It takes a special spark to be able to front a band and these guys and gals have got it in spades. The Metal Hammer staff are pleased to bring you their top ten frontmen and frontwomen. As always, it’s not a genre specific list and the only rule is that you have to have seen them perform live. Here’s our lists:

Alexander Milas (editor)

Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
Ronnie James Dio (Dio/Black Sabbath)
Phil Anselmo (Pantera/Down)
Robb Flynn (Machine Head)
Alice Cooper
Neil Fallon (Clutch)
Henry Rollins (Black Flag/Rollins Band)
Jaz Coleman (Killing Joke)
Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour)
Al Jourgensen (Ministry)

Alex Burrows (managing editor)

Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys)
Ian Dury (Ian Dury & The Blockheads)
Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols)
Mark E. Smith (The Fall)
Morrissey (The Smiths)
Siouxsie (Siouxsie & The Banshees)
Till Lindemann (Rammstein)
Carl McCoy (Fields Of The Nephilm)
Andrew Eldritch (The Sisters of Mercy)
Henry Rollins (Black Flag/Rollins Band)

Caren Gibson (deputy editor)

Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
Bruce Springsteen
James Hetfield (Metallica)
Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour)
Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver)
Phil Anselmo (Pantera/Down)
Kid Rock
Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
Robb Flynn (Machine Head)

Vanessa Hards (production editor)

Benji Webb (Skindred)
Skin (Skunk Anansie)
Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
Max Cavalera (Sepultura/Soulfly)
Robb Flynn (Machine Head)
Axl Rose (Guns N Roses)
Trent Reznor (NIN)
Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
Till Lindemann (Rammstein)
Marilyn Manson

James Gill (editor at large)

Trent Reznor (NIN)
Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
David Coverdale (Whitesnake)
Jack Black
Liam Cormier (Cancer Bats)
Hank (Turbonegro)
Ronnie James Dio (Dio/Black Sabbath)
Juliette Lewis
Valient Himself (Valient Thorr)
Benji Webbe (Skindred)
Justin Hawkins (The Darkness/Hot Leg)

Jonathan Selzer (reviews editor)

David Eugene Edwards (16 Horsepower/Woven Hand)
Michael Gira (Swans/Angels Of Light)
Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad)
Jaz Coleman (Killing Joke)
Eugene Robinson (Oxbow)
Polly Jean Harvey (PJ Harvey)
Ogre (Skinny Puppy)
Gaahl (Gorgoroth)
Franz Treichler (The Young Gods)
Buzz Osbourbe (Melvins)

James Isaacs (art editor)

Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
Valient Himself (Valiant Thorr)
Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
Lee Dorrian (Cathedral)
Benji Webbe (Skindred)
Neil Fallon (Clutch)
Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes)
Ben Ward (Orange Goblin)
Trent Reznor (NIN)
Ginger (The Wildhearts)

Kimberley Tarry (designer)

James Hetfield (Metallica)
Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
Ville Valo (HIM)
Tom Araya (Slayer)
Rob Flynn (Machine Head)
Marilyn Manson
Phil Anselmo (Pantera/Down)
Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)
Christina Scabia (Lacuna Coil)
Sharon Adele (Within Temptation)

Terry Bezer (web monkey)

Prince
Frank Carter (Gallows)
Tim Armstrong (Rancid)
Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
Morrissey (The Smiths)
Glenn Danzig (the Misfits/Danzig)
Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode)
Phil Anselmo (Pantera/Down)
Courtney Love (Hole)
Maxim (Prodigy)

Al King (international rock impresario)

Freddie Mercury (Queen)
David Lee Roth (Van Halen)
Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
Jim Morrisson (The Doors)
Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
James Brown
Steve Tyler (Aerosmith)
Bon Scott (AC/DC)
Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)