Top 10 Best Death Metal Vocalists of All Time

Death metal is nothing without its vocalists. The growls, shrieks, and guttural roars define the genre just as much as the crushing riffs and relentless blast beats. A great death metal vocalist isn't just someone who can sound like a demon with a grudge. They're the ones who push their voices to extremes, making you feel the aggression, despair, or pure chaos in every syllable.

Some are pioneers who shaped the sound of death metal from its earliest days, while others refined and expanded what was possible with vocal technique. Some specialize in deep, animalistic growls, others unleash high-pitched screams that could wake the dead. And then there are those rare few who seamlessly switch between multiple styles, making you wonder if they're even human.

The best of the best aren't just loud, they're instantly recognizable. The moment you hear them, you know exactly who's behind the mic. Some have spent decades destroying their vocal cords in legendary bands, while others are newer but have already proven they belong in the conversation. These are the voices that fuel mosh pits, send chills down spines, and make lyrics about war, death, and destruction sound like a prophecy instead of just a song.

Who do you think deserves to rise to the top? Vote for your favorites, support the ones you think deserve more recognition, and see how your choices stack up against the rest of the metal community.

The Top Ten

Chuck Schuldiner (Death)

Charles Michael "Chuck" Schuldiner (1967-2001) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was the founder and leader of the band Death, widely considered one of the pioneers of the death metal genre. Schuldiner passed away from brain cancer on December 13, 2001, and is often referred to as... read more

Chuck is amazing. I don't really like the death growls like the Cannibal Corpse style kind of vocalist. I like Chuck's vocals. His first three albums were brutal but sounded really good. Then his vocals evolved into a high-pitched type, and I was amazed when I first heard it.
I love Chuck and Mikael Åkerfeldt the best. It would be very awesome to hear a full song with Chuck's soft vocals like he did for a minute on Painkiller. But that's Chuck, still a badass caring dude. Man, I wish he didn't die like that. He only drank and smoked a little grass, which aren't bad drugs, but he got brain cancer. Well, at least he's in a better place. R.I.P. Chuck, we love you.
Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth, Bloodbath)

Lars Mikael Åkerfeldt is a Swedish musician, best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the progressive death metal band Opeth. He was also the vocalist for the death metal supergroup Bloodbath, contributing to three albums before leaving the band in 2012.... read more

If we were looking at this from a non-biased point of view, we would see that this man is the best death metal vocalist (and one of the best metal vocalists or even vocalists in general) by far. Absolutely NOBODY else has death growls that sound this good. I don't think that the word "growls" does this man justice. He death ROARS.
Not only is he an amazing growler, but he has one of the most beautiful singing voices that I have ever heard, which is even more important. He can go from angel to demon or vice versa in the blink of an eye. And not only is his sound and technicality impressive, but he writes some of the deepest, most poetic lyrics that you are likely to hear in music. A true prodigy of his craft.
George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher (Cannibal Corpse)

George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher is an American extreme metal vocalist best known for his work with the death metal band Cannibal Corpse. He is also the lead vocalist for the melodic death metal band Paths of Possession. Fisher is recognized for his powerful vocal range and distinctive growling technique... read more

George Fisher is obviously the greatest of all time. Chuck Schuldiner is overrated since he does more high-pitched screams. Corpsegrinder is so mighty with his monstrous growling, and it is obvious that he has mastered it fluently. Death growling is not easy on the throat, but Corpsegrinder seems willing to growl no matter what.
On top of it all, he is very friendly and cool to be around.

Great vocalist! He has insane high-pitched screams and strong, monstrous growls. His style is very recognizable. He is the perfect vocalist for Cannibal Corpse, and he has also done some great work in his own melodic death metal band, Paths of Possession. It's really great stuff (maybe the best vocal work he's ever done. If you don't know the band, you should seriously check it out). I wouldn't have thought that his voice would fit melodic death metal, but it was perfect.
Johan Hegg (Amon Amarth)

Johan Hegg, born in 1973 in Stockholm, Sweden, is the singer of the melodic death metal band Amon Amarth. He joined the band in 1991 and has been a consistent presence in their lineup. Hegg is known for his powerful growling vocals and Viking-themed lyrical content.

Amon Amarth was the first death metal band that I ever listened to. Johan was, of course, the very reason I can do death metal vocals today. He's the very reason death metal is my favorite genre of metal. This man manages to perfectly balance power and melody.
With his vocals, Amon Amarth just wouldn't be the same band I fell in love with when I was 15. AA isn't my favorite band as it was, but it--and he--is the reason I and many others like all the death metal we do today. He is without a doubt the most pleasurable death metal vocalist to listen to, which is why AA is melodic death metal.

