Top 10 Metal Musician Stage Names and Nicknames
The Top Ten
1 Ronnie James Dio - Ronald James Padavona
Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona; July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010) was an American heavy metal singer, songwriter and musician. He fronted and/or founded numerous groups including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell. He is credited with popularizing the "metal horns" hand gesture in metal culture and is known for his medieval themed lyrics. Dio possessed a powerful versatile vocal range capable of singing both hard rock and lighter ballads; according to Rainbow/Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore upon hearing him sing, "I felt shivers down my spine." Dio sold over 47 million albums throughout his career.
He died from stomach cancer in 2010 at the age of 67.
Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona; July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010) was an American heavy metal singer, songwriter and musician. He fronted and/or founded numerous groups including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell. He is credited with popularizing the "metal horns" hand gesture in metal culture and is known for his medieval themed lyrics. Dio possessed a powerful versatile vocal range capable of singing both hard rock and lighter ballads; according to Rainbow/Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore upon hearing him sing, "I felt shivers down my spine." Dio sold over 47 million albums throughout his career.
He died from stomach cancer in 2010 at the age of 67. Dio means God in Italian.
2 Dimebag Darrell - Darrell Lance Abbott
Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as Diamond Darrell and Dimebag Darrell, was an American guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of two bands, Pantera and Damageplan, alongside his brother, Vinnie Paul. Abbott died in 2004 after he was shot by a mentally unstable fan.
Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as Diamond Darrell and Dimebag Darrell, was an American guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of two bands, Pantera and Damageplan, alongside his brother, Vinnie Paul. Abbott died in 2004 after he was shot by a mentally unstable fan. Aka Diamond Darrell, or most often - just Dimebag.
The Greatest guitarist that has ever lived
3 Ozzy Osbourne - John Michael Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948. He is also known as ''The Prince of Darkness''. Ozzy is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality. He rose to prominence in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of the band Black Sabbath. Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath ...read more.
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948. He is also known as ''The Prince of Darkness''. Ozzy is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality. He rose to prominence in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of the band Black Sabbath. Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath ...read more.
4 King Diamond - Kim Bendix Petersen
Kim Bendix Petersen, better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Danish heavy metal musician. He is known for his extensive vocal range, usually sung in falsetto. King Diamond was originally known as the vocalist for Mercyful Fate, but has become notorious for his horror themed Concept albums that he has released as a solo artist.
He is also known for his Satanism which he does not see as a religion, but a philosophy by which he lived even before reading Anton LaVey's The Satanic Bible.
Kim Bendix Petersen, better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Danish heavy metal musician. He is known for his extensive vocal range, usually sung in falsetto. King Diamond was originally known as the vocalist for Mercyful Fate, but has become notorious for his horror themed Concept albums that he has released as a solo artist.
He is also known for his Satanism which he does not see as a religion, but a philosophy by which he lived even before reading Anton LaVey's The Satanic Bible. Pretty good stage name. And he's really good. His falsetto...
5 Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth - Robert Ellsworth
Robert Ellsworth, mainly known as Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth, is the lead vocalist of New Jersey thrash metal band Overkill.
Robert Ellsworth, mainly known as Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth, is the lead vocalist of New Jersey thrash metal band Overkill.
6 Quorthon - Tomas Börje Forsberg
Tomas Börje Forsberg, known by the stage name Quorthon (1966-2004), was a Swedish musician. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist of the band Bathory, which pioneered the black metal genre and is credited with creating the Viking metal style. A multi-instrumentalist, Quorthon wrote the music and lyrics on all of albums. He died from a heart attack in 2004.
Tomas Börje Forsberg, known by the stage name Quorthon (1966-2004), was a Swedish musician. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist of the band Bathory, which pioneered the black metal genre and is credited with creating the Viking metal style. A multi-instrumentalist, Quorthon wrote the music and lyrics on all of albums. He died from a heart attack in 2004. Such a cool and badass name...Suits him
7 Tim 'Ripper' Owens - Timothy S. Owens
Timothy S. "Ripper" Owens is an American heavy metal singer who first gained attention as the lead singer of Judas Priest, and then Iced Earth. He took the nickname "Ripper" from the Judas Priest song "The Ripper" during his time in the tribute band "British Steel". He currently performs with Beyond Fear, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force and Charred Walls of the Damned.
Timothy S. "Ripper" Owens is an American heavy metal singer who first gained attention as the lead singer of Judas Priest, and then Iced Earth. He took the nickname "Ripper" from the Judas Priest song "The Ripper" during his time in the tribute band "British Steel". He currently performs with Beyond Fear, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force and Charred Walls of the Damned. Nicknamed after the Judas Priest song "The Ripper" - if I correctly remember, the song is about a serial killer known as "The Ripper".
