Metal Mondays: My Top 5 Female Metal Guitarists

Female guitarists in metal may number fewer than their male counterparts, but their brutal riffage packs just as heavy a punch.  I don't really want to open up a big debate about the role of women in metal, but I do want to take this chance to shine some light on five ladies who totally shred and deserve some recognition.  This list isn't meant to be a rundown of who I think are the five best female pluckers; it's simply a list of my favorite women who deliver venom through the six strings.

Image from: http://bettytooo.blogspot.com/2013/03/hungry-for-stink.html

5. Donita Sparks of L7

For me, L7 were the original female badasses of heavy metal.  Donita's sludgy style and mean vocals propelled this wicked grunge-metal outfit.

Image from: http://www.phorum.gr/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=130566&start=195

4. Mika Penetrator of Gallhammer

Although no longer a member of the Japanese crust-punk-blackened-doom frenzy known as Gallhammer, Mika brought a raw ferocity to the group during her time.  Her grim, minimal approach sent chills down my spine.

Image from: http://forum.flamingatom.com/topic/9090192/75/

3. Liz Buckingham of Electric Wizard

Liz provides the powerful, demonic riffs behind the current incarnation of the English doom act, Electric Wizard.  Her heavy style invokes the dark mysteries of the occult.

Image from: http://www.themelvins.net/wiki/index.php?title=Lori_S

 2. Lori S. of Acid King

With her hypnotic wails and thick, fuzzy riffs, Lori S. forges the signature sound of San Fran doom legends Acid King.  The groovy flair of her style gives the band a unique, psychedelic atmosphere.

Image from: http://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Wata/7356

1. Wata of Boris

Who would Boris be without Wata?  She breaths life into the Japanese experimental metal group with her combination of punishing distortion and chilling melodies.  Whether she's playing at a frantic gallop or delivering a booming, feedback-drenched drone, Wata always packs emotion into her methodical style.  You wouldn't know it from her stoic onstage demeanor, though.  Wata is a treat to listen to; I highly recommend seeing Boris live.