Greatest Heavy Metal Frontman of All-Time?

[Patrick Chewing]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/de/f7/e6/def7e64c74f5848bfe3cc0a25e743332.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/66/ba/0c/66ba0ce90967d04f54d56dc904f33e36.jpg

https://ghostcultmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/rob-ozzy.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bCM0u_8kOjQ/WgHdz_2NLYI/AAAAAAABLG4/pDvEDxKa03o_XyjspO28_zIthyIc9LycACLcBGAs/s640/The%2BThree%2BTremors%2BHeavy%2BMetal.jpg

From a talent standpoint, I think RJD is the greatest Metal singer hands down. From a "Frontman" standpoint which includes everything else, it's hard to top Bruce Dickinson. He has more energy than all those guys put together. An Iron Maiden concert is like no other. He even pilots their plane for Christ's sake.

[TheMan]

My opinion, Dio.

In terms of vocal range, Halford, Dickinson................................Osbourne. Ozzy was much more a showman that a singer. Underrated vocalist, Geoff Tate.

[Patrick Chewing]

My opinion, Dio.

In terms of vocal range, Halford, Dickinson................................Osbourne. Ozzy was much more a showman that a singer. Underrated vocalist, Geoff Tate.

Honestly, I just put Ozzy's name up there to see how many people actually don't listen to Metal. :lol


From a Second Tier of Heavy Metal singers, Geoff Tate would most certainly be up there. Followed probably Phil Anselmo, Hetfield, Mustaine, Russell Allen, Roy Khan, and Ripper Owens.

[Patrick Chewing]

Good list right here: https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_metal-vocalists.html

[TheMan]

Honestly, I just put Ozzy's name up there to see how many people actually don't listen to Metal. :lol


From a Second Tier of Heavy Metal singers, Geoff Tate would most certainly be up there. Followed probably Phil Anselmo, Hetfield, Mustaine, Russell Allen, Roy Khan, and Ripper Owens.
Definitely agree with Phil Anselmo, Hetfield and Mustaine though? They are capable vocalists but just that IMO. Ripper tries to sound too much like Halford. I'm not familiar with Russell Allen nor Roy Khan. I'd mention Ian Gillen, Bon Scott, John Bush, Tony Martin and Udo Dirkschneider too.


https://youtu.be/wWOLaipXLSA

[Orange_Cassidy]

goat punk/metal singer by far. the guy shit in his hand and threw it at people while singing. nothing more metal than that


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd36ZXv_Wes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV0oDBJJ9kg

[Patrick Chewing]

Definitely agree with Phil Anselmo, Hetfield and Mustaine though? They are capable vocalists but just that IMO. Ripper tries to sound too much like Halford. I'm not familiar with Russell Allen nor Roy Khan. I'd mention Ian Gillen, Bon Scott, John Bush, Tony Martin and Udo Dirkschneider too.


https://youtu.be/wWOLaipXLSA

Mustaine's vocals on Youthanasia are pretty awesome.



Russell Allen
(singing starts around 1:49)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Kb8SVgbzgM


Roy Khan
(singing starts around 0:57)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgiSyriFa9Q

[FultzNationRISE]

goat punk/metal singer by far. the guy shit in his hand and threw it at people while singing. nothing more metal than that


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd36ZXv_Wes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV0oDBJJ9kg


Yo, GG Alin's wiki bio is low key one of the funniest gems out there. I read that shit like once a year just for the lulz.

[Patrick Chewing]

I like Tony Martin, but I always felt that he sounded just like RJD. I mean, the similarities are uncanny.

Speaking of former Sabbath singers, I gotta mention Glenn Hughes. Hughes has some POWER in his vocals.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI1FPTB2DDQ




And early Phil is the best Phil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vesdBImFZ6g

[Orange_Cassidy]

Yo, GG Alin's wiki bio is low key one of the funniest gems out there. I read that shit like once a year just for the lulz.

i didn't even know his real name was jesus christ till just now

amazing

[DoctorP]

Fred Mercury

[TheMan]

Fred Mercury

GOAT tier rock singer but we talking hard rock/heavy metal only.

