Top 10 Iconic Women of Heavy Metal

Evanescence
The genre of gothic metal didn’t originate with Evanescence, but that band’s success certainly helped lift the style’s commercial profile. Amy Lee served as the focal point for much of this success, thanks to her emotionally resonant performances as lead singer. Lee always felt like she was laying bare her soul on stage, and fans reacted in droves to this approachability. Evanescence’s debut album “Fallen,” has sold over 17 million copies worldwide, underlining just how closely audiences connected with Lee and her bandmates. She’s also something of a fashion-plate, bringing her goth-chic style to the masses with each of her wonderful outfits.

The woman born Karen Lynn Greening has recorded music in a wealth of different genres, from pop and jazz to opera. However, it’s Greening’s musical breakthrough from the 1980s under the moniker of Lee Aaron that solidified her as one of Canada’s best known heavy metal icons. The “Metal Queen” album from 1984 in particular featured ten tracks that were all co-composed by Aaron herself, and combined hard-hitting riffs with unabashed melodic hooks. Metal fans may have flocked to Lee Aaron’s physical beauty during the 1980s, but they also stuck around once they heard the level of impressive vocal talent on display.

Vixen/Madam X
The 1980s glam metal scene was notorious for its bad boys club, but the members of Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Vixen weren’t going to hold anybody’s coat. Instead, founding members like original lead singer Janet Gardner and especially drummer Roxy Petrucci boldly blazed their own musical trail. Petrucci had already proven that girls could hit the percussive skins just as hard as boys with the group Madam X, but she really got things cooking with Vixen. The band’s glam metal attack was sharpened to a razor’s edge, while Petrucci’s enthusiastic and energetic drumming kicked things up to another level. She’s still going strong today, too, rocking Vixen fans all around the world with her charm and talent.

Nightwish
The symphonic metal band Nightwish has employed a number of supremely talented vocalists over the years, but it’s Tarja Turunen that will always live within the hearts of many fans. Turunen’s classical training immediately struck a chord with audiences, as her power and range was juxtaposed against some truly bombastic-sounding metal. Her solo work has continued to straddle that line as well, with many Nightwish fans following Turunen’s musical journey. The effect as a whole almost feels like Tarja is auditioning to be the Celine Dion of heavy metal, and this is no insult. Instead, consider Turunen to be the ultimate heavy metal diva: worthy of respect, admiration and love.

Arch Enemy
The Swedish melodic death metal group Arch Enemy didn’t always employ a female vocalist, but fans certainly stood up and took notice once Angela Gossow joined the group. This German-born singer broke the mold the second she opened her mouth with Arch Enemy, unleashing deep growls and harsh rasps that emulated musical heroes such as Carcass and Morbid Angel. Gossow eventually parted ways with the group on a creative level, but continued to work behind the scenes in management, while also growing her brand as an influencer and yoga teacher. Simply said? Angela Gossow is the real deal.

Plasmatics
There will never be another performer or provocateur like Wendy O Williams. This bold and uncompromising spirit was a punk rocker, metal head and performance artist who was fearless in the face of criticism. Live shows for the Plasmatics were known for flirting with legal disaster, thanks to daring bits of destruction, nudity and giant-sized explosions. Wendy O. would appear on talk shows and in movies, always using her outrageous reputation to push the envelope. Despite this, the real life Wendy Orlean[d] Williams was a historically shy person who loved animals and was a dedicated vegetarian. Sadly, Wendy O Williams took her own life on April 6th, 1998, but her legacy as a musical icon will live on forever.

White Zombie
Her 2010 scrapbook just sort of says it all: Sean Yseult wasn’t with the band, she was IN the band. White Zombie, to be precise. Yseult’s blower-bass tone, magnetic stage presence and captivating style made the musician fans wherever she went, all over the world. Art always seemed to surround the woman born Shauna Reynolds, and this balanced diet of culture assisted in guiding Sean Yseult’s musical journey into adulthood. She also enjoyed a successful journey into designing home goods, while also having her photography exhibited in states like Texas, as well as her beloved Louisiana. Sean Yseult will forever be the coolest chick in the room.

Girlschool
We may be singling out rhythm guitarist and vocalist Kim McAuliffe here, but, if we're being honest, the entire lineup of Britain’s Girlschool deserves praise. McAuliffe and lead guitarist Kelly Johnson were clear focal points, but the rhythm section of Enid Williams and Denise Dufort[f] also supplied plenty of heavy metal thunder. McAuliffe and her Girlschool bandmates were at the forefront of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and took no guff from anyone. The group enjoyed a lifelong collaborative relationship with Motorhead, but McAuliffe’s passionate vocals and electric guitar never sat on the backseat. Instead, Girlschool took the wheel and smashed down all forms of heavy metal sexism that lay in their way.

Warlock
There’s no other way to say it: Doro Pesch LIVES for heavy metal. This German-born icon first turned heads fronting the group Warlock in the 1980s, but Pesch would also thrive as a solo artist. Her career continues today, together with an intimate connection with her audience that’s quite unlike any other performer from the genre. Pesch’s dedication to her cause feels genuine because it is genuine. The woman has dedicated her life to music, and her fans have felt this honesty, and responded in kind. Doro Pesch rocks hard to this day. She remains humble through it all, but we know a QUEEN when we see one.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Roots of Satanic Shock Rock Begin Right Here

A Pleasure Seeker & Glam Rocker

Leads Halestorm & Works With Many Other Artists

A Multifaceted Singer & Performance Artist

One of Canada’s Nu-Metal Queens

The Runaways
It doesn’t feel unfair to say that back in the ‘70s, The Runaways walked so future female-fronted rock acts could run in the decades that would follow. The group made stars out of both of its guitarists, Joan Jett and Lita Ford. The former would explore punk and rock sounds after The Runaways disbanded, while it would be Ford who would go on to become one of the first ladies of heavy metal. Ford’s flashy playing style was tailor made for the extravagant ‘80s, and she would play this up to the hilt. Lita could compose, sing and (of course) play a mean guitar, while she even found time for bit parts in films like 1991’s “Highway to Hell.” Lita Ford could do it all.

Have you heard of all of these artists? Who’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments!