Best vocalists in metal

[Strykz]

Dave Mustaine's style is unique, for that you can give it credit. It is also an acquired taste, and I love it.

Indeed, i like his voice alot, its so agressive and unique, and his voice fits the themes of the lyrics and music.

He's an asshole but I love his music and his passion for it

 

[Quiet Stranger]

Bruce Dickinson of course! and Yes bruce, you CAN play with madness

 

[nick n stuff]

Dio, hands down.
However, i love Mustaine's voice in the youtanasia album and 99 ways to die. not as good as Dio but i just love it.

 

[MisterGobbles]

Burton C. Bell from Fear Factory. Oh, and James LaBrie of Dream Theater.

It's hard to pick favorite metal vocalists, number one because many, many bands fall under the label of metal and they all sound quite different, and number two because vocals are never the focus of metal.

But I guess that's kinda the point.

 

[kaziard]

1. Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy
2. Brent Smith (Shinedown
3. Corey Taylor (Stone Sour/Slipknot)
4. David Draiman (Disturbed)
5. Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
6. Dio
7. Shaun Morgan (Seether)
8. Amy Lee (Evanescence)
9. James Hetfield (Metallica)
10. Had loads more i wanted to fit in but im gonna split it with ZP Theart (Ex Dragonforce), Christopher Bowes (Alestorm) and Serj Tankien (SOAD)

 

[Formica Archonis]

What? Three pages in and no love for Mathias Blad [http://www.blad.nu/]? I know Falconer isn't exactly a typical metal band, but he's just got a gorgeous voice.

Heh, I was apparently typing up my praises for him as you posted that.

Well, your timing is excellent, then. Nice to know someone else has good taste.

It's truly shameful that everyone else ignored him though!

Yes.... Awesome singer in a great band.

 

[tsb247]

Honestly I'm surprised more people aren't, Mercenary is barely ever mentioned in discussions of metal (you're actually the first other person besides myself I've ever seen bring them up here).

I usually bring up Mercenary any time someone posts a, "Best ______ in metal," or a, "What's your favorite metal band," thread. In fact, I just bought three of their albums on Amazon (11 Dreams, The Hours That Remain, and Architect of Lies). They are quite possibly my favorite band EVER, and I have always been shocked when I see that nobody seems to have heard of them.

It's too bad about Mikkel though... I just read that recently, and I'm not sure they could ever manage to replace him.

Why did he leave anyway?

 

[tsb247]

Mikael Stanne; Singer in Dark Tranquility

I second this! I am also a pretty big fan of Dark Tranquility. I've had Particle Storm stuck in my head for almost two weeks now!

 

[Volume Four]

Clearly, Phillip Anselmo is one of the tops. As well as Rob Halford, James Hetfield, and we can't forget Randy Blythe from Lamb of God. Oh, and Howard Jones from KSE. Seriously, listen to Holy Diver cover. His range is sick and, being that Ive seen them live 3 times, he's great live too.

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

In fact, I just bought three of their albums on Amazon (11 Dreams, The Hours That Remain, and Architect of Lies). They are quite possibly my favorite band EVER, and I have always been shocked when I see that nobody seems to have heard of them.

It's too bad about Mikkel though... I just read that recently, and I'm not sure they could ever manage to replace him.

Why did he leave anyway?

Nice, those albums are excellent - you should track down a copy of Everblack as well, though you might want to skip the debut album First Breath as that was pretty much just straight death metal with no clean vocals at all (which makes sense, since Mikkel hadn't joined their roster at that point).

Dunno why Mikkel left exactly, apparently his brother Morten and Mike Nielsen left at the same time, citing "they no longer shared the same vision for the future of the band", whatever that means (the biography on their official website doesn't go past Architect of Lies, so no help there). I guess we'll have to wait and see if anything else ever comes to light (and if the departing members of Mercenary go on to start/join something else).

