Greatest Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Vocalists

Bruce has an amazing voice and his range is amazing. What is he doing at no. 2?! Get him to no. 1 dang it! Up the Irons!

James is good in studio, but quite weak live. Bruce is good in studio and awesome live! Up the Irons!

His range is far superior to other metal vocalists. Especially hetfield, whose range is extremely limited.

Technically Bruce is better than Hetfield but Hetfield's range is not that limited - 3 octaves, 3 notes; Bruce - 3 octaves, 4 notes (not a big difference, 1 note). Limited ranges and skills - Mustaine and Ozzy (less than 3 octaves). - Metal_Treasure

The best ever!

Geez he should be first because of his work vocalizing in rainbow elf black sabbath and his own dio he will be a remembered singer for all time rock in peace dio R.I.P. god bless you dio

To me, Dio is transcendent. He's just at a different level in most every criteria I can think of for a great rock singer: most powerful, most melodic, most expressive, best dynamic range, best pitch, best phrasing, etc. His vocal range is not the best of all, but it's pretty damn good. He has a unique and intoxicating tone that is uncannily pure, and can subtly caress or primally scream any phrase. Plus, he may be the greatest frontman ever, and he's a hell of a songwriter. Ronnie gives me goosebumps all the time, on my arms and my soul, and I never know when it's coming.

He's always been number 2 on my 5 best singers ever list after Robert Plant of course but must admit love them both. Recently my parents' been doing a little redecoration of the house and called me to take my old cassettes because they knew how dear they used to be to me. Now I can listen to Heaven and Hell or Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow in my car, and I'm pretty excited what makes my husband a bit nervous Dio is one of a kind with his powerful voice. His treatment and his funeral made me truly sad but I liked the joke about Dio and devil who wanted to seat him at his right hand. Dio replied "Satan, Fu... K out of my throne" That one cheered me up after his death. DIO STILL RULES!

The best one!

listen to Painkiller. Then try to sing for more than 10 seconds like Rob did. Impossible. - maciekreguu0142a

He is a god on singing no one can get the notes so high like hem there will never be a singer like hem

Rob Halford has the same vocal range in the studios and on stage whereas there are two Bruce Dickinson, one in the studio who sings the highest notes in one shot performances and the Bruce on stage who sings most of the time the highest notes lower in order to spare his voice or just because he can't,even in live shows in 1982 but he is still a great singer. So, to me it's 1-Rob Halford, 2-Ronnie James Dio and 3-Bruce Dickinson.

Halford is a METAL GOD!

Are you joking?! Robert plant is the father of ROCK SINGING! All the rock vocalists have been influenced by the style of Plant's singing. And the most important thing is, he did sing hard, but there was a mixture of 'heart and lungs'... Robert Plant clearly sang to the top of his SOUL, not his lungs... Plant, planted ROCK in his soul... That's why he is so soulful even after being the lead vocalist of the GREATEST ROCK band ever. SO! It's just pure injustice! Robert Plant CAN NOT be at no.4! NEVER! HE MUST TOP THIS CHART!

I think Robert deserves the best place, the James' voice is great; but is nothing compared to the Robert's. I still can't believe Corey Taylor is before Robert Plant - rock2metal

At the birth of hard rock, there was Led Zeppelin and with that Robert Plant was made. He has a unique singing voice no one can imitate. He goes from a 'soft', girly voice to an enraged hard rock screaming. He is one of the best.

I HATE this dude's voice. I also hate Led Zeppelin (no offense to any fans). - PhoenixAura81

Metallica is the most recognizable Heavy Metal Band and James Hetfield is one of the reasons why. He sounds great in the studio, and can get people pumped live, There is a reason why he has the crown.

Great singer, great screamer, best rhytim guitarist, great songwriter, he deserves to be number 1, best singer of all time, not just metal, bruce is good to, but james kills em all

James Hetfield is truly a master vocalist his woice is incredible truly the best I have heard in a very long time. He is an inspiration to me and many other people. Long live James Hetfield the King of vocalists

81-93 James Smokes everyone.

He desserves higher than 9 for sure - Ak3nator

He should be the 1st! You ROCK man! He's my favourite singer ever! One of the Greatest Singer of all time..

"Prince of Darkness"Osbourne is also known as the "Godfather of Heavy Metal
With Black Sabbath and has sold over 100 million albums worldwide Osbourne had received notice that he would be the first inductee into The Birmingham Walk of Stars. Osbourne was crowned with the prestigious Living Legend award in the Classic Rock Roll of Honor. - vishwarajvithuvivi

Ozzy and Hetfield, #1 and #2. All else... who cares.