8 Alexi 'Wildchild' Laiho - Markku Uula Aleksi Laiho
Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho (April 8th 1979 - December 29th 2020) was a Finnish guitarist, composer, and vocalist. He is best known as the lead guitarist, lead vocalist, and founding member of the melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. He was also the guitarist for Sinergy, The Local Band, and Kylähullut.
Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho (April 8th 1979 - December 29th 2020) was a Finnish guitarist, composer, and vocalist. He is best known as the lead guitarist, lead vocalist, and founding member of the melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. He was also the guitarist for Sinergy, The Local Band, and Kylähullut. 'Wildchild' describes him very well - who else would form a death metal band at 14?
9 Lord Worm - Dan Greening
Dan Greening, aka Lord Worm, is the original vocalist for Cryptopsy, a Canadian technical death metal band. He is also an English teacher.
Dan Greening, aka Lord Worm, is the original vocalist for Cryptopsy, a Canadian technical death metal band. He is also an English teacher. The ex-Cryptopsy vocalist used to dig up and ingest worms on stage.
10 Thomas 'The Omen' Stauch - Thomas Stauch
Thomas ("The Omen") Stauch, also known as Thomen Stauch, is a German metal drummer best known as the drummer for the metal band Blind Guardian (1984-2005) and one of the founding members. He worked with various bands and is the current drummer for Serious Black.
Thomas ("The Omen") Stauch, also known as Thomen Stauch, is a German metal drummer best known as the drummer for the metal band Blind Guardian (1984-2005) and one of the founding members. He worked with various bands and is the current drummer for Serious Black. The Omen...Such a badass nickname!
The Contenders
11 Dead - Per Yngve Ohlin
Per Yngve Ohlin, better known by his stage name Dead, was a Swedish black/death metal vocalist and lyricist best known for his work with Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. He committed suicide in 1991 in which former guitarist Euronymous took a few pictures of his corpse and used one of them as the front cover for one of Mayhem's live albums, Dawn of the Black Hearts.
Per Yngve Ohlin, better known by his stage name Dead, was a Swedish black/death metal vocalist and lyricist best known for his work with Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. He committed suicide in 1991 in which former guitarist Euronymous took a few pictures of his corpse and used one of them as the front cover for one of Mayhem's live albums, Dawn of the Black Hearts. ..He gave that name to him HIMSELF, But I'm not gonna give any reason for that.
12 Euronymous - Øystein Aarseth
Øystein Aarseth (1968-1993), who went by the pseudonym Euronymous, was a Norwegian guitarist and co-founder of the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. Euronymous was stabbed to death by band member Varg Vikernes in August 1993.
Euronymous was a controversial figure in black metal. He claimed to be a theistic satanist and was against individualism, compassion, peace, happiness and fun. He also claimed that he wanted to spread sorrow, hatred and evil. Another controversial thing he did was that he took pictures of Dead's corpse and used one of them for the front cover of Mayhem's live album Dawm of the Black Hearts. He stated that Dead's suicide was used to foster Mayhem's evil image.
Øystein Aarseth (1968-1993), who went by the pseudonym Euronymous, was a Norwegian guitarist and co-founder of the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. Euronymous was stabbed to death by band member Varg Vikernes in August 1993.
Euronymous was a controversial figure in black metal. He claimed to be a theistic satanist and was against individualism, compassion, peace, happiness and fun. He also claimed that he wanted to spread sorrow, hatred and evil. Another controversial thing he did was that he took pictures of Dead's corpse and used one of them for the front cover of Mayhem's live album Dawm of the Black Hearts. He stated that Dead's suicide was used to foster Mayhem's evil image. Such a cool name...Great musician but I hate him as a human.
13 Nergal - Adam Michaeł Darski
Adam Nergal Darski (born Adam Michał Darski; 10 June 1977 in Gdynia), is a Polish musician and television personality, best known for being the frontman for the black/death metal band Behemoth.
Darski was born Adam Michał Darski in Gdynia, Poland, raised Catholic, and started playing guitar at age eight. He goes by the stage name Nergal (naming himself after a Babylonian deity), and he is the founder, lyricist, main composer, frontman and manager of the band Behemoth, which he started when he was still a teenager. He also plays lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar.
Adam Nergal Darski (born Adam Michał Darski; 10 June 1977 in Gdynia), is a Polish musician and television personality, best known for being the frontman for the black/death metal band Behemoth.
