10 Most Underrated Hard Rock Frontmen

There was always an undercurrent of darkness in the world of hard rock. Even if the songs were about going out and partying, the more gritty delivery of the guitar riffs were not for the faint of heart. Aggression was always the genre’s calling card, so The Cult decided to double down on the darkness.

Ever since the band started gaining traction with Sonic Temple, their sound has always been one of the most straight-ahead in rock and roll history. Some of the band’s hits like “Fire Woman” and “Love Removal Machine” did have that angsty restlessness, but the vocals of Ian Astbury was what really brought it over the top. Rather than having the emotional gravitas of someone like Robert Smith from the Cure, Astbury was a pure belter who made you feel like you were about to get into a bit of danger whenever you listened.

Together with the down and dirty riffs, the band’s classic tracks ended up sounding like AC/DC if they went goth. Astbury’s pipes haven’t been overlooked by everyone though, with Slash initially considering him to be the singer for Velvet Revolver before Scott Weiland. The Cult may not have achieved as legendary a status as their contemporaries, but Ian Astbury certainly deserves more attention than just a face in the crowd.