the Top 200 Greatest Rock Singers-140 to 131

Digging deeper into our list of the top 200 greatest rock singers, inspired by the travesty that was Rolling Stone's supposed list. Where they got it wrong, this list hopes to be more effective, but not only focusing on rock singers and those adjacent to the genre, while placing the spotlight on the singer's technical vocal ability, in terms of range and power, as well as their dynamics, phrasing and the overall character of their voice. Can they emote from different places? How well does their voice hold up live? All factors are being considered here. Things like lyrical content and the instruments they play do not factor in as these ranking are based on vocal merit alone. How they control a crowd or their entertainment value as performers is also not a factor; there are some great front men who are also sub-par singers.  

The same can be said of song writers which is why most Bob Dylan songs sound better covered by someone else. Needless to say, ole Robert Zimmerman is not making the cut. Most pop singers won't appear here, but there are a few country or jazz singers who crossover just enough to qualify for this list, while having a significant influence on rock music. Don't expect rappers on this list or metal vocalists who just scream or growl, but never actually sing. I am keen on singers who are derivative of other singers. The bulk of these are doing their own thing, the few paying tribute to other artists have still made enough of an impact with their music. Having a unique vocal quality is going to be one of the most important factors sometimes trumping technical ability. If they sound too much like Steve Perry from Journey or that they have listened to their vocal coach too much rather than developing their own style, then that is something that is also not going to fly. Some of these might have been ignored by mainstream music media, but by the time we get to the top 10, I am sure it will all make sense, so here are the Top 200 greatest rock singers. 

  140-Gavin Hayes 

 His band' Dredg's post-rock leanings were ahead of their time, as his honest croon brought a unique layer to the songs as they were melancholy but not over wrought or contrived.

   

 

139-James Graham 

I saw his band Twilight Sad open for the Cure and was impressed by his moody vocals which still hold a great deal of power when he reaches into his upper register.

   

 138-Richard Ashcroft 

 Despite the Smiths being my favorite band, I am pretty picky when it comes to Brit Pop. I dislike oasis, am indifferent to Blur, and dig Stone Roses, but their singer does not belong here as he always sounds like he has just woken up from a nap at a gay bar. The Verve has the benefit of Ashcroft on the mic who is capable putting some balls and emotion into his voice, which makes them stand out from the pack.

   

 137-Lita Ford

The best singer in the Runaways sure as hell was not Cherie Curie, nor was it Joan Jett. Lita is able to belt it out with a sultry howl, that gave her more range than even many of her male counterparts in the 80s

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136-Devon Graves 

 When it comes to progressive metal neither Psychotic Waltz got the recognition they deserved. His high pitched wail has more identity and haunting depth than the cut and past Geoff Tate worship bands like Kamelot and Fates Warning employ, which is why he made the list and they did not.

   

 135-Bono 

 I am sure many readers might wonder why he did not place higher. "Achtung Baby" was the last interesting album he made, before becoming a parody of himself. It became the thing where an artist's present sullied my memory of their past. It cannot be denied he was a groundbreaking singer when his band hit the scene, with a powerful voice and great falsetto.

   

 134-Lydia Ainsworth

 Sure, there is plenty of influence from the likes of sirens such as Kate Bush to her voice, but rather than wearing it on her flowing sleeves she has woven into her own thing. She is equal parts delicate and great depth in her tone.

   

 133- Neil Fallon 

 There is an energy to the burly bellow of the Clutch front man that sets him apart from other blues influenced rock singers that belt from their chest register like he does. his use of inflection and phrasing keeps clutch songs from riding too uniform of a groove.

   

 132-HR 

 The only way I can reggae is by way of Bad Brains. Bob Marley and Peter Tosh were always too high to throw their voice around or scream their brains out like HR is capable of. he has more grit to his voice, but is not limited by it, he took punk to places it did not know it wanted to go.

   

 

131-Joe Elliot

 His voice has changed over the years , which has allowed Def Leppard to not get stuck in the pigeon hole of hair metal. In his prime, he could get up there with the best of them, now his voice has mellowed with age.

