Your Favorite Modern Rock Female Vocalist

[Paradisebaby]

Who is your favorite female vocalist in modern rock music? There are only 10 options possible, so i tried to list the most successful female fronted bands/solo artists. They must be active now and they also have to be considered as Rock. Sorry if i forgot somebody, but i wanted to list vocalists with worldwide success.

[bassHero]

Guess who I voted for?

Take your time.

[afterstasis]

i had to go for shirley because there was no traceyanne campbell.

[Der_Lex]

The poll needs an 'other' option, because I'd have picked either Stream of Passion/Elfonia's Marcela Bovio or After Forever's Floor Janssen (with Epica's Simone Simons as a good runner-up).

From the names listed, I'd go for Christina Scabbia.

[HMXDave]

Melody Nelson of Portishead.

[Paradisebaby]

Guess who I voted for?

Take your time.

it´s almost obvious:D

[Wolfbeckett]

Oh the listed ones Shirley Manson, I've loved her forever, since she was in Angelfish. But Garbage's best work was in the 90's so it's hard to call them modern. Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is my favorite actual modern female singer.

[Der_Lex]

Melody Nelson of Portishead.

She's really awesome as well. I still have to check out their latest.

[topperharley]

Of the options listed, I went with Shirley Manson.

I think I would have given Karen O a spot ahead of Pink or Advil Lavigne though.

[bood-boy]

that chick that sings Seven for VAGIANT in RB1

this is a waaaaaarning!!!!

[Paradisebaby]

Of the options listed, I went with Shirley Manson.

I think I would have given Karen O a spot ahead of Pink or Advil Lavigne though.

i just listed artists with worldwide success as there are only 10 options available, but Karen O would fit very well in this list, but the band isn´t very well known f.e. in europe.

[Wolfbeckett]

that chick that sings Seven for VAGIANT in RB1

this is a waaaaaarning!!!!

That'd be Helen McWilliams, aka Hellion. I really like her too, she's got a lot of raw energy in her voice.

[culturedog]

Melody Nelson of Portishead.

Eh? Beth Gibbons sings for Portishead. :confused:

And she's incredible! Love the new album, but it takes at least ten listens to violate your soul.

[MissMoongoddess]

As much as I'm a huge No Doubt/Gwen Stefani fan and am a fan of many artists up there I had to go with Pink. I just LOVE the sound of her voice. She's just effortless with her vocals. Always give me goose bumps.

[HMXDave]

Eh? Beth Gibbons sings for Portishead. :confused:

And she's incredible! Love the new album, but it takes at least ten listens to violate your soul.

Crap. You're right.


I got her name mixed up with a name of a Portishead song.

[Der_Lex]

I'm surprised two people voted for Annette Olzon. Tarja I could understand, she has a fantastic voice (although I was a bit disappointed when it wasn't as good live, but maybe she had an off night), but Annette? 'Generic' is the most positive thing I can say about it.

[Hayley Williams FTW]

So far 10 of you should be ashamed of yourselves

Anette Olzon > Everyone

[Hayley Williams FTW]

I'm surprised two people voted for Annette Olzon. Tarja I could understand, she has a fantastic voice (although I was a bit disappointed when it wasn't as good live, but maybe she had an off night), but Annette? 'Generic' is the most positive thing I can say about it.

(GASP)!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

I would post very hateful comments with several stars (Like these ** lol) all over the post as a response to that but your a moderator >_> lol

[Der_Lex]

(GASP)!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

I would post very hateful comments with several stars (Like these ** lol) all over the post as a response to that but your a moderator >_> lol

Or you could respectfully disagree and clarify why, as civilized people are wont to do.

[topperharley]

Or you could respectfully disagree and clarify why, as civilized people are wont to do.

civilized people? on an internet forum? :p

[Der_Lex]

civilized people? on an internet forum? :p

I have to stay optimistic... lest you all come on the forum one day to find every single thread locked with only a maniacal cackle in every closing post. :D

[Hayley Williams FTW]

Anette is great and I don't see how anyone could think otherwise

At 1st I was kinda mad that Tarja left and that they replaced her with Anette

But now I think its the best thing Nightwish has ever done and I think "Dark passion play" is by a ton the best Nightwish album ever

I would assume you just loved Tarja being in Nightwish so much that you still can't see past that or something

I don't know what else to say

Maybe if you listened to the new album without actually focusing on the fact that its nightwish and think of it as a different band maybe?

