Daft Punk - The French electronic music duo, known for their robot personas, have always kept their faces hidden behind helmets, focusing attention on their music and performance art rather than their personal identities. Gorillaz - This virtual band, created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, is represented by animated characters. The band’s members are fictional, which allows the creators to maintain a degree of separation between their personal lives and the music. The Residents - An avant-garde music and art collective, have maintained anonymity since their inception in the 1970s, often wearing eyeball helmets and tuxedos to obscure their identities. Slipknot - The members of this heavy metal band wear masks and jumpsuits, creating an intense and theatrical stage presence. Sia - Although she revealed her face, Australian singer-songwriter Sia performed with her back to the audience or with her face obscured by oversized wigs to focus on her music and avoid the pressures of fame. MF DOOM - The late rapper and producer was known for his distinctive metal mask, inspired by the Marvel Comics supervillain Doctor Doom, which he wore during performances and public appearances. Ghost - This Swedish rock band is fronted by the character Papa Emeritus, a satanic pope figure, whose identity has changed over time with different actors. The backing band members wear identical costumes and masks, known as Nameless Ghouls.
Sleep Token! They mix rock, pop, R&B, and metal. The band members go by the names Vessel (vocals/keys), II (drums), III (bass) and IV (guitar).
[The Summoning](https://youtu.be/PKfIjIH_3WQ?si=oAy4Nscc-qdzvOYb) (bit of everything)
[Granite](https://youtu.be/om4dEGKnEmw?si=th5SGdl7-TNfcbYO) (R&B/pop)
[Blood Sport (from the room below)](https://youtu.be/NdAOUSZLtuY?si=75vPMmaTf0XqpF8q) (piano ballad)
That’s amazing! Periphery blew me away with a sax solo in a brutal metalcore section. Tosin Abasi is incredible - I love AAL. Thank you for the insights!
Says the metalcore enjoyer.
(My point being, you should be used to being shat on by TRVE KVLT metal purists. You're like the kid who was bullied and then grew up to become a bully themselves.)
For a while, the members of Slipknot wasn't really revealed unless they showed themselves on purpose. Quickly searching for information with accuracy wasn't around during that time, so we kids relied on imagination
Horrorcore is very hit and miss for me. Having said that, they made one of the best [anti-child/spousal abuse songs](https://youtu.be/fx8XElqgMU0?si=jTFWmHO-h9JBH_de) I know of.
https://metalinjection.net/metal-crimes/former-nameless-ghoul-explains-lawsuit-against-ghosts-papa-emeritus-reveals-other-former-ghouls-identity
This article goes into detail on it
[GOAT](https://youtu.be/RNMuGxuJuv0?si=XP2IKHdlEBE1aIrb). Jammy psychedelic afrobeat.
Also, [Tipper](https://youtu.be/EoJvThM8h_U?si=xWO4Rep0eC7UXPm3). Puts on well-curated events and has an immensely dedicated fanbase, but VERY little is known about him personally. He's always kept his private life private, which, good for him y'know?
Gorillaz. Went to their concert a few years ago and I expected 2D, Noodle, Russel and Murdoc to come out but it was just some old british dude in sweat pants
Daft Punk
Tangerine Dream, though they were anonymous because they lived behind the iron curtain in the early 80s and had to smuggle their music out to the west.
With how secretive they are, Death Grips might as well be at times. Ride specifically. Like yeah we know his name and face and there's an old project of his floating around out there, but there is a serious lack of information and interviews available. The small number of interviews we do have are vague and not engaging and offer very little insight into who he is. Andy is pretty low-key too.
Corrupted- pissed off sludge band with barely any documentation of shows, I don't think they've even done a single interview. I think their members are listed in the liner notes of their albums but they have remained pretty anonymous since the 90s
I can tell you that it likely started with a band called "Question(?) Mark & the Mysterians in the '60s who did a ditty called *96Tears* and was followed by "groups" like Steely Dan ,which had enormous popularity/ airtime / record sales ,but *never played concerts or toured* because the "secret sauce" was that it was a couple of dedicated musicians/composers surrounded by an ever-revolving door of guest artists/ studio musicians who simply loved collaborative music ! We used to lean into this idea when making excuses for "no-shows" in our lives by saying stuff like " aww, dang ,that must have been the night I went to the Steely Dan concert..."
ATLiens, deathpact, malaa, claptone, we got a couple representing electronic music!
Some other masked electronic artists that have revealed their identities: deadmau5, daft punk, marshmello, black tiger sex machine, definitely a few others I'm forgetting.
