here are mine! what are yours?

Guitarists
1. Jeff Loomis (Nevermore) - I really have no clue how he gets through a concert without his fingers falling off.
2. Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) - There is no guitarist in metal whose solos sound even remotely like his
3. Ben Weinman (Dillinger Escape Plan) - I really have no clue how he plays so fast
4. James Malone (Arsis) - Just listen to the song A Diamond for Disease
5. Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom) - One of the few thrash bands I actually like to listen to

Top 5 voxalists
1. Devin Towsend (Strapping Young Lad, The Devin Townsend Band) - If there's a vocal style besides rap that he can't do I'd be surprised
2. Bill Leeb (Front Line Assembly) - On their earlier work he makes the best use of vocal distortion, and on their later stuff he actually learned to sing beautifully.
3. Mikael Akerfeldt / Bjorn Strid (Opeth / Soilwork) - I can't decide between these two for my favourite death metal vocalist. They both have awesome screams and gorgeous clean vocals.
4. Maynard Keenan (Tool) - Basically no explanation needed
5. Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Dillinger Escape Plan, about 50 other bands) - He can in fact do everything. The only thing keeping him from #1 is that he has turned to strange, but boring, avant-guarde work as of late.

Top 5 Drummers
1. Dirk Veurberen (Scarve, Soilwork) - He's amazing. I don't think there is much else to say.
2. Tomas Haake (Meshuggah) - He made metal drummers think of adding an unparalleled level of complexity to their playing, for which I am eternally greatful.
3. Mike Guy (Zero Hour) - He's a great drummer, and him and their bassist practically make their sound.
4. Van Williams (Nevermore) - Listen to 'This Godless Endeavor' and tell me otherwise
5. Gene Hoglan (Death, Strapping Young Lad) - God of the bass kick, enough said.

Top 5 Bassists (least important one last? ^^ hehe)
1. Les Claypool (Primus, Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains) - Duh.
2. Victor Wooten - I don't like his music that much, but he's probably the best bassist in the world.
3. Sean Malone (Cynic, Gordian Knot) - This guys bass runs are simply amazing
4. Troy Tipton (Zero Hour) - A bass setting the tone and feel of the music? No way!
5. Larks K. Norberg (Spiral Architect) - It practically hurts to listen to them.

La Dee Da!

2. Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) - There is no guitarist in the world whose solos sound even remotely like his

Actually he copied the solo style directly from Allan Holdsworth, an experimental jazz guitarist

Guitarists
1. Jeff Beck - I saw him in the Royal Albert Hall a year and a half ago. Most amazing thing to see.
2. David Gilmour - I think everyone knows who this is.
3. Shawn Lane - his more laidback stuff with Jonas Hellborg is worth checking out (Zenhouse, Temporal Analogues)
4. Dimebag Darrell - best metal guitarist ever?
5. George Lynch - I don't always like the songs he plays on, and Dokken sucked a bit, but George's playing was always interesting.

Vocalists
1. Devin Townsend - don't think I need to say anything here
2. Mikael Akerfeldt - ditto
3. Bruce Dickinson - SCREAM FOR ME HEVYDEVY FORUMS!!!!!
4. Peter Gabriel - perfect for those mellowed moods
5. Axl Rose - bit of a prick, but ya gotta love his voice

Drummers
1. Gene Hoglan - we all know who this is.
2. Terry Bozzio - have a listen to Bozzio Levin Stevens. This is rock improvisation at its finest.
3. John Bonham - the biggest hitter ever.
4. Keith Moon - can you imagine anyone else trying to pull off that drum fill in Won't Get Fooled Again, just before Daltrey screams? Fooking brilliant.
5. Fyfe Ewing - played with Therapy? until he left. His playing on Troublegum is some of my favourite.

Bassists
1. Jonas Hellborg - his more laidback stuff with Shawn Lane is... Hang on... Haven't I done this already?
2. Noel Redding - bassist with Hendrix.
3. John Paul Jones - bassist with Led Zeppelin. These two aren't the best or most interesting, but playing along with their recordings was my first introduction to bass guitar.
4. Flea - still sounds as good today as ever.
5. Toss up between Gene Simmons, John Deacon, Phil Lynott, Roger Waters...

Of course, this is all going to change depending upon which time of day you catch me.

2. Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) - There is no guitarist in the world whose solos sound even remotely like his

Actually he copied the solo style directly from Allan Holdsworth, an experimental jazz guitarist

fixed!! ^^

[JuZ]

Oh man I always get sucked in by these things. In no particular order...