Anytime FREDDIE MERCURY is Not NUMBER ONE on a 'Greatest Voice' list, whatever the voice, rock, or whatever, you Know it's a sucky, completely irrelevant, bogus list!
FREDDIE MERCURY IS THE GREATEST VOICE OF ALL TIME... NOW AND FOREVER! Period! No competition! No comparison! That would be just plain silly! Laugh out loud
FREDDIE MERCURY - THE GOD OF MUSIC!

This is the best HARD ROCK and metal singers, his first few albums could be qualified as hard rock/metal. - gemcloben

Freddie Mercury is the best voice of all time. I think it should be removed from this list because his voice was incomparable.

Th reason he's so low is because he is not a hard rock vocalist

Should be no 1. Who could run and sing like him in the stage. People don't like him because of his personality maniac. But he is the best vocalist, like james hetfield. Without him no guns and roses

He Is the Best, His Voice Is MAGIC! There Is No Other "Guns N'Roses " Without Axl! And There Is No Other Singer With Axl's Voice!

Best vocalist, stage performer, song writer, pianist, whistler, entertainer. Most of all best vocalist!

So awesome with low and superhigh notes plus running performance while singing and awesome move truly total performer. He should be no. 1

Best vocalist on the face of the earth. His melodic vocals are amazing and he can reach incredibly high notes.

He also has the best screams in ALL of metalcore.

What the hell? Matt Shadows is at no: 9?
He should be in the top three! He is the best vocal of this time, how can he be at this position? I totally disagree with this list.
Haven't you guys heard the songs of A7X?

A7X is good but I highly doubt any of their member is top ten in their field, not even top 20. But Shadows truly deserved to be in this list, thanks to his awesome vocal. He can sing and scream equally great. A future face of the hard rock/metal world. - Pyansickness

I love the range M. Shadows can go. He is amazing!

Why do I have to add him? He should be at least number 5. Listen to Child In Time or watch Deep Purple New York 1973 on youtube. He has an amazing range and a rich voice

Please, just please listen to Child in Time, you will see his vocal range, and then vote for him. One of the best hard rock vocalists there is, and highly underrated.

I truly believe his best vocal performance is an aria from Jesus Christ Superstar: "Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)". It's available on YouTube and it's mindblowing. Just make sure it's his version because this song has many covers. But Gillan was the original performer of this epic piece, he was the original Jesus Christ. Gillan is the most underrated rock/metal singer of all time. - Metal_Treasure

He's the best.

Slipknot's amazing vocalist. He is so good at changing his singing style during a song from close to shouting into almost normal singing. - ozzydog12

He is by far the best! He has one of the most amazing death growls ever, and then he goes into this beautiful, yet agressive singing voice that people would give an arm and a leg to have. Best Metal Vocalist period. Followed by M. Shadows of A7X, and then Serj Tankian of System of a Down!

What makes him interesting isn't has technical range, it's his switching between growls and singing. He really doesn't change his pitch that much, but it seems like he has a lot more vocal range because the tone of his voice is so different. He's a great singer, but he shouldn't be in the top ten.

He was the first one who really swept me away with his voice alone! Draiman came pretty damn close, but Corey is just unbeatable in terms of sheer vocal power! He's made so many great songs with both Slipknot and Stone Sour that I could hardly account for all of them here. Simply the best!

Just listen to his growls on holy wars... The punishment due or on mechanix

You
Next victim
You
Next to die
You next victim
You your turn to die!

He's not a good singer but I don't think Megadeth would be as awesome as they are if the had a good singer - NjakDjak

He's an amazing guitarist and an amazing songwriter. But singing is not his forte.

Scott is a bad ass frontman and an awesome lyricist And his raspy bark and screams are above many Not number 1, but definitely in the top 5 Hands F... N down!

Bon is absolutely perfect singer. In albums, his voice fills every song with his beautiful voice. And live, he could get that real screaming coming from his strong lungs. Bon is god. #1

If it weren't for Ronald Belford Scott you would've never heard of Brian Johnson or even AC/DC as a whole... One of the best songwriters ever. One of the best Showmen ever. It almost seems that everyone that has cast a vote on this list is still driving around with Back in Black stuck in there tape deck... No No wait a minute, I don't have time to explain that one. So go ask your mother what a tape deck is.

What are these nu-metal guys doing higher than Bon Scott?

