Women have been making their mark in the rock and metal genre since the 1960s, but their influence can be traced back even further to the roots of soul music. Female artists such as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Tina Turner laid the groundwork for future generations with their powerful voices and commanding stage presence. In the 1960s, these women’s influence could be seen in the emergence of female rock icons such as Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Mariska Veres and Wendy O. Williams, who brought a new level of energy and attitude to the genre. These pioneering women broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations of female rockers, proving that women could be just as talented, rebellious and powerful as their male counterparts.
Rising Up: The Talented and Rebellious Metal Divas Taking the Scene by Storm
- Lita Ford: She was the lead guitarist for the all-female rock band The Runaways in the 1970s and later had a successful solo career in the 1980s.
- Doro Pesch: She was the lead singer of the German heavy metal band Warlock in the 1980s and later had a successful solo career.
- Wendy O. Williams: She was the lead singer of the punk rock band Plasmatics in the 1970s and 1980s and was known for her powerful stage presence and controversial performances.
- Janis Joplin: She was a rock singer and songwriter in the 1960s and is widely considered one of the greatest female rock singers of all time.
- Grace Slick: She was a singer and songwriter for the rock band Jefferson Airplane in the 1960s and later for Jefferson Starship, and her powerful and emotive voice made her one of the most iconic female singers of that era.
- Tarja Turunen: She was the lead singer of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish from 1996 to 2005. She is known for her powerful operatic vocals and her ability to blend classical music with heavy metal.
- Angela Gossow: She was the lead singer of the melodic death metal band Arch Enemy from 2000 to 2014. She is known for her aggressive growling vocals and her powerful stage presence.
- Floor Jansen: She is the current lead singer of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, she joined the band in 2013, she is known for her powerful operatic vocals and her ability to convey emotion through her singing.
- Cristina Scabbia: She is the female vocalist of the Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil, She is known for her powerful and versatile voice, and her ability to convey emotion through her singing.
- Alissa White-Gluz: She is the lead vocalist of the Canadian melodic death metal band Arch Enemy and also a member of the band Kamelot. She is known for her powerful, versatile voice and her ability to switch between different vocal styles.
- Lzzy Hale: She is the lead vocalist and guitarist of the American hard rock band Halestorm, she is known for her powerful voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing, and her musicianship skills.
In conclusion, the names mentioned above are just a few examples of the talented and rebellious metal divas who have made their mark in the rock and metal genre. These women have not only shown their musical talents, but also their determination and strength in breaking down barriers and proving that women can be just as powerful and influential in the rock and metal scene as men. They have inspired generations of female musicians and continue to do so. They are not just singers but also composers, guitarists and band leaders, showing that women can excel in any role in the metal scene.
Simone Simons: is a Dutch singer and songwriter. She is best known as the lead vocalist of the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. She joined the band in 2003 and since then she has become one of the most recognizable voices in the symphonic metal genre. Her vocal style is characterized by her powerful and emotive soprano voice, which is often compared to that of a classical opera singer.
Simons began singing at a young age and was trained in classical music, which has greatly influenced her vocal style. She has received critical acclaim for her performances with Epica, and her ability to convey emotion through her singing has made her a favorite among metal fans. She is also known for her versatility as a singer, being able to switch between different vocal styles, such as operatic and more brutal styles.
Simons is also known for her work as a model, and has been featured in several magazines. She is also known for her charity work and her support for various causes.
Simone Simons is considered one of the most talented and powerful female singers in the symphonic metal scene, and her voice and stage presence are a fundamental part of Epica’s sound.
#SimoneSimons #Epica #SymphonicMetal #FemaleVocalist #PowerfulVoice #EmotiveSinger
Simone Simons
Melissa Ferlaak: is a American singer who is best known as the former lead vocalist of the symphonic metal band Visions of Atlantis. She joined the band in 2000 as one of the original members and was the lead vocalist until 2007. She is known for her powerful and emotive singing style, and her ability to convey emotion through her singing has made her a favorite among metal fans. Her singing style is characterized by her ability to switch between different vocal styles, such as growling and clean singing.
