Philip Anselmo: Why Dio and Halford Are the Greatest Metal Vocalists Ever

Who is the greatest metal vocalist of all time? Philip Anselmo - a vocal great in his own right, with bands such as Pantera and Down to his name - makes the case for Judas Priest's Rob Halford. "Hands down!" Or is it Ronnie James? Sometimes you can't pick just one champion. Anselmo sings both their praises. Watch above.

[@johnmayes761]

Phil is one of the best singers in metal

[@hinjurock70]

*was*

[@johnmayes761]

@@hinjurock70 still the man

[@hinjurock70]

@@johnmayes761 Not really - he has like a one octave range these days, and his voice just sounds trashed overall. Too much smoking and death/black metal-type singing ruined it.

[@HenritheHorse]

@@hinjurock70 Also opiates and booze... Still great to see him going and being healthy!

[@slayer2546]

In the early 90s he was the BEST. He could sing high like nobody!!!!

[@thirstymonk]

My whole fucking bed vibrates from listening this on the phone.

[@Tigerloco70]

Halford and dio totally agree

[@antoniogonzalez3710]

We miss you in down make another records

[@Immortal__]

Phil left?

[@daveyboy8907]

Next ep will be great.. 2 more I beleive

[@adamhendrickson512]

Rob Halford, Ronnie James Dio and Bruce Dickinson

[@stephensok9927]

Bruce HAS to be in ANY conversation about “best metal singers”. Amen to that.

[@adamhendrickson512]

@@stephensok9927 It would be atrocious not to...

[@qr-code6334]

I'd say King Diamond too.

[@Rowlph8888]

Rob preceded Bruce, which in itself ,edges him out in vocals, but bruce is the most charismatic and athletic front man, which took metal to a different level, just through the Stage show, electric energy and theatre aspect.Bruce also has great, Camaraderie and comedy throughout with the audience It's like anything else, Phil also has voice with great Versatility, but the original "heavy metal" screaming, shrieking voice was Rob Halford. Dio and Bruce have high quality operatic voices, and again people could say Michael Kiske, is superior to them. In this respect, but they preceded him, which gives them more reverence. Added to this, none of these guys "scream" metal to you, like Rob's does.. Their voices could be associated with hard rock, or glam metal even, but Rob shriek is pure "heavy metal"

[@moderndayheretic]

@@Rowlph8888 What does proceeding another singer have to do with being better? By that logic is Paul McCartney a better singer just because he came sooner? Bruce and Halford are pretty neck and neck but Bruce objectively has a more powerful voice.

[@brycen1977]

I saw Down open for Heaven and Hell. Thankful that I got to see Phil and Dio share the same stage!

[@MatthewGClarke]

"Hey Philip, how did you get that bump on your head?" "Oh you know, just repeatedly smashing a microphone into it..."

[@uncledazz6817]

When did he say that hahaha

[@Nissardpertugiu]

The way he sang in 80's and early 90's , the techniques he morphed and the title of last Pantera record . Thats not Surprising at all .

[@alfianfahmi5430]

Wished for Phil to be able to sing his Power Metal album again, but oh well 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@keeponrockininthefreeworld2484]

Legend talkin about another legend....

[@daveduarte1806]

Cool shirt Phil, Dropdead is from my home state of Rhode Island 🤘

[@remington7008]

In all honesty phil is the greatest metal frontman of all time

[@Rottenberg666]

agreed

[@easyduzit9200]

No hes not in halford or dio league

[@easyduzit9200]

@S B what are his much more qualities? Ive been listening to Priest and Halford all the time..hes got a shit ton of variety

[@remington7008]

@@easyduzit9200 Anselmo was a different beast its like Anselmo was Tyson in his prime but people will say Ali was greatest you get my point

[@remington7008]

@The Ninth Heart you crazy pantera was more dominant then any one and no one could touch them you probably only know walk and mouth for war

[@samuelmagnum6047]

Chuck Billy. Clean, growl, mid range, high pitch, good enunciation and clearity. He can not only do it all but he evolved and maintained his skill set despite age and constant touring.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

But i think Phil says that because he didnt grew up with Testament . Phil pay hommage to some giants that created the genre and influenced him greatly . The thing also is that guys like Dio and Rob ( Hughes , Coverdale also ) they could back all to the soul and Blues singing stuff , so its a skill than many even metal vocalist up to 80's dont possess . Phil grew up with that and new orleans black music and 50's music rock n roll and stuff . So he had the catch of that vibe Thats why when listening power metal , and CFH , with his own feel and disposition of his own , he had the vibe even way better than others including Owens or sheepers who sounded more cold and mechanical .

[@Nissardpertugiu]

When phil had the animal pulse that guys like Halford , Coverdale , Dianno , Even Dio could express .. A lot of heavy metal vocalist today are hyper brutal without skill and feel and more classic metal after that bruce dickinson effect sounds like pussies , singing All clean and operatic without that gritt and agression , broken feel textured that caracteristed the birth of the genre first wave .