"For Those About To Rock". Need I say more. That song alone is lightyears beyond anybody's vocal ability. Even Brian Johnson's. (In all seriousness, best gritty, hard rock vocalist of all time).

Brian Johnson should be #1

Brian Johnson is an original. Best heavy metal singer of all time!

He should be number 1

Listen to cemetery gates people, this guys range is unbelievable. From the high notes he can hold to the heaviness he can deliver on the mic, his great lyrical work, this guy should no doubt be in the top 5. - HBKevin

The dude goes from low growls to breaking glass, he has a hell of a range, he sings clean really well too, just listen to some of the stuff he's done with Down

No one can create the mass fury in the audience like Phil Anselmo. He has/had the look, the voice, but more importantly the throw caution to the wind attitude. Total badass.

Why M Shadows is above him? He's a better version of him!

Chris Cornell, Layne Staley, and Freddie Mercury should all be in the top ten. Kick out Chester Bennington, M Shadows and Corey Taylor. If we're going to talk about pure vocal power and awesomeness, then you have to go with Chris. Four octave range, screams, clean tones, and the ability to sing tons of different types of music, ranging from metal to moody rock (Like a Stone) are what makes him so great. In addition, he does this all while playing guitar. Myles Kennedy shares the same attributes and he's one of my favorites as well. Both of them should be in the top ten.

This guy can deliver powerful lows to soaring highs! His voice has to be one of the most powerful in grunge tied with Layne Stanley. The man can also scream his head off too! Just his to his performances on Jesus Christ Pose or Slaves and Bulldozers and you will know what I'm talking about.

Chris has the unique ability to whip and caress the listener at the same time, to project the whole range of emotions to the listener while playing a steady rhythm guitar at the same time. He IS music - and not confined to one style or expression only! Spawning a full four octaves is impressive, but a stupid measurement for voice quality actually... It's the amount of SOUL in the voice, and the singers ability to reach out tand touch his/hers audience that really defines the great vocalist.

Jesus Christ Pose. Chris Cornell is top 3 for me.

#30 is very high for this extremely talented singer. His ability to make you feel not just hear the music was amazing. I can only imagine the music he would have created if was still with us. Thankfully we still have a piece of him to remind us how great he truly was. RIP Layne Thomas... We will always remember you.

The man. The Genius. He could fit right in every type of compositions, such a wide range he possessed. From Blues, Hard rock/Heavy metal, Sludgy doom metal to Country laden acoustic tunes he could pull all off with ease.

There is nothing I can say that explains his vocal talents. "Imitations are pale... " Just read the name Layne Staley - says it all!

Wake up is probably my second-favorite song. - Feirceraven

The most original voice coming from the first heavy metal band. Inspirational for every single singer in this list

Amazing singer RIP Lemmy Rock on in heaven!

Not the best ever but should be wayy higher. Lemmy has carried motorhead for nearly forty years and is an icon of everything metal stands for m/

My Personal Top 10:
10. Dee Snider - Twisted Sister
9. Ronnie James Dio - Dio
8. Ozzy Osbourne - Ozzy Osbourne
7. Serj Tankian - System Of A Down
6. Alice Cooper - Alice Cooper
5. Blackie Lawless - W.A.S.P.
4. Eddie Vedder - Pearl Jam
3. Vince Neil - Motley Crue
2. King Diamond - King Diamond, Mercyful Fate
1. Lemmy Kilmister - Motörhead
Runner Ups -
Jack Black - Tenacious D
Jim Hendrix - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Why the heck is Jonathan Davis of KoRn at 22 now?! Huh! I don't get it. KoRn is like one of the successful Nu-metal bands next to Limp Bizkit and Slipknot! But the thing is... KoRn invented Nu-Metal. :) I love KoRn and their music and effort. Head is back. David is not but I don't really care because I understand some KoRn fans say "David had more funky beats in his drums." which is pretty true but let's give Ray some credit, respect, and love. There is nothing wrong with Ray Luzier that's been in KoRn since 2007! Not only that but Jonathan said in an interview that he had a "normal hell childhood"..."Normal childhood? " No. His childhood and teen years were'nt normal at all. He got treated bad by his dad, step-mom, cheerleaders, classmates, teachers, and the principal in high school. And I also heard he got molested before high school or something like that. Yes. All of this came out of an teen KoRn fan and I've been listening to KoRn like crazy when I ...more

one of those who still put A LOT of emotions in his songs. A great inspiration for me. Bo:rni, from UNCLOUDED PERCEPTION

Haunting and raw vocal power.

