For me, based on all-time output:

1. Halford
2. Dio
3. Bruce (he's probably been on more essential releases than Dio, but I prefer the sound of Dio's lovely elven voice)

And I think lately my number 4 would be John Cyriis.

However, if we are talking about flawless live renditions, I doubt anyone can hold a torch to RUSS NORTH! Actually, Unleashed in the East was utterly flawless, and Beast Over Hammersmith was one of Bruce's most perfect gigs I'd say.

I'm just talking about now, in the modern age, of the old men. In the old days I pretty much agree 100% with your top 3 James, but now I rate Bruce as the best, because not only can he still sing, he's actually hugely improved since he's come back to Iron Maiden. He doesn't wail uncontrollably anymore - on this latest tour, he sang Aces High soooooo much better than he did on Live After Death all those years ago! Dio's the only other singer really who has retained his magnificence, but he still has to have the key lowered for him, whereas Bruce can still just do everything, apart from the scream in Number of the Beast. That's literally the only thing he can't do exactly perfect - on the early days tour, he did those screams in Remember Tomorrow amazingly!

Columbian Maiden fans are idiots!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7932295.stm

jonny_boy34 wrote:I'm just talking about now, in the modern age, of the old men. In the old days I pretty much agree 100% with your top 3 James, but now I rate Bruce as the best, because not only can he still sing, he's actually hugely improved since he's come back to Iron Maiden. He doesn't wail uncontrollably anymore - on this latest tour, he sang Aces High soooooo much better than he did on Live After Death all those years ago! Dio's the only other singer really who has retained his magnificence, but he still has to have the key lowered for him, whereas Bruce can still just do everything, apart from the scream in Number of the Beast. That's literally the only thing he can't do exactly perfect - on the early days tour, he did those screams in Remember Tomorrow amazingly!

Yep, no argument there. Sadly I have not seen Dio live, but I imagine he is still a heavy metal lord. By the way, Bruce also sings much lower notes in the Run to the Hills chorus if I remember rightly, which is not surprising.

I just watched Rock in Rio dvd, which i havnt seen for a few years (i thought i gave it back to my freind...oh well i had borrowed this like 4 or 5 years ago hahahaha)

Bruces singing was quite poor, broke on alot of the held notes in songs like Hallowed and fear of the dark...Hallowed especially the first "when the priest comes to read me the last rites" etc...breaks and sounds very strained HOWEVER now in 2008 when i saw him he did it flawlessly.

He has improved sooo much since 2001 its insane! Really is insane how much better his voice has gotten.

You really do need to see dio but very unlikely now Heaven and hell have a new album comming out i would kill to see dio again!!

I saw Dio in Birmingham last year. Fucking top notch, it really were.

yeah i do that too lev, periods of not listening to maiden, but i always come back because they are pretty much the most awesome band ever and are generally considered to be the best

The Fourth Norseman wrote: they are pretty much the most awesome band ever and are generally considered to be the best

I don't agree with that in the workplace.

I dunno.. I do like Maiden.. they were very good live and always enjoyable, but there's always something that stops me going absolutely mental for them... I prefer a Judas Priest, as Jon said, the god like status of Halford has some kind of strange primal effect that Bruce Dickinson can't really match..

iron maiden are so prime though

Yeah but, Iron Maiden ARE The best aren't they.

yes, they are generally considered...

thrashduck wrote:

The Fourth Norseman wrote: they are pretty much the most awesome band ever and are generally considered to be the best

I don't agree with that in the workplace.

I dunno.. I do like Maiden.. they were very good live and always enjoyable, but there's always something that stops me going absolutely mental for them... I prefer a Judas Priest, as Jon said, the god like status of Halford has some kind of strange primal effect that Bruce Dickinson can't really match..

Do you think maybe it is because Halford never really is that hounded by the press? Hes never in a huge amount of interviews or coverage while Bruce is in everything. With his radio show etc he is always there, with Halford he is like the only gay guy who has come out in metal and is considered a god by literally everyone who happens to see him.
Also Bruce tends to get angry and abuse people....which is very funny normally but Halford is usually like "I will look at you with me ELLEEECCTTTRRRIICCC EEEYYYEEEEEE" <ok he doesnt say that but if he did it would be amazing>

I have started relistening to early maiden (iron maiden / Killers) and fuck me its so good....i think i prefer it to Bruce stuff i love Paul Dianos voice. Murders in the rue morgue is a brilliant song

Ok knows what's going on.

Naahh not at all...

I wouldn't say Iron Maiden were hounded by the press ever either.. probably because they never do anything rockstarish ever. Sensible.

Yeah, I bet they're pretty pissed off about those South American rioters though: the authorities there are considering "never allowing a heavy metal concert there again"!