In the first article on the subject (check here), I highlighted some important female musicians in our world today. Looking back at the article, it was more Music related / less Metal oriented since it was simply an introduction to the topic. Therefore I’m shedding some light upon past/current important female metal musicians and organizations.
A good place to start would be in Sweden, more specifically Arch Enemy’s Angela Gossow who joined the band in 2000, became their manager in 2008 to direct the band into an even more successful career, while she’s being recognized as the most extreme female vocalist in the metal world.
Angela also contributed on many new releases including Kalisia’s “Cybion”, Amaseffer’s “Slaves for Life” and several female vocalists metal compilations! In a similar manner, other female vocalists emerged as leaders of their respective bands; one cannot but mention Epica’s Simone Simons (also a guest vocalist with Ayreon, Kamelot, Sons of Seasons, Primal Fear, etc), Lacuna Coil’s Cristina Scabbia (also a guest vocalist with Alter Bridge, Megadeth, Apocalyptica, etc), After Forever’s Floor Jansen, Nightwish’s Tarja Turunen and many other female fronted metal bands (Tristania, Theatre Of Tragedy, etc)!
More importantly, extreme female vocalists like Karyn Crisis (from Crisis) appeared on Six Feet Under’s “Sick And Twisted” song, showing her great skills as an extreme metal vocalist, amongst other skills such as painting and designing clothes (Karyn Crisis Store).
The newest generation of extreme female vocalists include Krysta Cameron from Iwrestledabearonce which rivals the best male deathcore vocalists out there and Michelle Proffit from Hiretsukan who also raised the bar with her furious throes.
Another interesting thing to mention is the Metal Female Voices Fest which is held annually in Belgium, with a killer performance from the top female fronted metal bands in the world today! (check details here)
- Of course, as I promised, here are your own suggestions from the first article’s comments and the updates suggestions from Part II’s comments:
The Iron Maidens
Lori Linstruth
The Donnas
*Dawn Crosby, Kate De Lombaert and Lynda Simpson*
*Astarte (actually Angela Gossow appeared on their Black Heart song as well!)*, Opera IX’s Cadaveria and The Agonist’s Alissa White-Gluz.
As a conclusion, the idea of girls sexing up their image to gain attention is long gone in the metal world; these female musicians are highly respected and never questioned for authenticity. The 21st century metal world is no longer ruled by male metalheads only, and that did scare off some labels that decided not to go for female fronted metal bands anymore, but what’s more metal and extreme than chicks growling the crap out of those front rows, and giving truth to the saying “Hell has no fury like a woman scorned”.
Now again, this article will be edited with every comment of yours, adding new names to the big list of important female musicians of our time; I’m waiting for your suggestions!
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