Top 10 Best Female Fronted Metal Bands

I absolutely love Nightwish. Everything about them is amazing. Their lyrics are deep, dark, and inspiring. Their music is spectacular. I have been a Nightwish fan for six years, and I'm only 12. I first heard Poet and the Pendulum when I was 6, and I was entranced by the melody of the music and Annette's voice.

I begged - literally begged - my father to get me all the Nightwish albums. I had heard every Nightwish song in a matter of two days. Now you can just play a few seconds of a Nightwish song, and I'll tell you the right answer. If you don't believe me, Nightwish themselves tested me. I met them before a concert a few months ago, and they tested me. I gave the right answers for Weak Fantasy, Wish I Had an Angel, and Sacrament of Wilderness. They were shocked and literally kept waving at me from the stage. Anyway, Nightwish is amazing and probably the most brilliant band to ever walk this earth.

Great band that delivers with every album released. Their first album 'Fallen' is a great example of why they deserve to be on this list, having sold 17 million copies worldwide alone. That, and two Grammy Awards, and onwards to much more. I'm surprised to see them at number two, but when people revote for the same band over and over until it's first, I can see why. Perhaps a better voting system would better represent a more accurate list.

It's a pity that some pathetic posters feel the need to trash talk about other bands like children. A moderator might be a good idea next time. But it's great to see a list like this for true lovers of great music to look up and hear about other bands they might not have known about. Thanks.

This band has been underrated for a long time. They are great and really unique. Every other female-fronted rock/metal band should be proud of them because they paved the way and were almost crucified for having success. Unique lyrics, emotional melodies. So, you don't believe they are metal? Listen to Understanding, Lacrymosa, Whisper, Weight of the World, Haunted, Never Go Back, Made of Stone, Even in Death, Snow White Queen, Your Star, All That I'm Living For, etc. They are awesome, for real. There are many bands, and I love many of them, but there is nothing like Evanescence. NOTHING.

What really makes a good band great? Charisma. Of all the leading front ladies in this list (and there are a lot of terrific ones), Sharon has a certain quality of charisma that you just can't stop watching or listening to. It's like it's always a perfect fit. They can do much more symphonic-based stuff (like Memories) and then they can turn in a very different direction (like Sinead), and Sharon just becomes what that song needs.

I love Simone. I think Annette is terrific and Lacey is crazy good (and there are many others as well), but Sharon just is.

Sharon Den Adel has angelic vocals.

They are my favorite band.

They get my vote.

Not a single "bad" song. They have "non-metal" songs (but so do many other bands on this list), and they still sound amazing and blow other genre greats out of the water.

The cohesiveness of their sound, despite all the different elements, is really unique in all of music, not just this genre.

Where else can you find angelic female vocals, symphonic thunder, rap, and growls all in the same song?

She has such a powerful voice and never fails to deliver an amazing performance, giving it all she has got. Her voice is so distinct and powerful that she stands out from everyone else. She is an amazing role model for many women and girls out there, and she proves to us all to just be ourselves - no fakery, just be honest, be yourself, and love yourself because we are all perfect the way we are.

She is such a friendly, caring woman who will go out of her way for others and her fans. I waited after a gig to see her and the band, and she gave us all the time in the world to greet us, sign albums, and take photos with us. To me, she is the best.

While the band has struggled to find a consistent sound, and thus maintain the same steady fan base as some of the others on this list, Cristina Scabbia is hands down the most talented female vocalist in metal.

Early releases like "Falling" from their self-titled EP showed her ability to convey raw emotion through her voice. Tracks throughout Comalies and Karmacode demonstrated her voice being precise and never falling short over a massive range. In their latest album, Dark Adrenaline, she even proved capable of delivering vocal blue notes.

I've seen a good chunk of these bands live, including powerhouses like Within Temptation and Evanescence, but they just didn't measure up. Lacuna Coil had a small and unresponsive crowd, yet still delivered one of the most energetic and well-played shows I've seen. Cristina's voice was so powerful that it was easier to hear from her lips than it was from the speakers.

