Fav Vocal Performances (male)
A selection of my favourite male vocalists, with their best vocal performances. This list isn't about who has the best range or technique so don't expect Dio or Rob Halford..it's more about the performance as a whole. Fav female vocalists to follow |
| 20 |  | Radiohead
OK Computer
Mr lazy eye himself Thom Yorke delivers one of the best performances in rock history with OK Computer. |
| 19 |  | Genesis
Selling England By The Pound
After much deliberation, i've decided to include Genesis's finest work and Peter Gabriel's best vocal performance alongside his solo album "So". Props to Crysis for dropping the hint. |
| 18 |  | Kanye West
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
A few years ago, this would've been laughable if not suprising. But after releasing MBDTF, Kanye has matured and evolved into a perfomer of the highest quality. But it's his way of telling his story that is the key to this album. "Power" and "Runaway" are already classics. |
| 17 |  | Ra
Raw
A classic case of a vocalist being in the wrong band, Sahaj Ticotin's voice is as powerful as any on this list. The man has some crazy pipes. "Sky" and "Only" are the best examples..it's a real shame he's not singing with a better band |
| 16 |  | At the Drive-In
Relationship Of Command
I don't understand a bloody word Cedric Bixler's is saying but it doesn't make a difference. I love it anyway. |
| 15 |  | Arcturus
The Sham Mirrors
Garm's most varied performance, not neccessarily his best (some would say Ulver's Bergtatt) but "For to End Yet Again" is amazing. Radical Cut features Ihsahn on vocals. Thanks to Yazz_Flute for clarifying. |
| 14 |  | Opeth
Watershed
You could choose any one of about five Opeth albums, but I feel Mikael Akerfeldt's voice has reached it's apex on this album. |
| 13 |  | Down
NOLA
Former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo produces the finest work of his career with a powerhouse performance. |
| 12 |  | Soundgarden
Badmotorfinger
"Jesus Christ Pose", with Cornell's note at 4:40 - 4:50 makes you shake your head in disbelief. |
| 11 |  | Temple of the Dog
Temple of the Dog
Chris Cornell's performance on "Say Hello to Heaven" and "Hunger Strike" are probably the best of his career next to Soundgarden's "Badmotorfinger". |
| 10 |  | The Who
Quadrophenia
Roger Daltry's performance on this quintessential concept album features his best vocals on "Love Reign O'er Me". |
| 9 |  | Queensryche
Operation: Mindcrime
Geoff Tate's performance is probably the quintessential concept album performance next to Roger Daltry on The Who's "Quadrophenia" |
| 8 |  | Queen
Live at Wembley 1986
Freddie Mercury's performance on "Bohemian Rhapsody" is immortalised, but there's more to the man than just that song. E.g "Who wants to live forever", "Somebody To Love", "Under Pressure. Probably the best vocals on a live album. |
| 7 |  | Deftones
Diamond Eyes
Chino Moreno's most emotional performance, although most people will cry foul and say White Pony is better. Key tracks "Diamond Eyes, "Beauty School", "976-Evil" "This Place is Death" |
| 6 |  | Devin Townsend
Terria
Key tracks "Earth Day" "Nobody's Here" |
| 5 |  | Shapeshifter
Shapeshifter Live
Paora Apera (aka P.Diggss). Already well established as a groundbreaking live band, Shapeshifter pulled out their ace and employed the vocals of the big Maori singer who has simply turned them into a musical force of epic proportions. His performance on "One" and "Tapestry" with the New Zealand Symphony is uplifting and powerful. |
| 4 |  | The Dillinger Escape Plan
Irony Is a Dead Scene
Patton's performance on this album is arguably the best of his career. Key track 'When Good Dogs Do Bad Things" |
| 3 |  | Pain of Salvation
The Perfect Element, Part 1
Daniel Gildenlow. On another day I may have put down One Hour By The Concrete Lake, or Remedy Lane. But that's another day. this performance by Gildenlow is just colossal. In particular, the songs "Used" and "In The Flesh" are about as good as it gets. |
| 2 |  | Faith No More
Angel Dust
Mike Patton. Key tracks "Malpractice", "Jizzlobber" and "Smaller and Smaller". Again, some people could rightfully argue that his work on Dillinger Escape Plan's "Irony is a Dead Scene" is better but it's not as a varied as this monster of a performance. |
| 1 |  | Devin Townsend
Ocean Machine: Biomech
Devy's pinnacle IMO. Some people may argue that SYL's "City" is a better vocal performance but I feel this album reflects the 'real' Devin Townsend. Key track "The Death of Music". |
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