Rock singers. Rock (metal) bands with female vocals, similar to Nightwish

We are accustomed to the fact that rock music is primarily a man's business. This direction is characterized by drive and pressure, and in order for the team to look convincing on stage, you need to completely devote yourself to your work, often sacrificing what is commonly called “ normal life", while loving pranks on the verge of a foul. Nevertheless, both in world and Russian rock there are many bands where the role of frontman is assigned to women. However, many of them are very popular.

Female vocals in Russian rock - a brief history

One of the first Russian rock bands with female vocals You can call the Moscow team “Bravo”. The place of the vocalist in this group was occupied by the magnificent Zhanna Aguzarova, who shared with her colleagues all the hardships of the difficult life of a rock musician in the Soviet Union. Zhanna performed as Ivanna Anders, in whose name a passport was issued to her, for which she found herself under investigation (the singer was accused of forgery of documents and expelled from Moscow due to lack of registration).

In the mid-80s, the Nastya group appeared in Yekaterinburg, then called Sverdlovsk, led by Nastya Poleva. The team did not perform very successfully at the rock festival in Podolsk, but still managed to find its niche in the world and gain fans. Nastya still performs today, but she does not record albums as often as she would like.

Yanka Diaghileva flashed as a bright star in the late 80s and quickly faded away, performing both solo and with the group “Great Octobers”. It is customary to classify it as Siberian punk, since the most famous works Yanka recorded in Yegor Letov's studio in Omsk. Diaghileva died tragically on May 9, 1991 - her body was caught in the Inya River.

Modern Russian rock bands with female vocals

The peak of Russian rock bands with female vocals came in the 90s. In the first half of the “Time of Troubles,” Olga Arefieva appeared on the stage, successfully touring and recording albums with her “Ark” to this day. Olga is the most famous independent performer who does not have contracts with major labels.

In the second half of the 90s, the brightest stars in female Russian rock appeared. In Yekaterinburg, Yulia Chicherina shone, who today rarely performs on stage; Masha Makarova moved from Krasnodar to Moscow, leading the group “Masha and the Bears”. But the number one star was a native of the city of Ufa, Zemfira - one of the few performers who still attracts stadiums of thousands to this day.

Many groups with female vocals appeared in Russian rock in the first decade XXI centuries. Here it is worth highlighting the Moscow-St. Petersburg team “Give Two,” led by Lyudmila “Tyosha” Makhova. The group is often called “Konstantin Kinchev’s favorite band,” since he himself has repeatedly stated this and even invited Lyudmila to record his albums (Teschi’s vocals are heard on the records “20/12” and “Circus”).

List of Russian rock bands with female vocals:

80s :
Bravo (Zhanna Aguzarova)
Nastya (Nastya Poleva)
Great Octobers (Yanka Diaghileva, 1966 – 1991)
Zero Seven (Natalia Platitsyna, 1961 – 1999)

90s :
Olga Arefieva and “Ark”
Night Snipers (Diana Arbenina)
Rada and Ternovnik (Rada Anchevskaya)
Lyceum (Anastasia Makarevich, )
Masha and the Bears (Maria Makarova)
Chicherina (Yulia Chicherina)
Zemfira (Zemfira Ramazanova)
Total (Marina Cherkunova)
Daughter of Monroe and Kennedy (Svetlana Chapurina)
Umka and the Armored Car (Anna Gerasimova)
Hummingbird (Natalia Pivovarova, 1963 – 2007)
Yuta (singer Yuta, real name Anna Osipova)

00s :
Give Two (Lyudmila Makhova)
Louna (Lusine Gevorkyan)
Slot (Daria Stavrovich)
Surganova and Orchestra (Svetlana Surganova)
Composite (Yulia Teunikova)
MONOLIZA (Elizaveta Kostyagina)
Iva Nova (Anastasia Postnikova)
Fly (Alexandra Chugunova)
Murakami (Dilyara Vagapova)

Symphonic Gothic, despite the numerous somersaults and mockeries committed, still exists and even tries to show signs of life. Largely spoiled by popularity (not long, but still) and its own fans, the genre again acquires a sane face and this face is most often female. It is quite clear why, a pretentious and gloomy man in a corset or dress does not make a very pleasant impression, and if you remove the dress from the above, then the same thing can be found in power. Although in most cases the fappability of the vocalists of symphonic-gothic groups can be questioned, they still have a certain charm, if only because of their good vocal abilities and the specific aesthetics of the genre.

