Top Ten Good Bands With Bad Vocalists

A bad vocalist doesn't always mean a bad band, but it can significantly lower the quality. Here are some of those bands.
The Top Ten
1 Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Megadeth was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine was fired from Metallica. They have released 15 studio albums to date, and have gone through many lineup changes, with Dave Mustaine being the sole constant member.

They released their debut album “Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!” in 1985, but became successful after the release of “Peace Sells...But Who’s Buying?” in 1986. ...read more.

Even Dave M. Himself said during an interview "I'm not a great singer, you know". I respect him for being honest and so down to earth. Dave M. Is too smart to think he's a big singer.

To fanboys: be smart like him and do him a favor - don't put him on any lists of best, great, etc. Metal singers because this makes him look overrated.

...I'd listen to Megadeth all the time... if not for the vocals. The vocals are garbage. They had two of the best living guitarists for a while. They should have hired a singer instead of having the marginally less remarkable guitarist "sing"

I'm sure by now everybody knows where I stand as far as the whole Metallica/Megadeth thing. This is part of the reason for where I stand.

I never had an issue with his singing. Besides, Megadeth is more about complex instrumentals than vocals.
- Kat / RiverVibeZ

2 Slayer Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. They rose to fame with their 1986 album Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the big four of thrash metal bands, the others being Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. ...read more.

I don't know why everyone is getting so freaked out about slayer being on the list! Since I'm not one of those people who worships slayer, I can't really relate, but I still love slayer's music! Look at the title of the list: GOOD bands with bad vocalists! I like their music, but that doesn't mean I have to think their vocalist is the single most amazing vocalist ever! I mean, if mindless yelling with no grit behind it is what you like, then I can see why you love Tom Araya. Just remember this about me: I love slayer, and Tom Araya's cool, I just don't like his vocals very much.

Yes but they have good instrumentals. I would probably listen to Slayer if their vocals weren't so screamo like.

Seriously! His Vocals were absolutely perfect with respect to the sort of music they've composed till date.

Tom Araya is one of the best vocalist ever!
How can put slayer on this list?
I feel a devil in his voice... His Screams is amazing

3 Rage Against The Machine Rage Against the Machine is a rap metal band formed in Los Angeles, California. The band consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk.

Every other member of the band is cool, but Zack De La Rocha is just an idiot. He's pretty much just yelling. Also, you can only hear "Uh! " So many times in one song.

I disagree. Zack makes this band even better in my opinion.

No! Zach is an amazing rapper and shouter.

4 U2 U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music. Throughout the group's musical pursuits, they have maintained a sound built on melodic instrumentals. Their lyrics, often embellished with spiritual imagery, focus on personal themes and sociopolitical concerns.

Bono is not a bad vocalist.

Bono's not bad in my opinion.

5 Rush Rush was a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. The band has had an iconic lineup since 1975, which included Neil Peart (Drums, Percussion), Geddy Lee (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards), and the guitarist, Alex Lifeson. Peart passed away after a 3 year battle with brain cancer in January of 2020. Because of this, Lee says there are no plans to keep the band going, so Rush is most likely defunct. The band has become one of the most well-known progressive rock bands in the world, with such albums as "2112", "Hemispheres" and "Moving Pictures". More than half of their albums have gone gold or platinum, as certified by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America).

Geddy sounds like a 4 year old girl whining for no reason

I don't like Geddy's voice at all! But the music itself is very good,

Geddy's voice is just too high.

Great bassist though

6 Black Sabbath (Ozzy)

Just a decent singer.

7 The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. The first settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). ...read more.

Mick Jagger is a great vocalist and front man. Get him off of here.

The king of off-key singing along with Jim Morrison (The Doors)

8 Guns N Roses Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, as signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Apart from hard rock they are also ...read more.

No, Axl Rose is (was) a great singer. His voice and singing style may annoy some people but his vocal skills are (were) amazing. In his prime Axl had a vocal/melodic range of 5 octaves, 2-1/2 notes (F1 to Bb6), sustain of 21 seconds LIVE, etc. So he's NOT a bad singer and shouldn't be on this list. He's actually one of the BEST and most talented rock singers.

Axl is a fantastic singer and he was very talented when he was young, but his voice is not for everyone.

The most overrated singer ever. His whining is painful.

