Operatic Symphonic Metal: Female Vocalist Battle

I've worked on this video for a long time and I finally got it done. It is my longest video. Here I compare eight of the most well-known operatic female singers within the sub-genre of Symphonic Metal. All are frontwomen or former frontwomen of Symphonic Metal bands. Since I'm comparing the operatic quality of their voices, this comparison only focuses on Head Voice. I hope you enjoy the video.
The singers featured:
Tarja Turunen (Ex-Nightwish)
Vibeke Stene (Ex-Tristania)
Melissa Ferlaak (Aesma Daeva; Visions of Atlantis, & Echoterra)
Floor Jansen (Ex-After Forever; Revamp)
Simone Simons (Epica)
Annlouice Loegdlund (Diablo Swing Orchestra)
Helena Iren Michaelson (Ex-Trail of Tears; Imperia)
Lori Lewis (Ex-Aesma Daeva; Therion)

[@raizageraldine1354]

Lori , Tarja, Vibeke, Floor , Simone lml

[@faakz]

Tarja, sounds like Tarja is the one.

[@jbirpt]

The best for me: Vibeke Stene, Simone Simons and Lori Lewis

[@Jo-Jo8vs]

Only head voices is one part of the story, for me, Floor is currently the best. Asking why? She is the most versatile female singer, not only within metal of the world. And not to forget, it's not only hitting the notes, but it's also about the tone you have within your voice and the capability to bring emotions on top.

[@MrLoggfreak]

simone and tarja are obviously the best

[@pauljames8507]

Lori Lewis is my queen and will forever be

[@MuttleyEason]

Thanks for taking the time to create and share this.

[@dancingcat89]

I agree. In comparision with Tarja, Floor's voice is also brighter. Many people claims that she is a dramatic soprano, but if you listen for example this performance, you can listen clearly lyric qualities /watch?v=praTQmnqIs4. I think that she could be also full lyric as Tarja, but more on brighter side of that vocal type. What do you think?

[@thesayingsofed]

A lot of work. A lot of great work. Thank you.

[@WestVoice]

I like some of Tarja's notes especially her two B5's, but her C# sounds a bit wobbly.. Simone sounds nice on the C#... Anyway, great video :)

[@themasterflexG]

Your video. Amazing as always. Thank you for making my days. :)

[@LunkHead5150]

Who can argue with this list? All great vocalists. But still Tarja #1.

[@Super007Art]

No one can compare to live performances with Floor Jansen 👌 In the studio, a lot depends on the sound engineer's skill. 🎻

[@alcel24]

Amazing video and helpful comments. Thank you.

[@rhcpgirl86]

You are a Star!!! Thank you very much xxx

[@LukasLoopyLukas]

thank you i am loving it such strong vocals she has

[@RomuloVideos2]

Great video!

[@pyronian93]

Thank you so much!

[@ahudson099]

In terms of just operatic skill, I'll give it to Tarja. Not jumping on a bandwagon but trying to ignore bias because Floor and Simone are my favorites hands down but for different reasons. But I'll give it to Tarja because in all honesty, with the Symphonic Metal Frontwomen movement, she was the first.

[@Tsukinojumon]

Floor, Tarja, Simone♥

[@KhoaLe-iq3hu]

oh my beautiful tarja, you're always the best

[@pyronian93]

Thank you!

[@florianblaschke6571]

Where's the last sample featuring Tarja from? Phantom of the Opera? By the way, have you seen her "Child in Time" cover with Rata Blanca? Obviously I'm biased in favour of her, and even if she may not be a professional opera singer and technically not the best one of the lot, her strength is interpretation: she has an instinct for conveying emotion and "selling" songs ... empathy. Tuomas himself admitted she always sang his songs the way he had in mind. But I like ALL the ladies featured here!

