Vocalists are often the heart of any band they are in. Replacing them can be a death sentence, but sometimes, just sometimes it works out. If not for the better at least it’s a lateral move. Here are six replacement singer that didn’t completely fucking suck.

Greg Puciato Replacing Dimitri Minakakis In The Dillinger Escape Plan

Brief contributions by Mike Patton on an EP (who appears later in this article) notwithstanding, Puciato remains the definitive DEP singer…even if Minakakis lends his talents to the classic “Calculating Infinity.” Puciato not only added a new vocal range but the dude is jacked as hell and is sort of a circus freak that could blow fire which added an element of danger to the already chaotic shows.

Mike Patton Replacing Chuck Mosley In Faith No More

After two albums from the California rock group, Mosley was ditched by Faith No More in favor of musical maverick Mike Patton. They went on to record four albums with the singer before a long hiatus, in which Patton proceeded to play with the rest of the bands in the world.

Brian Johnson Replacing Bon Scott In AC/DC

Picking up the torch so that AC/DC could continue making the two-chord arena staples we know and love, Johnson got his time in the band off to an immaculate start with the “Back In Black” album. With a perfect send-off from Scott on their previous album, “Highway to Hell,” things went as well as they could have considering a tragically early death was involved.

Bruce Dickinson Replacing Paul Di’Anno In Iron Maiden

There is no better frontman to deliver a history lesson of sorts alongside galloping bass and exquisitely-harmonized guitars. Dickinson’s legendary stage presence pumped up Iron Maiden to the giant that it is today – and his part-time gig as an airline pilot ensures that they don’t have to bother with such trivial trials and tribulations as tour vans.

David Lee Roth Replacing Gary Cherone Replacing Sammy Hagar Replacing David Lee Roth In Van Halen

It only took 22 years for this one to play out. Following 1984, Van Halen lost the schoolboyish yelping of Roth in favor of Hagar. A bitter rivalry between “Van Halen” and “Van Hagar” fans broke out, with the band choosing to settle the matter by recruiting Extreme singer Gary Cherone for Van Halen III. Ultimately, Roth rejoined for the band’s final album, A Different Kind of Truth. A fitting final chapter.

Mastodon Replacing Eric Saner In Mastodon

Yes, really. After Saner left the group during their earliest days, lead guitarist Brent Hinds and bassist Troy Sanders took it upon themselves to take over vocal duties, with rhythm guitarist Bill Kelliher adding more growls during live performances. From their fourth album, Crack the Skye, onward, drummer Brann Dailor added his more nuanced vocals to the fray. Here’s hoping for a Mastodon barbershop quartet album down the line.