Last Week's Top Ten
Greatest Guitarists
The Greatest Vocalists Ever
ILYA ULBERG
Rob Halford - Judas Priest, Fight, Two, Halford
The glass shattering range, the bike, the tattoos, the timeless stage presence...you know
who this is. The quintessential metal vocalist with the quintessential metal range, and up
until a certain point, quite simply the finest vocals on the planet. Everything from moody
introspection to epic soaring to frenzied, banshee screams, all rolled into one truly
incredible singer. The Metal God indeed...
Russel Allen - Symphony X
Un-freaking-believable. Now of course, of course, anyone who sees music for being the
artistic variable that it is, knows that a technically flawless vocalist is not
necessarily synonymous with a gifted vocalist, but my GOD, what vocals! Now I am not one
to throw the "perfect" term around as I would a ping-pong ball or a paper
airplane or something along those lines (Ed. - what in the hell...?), but let's
be frank here - can a voice GET more perfect? Yup, and if the profound skill level was not
enough, there is also that warmth, richness, and grandeur that is truly the mark of a
great vocalist.
Eric Clayton - Saviour Machine
Well, I figure I might as well let you in on the hush hush little secret that although
Clayton's name appears third on the list, he was the last one that I managed to tackle a
description out of. The final challenge, if you will. See, in many ways, Clayton towers
over all. The theatrical, operatic vocals, complete with that deep, passionate, yearning
baritone add a dramatic, almost prophetic quality to the music that is already dramatic
and prophetic beyond belief. Clayton is somebody who is capable of sounding beckoning,
terrifying, and in a sad, ultimate sort of way, beautiful all at the same time; his voice
acting as that final seal (excuse the...rather ambiguous pun) to Saviour Machine's
incredibly vivid and powerful music. Here is a man who had the daring ambition to take on
that one subject that has been plaguing mankind since the beginning of time, and with that
undeniable affirmation in his voice managed to send chills down the backs of even such
weary agnostics as the writer of this article. Is Clayton really a visionary? A prophet?
Or just a damn good singer?
Tilo Wolff - Lacrimosa
Here is a voice that bespeaks every little shade of the music, and the shades are
countless. Pain, longing, loneliness and melancholy; love and hate, all enveloped into a
shroud of utter, unspeakable beauty. Tilo's style is all about emotion, which of course
adds to the cathartic element of Lacrimosa's songs. Elevating the themes of love, fear,
isolation, acceptance, et al - all intertwined of course - to dizzying heights, Tilo then
proceeds to take us through the very contours of our souls. We never know what to expect,
save that we will be deeply moved by the time the journey draws to a halt. A singer who
truly puts his all into every performance, Tilo does not merely sing his words - he
experiences them...lives them. When he chuckles in the face of death, you believe
him...when he recounts the bitter travails of temptation, you sympathize with him...and
when he sounds like he is desperately holding back that first and final tear, you just try
and hold back yours.
Anneke van Giersbergen - the Gathering
First of all, kudos go out to the style; whether it be the dreadlocks or the skimpy
outfits, Anneke has got it going on. It is very refreshing to see a female vocalist
fronting what at least once was a metal band, without carrying all the lame clichés and
platitudes that the metal brand tends to drag along. Moreso, her appearance has actually
been an issue with the, ahem, metal purists, which, needless to say, makes it all the more
rewarding for me to dispense these frank pleasantries. We need diversity, people!! And of
course it doesn't hurt that the woman happens to be incredibly attractive, but...ah yes,
the vocals. To be frank, it seldom gets better than this. Here is a voice that runs the
entire spectrum of emotions, eventually delving beyond and creating entirely new emotions
of its own. Warm, haunting, seductive...so much beauty and melancholy wafting through the
songs like a cool breeze. Words just fail me. Pardon me a tear, folks. Now
then...definitely the voice to inspire you to grab that shining sword of introspection and
go ransack the very essence of your heart and soul.