[@Beautiful-Sickening-Rolex]

Phil was number 1 from an aggressive perspective, and truly gave the impression he would fuck you up if you mess with him

[@kurtsherer8211]

Phil could easily be a voice actor.

[@danielakopjar78]

Only when he speaks,is his voice damn good,i love it.I like him very much,he has charisma and is interesting.The best voices for me in metal,Phil and Dio.🤘❤️🔥🤘❤️🔥

[@ozzyarsenalt2587]

Well to this day no one else has touch or come close to you so thank you

[@Vinnytrampolini]

Big facts

[@joeimbesi99]

My favs,Halford ,Dio

[@mustardtiger_0]

GOAT 🐐

[@Joe-kt7zp]

Phil is the best. At his peak he could sing any music on the planet. From Motown to black Metal.

[@mariuszw9665]

He's not bad, but he's far away from "the best". Rob Halford Is almost 70 yo and he still can sing his song and make hell of a show, while Phil is only 52 and he is not able to sing his Pantera's song for last couple of years.

[@Joe-kt7zp]

@@mariuszw9665 I don't like his voice, can't listen to stuff that high. Anyway it`s just a matter of personal taste at the end of the day.

[@gizengar111]

@@mariuszw9665 Rob has it easy in a sense because he never sung like phil did (both bands are totally different). But If phil had practiced alot more on his voice and technique, he would be doing phenominal right now. Tohugh right now he does sound pretty good for being 52 and the music he has done. Sure he cant do the high notes on cowboys from hell but he gets it done right at his age.

[@mariuszw9665]

@@gizengar111 You are joking, right? Phil can't hit the high notes for last 15 years, when he was in his late 30's, while Halford still can and he is 70 yo right now. Rob is far better singer than Phil. Like Joseph said, it's just a matter of personal taste which band do you prefer, you obviously prefer Pantera over Judas Priest nad there is nothing wrong with it, but you shoudn't say BS about Rob singing to prove your point. If you have to lie to justify your opinion, then your opinion is wrong.

[@Rowlph8888]

So could many. Pantera were great and Rob loves them.But Phil is saying this for a reason, Rob Halford "is" the voice of heavy metal. It's quite possible that Phil would never have become a power metal vocalist without Rob's influence.think of all other vocalists preceding him and mostt have operatic metal voices, which may not have inspired him, like Rob's shrieking hard-core wail

[@hinjurock70]

And now for the shortest interview ever...

[@adamturner1563]

I consider Phillip to be up there with the greatest. Easily!

[@MobJnr]

Dillip is better

[@adamturner1563]

Oh young Michael.

[@integrity101]

#1 Philip #2 Dio #3 everyone else

[@MobJnr]

Adam Turner yes brother ??

[@adamturner1563]

How are ya daddyo? ...

[@jerryh6284]

Phil you sir have an amazing voice and I hold you right up there with the best of them. Glad to see you here on KZbin and wish I could see you "rock the fuck out" on stage some more. -Peace brother! ✌️

[@LEDZEP769]

Phil know's what he is taking about and I agree they are the two most powerful singers ever but not to forget that he is also a powerhouse fronting the best fucking metal band ever. ✝️ RIP DIME 🎸AND 🥁 VINNIE. CFH FOREVER GETCHA PULL BROS

[@yashraut8758]

I asked the coaches everyone comes up with the name phil anselmo! For being able to hit most of the techniques for metal than anyone! So good to see the best respects the best for

[@ahmo2]

Change your coaches. Mike Patton is the man in question.

[@yashraut8758]

@@ahmo2 of course he is the man but can he do gutturals, black screams, mid growl distortion?? I said about covering most of the techniques from metal...mike patton is sure the god for vocals (metal&rock combined) and having the widest range from low to high! But phil knows few more of the vocal styles

[@ahmo2]

@@yashraut8758 Simple answer. Yes, he (General Patton) can.

[@HenritheHorse]

@@yashraut8758 Patton has done zombie sounds for games and can do any growl or scream you could imagine.

[@MachineHeadDissent]

Forgot the mighty old Black tooth grin!!!!!....

[@hinjurock70]

I think he had a few before this interview 😉

[@scrollkeeper6636]

Wonder what he's on...definitely on some kind of substance :)

[@jonp347]

Phil was sober and looking great a couple years. Right now, he looks bad.

[@integrity101]

Hes fine. Problem is people are f'n STUPID

[@hinjurock70]

He sounds like he's drunk and/or on painkillers here.

[@survivingthepettys6670]

@@hinjurock70 why won't you ask him instead of assuming

[@hinjurock70]

@@survivingthepettys6670 Ok. Do you happen to have his number?

