Thrash Metal Vocalists

Another straightforward topic involving lists. Post your favorite thrash vocalists of old, and the standout vocalists of today.

My list, from greatest to worst:

Old
Charles Sabin (Toxik)
Erik A.K. (Flotsam and Jetsam)
Joel Dubay (Powermad)
Warrel Dane (Sanctuary/Nevermore)
David White (Heathen)
Sean Killian (Vio-lence)
James Hetfield (Metallica)
Mark Osegueda (Death Angel)
Joey Belladonna (Anthrax)
Phil Anselmo (Pantera)*
Kenn Nardi (Anacrusis)
Russ Anderson (Forbidden)
Jimmy Hamilton (Intruder)
Mark Antoni (Realm)
Alan Tecchio (Watchtower)
Brad Divens (Wrathchild America)
Michael Jackson (Pariah)
Brian Troch (Cyclone Temple)
Pat Lind (Morbid Saint)
Darren Travis (Sadus)
Sheepdog (Razor)
John Connelly (Nuclear Assault)
Katon de Pena (Hirax)

*just to let you know, I'm a huge fan of Phil's performance on Cowboys from Hell - it was perfect. I am in no way condoning his atrocities on the next few Pantera albums.

New
Warrel Dane (Nevermore/Sanctuary)
David DiSanto (Vektor)
Michael Bastholm Dahl (Artillery)
James Rivera (Helstar)
Mark Osegueda (Death Angel)
Stu Block (Iced Earth)
Mika Eronen (Immaculate)
Chuck Billy (Testament)
Bobby Ellsworth (Overkill)
Steve Souza (Exodus)
Sy Keeler (Onslaught)
Schmier (Destruction)
Fredrik Bjerkø (Tantara)
Sergeant Salsten (Deathhammer)
Toxine (Witchery)
Dave Silver (Savage Messiah)
Bison Steed (Reign of Fury)
Matt Drake (Evile)
Cara McCutchen (Mortillery)
Dan Wetmore (Mantic Ritual)
John Kevill (Warbringer)
Philly Byrne (Gama Bomb)

I like a lot of the same guys as you. Russ Anderson and Zetro have been personal favorites for years.I tend to like higher pitched vocalists or ones with a nasty sneer.
A newer one that I really like is Marco Colombo from Hyades. He has that gravely sneer.

I'll post mine later.

P.S. How are Warrel Dane and James Rivera "new" thrash vocalists?

Temple of Blood wrote:

I'll post mine later.

P.S. How are Warrel Dane and James Rivera "new" thrash vocalists?

The new list encompasses vocalists that are new on the scene, and also vocalists from the 80's who are still belting out notes as magnificent as ever.

You think Dane is still singing as well as he was in the 80s? Or Rivera? I would take their performances on ITMB and ADT over anything they've done in the last decade.

I don't know that I would really consider HELSTAR thrash, to be honest.

Best thrash vocalist ever is Eric AK of Flotsam.

Temple of Blood wrote:

You think Dane is still singing as well as he was in the 80s?  Or Rivera?  I would take their performances on ITMB and ADT over anything they've done in the last decade.

I don't know that I would really consider HELSTAR thrash, to be honest.

If you're referring to his ability to hit those outrageous falsettos ala Refuge Denied, I guess not. But he more than makes up for that with the emotion he conveyed in Nevermore (see Dreaming Neon Black).

As for Helstar, the genre classification is debatable, much like Agent Steel. But their modern output definitely has more of a thrash edge than their speed/power roots.

Your list is pretty close, I think, to what I'd put out. Sean Killian would be down by Katon--below, in fact; Killian's voice is the only thing that keeps me from enjoying Vio-lence as much as I'd like. Plus Joey I would rate lower. I know he's a skilled singer, but his voice has never matched up with thrash for me to appreciate.

My list would also include Mike Munro (Meliah Rage), Rob Urbinati (Sacrifice), Frank Thomas (later Accuser), Sabina Classen (Holy Moses), Mille Petrozza (Kreator), Michael Coons (Laaz Rockit), Ron Rinehart (Dark Angel), Angelripper, Mustaine, and Araya among others. Good mention of David White.

I would definitely agree that modern Helstar is thrash.

Yes, post-reunion HELSTAR is pretty thrashy. But their older material I think is just USPM.

I'm not really a fan of the high-pitched banshee thrash vocalists. Liked it more when I was a teenager but most of that stuff annoys me to no end now.

I prefer the gruffer, nastier vocalists like Mille from Kreator, Tom from Slayer, Ron from Coroner, Tom from Celtic Frost (I know, not really thrash, don't care), Max from Sepultura, John from Nuclear Assault, etc. Maybe not a great "vocalist" in the bunch but their attitude and personality fits the music they play perfectly. I don't want to hear some falsetto dude trying to break a champagne glass over the top of something like Chemical Warfare...

All those old thrash vocalists started out trying to sing high.

Listen to how high Mustaine was on that first album.  Or Hetfield trying to emulate Diamond Head on "Hit the Lights".  Or Tom Araya on "The Antichrist".

Not saying it is right or wrong in any way, it's just an interesting phenomenon.

I like it all really.  The only "thrash" vocalist I really can't stomach is Blythe from LoG.  He is just unlistenable to me ... or maybe it's just that the riffs stink?

Ravenscraig wrote:

Best thrash vocalist ever is Eric AK of Flotsam.

Funny ... when I saw this thread I was thinking the same thing. When I was a teenager I SOOOO wanted to sing like him. I took a singing lesson from a friend and played her "Suffer the Masses" as what I was shooting for. haha

When all you mostly hear from the new wave of thrash is nasally, monotone barking, you begin to appreciate the banshee vocalists a lot more.

temple of blood wrote:

Ravenscraig wrote:Best thrash vocalist ever is Eric AK of Flotsam.



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Funny ... when I saw this thread I was thinking the same thing. When I was a teenager I SOOOO wanted to sing like him. I took a singing lesson from a friend and played her "Suffer the Masses" as what I was shooting for. haha

Glad you feel the same way. "Suffer the Masses" is a tremendous tune. I dunno, I just fell in love with his voice the first time I heard "No Place for Disgrace". The rest is history. For me it was a dream come true meeting him and the rest of the guys in person and playing with them here in Vienna. They were supporting the release of the remake of "No Place" so they did songs only off the first two albums plus "Suffer the Masses". Eargasmic.

Sorry that was slightly off-topic. More to the point: I am into "proper" singers like Eric AK, Belladonna, Osegueda... I love the others that have been mentioned as well, the ones "less technical but with great attitude". But for me it's all about those guys that just blow your socks off with their distinct vocals.

If you wanna talk about cool singers, not too brilliant or technical but with great live energy and attitude for me it's all about this wee fella

Scott Waters from Ultimatum is pretty good.....

Eric AK, Tom Araya, Chuck Billy and Hetfield (early days)