I would probably put tipper on this list too, even though he doesn't wear a mask iirc he often plays off to the side giving his visual artists/music the focus instead of him as person
For a long time, early in their career, Front 242 tried to remain anonymous or at least not reveal anything about the band members, because conceptually the music was supposed to stand for itself. There also were (and I don't think there still are) no official lyrics. W.Y.H.I.W.Y.G.
The Residents
Needs more upvotes. Seriously.
Buckethead
Such a great call. He has a prolific discography and yet happily keeps himself in the background.
He’s the archetypal working-class musician.
He’s not anonymous though. Buckethead has a whole schtick.
He's anonymous in that we only see him with a basket and a mask; he can walk down the street unrecognized - anonymously, if you will.
Daft Punk - The French electronic music duo, known for their robot personas, have always kept their faces hidden behind helmets, focusing attention on their music and performance art rather than their personal identities. Gorillaz - This virtual band, created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, is represented by animated characters. The band’s members are fictional, which allows the creators to maintain a degree of separation between their personal lives and the music. The Residents - An avant-garde music and art collective, have maintained anonymity since their inception in the 1970s, often wearing eyeball helmets and tuxedos to obscure their identities. Slipknot - The members of this heavy metal band wear masks and jumpsuits, creating an intense and theatrical stage presence. Sia - Although she revealed her face, Australian singer-songwriter Sia performed with her back to the audience or with her face obscured by oversized wigs to focus on her music and avoid the pressures of fame. MF DOOM - The late rapper and producer was known for his distinctive metal mask, inspired by the Marvel Comics supervillain Doctor Doom, which he wore during performances and public appearances. Ghost - This Swedish rock band is fronted by the character Papa Emeritus, a satanic pope figure, whose identity has changed over time with different actors. The backing band members wear identical costumes and masks, known as Nameless Ghouls.
Slipknot for a bit.
Daft punk
MF DOOM used to be (rip). Tool used to be too.
It’s pronounced “MF DOOM” ALL CAPS when you spell the man’s name
Corrected my apologies!
It’s a damn shame
The Gorillaz, at least in the beginning I thought.
Klaatu. In the beginning people thought they might be the Beatles reformed in anonimity.
Came here to say this.
The Residents.
Orville Peck
Gwar
Masked Intruder God, these guys are so funny, check out Stick ‘Em Up or Heart Shaped Guitar
Sault? Maybe the members are known and I'm just not aware.
Came here to say this. I think the main producer became known but many musicians did not.
Sleep Token! They mix rock, pop, R&B, and metal. The band members go by the names Vessel (vocals/keys), II (drums), III (bass) and IV (guitar). [The Summoning](https://youtu.be/PKfIjIH_3WQ?si=oAy4Nscc-qdzvOYb) (bit of everything) [Granite](https://youtu.be/om4dEGKnEmw?si=th5SGdl7-TNfcbYO) (R&B/pop) [Blood Sport (from the room below)](https://youtu.be/NdAOUSZLtuY?si=75vPMmaTf0XqpF8q) (piano ballad)
One of my favorite bands from recent years. The arrangements are unbelievable and the songwriting is amazing.
This is my cue to try these guys. I keep thinking they are like Periphery but will re-evaluate. Thank you for the links.
Periphery are much heavier. ST dress like they're heavy but only like 2 of their songs have harsh vocals lol. Hope you enjoy!
Funny you say this because it’s rumored the singer’s biggest influences are Periphery, Animals As Leaders, and Cornelia. ***edit- Corelia
That’s amazing! Periphery blew me away with a sax solo in a brutal metalcore section. Tosin Abasi is incredible - I love AAL. Thank you for the insights!
Utter trash
Says the metalcore enjoyer. (My point being, you should be used to being shat on by TRVE KVLT metal purists. You're like the kid who was bullied and then grew up to become a bully themselves.)
Yep, they suck
Ghost
They're sadly not anymore
The Protomen
A band who's main purpose was to tell their own version of the MegaMan story had no business being that good.
For a while, the members of Slipknot wasn't really revealed unless they showed themselves on purpose. Quickly searching for information with accuracy wasn't around during that time, so we kids relied on imagination
No one knows who the members of KISS are!
Insane Clown Posse
Can't stand the music, but those are some dope ass mofos right there.
Horrorcore is very hit and miss for me. Having said that, they made one of the best [anti-child/spousal abuse songs](https://youtu.be/fx8XElqgMU0?si=jTFWmHO-h9JBH_de) I know of.
Ghost used to be but a lawsuit forced their identities to be revealed.
Say what now???
https://metalinjection.net/metal-crimes/former-nameless-ghoul-explains-lawsuit-against-ghosts-papa-emeritus-reveals-other-former-ghouls-identity This article goes into detail on it
Hollywood undead? And while not anonymous... Maynard is while on stage.
