4. Alice in Chains
The versatile rockers could just as easily pull off the heavy grunge sound one minute and then put out an all-acoustic EP the next. And they had something no other grunge band could boast: the oddly complex and endlessly haunting vocal harmonies between guitarist Jerry Cantrell and singer Layne Staley. Their magical performance of "Got Me Wrong" on their episode of MTV Unplugged will always have a special place in our hearts.

3. Pearl Jam
OK, so maybe they only had one really killer album (their first one), but something has to be said for the fact that they've pretty much gone strong for over 20 years with really no lengthy hiatuses or breakups to speak of. It's somehow still a huge deal every time they release a new record -- but, then again, moving 60 million units worldwide usually does tend to have that effect.

2. Soundgarden
The first issue of Guitar World magazine we ever bought featured an interview with Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil -- as well as tabs for "Black Hole Sun." Needless to say, we've been hooked ever since. Thayil's guitar style was wholly unique at the time, and his heavy riffing was cited by most other grunge guitarists as the pioneer of the "Seattle sound." When paired with Chris Cornell -- who is still generally regarded as being one of the top five rock vocalists of all time -- the result was a badass beast of odd-metered riffs and mind-crushing power.