The 30 Best Female Metal Singers

Heavy metal music is typically known for its aggressive sound, male-dominated bands, and tough-guy image. But there are plenty of amazing female metal singers who can hold their own against any male metalhead.

These women are the cream of the crop for metal singing, from powerful and soulful vocalists to screamers who can shatter glass.

Here are 20 of the best female metal singers you need to know.

1. Lzzy Hale (Halestorm)

Lzzy Hale is an American singer, the frontwoman, and the rhythm guitarist of the hard rock band Halestorm. She has one of the most unique and recognizable voices in metal, with a powerful range that can go from a raspy growl to a soaring falsetto. Lzzy is also an incredible guitar player; her solos are always a highlight of Halestorm’s live shows. Halestorm has several awards, including two Grammy Awards.

2. Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil)

Cristina Scabbia is an Italian singer, the female lead vocalist, and one of the founding members of the Italian metal band Lacuna Coil. Her beautiful voice is showcased in songs like “Heaven’s A Lie” and “Nothing Stands in Our Way.” Cristina has been in the metal scene for over two decades; she is also a talented lyricist and has co-written many of Lacuna Coil’s songs. The band has released nine studio albums.

3. Amalie Bruun (Myrkur)

Amalie Bruun is a Danish musician, the frontwoman, and the founder of the black metal band Myrkur. She is a classically trained musician, and her unique blend of black metal and folk music has won her critical acclaim from all corners of the metal world. Myrkur’s debut album was released in 2015 to widespread acclaim, and Amalie’s ethereal voice is a big part of what makes the band’s sound so unique.

4. Janet Gardner (Vixen)

Janet Gardner is an American singer, the former lead singer, and the rhythm guitarist of the female hard rock band Vixen. She has a powerful voice that is perfect for belting out arena-rock anthems like “Edge of a Broken Heart” and “Cryin’.” Janet released her debut solo album “Janet Gardner” in 2017 while still with the band, but left in 2019 to pursue a solo career.

5. Amy Lee (Evanescence)

Amy Lee is an American singer as well. You probably know her as the lead singer and co-founder of the Grammy Award-winning rock band Evanescence. The band has released five studio albums, and Amy has several solo projects, including one studio album and one soundtrack album. Her ethereal voice is a big part of Evanescence’s success. She often incorporates classical piano into Evanescence’s music.

6. Kobra Paige (Kobra and the Lotus)

Kobra Paige is the lead singer of the Canadian heavy metal band Kobra and the Lotus. She has a powerful voice perfectly suited for metal, and she is also an accomplished songwriter. Kobra and the Lotus have released six studio albums and have been nominated for several awards.

7. Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation)

Sharon Den Adel is the female lead singer of the Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation. Sharon has been with Within Temptation since its inception in 1996, co-writing many of the band’s songs. The band has released seven studio albums, and Sharon also has a successful solo career.

8. Floor Jansen (Nightwish)

Floor Jansen is a Dutch singer-songwriter and the lead vocalist of the ever-popular symphonic metal band Nightwish. She was born on February 21st, 1981, in Goirle, Netherlands. She has dabbled in many metal sub-genres and has been a part of a few successful metal projects before joining Nightwish to replace the previous lead singers as well as the popular Tarja Turunen.

Her voice is really symphonic and suits the band’s overall image perfectly. Her best live vocals are a thing of beauty!

9. Simone Simons (Epica)

Simone Simons is the female lead singer of the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. She has been with Epica since its inception in 2002, and the band has released eight studio albums. Her beautiful voice is shown in songs like “Quietus” and “Sancta Terra.”

10. Brittney Slayes (Unleash the Archers)

Brittney Slayes is the female lead singer of the Canadian power metal band Unleash the Archers. Her powerful voice perfectly matches the band’s epic, anthemic sound. Brittney has been with Unleash the Archers since its inception in 2007, and the band has released five studio albums. Her powerful voice perfectly matches the band’s epic, anthemic sound.

11. Otep Shamaya (Otep)

Otep Shamaya is the female lead singer of the American nu-metal band Otep. She is a powerful vocalist with a unique style that blends growling and clean vocals. The band has released eight studio albums, and Otep herself is an accomplished poet and painter.

12. Liv Kristine (Leaves’ Eyes, Theatre of Tragedy)

Liv Kristine is a Norwegian singer-songwriter best known for her work with the gothic metal band Leaves’ Eyes. At the start of her career, she was the frontwoman of the black metal band Theater of Tragedy but left the band in 2003.

She formed Leaves’ Eyes with her then-husband Alexander Krull, and the band has released eight studio albums, writing most of the band’s lyrics until her departure in 2016. Liv’s voice is light and airy, and she often uses clean vocals in Leaves’ Eyes’ music. She has also released several solo albums and has collaborated with many other artists.

13. Fernanda Lira (Crypta, Nervosa)

Fernanda Lira is a Brazilian bassist and vocalist best known for her work with the death metal band Nervosa. She is an accomplished musician, and her growling vocals are fit for the heavy sound of Nervosa. The band has released four studio albums and has toured extensively throughout Europe and South America. She left the band in 2020 and formed a new band, Crypta.

