"There are so many phenomenal ladies and great singers." Heavy metal legend Doro Pesch reveals who else she thinks deserves the title of 'Metal Queen'
Doro is the one and true Metal Queen, but as far as she's concerned, there are plenty of other contenders who also deserve the moniker
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Every Friday
Louder
Louder’s weekly newsletter is jam-packed with the team’s personal highlights from the last seven days, including features, breaking news, reviews and tons of juicy exclusives from the world of alternative music.
Every Friday
Classic Rock
The Classic Rock newsletter is an essential read for the discerning rock fan. Every week we bring you the news, reviews and the very best features and interviews from our extensive archive. Written by rock fans for rock fans.
Every Friday
Metal Hammer
For the last four decades Metal Hammer has been the world’s greatest metal magazine. Created by metalheads for metalheads, ‘Hammer takes you behind the scenes, closer to the action, and nearer to the bands that you love the most.
Every Friday
Prog
The Prog newsletter brings you the very best of Prog Magazine and our website, every Friday. We'll deliver you the very latest news from the Prog universe, informative features and archive material from Prog’s impressive vault.
Heavy metal legend Doro Pesch, lovingly known the world over to metalheads as the Metal Queen, has discussed who else in the metal scene she feels is worthy of the title. Speaking to Metal Hammer for their latest issue, Pesch heaps praise on many of today's most prominent metal frontwomen, picking out a few names in particular that she has admiration for.
When asked by a Hammer reader who is "well positioned" to one day take the crown of Metal Queen, the German singer replies: “There are many great females! I like Alissa of Arch Enemy, Floor Jansen, Lzzy Hale, Simone of Epica, Cristina of Lacuna Coil... there are so many phenomenal ladies and great singers, all in their own vein of heavy metal.”
Pesch also reveals which younger metal bands she is a big fan of right now.
“I like Powerwolf, but they’re not so young anymore!" she notes. "The ladies of Burning Witches are doing a great job, too. Of the heavier bands I like Nervosa, an all-girl band from Brazil. There are so many great new bands, many are doing the 80s metal stuff, they dress and sound just like the 80s, which I like so much!”
Doro Pesch formed the heavy metal band Warlock in 1982 with fellow members of the German underground music scene. Following the implosion of the band by the end of the decade and an ensuing legal battle, Doro relaunched a new project under her own name, going on to release 13 studio albums. Her latest album, Conqueress Forever Strong And Proud, releases next week, Friday October 27.
Sign up below to get the latest from Metal Hammer, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!

Merlin was promoted to Executive Editor of Louder in early 2022, following over ten years working at Metal Hammer. While there, he served as Online Editor and Deputy Editor, before being promoted to Editor in 2016. Before joining Metal Hammer, Merlin worked as Associate Editor at Terrorizer Magazine and has written for Classic Rock, Rock Sound, eFestivals and others. Across his career he has interviewed legends including Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Metallica, Iron Maiden (including getting a trip on Ed Force One courtesy of Bruce Dickinson), Guns N' Roses, KISS, Slipknot, System Of A Down and Meat Loaf. He has also presented and produced the Metal Hammer Podcast, presented the Metal Hammer Radio Show and is probably responsible for 90% of all nu metal-related content making it onto the site.