There's a lot of talent on this list, but Lacuna Coil takes the cake.

Well, you have to experience them live to fully understand why so many different people from all genre types adore them. It's not just Angela's phenomenal voice and Michael's wicked melodic-death-metal riffs. It's the whole package of pure power and might that fills the air.

When you see them at first, you'll never expect that such a slight/graceful little person like Angela could release a tremendous thunderstorm of deep growls. I couldn't believe it until I saw them live. Don't expect some melodical finesse like Tarja Turunen. This is raw. This is pure unleashed power.

Yes, I'm a huge fan of that band. But I suggest everyone at least check them out on YouTube.

One of the only female-fronted bands that are considered "true metal." Nightwish sucks with their failed attempt at operatic vocals. Try Warrel Dane or Nevermore if you want a real operatic tone. On the other hand, Evanescence is not even metal. Most female-fronted bands these days are only selling the image and lack guitar solos and creative riffing, which is what makes a band, in my opinion. Fortunately, Arch Enemy has both, as the Amott brothers slay.

I don't want to sound like a hater here, but here it goes:
I voted for Epica because Epica deserves to be ranked higher. I also like Arch Enemy and Nightwish, which are already up there, but Epica MUST be higher than Evanescence, guys. Really. Especially on a metal list. Evanescence is rock. I have nothing against rock or Evanescence. However, sorry Evanescence fans, but Epica is way more creative. First of all, their lyrical quality is very high, and they have a unique concept. Secondly, they fit into the metal genre better and have a heavy, symphonic style.

Epica's music contains grunts, but anyone who has heard Simone Simons sing can relate. She can sing. Her range is really high. She can sing the low notes as well as the high ones. She can sing with her chest voice and her head voice, which is true talent. If you want to know what I mean, just listen to Epica's Chasing The Dragon, Consign To Oblivion, Kingdom Of Heaven, or similar songs. This needs to be higher than Evanescence, guys. Vote.

Though I like many of the bands on this list, In This Moment is not only my favorite listed, but my favorite overall. Why? Firstly, the lyrics never cease to be the perfect mix of catchy and meaningful. Secondly, the theatrics that the band puts on in live performances are unforgettable. It's not just music the fans come to see. It's a piece of theatre, an art form.

Thirdly, the singer. How could anyone not fall in love with Maria's insane vocals? She can scream, growl, shout, and sing, with a wider range than most vocalists, as well as crazy amounts of power in her voice. These factors, combined with a style that changes with every song and a talented group of musicians that certainly amp up the heavy, make it impossible to get bored with In This Moment.

Anytime someone says women can't scream, I tell them to listen to Maria Brink. I have no idea how you can deny that this group is insanely talented. Sure, the instrumentals aren't as complex as those of a lot of other heavy metal bands, but "insanely difficult" doesn't equal "insanely good." Their new album, Blood, is absolutely amazing. They're not my favorite female-fronted band (We Are the Fallen is my #1 favorite), but they are one of, if not the best, metal bands.

Lzzy has the best voice of a female metal vocalist I have heard in a long, long time. There's just something about her voice that has this '80s metal feel to it, and that's not a bad thing. She has power and a slight roughness to her voice when she sings songs like "Love Bites" and "I Miss the Misery," and she has a beautiful, echoing, powerful voice on their ballads. And as I'm sure everyone agrees, she is stunningly gorgeous. I, for one, think Halestorm deserves a much higher spot on this list, and I can't wait for their latest album "Into the Wild" coming this year.

Absolutely amazing band! Lzzy's vocals are just incredible, and I think she definitely proved that to everybody with Love Bites. She has great tone and fantastic belts, and not to forget, she is gorgeous - just so hot! I love this band so much and would recommend everybody see them live. They are all full of so much energy on stage and are good at interacting with their audience as well as each other. They all have great personalities, and everything they do is just so real.

