A question for metal fans.
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To understand, appreciate, and enjoy the vocals behind metal bands that use a singing style that is "growling, screeching, or screaming" you have to acquire the taste for it. It also takes an open-minded route to want to understand that the harsh vocals and singing vocals are the exact same thing. Whenever I first joined the metal scene the only bands I listened to were Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, and Blind Guardian. I got into Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir afterwards, but couldn't get into the heavier styles of music. Nile, hypocrisy, Bathory, black metal and death metal in general, because I didn't "like" the vocals. However, the reason for it was because I was used to the thought process that singing only involved the typical, traditional sound behind it. I wasn't truly giving it a chance in other words.
Plus there is a spectrum of heaviness so to speak. Try getting into the popular acts if you wish, but make sure you're open-minded enough to understand the material at hand. It may sound like an ignorant method of using your voice to good instrumentals...but once you get passed that, metal takes on a whole new level of musical prowess.
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Plus there is a spectrum of heaviness so to speak. Try getting into the popular acts if you wish, but make sure you're open-minded enough to understand the material at hand. It may sound like an ignorant method of using your voice to good instrumentals...but once you get passed that, metal takes on a whole new level of musical prowess.
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Nothing sounds as aggressive and raw as guttural vocals so if you want to create a sense of primal fury eg. bands like Amon Amarth who have the whole Viking battle theme then you go with harsh vocals. Then you've got Black Metal artists who go for a higher pitched shrieking style that feels more haunting an unnerving to go with their lyrical and musical style. It's all about fitting it together with the theme and feel of the music. I've heard "melodic" covers of heavier bands and it almost always sucks because the intensity is gone.
Also the theory that harsh vocals should mean unintelligible is bullshit. Sometimes it works out that way (Cannibal Corpse I'm looking at you!) but the best growlers in the business can still get the lyrics across without losing the harsh edge. For examples check out Dark Tranquility, In Flames (old stuff), Arch Enemy, Obituary and Vader. It takes some getting used to but in the end it's just like an accent, you listen to it enough you can pick out the words.
Also the theory that harsh vocals should mean unintelligible is bullshit. Sometimes it works out that way (Cannibal Corpse I'm looking at you!) but the best growlers in the business can still get the lyrics across without losing the harsh edge. For examples check out Dark Tranquility, In Flames (old stuff), Arch Enemy, Obituary and Vader. It takes some getting used to but in the end it's just like an accent, you listen to it enough you can pick out the words.
Thank you for mentioning this, it's been bothering me as well. 99% of the time I absolutely hate growling vocals, not sure why but I'm gonna say its because half of the time you have no idea of what the hell they are saying at all. If they are a small part of a song then I'll listen (Ex. Agalloch's Ashes Against The Grain) but that is really it. Its unfortunate that so many bands do this.
The hardest metal I listen to is All That Remains and they have some screaming songs which I d enjoy but I very much prefer sung lyrics over screaming lyrics 90% of the time.
Here are 2 examples of songs I can like the screaming lyrics but I can't tolerate screaming that completely impossible to understand.
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and
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Here are 2 examples of songs I can like the screaming lyrics but I can't tolerate screaming that completely impossible to understand.
<youtube=VsnbnuquaHY>
and
<youtube=Z72hQtopdAs>
This is so utterly incorrect.TestECull said:
Anyway, most of my metal has screaming in it, so I have to disagree with you OP.
then you do it. for an extended period of time (say... a whole concert, perhaps?) and see how easy it is. trust me... i've tried it and it practically leaves your throat bleeding by the end.TestECull said:
it takes special talent to do Death and Black metal screaming.
only Hardcore and Emo screaming is skilless, because plenty of people anywhere can do it for hours on end and never get tired.
Screaming IS singing, but it's more like a percussive than melodic singing, more about rhythm and feeling than harmony.
if you still think it's just skilless, pointless screaming, then you are an ignorant troll and should just go away and listen to your Ke$ha and Bieber.
OT: Have you tried Iron Maiden? What about Megadeth? or Anthrax? here are some examples:
Their bassist, Steve Harris REALLY knows how to compose music.
Again, another great composer. Dave Mustaine man...
or what about folk metal...?
now THIS you HAVE to love if you like Metal but don't like the screaming...
Yeah, bands that feature only almost monotone growling vocals throughout their songs tend to annoy me. As others have said, a bit of screaming or a more guttural emphasis now and then is alright, it can add very nicely to whatever emotion or message they are trying to convey, but having it being a constant drone on top of some potentially nice music just ruins an otherwise good song.
I've taken to listening to generally more elegant vocals in my metal, such as those of Karnivool.
Like this:
And this:
I've taken to listening to generally more elegant vocals in my metal, such as those of Karnivool.
Like this:
<youtube=iar4aaYTaF8>
And this:
<youtube=6o3q2TjdlBM>
I'm going to be paid by Blind Guardian soon with how much I've been posting this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvZEzEOPRfw
This is what I would consider metal, specifically "epic metal," which features fantastic music and words that anyone and their grandmother can understand. See also Dragonforce, Sabaton, Savatage. Although I think Motorhead is one of the greatest bands ever created, and Lemmy has a pretty good grunt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvZEzEOPRfw
This is what I would consider metal, specifically "epic metal," which features fantastic music and words that anyone and their grandmother can understand. See also Dragonforce, Sabaton, Savatage. Although I think Motorhead is one of the greatest bands ever created, and Lemmy has a pretty good grunt.
I don't believe a metal fan would be able to answer your question. It's a metal fan, after all.
But I'll try to answer. I think sometimes they're good. Such as with Insomnium.
Frankly though, I prefer not to have them.
But I'll try to answer. I think sometimes they're good. Such as with Insomnium.
Frankly though, I prefer not to have them.
those songs weren't for you they were directed at the OP. and even then, you just completely ignored more than half of the songs to suit your purposes.TestECull said:
To each his own really.
But I'd honestly like to see someone who thinks anyone can scream, do a death growl without blowing his voice.
But I'd honestly like to see someone who thinks anyone can scream, do a death growl without blowing his voice.
That's absolutely not true.TestECull said:
Anyone can scream like a ***** but very few people can do proper metal vocals like the ones in Meshuggah. It takes a lot of practice and technique to get that sound.
Personally I love metal screaming, all down to taste.