[DoctorP]

GOAT tier rock singer but we talking hard rock/heavy metal only.

ah. then Lemmy

[TheMan]

https://youtu.be/G5H94GHb-10

[DoctorP]

https://youtu.be/skGEBgePHtk

[Norcaliblunt]

Brian Johnson

[Overdrive]

Poll choices? Dio easily.

Personally I think Mike Patton, MJK, Mikael Akerfeldt, Johan Hegg and Hansi Kürsch are in the mix when it comes to vocals.

Lemmy is the most legendary frontman by far.

[SATAN]

R.I.P Iced Earth

http://www.metalrockmusicpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/iced-earths-jon-schaffer-wanted-by-police-for-participation-in-pro-trump-mob.png

[Chick Stern]

https://i.gifer.com/origin/eb/eb7c8fa2bdfa8ceb9304e24599036648_w200.gif

[Brujesino]

Of the choices I went Bruce Dickinson.

My friends and I always wondered why they put Ozzy in top of all time the only conclusion is because Black Sabbath is the considered the first metal band and because on his show you sounds like a mumbling retard so for him to even sing is a win for him.

As someone mentioned before Phil Anselmo and Mike Patton are awesome. Also what kind of metal are we talking about? theres so many sub genres currently the best death metal vocalists is alex from slaughter to prevail

[Patrick Chewing]

https://i.gifer.com/origin/eb/eb7c8fa2bdfa8ceb9304e24599036648_w200.gif

Do you know what Heavy Metal is?

[Patrick Chewing]

Of the choices I went Bruce Dickinson.

My friends and I always wondered why they put Ozzy in top of all time the only conclusion is because Black Sabbath is the considered the first metal band and because on his show you sounds like a mumbling retard so for him to even sing is a win for him.

As someone mentioned before Phil Anselmo and Mike Patton are awesome. Also what kind of metal are we talking about? theres so many sub genres currently the best death metal vocalists is alex from slaughter to prevail

Nah we're talking about Metal in general where of course no Death Metal vocalist would dare sniff being anywhere close to the best.

[TheMan]

Nah we're talking about Metal in general where of course no Death Metal vocalist would dare sniff being anywhere close to the best.

Yep, we're talking about people who can actually sing in key and not just grunt and make guttural noises.

[Patrick Chewing]

Lucky enough to see Phil Anselmo, Ozzy, Bobby Blitz, Max Cavalera, James Hetfield, and Rob Halford in person at different shows and concerts. Actually have tickets to go see Chris Jericho later this year for a Fozzy show. Unfortunately I'll never get to see Bruce Dickinson in concert cause I refuse to be a sardine at an Iron Maiden show. No ****ing way can I do that. That's why I like going to small venues where I've seen Overkill, Testament, Forbidden, Soulfly, and Black Label Society countless number of times.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dusPBwR8MWM

[Overdrive]

Yep, we're talking about people who can actually sing in key and not just grunt and make guttural noises.

Listen to Akerfeldt and tell me he can't sing. Definately one of the better metal singers and I also think good growls are underappreciated.

[Overdrive]

Of the choices I went Bruce Dickinson.

My friends and I always wondered why they put Ozzy in top of all time the only conclusion is because Black Sabbath is the considered the first metal band and because on his show you sounds like a mumbling retard so for him to even sing is a win for him.

As someone mentioned before Phil Anselmo and Mike Patton are awesome. Also what kind of metal are we talking about? theres so many sub genres currently the best death metal vocalists is alex from slaughter to prevail

Seen Sabbath in 06 I believe and he still used to sing back then. What I think people love about him is the way he carries himself. Singing about Satan or whatever while being an absolute goofball. A blueprint for alot of metal singers.

I saw Heaven & Hell incarnation Black Sabbath a year or two later. Dio blew Ozzy out of the water when it came to singing, but the orig line up gig was better and to some degree, because of the way Ozzy interacted with the audience. Dio basically came on stage and presented you his Œuvre lile some sort opera singer.

[TheMan]

Lucky enough to see Phil Anselmo, Ozzy, Bobby Blitz, Max Cavalera, James Hetfield, and Rob Halford in person at different shows and concerts. Actually have tickets to go see Chris Jericho later this year for a Fozzy show. Unfortunately I'll never get to see Bruce Dickinson in concert cause I refuse to be a sardine at an Iron Maiden show. No ****ing way can I do that. That's why I like going to small venues where I've seen Overkill, Testament, Forbidden, Soulfly, and Black Label Society countless number of times.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dusPBwR8MWM
I saw Pantera live sometime around 93 or 94 and Phil spent half the show throwing shade at Metallica and I of course wore a Metallica t shirt that night lol

[BurningHammer]

goat punk/metal singer by far. the guy shit in his hand and threw it at people while singing. nothing more metal than that


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd36ZXv_Wes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV0oDBJJ9kg

This absolute mad man.

[Chick Stern]

Do you know what Heavy Metal is?

I do.
You clearly don’t.

[Brujesino]

Yep, we're talking about people who can actually sing in key and not just grunt and make guttural noises.

grunting and guttural vocals is a skill many of the guys and this list cant do.

[Patrick Chewing]

I do.
You clearly don’t.

What metal band does David Lee Roth front?

[Patrick Chewing]

grunting and guttural vocals is a skill many of the guys and this list cant do.

Yeah but that's not singing my man.

[72-10]

I don't know enough about heavy metal to comment

that third guy looks like Pitbull

[Derka]

You're sort of limiting the discussion to four...sort of OG's of the genre. For me, those four rank Dickinson, Halford, Dio and Osbourne.

If we're being honest, the first three aren't that far apart at all while all are miles ahead of Ozzy.

[Patrick Chewing]

You're sort of limiting the discussion to four...sort of OG's of the genre. For me, those four rank Dickinson, Halford, Dio and Osbourne.

If we're being honest, the first three aren't that far apart at all while all are miles ahead of Ozzy.

Yeah I put Ozzy up there as a joke, to see how many people would vote for him or at least mention him. I take it not that many people listen to Metal on this forum as not that many people have voted.


Speaking of Bruce Dickinson, new Iron Maiden single just dropped...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhBnW7bZHEE

[Overdrive]

Yeah I put Ozzy up there as a joke, to see how many people would vote for him or at least mention him. I take it not that many people listen to Metal on this forum as not that many people have voted.


Speaking of Bruce Dickinson, new Iron Maiden single just dropped...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhBnW7bZHEE

I don't think you listen to much metal either if you don't consider anything but those falsetto dudes as singers. There are quite some of the more "brutal" sort, who have great vocals.

[Patrick Chewing]

I don't think you listen to much metal either if you don't consider anything but those falsetto dudes as singers. There are quite some of the more "brutal" sort, who have great vocals.

Why do you take offense? I listen to plenty of Metal. But these guys, at least Halford, Dickinson, and Dio are the cream of the crop. They can sing, PERIOD. This isn't saying that there aren't other talented singers out there. There are plenty.


If you think Death Metal singers are great singers, you're insane.

[Overdrive]

Why do you take offense? I listen to plenty of Metal. But these guys, at least Halford, Dickinson, and Dio are the cream of the crop. They can sing, PERIOD. This isn't saying that there aren't other talented singers out there. There are plenty.


If you think Death Metal singers are great singers, you're insane.

No, offense taken here, but neglecting some death vocalists while citing Mustaine seems weird.

Akerfeldt ist a great singer both clean and growls. And yes I believe melodic growls take quite some technique. Simple grunting is retarded though. I'll agree here.

I'll leave this here. Liveversion, because "anyone can sing in the studio":
https://youtu.be/0QwWydffbc4

[FultzNationRISE]

I vote for Fred Durst, although I'm something of a metal 'purist' you could say.

[Patrick Chewing]

Quite a few talented frontmen out there, but I think it comes down to a popularity contest. The success of these four doesn't undermine the talent of anyone else.


Anders Fridén is another example of someone who started out screaming and growling and whose voice is actually quite good as In Flames transitioned into more melodic metal.