Darski was born Adam Michał Darski in Gdynia, Poland, raised Catholic, and started playing guitar at age eight. He goes by the stage name Nergal (naming himself after a Babylonian deity), and he is the founder, lyricist, main composer, frontman and manager of the band Behemoth, which he started when he was still a teenager. He also plays lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar. Aka Adam Nergal Darski
14 Fenriz - Gylve Fenris Nagell
Gylve Fenris Nagell, better known as Fenriz, is a Norwegian musician who is best known as being one half of the metal duo Darkthrone.
Gylve Fenris Nagell, better known as Fenriz, is a Norwegian musician who is best known as being one half of the metal duo Darkthrone.
15 Tom G. Warrior - Thomas Gabriel Fischer
Thomas Gabriel Fischer, earlier known by his stage name of Tom G. Warrior, is a Swiss metal musician. He best known as the frontman for extreme metal bands Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, and Triptykon.
Thomas Gabriel Fischer, earlier known by his stage name of Tom G. Warrior, is a Swiss metal musician. He best known as the frontman for extreme metal bands Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, and Triptykon.
16 Abbath Doom Occulta - Olve Eikemo
Olve Eikemo, better known by his stage name Abbath Doom Occulta, is a Norwegian musician who best known as the former frontman of black metal band Immortal and the current frontman of the band Abbath.
Olve Eikemo, better known by his stage name Abbath Doom Occulta, is a Norwegian musician who best known as the former frontman of black metal band Immortal and the current frontman of the band Abbath.
17 Varg Vikernes - Kristian Vikernes
Louis Cachet, (born Kristian Vikernes) more popularly known as Varg Vikernes, is a Norwegian musician, writer, and a convicted murderer and arsonist. He is known as the frontman of the one-man band Burzum (named after a word in the Black Speech, which is a fictional language in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings), which is considered one of the most influential bands in black metal history. He's also known for murdering Mayhem guitarist Euronymous and was sentenced to 21 years in prison in 1994.
Louis Cachet, (born Kristian Vikernes) more popularly known as Varg Vikernes, is a Norwegian musician, writer, and a convicted murderer and arsonist. He is known as the frontman of the one-man band Burzum (named after a word in the Black Speech, which is a fictional language in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings), which is considered one of the most influential bands in black metal history. He's also known for murdering Mayhem guitarist Euronymous and was sentenced to 21 years in prison in 1994. Yep, his real first name is Kristian.
18 Gaahl - Kristian Eivind Espedal
Kristian Eivind Espedal, better known by his stage name Gaahl, is a Norwegian vocalist and artist. He is best known as the former frontman of Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. He is also the founder and frontman of Trelldom and Gaahlskagg.
Kristian Eivind Espedal, better known by his stage name Gaahl, is a Norwegian vocalist and artist. He is best known as the former frontman of Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth. He is also the founder and frontman of Trelldom and Gaahlskagg. Another black metal musician whose real first name is Kristian.
19 Infernus - Roger Tiegs
Roger Tiegs (born on 18 June 1972), better known by his stage name, Infernus, is a Norwegian black metal musician and Satanist. He is the sole founding member and chief ideologist of the Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth, which was formed in 1992, as well as the founder and head of Forces of Satan Records. He is mainly a guitarist, but has also participated as bassist, drummer and vocalist on several recordings released both by Gorgoroth and other bands.
Roger Tiegs (born on 18 June 1972), better known by his stage name, Infernus, is a Norwegian black metal musician and Satanist. He is the sole founding member and chief ideologist of the Norwegian black metal band Gorgoroth, which was formed in 1992, as well as the founder and head of Forces of Satan Records. He is mainly a guitarist, but has also participated as bassist, drummer and vocalist on several recordings released both by Gorgoroth and other bands. Suits him!
( He is looking kinda scary here but he is actually very handsome lol )
20 Attila Dorn - Karsten Brill
21 Cronos - Conrad Thomas Lant
The guy from Venom.
22 Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven - Sigurd Wongraven
Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven is the vocalist, lead and rhythm guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Norwegian black metal band Satyricon.
Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven is the vocalist, lead and rhythm guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Norwegian black metal band Satyricon.
23 Frost - Kjetil-Vidar Haraldstad
Aka Kjetil-Vidar "Frost" Haraldstad
24 Marilyn Manson - Brian Hugh Warner
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.
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.
25 Axl Rose - William Bruce Rose, Jr.
William Bruce Rose Jr., better known as 'Axl Rose', is an American singer born on February 6, 1962, in Lafayette, Indiana. He Is the founder and lead singer of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses. He is a celebrated but controversial figure in the world of rock.
William Bruce Rose Jr., better known as 'Axl Rose', is an American singer born on February 6, 1962, in Lafayette, Indiana. He Is the founder and lead singer of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses. He is a celebrated but controversial figure in the world of rock.BAdd New Item