The 1980s were a revolutionary time for heavy metal music, marked by groundbreaking sounds and the rise of new subgenres. Among the many bands that emerged, a select few female-fronted groups made significant contributions to the heavy metal scene. These bands combined powerful vocals with high-energy performances, helping to define the era’s distinctive sound. In this article, we will explore 16 metal bands from the 80s that featured female singers, delving into their unique contributions to the genre and their lasting impact on heavy metal music history.
16 Iconic 80s Metal Bands with Female Singers Worth Rediscovering
1. Warlock
Warlock, fronted by the charismatic Doro Pesch, was one of the most iconic female-led metal bands of the 1980s. Known for their energetic live shows and powerful songs, Warlock was a trailblazer for women in metal. Doro’s commanding vocals earned her a reputation as one of the most influential female singers in the genre. Their album “Triumph and Agony” is still celebrated for its timeless blend of classic heavy metal and speed metal.
Key Contributions:
- Heavy metal anthems like “All We Are” and “I Rule the Ruins.”
- Doro Pesch’s powerful stage presence.
- Influence on female-fronted metal bands that followed.
2. Lita Ford
Lita Ford, a former member of The Runaways, went on to become a prominent solo artist in the 80s, carving her own path in the world of heavy metal. With hits like “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever” (a duet with Ozzy Osbourne), Lita’s fusion of hard rock and metal made her a household name. Her distinctive voice and attitude influenced countless women in metal.
Key Contributions:
- Bridging the gap between hard rock and metal.
- Influential solo albums, including “Lita” (1988).
- Becoming an icon for female empowerment in rock music.
3. The Runaways
Though they were active primarily in the 70s, The Runaways’ impact on 80s metal cannot be overstated. Featuring Joan Jett and Lita Ford, The Runaways were one of the first all-female rock bands to break into the male-dominated world of rock and metal. Their raw, rebellious sound laid the groundwork for future generations of female rockers and metalheads.
Key Contributions:
- Groundbreaking work in rock and metal during the 70s, influencing the 80s.
- Joan Jett’s iconic track “Bad Reputation.”
- Inspiration for future female-fronted metal bands.
4. Vixen
Vixen was one of the most popular female-fronted metal bands of the 80s. Their self-titled album, released in 1988, featured powerful songs like “Edge of a Broken Heart,” showcasing Janet Gardner’s vocal prowess. With a blend of melodic rock and metal, Vixen captured the attention of mainstream audiences while remaining true to their heavy metal roots.
Key Contributions:
- One of the first all-female hard rock bands to find mainstream success.
- Memorable hits and melodic metal compositions.
- Continued influence on later generations of female rock and metal artists.
5. Femme Fatale
Femme Fatale was another all-female band that made waves in the 80s metal scene. With lead vocalist Lorraine Lewis, they brought a mix of glam metal and hard rock, appealing to the Sunset Strip crowd. Their debut album, “Femme Fatale,” released in 1988, included the hit “Waiting for the Big One,” which showcased the band’s potential to dominate the metal scene.
Key Contributions:
- Glam metal with a distinctly feminine twist.
- Appeal to the Sunset Strip glam scene.
- Inspired the rise of other female-led glam metal bands.
6. Chastain
Chastain was a highly influential American heavy metal band that became known for their speed and power. Fronted by the classically trained vocalist Leather Leone, the band’s music featured intricate guitar work and complex arrangements. Leather’s operatic voice set Chastain apart from other metal bands, and their 1985 album “Mystery of Illusion” remains a classic of the genre.
Key Contributions:
- Complex, fast-paced heavy metal with operatic vocals.
- Leather Leone’s powerful and unique vocal style.
- Influential in the development of speed metal and power metal.
7. Bitch
Bitch, fronted by Betsy Bitch, was a pioneering force in the 80s metal scene. Known for their raw energy and rebellious attitude, Bitch blended elements of traditional heavy metal with a touch of punk rock. Their album “Be My Slave” became an anthem for those who loved hard-edged, gritty metal.
Key Contributions:
- Rebellious, punk-influenced metal.
- Betsy Bitch’s unapologetic vocal style and image.
- Respected as a trailblazer for other all-female metal bands.
8. Girlschool
Girlschool, a British all-female rock band, was formed in the late 70s but became most prominent during the 80s. Known for their fast-paced, no-holds-barred heavy metal, Girlschool collaborated with iconic bands like Motörhead, solidifying their place in metal history. Their album “Hit and Run” remains a staple of 80s metal music.