As it is not difficult to guess from the written nonsense and the title of the article, now I will try to talk about ten best symphonic gothic bands with female vocals. In order to avoid anal spasms for you, dear readers, I will immediately note that the top was compiled personally by the author and is in the nature of his personal opinion. But as usual, you can leave your corrections, preferences and “Doc, you’re an asshole and don’t understand anything about corset ladies” in the comments. The groups are arranged in an almost random order.

10th place: Beyond the Black

A young group from Mannheim, which is located in Germany. So far they only have one single and an album, In the Shadows. But they stand out from the crowd of similar groups with their cheerful music, not too prone to empty pathos, with a slight touch of altos and quite good vocals.

Well, and as a bonus there’s the cute vocalist Jennifer Haben ^_^

9th place: Voices of Destiny

Another young German team, formed in the city of Ludwigsburg in 2004. The group has two albums and a change of vocalist, somewhere between them. Very fast and pretentious guys, with vocals in the style of “beauty, with a beast singing along.”

8th place: Delain

Socially useful group, founded by Martijn Westerholt, of Within Teamptation. The advantage of the group is the vocalist Charlotte Wessels and the sound, where a modern modern sound is very organically woven into the symphonic component. Which, by the way, is main problem these guys. They reek of something teenage-commercial, especially from the lyrics.

7th place: Xandria

Long-suffering, but still remaining true to her Xandria style. After a fever with repeated vocalist changes, the group still managed to get together and even record new album. I had no right not to remember this group. These guys, on par with Nightwish and Within Temptation, can be considered classics of the genre. Classic symphonic metal, and on the latest albums also with a very strong influence of power.

6th place: Leaves" Eyes, Liv Kristine

Who doesn't know Liv Kristin? Everyone knows Liv Kristin. To paraphrase the famous rant into eternity from Masha and the Bears. Here's another iconic person I couldn't pass by. Liv Kristin Espenes-Krul from Norway. Vocalist of the band Leaves" Eyes named after herself, and also noted for her work in the cult Theater of Tragedy. This, in principle, is quite enough for her to get into this top. But we can also say that her work is quite multifaceted, just like and the style of singing and gravitates more towards classical gothic.

5th place: Dark Sarah

A new project by Heidi Parviainen, a defector from the band Amberian Dawn, widely known in narrow circles. If you miss those very times when life was black, like a black man selling joints in the alley, Tarja was still young, and you had just dyed your patches the color of ink, then this is what you need.

4th place: Stream Of Passion

A Mexican-Dutch group formed in 2005 by multi-stanker Arjen Lucassen, in principle, this is quite enough to pay attention to this group. But if not, then like everything Lucassen touches, the band's sound boasts a variety of infusions, from ethnic to prog, as well as some of the best keyboards in the genre.

3rd place: Sirenia

Another group subject to staff turnover, which did not prevent it from becoming almost a cult in certain circles. Founded by Morten Veland, who is the heart of the group, in 2001 after leaving Tristania. Gloomy, viscous, pathetic symphonic metal, on the latest albums in some places it gives off a melodic feel. Whatever they say, the group is one of the best in the genre, with its own recognizable sound.

2nd place: Nightwish

In my opinion, you don’t even need to say anything, this is Nightwish and that says it all.
I’ll probably leave the video from the classic Nightwish.

1st place: Epica

Powerful and extremely pretentious Dutch Epica, led by the red-haired beast Simone Simons on at the moment the best in the genre, in my opinion. The band was formed in 2003 by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen after his departure from After Forever. Distinctive feature The group is a sound in which you can simultaneously hear classic symphonic metal, power metal, and even the influence of death metal. And of course, the main calling card of the group, female vocals combined with male growling - “beauty and the beast”.

