FUCK ROLLING STONE: WHO ARE THE GREATEST HEAVY METAL SINGERS OF ALL TIME?
Monday, November 24th, 2008 at 1:59pm by Corey Mitchell
(Rolling Stone ballot filled out by James Hetfield of Metallica.)
I just finished reading the latest issue of Rolling Stone (#1066/11.27.08) which has a cover story entitled “The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Not surprisingly, the metal contingent representation is dismal. Oh sure, they tapped several genre luminaries to place their votes including Ian Astbury, Sebastian Bach, Alice Cooper, Chris Cornell, Ronnie James Dio, Sammy Hagar, James Hetfield, Tony Iommi, Maynard James Keenan, Geddy Lee, Peter Mensch (Q Prime Mgmt – Metallica, Queensryche), Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, and Scott Weiland, but what about the actual list? How many metalheads (or at least “rockers”) made the final cut?
Here are the pathetic results:
#15 – Robert Plant
#45 – Kurt Cobain
#64 – Axl Rose
#75 – Iggy Pop
#99 – Steven Tyler
Hetfield even gets a mention…albeit as a singer who was influenced by #82 Tom Waits. Otherwise…bupkis! And, truthfully, these five guys are more about “rock” and “punk” than metal.
As a result, I say, fuck you Rolling Stone! We here at MetalSucks will create our own list of the best metal singers ever. You can have your Whitney Houston (#34), Christina Aguilera (#58), and Mariah Carey (#79).
So, dear MetalSucks readers, if you would please do me the honors and list your favorite metal singers of all time, we can tell Rolling Stone to get a clue. There is no criteria for what constitutes the best singer — they can be growlers, Cookie Monsters, banshee wailers, air raid sirenistas, BM screechies, operatic divas, nu-rappers, grunters, vomitous pukers, arena rockers, strictly showmen and women, or sex kittens — just as long as they are metal in any variation of the genre.
I’ll throw my phlegm-encased microphone shield into the ring first:
12. Paul Baloff – (Exodus) – horrible diction, silly lyrics, painful screams, yet there is something undeniably brilliant about his work on one of the seminal thrash albums of all time, Bonded by Blood. So bad they kicked him out of the band and now hundreds of wannabe thrashers and death metallers ape his style. R.I.P.
11. John Bush – (Armored Saint/Anthrax) – this is for his Armored Saint days only. Listen to anything on Delirious Nomad and tell me you would not have loved to hear him with Metallica (as was once almost a reality).
10. Serj Tankian (System of a Down/solo) – love his quirkiness and almost comic book approach mixed in with death grunts and staccato craziness.
9. Tom G. Warrior (Celtic Frost/Hellhammer) – Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! Bowel-shaking baritone beats baby bands blindfolded.
8. Chris Notaro- (Crumbsuckers) – he was despised by many back in his band’s heyday, but his style is now emulated by practically every metalcore and deathcore band today. Just don’t hold it against him.
(TIE) David Brinkman- (Angkor Wat) – see Chris Notaro. Sorely overlooked lead man who gargled glass, loved horror flicks, and worked a stage better than Ashley Dupre serviced Eliot Spitzer. Band mates went on to join NIN (Danny Lohner) and Ministry (Adam Grossman).
7. Chuck Mosely- (Faith No More) – street bum skater dude that ran circles around his poppy replacement Mike Patton. Technically, he was a horrible singer, but Mosely made you feel like he really did just step off of skid row (the place, not the band) and into a multi-colored rave moshpit skatefest and did not care if he was the center of attention or not (even though he obviously was).
6. James Hetfield- (Metallica) – if we could conveniently ignore everything from 1991 on (even though I despise TBA, he still sings like his old self on it), he would easily be in my top three. This is the real world, however, so he is not.
5. Michael Haaga- (deadhorse) – should have been as big as Pantera. Every heavy band working today owes this man and his band a debt of gratitude even if they have no idea who he is or who deadhorse were.
4. John Joseph- (Cro-Mags/Bloodclot) – greatest hardcore singer ever. His voice would make you giddy with a child-like glee because of his bouncy cadence and then he could seal your sphincter shut with his violent belches of anger and sneering tones that he probably used growing up in the streets of NYC. For real.
3. Ronnie James Dio- (Dio/Elf/Rainbow/Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell) – Devil Horn creator, soaring vocal gymnast, midget with bigger balls than Bon Scott and John Holmes combined, and one rockin’ grandpappy. Old Fart Seal of Approval.
2. Rob Halford- (Judas Priest/Fight/Two) – Screaming barrier breaker. The ultimate heavy metal God with range, depth, complexity, and full on hot rockin’ vox that slay to this day.
1. Bruce Dickinson – (Iron Maiden/Samson/solo) – greatest front man in any genre whatsoever. Soaring vocals, powerful lungs, great stage presence combined with killer musicianship and Eddie make for one of the greatest spectacles of all time, including outside the world of music. Also, one of the smartest, funniest, and kindest blokes you will ever meet.
***Check out Maynard’s ballot. Some funny shit, and the comments as well. Here’s Ozzy’s, Alice Cooper’s, and Sebastian Bach’s (another hoot!).