Key Contributions:
- Heavy metal anthems with a punk influence.
- Iconic collaborations with Motörhead.
- Lasting impact on the all-female metal band movement.
9. Rock Goddess
Formed in 1977, Rock Goddess was one of the few all-female metal bands to rise in the early 80s. With a hard-edged, gritty sound, their debut album helped define the genre for years to come. The band’s energetic live performances and hard rock influences made them a key player in 80s metal.
Key Contributions:
- Influential hard rock and heavy metal sound.
- Strong, powerful female vocals.
- Known for their dynamic live performances.
10. Acid
Acid was a German thrash metal band that featured the talented female singer, Uschi Zehmer. Though they were not as well-known internationally, their contribution to the thrash metal genre was significant. Their 1987 album “Acid” combined traditional thrash elements with a dose of melodic metal, showing that female-fronted thrash metal bands could hold their own in a male-dominated scene.
Key Contributions:
- Thrash metal with a distinctive female voice.
- Heavy yet melodic sound, unique in the thrash genre.
- Underground thrash fans still respect Acid’s influence.
11. Nightwish
Though Nightwish’s rise came in the 90s, their roots in the 80s metal scene cannot be ignored. Nightwish would later influence the symphonic metal subgenre, which blended classical music with traditional heavy metal. Fronted by Tarja Turunen, their vocal style was a powerful blend of operatic soprano and symphonic arrangements.
Key Contributions:
- Pioneering symphonic metal with operatic vocals.
- Significant influence on the metal genre in the 90s and beyond.
- Strong vocal and musical chemistry between Turunen and the band.
12. Heart
Although Heart is primarily known for their contributions to hard rock, their influence on 80s heavy metal cannot be overlooked. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson were pioneers in breaking gender barriers in rock and metal. With hits like “Barracuda” and “Alone,” Heart set a precedent for female-fronted bands in the metal world.
Key Contributions:
- Hard rock with a heavy metal edge.
- Influence on later metal bands and artists.
- Ann Wilson’s powerful and distinct vocals.
13. Sin City
Sin City, a British glam metal band, gained attention in the 80s for their melodic approach to metal. The band’s lead vocalist, Tina, brought a unique feminine touch to the genre, which made their music stand out during the glam metal era.
Key Contributions:
- Glam metal with powerful female vocals.
- Memorable tracks that captured the glam era’s spirit.
- Contributions to the glam and sleaze metal movements.
14. Tora Tora
Though primarily known for their hard rock and glam influences, Tora Tora incorporated elements of metal into their music, particularly on their debut album “Survival.” The female vocalists in Tora Tora brought a fresh, melodic sound to their tracks, merging hard rock and glam elements into a unique form of 80s metal.
Key Contributions:
- Blending glam, hard rock, and metal influences.
- Signature melodic rock sound with powerful female vocals.
- Influenced subsequent hard rock and glam metal artists.
15. White Lion
White Lion’s lead singer, Mike Tramp, is often recognized for his powerful voice, but the band’s collaborations with female vocalists, particularly during live performances, showcased their versatile sound. Their ability to mix power ballads with hard-edged rock made them one of the era’s most popular bands.
Key Contributions:
- Incorp
oration of power ballads into their heavy metal repertoire. - Celebrated tracks like “When the Children Cry.”
- Female vocal collaborations that enhanced their dynamic sound.
16. Rock Goddess
Back to Rock Goddess again! This all-female group was known for combining traditional heavy metal with the exciting energy of punk rock. Their music influenced the next generation of female metal bands, proving that women could play with just as much ferocity as their male counterparts.
Key Contributions:
- Blending punk rock influences into traditional heavy metal.
- Powerful vocals and electrifying performances.
- Continuing to inspire female-fronted metal bands.
SEE ALSO: What Is the Loudest Heavy Metal Song
Conclusion
The 1980s was a dynamic decade for heavy metal, and female-fronted bands played a crucial role in expanding the genre’s diversity and global reach. From the theatrical edge of Warlock to the glam power of Vixen, these women showed that metal was not just a man’s world. Bands like Chastain, Hellion, and Phantom Blue brought technical proficiency and raw energy to the scene. Others like Rock Goddess and Girlschool stood strong as all-female forces in a male-dominated genre.
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