Top Ten Modern Metal Vocalists
Since this is the list for Modern Metal Vocalists, I've excluded some honorable names like Bruce Dickinson, Robert Plant, Rob Halford, Tim "Ripper" Owens, James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, etc.
Matthew Charles Sanders, better known by his stage name M. Shadows, is an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter and founding member of the American metalcore/alternative metal band Avenged Sevenfold. Not overrated at all. He made a big way came from Metalcore to revive old school heavy metal comeback to the glorious along with David Draiman on modern day. You must thanks to him because metal can still compete with pop music on the bilboard.
A7X made a right choice come to heavy metal, because is way more versatile style than in their metalcore day.
"Oh he's a poser and I don't like Avenged Sevenfold so therefore they are posers! " Said every sad elitist metalhead in the world. Matt has a great voice that in my opinion is very reminiscent of Dave Mustaine and Phil Anselmo, who are two of the most influential frontmen in metal. He's a great vocalist overall and so is David Draiman and sweet Jesus Mikael Åkerfeldt's voice is incredible! From the voice of a demon to the voice of an angel in a second!
Matt Shadows IS the best metal vocalist. He can sing soft songs like dear god and warmness on the soul as well as typical metal songs like we come out at night and unholy confessions. A7X foREVer...
I have a suggestion a for you people... Try Indian metals... Bands like Demonic Resurrection, Scribe, Cosmic Infusion, Bhayanak Maut are some great Indian bands with good quality metal musics.
Lars Mikael Åkerfeldt is a Swedish musician, prominently known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of progressive death metal band Opeth, as well as being the former vocalist of death metal supergroup Bloodbath for three albums up until 2012.
He also has a side project with Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson known as Storm Corrosion. They released their self titled debut in 2012.
Akerfeldt also performed lead vocals on Katatonia's sophomore album "Brave Murder Day". He is best friends with their regular lead singer, Jonas Renkse. This guy is a genius. Seriousness is the opposite of genius. And all the rivals here are serious dogmatic METAL vocalists. Åkerfeldt is not only a terrific vocalist...He's a great songwriter. He has a celestial clean voice, the heaviest growls on earth. When he writes songs - he serves the song. He makes all other metal-musicians look like narrow-minded teenagers.
Mikael is just too gifted... too genius to even be listed here.
A7x is not pure metal. They really shouldn't be in the top ten, much less first. Mikael Akerfeldt is probably one of the greatest vocalist who shall ever live. He deserves number one
The best male metal vocalist ever! His variation in voice... From satanic growling to soft acoustic vocals are epic!
Listen to his song 'Black Rose Immortal' with Opeth! It defines Åkerfeldt and his genius!
Mikael has the best metal, hell some of the best vocals of any genre. His voice can go from being soothing and melodic to brutal as hell. He deserves #1
Corey Todd Taylor was born in December 8, 1973. He is an American musician, author, and actor best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the Nu-metal band Slipknot and hard rock/alternative metal band Stone Sour. Taylor is the best modern Metal vocalist, he can sing heavy while pronouncing he lyrics, unlike a very large number of bands that have songs as intense as Slipknot, and he shows his soft side in Stone Sour, extremely versatile. Shadows isn't a true metal vocalist A7X is a hardrock/metalcore band, their first albums were heavy but bad vocals. No one can sing like Taylor hands down.
Taylor is without a doubt the best modern day metal vocalist. If I had to pick my top metal singers he would be Nr. 4. The only three guys who are better than him are the legends DIO, Halford and Dickinson. I would rank him even above Ozzy. His voice is amazing and he mastered different styles. There is nothing that he couldn't sing.
Are you kidding me right now?
Corey Taylor is the without a doubt, the best Modern Metal Vocalist.
M Shadows is not purely metal for god's sake!
You listen to a song like Before I Forget and then Listen to Snuff.
Only someone like him can sing those two songs.
Hands down the GEATEST metal vocalist today if not ever! Corey has such a strong voice and is able to go from an intense growl (psychosocial) to a beautiful melody. He is one of the most creative song writers out there just look at his work.
David Michael Draiman is an American songwriter and the vocalist for the band Disturbed as well as for the band Device. Hetfield is a fraud and by far one of the worst vocalist ever. I love the Holy Trinity, first 3 albums simply amazing. Then when And Justice For All came out, it was very clear he had been the beneficiary of some serious vocal enhancements. As much as I still love Ride The Lightning, I'm no longer in 8th grade and can clearly tell that's nowhere near his natural voice. He pulled a T Pain on us.