[Corey Mitchell is also a best-selling author of books and blogs about serial killers, mass murderers, and brutal crimes against humanity.]
Johnny Cash? I love Johnny Cash but in no way shape or form is he a metal singer.
I hate “best of” lists, but come on, no Geoff Tate from Queensryche? The fucker has operatic range and has always been a phenomenal front man. That’s truly fucked up. Especially given your age, Corey, that’s a huge miss.
The best part is reading the comments of the dumb fuckers who think that Rolling Stone is relevant in any way; Maynard’s ballot for example. Rolling Stone is basically the Mtv of the magazine world. They claim to have the authority to make these lists, but then fill their pages with fucking teeny bopper disney bullshit.
Mikael Akerfeldt
Maybe I’ll add more later..
@Sammy: The Warning is one of my favorite albums of all time, but I was never a big fan of the subsequent albums. Too pompous and overblown production-wise for my tastes. Of course, I was turning to bands like Flipper and Black Flag around that same time so I’m sure that has something to do with it. I did, however, used to be a huge Geoff Tate fan, but have been constantly turned off by his Yngwie-like douchebaggeriness in the past two decades. Nonetheless, he would probably still be in my top 15.
I’ve been thinking of doing the same myself after reading their list. Where’s John Garcia (Kyuss/Slo Burn/Unida/Hermano)? Or Scott Weinreich?
I actually agree wholeheartedly with the Ronnie James Dio call by Hetfield. Dio slaughters.
@hibernum: Johnny Cash was one of Hetfield’s selections for the RS list which included singers of all genres. Or, maybe you just didn’t feel like reading the rest of the article. I have that effect on some people. ;)
Fuck limiting to 10
Ronnie James Dio
Robert Plant
Geddy Lee
Maynard James Keenan
Layne Staley
James Hetfield
Corey Taylor
Rob Halford
Bruce Dickinson
Ozzy Osbourne
Jens Kidman
Anders Friden
Bjorn Strid
Devin Townsend
Greg Puciato
Howard Jones
Mikael Akerfeldt
Rody Walker
Zack de la Rocha
Lynn Strait
Lajohn Witherspoon
@billybob: Who said anything about limiting your list to 10 singers? List away, my friend.
I don’t define metal by just the sound of guitars or percussion; but by the heaviness and brevity of the content. In this sense, IMO, Johnny Cash belongs on this list. His work has inspired many metal artists, and when I think of ‘heavy’ music, he’s one of the first on the list.
Just my own personal view on that.
@Corey: I agree with you about Queensryche. Post Operation: Mindcrime they went through spans of greatness coupled with scratch-your-head what-the-fuck albums. And yes, over-produced and pompous would be accurate descriptions. But if the question is purely who are great rock or metal singers, then Tate HAS to be top 5 (or 2).
And as far as great singers in the “rock” era, how did RS not get Heart’s Ann Wilson into the top 5??
Christian Alvestam, former frontman of Scar Symmetry, Mikee Goodman from SikTh, and Bjorn “Speed” Strid deserve nominations.
i am not sure i can actually place them any specific order, but my list of “greatests” is as follows:
Stu Block [Into Eternity] – Sebastian Bach [Skid Row] – Dee Snyder [Twisted Sister, and i'm only talking about in the 80's] – Christian Alvestam [Scar Symmetry] – Dave Grohl [Foo Fighters] – Alissa White-Gluz [the Agonist] – Cedric Bixler-Zavala [At the Drive-in] – Rody Walker [Protest the Hero] – Thomas Giles Rogers, Jr. [Between the Buried and Me] – Claudio Sanchez [Coheed and Cambria] – John Bunch [Sensefield/Further Seems Forever] – Daryl Palumbo [Glassjaw] – Howard Jones [Killswitch Engage] – Jerry Rouch [Sky Eats Airplane]
@Sammy: Who else would you tack on to your list besides Tate (if you were forced to do so at gunpoint)?
Rody Walker. ‘Nuff said.
Anders Friden FFS!
Angela Gossow (arch enemy/asmodina/mistress) – she is one the most successful female metal leads. and while that in itself doesn’t mean she’s good, she fuckin is. i love this woman.
Nils K. Rue (pagan’s mind) – his voice is pretty epic, he sounds so regal (see: osiris’ eyes) and he doesn’t scream all that much.
Thomas Giles Rogers Jr. (between the buried and me/Prayer for Cleansing/Undying/Giles/From Here On) – He can sing sweetly or growl like a damn bear.
I am shocked and amazed that nobody included Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, etc) on this list. Whether or not Faith No More is metal, Mike Patton is the original Serj Tankian and surpasses that fucker in his range. For a giggle you should pop on over to You Tube and check out the video of Patton making fun of Wolfmother at some outdoor music festival.
I’ll second both Anders Friden and Howard Jones.
Julie Christmas
[versatility, serious chops, fuck-you attitude, original vocal style, dark-yet-not-retarded lyrics]
1. John Bush – Anthrax/Armored Saint
2. Danzig
3. Phil Lynott – Thin Lizzy
4. Pepper Kennan – COC
5. Jesse Leach – KSE/Seemless
6. Bruce Dickinson
7. Michale Graves – Misfits/Gotham Road
8. Layne Staley
9. Brian Johnson – AC/DC
10. Chuck Billy – Testament
I second what Adam says about “heavy” (I also second his choice of Cash to illustrate his point). Heaviness goes beyond the confines of metal. Example:
The Melvins: Not considered metal.
Dragonforce: Considered metal
BUT…
The Melvins: Heavy as fuck.
Dragonforce: Ball-less masturbatory fluff.
DUH!!! Mike Patton, revolutionized vocals!! Even the douchebags from Incubus, Hoobastank, Papa Roach and whatever crap radio band you wish to add to the list wish they were Patton.(as well as in descent bands for that matter)
Lou from Sick of It All, his scream is second to none.
Anders from In Flames
Manyard,
Bjorn (Soilwork)
Karl (Earth Crisis, latter recordings)
Angela (Arch Enemy)
All vocalist in God Forbid
Devin Townsend
dude from Threat Signal
Rob Flynn
and the vocalist in Cult of Luna
Favorites that have not been mentioned yet:
Bon Scott (AC/DC)
Mark “Barney” Greenway (Napalm Death)
Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste) During a show at SXSW this year, an especially effeminate band was playing next door to their show. After one song, Tony looks around and says “what in the shit is that?” He then leads the crowd in chanting “your band sucks.” Well played, sir.
What No Phil Anselmo, Chuck Billy, Ozzy or Tom Araya? Ahh, at least there wasn’t Axl!
What about Joey Belladonna? He’s the fucking man! He’s my number one!
here’s a list i feel should be there, and some i’m surprised no one else has mentioned. in no particular order.
Chuck Billy (Testament)
Max Cavalera( Sepultura, Nailbomb, Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy)
Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan)
Maynard James Keenen (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer)
Randy Blythe ( Lamb of God, Halo of Locousts)
Jens Kidman (Meshuggah)
Mike Patton (Mr. Bungle, Faith No More, Tomahawk, Fantomas, Peeping Tom)
Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend Band)
Tom Araya(Slayer)
Peter Dolving(The Haunted)
Chuck Schuldiner(Death)
Phil Anselmo(Pantera, Down, Superjoint Ritual)
Peter Steele(Carnivore, Type O Negative)
James Hetfield(Metallica)
John Bush(Armored Saint, Anthrax)
Burton C. Bell(Fear Factory, Acession of the Watchers)
Mikael Akerfeldt( Opeth)
Robb Flynn (Machine Head)
and i’m stopping there, i could go on forever w/this list
I would include Freddie Mercury, though he wasn’t really metal. The man was EPIC in his delivery.
I’d also include Bruce Dickinson and Warrel Dane.
As of 11/24:
Bruce Dickinson–range, presence, persona–this guy’s hard to beat.
Mike Patton–the only singer I ever thought was three different people.
James Hetfield–no singer can meld the everyman with the superhuman like Hetfield.
John Bush–Can belt out a growl like no other.
Axl Rose–versatile, commanding, and capable of just about anything.
Ozzy Osbourne–say what you will about his range, no one comes close to imitating his sound. Try imagining “War Pigs” without him…
Rob Halford–Every operatic metal singer is still trying to catch up to this guy.
Lemmy–Bukowski in a larynx.
Bon Scott–keep this guy away from kids
Dug Pinnick–I guess that’s my curveball.
@ Ben Bon Scott–keep this guy away from kids
I’m going to say that he probably hasn’t been near any kids in the last 28 years
how about the top 12 screamers or top 12 death metal vocalists?
why must there forever be fucking top 20 list.
or any kind of of “tops” lists.
leave that shit in the pop industries.
theres no way to tell who is the “best”, unless they create some kind of olympian version of singstar, and use it in a competition format.
rolling stone love semi-forcing opinions and swaying the readers.
discharge singing = not metal
@discaharge: That ballot is not a top 20 metal ballot, it is merely James Hetfield’s ballot for best singers of any genre.
@Dr J: Please, list your screamers/vokilliztz!
10. M. Shadows
9. Claudio Sanchez
8. Don Dokken
7. Joe Elliott
6. Bret Michaels
5. Axl Rose
4. Stephen Pearcy
3. Jim Gillette
2. Bon Scott
1. David Coverdale
I love how Ozzy spelled it “Tena Turner”. Poor guy
anselmo and patton outrageously missing :)
Phil Anselmo.
Temporary list based primarily on current listening:
Attila Csihar – Mayhem, Sunn 0))), any myriad of Southern Lord releases. Is there anything this guy can’t do?
Maynard James Keenan – Tool, A Perfect Circle. The height of pretentious douchebaggery, but if this guy doesn’t have killer pipes, I want to know who does.
Ozzy Osbourne – ONLY Black Sabbath, specifically the first five releases. Great performances, but his voice is only great when Geezer Butler is writing the lyrics.
Jonas Renske – Katatonia. One of metal’s most distinctive voices. Terribly underrated.
Mikael Akerfeldt – Opeth, Bloodbath. While I refute the oft-made claim that Opeth is the greatest band on the planet, Akerfeldt has a range that few death metallers could ever dream of. Solid as fuck in both bands.
Bruce Dickinson – Iron Maiden. It’s fucking Bruce Dickinson. Need I say more?
