Кино - (Keyno), Russian for 'cinema' or 'film'. Кино's lead singer Виктор Цой (Viktor Tsoi) is considered the Kurt Cobain of Russia
Ария (1985-2001) - (Ariya), Soviet Iron Maiden!
Ария (2001 - present), Kipelov, Mavrin - pale shadows of old Ariya, but still pretty good. Kipelov's track, "Я Свободен", is incredibly popular in Russia.
Наутилус Помпилиус - (Nautilus Pompilius) after Viktor Tsoi's death, the guitarist of Kino joined this band. Another Soviet rock legend.
Сектор Газа (Gaza Strip) - Band, whose music style could be defined as Russian punk, integrated with elements of different musical genres such as rock, rap, and Russian folk
Триагрутрика - (Triagrutrika, 'THC') is a Russian rap group from Chelyabinsk. Made popular by their hit "Big City Life".
Мельница - (Melnitsa) a Russian folk rock group. Female vocalist.
t.A.T.u - Russian female dance-pop duo
Аква́риум - (Akvarium), Russian for 'aquarium'. Extremely well known, Аква́риум's lead singer, Boris Grebenshchikov, is referred to as the "Grandfather of Russian Rock." The album 'Радио Африка' is worth a listening to.
Король и Шут - (Korol' i Shut) - Russian horror-punk band, lyrics - horror stories and folk tales about pirates, trolls, ghosts and vampires, as well as Slavic mythology.
ДДТ (DDT)- Alternative/Industrial Rock Band
Auktyon - Experimental Rock band. Interesting songs and use of instrumentation
Yuri Antonov - Soviet and Russian composer, singer and musician, People's Artist of Russia (1997)
Noize MC - Russian singer, rapper and actor
Мумий Тролль - (Mumiy Troll) Russian rock group, founded in 1983 in Vladivostok by vocalist and songwriter Ilya Lagutenko (Илья Лагутенко)
Lumen - Russian rock band from Ufa
Би-2 - (Bi-2) Russian rock band, formed in the 80's in Minsk, Belarus. It was one of the most successful with many sales and chart-hits in Russia. Bi-2 was awarded MTV Russian Music Awards for Best Rock Act in 2007.