Learn to accept facts and stop voting based on looks and popularity. M Shadows is superb. He is talented and really cool. David Draiman is the best. Draiman comes behind only Sully Erna and James Hetfield M Shadows is slightly overrated. Draiman is far more creative and skilled. His voice is powerful and really melodious to listen to. He has a greater vocal range.
The great voice of metal. This guy is one of the best in metal history. Out of all the singers alive today, this guy is crownd best. Yes I even mean better than Anelmo an Hetfield. Now he wasn't so good on the sickness. After that though, it was time to unleash his best. He would make a very good thrash singer, I heard sing with megadeth he would make a great thrash singer. Maybe the best. His voice is powerful and heavy and melodic.
Not even worth a debate. David is a classically trained vocalist who put Melodic, true heavy metal back on the map. Nobody in the 90's and nobody since has come close to the classic metal sounds. Listen to the entire Believe album and the debate ends. That was truly a classic sounding Heavy Metal album. Probably the beat since Iron Maidens Peace of Mind.
Chester Charles Bennington (March 20th, 1976 - July 20th, 2017) was an American musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known for being the lead singer of Linkin Park. Before he was known for Linkin Park, Bennington was the lead singer of post-grunge act Grey Daze who was heavily inspired by Stone Temple Pilots they released two albums with Chester before his death. Wake Me and No Sun Today, a third album called Amends would be released in 2020 consisting of voice samples from Bennington. After Grey Daze dissolved, Bennington would join Linkin Parkin in 1999 formerly called Hybrid Theory, replacing former vocalist Mark Wakefield, who would go on to become Taproot's producer. Even with Bennington's vocal promise the band would get rejected five hundred times by Warner Bros, who felt unsure of the duo's rap-rock fusion, and turnable sound. Prompting to get Shinoda fired, but Chester persisted with the sound remaining the same. Eventually getting signed and began working on what would ...read more. Not as crazy for Linkin Park's new stuff like I was for the old classics like Meteora and Hybrid Theory. But Chester is still an excellent singer whether it be with the bands more recent melodic electric pop music, or with their old electric, hard rock/metal music that made me such a big fan of them. Hybrid Theory was the first CD I ever owned as a child, and I still give it a listen every now and then.
I think this great vocal artist should be placed beside Shadows. A7X is a heavy metal band (little bit inclined to punk) whereas LP is basically a developed nu metal group.So just consider these two bands as the representative of two extreme sub genre of metal music. M.Shadows and Chester Bennington both are top class vocal artists.
Listening to Linkin Park's first 2 albums (hybrid theory, meteora) is what you need to to crossover from rock to metal!
What is wrong with you?! Chester on top 20? You're got to be kidding ME?! He should at least top 2 or 1.
Roy Sætre Khantatat, is a Norwegian singer-songwriter. Commonly known as Roy Khan or simply Khan, he was the lead vocalist for the symphonic power metal band Kamelot from 1997 to his departure in 2011. He co-wrote most of Kamelot's songs with the band's guitarist and founder Thomas Youngblood during his tenure. Roy khan. Oh my god. Just reading his name and I feel like having his voice whispering in my ear. It is not just his great ability to turn a heart-breaking song into an epic masterpiece in metal history, but also his capacity to communicate his feelings to every spectator even if you have the volume down. His expressivity in music videos or concerts, all helped by his opera classes he took after joining the great symphonic/progressive metal bands Conception, and later on Kamelot. Thank you for all your awesome songs March of Mephisto, The Fourth Legacy, Karma, Ghost Opera, Forever... Those are more than songs.
Khan being below any of these hacks in the top ten is pure blasphemy. The man had range that very few could compete with, and passion second to none. Corey Taylor and M. Shadows better than Khan? They're not even better than Howard Jones or Matt Heafy. I can think of way better vocalists for the top ten: Tom Englund of Evergrey, Mathias Blad from Falconer, Tommy Karevik, the new front man for Kamelot, Russel Allen of Symphony X, Miles Kennedy of Alter Bridge, Matthew Barlow of Iced Earth... I don't know the guys name even but the male singer from Amaranthe- all completely put to shame every vocalist on this list put before Roy Khan.
And Khan stands at the head of all of them. Ridiculous.
I believe Roy Khan should be at the top. Shadows (#1) doesn't have vocal range, and Roy has all the vocal range. Shadows yells all his songs and his screams hurt my ears with annoying, Roy didn't even need to scream to appeal to the scene masses that heard his music with Kamelot. He is pure soul and emotion, and it's a disgrace that talent is overlooked because of edgy teenagers voting that don't understand what vocal range means.