14. Doro Pesch (Warlock)

Doro Pesch is a German heavy metal singer who rose to fame in the 1980s as the frontwoman of the band Warlock. She has since embarked on a successful solo career, releasing 17 albums, with her debut solo album in 1989.

Doro is one of the most successful female metal singers in history, famously called the “Heavy Metal Queen,” and is considered a pioneer of the female-led metal movement. Doro is known for her strong stage presence, and her many years of touring have made her a metal legend.

15. Maria Brink (In This Moment)

Maria Brink is the female lead singer of the American metalcore band In This Moment. She is a powerful vocalist with a range that extends from growling to clean singing. Maria is also a talented songwriter who has co-written some of In This Moment’s albums. The band has released seven studio albums, and Maria’s unique style has made them one of the most successful metal bands in recent years.

16. Chelsea Wolfe (Mrs. Piss)

Chelsea Wolfe is an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known for her work in the dark folk and doom metal genres. She has released six studio albums, most recently “Birth of Violence” in 2019. Chelsea’s music often features elements of gothic rock, and her ethereal voice is perfect for conveying her songs’ dark, melancholy mood.

17. Suzuka Nakamoto (Babymetal)

Suzuka Nakamoto is a Japanese singer and songwriter best known for her work with the metal band Babymetal. She initially was part of the pop idol group Sakura Gakuin but graduated in 2013 and joined Babymetal. The band has released three studio albums and has become one of the most successful Japanese bands in recent years. She often uses high-pitched, clean vocals in Babymetal’s music.

18. Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering)

Anneke van Giersbergen is a Dutch singer-songwriter best known for her work with the bands The Gathering and Agua de Annique. She started her music career in the early 1990s as the frontwoman of the metal band The Gathering. She was the band’s lead singer from 1994 to 2007 and has since embarked on a solo career.

Anneke is a versatile vocalist and is equally adept at singing clean pop songs and growling metal vocals. She has released eight studio albums and collaborated with many other artists. Anneke is one of the most successful female metal singers in history.

19. Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy)

Alissa White-Gluz (Canadian singer) is the female vocalist for the Swedish progressive metal band Arch Enemy. She replaced the band’s former singer, Angela Gossow, in 2014 and has since established herself as one of the best metal vocalists in the world. Arch Enemy has released ten studio albums, and Alissa has also appeared as a guest vocalist on several other metal albums. Alissa has a powerful voice capable of growling and clean singing and is an excellent live performer.

20. Tatiana Shmaylyuk (Jinjer)

Tatiana Shmaylyuk is a Ukrainian singer and songwriter who is the lead singer of the black metal band Jinjer. She joined the band in 2010 and has since become one of the most popular metal singers in the world. The band has released four studio albums and has toured extensively throughout Europe and North America. Tatiana is known for her guttural, growling vocals and energetic stage presence.

21. Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy, Mistress)

Angela Nathalie Gossow is best known as the former frontwoman and current manager of the melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, and she was one of the pioneering women in the death metal vocal scene. Since 2020, she has been the vocalist for Amaranthe and is known for her activism about her atheist, liberal-green anarchist, vegan lifestyle and abstinence from smoking and alcohol.

22. Lacey Sturm (Flyleaf)

Lacey Nicole Sturm is a prominent figure in the music industry, notably as the co-founder and former lead vocalist of the Christian metal band Flyleaf. Her journey from atheism to faith led her to establish Flyleaf in 2000, and the band released their self-titled debut album in 2005. After leaving Flyleaf in 2012, Sturm pursued a solo career, authored an autobiography, and released her solo album “Life Screams” in 2016. She continues to be active in the music scene, collaborating with other artists and releasing the single “The Decree” in 2020.

23. Elize Ryd (Amaranthe)

Born in Sweden, Elize Ryd is renowned as one of the three vocalists of the popular melodic metalcore and power metal band Amaranthe. With a musical upbringing inspired by metal and Disney, she won a talent competition in 1998, which couldn’t be capitalized on due to her age. She co-founded Amaranthe (originally known as Avalanche) with Joacim Lundberg and Olof Mörck, releasing their debut EP in 2009. Ryd has also collaborated with various other bands and artists, including Nightwish, Kamelot, Renegade Five, and Takida.

24. Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless)

Taylor Michel Momsen is widely recognized for her childhood acting roles in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Gossip Girl.” However, she transitioned into the world of hard rock and metal music and is a key member of The Pretty Reckless. The band achieved significant success with their debut album “Light Me Up” in 2010, and Momsen, inspired by artists like Kurt Cobain and Led Zeppelin, has continued to lead the band to prominence. As of 2021, The Pretty Reckless released their latest album, “Death by Rock and Roll,” and have been touring and creating hard rock music.

25. Tarja Turunen (Nightwish)

Tarja Turunen is a Finnish vocalist known for her remarkably powerful and emotional soprano voice, particularly in the metal genre. She began her musical journey at a young age, singing in the church choir and later studying music at the Sibelius Academy. Her most significant success came as the former frontwoman of Nightwish, but she left the band for personal reasons. Since then, she has embarked on a solo career, released multiple studio albums, and published her first novel, “Singing in My Blood,” in 2021, offering insights into her life and music.

