11 Greatest Metal Vocalists | Halestorm Singer Lzzy Hale's Picks

Halestorm frontperson Lzzy Hale is one of the most charismatic, powerful and captivating vocalists of our time, so we asked her to choose her 11 favorite metal mic-grabbers in the metal history. Her list was eclectic and all-encompassing, ranging from Alice in Chains' Layne Staley to Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmister.
Watch her run down all the names and rave about each pick above and let us know some of your favorites in the comments below!
Music: "Delusional" Instrumental by R H
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#halestorm #lzzyhale #metal #vocalists #greatest #backfromthedead #heavymetal #judaspriest #deeppurple #robhalford #blacksabbath #dio #soundgarden #chriscornell #aliceinchains #laynestaley #cinderella #kittie #sevendust #vanhalen #davidleeroth #motorhead #lemmy #ozzyosbourne #ozzy

[@codyclark2780]

Stoked to see Layne Staley making her list 🤘

[@banana6238]

🤘

[@stevenm2949]

Lzzy herself should be on the list. Had she been around in the 70’s or 80’s, halestorm would be an arena band rather than a club/theatre band.

[@carpediemearth]

Halestorm would be an arena band and have far less respect back then as they would be considered pop and corporate back then

[@jml8238]

Nice to see Lajon get some respect in such a list. He is one of the most consistent singers of the last 25 years!! All super legit vocalists, except DLR who we know is an iconic frontman more so than a good vocalist/singer.

[@metalmikejr]

VAN HAGAR was much better vocally.

[@mikeyryan5526]

Mannn finally LJ getting the recognition he deserves

[@jackgilchrist]

He was the perfect vocalist for Van Halen. Lemmy wasn't exactly a singer, either, but a great rock vocalist, and so was DLR. His vocals dripped with attitude, and the high screams he threw in were perfect. But YMMV.

[@JoeSmith-dl9ok]

Dave was a UNIQUE vocalist more than a great one. VH wouldn’t be VH w/out Dave’s vocals, as well as everything else he brought to the table

[@M.C.R.SYNTRN]

Chris cornell is my favourite ever, but Rob Halford has to be the greatest, theres not even a contest.. 1976-2022 and still as strong as ever!

[@jonmallek7746]

There will never be another one, trust me.

[@gizzy2403]

His longevity is crazy! I can't imagine going balls out like that for 5 decades! Dudes a machine

[@poitor5915]

totally authentic☝🏻

[@layneinchains4047]

What a great list!!! Finally LAYNE STALEY get some respect!!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@JoeSmith-dl9ok]

Dude, everybody knows how awesome Layne was

[@nealwexler666]

Not a terrible list, but I have Devin Townsend, Eric Adams, Bruce Dickinson, King Diamond in place of the grunge guys.

[@timmatthews5762]

Bruce Dickinson, ty

[@craighenry9512]

All right, Manowar. Z-Rock timed Eric holding the last note from Bla Wind, Fire and Steel for 24 seconds.

[@ronalde8389]

A list like this is incomplete without mentioning Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. Similiar vocal range as Dio.

[@sambell385]

I might be bold enough to say the Dickinson can out sing all of them ,this guy run all over the stage jumping and still singing deep and hard and could go anywhere with his vocals Bruce is incredible , but they all are in their own rights

[@sambell385]

@ghost mall people are just making comments

[@RonTalksRock]

Geoff Tate of Queensryche is on my list

[@Rick-29]

Wondering if she's listened to Queensryche? Tate's vocal range is as good as anyone on her list

[@Alex-gm5po]

Same

[@craighenry9512]

Geoff Tate heads my list and has since I heard Take Hold of the Flame in 1984.

[@whoodatt3046]

Safe to say everyone is stoked to see Layne on her list

[@rubencantu5067]

All but two of your picks are on my list. Great choices!!!!

[@angelesmith6872]

Lzzy, I agree that Ian Gillian has an exceptional vocal range, like Axl Rose, with all the power and control. And, in their younger days, they were both so-o-o handsome!!

[@Jayhawk9]

I seen halestorm live a few years ago and they blew the roof off the place. Lzzy can sing her ass off and cool as a person can get

[@DeadRingerMachine]

The sheer controlled POWER this woman sings with is stunning. She has figured out how to utilize every single muscle, tendon and ligament in her body to belt out some unbelievable tones.

[@wounduptoy7851]

Love to see Chris and Layne here

[@mtc8335]

Phil Anselmo. The kid. He needs to be on the list, but then again it's not my list 🤘

[@brianmcevoy1990]

Awesome video. Great picks all around!

[@thewinterland]

I love how you describe the artists. You are awesome ❤️

[@Amber_xo_133]

Queen of Rock

[@jimbones5150]

How Do You Leave PHIL ANSELMO Off This List?!

[@ln8300]

True

[@Giantshredder]

Was just gonna say this.

[@spaceburger80]

Came just to say this.

[@neilrawlins796]

Only one she left out that should be on every greatest metal singers list. I also would of included Maynard and Chico Moreno.

[@jamesadams6626]

Maynard. /Tool. Serge / System of Down. Phil /Pantera

[@jamesadams6626]

Sevendust. Got some some love!🔥🔥

[@briangreen1781]

From left to right....

[@sean6625]

Great list...RJD and Rob H are my favorites! Wore out 3 Holy Diver tapes in high school. If Halestorm can ever do live M&Gs again...you have to go...Made my wife and I feel life long friends talking about my daughter...so nice. Lzzy is incredible live! Horns Up!

[@adamturner1563]

ANSELMO. OSBOURNE. LAYNE STALEY. ZOMBIE. Halford. Araya. Mike 9 (Thank you very much).

[@nickstein9417]

I love to hear my favorite singers rate & talk about their favorite singers. Now I would to hear you rate & talk about your favorite guitar players. Thank you for all your music, your openness with your fans and hope to see & hear more from you & Halestorm!!!

[@sinner13halloweenfiend76]

Kitty is so sick it's been a while but hell yea I loved kitty n live ther so sick 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@selahdrizzle9098]

Nice pick Kittie 🤘

[@DannyLeeOGT]

I respect you Lzzy & I know you can't include everyone. But to leave Maynard out when he's still hitting 25 sec screams at 59. He sings is 3 active bands and can hit any note as subtle or gut wrenching as you want!

[@adamturner1563]

The best. Most technical. Most honest. Who stuck up for his audience. Looked after us. PHILLIP H! ... ANSELMO! ☝️

[@darrenryan1161]

Well if he stuck up for his audience it should not be hard to quote something

[@adamturner1563]

"Hey Mr Security A$$ Wipe! Bring that Kid All the way back to the stage or we walk off and the show is Over " - Phillip H Anselmo 1993

[@klauswigsmith]

Most technical? Really? Better than Halford? Dio? King Diamond? No disrespect to Phil, but man, plenty of more talented metal vocalists, IMO.

[@darrenryan1161]

@@klauswigsmith probably right but how the define metal vocalist is nearly hard question as the best in my opinion, still say that is music out there most people can't understand one word that they are singing about to me lol

[@adamturner1563]

Halford and diamond never ventured into the extreme genre's of metal brother. Phil has been all over the map. Nobody touches phillip.

[@Springfeeeel3]

Peter Steele deserves a lot more love than he’s getting in these comments, that’s for sure.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

He rules

[@Spooky_515]

I’m not into the perm haired, high pitch, hokey early 80’s metal for most part and don’t agree with grunge singers being on a metal list but at the same time respect her for thinking outside the box and having a list that isn’t the standard top 10 elitist list. Can’t deny David Lee Roth is a beast

[@Springfeeeel3]

Grunge is just a label they threw on every band coming from Seattle at a particular time period. AiC and Soundgarden are metal bands.

[@jared50709]

@@Springfeeeel3 Basically ya.

[@rs8461]

@@Springfeeeel3 it's amazing how many bands got thrown the grunge label so they could sell more

[@MikeysMorgue]

My favorite Rock & Metal singers/voices: James Hetfield Chris Cornell Kurt Cobain Robert Plant Ian Gillan Layne Staley Tom Kiefer Axl Rose David Gilmour Ronnie James Dio

[@Spooky_515]

Gilmour is a cool pick as I don’t see him mentioned on lists much these days although he deserves it. My fav rock singers 1. Jim Morrison 2. Kurt Cobain 3. Axl Rose 4. Andrew Wood 5. Mike Patton 6. Anthony Kiedis 7. David Bowie 8. Billy Corgan 9. Stevie Nicks 10. Fred Durst (hate me) lol

[@MikeysMorgue]

@@Spooky_515 Great picks! I was actually going to put Billy Corgan on my list but didn't. Stevie is a miss on my part, she's great!👍🏼🤘🏼

[@darrenryan1161]

Mike I know all the group bands but if could let me in on who tom Kiefer was I can sleep tonight lol I've been by putting band with all the singers but metal and rock very difficult to separate them imo wud be grateful I like ur list just realized how much of clown

[@collinnicholasns]

honestly I just never was impressed with Kurt Cobain. Rob Halford, Dio, Bruce Dickinson would probably be my top 3. I can't say what order though as that's really just a pointless endeavor.