Tom Gabriel Fischer – Celtic Frost, Hellhammer. Lays Cronos of Venom to waste in Hellhammer, versatile enough to reinvent Celtic Frost as a doom band after a 16-year absence.
Phil Anselmo – Pantera, Down. Rage in the Pantera days; gravely, whiskey-and-cigarettes voice today.
What? No Dax Riggs ANYWHERE?!??!?!!
For shame!
Other deserving metal mentions:
Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian)
Daniel Weyandt (Zao)
Jaz Coleman (Killing Joke)
Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity)
Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates, Lockdown, Disfear)
Just off the top of my head (and not counting the obvious – Halford, Dickenson, et al.)
Maynard James Keenan
Mike Patton (sorry, Mosley sounds like he has a permanent cold)
Lou Koller
Neil Fallon
Phil Anselmo
David Yow (not really metal, but you can’t front on the Jesus Lizard)
Nick Oliveri
Chris Cornell (pre-Superunknown that is)
@mahkiavelli: Nice call on Yow. I am a big Scratch Acid fan as well.
Dan Weyandt (Zao)
Jacob Bannon (converge)
Daryl Palumbo (Glassjaw)
Nick Cave
Dennis Lyxen (The Refused)
Rob Halford
Bruce Dickinson
Chris Cornell
Axl Rose
Maynard James Keenan
Layne Staley
Mike Patton
Ronnie James Dio
Phil Anselmo
James Hetfield
yeahhhh
Luke- had the nerve to put M. Shadows and Bret Michaels on here. WOW. Go back to the shitty hair rock days pal. Listen there are so many good metal singers/growlers/screamers/whatever that its hard to put to a list. Did anyone mention Frank Mullen….the most revered Death Metal vocalist to date? Every band who plays some type of death metal copies this guy. No mention of Corey Taylor? Corey Taylor wins best vocalist by every magazine yearly. Phil Anselmo on any Pantera record takes the cake though…
I was going to leave an enraged post about NO DAX RIGGS but grymmbear beat me to it. Here goes.
Dax Riggs of Acid Bath
Hansi Kursch of Blind Guardian & Demons & Wizards
Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth
Anneke van Giersbergen formerly of The Gathering
Christian Alvestam formerly of Scar Symmetry
Devin Townsend of Strapping Young Lad & Devin Townsend Band
Trevor Strnad of Black Dahlia Murder
Mike Patton from everything ever
Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis
Rowan London of Virgin Black
Mikael Akerfeldt – Opeth
Chuck Schuldiner – Death
Brett Hoffman – Malevolent Creation
David Lee Roth
Dio
Dickenson
Mike Patton
Hetfield – pre-Black Album
Phil Anselmo – only on Cowboys from Hell. IMO his vocal got tired after that.
Nathan Explosion – Dethklok
“There are no fingerprints
Deep under water
Nothing to tie one to a crime
And if you seek vengeance
All you need are instruments of pain
You need your
Knives:check;
Rope: check;
dagger: check;
chains: check;
rocks: check
Laserbeams: check
acid: check
body bag: check
Murmaider”
and i’d like to add Chuck Billy of Testament. He’s solid and he has 2 first names. Awesome.
In no particular order:
Chino Moreno (Deftones)
Rob Flynn (Machine Head)
Phil Anselmo (All 50 Bands)
Tim Williams (Vision of Disorder/Bloodsimple)
Daryl Palumbo (Glassjaw)
Mike Score (All Out War)
Maynard James Keenan (Tool)
Andreas Dorner (Caliban)
Frankie Palmeri (Emmure)
Winston McCall (Parkway Drive)
Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed, Satisfaction/Perseverance Era)
I realize a few of my choices are “core” bands, but to each their own I suppose.
Johnny Cash is more fucking metal than any of you are… and not only does he not listen to metal… but he’s fucking dead.
10. Zack De La Rocha(RATM)
9. Mikael Akerfeldt
8. Sy Keeler(Onslaught)
7. Paul Baloff
6. Tom S. Englund (Evergrey all the way)
5. Kobi Farhi (Orphaned Land, yeah!)
4. Christian Alvestam
3. Rob Halford
2. James Rivera(for those who don’t know this guy, check out Helstar or Vicious Rumors: It’ll be worth it!)
1. Bruce Dickinson
hmmm…I’ll give it a shot
Peter Steele
Devin Townsend
Mikael Akerfeldt
Matt Pike
Neil Fallon
Peter Tagtgren (is that how you spell it)
Grutle Kjellson
Dio
Peter Wiwczarek (had to look that one up(the spelling, not the singer))
Chuck Billy
Tom Araya
Mike Patton
Aaron Turner
Jonas Renkse
Tom Gabriel Fischer
and here’s the kicker:
Jimi Hendrix. Lots of things are disputable about this one(metal? really that good of a singer?) but I think that, along with his guitar playing, his voice complemented the songs that could only be obtained from having such a brilliant creative vision as he had. I’m positive that he was only emulating his own heroes and the artists that he looked up to…but I don’t care.
Honorable mention: Byron Davis, his screams aren’t the most original but damn, his performance blows you away live! Also a very great, enthusiastic stage presence!