 

[Beartrucci]

How did I miss this thread? I had been meaning to make one like this for a while.
In no particular order:

Spoiler: Petri Lindroos - Ensiferum, Norther

Spoiler: Jari Mäenpää - Wintersun, Ensiferum and a couple other bands

Spoiler: Chuck Schuldiner - Death, Control Denied

Spoiler: Warrel Dane - Nevermore, Sanctuary

Spoiler: Kevin James LaBrie - Dream Theater

Also, did you know Warrel Dane did guest vocals on Inner Sanctum by Behemoth?

 

[Beartrucci]

I was reminded as I quoted you, and looked back at your message. They're quite awesome, although not my cup of tea. Although I did like Nightwish, Lost Eden, Arch Enemy and Kalmah. I must thank you, I've had a music drought recently and this was quite refreshing. So, congratulations, you win this:

Also, the Arch Enemy singer is scary. She sounds like a demon.

! The lost cake

Not your cup of tea? WHAT????

Nah, I'm just kiddin' If you don't like 'em, that's your own thing but I'm glad you liked those other bands. Lost Eden and Arch Enemy are my two favorites, though I'm surprised that since you like Children of Bodom so much that you haven't heard of Arch Enemy before.

And yeah, Angela Gassow sounds fucking amazing.

I had heard about Arch Enemy before. Hell, I even bought my brother one of their albums. I just never bothered to check them out until recently. And to say that I like Children of Bodom is an understatement. They're the most awesome thing to ever come out of Finland and I fucking love the guitar solos. (Although they're still no match against In Flames.)

Well, it's good you like them. They're one of my favorites along with Children of Bodom.

Although, I like CoB's newer stuff more than their other music

Like Hate Crew Deathroll and after are my favorite albums.

I like all of their albums. It's hard to pick a favorite since they're all so different. But if forced, I think I'll choose Blooddrunk. Are You Dead Yet was a brave effort, but it was a little bit lacking on the melody part (although it was still awesome, and I loved In Your Face). Blooddrunk was heavy, dark, and had excellent melodies.

I guess I agree with you about Are You Dead Yet, but if I had to choose a favorite, it'd be between Blooddrunk and Hate Crew Death Roll

Hate Crew Deathroll was really awesome, had nothing but solid, great songs. Needled 24/7, Sixpounder, and Bodom Beach Terror were my favorites off it.

Also, I don't know if it'd be in your taste, but have you heard the old In Flames albums? Back then their singer was really into growling.

Spoiler: Sorry if the quality is a bit shit, Youtube sucks pretty bad.

I haven't heard much of In Flames, but I'll listen to that later. I'm currently in a place where I can't listen to anything due to this computer not having any speakers.

And also a runner up to Hate Crew Deathroll would be Follow the Reaper soley due to the awesomeness of the song Mask of Sanity. I haven't heard anything else off that album but I'm in love with that song.

And you have to listen to the Hatebreeder album. In my opinion Somethin' Wild, Hatebreeder and Follow the Reaper are 100x better than their other albums (Hate Crew Deathroll was good though). But yeah, I don't think there is a single bad song on Hatebreeder.

 

[chromewarriorXIII]

I can't really think of a lot of my favorite metal singers that I would consider to be some of the best. Although, a lot of singers in bands I listen to seem to be an acquired taste. For example:

James LaBrie (Dream Theater) - A lot of people can't stand his voice but I love it, and he has an amazing range. He wouldn't be a great singer on his own, but he fits in perfectly with Dream Theater (IMO).

Serj Tankian (Solo and System of a Down) - Really just a unique voice. He has a great range and he really sounds good with the instrumentation.

Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica) - His voice (as well as a lot of European metal singers) is so much different from American metal bands. But once again, it's all based on the instrumentation that he is with, and that makes him sound awesome. He sounds very similar to Tobias Sammet (Edguy) and I love both of their voices.