Roy Khan should be at the top of this list. His ability to throw his whole being into a song and bring it to life is amazing. The man has a great range and is a truly captivating performer. Also one of the few I guys I have seen that sounds better live than on the Kamelot albums.
David Randall "Randy" Blythe is the vocalist and lyricist of American heavy metal band Lamb of God and side-project band Halo of Locusts. I am slightly biased towards vocalists who use growling or screaming for vocals all the time, but I will say that Randy Blythe is very good at these type of vocals. There are many vocalists who growl for vocals and you can't understand a word they're saying. With Blythe, you can understand nearly every single word that is growled.
Is this even a list of heavy metal vocalists. M shadows for #1. Wow.
Very underrated. just listen to the night flight orchestra and soilwork stuff
He's great. I love Soilwork and Disarmonia Mundi, but he is no where near the best
Vocalist for Disarmonia Mundi, Coldseed and Soilwork most prominently.
Serj Tankian is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, poet, and political activist. He's best known for being the lead singer of the Armenian/American rock band System of a Down. After System of a Down's hiatus in 2006 he began to release solo material. Some of his solo songs include: The Sky is Over, Lie Lie Lie, Harakiri, Baby, Empty Walls, and more. His solo albums and EPS include: Elect The Dead (2007), Imperfect Harmonise (2010), Harakiri (2012), Jazz-iz Christ (2013), Fuktronic (2020), and Elasticity (2021) on top of that he has gone on to perform soundtracks for films in recent years. People don't like him because he is different. But I love his style of singing. He gives everything authenticity. And he doesn't hide his accent. He is amazing
He may not be the best to the world, but yes he is my role model and to me the best vocalist that lived, just unique!
The best vocalist I have heard in my life. Comparable to Freddie Mercury. It's all about the classical training!
Sorry but no. System of a Down is good and all but Serj sounds like he's inhaled far too much helium.
Russell Allen is a singer and lyricist best known as the vocalist of American progressive metal band Symphony X. This man easily tops the top 10 on this list. His highs are absolutely incredible. As are his lows and the overall quality of his voice.
Singer of Symphony X. I can't believe he isn't already on this list. This dude is incredible. One hell of a vocal range.
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. What is M. Shadows doing in the 1st spot?!? There are much better vocalists and M. Shadows is so overrated because he sounds like a pop-rock singer and that what makes him overrated.. But there are better vocalists like Liaho, Draiman, Randy Blythe, Chuck Schiulnder, Mikael Akerfeldt, Corey Taylor, Benjamin Burnely, Till Landerman, Bruce Dicknson, James Hetfield, Joe Dupluinter... But I'm not saying he is a bad vocalist.. He is so overrated but still good vocalist
Maynard James Keenan, often referred to by his initials MJK, is an American musician, record producer, winemaker, and actor, best known as the vocalist for Grammy Award-winning progressive metal band Tool. He also is the singer of A Perfect Circle and Puscifer bands that vary in style. A stunning vocalist and songwriter, I'd say what sets him apart is the dedication to his craft, his obvious desire to push the scope of what he can do and to try new and different approaches. You get the same sense from every member of Tool and I think it's what makes them so great and such a radical departure from pretty much every other band out there. They aren't setting out to raise a roof or move a room of bodies or whatever, you really feel that they each just love music in general and their respective instruments and it's all like one big experiment in pushing their own learning and ability with it as far as it will go.
Currently ranked 37? Are you kidding me? He has a four octave range, and the ability to go from clean easy tone, to one of the most primal and emotional screams you could imagine. He deserves way more respect than 37.
An absolute lyrical genius. He has an amazing voice which pairs well with Justin Chancellor's bass playing. If you haven't listened to Tool yet, listen to them. You won't regret it. I recommend Schism, The Pot, Vicarious, and Aenema.
Absolutely one of the best. Soaring cleans and dark growls. The only thing I don't like is his lack of range with growls - can be very monotonous, but a great smooth growl tone.
His clean range and his ability to growl is astounding, along with that his vocals are so diversified within each song. I recommend the album Holographic Universe by SS
His ability to do both clean vocals as well as insane growls makes him by far the best metal vocalist ever.
Vocalist for Solution.45, Miseration and ex-Scar Symmetry most prominently.