I don't generally love metalcore or melodic death metal, but Alissa White-Gluz's balance of fierce growl and beautiful feminine vocal styles really works for me. Her favored topics of animal rights, human emotional experience, and social justice inform her music with metal aggression that, for a change, isn't based on cheesy satanic fantasies or juvenile delusions of power. The fact that she's a hottie who brings a modern-looking personal style to the stage doesn't hurt either. It seems that most ladies of metal still think it's the eighties.

The Agonist should be in a genre of their own: sophisticated, opinionated metal. Why? Because that's exactly what they are! The range of emotions and situations conveyed in their lyrics have a far-reaching appeal, and that's why I started listening to them. Not to mention Alissa White-Gluz's use of astonishingly good clean and harsh, savage unclean vocals. All in all, my favorite band by far!

Kittie is far and away the best all-female metal band in existence. Mercedes Lander is stiff competition for any drummer in the metal industry and, in my opinion, the glue that binds this band together. I don't mean to take away from the rest of the band. They are all extremely talented at what they do, but through all the lineup changes over their career, Mercedes is what keeps me listening and just keeps getting better.

I honestly don't even know how Evanescence got on this list, not to mention the top of it. They aren't a metal band. Maybe there are some hints and nods at metal in their repertoire, but overall, they're just pop/rock. They are a greatly talented band and I love them, but they're not metal.

Kittie is without a doubt a top 3 band in the female metal category. I wasn't a metalhead. The problem was that a lot of metal didn't have any melody. Anytime a genre of music can sway a non-listener to another genre, they have strong validity in that genre. Morgan's voice is beautiful, and her sister Mercedes plays as good as she looks - femme jolie.

I've listened to other female and male bands, and I can't seem to find another solid melodic band. I did manage to find Black Label Society, but as far as female bands go, there's no competition.

They are a consistently high-quality band. They don't have a bad track, and many are absolutely stand-out classics. They can do acoustic and get it just right. They are amazing live and create creative and exciting videos. With only a couple of albums behind them, I'm sure the best is yet to come. They are going to go from strength to strength, and that will be immense.

Beautiful Taylor, beautiful ivory skin, blonde hair, and awesome dark eyes. What makes The Pretty Reckless absolutely hot is the melody and rhythm tied into cunning lyrics that cause a brief pause. I want my mommysom, awesome band. Rock lives, man.

Only when I hear The Pretty Reckless does my skin tingle like chicken skin. They are one of the few girl bands that play a kind of classic rock with notes of alternative. Taylor's voice is so amazing that it's worth every penny.

I don't know why they're so low on this list. Even though a couple of the band's recent albums were not so good, their older albums like Sevas Tra, House of Secrets, and of course, The Ascension, are really great. Otep is very raw and powerful as a vocalist, and the rest of the band definitely backs her up very well.

For real, this woman lays down some of the most spine-tingling and bone-smashing yells and growls. She was seriously placed ninth? I understand that Evanescence is a great band as well, but this is a list for the best female-fronted metal bands. Otep is that!

Definitely #1 in my book. How in the world do you even include Evanescence on the same list as Otep? Evanescence is nowhere near metal. True metal is hard and not sweet melodic sounds like Amy.

The voice of the lead, Su-metal or Suzuka Nakamoto, is strong, powerful, and she uses it with complete control. Her voice has improved over the last couple of years, both because she is getting older and mostly because her confidence seems stronger and stronger.

Apart from the lead singer, the Kami Band is second to none in terms of technical skills. Many of the songs are demanding, but the band nails it every time.

Last but not least are the dancers/choir girls Yui- and Moa-metal, a.k.a. Black Baby Metal. They bring dynamics to the songs in terms of highly choreographed complex dances and, by the way, they actually can sing!

BABYMETAL is fronted by three females, technically. But the lead, eldest member Su-metal, is as highly trained a vocalist and as experienced as any other singer on this list or more (don't even doubt this). Even though most of BABYMETAL's fans do not speak Japanese, they become accessible and easier to understand via the gestures and slight acting mixed into the dancing of Moametal and Yuimetal.