Leonard Cohen
Confessional, romantic, sardonic, brooding...you name it; Cohen has got it down pat when
he sings in typical self mocking manner - "I was born with the gift of a golden
voice." While the raspy, gravely aesthetics may not mark the most technically
proficient voice to ever set foot into a recording studio, there is simply no denying the
deep, at times ravaging emotion Cohen manages to convey. Isolation has never sounded so
beautiful.
Bruce Dickinson - Samson, Iron Maiden, solo
The air raid siren himself. While his penchant for, shall we say, returning to various
things (bands, for instance) isn't exactly 100%, knock me flat on my ass impressive, I do
not think there are any doubts that the man possesses some seriously rich, class A vocals.
Now that I think about it though, the air raid siren term is a bit dated, and more
importantly, carrying the unpleasantness of the Maiden stigma, so how about changing it to
"the black hole," after the awe-inspiring performance on the Ayreon disc? Just
some random thoughts of course...
Philip Kirkorov //...tied with...// Valery Meladze
The stratospheric quality of the other choices aside, I must admit, I am hard pressed to
think of two other vocalists who issue the same sort of "Holy Shit!" reaction.
To put it into my most poignant terms, just F@%#$NG awesome. Positively enchanting, in
fact. Whether it be a rocking rendition of some age worn Hebrew melody, a classic Russian
ballad, or a tongue in cheek stab at gothic pop, I just can't help but flash one of those
patented kid-in-a-toy-store smiles whenever either of these two start singing - the vocals
are just so cooooooool and emotive. In fact, listen to Diva or Aktrisa (Kirkorov and
Meladze, respectively) and just try and tell me otherwise!!
Ronnie James Dio - Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, solo
I must confess, I had quite a debate with myself whether to let the man onto my list or
not - at one point almost going so far as to add a rather peculiar name (don't even ask!)
instead. In the end, common sense prevailed. So...what is there to say that hasn't been
said a billion times already? You know the man, you know the voice, you know why he's on
the list. Simple at that, really.
DC Cooper - Royal Hunt, Silent Force, solo
Yet another painfully obvious choice, but what can I do? Does Cooper not have one of the
most magnificent voices in today's music? Does every note that emanates from his mouth not
drip with majestic beauty and sheer class? Has every band the man fronted not been lifted
up into that ethereal pantheon of utterly kick ass bands? I rest my case...
ALANNA EVANS
GORAN EDMAN [Street Talk, Malmsteen, Glory... more]
The finest pipes out of Scandanavia who is defined by his unmistakable Swedish accent.
Edman has sung for such an array of bands, giving each a piece of his personality. From
the lush warmth with Journey-like AOR act Street Talk, the chilly vocal acrobatics with
Johansson, the blues enriched twist for Brazen Abbot, the commanding energetic style with
Malmsteen and Kharma... Edman has done it all and more... and "Oh Rendez Vous"
by Madison is often boasted to include the single most amazing performance (and vocal
harmonies) ever. That's lofty praise... but well deserved.
Hot Spots: Madison: "Oh Rendez Vous", Yngwie Malmsteen: "I Am My Own
Enemy", Reingold: "Overloaded"
JOE LYNN TURNER [Brazen Abbot, solo, Deep Purple... more]
So what if Turner is not quite up to the standards of his Rainbow days, he still
stands as the man of emotion. No one can wring your heart, caress your soul and leave you
breathless quite like JLT can. Especially his easy blues sensibilities with Rainbow and
the disc with Malmsteen where he mined his more powerful side with the result of
presenting gem after gem, Turner enriched these vehicles for guitar playing by giving it
his all and more often than not, came away from the experience being the star of the show
based upon his charismatic delivery.