During her time with Visions of Atlantis, Melissa was a significant part of the band’s early sound and helped to establish the band as one of the leading symphonic metal bands in the world, she also took part in the writing process of the band’s music. The band released several albums during her tenure, and played in important festivals and tours around the world. After her departure from the band, she has focused on her personal life and doesn’t have any active participation in the music industry.
Melissa Ferlaak
Clémentine Delauney: is a French singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the symphonic metal band Visions of Atlantis. She joined the band in 2008, and since then she has become an important member of the band, her powerful and dynamic singing style is one of the signatures of Visions of Atlantis’ sound.
Clémentine Delauney’s vocals are also a distinctive part of Visions of Atlantis’ sound, her voice is powerful and versatile, and her singing style is characterized by her ability to switch between different vocal styles, such as growling and clean singing. She has received critical acclaim for her performances with Visions of Atlantis, and her ability to convey emotion through her singing has made her a favorite among metal fans.
Visions of Atlantis is an Austrian symphonic metal band, formed in 2000. They have released several albums and have played in important festivals and tours around the world. Clémentine Delauney is also known for her work as a songwriter, and her contributions to the band’s music.
Clémentine Delauney
Ji-In Cho: is a South Korean singer and songwriter who is best known as the lead vocalist of the German symphonic metal band Krypteria. She joined the band in 2013, and since then she has become an important member of the band, her powerful and dynamic singing style is one of the signatures of Krypteria’s sound.
Ji-In Cho’s vocals are also a distinctive part of Krypteria’s sound, her voice is powerful and versatile, and her singing style is characterized by her ability to switch between different vocal styles, such as growling and clean singing. She has received critical acclaim for her performances with Krypteria, and her ability to convey emotion through her singing has made her a favorite among metal fans.
Krypteria is a German symphonic metal band, formed in 2001. They have released several albums and have played in important festivals and tours around the world. Ji-In Cho is also known for her work as a songwriter, and her contributions to the band’s music.
She was also a solo artist and released a few singles before joining the band. Apart from her music career, she is also known for her appearances on TV shows and reality programs, and has also been an ambassador for various brands.
Masha Arkhipova: also known as “Scream”, is a Russian singer, songwriter and musician, who is best known as the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and main driving force of the Russian pagan metal band Arkona. She formed the band in 2002 and since then she has been the band’s leader.
Masha is known for her powerful and emotive singing style, and her ability to convey emotion through her singing has made her a favorite among metal fans. Her singing style is characterized by her powerful and dynamic voice, and her ability to switch between different vocal styles such as growling and clean singing. She also incorporates traditional Russian singing styles in her performances. She is also known for her work as a songwriter, and her contributions to the band’s music. Her lyrics are often about Slavic paganism and history.
Masha has been an important figure in the Russian metal scene and her band Arkona is considered one of the most prominent and successful pagan metal bands in Russia. She has also been involved in other musical projects and bands.
Tatiana Shmailyuk: is a Ukrainian singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the Ukrainian metal band Jinjer. She joined the band in 2010 and since then she has become an important member of the band, her powerful and dynamic singing style is one of the signatures of Jinjer’s sound.
Tatiana’s vocals are also a distinctive part of Jinjer’s sound, her voice is powerful and versatile, and her singing style is characterized by her ability to switch between different vocal styles, such as growling and clean singing. She has received critical acclaim for her performances with Jinjer, and her ability to convey emotion through her singing has made her a favorite among metal fans.
Tatiana is also known for her work as a songwriter, and her contributions to the band’s music. She also has a good range of vocal skills and uses different techniques like growling, clean singing, and screaming. Jinjer’s music is a mix of different metal subgenres such as death, grove, and progressive metal, and the lyrics are often about personal experiences and social issues.
Tatiana Shmailyuk
Mariska Veres: was a Dutch singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the Dutch rock band Shocking Blue. She was the lead vocalist of the band from 1967 until her death in 2006.
Mariska’s powerful and emotive singing style was a key element of Shocking Blue’s sound, and her voice is considered one of the most recognizable in the Dutch music scene. She was known for her ability to convey emotion through her singing and her powerful, dynamic stage presence.