 

[2fish]

1. the god of metal Halford since he is the god of metal
2. Rammstein since the sound is unique
3. Ozzy do I need a reason?
4. lead vocals from poisonblack
5. King Dimond so odd it is awsome
6. Shady Blue (chrome division)
7. Bon Scott
8. James Hetfield
9. Motorhead
10.Dee Snider

For all bands without a reason attached:
See other peoples reason OR I just liek the sound/ability of stated person.

-2fish

 

[Turbo_Destructor]

In no particular order:
1. Russell Allan (Symphony X) - Absolutely amazing, I'm surprised not many people have mentioned him yet, he is incredible!!
2. Eric Adams (Manowar) - The manliest man in the world, and the power in his voice is just unbelievable.
3. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) - epic, lots of high notes and a top notch live performer.
4. Dio (Dio) - Because he's awesome, HOLY DIVEEEEEEEEERRRR!!
5. Roy Khan (Kamelot) - The man is absolutely unbelievable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWDALIOzXNk&feature=related - nothing more needs to be said.
6. Tobias Sammet (Edguy) - The next Bruce Dickinson, but with possibly more power in his voice.
7. Rob Halford (Judas Priest) - THE METAL GOD, Painkiller is amazing.
8. Ihsahn (Emperor) - He sounds so evil, listen to Misanthrope off his solo album angL, and prepare to shiver with fear.
9. Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth) - an odd choice I know, but he is so versatile and unique. There's the high squeals, the low growls and several really individual styles in between, he's really effective at establishing an atmosphere.
10. Michael Akerfeldt (Opeth) - He's really versatile, he's got those brutal growls, and then he's got that those really nice clean vocals.

There are of course, plenty of other fantastic metal vocalists - it is the best music genre as fare as male vocalists go - but these are just my favourites. If there's anyone here you guys haven't heard of I sincerely reccommend you check them out coz they're AWESOME!!!

 

[Arsen]

1. Bruce Dickinson
2. Rob Halford
3. Ronnie James Dio
4. Hansi Kursch
5. Mikael Akerfeldt
6. Urban Breed
7. Johan Liiva
8. Robert Lowe
9. Mat Leven
10. Mathias Blad

Hansi is without a doubt my favorite though.

 

[Lord Beautiful]

Any metal singer that doesn't do that silly growling/screeching bullshit deserves some recognition.

Also, I vote Lajon Witherspoon as best metal vocalist.

 

[dfphetteplace]

I had to add this one since no one else has said it, but Mikael Åkerfeldt from Opeth is an amazing singer. He can do melodic stuff all the way to death metal growls with ease. And he puts some great emotion into all of it.

 

[tzimize]

I cant make a top 10 but I can list some of my favorites:

Tarja Turunen of Nightwish: Probably the most unique voice in metal, and stunning at that. Also a FANTASTIC live vocalist
Jorn Lande: Very powerful voice, and unique enough to stand out. Try listening to his cover of Tarjas "My Winter Storm"
Michael Kiske: Fantastic Range, good voice. Example song: Timo's "Key to the Universe"
Ozzy: He has a decent singing voice, but his main draw is the special sound.
Bruce Dickinson also have to be on the list because he is just plain awesome, and also awesome live.

 

[tsb247]

Nice, those albums are excellent - you should track down a copy of Everblack as well, though you might want to skip the debut album First Breath as that was pretty much just straight death metal with no clean vocals at all (which makes sense, since Mikkel hadn't joined their roster at that point).

Dunno why Mikkel left exactly, apparently his brother Morten and Mike Nielsen left at the same time, citing "they no longer shared the same vision for the future of the band", whatever that means (the biography on their official website doesn't go past Architect of Lies, so no help there). I guess we'll have to wait and see if anything else ever comes to light (and if the departing members of Mercenary go on to start/join something else).

I completely forgot about Everblack. I will have to pick that up next with my next paycheck. I may end up picking up their debut album anyhow just for the same of being complete (minus EPs, of course).