[@adamturner1563]

Phillip H Anselmo. ☝️

[@derekpierkowski7641]

Good show! Love yer work! You ain't no slouch in the pipes dept.! And yes, Gillans da Man.

[@erickgiovanniescobarareval3345]

Everyone of us got a top 11 list, i like yours... great pick ups!

[@IntoTheVoid78]

Solid list. Respect!

[@RyanBoehm85]

I definitely would have thrown Devin Townsend on there too but still a pretty good list overall!

[@andreylucass]

She deserves a better webcam

[@TheStepmonkey]

Layne Staley is definitely the best 👏

[@richardjones38]

Lzzy has good taste! Kittie's Spit was so ahead of it's time. The first metal I heard with that awesome mix of clean and harsh female vocals, then had to wait 15+ years to find much more.

[@skottcoucill8343]

Rob Halford. Dio. Phil Anselmo. Pete Steele. (Non Metal - Jeff Buckley).

[@darrenryan1161]

P Lynott-Thin Lizzy2. Kurt Cobain -Nirvana3.Chris Cornell-Soundgarden n Audioslave 4.Tom Petty- Heart Breakers5.Bruce Dickinson-Iron Maiden6.Layne Staley-Alice in Chains 7.Jim Morrison-The Doors 8.Ian Gillan-Deep Purple 9.Phil Anselmo-Pantera10.Axl Rose- Guns n Roses too much information lol

[@malefikgamer5446]

Amazing list Lzzy! It would be a bit tacky to put yourself on your list but that's ok because I can put you on my list! I really can't argue with anyone on the list. I mean you could swap this person for that person but at the end of the day this is your list and they were all solid choices.

[@odinquincannon4237]

Well, I appreciate you appreciatin what I appreciate, Lizzie. Diamond Dave should be on most lists.

[@DannyLeeOGT]

Who the hell is that😊

[@jamienkate]

kittie. yousaid it. yesssss, good job

[@csababarath2784]

These are her choices, so no cause of missing anyone from it or argueing with anyone on it. I don't know Lajon and Morgan Lander, so thank you for fresh suggestions.

[@michelangelotroccoli7748]

All hail Layne Staley!!!

[@JoeSmith-dl9ok]

Dude, it’s AWESOME to hear somebody give Ozzmosis the credit it deserves. GREAT album, maybe my #1 Ozzy album, or very closely tied w/ DOAMM

[@angelesmith6872]

And Tom Keifer is an exceptional guitarist and pianist as well!

[@michaelsollars5890]

Three of the top four on Lzzy’s list were IN Black Sabbath, and the fourth performed live with them. Needs to be mentioned me thinks!

[@eduardjorquera4528]

great ranking

[@waltermiller249]

Not the list I expected at all. Good job

[@crawdaddy2004]

So glad Cornell was included.

[@josephmcgoldrick1993]

Dax Riggs will always be my favorites vocalist,especially with all his eras of music

[@MeduotasMedutis]

That has to be the most solid list I've seen. Every pick is just great. And the way she describes them is on point. Layne is my fav vocalist of all times. I say this if I had to make a list of the best vocalist ever the objectively I'd put Freddy at nr 1 and Layne at nr 2, but subjectively they are nr1. What a vocalist, I still can't understand how weren't they at the same heights of popularity like Nirvana. The whole band is as solid as Nirvana on every aspect...