His growls feel natural and flow very well with Amon Amarth's music. It's also surprisingly intelligible and accessible for a casual death metal listener. Johan is certainly a good vocalist.
Honestly, Amon Amarth is the best band I'd consider a death metal mascot for contemporary times.
Chris Barnes (Six Feet Under, ex-Cannibal Corpse)

Chris Barnes is an American vocalist known for his guttural vocal style and violent lyrical content. He was a founding member of the death metal band Cannibal Corpse and contributed to their early albums before his departure. Barnes later formed the band Six Feet Under, which he continues to lead as... read more

His vocals in Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under are incredible. He just gets more unique and better with every album. No one grinds in a melody and sounds like a zombie out of a creek that's been drinking hydrochloric acid as it's roaring at you.

Chris Barnes was excellent on the first four Cannibal Corpse albums, but his work with Six Feet Under is mostly pretty abysmal.

Just watch Cannibal Corpse eat Moscow alive. He has the most badass style.
David Vincent (Morbid Angel)

David Justin Vincent, also known as Evil D, is an American musician best known as the former lead vocalist and bassist for the death metal band Morbid Angel. He also served as the bassist for the industrial metal band Genitorturers. Vincent has been active in various musical projects and has made significant... read more

I have a lot of respect for this man. He never fails to ace his work both as a bassist and as a vocalist.

For me, his voice makes the perfect death growl. Many of the others either sound screechy like Chuck Schuldiner or like the Cookie Monster, like George Fisher.
Glen Benton (Deicide)

Glen Michael Benton (born June 18, 1967) is an American death metal musician. He is best known as the vocalist and bassist for the band Deicide. He also contributed to the band Vital Remains, performing in recording sessions and occasionally live shows.... read more

I remember when I first heard Desire. I was already a fan of Morbid Angel, Entombed, Carcass, Suffocation, etc. But when I heard Deicide and Benton's vocals, I was blown away. He has this naturally demonic and aggressive voice that comes across fast and fluently. Early Deicide was at another level of speed, percussive brutality, and heaviness.

Mikael Åkerfeldt's voice is brutal, but what he lacks is speed and intensity like Glen Benton. To be a great death metal vocalist, one has to be able to sing with such speed and intensity.
Barney Greenway (Napalm Death)

Mark "Barney" Greenway (born July 13, 1969, in Great Barr, Birmingham, England) is a British extreme metal vocalist and the current lead singer and primary lyricist of Napalm Death. He is widely regarded for his powerful growling vocal style. He was formerly a member of Extreme Noise Terror and Benediction... read more

Barney Greenway's vocals sound like a 20-foot monster ripping through the roof of a building. Powerful, deep, brutal, and massive. A great vocalist among the many great vocalists in death metal/grindcore/deathcore.

#1, why? Benediction - Subconscious Terror, Napalm Death - Harmony Corruption. The vocals are so intense, dark, and brutal. The BEST!

The most brutal, aggressive, and powerful harsh voice I've ever heard!
Frank Mullen (Suffocation)

Frank Mullen is the vocalist of the American death metal band Suffocation. He met bandmates Terrance Hobbs and Mike Smith in high school. Mullen is known for pioneering the death growl vocal style and was a founding member of the band in 1988.

His growls are brutal but still natural. I like when he squeals from growls and then shows the most brutal powerful vocals in death metal music. I like that he does exhales. That's interesting because he does music where there are inhales more often. With John Gallagher, he is the best vocalist ever.

So much rage and power in his vocals. He changes it up from album to album, so there is great variety.

When I think brutal death metal vocals, I think of Frank Mullen.
John Tardy (Obituary)

I find Tardy's vocals to be humorous at times. Heck, the animated music videos convey that even more.
I personally like Tardy's vocals. It's not too gravelly, but it's deep and seething enough to give it a notable identity.

The most unique and original-sounding death metal vocalist ever! No one sounds like him!

Reminds me of Chuck Schuldiner during the Human era. Love this guy!

The Newcomers

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Vicky Psarakis (The Agonist)
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Dan Swano (Edge of Sanity, Bloodbath, Katatonia, Dawn of Dreams)

Dan-Erland Swanö is a Swedish musician who is currently the vocalist and guitarist for the band Nightingale. He was formerly the band's bassist and drummer and is also active as the vocalist, keyboardist, and drummer for the band Witherscape. Swanö gained recognition as the vocalist and songwriter... read more

The Contenders

Joe Duplantier (Gojira)

Joseph "Joe" Duplantier is a French musician best known as the guitarist and vocalist of the metal band Gojira. He is also one of the founding members of the band, which is renowned for its technical musicianship and environmental themes. Joe has collaborated with other artists and is involved in the... read more

Hands down the best melodic death metal vocals, period. I have yet to hear a death metal vocalist create such beautiful melodies with gut-wrenchingly heavy screams. He can scream actual notes and sound way better than anyone else in the industry at doing it.
Michael Kuster (Requiem)

Brutal and relentless with a no-holds-barred punk attitude. The man has great pipes! Underrated underground death metal vocalist, in my opinion.