26. Amanda Somerville (Kiske/Somerville, Exit Eden, Aina, HDK, Kamelot)

Amanda Somerville is a notable American singer in the metal genre known for her distinctive status as a guest collaborator with various high-profile bands rather than a solo artist or band member. She gained prominence through guest performances with groups like Avantasia, Kamelot, Ayreon, and many others, showcasing her wide vocal range and emotional delivery. While specific current activities may vary, her enduring presence in the metal scene as a sought-after guest vocalist continues to resonate with heavy metal fans.

27. Sabina Classen (Holy Moses, Temple of the Absurd)

Sabina Classen, a prominent but relatively lesser-known figure from the 80s metal scene, deserves greater recognition for her role as the German vocalist of the cult Thrash Metal band Holy Moses. She is often considered one of the earliest female vocalists in the Thrash Metal genre, and her vocals were marked by a notable intensity and aggression that challenged conventions for female singers of that era. Notably, Holy Moses’ 1987 album “Finished with the Dogs” is often considered one of her standout performances and the band’s best album.

28. Laura Guldemond (Burning Witches)

Burning Witches, an all-female Swiss Heavy Metal band has garnered a strong following in the past decade with albums that blend influences from Judas Priest, Savatage, Iron Maiden, and Dio, incorporating some Thrash elements. Despite a change in vocalists, Dutch singer Laura Guldemond has significantly impacted recent albums.

Her distinctive appeal as a vocalist lies in her ability to deliver aggressive and high-pitched notes while maintaining a melodic quality, resulting in a balanced and engaging performance. Guldemond’s stage presence, charisma, and attitude set her apart within her role, contributing to her well-deserved recognition in the industry.

29. Yamashita Saki (Cyntia)

Yamashita Saki, a highly talented but relatively unknown singer, has made her mark in the Japanese Metal scene, particularly as the former vocalist of the band Cyntia. Cyntia, a Heavy/Power Metal group, garnered a dedicated following over the last decade for their unique blend of Metal intensity with Pop influences.

Saki’s standout feature lies in her melodic and charismatic vocal abilities, which can be heard in songs like “GeAr.” Despite being underrated, she deserves recognition for her contributions to the genre, especially as she continues her journey as a solo artist.

30. Wendy O. Williams (Plasmatics)

Vocalist Wendy O. Williams played a critical role in challenging traditional perceptions of women in the Metal music scene, and her tenure with the short-lived Plasmatics serves as a prime example. Her aggressive vocals, intense lifestyle, powerful stage presence, demeanor, and charisma made her one of the most captivating vocalists in the 1980s Metal genre.

While Plasmatics’ music may have been hit-and-miss, the band’s attitude and spirit were undeniable, largely due to Wendy’s personality and influence. Despite not achieving the same level of commercial success as some of her contemporaries, Wendy O. Williams left an indelible mark on the Metal world, and her distinctive personality and attitude remain a significant part of the genre’s history.

Conclusion

In this list, I have featured some of the best female metal singers in the world. These women are all talented vocalists with powerful voices that can convey the intensity of metal music. They are all pioneers in their own way and have helped redefine the metal music genre with their unique styles.

Whether you like pop-rock or heavy deathcore music, there’s a female vocalist for every genre here. So far, these women have achieved great success in their careers, and we can only imagine what they will do next.

Lzzy Hale Image by: Sven Mandel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cristina Scabbia Image by: Quiqueriverahn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Amalie Bruun Image by: Stig Nygaard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Janet Gardner Image by: Stefan Bollmann, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Amy Lee Image by: Justin Higuchi, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kobra Paige Image by: Np250, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sharon Den Adel Image by: Sven Mandel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Floor Jansen Image by: Markus Felix, CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Simone Simons Image by: Andreas Lawen, Fotandi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Brittney Slayes Image by: Valere jelic, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Otep Shamaya Image by: By <a href=”//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Divergentgirl” title=”User:Divergentgirl”>Divergentgirl</a> – Photos taken of Otep Shamaya on the streets of Los Angeles for Promo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Liv Kristine Image by: Anastasiia Ivanova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fernanda Lira Image by: Frank Schwichtenberg, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Doro Pesch Image by: P. Schwichtenberg, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Maria Brink Image by: Stefan Bollmann, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Chelsea Wolfe Image by: Henry W. Laurisch, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Suzuka Nakamoto Image by: rawpic, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Anneke van Giersbergen Image by: S. Bollmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alissa White-Gluz Image by: Andreas Lawen, Fotandi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Angela Gossow Image by: Francesco, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lacey Sturm Image by: Willlangley, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Elyze Ryd Image by: Andreas Lawen, Fotandi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Taylor Momsen Image by: RElaistpics, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tarja Turunen Image by: Klaus Hellmerich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Amanda Somerville Image by: © Markus Felix | PushingPixels (contact me), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sabina Classen Image by: Stefan Bollmann, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Laura Guldemond Image by: Stefan Bollmann, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Wendy O. Williams Image by: Chosei Funahara, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons