Single best metal male singer ever?

[Darkstarshades]

Personally, It's Alfred Romero from Dark Moor. The dude is pretty much incredibly amazing. I have seen him sing live to a small audience, as well as full concerts and he just blows everyone away. And for you?
A song from them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et36ImRZd3o

(For those who might say that there are several kinds of singer, such as growling ones, well, among these there are ones that are better than others!)

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Mike Patton (kinda metal? Sometimes?) or Kyo.

Maybe Devin Townsend.

[Zydar]

Bruce Dickinson

[Darkstarshades]

Bruce Dickinson

Edit: Sry, wasn't me lol.
Yeah, he's quite revolutionary, even tho I always thought Dio was better.

[Prog Snob]

That's who came to mind first for me too.  Either him or Dio. I really can't think of too many people that this would come down to.  Maybe if you want to throw someone like Ozzy in there, too.

[Zantera]

If we are going just on range alone, then Mike Patton or Kyo wins, no question about it.

[cramx3]

Bruce Dickinson

This guy is the full package.  But if we talk specifically about singing abilities and not include things like being a front man and stage presence and whatnot, then there can be all sorts of different opinions.

[425]

I'm not really a metal person anymore, but I think there's an argument to be made for Mikael Åkerfeldt. Certainly if you look at influence and longevity, etc., it has to be one of Bruce, Halford or Dio. But if you put those things aside, I think there's an interesting argument for Åkerfeldt due to his versatility, and, honestly, the high quality of both his growls and his clean vocals.

[Darkstarshades]

Let's put longevity, influence and all that aside and let's just talk about Skill alone.

[jjrock88]

Halford would be my pick with Dio, Bruce and Tate just behind

[Lowdz]

The one they would all want to be. Ronnie. James. DIO. Only taller.

[Jaq]

Let's put longevity, influence and all that aside and let's just talk about Skill alone.

Ahh, well, that's part of my criteria for judging talent as a singer, but if you want to limit this so your choice stands out better, then...no one on the planet is a better metal singer than Russell Allen. 

(The answer is and will always be Bruce Dickinson, though.)

[TAC]

The one they would all want to be. Ronnie. James. DIO. Only taller.

[Darkstarshades]

Let's put longevity, influence and all that aside and let's just talk about Skill alone.

Ahh, well, that's part of my criteria for judging talent as a singer, but if you want to limit this so your choice stands out better, then...no one on the planet is a better metal singer than Russell Allen. 

(The answer is and will always be Bruce Dickinson, though.)

I never said innovation was not allowed, and it proves more of a singer than Longevity does. Because a singer can have many years of experiencie yet a younger one could be better. Ability to innovate is a skill, and Dio did have skill as well as Bruce.

[Evermind]

Ronnie James Dio indeed.

[Sacul]

Devin Townsend

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

The one they would all want to be. Ronnie. James. DIO. Only taller.

Halford and Dickinson are close, but it all comes down to Dio, seriously.

[Zantera]

I remember when this article/list was first posted: https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/entertainment/mike_patton_is_the_greatest_singer_of_all_time_based_on_vocal_range_not_axl_rose_experts_insist.html

Not sure how accurate it is since I'm not that good at the technicality of notes and so on, but it's interesting.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I realize this is just a personal thing, but I would have really hard time considering someone for "best metal vocalist" if they don't do any type of harsh vocals.

Again, just me, but that's such a huge part of metal, at least the kind I listen to, that I can't really pick someone clean-only.

[Scorpion]

I realize this is just a personal thing, but I would have really hard time considering someone for "best metal vocalist" if they don't do any type of harsh vocals.

Again, just me, but that's such a huge part of metal, at least the kind I listen to, that I can't really pick someone clean-only.

Yeah, I agree with this.

I'd probably go with Devin, but it's difficult. Contenders, as already mentioned are Kyo and Mike Patton, but I just love Devin's music so much more that it's hard for me to seperate the two, even though I know that you're strictly asking about vocal ability alone.

[cramx3]

Devin's definitely got the screams and singing down in terms of vocal abilities, hes got a lot more as well with being a frontman and song writer.  He doesn't have the noteriety as most of the other names in this thread though.  Not that it means anything, just saying.