Guitarists:
1. Jimi Hendrix - You may have heard of him
2. Brian May - Despite the hair, the man rocks. He WILL rock you
3. Eddie Van Halen - Made me want to walk on school desks just like him
4. Devin Townsend - Too many great riffs/solos to leave him out
5. Steve Morse - Brilliant player and seems like a really cool guy to boot

Vocalists:
1. Devin Townsend - Crazy bastard, makes the best music I've ever heard
2. Freddie Mercury - Best... Frontman... Everrrrr
3. Mike Patton - More styles than there are kinds of meat in a hotdog
4. Bjork - You'll be given love. It's taken care of
5. Jeff Buckley - Still makes me sad to listen to his music

Drummers:
1. Gene Hoglan - Drummersaurus Rex
2. Tomas Haake - For so consistently making me rethink what's possible
3. Danny Carey - Rolling Thunder
4. John Bonham - They spent decades trying to sound like him and still are
5. Pete Hammoura - Not a fan of Nile etc. but the man can lay them down

Bassists:
1. Martin Mendez - Hairy bass machine
2. Les Claypool - Apparently the beaver was actually a porcupine
3. I'd be making it up if I kept going... just never paid enough attention to the bass, I guess.

Guitarists
1. Allan Holdsworth
2. Ron Jarzombek
3. Dimebag
4. Jason Gobel/Paul Masvidal
5. Fredrik Thordendal

Bassists
1. Sean Malone
2. Lars K Norberg
3. Jaco Pastorius (I know, it's probably a crime, and slightly laughable putting him at 3 with malone at 1, but hey)
4. Steve Digiorgio
5. Tony Choy

Drummers
1. Sean Reinert
2. Bobby Jarzombek
3. Gene Hoglan
4. Tomas Haake
5. Morgan Agren

Vocalists
1. Devin - Absolutely no contest ever on this one for me
2. Maynard Keenan
3. Mikael Akerfeldt
4. Mike Patton
5. Daniel Gildenlow

Oh, I have so many people for each category I don't want to leave out..and probably some I've forgotten!

I can't think of any definitive "best" names, but I will say that Rick Allen of Def Leppard is the best drummer out there. No, technically he is not amazing, never was, but the dude has ONE FUCKING ARM!

Don't argue with me about him having an electronic kit, that's is incorrect for the most part. When he first came up with the idea to continue drumming there was no drum kits for a one-armed drummer, so yes he essentially had a drum kit with triggers on it, but he still hit different foot pedals for each corresponding drum. This wasn't pre-programmed beats.

Now, though, he actually uses a drum kit that has actual real pedals with the...um...whatever you call those things connected to them (can't think of the name right now, hahaha). You guys can all argue that it's not hard or whatever, but my point is that if it were so easy, why after almost 20 years is he still the only known one-armed drummer?

Best drummer alive: Rick Allen.

The sad thing about Rick Allen is that after his arm came off (motorbike accident I think) the surgeons looking after him were able to sew it back on and it worked a bit. Then he developed an infection and they had to take it off again.

Can you imagine having to break the news to him...

"Doc, this is amazing, the lads have said I should be well enough to go on the road again soon. Smashing stuff eh? I'll be dead popular with the ladies because I crashed my bike and came out in one piece, and I've got so many new ideas for my drumming. My paradiddles are going to be spectacular, and I think I might take up the guitar and do a solo album, and maybe start weightlifting and build up a bit, and there's so much I want to do doc!"

"Erm, sorry, Rick I think we're going to have to take your arm off again."

"Oh..."

i havent done one of these for a while (and the singers was the easiest):

Guitarists
Mike Einziger (Incubus)
Dexter Holland (The Offspring)
Steven Wilson
Nicolas Chapel (Silent Ceremony)
Devin Townsend

Bassists
Dave Meros (Spocks Beard)
Trey Gunn (Ex-King Crimson)

Drummers
Nick D'Virgilio (Spocks Beard)
Gene Hoglan
Martin Lopez
Bill Bruford
Neil Peart

Singers
Devin Townsend
Steven Wilson
Mikael Akerfeldt
Nick D'Virgilio
Nicolas Chapel

The sad thing about Rick Allen is that after his arm came off (motorbike accident I think) the surgeons looking after him were able to sew it back on and it worked a bit. Then he developed an infection and they had to take it off again.

Can you imagine having to break the news to him...