[@SamuelBoy1991]

Floor wins! She has the best voice all round. Can sing pop, rock, metal, operatically, growls etc. - Apparently I heard that operatic Sopranos find it hard to phonet in the belting range, this doesn't seem to be an issue for Floor at all. - I like Tarja, she's good, but I think she's overrated. I mean, she's not a versitle singer at all. She has only one tone (operatic) which she's good at. I mean I've never heard her attempt 'high beltling' (like Floor), apart from maybe 'The Siren', which sounds pitchy to me. What I've seen of Simone Simons she sucks live, she can't sing. But overall 'Lori Lewis' is the best operatic voice. None of the others can even come close to her, due to being an actual opera singer.

[@dancingcat89]

Simone Simons can sing. However she is not best singer in this genre, she's a really good singer overall. There are a tons of worse live singers in every genre than Simone. I must admit she has become better than she used to be. If in past her good/bad performences were 30:70, now they are 60:40.

[@andreez1]

In case this part flew over your head: "Since I'm comparing the operatic quality of their voices, this comparison only focuses on Head Voice." As a result, Floor's supposed ability to sing a handful of genres does not matter here (or anywhere else, really). That aside, Floor got her ass served on a silver platter by Tarja and Lori. "Apparently I heard that operatic Sopranos find it hard to phonet in the belting range, this doesn't seem to be an issue for Floor at all." And is not phonet... Is vocalize. People don't phonet while singing, they vocalize. I don't know where you heard this but this is completely untrue. Operatic sopranos have no difficulty with belting/chest; they simply prefer not to use it, instead opting to use it for the lower-end notes. The higher notes, they use head voice. "But overall 'Lori Lewis' is the best operatic voice. None of the others can even come close to her, due to being an actual opera singer." her own official website lists her as 'classically trained." not as an "opera singer" so I'm waiting on someone to provide me a clip as to her being an opera singer.

[@meridianpuppeter]

Lori is not an Opera Singer. Tarja and Annlouice are the only ones in this list that have actually a career in Opera. Get your facts straight.

[@andreez1]

Tarja doesn't have a career in opera. Neither Annlouice, I think.

[@meridianpuppeter]

***** Not really. Tarja occassionally has Operatic Concerts, but she isn't an exclusive Opera singer, no. Though she used to be an exclusive Opera singer. Annlouice on the other hand just quit DSO to focus on her carreer since Opera was taking too much time and not giving her time to work with the band.

[@84raskoljnikov]

Perfect Lori & Vibeke :*

[@Carlosdfify]

thank you

[@Griefshire16]

Oh and to all those people asking for a symphonic metal band with a male singer...I cant believe it..have you never really listened to or heard about Rhapsody Of Fire!?!? There are more actually..but check Rhapsody..theyre one of the best and for sure most EPIC symphonic metal bands ever!!! About bands with classically trained male singers..well im pretty sure Thomas Vikstrom of Therion is classicaly trained..if not they still have had lots of operatic singers..of all ranges: tenores,baritones and basses so yeah I guess you can consider Therion as symphonic band with male singers! Also Haggard has had many classical operatic singers. Also there is Alessandro Conti from Luca Turilli's Rhapsody..unfortunately he doesnt use his operatic voice as much,but he is really amazing listen to "Luna",Tormento e Passione" and "Dark Fate of Atlantis" to hear his great operatic voice and btw Luca Turilli's Rhapsody is an extremely epic male fronted symphonic band too!!!

[@ajtatosmano2]

Lione had 1 classical singing class in his whole life. And he said in interviews that he don't want to have better technique because his wrong technique gives him a more pronounced character. In the recent years he was able to produce real operatic sounds (not like in the recordings where he fakes it) but he still isn't a classical singer. Alessandro Conti on the other hand was trained as a real opera singer but he throw it away unfortunately. His live performance of Tormento and passione (which is operatic in the recording.) is really bad. I think he can sinbon operatic style but can't switch it up with normal belts. He mixes classical technique with belting, just not full operatic.

[@tusdemoniosinternossontufo6408]

Excelente selección ;)

[@Griefshire16]

Oh btw about that person that said that the only male vocals in Tristania are growls im guessing that they're not a real fan of Tristania cause of course there are plenty of clean male vocals in Tristania! There was Osten Bergoy who sang as much if not even more than Vibeke from Widow's Weed up to Rubicon! :) And now there is Kjetil Nordhus which might sing even more than Mariangela! So yeh Tristania is a band that has always used growls,clean male vocals and female vocals equally..so yeh I wouldnt exactly call them female fronted really. Oh Kjetil used to be the main singer of Trail of Tears for a while..but theyre gothic metal not symphonic though.

[@joshcavaradossi4813]

1. Annlouice/ Vibeke/ Tarja 2. Melissa / Lori 3. Simone / Helena/ Floor

[@gersondamned8858]

muy buena las canciones que eligiste, se nota que te tomaste tu tiempo en hacer el video, te has ganado un +1 XD

[@AnitquaRBD]

Floor is the best

[@talkingmadnessbrowsermalfu5141]

Cool post. Interesting idea. Makes me wonder what you used to spot the notes. (not the point, but: Tarja ftw, hehe) Rock on. I'll see Floor in April in Denver. Not sure why I added that tmi.

[@cvetageorgieva4312]

From this ilst I'll pick Lori, Vibeke and Tarja. But still someone is missing-Su Ehlers from Haggard. If she was in the list - then sorry, Tarja :D As for other girls - Floor is the one and only true metal singer from suggested and sometimes it aches me that people are looking ONLY for her operatic vocals, although they're not bad. Man - listen her chest voice, there is her strenght. Simone also is not bad, but her voice is just too sweet for metal.

[@EricGreene]

Maybe that's Floor's only issue - she's too metal for operatic metal fans, and too operatic for most metal fans

[@GABARAIN1965]

Tarja with Simone in a very close second.

[@user-ei6ot7ws8t]

Whats the name of the song on 0.38 from Vibeke;; also for those who ask the first song of Tarja is called she is my sin....

[@despairingleonardo]

floor and tarja are my fav.i listen to them all day long

[@mdudley52]

Floor is the queen

[@dancingcat89]

Fantastic video! Opera metal is one of my favourite genres. For me, the best opera voice in metal has Tarja and Lori ( Imo, Lori is more technically gifted, but I like Tarja's timbre more), but I definitely prefer Floor and Helen Iren Michaelsen for their versality. They can do not just opera stuff, but also many other things with their voices.

[@xxNightmareous]

Which albums should I start with for Tristania and Therion ??

[@vytran9144]

Mohammed Jassim John Tristania: Beyond the veil Therion: Vovin Hope you like them

[@CadaveriaGame]

Parabéns pelo trabalho. Vibeke and Simone

[@FirstnameLastname-py3bc]

We all know who won in the end

[@DrNanite]

Can you please tell me the names of all of these songs? They are really good.

[@MetroCrunch]

Hmm... Tarja, Simone and Floor for me.

[@envoirment]

Great video! My favourite is Tarja, although all have great voices. Thanks so much for reminding me of this genre of music, it's been a while since I've listened to it! :)

[@pyronian93]

Would you be able to post the set of songs used for each singer?

[@seannightingale3571]

1. Floor Jansen 2. Sharon den Adel 3. Simone Simons 4. Anneke van Giersbergen 5. Tarja Turunen 6. Maria Brink 7. Liv Kristine 8. Charlotte Wessels

[@artemisf125]

Should have kept going up at the end. I know at least Tarja can hit higher (E6) and I would love to hear if any of the others can.

[@lokison1553]

Oh yes Tarja ur time at nightwish i miss this :(

[@medeadenadel9096]

Tarja..always..for ever!!! She's the Queen!!! And all we knows!!!

[@pedjavukmirovic6770]

Don lie I don't know it and u r wrong

[@raphaelbhz]

No.