[CrimsonSunrise]

Halford would be my pick with Dio, Bruce and Tate just behind

Pretty spot on!  These 4 were my exact pick.. order just a hair different.

1. Dio
2. Tate
3. Bruce
4. Halford

[?]

I realize this is just a personal thing, but I would have really hard time considering someone for "best metal vocalist" if they don't do any type of harsh vocals.

Again, just me, but that's such a huge part of metal, at least the kind I listen to, that I can't really pick someone clean-only.

I agree, even though there are loads of fantastic singers who don't scream or growl.

I think my pick would be Dan Swanö, 'cause he's got a wide range and can also growl. I've seen so few Nightingale live videos (they perform so rarely anyway) that I have no clear idea how strong his live singing is, but he hasn't sounded too bad in any clips.

I also have to give a nod of approval to Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), as his range is also impressive, and while he rarely screams or grunts outside of backing vocals, he can handle those types of vocals nicely as well. On top of that he's an entertaining frontman and consistent performer - I've never witnessed a weak performance by him.

[emtee]

I can't answer with just one. I think Dio, Halford, Dickenson and Tate share my top spots for metal.

For rock I think Steve Perry is the lone winner for me. I saw Journey multiple times and he was always spot on pitch perfect and one
of the very few singers who was as consistently good live as he was in the studio so he would get my overall vote for #1.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I realize this is just a personal thing, but I would have really hard time considering someone for "best metal vocalist" if they don't do any type of harsh vocals.

Again, just me, but that's such a huge part of metal, at least the kind I listen to, that I can't really pick someone clean-only.

I agree, even though there are loads of fantastic singers who don't scream or growl.

I think my pick would be Dan Swanö, 'cause he's got a wide range and can also growl. I've seen so few Nightingale live videos (they perform so rarely anyway) that I have no clear idea how strong his live singing is, but he hasn't sounded too bad in any clips.

I also have to give a nod of approval to Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), as his range is also impressive, and while he rarely screams or grunts outside of backing vocals, he can handle those types of vocals nicely as well. On top of that he's an entertaining frontman and consistent performer - I've never witnessed a weak performance by him.

Oh yeah, Dan definitely deserves a mention. Probably by favorite voice in death metal.

edit: also, the falsettos at the end of that video are insane. Where can I find that song?

[wolfking]

Bruce Dickinson

This is the correct answer.

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

Mike Patton (kinda metal? Sometimes?) or Kyo.

Yup. Definitely the top two IMO.

[bl5150]

This is a tough one because "metal" and "best" have so many different connotations for different people.  I've seen Bon Jovi listed as best ever metal vocalist.

I will just go with who I thought of when the term "metal" was used as a kid and that's Blackie Lawless.

[jjrock88]

This is a tough one because "metal" and "best" have so many different connotations for different people.  I've seen Bon Jovi listed as best ever metal vocalist.

I will just go with who I thought of when the term "metal" was used as a kid and that's Blackie Lawless.

Blackie is underrated no question about it

[Zook]

lol Mike Patton



Russell Allen and Bruce Dickinson.

[wolfking]

This is a tough one because "metal" and "best" have so many different connotations for different people.  I've seen Bon Jovi listed as best ever metal vocalist.

I will just go with who I thought of when the term "metal" was used as a kid and that's Blackie Lawless.

I love Blackie so much, he is incredeible, so underrated.

[Darkstarshades]

James Labrie

[TheCountOfNYC]

My Top 5:

Bruce Dickinson
Ronnie James Dio
Rob Halford
Geoff Tate
Phil Anselmo

[comment]

Dickinson, Halford, Dio...  The best!

I like M. Shadows from Avenged too.  It's just different.

[BlobVanDam]

The one they would all want to be. Ronnie. James. DIO. Only taller.

Probably that. Dio has one of the most recognizable and powerful voices in metal history. Dude was still rocking it well into his '60s too. Go listen to "We're Stars" and see how many singers from the '80s wanted so badly to be Dio.

Dickinson is great, but he was quite pitchy on those early albums. Similarly for Halford. They're definitely among the best of all time, but I gotta split hairs somewhere!
And I don't really consider Patton a metal vocalist, even though I've always liked him in FNM.