Best vocalists in metal

[aruseusx]

List your top ten vocalists in metal music and why

1. Rob Halford - Though Dio does have a better voice than him, Rob can do almost any vocal style from his high yells to death metal grows.
2. Dio - Do I need to explain why?
3. Bruce Dickinson - His voice is just so electric.
4. Ozzy Osbourne - He doesnt have the greatest voice but he can make a good atmosphere.
5. King Diamond - He just super high, and funny!
6. David Vincent - One of the masters of the death growl
7. Chuck Schuldiner - Dave Vincent did the growl better than Schuldiner did, but Schuldiner can also do high pitched shrieks.
8. Lemmy - Obligatory
9. Maniac - His voice changed a lot from the Deathcrush era of Mayhem and post De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas from the highest rasp possible to the scary growl.
10. Having trouble picking from Dead, VITRIOL and Dave Mustaine. So I will list thier aspects:
Mustaine - Withstood the test of time
Dead - Pure fucking armaggedon
VITRIOL - The edge of insanity

 

[mcgroobber]

you see i always say ozzy is one of the best singers because though he may not have the best voice, the atmosphere is amazing

to which people always say, "You're dumb you think ozzys a good singer"

well singing is more than just having a good voice

 

[delet]

I don't have a top 10... I'll give you a top however-many-metal-bands I've got...

1) Tarja Turunen - The original lead singer of Nightwish. Beautiful voice.
2) Simone Simons - The lead singer of Epica, lovely soprano voice.
3) Anette Olzon - Current Lead singer of Nightwish, I like all her songs.
4) Ji-In Cho - Lead singer of Krypteria, just plain works.

I've got a top 4...

 

[MiracleOfSound]

The master!

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Bobbie Wright from Brocas Helm.

I'm not much of a metal head, as my only real knowledge comes from Brutal Legend's soundtrack.

But this...this is fucking awesome.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

David Draiman--from Disturbed he's very distinct and easily recognizable

Amy Lee- Evanescence

Shannon DelAdel--Within Temptation

Johnathan Davis- KoRn

Vas Kallas and Kaiser Von Loopy- Hanzel Und Gretyl

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Mustaine is a good singer? It can't just be that thinks you must be crazy. I guess it's your opinion, but seriously? He sings like his lips are trying to escape out of the side of his face and it sounds tolerable at best. I would go as far as to say he's one of the worst vocalists in metal, but then I personally dislike the sond of most death metal singing.

John Bush (Anthrax) is far better, Zakk Wylde sounds strikingly similar to Ozzy these days and as much as people are going to hate me for saying it, James Hetfield is a good singer. And the absence of Randy Blythe (Lamb Of God) on your list makes me a sad panda. Admittedly he's not got great range, but he's good at what he does.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

Dio. There is no one better and no one that can even compare. The only one who comes close is Meat Loaf and that's not even metal.

 

[Ibanez887]

I got more of a top 5 than 10, but here they are
1) Jonathan Davis, he founded a new genre just with his voice and Korn
2) Bruce Dickinson, He's got the best stage energy in history
3) Serj Tankian, Self explanatory
4) Zack De La Rocha, one of the few Mexicano in metal and an awesome flow to his lyrics
5) Dave Mustaine, because Megadeth is 100x better than Metallica

 

[Riobux]

Amy Lee- Evanescence

No offence, but I don't think Evanescence is metal.

Personally:
1. Rob Halford. Vocal range and the ability to hold a word for a long time (see the ending of Painkiller).
2. Bruce Dickinson. A very unique voice, although it's still weird that he sounded basically the same as the vocalist he took over.
3. Ozzy Osbourne. He just stands out personally.

There's a lot of other great metal vocalist, but just naming them would leave me unable to put them in an order I agree with (e.g. Dave Mustaine, the vocalist of Metallica and Lemmy I would struggle to put in order. I know it's probably obvious to most people, but I just prefer Mustaine's vocal style over Lemmy, even if Lemmy is probably much better) and even if it was an unordered list, I'd feel guilty I left someone worth mentioning out.

 

[Mr. Purple]

This guy:

[HEADING=2] I win.[/HEADING]​

<color=purple> ...you win, only because your name is FluffyBacon.

 

[Bored Tomatoe]

David Draiman--from Disturbed he's very distinct and easily recognizable

Amy Lee- Evanescence

Shannon DelAdel--Within Temptation

Johnathan Davis- KoRn

Vas Kallas and Kaiser Von Loopy- Hanzel Und Gretyl

I've never heard of Within Temptation, but I don't think the others really classify as metal...

And I'm not really sure what you guys consider Acid Bath to be, but I love love love Dax Rigg's voice...

 

[dfphetteplace]

I can't believe no one has mentioned either Matt Barlow from Iced Earth or Hansi Kürsch from Blind Guardian. Shame.

 

[gibboss28]

Devin Townsend, Kai Hansen, Andi Deris and Robb Flynn are some of the vocalists I like.

 

[Outright Villainy]

Well, I do fancy myself some Devin townsend, he has phenomenal range as is generally pretty insane so it's all good. I suppose if you consider Tool metal you can include Maynard james keenan too, his voice is really haunting, and carry a melody like no other.

But seriously, what's with the lack of Mikael Åkerfeldt (opeth) in here? That guy is amazing...

Edit: almost forgot, Rody walker of protest the hero has gotten really good with the last album, and is the only bombastic singer I like, the kind which most people here list actually.

 

[Mr. Purple]

We should be co-winners, only because you're my favorite color!

<color=purple>Works for me!

 

[Aunel]

lemmy, why
because you can let anybody listen to it, and they know exactly who it is,

and of course he is also a bassist, which gives him a leg up on everybody else.

 

[Bucket0Bones]

Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth), his death growls are awesome and his clean voice is beautiful

Chance Garnette (Skeletonwitch), my personal favourite. Mixes black and death metal vocals excellently

Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), can't have a list like this without this man

Ronnie James Dio (Black Sabbath), same goes for this man