This is especially true for women in the heavy rock and metal genre. Their presence alone has a significant impact in the scene; a quick Google search of popular metal musicians depicts a general standard of what most people would imagine this type of group to look like – a large group primarily composed of older, white men. Not only do these women break the general stereotype of the genre, they also change the perceived idea of what women “can” and “cannot” do in the music industry.
If you’re looking for music that embodies female empowerment while also going outside your genre comfort zone, look no further. Here are three female-fronted metal artists that are making waves in the industry.
- Dying Wish
Portland, Oregon based band Dying Wish has made a name for themselves within the past year. After the group’s lead vocalist, Emma Boster, was featured alongside metal band Knocked Loose in their 2019 song “A Serpent’s Touch,” the band opened for several groups like Counterparts, Stray From The Path, Varials and SeeYouSpaceCowboy on two nationwide tours before the COVID-19 pandemic. The band is also known for being outspoken about political and human rights issues. Funds from one of their recent campaigns through a merchandise line were donated to bail funds in Portland, Oregon and Louisville, Kentucky to support those participating in Black Lives Matter protests. To date, the band has donated approximately $18,700 to the Portland Freedom Fund.
Their latest single, “Innate Thirst,” released on August 27 along with an announcement of their signing to SharpTone Records, is an in-your-face, crushing song that puts Boster’s strong, passionate voice at front and center. For a lead single prior to their debut LP, it is a great example of what is yet to come for the group.
2. Code Orange
Code Orange is another metal band that has made the headlines throughout this year. The release of their fourth album, “Underneath,” gained national attention from sites like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork after their record release show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 14 became one of the first livestreamed concerts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the band has performed at events like WWE’s NXT TakeOver: In Your House and released a live album, “Under The Skin,” on Sept. 4, featuring songs from across their discography along with a mesmerizing rendition of Alice in Chains’ “Down in a Hole.”
The title track of “Underneath” is upbeat and catchy, while also best showcasing lead vocalist Reba Meyers talents. Her raspy, rich voice fits perfectly with the song’s heavy bass riffs and intricate drum beats. Combined with her attention-grabbing guitar solos, “Underneath” shows that Meyers is a force to be reckoned with.
3. Spiritbox
This three-piece metal band from Vancouver, Canada, has established themselves as one of the newest bands in the scene to look out for. Though they only have one EP and three standalone singles under the belt, the band recently announced their signing to the well-known rock label Rise Records, launched a partnership with streaming service Tidal that allows users to listen to their song “Blessed Be” on the app and through a pre-installment of Tidal available in select Maserati cars, and are in the midst of hosting a three-day webinar series through Music Mentors Online that gives its participants inside access to the band’s songwriting and recording process, as well as tips for mastering guitar and vocal techniques.
Their latest single, “Holy Roller,” asserts what this group has shown throughout the course of their career: expect the unexpected. The music video starts with a peaceful scene of lead vocalist Courtney LaPlante frolicking through a meadow on a summer day. Then…BAM! LaPlante comes in with energetic, gut-wrenching screams filled with Biblical references like ““Blood into wine, take my body instead” and “Born of blood/In seraphim/To grip the Nazarene/Crown of God/You wear it thin/To come and rapture me.” Combined with an eerie guitar riff and visuals that look like they came from a horror movie inspired by the cult 2019 film “Midsommar,” it is sure to make anybody’s jaw drop.
Hannah Fitzpatrick 