Her singing in "The poet and the pendulum" does have some opera type stuff and in "Eva" her singing is very beautiful and in "Cadence of her last breath" and "Escapist" shes extremely catchy and then in "Sahara" she does weird stuff just as some examples

How can you really call a singer "generic" unless theres like 100 other bands thats singers sound literally the same?

For instance how alot of power metal bands (Like cellador) have basically just stolen Michael kiskes singing style and voice that is something that I would understand calling generic but really I haven't heard anyone who sounds like Anette I mean its not like a ton of singers or even a single other singer sounds like Anette actually as far as I know nobody in the whole world sounds like Anette but Anette so she is in no way a generic singer at all and shes very unique

If anything Tarja is closer to being a generic singer than Anette is seeing as any proffesional soprano singer can sound alot like or exactly like her

Nightwish could have just picked any random soprano and had nightwish continue to sound the same but they chose to do something different and I think its good

[culturedog]

I'll take Angela Gossow's drano-gargling death grunts over the both of 'em! :D

[Der_Lex]

Anette is great and I don't see how anyone could think otherwise

At 1st I was kinda mad that Tarja left and that they replaced her with Anette

But now I think its the best thing Nightwish has ever done and I think "Dark passion play" is by a ton the best Nightwish album ever

I would assume you just loved Tarja being in Nightwish so much that you still can't see past that or something

I don't know what else to say

Maybe if you listened to the new album without actually focusing on the fact that its nightwish and think of it as a different band maybe?

Her singing in "The poet and the pendulum" does have some opera type stuff and in "Eva" her singing is very beautiful and in "Cadence of her last breath" and "Escapist" shes extremely catchy and then in "Sahara" she does weird stuff just as some examples

How can you really call a singer "generic" unless theres like 100 other bands thats singers sound literally the same?

For instance how alot of power metal bands (Like cellador) have basically just stolen Michael kiskes singing style and voice that is something that I would understand calling generic but really I haven't heard anyone who sounds like Anette I mean its not like Anette is

If anything Tarja is closer to being a generic singer than Anette is seeing as any proffesional soprano singer can sound alot like or exactly like her

Nightwish could have just picked any random soprano and had nightwish continue to sound the same but they chose to do something different and I think its good

See, this is a great reply, and you make some good points here. Much better than a star-filled rant. :)

First of all, I have to start by saying that I'm not a huge Nightwish fan. I like most of their albums, but I don't 'love' any of them. As far as female fronted metal goes, there are quite a few bands that I strongly prefer over them (a few of which I've mentioned in my first post). I've always considered Nightwish' instrumentals a bit meh. They have plenty of musical talent, but the composition of their songs never stood out in any way for me. The fact that I liked Tarja's voice was the one thing that kept me buying Nightwish albums.

I'm actually in favor of a band going for a whole new type of singer when the old singer leaves. Sometimes a new singer can take a band into interesting new directions or at least improve on the old style (Marillion and Dream Theater would be good examples of this), and occasionally a change in singer has less spectacular results (Genesis).

Another soprano probably would have sounded like a cheap knock-off of Tarja, so I'm glad they tried something diffferent. On the other hand, such a change involves the instrumentals as well. Nightwish' instrumentals have always depended on the operatic sound of Tarja, and such a drastic change in singer would have needed a similarly drastic change in the way they write their songs. My main problem with Dark Passion Play is that I just don't hear that change, and when I do, it's not for the better.

I'm not calling Annette a bad singer, per se. I just feel her voice is more suitable for pop-rock or mainstream rock (and yes, I don't think it stands out from other pop-rock singers). She sounds horribly out of place or flat out off-key when singing the old Tarja songs (look up Nemo on youtube, you'll see what I mean) and when the new songs seem to adapt to her voice more they sound, in lack of a better word, poppy (like 'Bye Bye Beautiful'), and that's not what I'm looking for when I listen to this kind of music (I have the same problem with the last two Within Temptation albums and with Evanescence, by the way). It's just my personal taste/opinion, of course, so don't take it as fact, but it's enough for me to have lost interest in Nightwish as a band.

In all fairness, though, Tarja's solo effort is pretty mediocre as well. That and she should be publicly flogged for that horrendous cover of Alice Cooper's Poison. It's right up there with Within Temptation's cover of Running Up That Hill and Avril Lavigne's cover of Chop Suey in my personal 'worst covers of all time' list.

[topperharley]

Avril Lavigne's cover of Chop Suey

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little... :(

[Wolfee360]

Amy Lee (Evanescence) I love her and my wife knows it lol

[Renrock]

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little... :(

I know what you mean with that one.

i actually like Avril . . . as far as listening to her CD's go , but I can't stand to hear her sing anything live.