 

the Class of 1992 - Psychotic Waltz:" Into the Everflow"

 

Not far removed from say Fates Warning, they were darker and dropping more acid when you take in the atmosphere layered in their vision of progressive metal. The vocals which are at a higher croon have more soul and substance than many of the operatic yodelers that populate progressive metal at this time. "Out of Mind" goes from having a very tense yet flowing guitar riff to thrashing very smoothly. These guys can change a time signature at a whim. Yet this is song oriented and not just a bunch of wanking. "Tiny Streams" winds around and chug in a creepy yet angular and unique fashion. Nevermore's "Into the Mirror Black " album would come the closest to the sonic zip code these guys were dwelling in.  

The title track is like a dark trippy power ballad. They were walking in a sonic wonder land that Tool had yet to delve in. When it kicks in the results are pretty powerful. Lyrically they also deserve props for the surreal tapestry of words woven together. Things we hear a great deal of from bands today but when this came out not so much. The guitar solos are also on point if you are into that sort of thing as they flow with the vibe of the song rather than senseless masturbation. Though the do delve into a bit of shred on "Little People" but even then, it does not feel like the rest of the song is a bookend for guitar solos. One thing about the metal yodels on this album, they are pretty soulful rather than just vocal gymnastics are sounding like Steve Perry. You get some lower range from him at times as well.  They return to a more traditional balladic formula on "Hanging on a String". It is a well written and sung one for sure, though not every metal head's taste. 

"Freakshow" is one of the album's more adventurous excursions into all things progressive. It still retains a metal edge, perhaps one that looks the most back to the 80s they had emerged from. There is a controlled chaos to the arrangement. "Butterfly" starts off very melodic and subdued before launching off into a cosmic adventure. Fans of dazzling fret work should take note of the song.  Midway into the song it takes on jammy feel as they go into melody of sorts touching on "Purple Haze", " Cross Eyed Mary" and "Celebration". I will round this one up to a 10, as even the ballad sections are cool, but the more rocking moment compensate for them enough that if you are just here for the metal you will walk away with your head properly banged.  

the Top 10 Prog Albums of 2020

If you are a regular reader here then you know when it comes to prog I am not looking for a bunch of wanky shredding and math for the sake of math. I want bands that are progressing and that is what is happening with these bands who made the cut this year. Ok now that that is out of the way , much like in years past  ] I sort through the genre lists before making the overall top ten of the year list. I know many of you are ready for 2020 to be over with. Hate to break it to you but nothing is getting better next year. As far as 2020 goes for  prog there is not much in the way of new artists , but  The fact these artists made it on the list speaks to how  great these albums are, so it's not a slight that the number 8 album is above the 9th album, there is something that just gives it an edge that makes me want to listen to it more. After all we can try to look cool and pick the hippest bands for a list, but at the end of the day what makes an album the best is that it makes you want more, you look forward to listening to it again. Sure you can bitch and complain about your favorite band not being on the list. However I listen to five new albums a day so yes I heard your favorite album and was not impressed. No I do not care what you think about it .I do hope you can find your next favorite on this list and have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out audio on these guys. Anyways here are the top 10 Prog albums of 2020

10- Mamaleek - " Come and See" 

This is an album I wanted to spend more time with. It is very unique blending noise rock, with jazz and blackish metal. They songs are progressive in they go places , there is little in the way of shredding , but they do jam out into unexpected places. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/mamaleek-come-and-see.html

9 Liturgy- "Origin of Alimonies"

At this point a opera from these guys should not surprise me. That might be what it aspires to , but they stay pretty true to who they are , just adding more symphonic elements and perhaps returning to a more black metal direction at time. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/liturgy-origin-of-alimonies.html

9- Psychotic Waltz-"the God Shaped Void"

This is a band I grew up listening to so they hold a special place for me. What matters to me here is this is the same band that played on their "Into the Evenflow " album, which is all that really matters to me. My problem with most prog/power metal is that it is never dark enough. That has not been the case with this band which is why I have like them for some time.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/02/psychotic-waltz-god-shaped-void.html

8-Solstifir- " Endless Twilight of Codependent Love"

This band has progressed. Perhaps no in the manner their former mouth breathing fan base might approve of as they are less metal and not black metal at all, in fact their is more of a Radiohead feel to these songs. Trying new things is the beauty of where they go here. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/10/solstafir-endless-twilight-of-co.html

7 Caligula's Horse - "Rise Radiant" 

This is their 5th album so they know what they are doing and have continued to perfect their flirtation with the more 80s metal influence that has become a trope of the genre with bands like Fates Warning and Queensyrche. They Heavy enough despite the gymnastics and the melodic vocals urgent and vital to the song rather than just soaring with the sonic somersaults.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/caligulas-horse-rise-radiant.html

6-Ihsahn-"Pharos"

Yes, I am fine with Ihsahn exploring things not black metal. He is a great singer and when he taps into things with more of a 80s pop sense or 90s alternative vibe he does not turn his back on metal dynamics when it makes sense .. This comes closer to what you might expect from Devin Townsend, but finds him using his time in quarantine wisely.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/09/ihsahn-pharos.html

5- Gaytheist - " How Long Have I Been On Fire?" 

