These lists are always up for debate but here is the best of the best in my un-humble opinion.
20. David Draiman - Disturbed
One of the new kids on the metal block but he can pull off just about any sub-genre in the metal world. He does the nu-metal thing really well and the power ballad almost as well but really shines in the more mainstream modern era hard rock. All in all he's one of the most well rounded of the new school.
19. Biff Byford - Saxon
Legend of heavy metal maybe one of minor ones but all in all he's been around for many years knocking the thunder around for sure. His sonic textures are sometimes very close to the mastery of Bruce Dickenson. Biff still has the chops and might even be better today than he was back in the early 80's.
18. Dan McCafferty - Nazareth
Some might not consider the band heavy metal but they surely were in their day. One listen to Razamanaz or the viciousness of his delivery on Expect No Mercy and you can't deny his metal cred. One of the most influential voices in all the sub-genre's attached to hard rock/heavy metal.
17. Dee Snider - Twisted Sister, Desperado, Widowmaker
Big voice with supreme power unmistakable and really sounds like no other.
16. Ian Gillan - Deep Purple
Because heavy metal is inspired by the blues Gillan's voice gets to be here. His stage charisma oozes from every pore in his body when he hits the stage. He can still blow audiences away and pretty much destroy vocalists half his age. Gillan might be at number sixteen but with the amount of great singers in this list its still not a terrible place to sit.
15. Paul Stanley - Kiss
Stanley has fronted one of the greatest bands for almost 50 years and his style and stage rants are second to none.
14. Klaus Meine - Scorpions
Probably the most identifiable voice next to Ozzy in this list. One note and you know beyond a doubt who's singing. He's voiced some of the genre's greatest songs and the man is incredible live. His live singing ability is stellar and never does Klaus disappoint in a concert setting.
13. Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth - Overkill
As leader and vocalist of one of the greatest thrash metal bands ever Blitz has carved out his nasal shriek to a point where metal fans can instantly know who's singing. His style and phrasing is impeccable and a standout in the thrash metal genre.
12. Ronnie James Dio - Dio, Rainbow, Elf
Ronnie will forever be cemented as one of the greats. He delivered more often than he disappointed and never changed to appease the masses. He stayed true his metal roots for his entire career and life. Not to mention he gave us the "Horns Up" hand gesture.
11. Marylin Manson
This man took heavy metal into the millennium and paid dearly for doing so as he became the focus of religious groups and parent groups. The man has a great and versatile voice. He has written some white hot metal tunes and put himself up with the greats by creating his own style and niche even while showing who have influenced him.
10. James Hedfield - Metallica
Not the best on the list but his impact and style will never be confused with another. The band is James and without his vocal styling they would be nothing. I actually think James is a great metal vocalist who has been fairly steady throughout his career.
09. David Lee Roth - Van Halen
Nothing needed to be said about Mr. Roth and his ability as a front man. A classic and original.
08. Chuck Billy - Testament
No other vocalist on this list has the true power of Chuck. He sings with a voice as big as his stature. The man is a heavy metal vocalist that can pull a growl from so deep inside himself it can be intimidating. The studio or in a live venue Chuck delivers everything a metal singer needs to deliver to have credibility and be a next level performer.
07. Joe Elliot - Def Leppard
Joe's brilliance is the way he brings an arena into his inner circle. He commands the stage with authority and knows when to sit back. He never over does the stage antics and doesn't need to curse or be dirty to keep fans of the band engaged. One of the most charismatic personalities that naturally draws people.
06. Robert Plant - Led Zeppelin, Honey Drippers
Stealing almost everything they created from the american blues artists of the south doesn't change the fact they are one of the ten most important bands of rock. Plant is the golden god and his stature, hair and aggressive vocals pretty much became standard for the sub genre of Glam.
05. Bon Scott - ACDC
Bon's voice has been immitated by many bands who attempt to rock his style but almost always fail miserably. He is a one of a kind singer that has made such an impact on music history he will live forever.
04. Ozzy Osbourne - Black Sabbath
Ozzy needs no introduction as his legendary status in the music world is cemented by the catalog he created as a part of Sabbath and then the trail he blazed as a solo artist. His debauchery aside the guy is unmistakable original.
03. Bruce Dickenson - Iron Maiden
Another of the trail blazers that set the genre on its ear when his air raid vocals soared on his debut in Maiden.
02. Alice Cooper
The man who took it to the next level bringing the pain and writing some of the greatest rock music ever recorded. The Coop has survived every trend some better than others. He only wrote the best anti disestablishment song ever in "Schools Out". A true heavy metal pioneer.
01. Rob Halford - Judas Priest, Halford, Fight, Two
Rob is the metal god and he is without a doubt the greatest heavy metal frontman of all-time. Besides creating the entire look of the genre and defining an era he has been credible and current for his entire career.
