Best Female Vocalists…imo

When I started driving to work this morning, I decided to turn off the CD that I’ve been listening to for the past few days and tune into the radio. I don’t want to point out what radio stations are good or not in the La Crosse area, so I’ll just say that I mostly listen to 100.1 and 95.7. Well this morning on The Rock, they were talking about how someone called in and was asking what kind of bands have female musicians. They started listing off some bands, mostly the well known ones from back in the day. Some people called in and added bands like Lacuna Coil and Arch Enemy. But I feel that they left out the best of the best, mostly because people do not know of these bands, baring them from seeing the musical excellence of these female musicians.

Probably the most popular of the bands that I’m going to list is Nightwish. Recently, Nightwish went through a vocal change, bringing in Anette Olzon who replaced long-time Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen. If you’re wondering about the origin of those names, Nightwish is from Finland. Anette has only recorded one album with Nightwish, Dark Passion Play, but that album exceeded, at least, my expectations. I have been a fan of Nightwish since the Once years, which is not that long ago, but I was able to backtrack into their history to become a respectable fan of theirs.  But my point is, Anette has an awesome voice.  There are a few times on their latest album where Anette hits a note just right.  I don’t know if it’s the frequency level of her voice tuned to the perfect note or whatever.  But when she hits those notes, you have to shut your eyes and enjoy, maybe even smile or give one of these \m/.

The other band that I want to mention is Epica.  Not the Kamelot album from 2003, but the band that coined their name after that Kamelot album.  Epica is a symphonic metal band, just like Kamelot, who formed in 2002. They are fronted by none other than the legendary Simone Simons.  I did say legendary!  Simone has a voice that was influenced more on the classical side of singing.  She has a very smooth, lyrical presence to every song she sings.  She has done four albums with Epica, along with a few guest appearances, including a hit single with Kamelot called “The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)“.

Those two are my favorites for female vocalists, but here are a few more for you to check out if you please.
Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation)
Amanda Somerville
Floor Jansen (After Forever)
Liv Kristine (Leaves’ Eyes)

Rock, BC

Here’s my What’s on your iPod…
APC “3 Libras”
Alice In Chains “Nutshell”
Alter Bridge “Blackbird”
Guns N’ Roses “Shackler’s Revenge”
Iced Earth “Come What May”
Kamelot “Elizabeth (Part I, II & III)”
Mad Season “Wake Up”
Metallica “The Outlaw Torn”
Nightwish “7 Days To The Wolves”
Tool “Sober”