9 Rock + Metal Bands Who Left Spotify in 2025 (And Why)

At least nine rock or metal bands removed their music from Spotify in 2025, with many of them moving off the platform in the past six months.

The reasons behind these moves include everything from concerns over artist compensation to Spotify co-founder, chairman and CEO Daniel Ek’s other company (Prima Materia) securing a few hundred million dollars in investments to advance A.I. drone weaponry for military use. The streaming platform has also been scrutinized for running recruitment ads for I.C.E., the U.S. government agency facing multiple lawsuits forunlawful arrests and deportations, inhumane detention conditions as well as use of excessive forceagainst U.S. citizens.

READ MORE: See the 2025 Spotify Wrapped Stats For 11 Big Rock + Metal Bands

Here is a breakdown of all of the rock and metal bands that left Spotify in 2025 and where you can still stream their music.

Deerhoof

Where you can still stream their music:Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Tidal

What they said about leavingSpotify: Deerhoof exited Spotify in June, something the band called “a pretty easy decision” in a statement posted on its social media. The main catalyst for removing their music was Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s Prima Materia company investing in Helsing. The company is known for its defense technology used to carry out drone strikes and surveillance.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Where you can still stream their music: Bandcamp

What they said about leaving Spotify: Nothing. The Canadian band has yet to make any formal statement about the removal of its music from all major streaming platforms in August. Bandcamp is the only remaining service at this time where you can stream music from Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Hotline TNT

Where you can still stream their music: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Tidal

What they said about leaving Spotify: In August, Hotline TNT vocalist and guitarist Will Anderson posted a statement on the band’s Instagram that said, “The company that bills itself as a steward of all recorded music has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that it does not align with the band’s values in any way.” No specifics were given as to how Spotify doesn’t align with Hotline TNT’s values.

King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard

Where you can still stream their music: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Tidal

What they said about leaving Spotify: “I know it’s unfair, and I know they are banking so much. But for me personally, I just want to make music and I want people to be able to listen to it,” King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard founding member Stu Mackenzie told the Los Angeles Times after the band removed its music from Spotify in July. “The hard part was to take that away from so many people.”

The band specifically cited Ek’s ties to AI-powered weapons technology as the reason for removing their music from the platform.

My Bloody Valentine

Where you can still stream their music: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal

What they said about leaving Spotify: Unlike most of the other acts on this list, My Bloody Valentine didn’t nuke their entire catalog on Spotify. The shoegaze band removed 1988’s Isn’t Anythingand 1991’s Lovelessfrom Spotify for American users in September. My Bloody Valentine’s 2013 album, m b v, is still up on the platform. The band has yet to comment publicly on the albums’ removal.

Saetia

Where you can still stream their music: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Tidal

What they said about leaving Spotify: New York City-based screamo act Saetia provided a long list of reasons behind their Spotify exit in October.

“Whether it’s running ICE recruitment advertisements or paying artists fractions of pennies on the dollar while subsidizing voices like Joe Rogan, we just felt it was time to separate our music from their message,” the band said in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram. “To be clear, Saetia is not opposed to accessing music on streaming platforms.”

Swing Kids

Where you can still stream their music: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Tidal

What they said about leaving Spotify: Post-hardcore act Swing Kids reunited to play a handful of shows in 2025. But just because the band was back together didn’t mean they felt compelled to leave their music on Spotify.

In a statement shared with Lambgoat in November, Swing Kids said the streaming “contradicts” what the band is about. “To be part of a machine that supports and funds weapons of destruction, that abuses artists, and actively encourages the recruitment of agents for fascism, is something that we cannot be blind to.”

Xiu Xiu

Where you can still stream their music: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Tidal

What they said about leaving Spotify: In July, experimental rock act Xiu Xiu started removing their music from Spotify, which the band called a “garbage hole violent armageddon portal” at that time.

As with others on this list, Xiu Xiu specifically cited “AI war drones” as the main reason for taking their music off the streaming service. “Our decision may be imperfect, hypocritical, may not make a big difference, but that is most of human life and choices.”

Young Widows

Where you can still stream their music: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Tidal

What they said about leaving Spotify: Young Widows called reports of Ek’s investments in Helsing the “breaking point” that led to them removing their music from Spotify in September.

“To think our fans’ money is being used to invest in future machines to kill the innocent is beyond inhumane,” Young Widows said in a statement shared to Instagram. They went on to say that all music streaming platforms have their negatives. “So we implore you, if you truly value an artist, buy their records, go to their shows, support them directly.”