Favorite vocal performances

[Oblivious Maximus]

As a vocalist (albiet a shit one) there are many performances on albums that stand out for me. I'd be interested to see your picks. Here's some of mine:

Steve "Zetro" Souza - Exodus - Tempo of the Damned. While I always enjoyed his work on the other Exodus albums, he's fucking wicked sounding on this one. Dude sounds like he's gurgling glass here, and his screams are awesome.

Philip Anselmo - Pantera - The Great Southern Trendkill. Now you may ask why TGSTK and not Cowboys From Hell (many people claim this to be Philip's top vocal performance) and don't get me wrong, he belts it out perfectly on CFW, but on this one he sounds totally possesed. The doubly tracking makes it sound demonic as fuck and I personally feel Phil does rough vox real well.

Ozzy Osbourne - Black Sabbath - Sabotage. The Ozz is demented on this album. The high pitched wail on "Hole in the Sky" and "Symptom of the Universe" rule, but my favorite is the epic "Megalomania". Insane, tortured sounding, and without a doubt errie. I feel it's Ozzy's shining moment in Sabbath.

Tom Araya - Slayer - Reign in Blood. As cliched as a pick this might be, Araya deserves special mention because of him spitting out those rapid fire verses of "Postmortem", "Jesus Saves" and "Criminaly Insane". And of course the opening SCREAAAAAAAAAAAAMARGHHH!!!!! on "Angel of Death"

Just 4 for now but I'm sure I'll think of more

 

[Arg_Hamster]

Philip Anselmo - Pantera - The Great Southern Trendkill. Now you may ask why TGSTK and not Cowboys From Hell (many people claim this to be Philip's top vocal performance) and don't get me wrong, he belts it out perfectly on CFW, but on this one he sounds totally possesed. The doubly tracking makes it sound demonic as fuck and I personally feel Phil does rough vox real well.

I find "Great Southern" very underrated by media. While it had few songs with rock-radio potential unlike "Cowboys from hell", "Far beyond driven" or "Vulgar display of power" it was like they intended the songs to sound more Pantera than Pantera. "Harsh" is a fitting description and I´m a big fan of harsh sounding stuff. And Phils voice is the thing that top the change. Phils smack addiction must have been a pain in the ass for the band though.

John Bushs voice on "Sound of white noise" is something else that change my mind. I liked Joey and Anthrax but that album turned me into a fan. Harsh yet comes to mind.

Iron Maiden and "Brave new world". Great return for Bruce. I never understood why they replaced him with Blaze. Maybe he was cheap?

Eric Petersons Dragonlord was a pleasant surprise vocalwise. I had my doubts but Eric has skills.

And speaking of that. Testaments "Demonic" was another of those harsh brooding records. Many old trüe Testafans probably don´t care much for it but I think it was an interesting step. Chuck tried the boundaries and this was during a time when old thrash bands disbanded, turned grunge or nu-metal. Not to throw any shit on Alex Skolnick but since his heart wasn´t in it and he left Chuck and Eric could continue to develop the band without compromise. And then came The Gathering (thank you Satan)!

Suicidal Tendencies "Art of rebellion" is an exception to my harsh-rule. Cyco Mike isn´t technically the worlds greatest singer but this album proved he could do some great progressive stuff and not just sing "War inside my head" or "Human guinea pig".

Dax Riggs from Acid Bath and Agents Of Oblivion. Great singer. My favourite of the sludge bands.

Faith No Mores "Angel dust". Possibly the best album ever made. Mikes performance has been hailed but the thing that I love about it is the topics. It´s like they intended to piss people off. Roddy writing a song about eating jizz and the meathead jocks in the audience singing along clueless. Songs about megalomaniac druglords and taking random notes from scientology tests. And don´t forget the great "RV" for all the trailer trash all over the world.

 

[amaranth24]

Glenn Danzig- Danzig, Danzig II- Lucifuge, Danzig III- How the gods kill. Glenn has a great voice, and I wished he would have stayed with Rick Rubin. Once Glenn started adding distortion to his voice, and left American records, it was all downhill for him.

King Diamond- "Them", "Conspiracy". Mercyful Fate "Melissa", "The Oath".

 

[Arg_Hamster]

Yeah, Glenn is a douchebag but his voice is very special.

