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100 Best Female Heavy Metal Singers

Tarja Turunen of Nightwish; The Shadow Shows Tour, Live Music Hall, Köln, 2016

Tarja Turunen of Nightwish; The Shadow Shows Tour, Live Music Hall, Köln, 2016

Best Female-Fronted Metal Bands

In the past, heavy metal was a male-dominated genre. However, in recent years, a number of women have stamped their claims. The sheer passion and energy exhibited by female vocalists in heavy metal is awe-inspiring.

These singers are noteworthy due to their incredible tonal qualities. From angelic clean vocals to brutal death growls, female singers have covered it all.

The dynamics of heavy metal are changing. New subgenres are influenced by diverse rhythms and cadences from around the globe. These subgenres are making their way into mainstream metal. As heavy metal changes, one thing’s for sure: There’s going to be a significant rise in female heavy metal musicians in the days ahead. Hail metal!

The list below showcases a diverse number of female vocalists from heavy metal and heavy metal subgenres. If you are a fan of different metal genres, you will definitely have something to say. Feel free to share your views and opinions in the comments section.

Top 10 Best Female Metal Singers

  1. Tarja Turunen (Nightwish)
  2. Doro Pesch (Warlock/Doro)
  3. Floor Jansen (Nightwish/After Forever/ReVamp)
  4. Simone Simmons (Epica/Kamelot/Ayreon/Aina)
  5. Amy Lee (Evanescence)
  6. Liv Kristine (Theatre of Tragedy/Leaves’ Eyes)
  7. Amanda Somerville (Amanda Somerville/Aina/HDK/Avantasia/Exit Eden)
  8. Vibeke Stene (Tristania)
  9. Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation)
  10. Anette Olzon (Nightwish/The Dark Element/Alyson Avenue)

High-Pitched Voices in Heavy Metal

Over the years, a number of female heavy metal singers have showcased flawless vocal techniques. A large number of vocalists have carved out unique identities for themselves with their high-register vocal ranges.

High-pitched voices have become a staple in heavy metal music, especially in the power metal and symphonic metal subgenres. A number of soprano female singers have become hugely popular with heavy metal fans around the globe.

Raspy vocals, shrieks, clean screams, and death growls form an integral part of heavy metal and its subgenres.

Female leads are every bit as powerful as male leads.

Female leads are every bit as powerful as male leads.

#11–20

11. Brittany Slayes (Unleash the Archers)

12. Anna Murphy (Eluveitie/Cellar Darling)

13. Alissa White (The Agonist/Arch Enemy)

14. Chelsea Wolfe (Chelsea Wolfe)

15. Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy/Mistress)

Recommended

16. Clementine Delauney (Serenity/Visions of Atlantis)

17. Leather Leone (Chastain)

18. Elize Ryd (Amaranthe)

19. Charlotte Wessels (Delain)

20. Lizzy Hale (Halestorm)

Women are bringing new fashion to the metal genre.

Women are bringing new fashion to the metal genre.

Operatic Female Voices in Heavy Metal

Classically trained female vocalists have become exceedingly popular in modern metal genres. This transition away from death growls to operatic vocals has not only changed the genre but has become the signature sound of many modern-day heavy metal bands.

This "beauty and the beast" vocal style has ignited new collaborations among musicians from different genres. In recent years, operatic heavy metal has gained a cult following in the U.S. and in Europe (especially in the Scandinavian countries).

#21–40

21. Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering)

22. Otep Shamaya (Otep)

23. Heidi Parviainen (Amberian Dawn/Dark Sarah)

24. Magali Luyten (Over Us Eden/Magali Luyten))

25. Lacey Strum (Flyleaf)

26. Elina Siirala (Leaves’ Eyes)

27. Lita Ford (The Runaways/Lita Ford)

28. Ailyn (Sirenia)

29. Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil)

30. Nell Sigland (Theatre of Tragedy/The Crest))

31. Lori Lewis (Therion)

32. Amalie Bruun (Myrkur)

33. Maria Brink (In This Moment)

34. Sarah Jezebel Deva (Cradle of Filth/Angtoria)

35. Vicky Psarakis (The Agonist)

36. Lee Aaaron (Lee Aaron)

37. Kobra Paige (Kobra and the Lotus)

38. Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion/Ayreon/Mayan/Elfonia)

39. Pati Russo (Pati Russo/Trans-Siberian Orchestra)

40. Jarboe (Swans)

Heavy Metal Bands With Female Singers Post 2000

Post 2000, there has been a significant rise in heavy metal bands with female vocalists. A number of metal acts now feature classically trained female singers in metal operas and symphonic rock compositions.

