Tom Araya vs. Chuck Billy – Greatest Metal Frontman, Round 1

This Greatest Metal Frontman first-round matchup features members from two of thrash metal’s most celebrated acts, Slayer and Testament. 

Tom Araya handles bass duties in Slayer in addition to spewing the band’s blasphemous and controversial lyrics. His delivery is precise and intelligible while his bass lines punctuate Slayer’s riffing. Up until his neck surgery in 2010, Araya could be seen windmill headbanging onstage whenever he wasn’t singing.

Chuck Billy doesn’t play an instrument like his opponent here, but he often uses his mic stand to play air guitar while his bandmates lay waste to their real guitars. He has a dynamic vocal delivery capable of clean singing, gritty barks, and demonic growls. Billy is a versatile singer, which has helped Testament gain such wide recognition.

Tom Araya or Chuck Billy? Cast your vote for the Greatest Metal Frontman in the poll below! Voting for this round closes on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 11:59PM ET. Fans can vote once per hour, so keep coming back to make sure that your favorite metal musician wins!