Honerable Mentions:
Don Dokken, Geoff Tate, Sully Erna, Steve Lee, Noddy Holder & Andy Deris
20. David Draiman - Disturbed
One of the new kids on the metal block but he can pull off just about any sub-genre in the metal world. He does the nu-metal thing really well and the power ballad almost as well but really shines in the more mainstream modern era hard rock. All in all he's one of the most well rounded of the new school.
19. Biff Byford - Saxon
Legend of heavy metal maybe one of minor ones but all in all he's been around for many years knocking the thunder around for sure. His sonic textures are sometimes very close to the mastery of Bruce Dickenson. Biff still has the chops and might even be better today than he was back in the early 80's.
18. Dan McCafferty - Nazareth
Some might not consider the band heavy metal but they surely were in their day. One listen to Razamanaz or the viciousness of his delivery on Expect No Mercy and you can't deny his metal cred. One of the most influential voices in all the sub-genre's attached to hard rock/heavy metal.
17. Dee Snider - Twisted Sister, Desperado, Widowmaker
Big voice with supreme power unmistakable and really sounds like no other.
16. Ian Gillan - Deep Purple
Because heavy metal is inspired by the blues Gillan's voice gets to be here. His stage charisma oozes from every pore in his body when he hits the stage. He can still blow audiences away and pretty much destroy vocalists half his age. Gillan might be at number sixteen but with the amount of great singers in this list its still not a terrible place to sit.
15. Paul Stanley - Kiss
Stanley has fronted one of the greatest bands for almost 50 years and his style and stage rants are second to none.
14. Klaus Meine - Scorpions
Probably the most identifiable voice next to Ozzy in this list. One note and you know beyond a doubt who's singing. He's voiced some of the genre's greatest songs and the man is incredible live. His live singing ability is stellar and never does Klaus disappoint in a concert setting.
13. Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth - Overkill
As leader and vocalist of one of the greatest thrash metal bands ever Blitz has carved out his nasal shriek to a point where metal fans can instantly know who's singing. His style and phrasing is impeccable and a standout in the thrash metal genre.
12. Ronnie James Dio - Dio, Rainbow, Elf
Ronnie will forever be cemented as one of the greats. He delivered more often than he disappointed and never changed to appease the masses. He stayed true his metal roots for his entire career and life. Not to mention he gave us the "Horns Up" hand gesture.
11. Marylin Manson
This man took heavy metal into the millennium and paid dearly for doing so as he became the focus of religious groups and parent groups. The man has a great and versatile voice. He has written some white hot metal tunes and put himself up with the greats by creating his own style and niche even while showing who have influenced him.
10. James Hedfield - Metallica
Not the best on the list but his impact and style will never be confused with another. The band is James and without his vocal styling they would be nothing. I actually think James is a great metal vocalist who has been fairly steady throughout his career.
09. David Lee Roth - Van Halen
Nothing needed to be said about Mr. Roth and his ability as a front man. A classic and original.
08. Chuck Billy - Testament
No other vocalist on this list has the true power of Chuck. He sings with a voice as big as his stature. The man is a heavy metal vocalist that can pull a growl from so deep inside himself it can be intimidating. The studio or in a live venue Chuck delivers everything a metal singer needs to deliver to have credibility and be a next level performer.
07. Joe Elliot - Def Leppard
Joe's brilliance is the way he brings an arena into his inner circle. He commands the stage with authority and knows when to sit back. He never over does the stage antics and doesn't need to curse or be dirty to keep fans of the band engaged. One of the most charismatic personalities that naturally draws people.
06. Robert Plant - Led Zeppelin, Honey Drippers
Stealing almost everything they created from the american blues artists of the south doesn't change the fact they are one of the ten most important bands of rock. Plant is the golden god and his stature, hair and aggressive vocals pretty much became standard for the sub genre of Glam.
05. Bon Scott - ACDC
Bon's voice has been immitated by many bands who attempt to rock his style but almost always fail miserably. He is a one of a kind singer that has made such an impact on music history he will live forever.
04. Ozzy Osbourne - Black Sabbath
Ozzy needs no introduction as his legendary status in the music world is cemented by the catalog he created as a part of Sabbath and then the trail he blazed as a solo artist. His debauchery aside the guy is unmistakable original.
03. Bruce Dickenson - Iron Maiden
Another of the trail blazers that set the genre on its ear when his air raid vocals soared on his debut in Maiden.
02. Alice Cooper
The man who took it to the next level bringing the pain and writing some of the greatest rock music ever recorded. The Coop has survived every trend some better than others. He only wrote the best anti disestablishment song ever in "Schools Out". A true heavy metal pioneer.
01. Rob Halford - Judas Priest, Halford, Fight, Two
Rob is the metal god and he is without a doubt the greatest heavy metal frontman of all-time. Besides creating the entire look of the genre and defining an era he has been credible and current for his entire career.
Honerable Mentions:
Don Dokken, Geoff Tate, Sully Erna, Steve Lee, Noddy Holder & Andy Deris