Shocking Blue was a Dutch rock band formed in 1967 and they had a string of hit singles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including the hit song “Venus” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970 and became a worldwide hit. They were one of the most successful Dutch bands of their era.
Mariska Veres passed away on December 2, 2006 due to lung cancer at the age of 59. She is still remembered and celebrated as one of the most iconic singers in the Dutch music scene.
Mariska Veres
Tarja Turunen: is a Finnish singer-songwriter, who is best known as the former lead vocalist of the symphonic metal band Nightwish. She was with the band from its formation in 1996 until her dismissal in 2005. She has released several solo albums since then, and her music is often described as a mix of classical, metal and rock. Turunen is also known for her powerful soprano voice. She has sold over 2 million records worldwide.
Tarja Turunen
Angela Nathalie Gossow: is a German musician, best known as the former lead vocalist of the melodic death metal band Arch Enemy. She was with the band from 2000 until her departure in 2014. Gossow is known for her aggressive and powerful vocal style, and is considered to be one of the most prominent female singers in the death metal genre. She has also been a vocal coach and mentor to other female singers in the metal scene. Gossow has sold over 1 million records worldwide with Arch Enemy.
Angela Nathalie Gossow
Floor Jansen: is a Dutch singer, songwriter and vocal coach, best known as the lead vocalist of the symphonic metal band Nightwish. She joined the band in 2012 as the replacement for former lead vocalist Anette Olzon. Jansen is known for her powerful and versatile soprano voice and her ability to perform both clean and growled vocals. She is widely considered as one of the most talented singers in the metal genre. She has also released music as a solo artist and has been a guest vocalist on several other bands’ albums. Jansen has sold over 2 million records worldwide with Nightwish.
Floor Jansen
Cristina Scabbia: is an Italian singer and songwriter, best known as the female co-vocalist of the band Lacuna Coil. She has been a member of the band since its formation in 1994. Scabbia is known for her powerful and emotive voice, and has been praised for her ability to perform both clean and growled vocals. She is one of the most well-known female singers in the metal genre, and has been an inspiration to many other female vocalists. Scabbia has sold over 2 million records worldwide with Lacuna Coil. She’s also known for her philanthropic work and activism.
Cristina Scabbia
Alissa White-Gluz: is a Canadian singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the melodic death metal band Arch Enemy and former lead vocalist of The Agonist. She joined Arch Enemy in 2014 as the replacement for former lead vocalist Angela Gossow. White-Gluz is known for her powerful and versatile vocal range, and is able to perform both clean and growled vocals. She is considered one of the most prominent female singers in the metal genre and has been praised for her stage presence and energy. White-Gluz has sold over 1 million records worldwide with Arch Enemy. She’s also known for her philanthropic work and activism.
Alissa White-Gluz
Lzzy Hale: is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the hard rock band Halestorm. She is also one of the band’s main songwriters. She formed the band in 1997 with her brother Arejay Hale. Lzzy Hale is known for her powerful and emotive voice, and has been praised for her versatility as a singer, able to perform both heavy and melodic vocals. She is considered one of the most talented female singers in the rock and metal genre and has been an inspiration to many other female vocalists. Lzzy Hale has sold over 2 million records worldwide with Halestorm.
Lzzy Hale
Lita Ford: is a British-born American rock musician and songwriter. She is best known as the lead guitarist and vocalist for the all-female rock band The Runaways, which formed in 1975. After the band disbanded in 1979, Ford embarked on a solo career, releasing her debut solo album, “Out for Blood,” in 1983. She went on to release several more albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including “Lita” (1988) and “Dangerous Curves” (1991). Ford is known for her powerful guitar playing and her hit singles such as “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever” (a duet with Ozzy Osbourne). She has been cited as an inspiration by many female guitarists and has been inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk.
Lita Ford
Wendy O. Williams: was an American singer, songwriter and actress. She was the lead singer of the punk rock band Plasmatics. Williams was known for her outrageous stage presence, which often included chain-sawing guitars, near nudity, and blowing up equipment.
