supahypeag
Well-Known Member
Neat!
Needles & Grooves AoTM /// Vol. 2 - August 2019 /// Khemmis - Hunted
- Thread starter Goatfish
- Start date
There's those "satan is possessing me" vocals!
I will say I have totally NOT been living my best life for the last 40ish years. How could I be when I have not been attending these wild metal shows????
Goatfish
Well-Known Member
Growls are an acquired taste, and they come in many many flavors. They are really appreciated best as just another instrument in the mix rather than a traditional vocal delivery. I didn't get into extreme vocals until it became easy to hear them in this way. Amon Amarth was one of the first bands that got me to "get it" because of how well he enunciates, and how well it fits with the Viking theme of what they do. It just makes sense that a guy singing about Odin would sound like that.
Goatfish
Well-Known Member
supahypeag
Well-Known Member
I’ve been curious about the music theory behind the growling. Is it that the lead guitar carries the melody and the growling is part of the harmony, is it just completely atonal such that it provides a deep baseline for the guitars to soar over, or am I just way off base with either blind guess? I’m only just beginning to learn about music, so I appreciate any insights
Goatfish
Well-Known Member
I’m far from a music theory person, but personally, harsh vocals can be done well or poorly. When done well, it can either provide rhythm for other instruments to either play off of or with (like some more syncopated passages of Gojira/Meshuggah and other djenty bands).
Alternatively and more commonly, it’s all about texture/atmosphere. Black Metal features screeches because it’s usually about misanthropy/extreme depression/despair/demons. Death Metal have low guttural growls that depict the sometimes brutal subject matter of the songs. Thrash features shouts, which can provide texture and atmosphere but also rhythm (as above).
When done well, and especially when growls are placed to place extra emphasis on more emotionally weighted passages of a song, and even more so in contrast to melodic vocals, it can really be powerful and a great entry point for those trying to understand the “point” and what to enjoy with this type of harsh “singing”. Opeth is commonly a great entry point for this reason. Not only does Åkerfeldt have fantastic technique and enunciation, but he places the growls in passages of the music that most need the added brutality/texture/rhythm of the barks/growls. He contrasts this with his lovely melodic singing voice.
Sorry for long winded response, but the way I see it is It’s just another tool to add brutality/sadness/emotion to a very extreme subgenre of music.
I am learning so much in this thread about a genre that has always eluded me! Thank you all for patiently educating my bemused but intrigued ass!
The Amon Arth vocals were actually not as harsh as the Deafhaven vocals. I find Amon Arth's far more accessible than Deafhaven's.
In our video sharing session last night, my nephew shared this Mongolian heavy metal band with us. I would offer this as my guess if I wasn't 99% sure @Goatfish has chosen a band from North America. Nonetheless, I think some of you will like it.
The Amon Arth vocals were actually not as harsh as the Deafhaven vocals. I find Amon Arth's far more accessible than Deafhaven's.
In our video sharing session last night, my nephew shared this Mongolian heavy metal band with us. I would offer this as my guess if I wasn't 99% sure @Goatfish has chosen a band from North America. Nonetheless, I think some of you will like it.
Goatfish
Well-Known Member
That Wolf Totem song is new to me! Great use of Mongolian throat singing type style and using it as another rhythmic piece to the music!
And it makes total sense why the Amon Amarth vocals are more accessible. I’ve been into extreme metal now for 14+ years and just this year I’ve been able to get into more Black metal. The screeches are on another level of intensity and atonality. It has taken a long time of listening to harsh music to “get” it.
Opeth, Amon Amarth, Lamb of God were the first bands to really push me over to enjoying extreme sides to metal. Before that, it was the hardcore inspired metalcore bands with clean singing passages, and before that bands like Metallica and Pantera. It’s definitely a process and everyone has their own gateway.
And I totally understand why people would never WANT to get it. I was sensitive to that when choosing my record.
YES! She does slay! Her vocal delivery is more of the throat variety that I have a hard time with. Also - how do people sing in this way and not tear up their throats?
My first impression of her was she has a Wendy O Williams vibe.
This is the type of crowd that I would not enjoy though. I don't like mosh pits or other forms of audience participation that would lead to bodily injury for me.
Goatfish
Well-Known Member
There’s a proper technique that the good ones utilize to prevent damage. I actually think they are breathing “in” when growling properly, but again, I’m pretty ignorant to musical techniques. This is just what I’ve gathered from others who growled and did it “right”.
I used to mosh, but I’m too old for that now. Pits have an edge and usually have people keeping boundaries that don’t spread outside. Sometimes I set the edge, but mostly I stay back now with my fellow olds where it’s perfectly safe and just consists of mild headbanging in place.
This is why I love you, Goat. THIS post right here!
Super happy about this post as well. You know my penchant for Black Metal in particular and Bestial Black Metal as an extreme subgenre. It is not an easy genre to get into, even for dyed in the wool metal fans. But it is rewarding when done well.
supahypeag
Well-Known Member
My progression was Guns N Roses - Metallica - Bolt Thrower/Cannibal Corpse/Napalm Death/Morbid Angel/Obituary. I burned out on that level of extreme in a few months, and now I can only listen to it in really short doses.
Goatfish
Well-Known Member
Goatfish
Well-Known Member
Thanks for mentioning Bolt Thrower. Now I’m on a Bolt Thrower kick for the rest of the day.
Hail Jo Bench - one of the first women to play in an extreme metal band and one of the best bassists in death metal.
supahypeag
Well-Known Member
You’re welcome! IVth Crusade holds up really well. Plus they do get bonus points for the Warhammer art
No ducking required!
In extreme metal circles, Gaahl is one of the most prominent figures due to his performances, high degree of intellect, strong stances on his beliefs, and just his overall propensity to come across as Lord High Inquisitor of some Medieval fiefdom (*see Goat's gif above*).
He's actually quite well spoken and measured in everyday conversation (he was the subject of a documentary on Black Metal) but in concert he is a whole different beast entirely. His wiki is informative and his interviews are entertaining as all hell.
remember that goat said "legal cannabis"
this could mean we are getting into stoner metal (i almost wanted to say dopethrone but thats an english band). or it could be a clue or what state they are from.. maybe they are from a state that has legal cannabis (which basically means its a west coast band, or alaskan, michigan, maine, illinois, massachusets, or vermont). and those are just the states that are 100% legal. we definitely know there would be no idaho, nebraska, or south dakota bands
this could mean we are getting into stoner metal (i almost wanted to say dopethrone but thats an english band). or it could be a clue or what state they are from.. maybe they are from a state that has legal cannabis (which basically means its a west coast band, or alaskan, michigan, maine, illinois, massachusets, or vermont). and those are just the states that are 100% legal. we definitely know there would be no idaho, nebraska, or south dakota bands