The metal scream is a gift. It is born from natural talent and years of training. As a vocal technique, it can be found in many other genres of music, such as opera, gospel, blues and rock.
Anyone who has tried to do it knows it’s more than just the ability to yell. A singer’s vocal cords are precious and can be easily damaged if you don’t understand what you’re doing.
I found this amazing PBS video, which talks about the origins of the metal scream and the techniques and similarities to the other genres of music. It also discusses how emotional it is. The video is just over ten minutes and well worth checking out.
Every singer has their own way to train their voice. They have techniques that they use before performing and have learned how to create their sound in a way that maximizes the impact while minimizing the chance of injury.
The range of screams in the metal genre is diverse. There are the deep and otherworldly growls of death metal, the pop-influenced tones of glam/hair metal, the transitional vocals of hardcore, and everything in between.
Metal singers are in it for the long haul, just like any other singer. They will work and train so that they can produce the sound that they are looking for.
As fans, we understand and appreciate that a singer’s voice will change over the years. They can’t expect to sound the same in their 40s as they did in their 20s. I remember reading that about Chris Motionless of Motionless in White. While the band has tried new styles with their music, Chris has developed his voice to the point that he knows what it’s capable of and that some of the ways he used to sing are more taxing now. And he is probably not the only one.
Many of us will never have the natural ability to produce this sound. Those that can, make it look easy. It’s raw, can hit you like a punch in the gut, and takes a song to a whole other level. That’s why I will always defend anyone who says that “it’s just noise”.
What bands/singers do you know who have incredible screams? Share it in the comments below or you can find me on Instagram @mcfarlane_tina.
