In 2014, there was good reason to head out to your favorite concert venue or go shopping for new music because some of rock's top bands were very present throughout the year. We've got chart-topping rock bands, a few acts that truly took the next step to becoming huge and just a whole lot of rocking in general.

But which act most deserves to be named the Best Rock Band of 2014? That's your call. Take a look at the nominees below and then vote in the 4th Annual Loudwire Music Awards poll for the Best Rock Band of 2014 below:

  • Warner Bros.
    Warner Bros.
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    Avenged Sevenfold

    Avenged Sevenfold unleashed 'Hail to the King' in 2013, but the single 'Shepherd of Fire' topped the charts in 2014 and 'This Means War' enjoyed a big 2014 run, as well. Plus, the band kept plenty busy with the 'Waking the Fallen: Resurrected' reissue, headlining the 2014 Mayhem Festival tour and issuing their 'Hail to the King: Deathbat' video game.

  • In De Goot
    In De Goot
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    Chevelle

    Seven albums in, Chevelle proved they still had some new tricks up their sleeves as their 'La Gargola' album is one of their best yet. With radio hits like 'Take Out the Gunman,' 'Hunter Eats Hunter' and 'An Island,' the group commanded the airwaves and spent a good portion of the year on the road spreading their sounds.

  • Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
    Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
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    Five Finger Death Punch

    Five Finger Death Punch took things to another level in 2014, as they continued to support their dual 'Wrong Side of Heaven and Righteous Side of Hell' discs. The group shot an epic, cinema-quality clip for their cover of 'House of the Rising Sun,' then followed it with one of the year's most powerful videos for 'Wrong Side of Heaven,' raising a ton of money for military vets along the way. Plus, they rocked one of the year's biggest tours with Volbeat, Hellyeah and Nothing More.

  • Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images
    Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images
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    Foo Fighters

    Foo Fighters got truly ambitious in 2014, visiting eight of America's great music scenes and allowing that to provide the inspiration for their new album 'Sonic Highways.' Not only did they offer up a stellar album with a variety of name guests, but they delivered a standout HBO series documenting their journey. The group also headlined the Invictus Games and a couple of festivals, while Dave Grohl also performed at the Concert for Valor.

  • Universal
    Universal
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    Godsmack

    Welcome back Godsmack! After a few years away between albums, the Boston-area rockers returned stronger than ever. The '1000hp' title track served as an homage to their career, while getting fans to "turn that s--t up louder.' They also got some play for 'Generation Day' and showed a different side with the aptly titled 'Something Different.' Godsmack also spent the late summer co-headlining the 2014 Uproar Festival.

  • Eleven Seven Music
    Eleven Seven Music
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    Hellyeah

    Hellyeah took a big risk and it paid off big in 2014. Parting ways with two band members and honing their musical style, the group delivered the impressive 'Blood for Blood' album. The set yielded singles like 'Sangre Por Sangre (Blood for Blood),' 'Cross to Bier' and the late year success story, 'Moth.' In addition, Hellyeah thoroughly rocked fans on separate tours with Avenged Sevenfold and Five Finger Death Punch.

  • Warner Bros.
    Warner Bros.
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    Linkin Park

    Linkin Park opened things up in 2014, welcoming such guests as Rakim, Tom Morello, Daron Malakian and Page Hamilton on their 'The Hunting Party' album. A string of radio hits followed, with 'Guilty All the Same,' 'Until It's Gone,' 'Rebellion' and 'Final Masquerade' taking over the airwaves. The year also saw the band touring with Thirty Seconds to Mars and AFI on the 'Carnivores' tour, the group being inducted into Guitar Center's Hollywood RockWalk and a win for Best Rock Band at the MTV Europe Awards.

  • eOne
    eOne
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    Pop Evil

    Pop Evil just continued the momentum generated in 2013 over to 2014. 'Behind Closed Doors' began the year as the band's radio single, before 'Torn to Pieces' climbed the charts and 'Beautiful' became their fifth 'Onyx' single to make a big impact. The group also made a video for their 'Trenches' remix with Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. A prime spot on the 2014 Uproar Festival and a year that included headlining treks in the U.S. and Europe also made it a big year for the band.

  • Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com
    Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com
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    The Pretty Reckless

    The Pretty Reckless generated one of the year's biggest songs with the chart-topping 'Heaven Knows,' then followed it with 'Messed Up World,' 'House on a Hill' and 'Follow Me Down.' They became the first female-fronted act to hit No. 1 on the rock radio chart with back-to-back singles as 'Heaven Knows' and 'Messed Up World' pulled off the accomplishment. The group also spent a lot of time on the road, with their own headlining trek, opening for Fall Out Boy in Europe and more tours.

  • Bicycle / Concord
    Bicycle / Concord
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    Seether

    Seether just keep rolling, with 'Isolate and Medicate' becoming the latest addition to their musical legacy. The disc got off to a hot start with the singles 'Words as Weapons' and 'Same Damn Life,' with the latter also generating one of the year's top music videos. The band also co-headlined the 2014 Uproar Festival, staged their annual Rise Above festival and spent a good portion of the year on tour.

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