Although many metal purists have criticized new bands for changing their sounds to achieve mainstream success, the fact remains that female vocalists have given metal a new identity that has appealed to non-heavy metal audiences.

#41–60

41. Cadaveria (Opera IX)

42. Janet Gardner (Vixen)

43. Veronica Freeman (Benedictum)

44. Jill Janus (Huntress)

45. Carla Harvey (Butcher Babies)

46. Lisa Middelhauve (Xandria/Lisa Middelhauve)

47. Wendy O. Williams (Plasmatics)

48. Dawn Crosby (Détente/Fear of God)

49. Monika Pedersen (Sirenia/Monika Pedersen)

50. Cherie Curie (The Runaways/Cherie Curie)

51. Laura Pleasants (Kylesa)

52. Noora Louhimo (Battle Beast)

53. Chryso Stamatopoulou (Chrysilia)

54. Ji-In Cho (Krypteria)

55. Sabina Classen (Holy Moses/Temple of the Absurd)

56. Katarina Lilja (Therion)

57. Donita Sparks (L7/Donita Sparks and the Stellar Moments)

58. Nina Osegueda (A Sound of Thunder)

59. Francesca Chiara (The LoveCrave)

60. Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless)

Female leads are becoming more and more common in metal music.

Female leads are becoming more and more common in metal music.

Female-Fronted Metal Bands and Social Media

A number of female-fronted metal acts have had tremendous chart success. Through their dynamic showmanship and intense stage presence, all-female heavy metal bands have created a fiery brand of metal.

Certain female singers have a huge following on social media. Thanks to video-sharing platforms, a number of talented unsigned female metal bands have been able to reach a wide audience. Providing artists the ability to promote their singles and albums independently, social networks have been immensely helpful for new acts.

#61–80

61. Fernanda Lira (Nervosa)

62. Skin (Skunk Anansie)

63. Candace Kucsulain (Walls of Jericho)

64. Kimberley Goss (Sinergy)

65. Melissa Ferlaak (Visions of Atlantis/Aesma Daeva/Echoterra)

66. Tatiana Shmaylyuk (Jinjer)

67. Caro Tanghe (Oathbreaker)

68. Giorgia Gueglio (Mastercastle)

69. Karyn Crisis (Crisis/Ephel Duath/Gospel of the Witches)

70. Lauren Harris (Six Hour Sundown/Lauren Harris)

71. Julie Christmas (Made Out of Babies/Battle of Mice)

72. Marina La Torraca (Phantom Elite/Exit Eden)

73. Ann Boleyn (Hellion)

74. Morgan Lander (Kittie)

75. Laure Le Prunenec (Ricinn/Igorrr/Oxxo Xoox/Corpo-Mente)

76. Gazelle Amber Valentine (Jucifer)

77. Morgan Lacroix (Mandragora Scream)

78. Suzuhana Yuko (Wagakki Band)

79. June Park (Clandestine)

80. Anita Auglend (The Sins of Thy Beloved)

#81–100

81. Jennie Skulander (Devilskin)

82. Anna Burner (Exit Eden)

83. Cammie Gilbert (Oceans of Slumber)

84. Igna Scharf (Van Canto)

85. Lucia Cifarelli (KMFDM/Drill)

86. Manuela Kraller (Xandria/Haggard/Nagor Mar)

87. Dianne van Giersbergen (Ex Libris/Xandria)

88. Simone “Som” Pluijmers (Cerebral Bore/Your Chance to Die)

89. Kuroneko (Onmyo-Za)

90. Emily Armstrong (Dead Sara)

91. Maria Sjoholm (Drain STH)

92. Anza (Head Phones President)