 

[Oblivious Maximus]

And speaking of that. Testaments "Demonic" was another of those harsh brooding records. Many old trüe Testafans probably don´t care much for it but I think it was an interesting step. Chuck tried the boundaries and this was during a time when old thrash bands disbanded, turned grunge or nu-metal. Not to throw any shit on Alex Skolnick but since his heart wasn´t in it and he left Chuck and Eric could continue to develop the band without compromise. And then came The Gathering (thank you Satan)!

I too am a "Demonic" fan. Can't forget about "Low" either. You gotta admire Chuck. Unique voice, and a survivor. He sounds as good as ever on that new Testament track.

I'd like to add John Bush on ARMORED SAINT'S rock "Symbol of Salvation" (that record fucking rules by the way).

 

[Arg_Hamster]

I too am a "Demonic" fan. Can't forget about "Low" either. You gotta admire Chuck. Unique voice, and a survivor. He sounds as good as ever on that new Testament track.

I'd like to add John Bush on ARMORED SAINT'S rock "Symbol of Salvation" (that record fucking rules by the way).

 

[Oblivious Maximus]

Layne Staley - Alice In Chains - Dirt. Layne was an amazing singer on every album he laid tracks on but this one shines like no other. His harmonizing with Jerry makes it sound like a fucking ghost comming through your speakers and it's all the more haunting now that he's gone. The chorus to "Rain When I Die" will send shivers up your spine.

 

[EerieVon]

Mike Muir-ST-How can I laugh--my favorite record from ST. I know it almost completely abandons STs roots on this but Mike really shows his range on this. Title track is awesome

John Arch-Fates Warning-Awaken the guardian--his voice was an instrument on this with the various harmonies

Ihsahn-The Adversary. Title track is far superior to anything Emperor did. Great showcase of vocal styles-from thrash to kind diamond high notes.

Mike Howe-Metal Church-Blessing In Disguise. Especially track badlands

 

[tamponsqueezer]

I worship "Demonic" and "Low" too. And Billy's performance on the DublinDeathPatrol CD is asswhiping great!!! His deathly vocalstyle is on par with the one he's known for. Combine that with the best vocals Steve "Zetro" Sousa can come up with and you have the two great Thrash vocalists in one band called DDP (mentioned above!). Oh, well I think Steve is a bit better on "Tempo ..". But anyways they both sound totally awesome together.

 

[johnnieCzech]

John Bush on We've Come For You All
Ripper Owens on Jugulator
King Diamond on "THEM"
Layne Staley on Dirt
Phil Anselmo on The Great Southern Trendkill (my most favourite record by Pantera)
Anneke Van Giersbergen on Nighttime Birds

 

[T_man357]

Mike Muir-ST-How can I laugh--my favorite record from ST. I know it almost completely abandons STs roots on this but Mike really shows his range on this. Title track is awesome

Without a doubt!!!! Awesome choice!!

DLR/Van Halen - Fair Warning

Ozzy - Blizzard/Diary

Dave Mustaine - Peace Sells

Ronnie Van Zant - ALL classic Lynyrd Skynyrd

Henry Rollins - Life Time

 

[Oblivious Maximus]

Henry Rollins - Life Time

I'd go with "The End of Silence" with Rollins. Dude fucking howls and really shows how to evoke emotion on songs like "Obscene", "What Do You Do", and "Blues Jam".

 

[fah-q]

Dan Nelson - "Fight 'Em 'Till You Can't Fight 'Em No More"

 

[Evil Dead]

Mike Patton - anything
Frediablo - Anything (sounds like Patton)
Garm - Ulver - Bergtatt
Grutle Kjellson - Enslaved
Silenus - Abigor/Summoning
John Gallagher - Dying Fetus
Lars Nedland - Solefald
Tomi Joutsen - Amorphis
Aran - Lunar Aurora

 

[amaranth24]

Without a doubt!!!! Awesome choice!!

DLR/Van Halen - Fair Warning

Ozzy - Blizzard/Diary

Dave Mustaine - Peace Sells

Ronnie Van Zant - ALL classic Lynyrd Skynyrd

Henry Rollins - Life Time

I definitely agree with the Van Halen, Megadeth & Ozzy choices. I would add Bark at the Moon to Ozzy, that's the album that got me into Ozzy back in the early 80's.

 

[S.U.A.D.]

anything from Dax Riggs, Maynard Keenan, or Buzz Osbourne.