Nice call on John Joseph. He never gets enough respect. Then again, this is a metal site, but his stuff with Cro-Mags was unbelievable.
Jack Black!
1. Dio
the others:
Ozzy
Mikael Akerfeldt
Mike Patton
Luc Lemay
Julie Christmas
John Tardy
Layne Stanley
Frank Mullen
hors concours:
Seth Putnam
Here’s my list, in no particular order… and they’re not all going to be metal singers.
Johnny Cash
Freddie Mercury
James Hetfield
Serj Tankian
Jimmy Urine (Mindless Self Indulgence)
Dominique Persi (Stolen Babies)
Matthias Blad (Falconer) <- This guy can fucking sing.
Mike Patton
Randy Blythe
Ozzy
Mikael Akerfeldt
Peter Steele
Maynard
Christian Alvestam (Scar Symmetry)
Matt Barlow
Les Claypool (OK, so he’s not a great singer… but he’s so perfect for Primus)
Vince sent me this e-mail from a reader in France. Not sure why the MSManiac did not post it himself…shy, I guess.
*****************************
From: TH (French dude)
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:55:55 -0800 (PST)
To: “metalsucks .net”
Subject: Best Singers/Screamers
When i heard about you guys listing the greatest metal singers i knew i would have to jump on this one. But this list is to hard to just say METAL. So here i bring you the list depending on genres.
Death Metal
1.Geogre “Corpse Grinder” Fisher (Cannibal Corpse)
2.Chuck Schuldiner (Death)
3.Randy Bylthe (Lamb Of God)
4.Glen Benton (Deicide)
5.Brooke Reeves (Impending Doom)
6.Mark Greenway (Napalm Death)
7.Bill Steer (Carcass)
8.Jonny Davy (Job For A Cowboy)
9.Jason Keyser (Skinless)
10.Phil Bozeman (Whtiechapel)
Thrash Metal
1.Tom Araya (Slayer)
2.Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)
3.James Hetfield [Pre-Black Album] (Metallica)
4.Chuck Billy (Testament)
5.Rob Dukes (Exodus)
6.Troy Sanders (Mastodon)
7.Phil Anselmo (Pantera)
Classic Metal/Rock
1.Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
2.Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
3.Ronnie James Dio (Black Sabbath)
4.Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
5.Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
1) Ronnie James Dio
Unordered rest of the list:
Rob Halford
Chris Cornell
Philip Anselmo
Lane Staley
John Bush
that list is ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT
yes, aretha franklin is very good. and possibly deserving of number 1. possibly. but then we finally hit someone good around 18. freddie mercury. the best ever rock singer, lyricist, frontman wateva.
fuck rolling stone. i am never going to buy a magazine of theirs again
and no metal at all… wateva
OH, and everyones said that Freddie is awesome on stage, WHY USE FUCKING MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE tween dickshit to say that. it tarnishes freddie’s name
@RayRay
Yeah, because Corey Taylor is suuuuch a good singer. Give me a break, dude. As someone who sings/screams for (somewhat of) a living, I can tell you that it takes a lot more fucking talent to sing like M. Shadows (as shitty as some of their music is), than to scream like Corey Taylor. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’s fine and all (screaming), but come on… Even Shadows screams better than him on Waking The Fallen (vaaaaastly underrated album). Now maybe I was a bit hasty in putting him on my top 10, but I don’t consider screaming singing at all, and therefore only included actual singers. If you meant Taylor’s singing, have you even heard Stone Sour? God, that Nickelback shit makes me want to puke. However, you do have one good point, and I don’t know why I missed this, but let’s take off Shadows, and replace him with Anselmo. Happy? Good. I still stand by Bret Michaels. And I’ll take hair metal, pop metal, glam metal, or whatever you want to call it, over death metal any day.
Amen to the MetalSucks list, couldn’t have it any other way! :)
1. mike patton
2. devin townsend
oh and mike akerfeldt
Martin van Drunen.
Not in any specific order but here it is:
Rob Halford
Ronnie james Dio
Sy Keeler (Onslaught)
Chuck Schuldner
Warrel Dane (Nevermore)
Mike Akerfeldt (Opeth)
Bobby Blitz (Overkill)
Steve Wilson (Porcupine Tree)
Leïlindel (Unexpect) She has amazing range whether she sings or screams.
Ihsahn (Emperor)
I’m not saying he blows anyone out of the water, but George Fisher is ridiculous. I think he has to hold the record for longest screamed vocals.
now im not saying the band is awesome but wayne static can sure sing some metal
In no particular order:
Dio
Ozzy
Halford
Dickinson
Gene Simmons
Mike Patton
Keith Caputo (Life of Agony)
King Diamond
Jet (SAM BLACK CHURCH/JETFUEL)
Phil Anselmo
Jello Biafra
mosley run circles around patton? get the fuck out of here
Mike fucking Akerfeldt. I also love the dude from Insomnium, his name escapes me at the moment. Stop arguing you dipshits, it’s totally Mike.
Jaz Coleman is the man. At least they had him in there.
Mikael Akerfeldt for sure
Christian um.. scar symmetry.
Anders Friden
Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity vocalist right?)
