Claudia Friedlander, a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, is a professional vocal instructor in New York City. She was recently asked to evaluate the talents of five famous heavy metal singers. Here's what she had to say about the late Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath:

Like the first singer, he performs with perfect legato, clear diction, and a consistent, organic vibrancy. He arranges his resonance space to create a shallow snarl without setting up any resistance for his breath. You can tell how healthy his delivery is from the way he moves in and out of brief moments of harmony with the other tracks with impeccable intonation.

Friedlander also evaluated Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, King Diamond of Mercyful Fate, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, and Ozzy Osborne. She thinks especially highly of Halford.

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