LISTENING TO YOUR TWISTED TRANSISTA

I'm a big KISS fan, so I think Paul should have placed higher. Of course as the years went by, KISS was over shadowed big time by bands that sold way more albums & had way better guitar players than Ace. I think the only reason KISS even got so huge is because they came out in '75 when their was not a lot of real competition. If this list were made in '75 to '77 KISS glory years, then Paul would definitely be ranked #1. Paul's voice now is very bad unfortunately.

Must be some rap loser he is the lead singer for one of the big 4 zeppelin sabbath deep purple and kiss everybody else is afterbirth

Amazing singer. If he'd had been in any other big band and not KISS he'd be up at the top of this list.

Simply The Best,i love Paul

I can't believe Hetfield, Mustaine, and Ozzie are above this phenomenal singer! People are just voting for the singer of their favorite band, not the best singer. The only person on this list that can compare to Hansi is Rob Halford.

#44 is not good enough for this vocal god. I see Ozzy is #10, so Hansi has to be at least #9 because Hansi is undoubtedly better than Ozzy. - Metal_Treasure

What! This incredible voice at 44? God of Power Metal?

Ville... is the best singer ever! His voice is so unique! His lyrics are so beautiful... and he's the sexiest man alive.. he's pure perfection.. he must be first!.. VOTE FOR VILLE!

Who's Ville Valo? - Feirceraven

He has the most emotional voice ever

Best voice in the world by far, even just his normal talking voice.
Ville should be at the top of this list.
Take the time to listen to his voice not just the lyrics and music.

No one can match his screams. Araya has a true metal voice, listen to Angel of Death and you can feel the power he brings. m/ SLAYER m/

Slayer voice ( Tom Araya ) is power thrash metal voice in metal.

Tom has been doing it for over thirty years...

HELL AWAITS!

This guy is SIXTY and still going strong with his voice.

His voice in the 70s is as good as it gets. That is the perfect voice for metal in my opinion. Even if Rush wasn't a metal band

Rush is the greatest rock band of all time.

Joey's vocal range and signature voice is unmatchable! Just listen to the high notes on Spreading The Disease. It showcases his unique vocals perfectly.

If there are no joey in anthrax, anthrax wouldn't in the big 4

His lyrics/vocals/emotions are just phenomenal. Hetfield use to be my favortie, but after I discoverd the almighty MAYNARD! I never looked back. no one will ever be as godly as him. - nathanpablo

Ok. This guy is up there with all the grunge singers. He's better than Brian Johnson for sure. In terms of uniqueness, this guy takes the cake. He is instantly recognizable and has awesome range. In addition, he is one of the few singers that I know that actually sounds better when he sings louder. He should be in the top ten.

Maynard's range and power is unparalleled. He has more power in some of the clean notes he hits than most metal singers get with their screams.

Lol mjk at 27,

Iron Maiden's Debut and Killers are total classics. Maiden's best albums in my opinion. This guy can sing so cool. His voice fits perfectly with maiden's early songs.
YOU WANT ME YOU TAUNT ME YOU'LL TORTURE ME BACK AT YOUR LAIR!
-phantom of the opera, Iron Maiden

Paul should be a little higher than 32 come on man

His voice is amazing good I don't know why dave mustaine is higher he sings like he has water in his mouth I mean he is a good singer but Kurt Cobain is better

I don't believe he is a hard rock singer. - zxm

NOPE!

Despite the looks and band sound,really smooth singer

He's simply awesome! If you don't know who he is, is it the vocalist of Volbeat!

HIS VOICE LITERALLY HAULED ME BACK FROM THE GRAVE, AND GAVE MY LIFE MEANING AND PURPOSE. ANGEL.

Sammy you rock man! He should be in the top ten if you don't believe me listen to songs like heavy metal and, sweet hitchhiker. He can scream almost like janis joplin. If you haven't heard him your missing out.

The guy is now 66 years old and can STILL wail and hold a note better than most on this list! He deserves to be in the top 10-15, period.

he must be the best, the number one. you didn't hear him very well. he is a god and his lyrics are exellent

Yes better voice than most singers here... Great singer

His live performance's vocal is unbelievable..very clean..maybe not the best..but he should be on top 10

Great singer with a wide range that should at least put him in the top 10. How can someone like Hetfield be ahead such a talented wunderkind?!

Of course Dickinson, Halford, and Dio take the cake right away, but Tate is truly a master at wailing! Just listen to any track of off Operation: Mindcrime or Empire and prepare to be blown away! He needs to be higher, at least at #10 at the very least if not in the top 5! Vote up, people!