Chuck Schuldiner
David Vincent
Devin Townsend
Robin Staps (Ocean)
Oh yeah, Randy Blythe and Jeff Walker
In no particular order:
Mike Akerfeldt
Angela Gossow
Jesse Leach
Philip Anselmo
Randy Bylthe
James Hetfield
Chuck Billy
Neil Fallon
Maynard James Keenan
Never understood the obsessive Mike Patton love, but then again, I was a Faith No More fanatic from the We Care a Lot EP (on cassette), the self-titled LP, and the Introduce Yourself full-length LP days before Patton.
Having seen Chuck Mosely perform several times with FNM, there was no doubt the guy lived his lyrics and was the heart and soul of the band. He was also one hell of a great showman.
When Patton replaced him it seemed obvious to most of us early FNM fans that they wanted a pretty boy who would make the girls swoon. Not to mention he was basically copping methods and vocal tricks from Anthony Kiedis, Angelo Moore of Fishbone, Jello Biafra, and the original lead singer for Bouffant Jellyfish.
Also, Patton failed to live up to Mosely’s stage presence during the three times I saw him, all on various incarnations of the The Real Thing tour. Furthermore, Patton had his ass handed to him by Snake and Chris Cornell on the infamous VoiVod/Soundgarden/FNM package tour.
I pretty much moved on to black metal, dark ambient, and industrial by that point and did not spend much more time with FNM.
So, it is very easy for me to claim that Chuck Mosely was and shall always remain to be the ultimate frontman for Faith No More.
no need to post 10, my favorites are;
Arkerfelt
Cornell
Staley
Patton
Camilo Moreno
Anselmo
Haggar
and I dont care what u think: shamaya otep
I’ve read most of the posts here and while agree with most I noticed some glaring omissions. So here are some of my fill ins.
Blain Cook – The Accused – this guys vocals are insane
Evan Seinfeld – Biohazard –the early years before he blew out his vocal chords
Dez Fafara – Coal Chamber/DevilDriver — he showed more range in CC
Cliff Rigano – Dry Kill Logic — I rarely see these guys mentioned but they’re one of my favs
Burton C Bell -Fear Factory — Bell’s vocals were the main reason I love this band
Joe Duplantier – Gojira — This pint size dude just f’in shreds
King Diamond — Would there be Black metal without his vocal style?
Jens Kidman – Meshuggah – pure power vocals
Rob Zombie — he gets little credit for his vocals which are always solid
And, for me, the biggest glaring omission:
Otep Shamaya -Otep — The first time I heard Sevas Tra I thought this band had both a male and female singer
My number one just based on pure talent is a tie between Maynard and Akerfeldt. They both have amazing range and writing talent.
No King Diamond on the list? Come now, he single handedly brought the art of singing to a new level. That and he invented signing (probably).
MIKE PATTON RULES……..hey Corey Check out FANTOMAS. MIKE made all the music. About FNM. You only talk about Real thing Era. Please check out Angel dust and King for a day Tour. Mike Patton is Amazing on stage.
Matt Barlow – Iced Earth
Warrell Dane – Nevermore
Bruce Dickinson – Iron Maiden
Ronnie James Dio
Rob Halford
Roy S. Khan – Kamelot
Mike Patton
Doug Pinnick – King’s X
Geoff Tate
Not one mention of Barlow so far. Travesty.
PHILIP FUCKING ANSELMO.
PERIOD.
JASON FORM BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE!!!!
Not in any order
James Hetfield
George Fisher
Jamey Jasta
Candice (walls of jericho)
Klaus Meine SP? (scorpions)
Chuck Billy
Phil Anselmo
Fred Durst (haha, kidding…)
Rob Zombie
Tom Araya
Dude from Scar symmetry
Guy from The Agony Scene
Rob Halford
Bruce dickenson
Trevor Strnad (black dahlia)
Very god list.Thanks for your information!
1. Phil Anselmo
2. Anneke van Giersbergen(ex-The Gathering)
3. James Hetfield
4. Warrell Dane (Nevermore)
5. Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory)
6. Maynard Keenan (Tool)
7. Robb Flynn (Machine Head)
8. Troy Sanders (Mastodon)
9. Randy Blythe (Lamb Of God)
10. the Dude from Heaven Shall Burn
11. Chuck Billy (Testament)
12. Bruce Dickinson
13. Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy)
14. Nergal (Behemoth)
some worth mentioning rockers
Robert Plant
Bon Scott
Chester (Linkin Park)- the band is pop rock, and not very good, and he has a cat’s name, but fuck! the guy CAN fucking sing! Check his youtube takes on Whole Lotta Love or Highway To Hell
fuck Rolling Stone
Tom Araya comes to mind
Oooh..and the singer from Blessed Death. Can’t remember his name. (Hi Corey)
@taigon: good call with Luc Lemay… Gorguts was great.
As far as Mike Patton goes, I really like FNM but I think I’d have to say I prefer Mr. Bungle
“Johnny Cash? I love Johnny Cash but in no way shape or form is he a metal singer.”
Read the article, donger
Luke- Have you heard any of Corey Taylors singing? Regardless of Stone Sour or Slipknot or whatever he blows M.SHadows out of the water. Dont get me wrong I own Waking The Fallen and think its great album but come on Corey is in another league than him. His singing nowadays sounds fucking stupid and his band sucks horribly. You talk about the Nickelback shit makes you puke. You are listening to Avenged Sevenfold…it does not get any more poppy than them. So hopefully you dont model your singing after him.