They are simply one of the best industrial rock bands in the world! I can never understand why they aren't recognized internationally.

This is the best band in the world. They get better with every album. Amazing songwriting, lyrics, and visuals.

Chibi's vocals are unique! The band is amazing, and I'll say it again: the sound they create is unique!

We all take a stand to support our favorite bands, even though there are too many to choose from. However, if you were to ask me, I'm all in for AMARANTHE. Why? It's not like the other bands you know and have already heard of. It's about how many songs amaze you. Of course, you should all choose wisely and pick what you genuinely think is for you. Take this for example: Even though the front woman of AMARANTHE isn't that pretty or good-looking, it doesn't matter if you like the songs. The only thing is, don't be fooled by their beauty or styles. What I actually mean is - don't judge a book by its cover! Enough is enough!

Wow! The real monster on the list is now Nightfall. If this continues to ruin things for me, then I'll support Evanescence instead! And Taylor Momsen is just straightforward? Joke. I took the time to vote for AMARANTHE, as did these guys. Do any of us know about it? Yes, we do, since we all voted for this band. Before voting for this band, we all made decisions based on what we thought would be good for this band. We chose their self-titled album, Amaranthe, where every song on the album is a favorite of ours. That's for sure. If we didn't do it, then what was the reason for us to struggle voting for AMARANTHE? Was it just a big joke or prank? For someone else like Evanescence, The Letter Black (though they aren't metal), or even Arch Enemy? Then that's foolishness.

We all voted for AMARANTHE, and that's because we always like their songs. It would take a million or more thumbs-up for AMARANTHE. This is the real us. We vote for Elize Ryd because we like her vocal styles. "For we are many and we are one, and we vote for one... AMARANTHE!"

Great cousin band to Within Temptation, without all the unnecessary pomp and with better, more interpersonal lyrics. Their production is tight, especially on their sophomore album. They are one of the few metal bands that seem to deliver a certain soulful sensibility through their arrangements. Martijn's arrangements recall a lot of Nightwish influence but still retain their own identity and light. They strike a balance between carefully crafted, good symphonic metal and catchy, heavy hooks.

If Charlotte Wessels isn't the new European metal darling, then I don't know who is. They're overlooked a bit because of bands like Epica, but where Epica turns things up too loud, Delain is able to draw it in and craft something a little more delicate and twice as enjoyable without sounding watered down. Imagine if the sound of Evanescence had come from Europe. Well worth a listen!

Draconian is a band fronted by both male and female vocalists. Lisa has one of the most beautiful female voices in metal music. Her ethereal voice, combined with Anders's deep, beautiful growling, creates a great atmosphere. Draconian is the only metal band whose music brings tears to my eyes.

Best gothic doom band. Masters from Sweden. The divine, gentle voice of Lisa accompanies beautiful, atmospheric music.

The real engine behind the music of Draconian was the emotional singing of Lisa Johansson. When Heike Langhans took her place, she added a different and more powerful tone to the lyrics. This is a great band with two of the most emotional singers ever. You should vote for them!

Lori Lewis is the best voice in the symphonic metal genre. She doesn't need to release a special DVD, like Tarja, to show that she can sing opera or other genres. Therion was one of the first bands to explore the exquisite combination of symphonic elements with metal. With 25 years of career behind them, they continue to outshine other bands.

The lyrics show a high level of culture and knowledge from the composers, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Karlsson. The vocal techniques they employ are highly advanced. In addition to that, they have adopted a very avant-garde approach to singing. Until 2012, they used two female vocalists and two male vocalists together. Since 2012, they have used two female vocalists together and one male voice. It's worth highlighting that the male singer, Thomas Vikstrom, and one of the female singers, Mrs. Lori Lewis, are both professional opera singers.

Therion is my favorite symphonic metal band. I lost both of my parents years ago and was always close to them. When they died, there was a big void in my life. Therion's music helps me through the pain of their loss. I guess you could say that Therion's music takes away the empty feeling I have in their absence. I love Therion.