October 25, 2011; pulling in 4 million views.

On the latest development Black Keys announced their upcoming arena tour, a first for the band, including the return to Saturday Night Live less than one year after their debut on the show.

The 1986 blockbusters “Slippery When Wet”; “You Give Love a Bad Name”; “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “Living on a Prayer” are all Bon Jovi pop-metal recordings, selling 120 million records worldwide. Towards the end of the last millennium, Bon Jovi gradually redefined the sound and spirit into New Rock and Roll and eventually hard rock.

Lead singer Jon Bon Jovi was born Jon Bongiovi in New Jersey. As an adolescent, he played guitar in local Jersey bands with David Bryan, born David Rashbaum. Jon worked as a janitor, and after work recorded demo tapes at the New York recording studio of his cousin, Tony Bongiovi.

It was there that the band Bon Jovi was formed, when one of their demos became a runaway hit. Bon Jovi, the band comprise of Jon Bon Jovi, Bryan, Richie Sambora, Alec John Such, and Tico Torres.

The original hit made the Billboard Top 40 and was followed by “7800* Fahrenheit” which went gold and paved the way to their breakthrough in 1986. Other hits followed which included, “Bad Medicine”, “I’ll Be There For You” and the top ten hits “Born To Be My Baby”, “Lay Your Hands On Me” and “Living in Sin”.

Bon Jovi broke many records in the 90s, and won Grammy and Oscar nominations for the soundtracks he wrote for movies, such as ‘Blaze of Glory’.

At the start of the 21st Century, Bon Jovi released his comeback album “Crash”, which included the hit single “It’s My Life”. Other singles followed throughout 2004 and his album “Have a Nice Day” was the first to be produced by John Shanks. This album included guest singer Jennifer Nettles who sang “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” which won a Grammy for the category ‘Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.’ This album also hit the top spot overseas in Japan, Austria, Europe and Canada.

Bon Jovi made further pop and country music the following year, until the band returned to Rock music in 2007.

Long delays, frustration, bereavement, hard work, determination and persistence comprise the spectacular success story of Kid Rock.

It took ten years of trying before Kid Rock finally became a superstar with his Top Five, seven-time platinum album “Devil without a Cause.”

Robert James Ritchie, better known as Kid Rock, was born in Romeo Michigan, on 17th January 1971. He was a talented and energetic young teenager when he started to get interested with rap, break dance, and rock music.

In his early youth, Kid Rock recorded his first demo which impressed Jive Records. “Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast” was his debut album in 1990 issued by Jive Records, but the album didn't sell enough copies to excite the music industry.

But Kid Rock was not discouraged; he continued to pursue his dreams by gathering other talented musicians to join him. He eventually formed the band “Twisted Brown Trucker” which comprised of Kenny Olsen lead guitar, with Andy Gould and George Metropopous on guitars, and on bass and drums were Paul Anthony and Bob Ebeling, with Uncle Kraker on the turntable.

The album “Devil without a Cause” paved the way to his stardom when it turned platinum in 2003. He became famous in his home town, and on the 17th and 18th July 2009, held a concert in Comerica Park which attracted a crowd of 80,000 over the two shows.

Several times a nominee for a Grammy Award, Kid Rock's musical style was greatly supported by his fans. Among those musicians whose styles are noticeable in his performances were Warren Zevon and Johnny Cash; and several more such as Whodini, Jim Croce, and the Beastie Boys. Eric B, Rakim, and Esham are also very significant influences to Kid Rock's music and performances.