Originally posted by aiwass
YOU HAVE NOT HEARD METAL VOCALS (Or any kind of vocals, for that matter!) UNTIL YOU HAVE HEARD RUSSEL ALLEN!!!!!! :D

The man is the voice of God. Nuff said. He can do it all: Better Pantera-style vocals than Phil Anselmo himself, better soaring high notes than Tate or Alder, and better smokey, R&B/Western soulful vocals than anybody ranging from James Hetfield to Craig David. And he sings PERFECTLY live, with enough volume to pull through a gig without a mic even (and Symphony X play friggin' LOUD!)

You need to hear this guy!

Anyway, about LaBrie... after his food poisoning accident (which left him with completely ruined vocal chords and extensive surgery) right after the Awake album, he has never been the same. He's gotten better the last year or so, and is in great shape on the new album (apparently also on the new tour), but he will never regain the range or purity of voice that he had on Awake and Images and Words. Today, I don't think he's too amazing, but before the accident, he was one of the gods. Listen to Metropolis pt 1, Under a Glass Moon, or Innocence Faded (damn high notes). Dammit, listen to ANYTHING off Images and Words (before he started experimenting more with aggressive vocals), and tell me he WAS no good. He WAS one of the best.

Other noteable mentions:

Maynard James Keenan of Tool (people think he's just another aggro-dude - not the case. Awesome voice, style, even good range and technique. Besides, anybody who can do a 25 second scream (shouting, not just an Iron Maiden squeal) has my vote - check out "The Grudge".)

Jessie Kuntz of Vanden Plas

Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy (meanest growls ever)

ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs), formerly of Borknagar, now handling bass and
clean vocals in Dimmu Borgir (very cool voice, nice range. Sounds like an operatic baritone/tenor at times)

Daniel Gildenlöw of Pain of Salvation (one of the few who I think can compete with Russel Allen in versatility and technique, but with a much rawer, emotional appraoch)

Warrel Dane of Nevermore (if a Broadway singer went HEAVY)

Michael Readman of Adagio (good range, pretty "manly" voice for a neoclassical/power metal singer)

Yeah Russel Allen owns... like no other... but i still like tate better... because he actually writes lyrics that don't have to do with slaying a dragon and saving the damsel. But i may be wrong ... does Romeo write the lyrics???