[@platypus2141]

Rob ,dio,Bruce three kings

[@SithCats]

I agree about Halford and Dio, but would also add Bruce Dickinson to that list.

[@BIOSHOCKFOXX]

His voice is questionable in my taste, though I do like Iron Maidens, but something has always been off putting about Bruce's voice, it's as if his voice has a limiter, like when you can't scream openly, as if something is shut off. It's hard to explain at the moment, needs time to think about it and find better words to describe it.

[@crunkalac]

This is Phil's list not yours...

[@adamhendrickson512]

Most definitely... Dickinson is a God...

[@moderndayheretic]

@@BIOSHOCKFOXX How is his voice limited? Bruce has a more powerful and fuller voice than Halford and that is a fact. Bruce's voice is immensely powerful, even opera singers praise him.

[@emodrod1048]

Eric Adams

[@michaelloof6693]

Ronnie James Dio and Glenn Hughes for me..

[@victorruiz9044]

Well, Phil can be in that list too easily.

[@bobjasienowski4112]

Absolutely 💯

[@margaritacastroguarin2606]

Yea, totally agree with Phil. The cool thing is, Phil Anselmo can also be one of the greatest metal voices ever.

[@rubaidaallen2764]

Keenan, Anselmo, Dio, Halford. 'Nuff said.

[@hinjurock70]

Rob Halford was singing metal before Dio - Dio didn't join Black Sabbath until 1980, and Rainbow were more progressive hard rock than metal.

[@rubaidaallen2764]

@@hinjurock70 That is correct 😊😊

[@TheGreatestVoice1958]

@@hinjurock70early Rainbow was metal. Stargazer is the best metal song of all time.

[@hinjurock70]

@TheGreatestVoice1958 Metal bands don't have prominent keyboards and organ like bands such as Deep Purple, Rainbow and UFO did - that's more heavy rock/hard rock. And yes, Stargazer is a great song and one of Rainbow's heaviest, but I wouldn't quite call it metal or "the best metal song of all time" - there are way too many to pick just one, but if I was forced to, I'd choose Black Sabbath or War Pigs, Screaming For Vengeance or Seek & Destroy or Ride The Lightning.

[@ACovertShovel]

His voice can replace the front of house sound for venues.

[@chrisdahlheimer4815]

I'll have to disagree with Phil on this one. But I never liked that style Heavy Music I'm more Black Sabbath/Ozzy, and Phil Anselmo as Kings of the Heavy Music Vocally

[@GR-jw3cq]

Bruce Dickinson and Ozzy

[@belquerst]

I've never been a big fan of Judas Priest but Dio.. he was GOD!

[@collt0916]

How can you not like Judas Priest?

[@dontalaska2778]

Exactly There the Goat

[@shanedude91]

Being a metal fan and not liking Judas Priest is like being a fan of Chinese food and not liking crab rangoon

[@Itsshaunbewarned]

Dio was in Sabbath you fool

[@jockofocker59]

he def back on the brown

[@jonp347]

Or something else. I was so happy to see him sober and fit a couple years ago.

[@stuffsomedumb5665]

Smoking, drinking, growling aside there’s no way Phil was keeping that range he had on CBH. Listen to his speaking voice lmao.

[@moderndayheretic]

It’s flat out disrespectful not to even mention Bruce Dickinson. All three of them are the holy trinity of Metal singers and every true metal head knows that.

[@bluesapphire7548]

Halford and Dio … no contest. The one just next to them, Geoff Tate in his prime.

[@moderndayheretic]

Bruce Dickinson?

[@Demonizer5134]

It's insulting that he doesn't mention Eric Adams. Dio and Halford are amazing, but Adams is the greatest of all time!

[@rockerpat1085]

Who The Hell Is This Eric Adam's?

[@dustyadams5927]

@@rockerpat1085 exactly what I was thinking that was random!

[@johnjiii414]

PHA is the best!!

[@sarundayo]

Phil is just saying that as a homage, but to say Dio and Halford are THE best singers in metal is a massive overstatement. Hell, Ozzy as old as he is, can still sing as well as he did back in the day.

[@butchvito]

Did you say Ozzy still sings well?

[@comanche1234]

To be honest when i saw ozzy at the 2018 download festival. I thougt he was miming the songs he sounded so good, i was suprised how good he sounded

[@markusasseline5104]

c'mon Ozzy is so shitty

[@jerryh6284]

Markus Asseline Negative not needed but it must say enough about you! For his age and all the dope that man has consumed, Ozzy doesn't sound shitty . Not too many singers still singing at Ozzys age. JMHO

[@markusasseline5104]

@@jerryh6284 he has never sounded good. Halford is a god. Layne Staley too.

[@goljom]

Useless humility here from Phil, he was far more complete as a singer. Yes they were great, even legendary but as a vocalist Phil beats them.