Hot Spots: Rainbow: "Stone Cold", JLT: "Endlessly", Malmsteen:
"Crystal Ball"
DAVID DEFEIS [Virgin Steele]
A vocal god who doubles by day as the best frontman currently in the business, David
DeFeis is amazing, with an equally astounding range that sees him donning the wings of an
angel for his high pitched falsetto, rising to ethereal heights with his spiritually
inspirational quality, then diving back down into the pits of hades, emerging as a
forceful, growling demon, or all the shades of shadow inbetween the blinding light and the
opaque darkness. He covers one extreme to the other, moving between the two worlds
flawlessly. But its his "AOR mode" that takes the cake, his voice dripping
passionately with a heart throbbing sexiness.
Hot Spots: Virgin Steele: "Perfect Mansions (Mountains of the Sun)", "The
Last Rose of Summer"
VALENSIA/ROBBY VALENTINE [both solo]
Okay so you are probably wondering who the hell these two guys are right? Well they are
both solo singers from the Netherlands that even collaborated on an album together (called
Valensia/Valentine....who would have thunk it?). They are fairly interchangable, Valentine
(who is also an amazing keyboard/piano player...just check out Zinatra or 1st Avenue)
having the most 'masculine' voice of the two (not that that's saying much...) and their
music includes the same basic influence which is Queen. However, Robby Valentine started
out as an AOR god and slowly slipped into the abyss that Valensia is wading in. I mean,
what kind of music can you call the stuff that Valensia is putting out? Techno/light
pop/Renassaince/rock with a Queen/Styx backbone and a bit of disco thrown in for the hell
of it??? As vocalists though they can strike emotional chords with just a very few words
and sport incredible ranges.
Hot Spots: Valensia: "My Heart is In Your Hands", "The Masquerade".
Robby Valentine: "The Magic Infinity".
DC COOPER [Royal Hunt, Silent Force, solo]
Another astounding singer who sports a very distinctive voice. He commands the
mic with a slippery ease that leaves you desiring more of what DC has to offer no matter
what range he's currently singing in. His high notes are exquisite, but his low to mid
range are beckoningly beautiful, brimming with strength and finesse. Silent Force hides
his voice too much, burying it behind a wall of sound, but in Royal Hunt he was the
premier showcase.
Hot Spots: DC Cooper: "The Angel Comes", Royal Hunt: "Message to God",
"Far Away"
GARY HUGHES [solo, Ten]
While DeFeis sports the best voice in the business, Hughes has the market cornered in
sheer talent. His songwriting often borders on brilliant, both with Ten and writing
material for Bob Catley, but we are here to discuss the voice of Gary Hughes, not the
composer within. Vibrantly breathtaking, he reaches for a sultry edge that sets him apart
from other AOR belters and in comparision makes them seem stagnant and cold.
Hot Spots: Ten: "Spellbound", "Valentine". Gary Hughes: "I Won't
Break Your Heart"
RONNIE JAMES DIO [Rainbow, solo]
The mighty dwarf has graced alot of stereos over the years, and even though his music may
be missing the mark more often than not since the turn of the 1980s into the 1990s, his
golden pipes have not tarnished in the slightest. A voice frozen in time, that lacks none
of the power or range that he was able to achieve twenty years past, even though some of
that youthful drive that made the fresh medieval vibes of earliest Rainbow such a joy to
listen to is missing in his present day form. What makes him so special is that he's not
just merely a singer, his voice is a true instrument...with a majestic cutting edge.
Hot Spots: Black Sabbath: "Heaven and Hell", Rainbow: "Stargazer",
Dio: "Straight Through the Heart"
JORN LANDE [Ark, The Snakes, solo, Vagabond]
The new kid on the block who began making waves for his dead-on impression of David
Coverdale in The Snakes, he soon rose to heights previously unexplored by forging his own
style (often mixed with bits of that Coverdale goodness) and associating himself with high
class musicians all-around. Thus I feel a little 'dirty' having the man who impersonates
Coverdale, yet leaving off the original himself. Yet, its no mystery that Lande is
actually better than the one he often tried to copy, with a smoother delivery.