Where played: Track, Nastya

Genres: Russian rock

What's cool: Nastya Poleva is the first for real famous woman in Russian rock. Our first female rock star. It is doubly symbolic that such a thing could only appear in Sverdlovsk, remote from the centers of civilization, where rock life flowed according to its own laws. As fate would have it, Nastya is also one of the founders of Sverdlovsk rock as such: in 1980 she became the vocalist of Trek - gloomy moralizers akin to Kraftwerk and Black Sabbath, in 1985 she actively collaborated with the growing young Nautilus, and in 1987 she finally left for solo career. Her debut album Tatsu became the country's first major female rock album. This was facilitated by Nastya’s new, soft and lyrical singing style, unusual fashionable arrangements full of references to exotic countries, and surreal lyrics. Nastya’s career after this album (and the tragedy with another album, The Bride, stolen from the studio) can hardly be called triumphant, but even after moving to St. Petersburg, she retained both her unquestioned musical authority and the status of a living legend of Russian rock.

Quote: I was one hundred percent sure that Tatsu would pass. I have always had the desire to move mountains and do something to make everyone gasp. And when such motivation appears, I become a meteor. I would endure everything to get the end result.

Diana Arbenina

Where played: Night Snipers

What's cool: For almost 23 years of my life on big stage conducted by Diana Arbenina. Behind us are hundreds of cities, two hundred songs, collections of poetry and prose, the autobiographical performance of Motofoso on the stage of the Moscow Art Theater. Chekhov, soundtracks for 16 films, experience as a team mentor in the Voice of Ukraine project (and in 2015 on the project Main stage) and a nomination for the Russian independent award for achievements in the field of literature and art Triumph. In addition to all this, Diana successfully combines active concert activities with the position of mother of two beautiful kids Artem and Marta.
;
Quote: To be a sniper means to have a bare, if nervous, heart, to be receptive to human kindness. As for love, don’t defend yourself from it and wait, even if it takes your whole life.

Zemfira

Where played: Zemfira, The Uchpochmack

Genres: Russian rock

What's cool: At least because she is Zemfira. I think it makes no sense to describe the influence that she had on all Russian music. Zemfira has become one of the most commercially successful singers on our stage, without being a particularly public person, but simply doing his job. In November 2010, Afisha magazine included her first album in the top “50 best Russian albums of all time.” And more than once Zemfira was included in the rating of the most influential women countries. But she, however, always did not care about such titles and regalia.

Quote: It's very difficult for me to please. I am dissatisfied with the musicians, dissatisfied with myself, very often, dissatisfied with the audience. Sometimes it seems to me that they could be more active. They cannot hurt me, criticize me more than I can criticize myself. I know who I am, I am in the right place. I know this, I am sure of it. And this is my greatest truth and strength. Confidence in who I am and what I am. And I will sing for a very long time.

Svetlana Surganova

Where played: Something Else, Night Snipers, Surganova and Orchestra

Genres: rock, alternative rock, jazz rock, trip hop, art rock

What's cool:
In fact, Svetlana Yakovlevna Surganova’s first education is as a pediatrician (Svetlana has never worked in her field), which does not prevent her from being a talented musician. The artist herself calls the group’s style VIP-Punk-Decadence (behind the complex abbreviation lies aesthetics, “hooliganism,” energetic presentation, self-irony, lyrics based on classical poetry), but even this definition is not enough for their work. In addition to the above genres, we can safely say that Svetlana skillfully plays with Latin, ethnic motifs, and sometimes electronic samples, and at the same time she is one of the women without whom Russian rock is now unthinkable. This off-format group called Surganova and the Orchestra has existed for almost 14 years, is dearly loved by fans, deservedly has one of the most generous fan clubs with surprises and gifts and actively travels with concerts throughout Russia and abroad, and rightfully bears the title, perhaps the most touring rock band in our country (just look at C&O’s performance schedule).

The group celebrated its tenth anniversary (in 2013) with a concert in the Kremlin Palace, and the release of new albums is accompanied by concerts in Crocus.

The deep lyrics of the St. Petersburg poetess can be analyzed into quotes for a very long time, but we will present one of them below.

Quote: In my creativity, I, like many, try to solve for myself the fundamental questions of existence. I talk, sing, shout about it. The result is a burning mixture of depression and catharsis.

Linda

Where played: Convoy, Bloody Faeries, Linda

Genres: trip hop, trip rock, new age, experimental music, ethno rock, folk rock, psychedelic rock, indie rock, art rock, alternative rock, grunge, post-punk, gothic rock

What's cool:

She became one of the most mysterious singers of our rock scene. Svetlana Gaiman was born in the small town of Kentau in Kazakhstan, then she and her family moved to Tolyatti, and at the age of 15 she ended up in Moscow. Three years later, her creative career begins (Linda took her first steps in a team folk art), and after that she entered Gnesinka. She managed to work with many famous figures in the Russian music industry of those years, for example, with Vladimir Matetsky, Yuri Aizenshpis, Maxim Fadeev. Unusual musical style quickly helped the singer become noticed, the albums became platinum (they sold more than 250 thousand copies), Voron's album became platinum with sales status of 1,250,000 copies, becoming the third in Russia. Multiple changes of images from album to album, constant experiments with sound and appearance, and finally - a successful collaboration with the Universal Music label, which brought her big concerts and performances at festivals and even opened for Moby in 2005. Part musical career Linda is connected to Greece - it is from there that Stefanos Korkolis, a Greek singer and composer, with whom Linda later tied the knot, but divorced a couple of years later, comes from. The singer continues to create and release new albums (her eighth studio album, 2013 LAI, @!, was even recognized best album year according to MusicBox), and continues to create to this day. Well, who knows how many more musical experiments her talent will be enough for.

Quote: The image is born at the moment when childbirth occurs, “birth-water”, so the image is laid by the parents. Then in life you can search, try on yourself and feel with all your inner state what is closer to you, where you are more comfortable and where there are those things with which you can grow further. IN kindergarten I wanted to become an astronaut, then I really liked fishing, I always thought that I would be a dolphin rescuer. Life has always been unpredictable. Then I became very interested in the circus. Plus I was born in an ethnic place. I got my first musical burns at the age of four, when I heard ethnic instruments ordinary street musicians. My grandmother, who raised me, who gave me a lot in life, was very creative person and she had difficult fate. This all layered over the years and acquired a certain foundation that guided me. These are all components, and this is a very global issue.

Lusine Gevrkyan

Where played: Sphere of Influence, Traktor Bowling, Louna

Genres: alternative metal, alternative rock, nu metal, punk rock

What's cool: Lou is considered one of the best alternative vocalists in our country, which has been confirmed more than once by both fans and awards such as the Chart Dozen. Lusine has recently successfully combined work in two projects (Tracktor Bowling and Louna) with the role of a wife (Lu is married to Vitaly Demidenko, bass guitarist of Tractors and Louna) and a caring mother, while actively performing with her colleagues at many festivals , where they are always welcome guests, working on electrical and acoustic material, charity and filming. Previously, however, Lou also taught vocals, but with such a busy schedule she had to give it up. An economist by training. For his groups, he writes some of the material himself - both the lyrics and the musical component of the songs. She is an endorser of Sennheiser microphones and ear monitoring systems, as well as a representative of Roland brand synthesizers in Russia (she herself is a pianist).

Quote: Guys, rock music... it is truthful, it is honest, it is sometimes aggressive, it is often heavy, sometimes even heavy, energetic, but it is always against war, against weapons, against violence, against injustice, and glorifies love, honesty, kindness, equality and brotherhood.

Yulia Kogan

Where played: Leningrad, solo project

Genres: pop, pop rock, jazz

What's cool: The red-haired beast Yulia Kogan quickly burst into the music scene in 2007 and became famous in one day. Of course, Sergei Shnurov’s team never left anyone indifferent, and with the arrival of Yulia, a “second wind” of the group’s popularity began. A beautiful figure, a cloud of red hair and songs that consist mainly of obscenities (and how else, they were written by Shnur) did their job. For almost six years, Yulia was the “face” and voice of Leningrad. In 2013, she left the group and pursued a solo career. To date, the singer has released her debut album entitled “Ogon-Baba”.

The image of a bitchy, liberated beauty attracted television people - for several seasons, Yulia became the host of the show #YaPrava on channel Yu. The singer also recorded several arias for musical TODD groups King and Jester. You can hear it in the songs - Death Machine and Lovett's Confession.

Julia is an actress by training; she began studying classical vocals quite late - at the age of 16. I got into the Leningrad group by accident - in the St. Petersburg music scene everyone knows each other. In life, Yulia Kogan bears little resemblance to her stage image - calm and quiet, she is married, has a daughter, Lisa, and plays at the Entreprise Theater as a hobby. A. Mironova.

