Cookie Monster vocals..if you remember a few months ago, i

[Rupe]

Okay, someone record me a version of a Nile song with vocals like Bruce Dickinson or Jon Bon Jovi.
Sorry, it just can't be done.
The vocals match the music. It's not about trying to act hard - that's just an incredibly stupid statement.
Why do Racer X have such silly guitar solos? It's to make Paul Gilbert think he's a hard man.
Nonsense. Paul Gilbert plays like that cos it fits the songs perfectly. Good death metal bands play like that cos it's what the music calls for.
If you don't enjoy it, fine, don't listen to it.
But to say it's "posturing" is just ridiculous. Have you any idea how most metal fans viewed Mr Big? It annoys me to see metal fans stereotyping other types of metal just because they don't get it.

To each their own regarding preferences, but I'll never agree that a song calls for unintelligible, garbled screaming. I could easily hear Phil Anselmo or even James Hetfield sing over a Nile tune (maybe not Bon Jovi...that was an odd choice) and make it sound infinitely better.

And I agree that it does come off as posturing. Death metal is today what hair metal was by '90...a joke. Only a few originals have any credibility while they get mired down by hosts of inferior imitators.

[Racerx2k]

Okay, someone record me a version of a Nile song with vocals like Bruce Dickinson or Jon Bon Jovi.
Sorry, it just can't be done.
The vocals match the music. It's not about trying to act hard - that's just an incredibly stupid statement.
Why do Racer X have such silly guitar solos? It's to make Paul Gilbert think he's a hard man.
Nonsense. Paul Gilbert plays like that cos it fits the songs perfectly. Good death metal bands play like that cos it's what the music calls for.
If you don't enjoy it, fine, don't listen to it.
But to say it's "posturing" is just ridiculous. Have you any idea how most metal fans viewed Mr Big? It annoys me to see metal fans stereotyping other types of metal just because they don't get it.

Ooh, struck a nerve, have we?



Of COURSE it's posturing. Do you think those guys walk around like that, with the cookie-monster voice with scowls on their faces, 24/7? If they DO, then they better go see a proctologist, cause then they're just constipated. Just like Eddie Vedder, Adam Durwitz (or however the f you spell it), and Aaron from Stained. Their whole brooding thing is b.s., it was, I guess, supposed to make them appear deeper, like a tortured-artist, thing. I don't expect to walk into the grocery store and see Steve Vai pushing a buggy and wearing that friggin Zoro-thing over his face, only to see Kerry King picking out cold cuts with that ridiculous nail-encrusted armband on. but just in case I do, I'm putting my shrink on speed-dial.

[Racerx2k]

Not to mention the fact the "Cookie Monster" vocals has about as much commercial success as New Coke.

Matt

...or Mr. Pib....

[OnlineStageGear]

I actually like Mr. Pibb

[Robert Burns]

Patera is a great band to get you into "heavier" things vocally..not "gruff" but harsh at times. Vocals should fit the music. I think Phil Anselmo is a pud, but the fucker is dynamic..reminds me a bit of my own singer. There is a big difference of quality "gruff" vocals. There's "hacks" that make up most of this shit. Then there's real singers with amazing range, power and dynamaics..they make the best "gruff" singers IMO. Also, nothing but harsh vocals can make a pretty tedious listen. Example, I like Lamb Of God..and Randy has his own "sig" which is cool..but I can't listen to a whole cd without grating on my nerves. Everything starts to sound "samey'..almost like a monotone robot..turning what could have been great music into a blur of growls..he's alot more dynamic than he used to be which is cool.

Aggressive music needs aggressive vocals..it should fit the music just like any instrument in the mix.

Yeah, that dude from Killswitch impresses me with his range... and overall great vocals even when he's "Harsh"...

[Snoogans]

My personal recommendation for "entry level" growly stuff would be the Carcass albums Heartwork and Swansong. They are the ones that got me over my fear of the cookie monster!

In fact, if anyone could suggest any other albums that have a similar vibe to those two, I'd be very grateful. You out there Bill?

[shadowcat]

Similar vibe, not sure, but check out Dan Swanö's Moontower... you might like it.
One of the best and most underrated albums IMO. Intelligible growls too.

[drockilles]

A good cd I've brought up here before is Susperia's "Unlimited". Got some Carcass vibe, a little Testament "The Gathering" vibe, good stuff all around. A little hard to find, though. Obviously, check out some older Arch Enemy for the Heartwork vibe, if you haven't already gotten into them, I'd recommend starting with "Wages of Sin".
Fuck it, I'll add one more. For almost a progressive/death type sound, and some sick riffing and lead playing (maybe a similar sound to Carcass' "Necroticism"), check out Disincarnate "Dreams of the Carrion Kind", one of James Murphy's many projects.

[horns666]

Dan Swano, Chuck Billy, WOS Angela Gassow, Susperia, are great examples....Disincarnate , even tho I love James Murphy that may be too raw for virgin ears.

[Vass]

I guess I'm getting old too....so many great song intros I'll hear on XM Radio metal channels. I'll grab the receiver dying to know who it is, thinking, "Man, this is some decent shit"

Then suddenly, "HOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH HHHAAAAAAA HUR! BUR BUR BUR! BUR BUR BUR BUR BURRRRRRRRR! BUR! HUR BUR BUR! BUR BUR BUR BUR BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRR !"

And then I weep for what could have been.


Vass

[MartinBarre]

I guess I'm getting old too....so many great song intros I'll hear on XM Radio metal channels. I'll grab the receiver dying to know who it is, thinking, "Man, this is some decent shit"

Then suddenly, "HOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH HHHAAAAAAA HUR! BUR BUR BUR! BUR BUR BUR BUR BURRRRRRRRR! BUR! HUR BUR BUR! BUR BUR BUR BUR BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRR !"

And then I weep for what could have been.


Vass

That's Trivium or Machine Head you're describing there I think. Heavy/melodic, schizophrenic nonsense. You need to just get some Death, Obituary, Morbid Angel, Carcass and Vader albums and ignore the vocals.

[drockilles]

Yeah, Disnicarnate may be a little too much. Definitely agree with MB on Death though. The music is top notch, and Chuck's vocals are more a raspy shout than "cookie monster"

[RacerX]

Not to mention the fact the "Cookie Monster" vocals has about as much commercial success as New Coke.

Matt

Tell it to Dimmu Borgir's accountant!

[Racerx2k]

Who?

[drockilles]

Welcome back Ron, long time no see