But yeah, the list of talented Metal singers is long. Some of my other faves off the top of my head:


Anders Fridén
Harry Conklin
Maynard Keenan
Jonas Renkse
Ralf Scheepers
Hansi Kürsch
Matt Barlow
Andy B. Franck
Warrel Dane
John Bush
Glenn Danzig
Zachary Stevens
Jon Oliva
Chuck Billy
Peter Steele


As you can see, I'm clearly not a fan of Black Metal, Doom, or Death. Outside of guys like David Vincent and Karl Willets, and Johan Hegg, I'm not listening to all that screaming and growling.

[Overdrive]

Quite a few talented frontmen out there, but I think it comes down to a popularity contest. The success of these four doesn't undermine the talent of anyone else.


Anders Fridén is another example of someone who started out screaming and growling and whose voice is actually quite good as In Flames transitioned into more melodic metal.


But yeah, the list of talented Metal singers is long. Some of my other faves off the top of my head:


Anders Fridén
Harry Conklin
Maynard Keenan
Jonas Renkse
Ralf Scheepers
Hansi Kürsch
Matt Barlow
Andy B. Franck
Warrel Dane
John Bush
Glenn Danzig
Zachary Stevens
Jon Oliva
Chuck Billy
Peter Steele

I think In Flames went to shit. TBH.

Agree with some of your list especially the last three and the guys I already mentioned. Seen Billy in '19 and he still got it. TBH from all the thrash frontmen his voice suffered the least.

Barlow was the best IE singer, but damn he's overdramatic AF on some songs. Especially on Horror Show.

[TheMan]

What the hell, the Metal God still with zero votes? Can I change my vote to Halford? Not that I think less of Dio, he's the GOAT but in what world does Halford not get any love :facepalm

New Maiden song dropped, it's dope, has a Westerny feel to it IMO, something they've never tried before. Amazing how they still come up with great songs this late into their career. :bowdown:


https://youtu.be/M-BgmrsI4e8

[HylianNightmare]

grunting and guttural vocals is a skill many of the guys and this list cant do.

This. Guttural are so hard to do, highs, Lows. If I could do that I would just speak in that voice all the time

[Overdrive]

What the hell, the Metal God still with zero votes? Can I change my vote to Halford? Not that I think less of Dio, he's the GOAT but in what world does Halford not get any love :facepalm

New Maiden song dropped, it's dope, has a Westerny feel to it IMO, something they've never tried before. Amazing how they still come up with great songs this late into their career. :bowdown:


https://youtu.be/M-BgmrsI4e8

He's a close second, but in a poll with Dio & Dickinson he can only lose. One is a better singer the other a more energetic frontman.

[Overdrive]

As you can see, I'm clearly not a fan of Black Metal, Doom, or Death. Outside of guys like David Vincent and Karl Willets, and Johan Hegg, I'm not listening to all that screaming and growling.

I don't like black and most doom either, but death, melodic and progressive death include some of my fav bands.
Took some time to get used to the vocals after listening to thrash mostly before I discovered bands like Nile, Kataklysm in my teens. Hegg is definately one of the best I've heard and seen so far. Never digged Morbid Angel.

[SATAN]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3LNi-aPXuc

:crazysam:

[Patrick Chewing]

Didn't realize KK Downing teamed up with Ripper again.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqOZJAZR1XM



"KK's Priest"....gotta say it lacks originality :lol

[TheMan]

Didn't realize KK Downing teamed up with Ripper again.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFjekrILVzM



"KK's Priest"....gotta say it lacks originality :lol

Judas Priest needs KK back, Glenn Tipton isn't coming back now that he's struggling with Parkinson's so they need at least one of the two remaining original guitarists.

[TheMan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3LNi-aPXuc

:crazysam:

It's a parody right? That could not have been done in seriousness :lol

[Long Duck Dong]

Of those guys I'm only familiar with Ozzie so I'm going to say Cuban Al Jourgensen. Especially considering the Cuban protests going on right now.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/68/bc/49/68bc49fee759954ae46b45343fd9c8eb.jpg

[SATAN]

It's a parody right? That could not have been done in seriousness :lol

What is this blaspheme? Candlemass are kick ass. Stop being a poseur.

[SATAN]

Might just drop this here in case anyone hasn't heard it and happens to dig the style


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fQ1tLe1uQ8