[@Bmthdaf]

My top 11 greatest metal vocalists of all time 11. Mitch Lurker 10. Chris motionless 9. Ozzy Osborne 8. Sam carter 7. Corey Taylor 6. M Shadows 5. Johnathan Davis 4. Alissa White-Gluz 3. Matt tuck 2. Oli Skyes 1. Lukas Magyar

[@WHOREHAMMER_OFFICIAL]

I love halestorm Love that she included dio

[@satyadasgumbyji8956]

Saw Ozzy Diary tour at 11 yro, Bark, Ultimate, Tears, & Ozzfest '98. Luv Sabbath even more, but Ozzy is 1 dimensional af! The original Heavy Metal voice & deserves the kudos, but is just the sound he makes when raises his voice.🤘😎❤

[@irishjoe9195]

Yeah buddy!

[@craighenry9512]

An interesting list, and you even had one of my top three, Chris.Cornell. For hard rock/ metal vocalists, I put him behind only the guy he most reminds me of, Robert Plant at number 2 and the guy with the most range and, yet, still perfectly clear tones and ranges very few can hit, Geoff Tate of Queensryche. What do you think of Geoff?

[@craighenry9512]

My top ten hard rock/ metal vocalists 1. Geoff Tate (Queensryche) 2. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) 3. Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Audioslave) 4. John Arch (Fates Warning) 5. Brad Delp (Boston) 5. Rob Halford (Judas Priest) 6. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) 7. Michael Sweet (Stryper) 8. Jani Lane (Warrant) 9. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) 10. Zak Stevens (Savatage)

[@ericderami]

The only one on this list that would be on my own is Morgan Lander and I am thrilled to see her inclusion!! Morgan deserves so much respect and since around the time of Kittie's 2nd album she has had my all time favorite metal screams. The tone of her growl/scream is the gold standard for me.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

I'm into their drummer.

[@NoCantsAllowed]

Ozzmosis was and IS STILL one of Oz's best! Fantastically chosen list!

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

My second favorite album of his.

[@davidoneill5664]

Ozzy's two best albums are Diary Of A Madman and No Rest For The Wicked

[@grizzlyadamsmtb3012]

DIO IS THE GOAT🤘🏼

[@briangreen1781]

Mr. Burton C Bell is my all-time favorite.

[@FLmetalhead]

I used to take my metal cds to school dances and I would get the DJ to play some. Or on some field trips I’d bring a boom box and cds. I wonder how I was able to get away with that especially at a Catholic school.

[@philouze1815]

Drinking game: every time Lzzy says "unmatched" have a shot. You'll be pretty fucking lit before the end of the video. Here's my top 10: Jon Oliva Zak Stevens Alice Layne Don Dokken Dio Halford Drew Hart (singer on Vanderhoof's second album) Ronnie Atkins Didier Delsaux

[@johnneurohr7156]

klaus miene ..

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Love me some Zak Stevens.

[@JLAMorrison3]

la amo mucho

[@YT_XD]

Bruce Dickinson, Joe Lynn Turner, Jon Oliva

[@bigdaddymojo2005]

You missed a FEW.... ...BRUCE the BEAST!?!!?....PHIL..?!?! HETFIELD!!!!!.......half agree with this list........

[@patsteele7599]

No Bruce Dickinson?

[@shatteredking2774]

Where is Bruce Dickinson!?!? Dickinson, Dio, Ozzy and Halford are the Mount Rushmore and true godfathers of heavy metal. No list is complete without all 4 of them. I do like a lot of your other picks though. 🤘

[@joshuas193]

Ozzmosis was my very first CD.

[@geneporreca3848]

DANZIG

[@morbidmike]

Today we lost a legend in metal vocals RIP Trevor

[@garretshampine8511]

Phil Anselmo is number 1 in my book

[@frankunodostres473]

if chris cornell is one your list you know what's up. however I'm surprised myles kennedy didn't make the list since she even collaborated with him. imo the best clean vocalist alive.

[@danieldavis9832]

Layne and Chris are my favorite vocalists of all time. Both are imitated but none come close

[@sinner13halloweenfiend76]

Lzzy is not strange she is beautiful hot and one hell of a vocalist 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🖤🖤🖤🖤🤘🤘🤘

[@mikehunt4797]

Lookin good for almost 40.

