Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by D. E. Hall on December 24, 2008 at 2:27am

Vocals (Clean): Maynard James Keenan (Tool) He gives dignity to human emotions. A truly powerful singer, I can't imagine anyone else singing for Tool.
Vocals (Growl): Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy) She is amazing. She has superb control over tone, pitch, and texture. Depth of skill allows songs to have more inflection when compared to most other DM bands.
Guitar: Michael Amott (Arch Enemy/Carcass) He is a solid player, but where he really shines is his ability to write songs. He is able to combine crunchy riffs, chugging rhthms, and soaring solos
Bass: Shavo Odadjian (System of a Down) He is the epitome of bassists. He is solid, dependable, and can carry the melody when needed. Also: He is a great live performer.
Drums: Danny Carry (Tool) He is simply the greatest drummer alive. Better than Portnoy even. To understand why, just watch him play Lateralus. Truly a thing of beauty.

Permalink Reply by LeaT on January 12, 2009 at 6:10am

Vocals (clean): Roy Khan (Kamelot), Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Mikko Kotamaki (Swallow the Sun)
Vocals (growling): Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth, Bloodbath), Tokiko Shimamoto (Shadow), Mikko Kotamaki (Swallow the Sun)
Guitars: Ville Friman and Ville Vänni (Insomnium), Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth, Bloodbath), Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), Thomas Youngblood (Kamelot)
Bass: Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Jo-Anne Bench (Bolt Thrower)
Drums: Inferno, aka Zbigniew Robert Prominski (Behemoth)
Keyboards: Miro, aka Michael Rodenberg (ex-Kamelot), Stian Aarstad (ex-Dimmu Borgir, Enthral)

As someone else said, this can all change as I get to hear more bands and more talented musicians. I don't only base these musicians because of their skill as composers/performers, but also how much their music can speak to me. There is of course an inherent bias. I cannot and will not mention talented musicians whose music I don't like.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer W on September 18, 2009 at 2:19pm

Clean Vocals - Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, Bruce Dickinson
Growling/Shreiking Vocals - Varg Vikernes, Tom Araya,
Versitle Vocals - Phil Alsemo
Riff Guitars - Dave Mustaine, Tommy Iommi, Kerry King
Speed/Shred Guitars - Paul Gilbert, Jason Becker, Yngwie Malmsteen
Overall Guitar - Joe Satriani, Alexi Laiho, Dimebag Darrell
Drums - Gene Hoglan, Gar Samuelsson, pretty much almost all of Death Metal, really.

Permalink Reply by Heath on September 28, 2009 at 3:28pm

Mark Morton(Lamb of God), Peter Wichers(Soilwork), Dimebag, and Galder(Dimmu Borgir, Old Man's Child) are all amazing guitar players and more importantly are in my opinion some of the best at structuring songs.

Drummers: Chris Adler-all around solid drummer, Dave Lombardo-drumming on crack, Nicholas Barker-sold his soul to play so fast

Bass:Rob formerly of Suicidal Tendencies and now in metallica, Steve digorgio, and Flea- I know the red hot chili peppers aren't metal but to deny he's a great bass player is blasphemy to musicianship.

Growling/screaming/yelling etc: Randy Blythe, Glen Benton, Tom Araya, Max Cavalera

Unique vocals: Devin Townsend, Oderus of Gwar, Jeffrey Nothng of Mushroomhead, Anders of In Flames

Real Singers: Dio, Bruce Dickinson, Peter Steele of Type on Negative, Don't know his name but the singer for Iced Earth