Quote: It’s somewhat problematic to get away from the image that I had in the Leningrad group. This is something akin to actors who became popular thanks to one role. You have to pay for it; not all the audience is ready to see something different in me. I can be touching and tender on stage, or I can be tough. And for this I don’t have to swear obscene words into the microphone. I'm a little worried about the audience's reaction. People are now in some confusion: they don’t know which Yulia Kogan they are going for. They don't understand what to expect from me. But this is a kind of challenge, and it is interesting. I want to reach such a level of perception of my solo image that lyrical songs in my performance were completely understandable to the audience who came to the concert.

Daria Nookie Stavrovich

Where played: SLOT, Nuki

Genres: alternative rock, nu metal

What's cool: Daria Stavrovich, or Nookie, has been the female “voice” of the Slot group for many years. Dasha was born in the Arkhangelsk region, studied in Nizhny Novgorod music school, and then in Moscow. Fond of creativity since childhood, little Dasha first gravitated towards drawing, but then she was fascinated by music. Having, thanks to friends, joined the Slot group at the age of 20, she remained there - today, together with Dasha, 7 albums have already been recorded, and it’s difficult to imagine anyone else in Nuki’s place in this group. The singer also created her solo project Nuki, which has two releases to its credit.

Quote: I ended up in the Slot by luck. We do modern music for youth and for everyone who is young at heart. With our creativity we try to express our perception of the world, to show how everything is interconnected in it. We don’t say: “Girlfriend, look at me, do as I do...” We say: “If you do this, then it will be like this, and then you’ll figure it out on your own.” My mother watches our performances on TV. Sometimes he calls and scolds me for the slang that I use in my speech. Parents know our creativity, but do not always understand it. Probably due to the age barrier.

Zhanna Aguzarova

Where played: Bravo

Genres: rock, pop rock, beat, glam rock, rockabilly

Nicknames: Ivanna Anders, Nineteen Ninties

What's cool: The name of Zhanna Aguzarova is always associated with shockingness, space and a beautiful piercing voice. And of course, with the Bravo group. Despite the fact that Aguzarova lately not a very frequent guest in public, she still remains popular, and almost everyone knows the songs she performs. In 1983 she joined the Bravo group (then Postscript). In 1988, Aguzarova left the group to pursue a solo career. From 1991 to 1996 she lived in America and very little is known about this period.
This is a woman without age and timeless, she is like an alien from outer space, we don’t know anything about her one hundred percent for sure: even the date and place of birth are surrounded by mystery. And what can be said about a man who, having arrived in Moscow, lived for some time with a fake passport, and only because Zhanna did not have her own. Taking someone else’s passport and changing her name from “Ivan” to “Ivanna,” Zhanna Khasanovna pretended to be the daughter of diplomats, Ivanna (later Yvonne) Anders, for which she subsequently paid first with detention and then with forced labor.

The singer made a real revolution in her time music scene: her outrageous style of clothing, fantastic outfits, eccentric hairstyles and hair color, as well as unpredictable behavior on stage and in interviews left their mark on musical culture countries. In communications with the press, Zhanna often spoke about her connection with the Martians, now that her trace in music is lost, fans believe that she has flown home.

Quote: In art there is no old - there is existing
Happiness is everywhere, it is around us. They say it’s good where we are not, but that’s not true: it’s good where we are

By March 8, ROCKETSMUSIC has prepared the top 8 most iconic women in Russian rock music. So, meet: there are women in Russian rock singing!

1. Nastya Poleva
Of course, on first place. For she first. First the woman is a Russian rock star who rose to the Sverdlovsk horizon in the 80s of the last century. Her debut album "Tatsu" became first female rock album in the country. Nastya still performs in clubs in her homeland in live status legends of Russian rock.

2. Zemfira
“Lord, why am I the best?!”- this phrase dropped Zemfira, describes the singer as well as possible. Indeed, such a phenomenon as Zemfira- This the best, what happened on the Russian women's rock scene. (Word " better" It is not without reason that it is repeated several times, because better than Zemfira and it cannot be).

