Masked Bands Are Having a Moment

Masked bands are having a serious moment right now. Both Ghost and Sleep Token released albums in 2025 that debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200—an impressive feat for any artist, let alone two groups that never show their faces. So, are masked bands suddenly the next big thing? Not exactly. They’ve been around for decades. But it’s safe to say the trend is catching a fresh second wind.

The whole idea of costumed, anonymous musicians isn’t new.

Theatrical rock acts like Alice Cooper, David Bowie, and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown helped invent the playbook back in the ‘60s and ‘70s. KISS cemented it with their iconic face paint and pyrotechnics. Then came GWAR in the ‘80s, turning shock-rock into a full-blown sci-fi-horror cosplay event. Slipknot and Mushroomhead followed in the ’90s, bringing a more aggressive, nu-metal twist to the concept.

And let’s not forget the weirdly compelling one-man enigma known as Buckethead—a guy who wore a blank white mask and a KFC bucket while shredding guitar solos for Guns N’ Roses in the early 2000s. Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit fame also made a name for himself with bizarre, theatrical stage looks that changed with nearly every tour.

Ghost launched in 2010, fronted by the ever-morphing Papa Emeritus and a band of Nameless Ghouls. What started as an underground metal act quickly ballooned into a Grammy-winning powerhouse. Fast-forward to now, and you’ve got Sleep Token bringing emotional metal ballads, layered vocals, and mysterious lore into the mix—complete with masks and zero interviews.

Enter: Nova Machina.

The buzzy new band going viral on TikTok claims to be sending music and messages from the year 2192. They’re masked, mysterious, and perfectly designed for internet intrigue. Whether they’re prophets from the future or just really good marketers, they’re the latest to ride the masked-wave to digital stardom.

Masked bands aren’t new, but they are very now. In an age where everyone’s oversharing, there’s something oddly refreshing—and kind of thrilling—about a little mystery behind the mic.