[@pyronian93]

I am also having trouble finding the exact version used in this video even with the indications given. Could you please post a link? Thank you.

[@rhcpgirl86]

Sorry for been a pain... but it'll save me for looking it it up...could anyone tell what's the set list for Tarja songs?

[@asterix645]

What's the Simone Song at 1:58 ? It would be helpful if you put them on the video or in the description.

[@Devotedlamb19]

Sancta Terra.

[@pyronian93]

Can you please name the opening song used to introduce Floor? Thank you.

[@ghostBCH]

The best Forever and Always Floor Jansen

[@sessamelkr9394]

AnnLouice and Lori are the best operatic singers. Most vocally skilled is Floor.

[@Theodupreez]

Down here in Africa we don't get to see these wonderful bands. Tarja was always my favourite, but lately at different times Sharon den Adel, Simone Simons and Lori Lewis was my top woman. But if you look at it in a band setup with the interaction of the Therion woman with the men (Thomas Vikstrom, Snowy Shaw, Mats Leven etc), Therion takes the price for overall performance. Long live Symphonic Metal!

[@purifiedbymyhand]

What is the Helena Iren Michaelson song at 5:22? I must know!

[@dancingcat89]

Devotelamb19: Do you know what is the Lori Lewis vocal range? And what kind of soprano she could be? What do you think? Dramatic or lyric? I recently started listening her previous band Aesma Daeva and started to like her voice more and more.

[@priscilaghia9267]

She said that she was spinto soprano

[@goregrind1]

What is the Helena song at 11:51?

[@user-cl6yk4ww7s]

Sorry,what's the name of the song at 00:12 (tarja)

[@luissanac]

Simone is the best. She sounds much better in low notes as well in high notes. So she is the best. She is more versatile. Also very good Floor and Vibeke, but only at high notes.

[@SamuelBoy1991]

Have you heard her live, YUK!

[@S.M.Jean-Mahmoud_Ier]

+BlackSlumber 13 truth is, he's right.

[@S.M.Jean-Mahmoud_Ier]

He definitely is, but don't worry : it removes nothing out of the quality of Epica's albums tho.

[@Kekarmz]

What???? Simone doesn't have a good technique when she is on the stage. At studio, maybe because they modify her voice but at live, I'm so sorry, it's better Floor Jansen, listen her when she was on After Forever. I love Simone, I follow her but reality is different.

[@MartialArtist0914]

Is there a list of all the songs used? Thank you.

[@r.e.4640]

All hale the REAL TRUE QUEEN 👑 of Nightwish and of ALL FEMALE SYMPHONIC METAL SINGERS!!!!!!!, the very beautiful looking and very unique voice of the enchanting TARJA!!!!!!!!😀👍👍👍👍🤘

[@Carlosdfify]

anyone know how to say the name of this song that Helena sings this part 10:27

[@dancingcat89]

I think we could agree that Lori is full lyric. What would you say about Floor's Jansen vocal type? Is she a dramatic soprano?

[@vivimarilyn]

lori, tarja, floor and vibeke

[@KateNord]

I'm actually surprised that Tarja's final Eb6 in the live performance of Phantom of the Opera wasn't included. :)

[@iowa406]

And where Manuela Kreler of Xandrii ?

[@gersondamned8858]

alguien me podria decir las canciones de todas las bandas que estan en el video, porfa, menos las de tristania, por que las conozco todas. se los agradecería mucho

[@jbirpt]

Somebody knows the name of the song in 9:03???????

[@TheRF1993]

Does anyone know what song Helena sings at 19:30?