Her vocal range is great but her voice is annoys me.

9 AC/DC AC/DC are a Australian hard rock band, formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, who continued as members until Malcolm's illness and departure in 2014 . They were fronted by Bon Scott until his untimely death due to alcohol poisoning in 1979, after which they hired Brian Johnson to front the band. Commonly referred to as a hard rock or blues rock band.

Too screaming/loud

10 Living Sacrifice Living Sacrifice is an American Christian metal band formed in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1989. Over the years, their music has evolved to encompass various styles, including thrash metal, death metal, and metalcore. They are considered pioneers in the Christian metal genre, known for their unflinching lyrics and complex compositions. Living Sacrifice has been influential not only in religious circles but also in the broader metal community.

Darren Johnson was a little bit better than Tom Araya. He used three different vocal styles: a yell, a death growl, and a slightly less growly death growl. They were all executed fairly well, but they each had problems. A yell just isn't good period, the death growling is completely unintelligible, and the other vocal style (I have no idea what to call it) sounded like an angry teenager who tried to do metal.

The Newcomers

? Symphony X Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey. Founded in 1994, the band consists of guitarist Michael Romeo, keyboardist Michael Pinnella, drummer Jason Rullo, lead vocalist Russell Allen and bassist Michael Lepond.
? Metal Church Metal Church is an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in San Francisco, California in 1980 before relocating to Aberdeen, Washington the following year and briefly using the name Shrapnel.
The Contenders
11 Scars on Broadway

I was going to put System Of A Down on this list, but Serj isn't the reason. It's the guitarist, Daron Malakian that sounds like a prepubescent Armenian boy. For that reason, I put his solo band on the list.

12 Static X
13 Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (Vocal), Jimmy Page (Guitar), John Paul Jones (Bass, Keyboard) and John Bonham (Drums) and was very much the child of Jimmy Page who even financed their first tour. He had tasted some previous success with The [original] Yardbirds and was friendly with some big names in rock. Page states it was Keith Moon of The Who that claimed the band could only go down, like a lead balloon -- thus prompting the iconic name of Led Zeppelin. The band's heavy, guitar-driven sound, rooted in blues and psychedelia on their early albums, has earned them recognition as one of the progenitors ...read more.

Robert Plant sounds whiny in some songs.

They just SHOULDN'T be on this list!

14 Oasis Oasis were an English britpop band formed in Manchester in 1991. Developed from an earlier group, the Rain, the band originally consisted of Liam Gallagher (vocals and tambourine), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan, and Tony McCarroll. Noel Gallagher (Liam's Brother) served as the primary ...read more.

There's two brothers in this band, The guitarist is amazing he uses tons of different techniques and
Ranges through a whole buch a different styles.
While the brother who sings sounds like he has larningistis, on their better songs.. ,

15 The Smashing Pumpkins The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1988. Formed by frontman Billy Corgan and James Iha, the band included D'arcy Wretzky and Jimmy Chamberlin in its original incarnation. They are also considered to be one of the most influential alternative bands of the 1990s.

Billy Corgan sounds like Rancid Rabbit from CatDog.

I agree, definitely not the best singer ever.

He sounds like a rat in a cage

16 Slipknot Slipknot is an American metal band formed in Des Moines, Iowa in 1996. The band is best known as one of the pioneers of the New Wave of American Alternative Metal during the late 1990s - 2000s and are distinguishable by the band's clothing choices, consisting of black/red jumpsuits and horror inspired masks. ...read more.

Corey Taylor is not a bad vocalist

Why? Because Corey screams too much?

17 Limp Bizkit Limp Bizkit is an American nu-metal/rap metal/rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 1994. Their lineup consists of Fred Durst, Sam Rivers, John Otto, and Wes Borland. They're mostly known for their singles like Break Stuff, My Way, My Generation, Nookie, Eat You Alive, Rollin', and Take a Look Around... read more

Fred is just terrible

when he sings he sounds like he has not entered puberty same goes for he's screaming. He's rapping is he's only good quality and he's not even a particulrly good rapper. Fred for a long time was considered the least talented person in the music buisness. And for good reason

Limp Bizkit's an already terrible band.

