This next installment of Let Us Sing<\/strong> examines three of the most soaring and technically gifted voices in the genre: Greg X. Volz<\/strong>, Rick Florian<\/strong>, and Matt Smith<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At first glance, these three might seem to occupy different musical territories. You have the arena rock pioneer who put Petra on the map, the high-motion frontman who defined the golden era of Whiteheart, and the modern mastermind behind the progressive epics of Theocracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, a common thread binds them together. Each of these men possess a world-class tenor range and the technical precision to bridge the gap between melodic rock and heavy metal. From back-handsprings on stadium stages to seventy-track vocal choirs in the studio, these are the voices that set the gold standard for what a rock vocalist can achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Greg X. Volz<\/strong> Rick Florian Matt Smith Let Us Sing: Who Are the Great Rock Vocalists? (Part 2)<\/a> This next installment of Let Us Sing examines three of the most soaring and technically…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":17390,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1021],"tags":[3513,3510,599,696,3512,409,3511],"class_list":["post-17388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features-d97","tag-greg-x-volz-2","tag-i-am","tag-matt-smith","tag-petra-d53","tag-rick-florian","tag-theocracy-d17","tag-whiteheart"],"yoast_head":"\n
Similar to: Kevin Cronin, Dennis DeYoung, Mickey Thomas
<\/em>Overview:
Greg X. Volz possesses one of the most recognizable and powerful voices in the history of Christian rock. Although he was not the founding vocalist of Petra, he is widely credited as the performer who propelled the group from church basements into sold out arenas. His extraordinary vocal range and signature tone allowed him to command massive crowds with an effortless, charismatic energy.
During his tenure, Volz recorded four of the band’s most influential albums, including the technologically ambitious Beat the System. His talent was so evident that he was reportedly invited to front the mainstream rock giants REO Speedwagon, yet he chose to remain with Petra during their most pioneering years. While his subsequent solo career in the mid 1980s produced several high quality records, they never quite duplicated the massive commercial success of his work with the band. Today, he continues to showcase his enduring vocal strength with Classic Petra Resurrection, proving he can still deliver those iconic high notes with remarkable power.
Defining Song: “Judas Kiss” – Petra, More Power to Ya
Best Album: Petra, Beat the System
Hidden Gem: “Dream On” – Greg X. Volz, I Come Out Fighting<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Similar to: Jimi Jamison, Lou Gramm, Rik Emmett
<\/em>Overview:
Before stepping into the spotlight, Florian served the band as a lighting technician and roadie during the mid 1980s. His transition to frontman is the stuff of industry legend, occurring during a routine soundcheck. While the crew used “Every Time You Go Away” to tune the room, Florian was caught off guard singing and dancing along to the track. The band members were immediately struck by his natural energy. Hoping his vocal ability could match his undeniable charisma, they invited him to audition. After several rounds of testing, he officially secured the role of lead vocalist in 1986.
Florian joined the group at a critical pivot point, making his debut performance at Wheaton College in February of that year. Although he was not a founding member, his pristine vocal clarity and athletic stage presence became defining characteristics of the band\u2019s most successful era. His famous back handsprings added a visual flair to the live show that few peers could replicate. Across eight studio albums, Florian established himself as a core pillar of the Whiteheart identity alongside Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl.
Defining Song: “Bye Bye Babylon” – Whiteheart, Freedom
Best Album: Whiteheart, Tales of Wonder
Hidden Gem: “How Many Times” – Whiteheart, Don\u2019t Wait for the Movie<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Similar to: James LaBrie, Tobias Sammet
<\/em>Overview:
Matt Smith stands as a premier architect of modern progressive power metal. As the visionary behind Theocracy, he has spent over two decades crafting a catalog of five impeccable studio albums. His work is defined by a rare combination of sophisticated songwriting, elite production, and world class vocal performances.
While Smith delivers a masterful traditional power metal lead, his most distinctive contribution to the genre is his use of intricate, multi-layered vocal arrangements. By stacking dozens of his own vocal tracks, he creates massive choir effects and complex harmonies that rival the most ambitious productions in contemporary music. Whether he is navigating high speed melodic anthems or ten minute progressive epics, Smith maintains a level of technical precision that has earned him a place among the top vocalists in the industry. Any selection from the Theocracy discography serves as a testament to his versatility and dedication to the craft.
Defining Song: “I Am” – Theocracy, As the World Bleeds
Best Album: Theocracy, As the World Bleeds
Hidden Gem: “Bethlehem” – Theocracy, Mirror of Souls<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let Us Sing: Who Are the Great Rock Vocalists? (Part 4: The Hair Thing)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"