If Coheed & Cambria were bookish gay nerds who embraced their Rush side as much as their love of 90s math rock . The vocals are somewhat Geddy Lee and have grit to them at times. They can dig in and get metal as needed, The best band you did not check out this year. 

4-Pain of Salvation- "Panther"

Not a huge change in sound, despite electronic elements being more predominant . They do not conform to a commercial sound . They continue to defines progressive. They refuse to become comfortable with a sound, there are aggressive elements yet this is  less metal than the previous release. Daniel's voice sounds great, and he always serves the song. The same can be said of the wanking free instrumentation.  It's complex and simple at the time.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/08/pain-of-salvation-panther.html

3- Molasses - "Through the Hollow" 

This is in some ways a reunion of the Devils Blood , but with out Farida's brother, who would have been next to her the most crucial member of that band. There is less of a retro feel to their sound. Where the Devil's Blood jammed, these guys take you through a winding maze of grooves that are not unlike anything they have touched in their previous work. That is progressive. Yes there is incredible playing on every level but it serves the song. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/november-is-doom-molasses-through-hollow.html

 

2-Lykantropi- "Tales to Be Told" 

On the more Jethro Tull side of the classic prog rock equation. These guys are not just killer players they are also talented song writers . This is an album I want to spend more time with , as I know it will continue to grow on me.  It was a tight race between this and Molasses, who they barely edged out with hookier songs. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/10/lykantropi-tales-to-be-told.html

1- Igorrr- "Spirituality & Distortion" 

These guys out Bungled Mr. Bungle this year. At times their sound has more in common with Dead Can Dance or Beats Antique, but wit ha more metallic touch. This was even given a push in a more metal direction with a guest spot from Cannibal Corpse's singer. A band that continues to amaze as their legend grows with each album, any questions why this takes the number one spot ? 

 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/igorr-spirituality-and-distortion.html

Psychotic Waltz : "the God Shaped Void"

Aside from my obvious admiration for the likes of King Diamond and Iron Maiden, the bulk of the music covered here focuses on the darker more modern crop of bands .There are time to time reminders of the music I grew up listening to some of which falls closer to power metal like theses guys. What matters to me here is this is the same band that played on their "Into the Evenflow " album, which is all that really matters to me. My problem with most prog/power metal is that it is never dark enough. That has not been the case with this band which is why I have like them for some time. The melody on chorus to the second song "Stranded"  is the only time I hear any of that flowery Journey like pageantry that you typically associate with bands like Dream Theater. They do come back with some bite after this. Their guitar solos are not just mindless shredding but a well restrained return to melody.

 Lyrically there is s bit of sci fi with portals being opened. "Back to Black" took a few listens before it really clicked with me. The riffs are not as hooky as they have been in the past. There is more groove and hook to "All the Bad Men". It's groove is more deliberate and works well with the vocal melody.
There is more of a power ballad like feel to "the Fallen" that doesn't work as well as the previous song's stronger melody. For another band it would work just fine , for what these guys are capable of it feels a little dialed in. Acoustic guitar opens "While the Spiders Spin" . It builds up into something with more of a classic 80s metal feel to it. The groove and the melody are less arena rock .  The chorus to this song might be the album's strongest. It has a little touch of Queensryche to it. "Pull the String" finds them marrying alternative prog metal with more of a stomp. The song oddly shifts into a more Sabbath like section, which for most metal bands is not that odd, but these guys typically do not fall along those lines. Grave's flute playing surfaces on " Demystified". which has a more prog like flow.

"Sisters of the Dawn "  finds Devon adding more grit to his voice that I can recall hearing from him. It is also the first time I have herd his age seeping through when he goes into his upper register that doesn't hold the power it once did,. He is 53 so it's no unheard of . The last song has a blend of tension of tension and atmosphere that might not be the album's most compelling moment but works. I will give this album a 9 . It is not "Into the Even Flow" but pretty solid. Fans of this band will embrace this.