18 Dinosaur Jr. Dinosaur Jr. is an American alternative rock/indie rock band formed in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1984, originally simply called Dinosaur until legal issues forced a change in name.
19 Nickelback Nickelback is a Canadian post-grunge band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta, Canada. The band is composed of guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan Peake, bassist Mike Kroeger, and drummer Daniel Adair.

Nickelback is a pretty bad band, but their singer is especially bad! And as of right now, Nickelback has a better vocalist than Helmet and Rage Against the Machine according to this list! That is a fail! Those bands should not be on a list like this, and the horrible-sounding Nickelback guy should be number 1!

Chad Kroeger, let me ask: do you want to be a metal vocalist, or do you want to be a post grunge vocalist? If you want to do metal vocals, power it up on the growling. If you want to do post grunge vocals, then be in an instrumental band! Love, AngryByrd XOXOXO

Why go to a Nickelback concert when you can go to the bathroom of a truck stop and hear the same unpleasant groaning noises? At least with the truck stop visit, you don't necessarily spend a fortune.

Its when he finish a phrases the sound he make is so annoying!

20 Sabaton Sabaton is a power metal band from Falun, Sweden formed in 1999. The band's main lyrical themes are based on war and historical battles.

The instrumental it's ok or decent, but the voice of the vocalist it's TERRIBLE

21 Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983. ...read more.
22 Breaking Benjamin Breaking Benjamin is a American post-grunge/alternative metal/rock band formed in 1998. The bands members all changed in the time between 2010 to 2014, with the exception of Ben Burnley (Vocals). The Ex-Members included Chad Szeliga (Drums), Aaron Fink (Guitar) and Mark Klepaspi (Bass). The band is one of the most well-known bands of its genre and is associated with its electronic sounds in their songs and overall technicality. After the release of their second album "We Are Not Alone", the band gained a lot success in Europe and Asia.

Ben Burnley doesn't sound too bad, but he just sounds weird. Another thing, even though I'm a huge BB fan, I can name a lot of things wrong with them. No other band could rip off System Of A Down twice, release an album of clones, and have a vocalist who always sounds like a retarded old man and have me still adore them!

23 Marilyn Manson Marilyn Manson is an American rock band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by frontman Marilyn Manson and Daisy Berkowitz, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early 1990s. The name of the band comes from famous sex symbol Marilyn Monroe and famous criminal Charles Manson. Manson joined these two names together because he wanted a name combined with good (Monroe) and evil (Manson). The other members of the band have their stage names combined with the first names of famous sex symbols and the last names of famous serial killers.

As someone else has pointed out, Manson is a pretty bad live performer. That doesn't really make him a bad singer though because his studio vocals are good.
- Kat / RiverVibeZ

I love Manson, but most of the time he sounds like he's dying. Just because you look like a monster doesn't mean you have to sound like one.

It might be just me, but I actually love his voice. I don't know what it is but when he sings it's just amazing.

He sounds especially bad live! He squeals every five seconds!

24 Blink 182 Blink-182 is a pop-punk band formed in 1992. The original lineup consisted of Mark Hoppus on bass guitar and vocals, Tom DeLonge on guitar and vocals, and Scott Raynor on drums. Raynor was fired from the band in 1998 and replaced by drummer Travis Barker. They gained mainstream popularity after the release of the album "Enema of the State." The band has gone on to produce eight studio albums during... read more

Yeah, their vocalists aren’t really good at all to be honest. Tom DeLonge sounds like SpongeBob, while Mark Hoppus sounds like Mordecai from Regular Show.

25 Coal Chamber Coal Chamber was a nu-metal band formed in Los Angeles, CA, in 1993. The current members of Coal Chamber are Dez Fafara (Vocals), Nadja Peulen (Bass), Meegs Rascón (Guitar), and Mike Cox (Drums). Former members of the band include Rayna Foss, Chela Rhea Harper, and John Thor. Coal Chamber is typically known being associated with Nu Metal, Alternative Metal, and even Gothic Metal. Coal Chamber is best known for the song "Loco", on their self titled first album. Some of Coal Chamber's accomplishments include releasing 4 albums, "Coal Chamber" (1997), "Chamber Music" (1999), "Dark Days" (2002), and "Rivals" (2015).

The reason I didn't put Dez Fafara's other band, Devildriver, on the list is because I love them, and Dez showed great vocal power with Devildriver. It's just that with Coal Chamber, he didn't have enough aggression in his voice.

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