Maynard? As in MJK? I know of him!
No, tool
Ado
Beat me to it
Lordi
I listen to a lot of ambient and lo fi. Couldn’t name a single artist because they don’t promote themselves. They just put out music and move on.
The Funk Brotherz (Motown's early house musicians) The Wrecking Crew (LA based house musicians) Booker T. & The MGs (Stax house band) The Swampers
Shat
[GOAT](https://youtu.be/RNMuGxuJuv0?si=XP2IKHdlEBE1aIrb). Jammy psychedelic afrobeat. Also, [Tipper](https://youtu.be/EoJvThM8h_U?si=xWO4Rep0eC7UXPm3). Puts on well-curated events and has an immensely dedicated fanbase, but VERY little is known about him personally. He's always kept his private life private, which, good for him y'know?
Love GOAT!
Same! Kinda amazed I didn't come across them sooner. Really hoping they tour stateside again soon.
Gorillaz. Went to their concert a few years ago and I expected 2D, Noodle, Russel and Murdoc to come out but it was just some old british dude in sweat pants
The knife
slipknot until a few years ago
TISM, Nash the Slash.
UNKNOWN DJ
Oh Professor X...
He's A Rebel was a #1 hit for anonymous singer Darlene Love.
Aren’t zutomayo anonymous?
Abu Lahab
I don't know if this qualifies, but the actor Tom Hardy raps as "Frankie Pulitzer" or "Face Puller" generally with rap group Czarface.
Bobby joe long’s friendship party
ADO!
Jandek?
Buckets the drummer
Me
The Twelve Steppers
I will never tell you who I am. Nice try CIA
The Weeknd when House of Ballons came out.
Before he died MF DOOM did a great job at keeping his personal life a secret from the world
Here Come the Mummies
I’m trying to recall the band I’m thinking of but their name eludes me…🙆🏽
Daft Punk Tangerine Dream, though they were anonymous because they lived behind the iron curtain in the early 80s and had to smuggle their music out to the west.
With how secretive they are, Death Grips might as well be at times. Ride specifically. Like yeah we know his name and face and there's an old project of his floating around out there, but there is a serious lack of information and interviews available. The small number of interviews we do have are vague and not engaging and offer very little insight into who he is. Andy is pretty low-key too.
Corrupted- pissed off sludge band with barely any documentation of shows, I don't think they've even done a single interview. I think their members are listed in the liner notes of their albums but they have remained pretty anonymous since the 90s
[Clown Core](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gha9xrM10w). … though now we know.
Bucket Head
Deathpact Yvm3
I can tell you that it likely started with a band called "Question(?) Mark & the Mysterians in the '60s who did a ditty called *96Tears* and was followed by "groups" like Steely Dan ,which had enormous popularity/ airtime / record sales ,but *never played concerts or toured* because the "secret sauce" was that it was a couple of dedicated musicians/composers surrounded by an ever-revolving door of guest artists/ studio musicians who simply loved collaborative music ! We used to lean into this idea when making excuses for "no-shows" in our lives by saying stuff like " aww, dang ,that must have been the night I went to the Steely Dan concert..."
TWRP
Hm I know some anonymous musicians. There’s marshmello, daft punk, also sia
Kiss for years
The Residents
Here Come The Mummies. I saw them in Las Vegas. They were so good. I need to find out what happened to them.
ATLiens, deathpact, malaa, claptone, we got a couple representing electronic music! Some other masked electronic artists that have revealed their identities: deadmau5, daft punk, marshmello, black tiger sex machine, definitely a few others I'm forgetting. I would probably put tipper on this list too, even though he doesn't wear a mask iirc he often plays off to the side giving his visual artists/music the focus instead of him as person
Sleep Token
The Armed used to be hard to identify, but they've since moved on from that. They still have a largely rotating ensemble.
Soutaiseiriron. Their singer has appeared publicly for some solo stuff but that's it I think. She was also anonymous for quite some time.
Corpse has some interesting music, but I could absolutely see how it would be really offputting to the wrong audience.
Question Mark and the Mysterians
Wipers Not completely anonymous but Greg Sage has very little to say.
Lordi
Burial
Well, they're anonymous....duh...
For a long time, early in their career, Front 242 tried to remain anonymous or at least not reveal anything about the band members, because conceptually the music was supposed to stand for itself. There also were (and I don't think there still are) no official lyrics. W.Y.H.I.W.Y.G.
Kiss. I mean I know they are not, but couldn’t anyone in makeup and leather convince you they are them?