[@epictemptation7350]

If we are only comparing head voice then... 1. Tarja/Annlouice 2. Lori 3. Floor 4. Melissa 5. Helena 6. Vibeke 100. Simone

[@epictemptation7350]

BlackSlumber 13

[@epictemptation7350]

BlackSlumber 13 No lolololol I love Epica bruh

[@epictemptation7350]

BlackSlumber 13 Pls love me

[@epictemptation7350]

BlackSlumber 13 pls forgive me for i have sinned

[@epictemptation7350]

BlackSlumber 13 i cri evrytime ;_;

[@dancingcat89]

It's interesting. Why do you think that she's a light lyric? I have thought that light lyric sopranos sound such as Sarah Brihtman or Vibeke Stene ( if i should chose vocalist from this video). It's a very light, bright and girly voice. Lori's voice sounds fuller, more heavy a richer than these mentioned ladies. I am not sure, but i would say that she's rather full lyric or spinto.

[@Darnaguen]

Yeah, she frequently perfroms with Wermland Opera in Sweden. She's done Puccini, Mozart and Wagner at least. You can find more info and sound clips by googlin Wermland Opera and her name. :)

[@ophelo6665]

What's the name of the song at 1:40 ?

[@KromlechKannabikus]

Sure!

[@Rivkress]

What's the name of the song at 2:43 with Lori Lewis?

[@Devotedlamb19]

The Camp of Souls

[@cherryblossom6989]

What is the song on Vibeke Stene's part?

[@Devotedlamb19]

If you mean her intro song, I believe it's a Sequel of Decay

[@hotellmann]

No..I just that Lori gave me goosebumps...

[@user-rw9jo2fx4d]

What music is on 2:24?

[@rosannaantoniciello8227]

What's the title of that song What are the songs at 00.11 a 03.41? thanks ;)

[@MightyPee]

1. Lori 2. Whoever else.

[@meridianpuppeter]

You do get that the last D6 of Helena is basically her screaming out the note, right? But anyway, out of all these, the only ones actually able to sing Opera in a right way and with the proper technique, is Tarja and Annlouice for the mere reason that they -are- professional opera singers. Floor has an amazing voice, like.. magical voice and she can literally sing everything but her Operatic Vocals were never -that- good in my opinion. Simone also has a beautiful voice though I think that as time goes by, her voice becomes worse and worse with each album.. As for Vibeke, yes she has a beautiful voice but I think it's totally pointless to compare her with Tarja or anyone whatsoever. She does have a haunting voice, but for me her vocals were always rather weak. It sounds eerie, it sounds dark and siren-like but she lacks power and energy in her voice. Also, as the poster of this video, you could have also posted the name of the songs. Just saying.

[@EricGreene]

for what it's worth, Floor has stated that she doesn't care for operatic vocals in metal. Clearly she is capable of it, but she's spent more time developing her own power/rock style

[@fabioomma9669]

Actually there is only one Opera singer among them: Annelouice Loegdlund. She left DSO for pursuit her Soprano career. The other ones are (partially) classically trained singers, but none of them reach the level required to sing as solo in an opera, they lack of proper tecnique! Verdi died for the second time with Tarja's Libiamo ne lieti calici from Traviata! XD

[@LilithAerith]

Lori Lewis is a Opera singer too!!!!! She has a long career in Opera. She has already talked about that :)

[@eliestersilla]

Floor Jansen studied lyrixal singing ay the conservatory... Shes a profesional... Opera os a genre so you don't study opera like a carreer... I understand that is like an specialization... Un the other hand i know that Simone Simons juat had has taken singing lessons bit she's not a musician

[@fabioomma9669]

I didn't know about Lori Lewis career, but about Floor Jansen I can clearly recall some of her interviews in which she admits to have attended only some classical singing lesson. I'm Italian and in my language there are differences between an Opera singer (someone actually performing in an Opera Theater) and a classical singer or in Italian "cantante lirico" (someone capable of a classical voice emission).

[@ajtatosmano2]

Yeah, that recording was hideous from Tarja but in most of her Opera performances she is good enough to don't notice a technical difference without looking specifically for it and she is expressive so I often prefer her performances. Floor's opera stuff is just weak compared to others. One of my favourites is Mysteria from Luca Turilli, it's a shame that she didn't do much after a few recordings.