[RedRaptor]

Ill give ya 3 guesses for me.

[Der_Lex]

Amy Lee (Evanescence) I love her and my wife knows it lol

I have to say that I like her voice as well, I just never liked her band all that much. I hope her future projects (if any) will be more interesting.

As far as the non-metal singers in the poll are concerned, I really like Shirley Manson as well (she's an awesome live performer) and I'll happily admit that I have a soft spot for Paramore. Most of the other female vocalists I listen to tend to be of the non-rock variety, though (Suzanne Vega, Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, Kate Bush).

[Paradisebaby]

gwen stefani and shirley manson are from the 90s, and pink and avril lavigne are NOT ROCK! poll is full of fail

your opinion, Coheed, but.....

1. the last 2 artists you mentioned are considered as pop-rock, which is a form of rock.

2. the first 2 you mentioned are active. gwen stefani was on hiatus with no doubt since 2004 and reunited in 2008 and garbages last album was released in 2005 and they are still active, so still modern i guess.....

3. I made this thread by the worldwide popularity of the artists.

4. you can´t make a perfect poll for everyone. there are just 10 options and of course there exist a lot of other very good vocalists.

5. there´s more discussion-potential in threads with popular artists, because there are always haters/moaners/whiners etc.:D

[Hayley Williams FTW]

See, this is a great reply, and you make some good points here. Much better than a star-filled rant. :)

First of all, I have to start by saying that I'm not a huge Nightwish fan. I like most of their albums, but I don't 'love' any of them. As far as female fronted metal goes, there are quite a few bands that I strongly prefer over them (a few of which I've mentioned in my first post). I've always considered Nightwish' instrumentals a bit meh. They have plenty of musical talent, but the composition of their songs never stood out in any way for me. The fact that I liked Tarja's voice was the one thing that kept me buying Nightwish albums.

I'm actually in favor of a band going for a whole new type of singer when the old singer leaves. Sometimes a new singer can take a band into interesting new directions or at least improve on the old style (Marillion and Dream Theater would be good examples of this), and occasionally a change in singer has less spectacular results (Genesis).

Another soprano probably would have sounded like a cheap knock-off of Tarja, so I'm glad they tried something diffferent. On the other hand, such a change involves the instrumentals as well. Nightwish' instrumentals have always depended on the operatic sound of Tarja, and such a drastic change in singer would have needed a similarly drastic change in the way they write their songs. My main problem with Dark Passion Play is that I just don't hear that change, and when I do, it's not for the better.

I'm not calling Annette a bad singer, per se. I just feel her voice is more suitable for pop-rock or mainstream rock (and yes, I don't think it stands out from other pop-rock singers). She sounds horribly out of place or flat out off-key when singing the old Tarja songs (look up Nemo on youtube, you'll see what I mean) and when the new songs seem to adapt to her voice more they sound, in lack of a better word, poppy (like 'Bye Bye Beautiful'), and that's not what I'm looking for when I listen to this kind of music (I have the same problem with the last two Within Temptation albums and with Evanescence, by the way). It's just my personal taste/opinion, of course, so don't take it as fact, but it's enough for me to have lost interest in Nightwish as a band.

In all fairness, though, Tarja's solo effort is pretty mediocre as well. That and she should be publicly flogged for that horrendous cover of Alice Cooper's Poison. It's right up there with Within Temptation's cover of Running Up That Hill and Avril Lavigne's cover of Chop Suey in my personal 'worst covers of all time' list.

I completely disagree with you about the instrumentals in Nightwish songs

The whole orchestra stuff they do is amazing

I really like their drums alot

Then on some songs like "Master passion greed" the guitar is actually very good

[Der_Lex]

I completely disagree with you about the instrumentals in Nightwish songs

The whole orchestra stuff they do is amazing

I really like their drums alot

Then on some songs like "Master passion greed" the guitar is actually very good

Well, then we agree to disagree, which is a wonderful thing. As long as we can both enjoy the music we like, it's all good. :D

And Paradisebaby, the best thing to do in polls like this is usually to make your tenth option the 'other' option, to please those malcontents who don't see their choice listed (like me) :D

[Hayley Williams FTW]

I would just like to add that if I could marry Anette Olzon I would do it with out even getting to know her 1st lol

Really my user name should be "Anette Olzon FTW" but I did the Hayley thing cause of the crazy Hayley trend lol

[Paradisebaby]

And Paradisebaby, the best thing to do in polls like this is usually to make your tenth option the 'other' option, to please those malcontents who don't see their choice listed (like me) :D

thanks for the wise advise:) i see it´s really necessary.....