Good points all around, but how can y’all forget that singular voice, a most influential vocalist/songwriter/ring leader from 1988 through the mid 1990s:
AL (THE FUCKIN ALIEN) JOURGENSON
C’mon now…Big Al’s gotta make the short-list, eh?
@RAYDOG: Dude, I agree with you on big Al.
I am shocked, however, that you didn’t toss in Jason McMaster from Toys or at least James Bryant from Dread. Nah, you’re more of a Kelly Asparagus type guy, aren’t ya?
Hi Shawn,
Is this my friend from Houston? BTW, I am totally ignorant of Blessed Death. Please fill me in!
@FiderNike: Thanks for your level-headed recommendation. I will make an honest effort to revisit the Mike Patton back catalogue and give him another shot. I will always appreciate him for a quote he made, something along the lines of “You can always tell who the lead singer in a rock band is. He’s the guy who looks like he belongs in a strait jacket.”
@RAYDOG: Oh, shit! How could I forget? Marty from Zero Tolerance…
Corey, check out Zoli from Ignite. Dudes voice is ridiculous. Even though they’re a hardcore band and a lot of their songs alike, especially the early stuff, he is immensely talented.
king diamond.
thread ends.
how could you forget about phil anselmo of pantera?
three biggest voices for me would have to be, in order:
1. Noddy Holder (Slade)
2. Roger Daltrey (The Who)
3. Ian Gillan (Deep Purple)
Nobody has mentioned Eric Adams (ManOwaR).
He slays thy enemies with his screams of STEEELLLLLL!
And he’s nearly as big in Germany as David Hasselhoff, who’s also somehow missing from the list.
You guys act suprised about RS’s list. RS is not relevant to music anymore.
also, i think Killswitch Engage’s current singer should be up there. Can’t remember his name off the top of my head but he sings and screams his balls off
Whats up Corey? Mike Patton could very well be one of the most versatile and talented singers in rock music. is an Amazing singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist and video game voice actor. best known as the lead singer of the rock band Faith No More from 1988 to 1998. He has also handled lead vocals for Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, Lovage, Fantômas, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Peeping Tom, Mondo Cane (Here sing in Italian). Did you see Im legend movie? Mike provided the voices of the monsters in the film. So Corey say that MIKE was copping methods and vocal tricks from Anthony Kiedis is OBSOLETE REALLY.
By the way Im agree with you Corey…fuck you Rolling Stone!
Opinions
1: Phil Anselmo
2: Mikael Akerfeldt
3: Dio
4: Bruce Dickinson
5: Robb Flynn
6: Rob Halford
7: Randy Blythe
8: Dani Filth
9: Serj Tankian
10: Glen Benton
Special mention for Tom G Warrior for inventing the death grunt….
I was only going to name one as I can’t be arsed thinking of a ton. And it was the guy you put at number one. Bruce. There is nobody better, simple as.
well mine have probably been done a thousand times, but
Mikael Akerfeldt
Warrel Dane
Matt Barlow
more…
DEZ FAFARA has to be on the list when in coalchamber and devildriver
No particular order
King Diamond
Luc Lemay
Mike Patton
Glenn Benton
Wino
Stevo (Impetigo)
John Tardy
John Garcia
Creston Spiers (Harvey Milk)
Paul Speckmann
How can you not have Ian Gillan on the list for God’s sake??!!
Ian Gillan (Purple/Gillan/Sabbath)
Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow/Sabbath/Dio)
Eric Adams (Manowar)
Chris Cornell (Soundgarden/Audioslave)
Rob Halford (Priest/Halford)
Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad/DTB)
David Coverdale (Purple/Whitesnake)
Mike Patton
Phil Anselmo
Serj Tankian
Glenn Danzig
James Hetfield
1.Phil Anselmo
2.Bruce Dickinson
3.Mikael Åkerfeldt
4.Greg Puciato
I can’t think of any more that stand out off the top of my head but they are definitely my top 4
Only 2 mentions of Matt Barlow???? WTF?
No real order (except for Corey Taylor. He’s first for a reason):
Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour)
Brandan Schieppati (Bleeding Through)
Nick Brooks (Ex-It Dies Today)
Matt Sanders (Avenged Sevenfold)
Noah Robinson (Bleed The Sky)
Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage)
Spencer Chamberlain (Underøath)
Phil Labonte (All That Remains)
Mike Williams (The Agony Scene)
Trevor Phillips (Unearth)
Kevin Palmer (TRUST Company)
Jack Black (Tenacious D)
Chris Stickney (Stutterfly)
C.J. Anderson (Sinai Beach)
Mat Bruso (Ex-Bury Your Dead)
Myke Terry (Bury Your Dead)
Brian Fair (Shadows Fall)
Chad Gray (Mudvayne/Hellyeah)
Tim Lambesis (As I Lay Dying/Austrian Death Machine)
Alex Vertakzas (Atreyu)
Brandon Saller (Atreyu)
Randy Blythe (Lamb Of God)
Michael Crafter (Ex-I Killed The Prom Queen/Confession)
Andrew Neufeld (Comeback Kid)
Pete Loeffler (Chevelle)
Jake Luhrs (August Burns Red)
Ian Ver (Between Home And Serenity)
Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
that list above me is horrible. this is good singers… not shit singers/growlers/pig squealers
Read:
“There is no criteria for what constitutes the best singer — they can be growlers, Cookie Monsters, banshee wailers, air raid sirenistas, BM screechies, operatic divas, nu-rappers, grunters, vomitous pukers, arena rockers, strictly showmen and women, or sex kittens — just as long as they are metal in any variation of the genre.”