Listen to Salvation in Vain. Killer.
Jeff Walker (Carcass)

Jeffrey Walker is a bass guitarist and vocalist from Windle, St Helens, UK. He is best known for his work with the death metal band Carcass, where he also serves as the main lyricist. Walker has been a central figure in the grindcore and death metal scenes since the late 1980s.

A unique, crazy, but already classic voice. Jeff is getting older, but his voice just doesn't change!

Jeff is classic. One of the best death metal vocalists of all time!

Songs like Edge of Darkness show why he should be number one.
Jeff Becerra (Possessed)

Do you have any doubt about his talent? Listen to Seven Churches then! He was an influential figure as well.

The natural death-ghastly voice of Becerra created a new genre, and Chuck defined it. They should be a draw for 1st place!

Way more extreme than your run-of-the-mill thrash vocalist!
Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity)

Bengt Mikael Stanne (born July 20, 1974) is the lead vocalist and one of the primary lyricists for the Swedish melodic death metal band Dark Tranquillity. He joined the band in its early years and has contributed to its evolution into one of the genre's most respected acts. Stanne was also the original... read more

The best one, in my opinion. His growls and screams are superb, sometimes even soft and gentle although still brutal, which makes him unique in the metal scene. On top of that, his clean vocals are simply beautiful and so atmospheric. Whenever you see him perform live, you know how much passion he puts into music.

He has a very notable rasp and scowl in his growling vocals, which gives Mikael a nice identity of his own in the death metal community. His baritone clean voice is also excellent.

The man of Dark Tranquillity! His growls are soft and evil, dark and gloomy. Mikael is much better than many others listed here.
Dan 'Lord Worm' Greening (Cryptopsy)

Dan Greening, known by his stage name Lord Worm, is the original vocalist for Cryptopsy, a Canadian technical death metal band. He contributed to the band's early albums, which helped define their intense and chaotic sound. Outside of music, he has also worked as an English teacher for adults.

Lord Worm's voice is complete madness. If you are a brutal death metal fan, he is your perfect choice!
Can't get gored more by anyone else!

His growls are as powerful as Corpsegrinder's and as brutal as Chris Barnes'! And his scream in Open Face Surgery is insane!

Lord Worm is king of screams when it comes to death metal. Even though you can't understand a word listening to None So Vile or Blasphemy Made Flesh, after a while he grows on you. Lord Worm is ten times better than Matt McGatchy. Matt definitely needs to learn from Lord Worm on how to be better. But overall, Lord Worm needs to be in the top 10.
Tomas Lindberg (At the Gates)

Just absolutely brutal, even despite his somewhat limited range. He perfectly serves every song and nothing more. He doesn't add unnecessary embellishments or things that otherwise detract from the music. Simple death metal vocals at their finest.
Chris Reifert (Autopsy)
Karl Willetts (Bolt Thrower)

He has a perfect deep brutal voice, not a screechy one, so you can feel the power of one of the best death metal bands, Bolt Thrower, and you can hear the lyrics too.

If you listen to how deeply this guy whispers "spearhead" or the intensity of the growl at the beginning of "Eternal War" and still have doubts about who's the best (and one of the most unique) death metal voices ever, search for medical help. Quickly!

Karl Willetts and Johan Hegg are the best death metal vocalists.
Martin van Drunen (Pestilence)

Such a generous dude. He has done guest vocals for many smaller bands, and he always chats and drinks with fans. Great vocalist and cool guy outside of the stage.

He is the vocalist from Asphyx and the ex-vocalist of Pestilence and Hail of Bullets.

The best death metal vocalist. Absolutely brutal.
George Kosmas (Be'lakor)

Best growl in the history of metal, and he does it perfectly live.
Bjorn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork)

This guy can hit higher notes while screaming than even Chuck Schuldiner.
Dallas Toller - Wade (Nile)
Muhammed Suiçmez (Necrophagist)

Muhammed Suiçmez was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, to Turkish immigrant parents. He is the frontman and guitarist of the German technical death metal band Necrophagist. He is also known for writing and performing most of the instrumental parts on their albums.
Jari Mäenpää (Wintersun, Ensiferum)

Jari Mäenpää (born December 23, 1977) is a Finnish heavy metal multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. He is the founder of the metal band Wintersun, for which he records all instruments in the studio. Before forming Wintersun, Mäenpää was best known for his role as the vocalist and guitarist in the folk... read more

Surprised to see him this high, but he deserves to be at least in the top 5. He sings amazingly, both cleanly and uncleanly, and he still sounds better than almost everyone who focuses on only one of those styles.
Hero in a Dream, Winter Madness, Battle Song, Death and the Healing, Sword Chant, Token of Time, Tale of Revenge, and Guardians of Fate are some of his best.