[Anette Olzon FTW]

I would just like to add that if I could marry Anette Olzon I would do it with out even getting to know her 1st lol

Really my user name should be "Anette Olzon FTW" but I did the Hayley thing cause of the crazy Hayley trend lol

This is much better lol

[Paradisebaby]

I would just like to add that if I could marry Anette Olzon I would do it with out even getting to know her 1st lol

Really my user name should be "Anette Olzon FTW" but I did the Hayley thing cause of the crazy Hayley trend lol

I also like her voice better than Tarja´s.... a lot better. i am just not a big opera-style-vocals fan i guess , Anettes voice was a real surprise for me. So powerful. Tarja´s voice is excellent, just not my cup of tea. But i also think most fans still prefer Tarja......

[Paradisebaby]

This is much better lol

it´s slightely noticeable that you like her:D

[Anette Olzon FTW]

I also had a strong forum related urge to express my extreme liking of Triviums new album lol

I think if there was a topic about male vocalists I would vote for Matt Heafy he can do everything hes crazy

Hes like a singing & screaming ventruilloquist he can sing any and every way there even is and the new album (with the bonus tracks included especially) just shows that so much lol

[HPLabonte]

Karen O??..

[Paradisebaby]

Karen O??..

i think she´s awesome, but this thread deals about worldwide successful bands/vocalists and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are just not quite superstars outside the US......

[Paradisebaby]

....so Hayley is the favorite female singer of the RB-fans. not really a surprise if you look at all the red haired avatars:D

[Kiraweirdo]

I picked that chick from lacuna coil....

I can stand her voice the longest. Well I mean, pink is okay..but I don't like the rest of the choices at all. I'm not saying they are bad singers, I'm just not a fan of that style of music or vocals.

Now, Marinella Mastrosimone has an amazing voice!!!
she's from the italian trip hop group musetta

but this is for best modern rock vocals so...I'll still go with the lacuna coil lady. She's kinda neat

[defenestrater]

I'd vote for Beth Gibbons from Portishead as well. Just a crazy beautiful voice.

[jond76]

You guys (and gals?) need to do yourself a favor and listen to Juliette Lewis' band Julliette and the Licks. I find her just alright as an actress but damn she has a perfect rock voice.

[HPLabonte]

i think she´s awesome, but this thread deals about worldwide successful bands/vocalists and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are just not quite superstars outside the US......

Worldwide Success != Talent. Just had to put her name out there.

[Ayumi]

Amy Lee...

[culturedog]

You guys (and gals?) need to do yourself a favor and listen to Juliette Lewis' band Julliette and the Licks. I find her just alright as an actress but damn she has a perfect rock voice.


I've been meaning to check that out. I remember her catching a ton of s**t for daring to copy PJ Harvey back on the Strange Days soundtrack, but I never found her covers to be all that obnoxious.

Not like Harlot Johannsson covering/destroying Tom Waits, which makes me want to end it all.

[Aven]

Christina Scabbia and Amy Lee for me..

[Wolfbeckett]

Not like Harlot Johannsson covering/destroying Tom Waits, which makes me want to end it all.

I actually liked her album quite a bit. If she releases another one I hope she does original songs though, the cover thing was a bit annoying, but other than that I thought she was a surprisingly good vocalist, I was expecting unmitigated crap and was pleasantly surprised.

[Moral_Thr3at]

Cristina Scabbia FTW!

[navaha42]

Cristina Scabbia FTW!

I need a picture to confirm that.

*XD*

[Paradisebaby]

omg, if you translate scabbia directly it actually means scabies....... well, georgeous woman, gross name (still better than reversed:p)

[Runa216]

actually, I like almost all of em. I had a hard time chosing, but I ended up chosing pink. I love her attitude and her songs the most, but I also love Nightwish, Avril, No Doubt, Paramore, lacuna coil, and a few others.

I also like the chick from Abnormality.....not becuase of her singing, but becuase such a primal, feral roaring could come out of such an attractive woman! makes her even more attractive! (imagine the sounds she'd make when she had an orgasm :P)

[RoC1909]

Guess who I voted for?

Take your time.

Who??? Kelli Pickler? Jennifer Hudson? Fantasia? Kelly Clarkson? Christina Aguilera?

Am I fricken close?!?!? At least give me a clue!!