Hot Spots: The Snakes: "The Dancer (The Liar)". Ark: "Burn the Sun".
Millenium: "Hourglass".
RONNIE ATKINS [Pretty Maids]
Does anyone sound like this man? If so I have never heard them, or anyone that dared even
come close. Unique is the word, but what a delightful one at that. Atkins has fronted
Pretty Maids throughout all their various incarnations for the past twenty years and
hasn't changed much over the time. Ronnie is able to whisper the words to a beautiful
power ballad, belt out the high notes and settle into a gritty metal tough midrange with
just the hint of a slight rasp.
Hot Spots: Pretty Maids: "Back to Back", "Credit Card Lover",
"Yellow Rain", "Hell On High Heels"
TONY HARNELL [TNT, Westworld]
There's a million vocalists that I could have mentioned for this last place, but somehow I
felt that Harnell deserved a nod about as much as anyone. He's one of those
underappreciated singers that just don't get the acclaim they deserve no matter what.
Whether in the ultra melodic TNT or the groovy darker rock of Westworld, Harnell has
managed to bring a distinctive sound to the plate. He has the voice of an angel. Period.
High pitched, yet elegant, he breathes new life into the simpliest of ballads. And his
voice is purity itself. Those who doubt only have to hear his work with the all acoustic
Morning Wood to hear him in his stripped down raw form, and even then he's smoother than
silk and lighter than a butterfly catching its wings on a spring breeze.
Hot Spots: TNT: "Tonight I'm Falling", "Northern Lights". Westworld:
"Ivory Towers". Morning Wood: "Sun In Your Sky".
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Some favorites from the past:
Lou Gramm [Foreigner, Shadow King] - The god of AOR, forget about Steve Perry, Gramm is
where its at.
Joey Tempest [Europe] - "Wings of Tomorrow" is one of the finest vocal
performances ever. Enuff said.
Joe Elliott [Def Leppard] - Yes he's distinct and deepened over the years but nothing
quite matches the magic of "Hysteria".
Current Favs:
Bob Catley [Magnum, solo] - He *almost* made my list... such warmth, such beauty, he makes
even the dumbest lyrical bit seem like life or death..
Jeff Cannata [Cannata, Arcangel] - Lord I love him, even though I have heard so little....
Steve Overland [FM] - Perry-esque but what a gorgeous voice. Just check out FM's
"Indiscreet".
ANDY CRAVEN
1. Ronnie James Dio [Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio] -
as far as I am concerned he is the voice of metal.
Hot Spots: Basically his whole catalogue!
2. Freddie Mercury [Queen] -
Maybe not all out Metal but one the biggest voices ever.
Hot Spots: Father 2 Son [Queen II], Killer Queen [Sheer Heart Attack], The Show Must Go On
[Innuendo].
3. Russell Allen [Symphony X] -
One of the best voices in metal today, has the range and the power.
Hot Spot - The Divine Wings Of Tragedy [Sym X]
4. John West -
Another newcomer that has a voice that can belt it out or whisper a lyric totally making
the track.
Hot Spots - Lady Ice [Mind Journey], Behind Your Eyes [Artension].
5. Graham Bonnett -
Pretty high pitch but it has a power in that register that few can match.
Hot Spots: Rainbow - Eyes Of The World, Alcatrazz - Island In The Sun, Jet To Jet, Kree
Nakorie.
6. Steve Perry [Journey] -
The best voice in AOR simple as that.
Hot Spots: Separate Ways, Don't Stop Believin'[both Journey].
7. Gary Cherone [Extreme / Van Halen] -
An acquired taste but one that has got all the necessary requirements to these ears.
Hot Spots: Cynical [Extreme], Year To The Day [Van Halen III].
8. Goran Edman -
The finest voice out of Scandinavia.
Hot Spots: Save Our Love, How Many Miles To Babylon [Yngwie Malmsteen], Johansson - The
Last Viking [whole album!].