The Plasmatics’ music was a blend of punk and heavy metal, and Williams’ powerful and high-energy performances earned her the nickname “Queen of Shock Rock.” The band released several albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and had a number of hit singles, including “Butcher Baby” and “Monsta Mack.”
Williams also appeared in several films and television shows, including the Roger Corman film “Reform School Girls” and the HBO series “Miami Vice.”
She passed away in 1998, Wendy O. Williams was widely regarded as a pioneer in the punk and heavy metal scene and continues to be an influence on many female musicians.
Wendy O. Williams
Janis Joplin: was an American singer-songwriter and rock musician. She rose to fame in the late 1960s as the lead singer of the band Big Brother and the Holding Company, and later as a solo artist. Joplin was known for her powerful and emotive voice, and her performances were often described as raw and passionate. She was a major figure in the counterculture movement of the 1960s and is considered one of the most iconic and influential singers of her generation. Joplin died of a drug overdose in 1970 at the age of 27. Despite her brief career, her music continues to be popular and her influence can be heard in many contemporary musicians.
Janis Joplin
Grace Slick: was an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the lead vocalist for the rock bands The Great Society, Jefferson Airplane, and Jefferson Starship. She was one of the most prominent female rock singers of the 1960s and 1970s, known for her powerful and distinctive voice, as well as her charismatic stage presence. Slick’s lyrics often dealt with counterculture and feminist themes, and she was a vocal advocate for social and political issues.
Slick was a key member of Jefferson Airplane, one of the most popular and influential bands of the San Francisco psychedelic rock scene in the late 1960s. With the band, she sang on several hit songs, including “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love.” Following the band’s disbandment in the early 1970s, Slick continued to perform with Jefferson Starship, which had several hit songs in the 1970s, such as “Miracles” and “Count On Me”.
Slick retired from music in the 1980s and later focused on her art career. Her influence on rock music and female musicians continue to be recognized in the industry.
Grace Slick
Sharon den Adel: is a Dutch singer, songwriter and fashion designer, best known as the lead vocalist for the Dutch symphonic rock band Within Temptation. She formed the band in 1996, and since then, she has been the band’s main lyricist and creative force. Den Adel’s vocal range and emotive performances have been praised by critics and fans alike.
Within Temptation’s music is known for its blend of symphonic and heavy metal elements, and for its powerful and cinematic sound. The band has released several successful albums and has a large following in Europe and around the world. Den Adel’s voice is often compared with the famous singers like Anneke van Giersbergen and Tarja Turunen.
In addition to her work with Within Temptation, Den Adel has also collaborated with other musicians and has performed as a guest vocalist on several occasions. She has also released solo music and collaborated with other artists on various projects. Den Adel is also known for her fashion design works and is an active member of the fashion industry.
Sharon den Adel
Björk Guðmundsdóttir: known simply as Björk, is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, and musician. She is considered one of the most innovative and eclectic musicians of her generation, known for her distinctive voice and her use of a wide range of musical styles and influences.
Björk began her career as the lead singer of the Icelandic alternative rock band The Sugarcubes in the late 1980s, but she rose to international fame in the 1990s with her solo work. Her debut solo album, “Debut,” was released in 1993 and was well-received by critics and audiences alike. Since then, she has released several more albums and has become known for her boundary-pushing, genre-defying music, which often incorporates elements of electronic, experimental, and world music.
Björk’s music is known for its emotional depth and its use of unconventional sounds and structures. She is also known for her avant-garde fashion sense and her striking music videos. Björk has been widely recognized for her contributions to music and has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. She has been a big influence for many musicians and is considered as one of the most influential female artist of the 1990s and 2000s.
Anneke van Giersbergen: is a Dutch singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the lead vocalist of the Dutch band The Gathering, which she fronted from 1989 to 2007. She is also known for her solo work and her collaborations with other musicians.
Van Giersbergen’s voice has been widely praised for its range, expressiveness and power. Her style is often described as a mix of rock, metal and ethereal, and her performances are known for their emotive intensity. With The Gathering, she recorded several successful albums and developed a large following in Europe and around the world.