Otep Shamaya of Otep.
She rules. Seriously.
Mike Patton. The ultimate in diversity. No one else has this guy’s talent–now or ever.
Totally.
I am very happy that I found this site.
Maynard James Keenan, Jens Kidman, Joe Duplantier, Al Jourgensen, Angela Gossow, Mikeal Akerfeldt, Peter Tagtgren, Trent Reznor
Mike Patton, Max Cavalera, Tim Williams, Benji Webbe, Phil Anselmo
U must be jocking!
Here are the pathetic results:
#15 – Robert Plant
lol
heis a good singer
and i know he doesnt have to be in that
place but dont said “Here are the pathetic results:”
u sound like a complete idiot!
Sin escrupulos ni siquiera llegarias a tener wewos
para eso xD
No particular order:
Klaus Meine (Scorpions)
Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden & Samson)
Mikeal Akerfeldt (Opeth)
Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)
John Bush (Armored Saint & Anthrax)
Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
Rob Zombie (White Zombie & Solo)
Maynard James Keenan (Tool)
Bon Scott (AC/DC)
Layne Staley (Alice In Chains)
Doug Pinnick (King’s X)
Glenn Danzig (The Misfits, Samhain & Danzig)
I’ll think of more later, but yeah this is a good question.
Quick list, just came across this thread, thought i’d put some down for shits and giggles…
Devin Townsend (SYL, The Devin Townsend Band, Devin Townsend Project) – My Number one! Yeah!
Devy deserves a special mention, he just fucking owns.
The rest are in no particular order:
Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation) – Quite surprised no one has mentioned him, I think he’s fucking good
Layne Staley (AIC) – No arguments, excellent
Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifier) – Again, absolutely no arguments
Jonas Renkse (Katatonia, October Tide) – Just too good
Peter Tatgren (Hypocrisy, Pain) – Again, havent seen him on anyone else’s
Steve Wilson (Porcupine Tree, Blackfield) – Excellent vocals and lyrics
Serj Tankian (SOAD, AND Buckethead stuff) – Good range, just wish he does more!
Mike Baker (Shadow Gallery) – Havent seen him aswell Fucking awesome
Ihsahn (Emperor, Ihsahn) – Iconic vocals with no one else like it
Johan Hegg (Amon Amarth, Scum) – Viking OWNS the death roar
There are many, many more names, I can wack down, but when is anyone gonna look further than the first ten? These are the first to mind, but plenty more excellent singers. Looking back, most of ‘em seem to be clean Hmmmmm
In no order, Harry “the Tyrant” Conklin of Jag Panzer, Eric AK of Flots and Jets, Eric Adams of Manowar, Larry Portelli of Blessed Death, and all the obvious ones
Forgot Ray Gillen, of Badlands, not really metal but he can SING
Since ther’s a top 21 for albums, I’m going with that number for singers:
1. Mike Patton (Faith No More/Mr. Bungle/Fantomas)
2. Rob Halford (Judas Preist/Fight/Two/Halford)
3. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden/Bruce Deickenson)
4. Simone Simons (Epica)
5. Dave Hunt (Anaal Nathrakh/Benediction)
6 Howard Jones (Killswitch engage/Blood Has Been Shed)
7.Alan Averill (Primordial/Void of Silence/Plagued/Blood Revolt)
8. Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow/Black Sabbath/Dio/Heaven and Hell)
9. Simen Hestnæs (Dimmu Borgir/Arcturus/Borknagar)
10. Floor Jansen (After Forever)
11. Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth/Bloodbath/Katatonia/Sörskogen)
12. Maynard James Keenan (Tool/A Perfect Circle/Puscifer)
13. Chino Mereno (Deftones/Team Sleep)
14. Pål Mathisen (Susperia)
15. Attila Csihar (Mayhem/Sunn O)))/Aborym)
16. Apollo Papathanasio (Firewind/Gardenian/Time Requiem/Meduza/Mejestic/Bassinvaders)
17.Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity/In Flames/Hammerfall)
18. Greg Puciato (The Dillinger Escape Plan/error/Spylacopa)
19. Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad/Devin Townsend/The Devin Townsend Band/Steve Vai/Ocean Machine/IR8?Punky Brüster)
20. Serj Tankian (System of a Down/Serj Tankian)
21. Michael Locher (Samael)
1. Staley (Alice In Chains)
2. Halford (Judice Priest)
3. Ozzy (BS/OZZY)
4. Hetfield (Metallica)
5. Dio (Dio/BS)
6. MIKE BOLTON jk lol
6. Mosely (Faith No More)
7. Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
8. Fridén (In Flames)
9. Tankian (S.O.D.)
10.