Image: Amy Lee, Poppy and Courtney LaPlante [Ana Massard]
Who run the world? In the rock and metal scene, even though still very male-dominated, it’s the girls, of course! Female voices don't just give heavy music that special something; women in metal and rock bands often stand up for female empowerment and make their voices heard. In our opinion, these 10 women have had a particularly strong impact on the current landscape of the scene.
Emily Armstrong (Linkin Park)
After it was unclear for a long time how Linkin Park would continue following the death of Chester Bennington, the band ventured a comeback after seven years—with their new singer Emily Armstrong. and honestly, they could hardly have made a better choice. Not only is the move to female vocals the perfect solution to avoid constant comparisons with Chester, but Emily Armstrong is also one truly cool character. She transforms both the old LP songs and the new ones, in which she has already actively participated, into "her" thing with ease, as if she had never done anything else. On top of that, with her casual style, she is considered a true icon, even outside the rock and metal scene.
Courtney LaPlante (Spiritbox)
One of the most influential icons in modern metal(core) is certainly Courtney LaPlante. The singer of Spiritbox and formerly of Iwrestledabearonce is an absolute vocal powerhouse, switching effortlessly between energetic screams and angelic cleans. Add to that a clear stance, an absolutely strong stage presence, and a certain pinch of humor. Unforgotten is the moment when she was mistaken for Poppy on the red carpet at the 2025 Grammy Awards and simply played along. She used the moment to highlight the importance of women in the music scene. Well played, Courtney, nothing but love for that!
Hayley Williams (Paramore)
Hayley Williams is one of THE voices of an entire generation. With Paramore, she significantly helped shape the emo and alternative rock of the 2000s, showing just how much energy and emotion can be found in this music. Songs like “Misery Business” or “Decode” have long since become classics and are indispensable parts of any emo playlist. What makes Hayley so special is her authenticity. Over the years, she has continually evolved herself and the sound of Paramore: from the poppy punk and alternative of the early days to more experimental approaches in the newer records. It is exactly this openness, paired with her strong stage presence and unmistakable style, that makes her one of the most important figures in modern rock to this day.
Poppy
And while we’re on the subject: Poppy is also one of THE artists of the moment. The US singer is a true luminary when it comes to walking the genre tightrope. With her powerful voice, the diverse sounds in her music, and her commanding presence—which she always emphasizes with wonderful outfits—she has secured a spot right at the top. The live shows of Poppy, whose real name is Moriah Rose Pereira, are very diverse, so things never get boring at her concerts. The singer's music is also often used in other media contexts, such as in games and shows of the wrestling universe in the USA.
Alex Reade (Make Them Suffer)
Alex Reade is not the first female singer for Make Them Suffer, but she is the first to give the songs her very own touch. On the self-titled 2024 album, which was the first record she actively participated in, she also actively contributes guttural vocals as the first female voice to do so. Previously, frontman Sean Harmanis was the sole screamer for MTS. The result of this interaction? A sound that is even more colossal than before. Reade was previously active in Drown This City and therefore already brought a wealth of experience with her. The further development of the MTS sound was thus virtually pre-programmed with her joining.
Amy Lee (Evanescence)
When we talk about influential women in metal, there is no way around Amy Lee. With Evanescence, she brought a sound into the mainstream in the early 2000s that was so dark and emotional that it stood out clearly from the rest of the rock landscape at the time. Already with their debut album Fallen (2003) and the smash hit “Bring Me To Life,” it became clear: this voice is here to stay. Through her mezzo-soprano vocals, Amy Lee embodies a combination of fragility and strength and is still considered a great inspiration today. Her classical vocal training, paired with the ability to make deep-seated emotions tangible through music, has not only shaped Evanescence but also paved the way for many female-fronted bands in rock and metal.
Tatiana Shmayluk (Jinjer)
Tatiana Shmayluk is an absolute phenomenon. Anyone hearing Jinjer for the first time often doesn't expect those brutal growls and simultaneously clean cleans to come from one and the same person. The singer of the Ukrainian band gives the sound—which sits somewhere between metalcore, progressive metal, and groove metal—an unmistakable tone. The vocal interplay fully unfolds, especially live. With her stage outfits, Tati has also blossomed into a true style icon. Her style gives her a high recognition factor.
Lzzy Hale (Halestorm)
If the dictionary worked with visualizations, you would certainly find a picture of Lzzy Hale under the word “live wire.” As the frontwoman and quasi-namesake of Halestorm (she founded the formation with her brother Arejay Hale in 1997), she brings an energy to the stage that is second to none. Her voice can be gritty, soulful, and anthemic all at once, making the sound of the US band extremely versatile. What also sets her apart is her presence, even offstage: Lzzy Hale stands for female empowerment and shows how to succeed in a scene that is still often male-dominated.
Emma Boster (Dying Wish)
In the mood for raw metalcore? Then Dying Wish might be for you. The five-piece combo is led by singer Emma Boster. With her vocals, she gives the band's rough sound that special something. The musician belongs to the founding formation of Dying Wish and has thus helped shape the music from the very beginning. At the troupe's concerts, Boster brings a strong presence to the stage that draws all eyes to her. And just in passing, she also flags her support for veganism and animal welfare. Wonderful combination, right?
Charlie Rolfe (As Everything Unfolds)
As Everything Unfolds are considered one of the most up-and-coming bands on the British rock scene. Charlie Rolfe is at the microphone for the post-hardcore combo. Her voice moves effortlessly between gentle, almost fragile moments and powerful outbursts, giving AEU's songs a special dynamic. The singer always adapts her style to the aesthetics of a current album cycle, which rounds off the troupe's performances perfectly. She also works as a photographer and is responsible for many of her band's visuals, for example. Strong!