9. John Waite -
The second finest voice in AOR, just loses out to Steve Perry as he has not got quite as
good a range or power. But knows how to deliver a song.
Hot Spots: Possession, So This Is Eden, Straight To Your Heart [Bad English].
10. David Coverdale -
Maybe not such a force as in the 70's and 80's, but 'Elsie' can still deliver a tune as
shown on 'Into The Light', just don't expect anymore 'Still Of The Night' workouts.
Hot Spots: Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues, Slow N Easy, Still Of The Night, Wings Of
The Storm, Sailing Ships [ all Whitesnake]
JOSEPH WHITE
1. Mike Baker (Shadow Gallery) -
Mr. Baker's vocals pack an emotional punch. His voice is beautiful, engaging and
amazing. And the way it fits with those incredibly beautiful vocal melodies that
Shadow Gallery is always coming up with is unbelievable!
Essential Mike Baker: Every Shadow Gallery album!
2. Keith Sudano (ex-Eternity X) -
Listen to The Edge, Eternity X's last album, and you'll hear why this guy is my second
favorite vocalist. He has incredible range! And with that incredible range, he
can create many voices. On The Edge, it sounds like their are may lead
vocalists. Their aren't; it's all Keith.
Essential Keith Sudano: All three Eternity X albums--Zodiac, Mind Games and especially The
Edge.
3. Zachary Stevens (ex-Savatage) -
Power. That is the one word that most often comes to mind when I listen to Zak
Stevens. He is simply a powerful vocalist.
Essential Zak Stevens: Savatage - Edge of Thorns, Handful of Rain and The Wake of
Magellan.
4. Geoff Tate (Queensryche) -
Though Queensryche inexplicably abandoned their unique mix of metal and prog rock after
Empire (11 years ago!), Geoff Tate is still about the best their is--in any genre of
rock/metal. His range is wide, his technique is flawless--he is probably the best.
But, because of Queensryche's lack of music suited to my taste over the past decade, I
can't list Mr. Tate as my favorite. Fourth will have to do.
Essential Tate: Queensryche's The Warning, Operation: Mindcrime.and Empire.
5. Gary Cherone (ex-Extreme, ex-Van Halen) -
Cherone combines the emotional quirkiness of Freddie Mercury with the swagger of
Aerosmith's Steve Tyler. I tell ya, this guy is great at pulling the listeners'
emotional strings with his sometimes heart-wrenching vocals.
Essential Gary Cherone: Extreme - II: Pornograffitti, Extreme - III Sides to Every Story,
Van Halen - Van Halen III.
6. Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) -
Not a great singer in Def Lep's early years, he has become better and better as the years
have passed. He is quite versatile now days and as I fan, I appreciate that.
But my favorite album is still Pyromania when Elliott's vocals were merely average.
Essential Joe Elliott: This one is hard. His best album is Pyromania. But it
isn't his best album as vocalist. As a versatile singer, Elliott's best albums would
be Slang, Retro Active and Euphoria. Slang isn't that great musically but, damn,
Elliott really shines on that one as a singer.
7. Brad Delp (Boston) -
Boston is (was?) the ultimate AOR/arena rock band of all-time. And, with the
possible exception of former Journey frontman Steve Perry, Brad Delp is the ultimate
AOR/arena rock vocalist. He just has the perfect voice--smooth and beautiful.
Essential Brad Delp: Boston's self-titled debut, Third Stage, and Don't Look Back.
8. Jon Oliva (Savatage) -
His ability to sound bloody harsh and aggressive and then turn around and sing the most
beautiful songs I've ever heard gets the Mountain King on my list. I mean, just
listen to the guy on Streets--amazing!
Essential Jon Oliva: Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King, Streets: A Rock Opera and Poets
& Madmen.
9. Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) -
What the heck, you say? I don't know why Mustaine, a guitarist, makes my list.