If he's not in the top ten, there should not even be a list. I think people are misunderstanding this list. How could anyone ever compare the voices of Axl and guys like this? While Axl hit the scene hard and had a very unique voice, it was far from great and get him far away from the real contenders, especially Tate!

I can't believe he's not in the top 10!

Unbelievable this man is #1 period on Jan 14 2018 he turned 59. Now go look up Avantasia Seduction of Decay LIVE in Switzerland (I think) on you tube it was July 2017. Then tell me this man deserves to be at minimum top 5 but like I said he's #1

Randy blythe is the best and I mean the best he should be number 1 listen to "blood of the scribe" and "in your words" and vote again. Long live the prince of heavy metal!

Randy Blythe has the best metal vocals for sure, just listen to his voice, it's proper hardcore! And I don't know but why is he under Kurt?

His range is amazing and he can scream insane vocals. Should be number one for sure - heavymetalrocker777

You are great and I can't wait to see you in the flash

the best vocalist, frontman, and the most craziest performer ever! see his lips and and heard his screams? - ronluna

Just listen to his scream at the end of Draw The Line

I didn't expect to see one of the pioneers of American arena rock vocals down at 34. Come on guys.

AMAZING SINGER and AMAZING FRONTMAN but not necessarily Metal more like classic Rock

Now, I wouldn't say he was the best, but man could he make us wana party!

No matter what anyone says Manson is the best heavy metal singer of all time. His vocals could reach insane ranges, this was most notably shown in Sweet Dreams, Beautiful people and Coma White.

HE'S THE DEMON, HE SINGS HIS HEART OUT... IT'S MARILYN MANSON... I can't WAIT TO SEE HIM AT HIS NEXT CONCERT

He has the sexiest, darkest, badass, and most BRUTAL Hard Rock N Roll/Metal voices! Listen to him! The one and only...MARILYN MANSON

Should be #10 at least... such a dark, badass, deep voice.

The scream in Won't Get Fooled Again. Enough said.

Best singer ever and my name as musicianwise

Awesome! - Garjen

Definitely the most underrated vocalists on this list... He has the perfect voice for metal... Unlike most on this list... He actually sings instead of screams... I mean I'm all for screaming (i love all types of rock and metal.. Now calm down old school metal fans who can't accept change) David can do more than that... He can still sounds badass while singing... Just like dio did... He deserves to be at least top 5

Disturbed is all about Draiman's vocals. His vocal sound gives creeps for even most metal singers and it's stunning to hear him first sing song like "Asylum" and right after "Darkness". Beautiful, just beautiful!

What the hell happening in here? I can't believe it man. David draiman AT O 20? Why? He should be on top 5(AT LEAST)... Do some vote... For Voice of metal. His voice range is unbelievable. Listen to Asylum. The animal. Sons of plunder. Darkness. The night... Water boiling when he SINGING!

Very consistent, excellent LIVE! Amazing low range

Patton has done a lot of things in all kinds of genres. But I can't remember anything anyone ever called Heavy Metal or Hard Rock.
However he is the best vocalist on earth. And if he ever starts singing in a Heavy Metal or Hard Rock Band he will top them all. So I vote for him.

Breaks my heart that he isn't even on this list yet, should be #10 minimum

This list has to be more than just voice.. Agree with the top 3, Dio, Dickinson, and Halford, but Klaus should be top 5 easy! So much variety and so much power. Listen to the Scops live...huge voice. #51 is an embarrassment.. DLR better? Ozzy? Analyze your list...

Klaus meine voice is very Broad.. It covers all range... He should be in the number 1 spot...

In my opinion the best metal singer ever, without a doubt!

Not only technically awesome, but his way of interpretation is always emotive and deep.

Best female metal singer!
For me she is № 1

I am ashamed to know that I have to add his name. After 72 people.

Michael has no comparison, he is a god.. Pretty sure he sold his soul to be able to write the songs for Opeth and to vocally do what he does O. O

To Growl and sing melodiously as well... Deal struck with the devil for sure! Others are no where close

God of metal /m/ /m/

The most masculine voice ever and its not artificial its his natural voice unlike others above who have to scream to sound strong.

Really magnificent and extraordinary voice, along with good lyrics written by himself and also quite a showman on stage

Till do something special. Surely he can be better if he would keep singing in a classical way. Rhythmic and melodic. Perfect.

Till Lindemann is God.