3. Zhanna Aguzarova
Gained fame as the vocalist of the group "Bravo"– the most outrageous artist in all of Russian rock. In a few interviews she often hinted at her extraterrestrial origin and "internal connections" with the Martians.

4. Diana Arbenina
Started out in a rock band "Night Snipers" along with Svetlana Surganova, is now the only vocalist of the group. Along with concerts as part of the group "Night Snipers" she regularly holds solo acoustic performances, including annual December apartment performances in Moscow, and takes part in public events and concerts.

5. Svetlana Surganova
Started out in a rock band "Night Snipers" along with Diana Arbenina as a soloist and violinist. Currently the leader of the group "Surganova and Orchestra".

6. Yulia Chicherina
Russian rock singer, band leader "Chicherina", author and performer of her songs, traveler. In 1997 she became famous throughout the country with the hit "Tu-lu-la". Currently Julia better known for her travels and clearly defined patriotic stance. Chicherina regularly visits hot spots and performs charity events. In particular, exactly a year ago, March 8, 2015 Yulia Chicherina visited Lugansk, where she gave a festive charity concert and donated veterinary medicines for the Lugansk Zoo.

7. Lusine Gevorkyan
Vocalist of rock bands "Tracktor Bowling" And "Luna". Lu was born in Armenia, but lived almost her entire life in Russia, so she is rightfully considered one of the best alternative vocalists in our country, which has been confirmed more than once by fans and awards like "Chart Dozen".

8. Masha Makarova
Vocalist of the group "Masha and the Bears" was remembered by the listener, first of all, for the compositions that were mega-popular at the time "Lyubochka" and "Reykjavik". Rock fate Masha did not develop entirely smoothly: it managed to go from universal recognition to oblivion and back.

Despite the fact that initially ROCKETSMUSIC I only thought of publishing eight the best rock divas on the domestic stage in honor of March 8, we couldn't help but mention another beautiful lady. Let her be the ninth in a row so that March 9 it was as enchanting for everyone as it was eighth.

9. Lyudmila "Mother-in-Law" Makhova
Heads the modern Moscow-St. Petersburg team "Give Two". The group is often called "favorite band Konstantin Kinchev", since he himself stated this more than once and even invited Lyudmila to record her albums (her vocals appear on records "20/12" And "Circus").

Metal band from Sweden, led by vocalist Liv Jagrell. Business card Sister Sin band features Yagrell's hoarse and aggressive vocals and heavy guitar riffs. If you love rock, you will not remain indifferent.

The group disbanded in 2015, but if you want more Jagrell, you can check out her solo album.

It's a real pleasure to listen to bands like Sister Sin who just play heavy metal without any nonsense. Just like the good old 80s.

Outburn Magazine, 2014.

Hysterica

• Years active: 2005–…
• Sweden.
• Heavy metal.

The female ensemble Hysterica fully lives up to its name thanks to the hysterically shrill singing of its leader Annie De Ville. However, when she stops screaming, it turns out that her voice is clear and pleasant. As for the music, one of the reviewers of the specialized site Encyclopaedia Metallum called Hysterica the female version of Manowar. Whether it's good or not is up to you to decide.

The Metalwar album is what every heavy metal album should be. Energetic, funny and impetuous.

Encyclopaedia Metallum.

Halestorm

• Years active: 1997–…
• Hard rock.

Lizzie Hale and her brother founded Halestorm as teenagers. The band plays exciting hard rock that makes you want to dance to it. And Lizzie Hale is perhaps one of best vocalists on the metal stage.

Fraser Lewry, Classic Rock Magazine, 2015.

Crucified Barbara

• Years active: 1998–2016.
• Sweden.
• Heavy metal, hard rock.

A delightful female quartet, again from Sweden. Incendiary rock music with a slightly dirty and harsh sound - and the incomparable voice of Mia Coldhart with a charming sexy hoarseness. Unfortunately, in June 2016, the members announced that the group’s activities were over. However, apparently, they still intend to continue creating.

Vocalist Mia Coldheart's wonderfully raw and predatory metal-framed delivery makes Crucified Barbara sound especially sincere. These passionate Swedes have plenty of great songs like Electric Sky and Do You Want Me to capture hearts and minds.

Dom Lawson, Classic Rock Magazine, 2014.