I just know that I love the guy's voice--even if it ain't the greatest in the world.
Hey, find me a more emotional vocalist!
Essential Dave Mustaine (as a vocalist, of course): Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction,
Youthanasia and Cryptic Writings.
10. James Hetfield (Metallica) -
I know, I know. Another guitarist. James Hetfield keeps getting better and
better with age. I mean, c'mon, on Kill 'Em All he sounded bloody awful. But
by the time Metallica self-titled album was released, he had turned into a darn, good
singer. And every year since then, he's become better and better. Oh hush up!
He really is good!
Essential James Hetfield (as a vocalist): Metallica - Metallica, Load and S&M.
TORGEIR KROKFJORD
Russel Allen (Symphony X, Ayreon)/MARTIN SANDSÆTHER (THRONE
OF THOR)
This man is amazing. His ability to change from very agressive growling (”Eyes of
Medusa”, ”Smoke and Mirrors”) through operatic-style Metal vocals (”Of
Sins And Shadows”, ”Egypt”) to mellow, beautiful whispers (”Edge of
Forever”, ”Lady of the Snow”) is unique, and as his genius shines through
whatever style of singing he performs, and as his stage performance also is totally
amazing, Mr. Russel Allen is the world’ best vocalist, according to me. The comments
goes for both of them, by the way.
Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian, Demons & Wizards)
…posesses many of the same qualities as Mr. Allen. His ability to vary his style of
singing and still never lose his identity is magnificent, and his agressive Thrash/Power
style vocals are of another world. Check out BG’s ”Imaginations…”
album (read my review first, please) to see what I mean. His lyrics are marvellous, too. A
true artist.
Michael Kiske (ex. Helloween, Avantasia)
The one, the only. This man single-handily invented what we today call crappy
Italian screaming, or operatic power metal singing, like some like to say. His voice is
unique ‘til this day, though, as he is one of the very few that managed to sing high
notes and still remain a total control and energy in his voice. To get my point, just
check out Helloween’s “Keeper…”-albums, and then eat your Drakkar
albums for an early supper (Food Metal, anyone… - check my “Wishmaster”
review to get the point).
Tarja Turunen (Nightwish)
Read my reviews and you’ll see. A true angel, and as she also looks as beautiful as
my pecs after a work-out at the gym (hah), she is the goddess of Heavy Metal.
Roy Khan (Kamelot, ex. Conception)
If I were to list the five most arrogant (in terms of stage performance and general looks,
not behavior) singers, sir Khantalot, as he calls himself, would top my list. Also his
singing reflects this ”image”, as its slippery and ”lazy” quality adds
excellently to Kamelot’s medieval sound. Whether he’s high up in the Italian
range (what before would be called ”the range of a cat which tail is stepped
on”) or down in his trademark mid-range Roy Sætre Kantatat (his real name) shines,
and he’s definitely Scandinavia’s best singer ever.
Ronnie James Dio (Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Dio) or David DeFeis (Virgin Steele) - too hard
to pick one…
Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche)
Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius, Ayreon)
Eric Adams (Manowar)
Jeff Scott Soto (Malmsteen and (lots) more…)
Runners up: Mark Boals and Göran Edman (YJM), Matthew Barlow (Iced Earth), Micke
Åkerfeldt (Opeth), Ihsahn (Emperor), Tobias Sammet (Edguy and Avantasia), John West
(Artension, Royal Hunt), Warrel Dane (Nevermore), Tony Martin (Black Sabbath), etc. etc.
Rob Halford
Tilo Wolf
Anneke Van Giersbergen
Leonard Cohen
DC Cooper
Goran Edman
Eduard Pursino & David DeFeis
Valensia
Gary Hughes
Tony Harnell
Ronnie James Dio
Steve Perry
David Coverdale
Zak Stevens
Joe Elliott
Dave Mustaine
Russel Allen
Tarja Turunen