Matthew "Matt" Kiichi Heafy is a Japanese-American musician, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Orlando based Heavy Metal/Metalcore band Trivium. Trivium is a notable member of NWOAHM... Their styles are unique... Heafy is not a trained vocal artist although his way of singing is exactly feets with heavy metal style... So I think Matt Heafy should placed just after Draiman.
I can't believe Heafy's not even top ten. Has anyone even seen these bands live? Not to mention his versatility and range.
Seriously? Matt Heafy must be on top 5 he was a very good vocalist and frontmen, really down to the earth person. I think he is the best frontman in musical industry
His screamas are incredible and his singing has improved a lot. That makes him an azome singer. In every album he chages a lot, and that's very cool.
Howard Jones (Born July 20th, 1970) is an American Heavy Metal vocalist. He currently fronts the band Light the Torch (Formerly Devil You Know), but is best known for his tenure in the band Killswitch Engage from 2002 to 2012 and was a vocalist for the now defunct Blood Had Been Shed. Howard is so overlooked, what a shame. His voice is so soothing and soulful and he screams with ease. He should be in the top 5 without a doubt. I can't describe his voice you just need to listen for yourself. My personal favourite metal vocalist.
Howard's range is ridiculous, his useage of melody is so incredibly diverse and unique, there's a reason they're the world most known metalcore band. Don't forget about Jesse though!
Howard should be above Matt Heafy. Both are great vocalists, bot Howard is just better.
Why are there even other people on this list?
Poets of the Fall isn't metal at all. But I love Marko! He's one of the naturally gifted singers around. Having seen him perform life is indeed my best experience!
This guy isn't even metal and is at #5?!? His band Poets of the Fall plays alternative rock, post-grunge, pop rock. Nowhere near metal.
He has a truly magical Voice. May be the most unique singing voice I heard yet. It's a real shame that they're not more famous.
Since when POETS OF THE FALL becomes a metal band? Do you people think Carnival of rusts, Cradled in love, Running out of time, Daze, Late goodbye are heavy metal stuffs! by the way I am also a fan of POETS OF THE FALL.. They are an alternative rock band ( I think this term is more justified)...
Floor Jansen is a Dutch singer-songwriter and vocal coach. She is currently vocalist of Nightwish and leader of Revamp.
Hansi Kürsch, born Hans Jürgen Kürsch, is the lead singer, lyricist, co-composer and bassist for German power metal band Blind Guardian . Heavily influenced by Freddie Mercury, he creates a huge choir effect by overdubbing his own voice multiple times in complex, overlapping vocal harmonies. He records ...read more.
Myles Richard Kennedy is an American musician, singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Alter Bridge, and as the lead vocalist in Slash's current band: Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators. This guy has sung a wide variety of songs- jazz, blues, alternative rock, hard rock, metal, pop... You name it!
And he has owned the genre every single time.
Go listen to Words darker than their wings... the high note is amazing
Slash recruited him. End of.
No words! Purely amazing!
Burton Christopher Bell is an American musician and vocalist, best known as the frontman and co-founder of the industrial metal band Fear Factory, of which he's the only consistent member.
Tobias Sammet is a German metal musician, best known as the vocalist and primary songwriter of the power metal band Edguy, as well as the founder, main singer and bassist of the metal opera Avantasia.
Raw energy and incredible range - ballad to scream to belt - Tatiana can put it all in a 5-second window as she does in Teacher Teacher.
Till Lindemann is a German singer, songwriter, musician, actor, poet, and pyrotechnician. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman of the German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. A truly amazing vocalist, hands down. Whether you agree or not, one has to truly appreciate this lead singer for being able to convey a wide range of emotions in such a powerful way. One example would be in Ohne Dich and Wo Bist Du in which if you sit down to truly listen to the song, hear him convey something heart rendering that you feel as if you lost someone dearly. Or from the signature fierceness and aggression his voice can be combined softness but still ever powerful just like in the song Mutter. Even more so Till's voice can convey the message of the lyrics and truly bring together the rest of the bands magnificent playing to make the listeners laugh, cry or be furious. One of my favorite vocalist from one of my favorite bands.
One of the few modern metal vocalists that sounds just as good in person (eg; live) as he does on record. His talent is too often overlooked.
An amazing singer who's voice can swap from agressive to soft and gentle in the same song.
One of the most unique vocalists.
Matthew 'Matt' Barlow is an American heavy metal singer and police officer. He was the lead singer for Iced Earth in the 1990s and 2000s. He is currently the lead singer for Ashes of Ares. After the September 11 terrorist attacks Matt Barlow decided to become a police officer and contribute to the "real ...read more.