[@veronicamartin7122]

1:40? What's the title of that song? Thanks! :)

[@jovanamilanovic6865]

What is the name of song who singing Vibeke Stene

[@MyEarthDream171]

LORI,Floor and Helena Iren Michalensen are the best for sure!!! -) Vibeke has a really special beautiful timbre but I dont think she is that amazing. On the contrary the DSO singer has a really powerful voice..but im not that fond of her voice timbre. Oh Melissa is amazing too! Um I like Simone too..but Simone and Tarja are just ok.

[@marceauxarcanum2555]

Simone and Tarja have better voice then other but I dont say that other dont have bad voice :) Just Simone and Tarja are great,not just ok :) sry my bad eng.

[@Griefshire16]

Marceaux Arcanum NO! Simone and tarja are just the most popular ones out of here lol which is totally different from being the best. Simone and tarja are good bur overally just ok..while all the others are amazing!! Anyway ive got a little tip for you next time you decide to talk: Most popular doesnt mean being the best. ;)

[@marceauxarcanum2555]

Griefshire16 dont agree, if you listen to this music you know something: every one of them are amazing and great, yes they all are goddess.But really here are missing very much other singers Manuela Kraller, Katra, Anita Auglend,Sabine Dünse(RIP) and more.. I say one: Tarja and Simona are really great,and you dont need to say they are just ok they are famous, becouse they are really good, and other girls who sing are also good but more good and (Simone and tarja are good bur overally just ok..while all the others are amazing) but they are better becouse they are not famouse?? Go to hell with you famouse f**k it [Most popular doesnt mean being the best. ;)] Little tip for you: Never look who is the best, listen to music becouse you love it,there is no best and no famouse ;) Do not take to heart some words I just say sry very very bad english

[@lostclue8902]

Marceaux Arcanum simone is great ?...and u tell to someone listen to the music? comparing that fake with sabine and anita

[@lostclue8902]

tarja is diva (and im not her fan) ) simone is just popular.

[@loricarson927]

22:17 what is that song???

[@user-qw1cu6sd2x]

Why does this video end so suddenly?

[@ivoncruz3441]

oh what high notes beatiful can you tell me the name of the songs by videke stene, melissa and lori please on the other hand i dont who is better

[@user-vm8lp6fk2g]

ivon cruz Vibeke's parts are from 'A Sequel Of Decay', 'The Shining Path', 'The Modern End', 'My Lost Lenore', 'Wasteland's Caress', 'Evenfall' and 'Lethean River' (All songs are by Tristania) I've never heard most of these Lori's parts but some of them are from Therion songs: 'Kali Yuga III', 'La Maritza', 'Sitra Ahra', 'Hellequin' and live versions of 'Via Nocturna' and 'Ginnungagap'. Unfortunately, I know nothing about Melissa's bands. I hope I helped you.

[@marylee500]

Annlouice!

[@MorganaRavenheart]

The song at 3:51,what band is it?

[@anlarro]

What about Heidi Parviainen? Recently I've been listening to her band Amberian Dawn and I really like how she sings, she is fantastic!!

[@dancingcat89]

och,thanks. I think that she could gone higher too. I am not expert, but dramatic voices can have coloratura ability too, can't? Is that ability more typical for lyric sopranos?

[@JohnsOnStrings]

They're all beyond ridiculously talented. Musically, that Diablo Swing Orchestra is just the best. I know, maybe not everyone's style. But style... *STYLE* ... that's what they have. So cool.

[@MrGoncabrera]

1° VIBEKE STENE- 2° LORI LEWIS Y 3° FLOOR JANSEN!

[@LukasLoopyLukas]

what the song at 2:23

[@ION1234ASDASD]

2:24 song name please gracias

[@denyssesalvatore8113]

lori,simone,floor and tarje