After leaving The Gathering, Van Giersbergen focused on her solo career and released several albums under her own name, which have received critical acclaim. She also formed the band Agua de Annique and released albums with them. She also collaborated with other musicians and bands and performed as a guest vocalist on several occasions.
Anneke van Giersbergen
Elize Ryd: is a Swedish singer, songwriter and performer, best known as the lead vocalist for the Swedish power metal band Amaranthe. She joined the band in 2008 and has been a featured vocalist on all of their albums.
Ryd has a powerful and versatile voice, and is known for her ability to switch between clean and operatic singing styles. Her performances are often described as dynamic and energetic. Her voice is often compared with Tarja Turunen and Sharon den Adel.
Amaranthe’s music is known for its blend of power metal, melodic death metal, and electronic music elements, and Ryd’s vocals are a key part of their sound. The band has released several successful albums and has a large following in Europe and around the world.
In addition to her work with Amaranthe, Ryd has also collaborated with other musicians and has performed as a guest vocalist on several occasions. She has also released solo music and collaborated with other artists on various projects. Ryd is also known for her fashion design works and is an active member of the fashion industry.
Elize Ryd
Dorothee Pesch: known professionally as Doro Pesch, is a German heavy metal singer and songwriter. She is best known as the lead singer of the band Warlock (later known as Doro), which she formed in the early 1980s. She has been the band’s only constant member throughout its history.
Pesch’s powerful and expressive voice has earned her a reputation as one of the premier female heavy metal singers of her generation. Her performances are often described as energetic and charismatic. With Warlock and later with Doro, she recorded several albums and had a large following in Europe and around the world.
Pesch has been active in the music industry for over four decades and has been recognized for her contributions to metal music and her impact on the industry. She has also collaborated with other musicians and bands, and has performed as a guest vocalist on several occasions.
Sabine Edelsbacher: is an Austrian singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the symphonic power metal band Edenbridge. She formed the band in 1998 and has been the band’s main vocalist and lyricist since then.
Edelsbacher’s voice has been widely praised for its range, expressiveness and power, and her style is often described as a mix of classical and rock. Her performances are known for their emotive intensity. Edenbridge’s music is known for its blend of symphonic, power, and progressive metal elements, and Edelsbacher’s vocals are a key part of their sound. The band has released several successful albums and has a large following in Europe and around the world.
Vibeke Stene: is a Norwegian singer, best known as the lead vocalist for the gothic metal band Tristania. She was a member of the band from its formation in 1996 to 2007. She was also the lead vocalist for the band Sirenia from 2010 to 2016
Stene’s voice is known for its powerful, emotive and melodic style, and her performances are often described as dynamic and intense. With Tristania, she recorded several albums and developed a large following in Europe and around the world.
After leaving Tristania, Stene focused on her solo career and released several albums under her own name. She also formed the band Vibeke Stene and released albums with them. She also collaborated with other musicians and bands and performed as a guest vocalist on several occasions.
Her contributions to the gothic metal genre and her impact on the industry are widely recognized. Stene’s voice is often compared with other female singers of the genre like Liv Kristine, Anneke van Giersbergen and Simone Simons.
Liv Kristine: Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull is a Norwegian singer and songwriter. She is best known as the lead vocalist of the symphonic metal band Leaves’ Eyes and the former lead vocalist of the gothic metal band Theatre of Tragedy. She has also released several solo albums. Krull is known for her operatic vocal style and her use of both English and German in her lyrics. She is widely considered to be one of the most influential figures in the symphonic metal genre
Liv Kristine
Elina Siirala: is a Finnish classical crossover singer, pianist and songwriter. She began her musical career as a classical pianist, but later transitioned to a career as a classical crossover singer. She has released several albums, both as a solo artist and as a member of the band Nightwish. She is known for her powerful and emotive performances, as well as her ability to blend classical and contemporary styles of music. She has also been involved in several projects and collaborations with other artists in the classical and metal genre.
Elina Siirala