[@mikeslavis9370]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻Lzzy🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@apartment213]

Lemmy Brian Johnson John Tardy Atilla Csihar Rainer Landfermann Burton C Bell Tom Araya JR Hayes Lord Worm Barney Greenway

[@dakotahdunham9888]

David Lee Roth or Sammy thing is like Killswitch Engage Jesse Leach or Howard Jones

[@craighenry9512]

I forgot that Cinderella is a Philly area band. Of course you would be influenced by Tommy Kiefer. By the way, he is 10 days Younger than me. Other vocalists born that same year are Mike Tramp (White Lion) Vince Neil (Motley Crue), Tommy Araya (Slayer) and Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)

[@darrenryan1161]

Good to see something that's really relevant for great music, but surely just as important to write great tune I feel if put as much truthfulness in ur words you will excel when coming to sing to the world to ur bedroom wall but like as Dio Halfords of this world are born for this moment the way Kurt Cobain saying every sentence he wrote and sung like it was they last thing that would come from there body truly amazing that one State like Seattle scene turned music on blast which music really needed, I wud go as far to say idles and Fontaine DC from England n Ireland respectively are gonna spice it up once again n shake rock n roll is the winner sound's corny, but real I guess

[@namnug69]

Layne 🤘

[@powskier]

What's crazy is though Ian Gillian is way into his 70s, he still sounds almost the same. Like Halford, the dude is timeless.

[@JobForAMaxboy]

I don't agree. I love Ian's voice, but after the initial Gillan albums from the 70s, his voice never sounded the same to me. Damaged and uncontrolled. His voice on Jesus Christ superstar is absolutely phenomenal

[@IceMan-cp6ep]

@@JobForAMaxboy wasn't the same after sabbath and vocal surgery

[@jonmallek7746]

If Halford is not number one, the list is illegitimate.

[@Savatanica]

My top 5 ; 1-Zak Stevens 2-Eric Adams 3-Bruce Dickinson 4-Goran Edman 5-Jon Oliva

[@craighenry9512]

I’m not complaining about it if you don’t feel Soundgarden is metal, but I give you this fact. In a poll of the top 100 heaviest bands in Metal Edge Magazine, Soundgarden finished 3rd behind only Metallica and Black Sabbath. All that being said, you are the epitome of cool. Don’t ever change.

[@f4llenhite955]

1. Bruce Dickinson 2. Mike Patton 3. King Diamond

[@grahamhannah2108]

Perhaps not exactly metal. But Brian Johnson and Bon Scott from AC/DC and Roger Daltry from The Who especially Don’t get fooled Again The rest of the her list is very solid, but Lzzy and Taylor Momsen are on my list as the future best metal singers.

[@StevenAMckayAuthor]

No Bruce Dickinson 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@thedopeshow751]

lizzies next list is the best restaurants.taco bell,olive garden,mcdonalds,red lobster,applebees,arbys,dunkin donuts,dennys,little caesars,dominoes,subway,pizza hut

[@michaelcalvarese2203]

King Diamond???? Please put him on this list..

[@silverblack5475]

Lizzy you forgot your girl FLOOR JANSEN....The Goat 🐐

[@TheEternalElir]

Maynard James Keenan.

[@Valaniaowns]

Surprised Bruce Dickinson isn't on this list leas singer from Iron Maiden!

[@davidmatheny1993]

I would hope no one would try to say Chris Cornell was NOT a metal vocalist. Jesus Christ Pose, Slaves and Bulldozers, Fourth of July, Rusty Cage, Outshined,etc. should make that clear. Too many bands were linked into one assumed "Grunge" sound when many of those bands had clear metal influences along with other influences.

[@craighenry9512]

Soundgarden was never Grunge, but they were better than any band in that area at that time. Of all the acts from Seattle , probably only Jimi Hendrix was better than Soundgarden.

[@Kipdeisel]

It's quite hard to put a list like this together. Sooo many great vocalists in loud rock music. We going for actual great vocals or stage presence & performer or musical impact? Corey Taylor must be on this list. Most modern vocalists (past 20-23 years) have pretty much patterned themselves after him. Iowa style Corey might be the best heavy metal vocal sound in history. Again, very hard when there's soo many great ones but he's gotta be on this list

[@michaelaguilar7771]

No one does it like David Lee Roth?! Honey, you ever seen Black Oak Arkansas? I think Big Jim might have a word on that.

[@pugshorty9852]

Bruce Dickinson doesn't make the list. I find that to be highly interesting, but I do understand that this is a matter of Lzzy's opinion.

[@Thebeastfromnorth75]

Ofc Lzzy have great taste in her singers. For me it´s Dio, Gillan, Halford and last but not least, Eric Adams.

[@sinner13halloweenfiend76]

Lzzy how is the king not here king diamond should be on any vocal list🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