"Doc, this is amazing, the lads have said I should be well enough to go on the road again soon. Smashing stuff eh? I'll be dead popular with the ladies because I crashed my bike and came out in one piece, and I've got so many new ideas for my drumming. My paradiddles are going to be spectacular, and I think I might take up the guitar and do a solo album, and maybe start weightlifting and build up a bit, and there's so much I want to do doc!"

"Erm, sorry, Rick I think we're going to have to take your arm off again."

"Oh..."

Car accident. He was trying to pass someone who wouldn't let him pass, the guy kept speeding up and swerving in his way. Sad really.

Yeah, the arm wasn't attached for long though. They took it back off before it could even sink in that it come off in the first place. It's funny, on one of the Def Lep DVDs they're talking about the day they went to see him and he had a bunch of small pillows laid out onto the floor and he's like "I think I've figured out a way to play drums again!"

Hahahaha. They said they thought he'd gone mad. Haha.

Guitarists
Dave Mustaine - Megadeth
Jeff Loomis - Nevermore
Lord Tim - Dungeon/LORD
Devin Townsend/Jed Simon - SYL
Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen

Vocalists:
Hansi Kursh - Blind Guardian
Freddie Mercury - Queen
Mikael Akerfeldt - Opeth
Maynard James Keenan - Tool
Mike Patton - Faith No More/Mr. Bungle

Bassists
Steve Harris - Iron Maiden
Jim Sheppard - Nevermore
Byron Stroud - SYL
Les Claypool - Primus

Drummers
Gene Hoglan - SYL
Danny Carey - Tool
Van Williams - Nevermore
Martin Lopez - Opeth
Pete Sandoval - Morbid Angel

Guitarists
1. Trey Spruance - not only very versatile, but has some of the most insane fingers out there.
2. Buckethead - enough said, amazing
3. Devin - The complete package.
4. Buzz Osborne - The Melvins!
5. Tony Iommi - when he gets going it's unbelievable.

Vocalists
1. Mike Patton - talent beyond talent, and I love experimental music, so he fits in perfectly.
2. Devin - great range, sound, and emotion all the way through.
3. Jennifer Charles - sexiest voice ever.
4. Dixie Dave - coolest sounding doom vocals ever.
5. Corey Glover - great singing voice, strong emotion, in a very underrated band.

Bassists
1. Trevor Dunn - the guy's talent is not only unreal, but so underrated at the same time.
2. Victor Wooten - too much talent
3. Jaco Pastorious - Another bassist that was a huge talent, he was a terrible loss.
4. Les Claypool - the reason I play bass
5. Kevin Rutmanis - unique and all around well done.

Drummers
1. Vinnie Caliouta - Never heard anyone play with the ability that he has.
2/3. Gene/Ryan - Can't decide between the two, both blow my mind though.
4. Bran Dailor - Unique style, there's always so much he's doing at once.
5. John Merryman - Best grind drummer I've ever heard..or is he a jazz drummer?

I find it shocking how many people can't come up with 5 favourite bassists!

Guitarists:

1. John Williams ( the man makes me never want to play again)
2. Fredrik Thordendal
3. Bela Fleck (okay its banjo, but the guy freeking rulez.)
4. Marty Friedman
5. Joe Satriani


Bassists:

1. Cliff Burton (RIP)
2. Steve Digiorgio
3. Jaco Pastorius (RIP)
4. Les Claypool
5. Mike Myung

Drummerz:

1. Gene Hoglan (the man is unreal, a machine)
2. Tomas Haake
3. Mike Portnoy
4. Dave Lombardo
5. John Bonham (RIP)

Vocalists:

1. Devin Townsend, and he gets #1 for songwriting too.
2. Sabine Classen (Respect, and shes hot too)
3. David Vincent (All growlers should be compared to him.)
4. Serj Tankian, the man is just talented
5. Mikael Akerfeldt

[djskrimp]

Lyricist: (Fuckers) Devin, Doug Pinnick, Mikael Akerfeldt (sp?), Warrell Dane, Ozzy Osbourne

Guitarist: Ron Thal, David Gilmour, Jeff Loomis, Devin, Ty Tabor

Bassist: Ryan Martinie, Cliff Burton, Les Claypool, John Deacon, Steve Harris

Drummer: Gene Hoglan, Daniel Erlandson, Tomas Haake, Jimmy Chamberlain, Mortentoft Hansen

Vocalist: Devin, Doug Pinnick, Mikael Akerfeldt, Mike Patton, Melissa Auf Der Maur