Metallica is one of those household names when it comes to rock and metal music, one of the most successful and lauded bands to ever grace the music scene. At this point in their career they had released 4 landmark albums mostly of the thrash metal genre, and were becoming a musical force to be reckoned with. Releasing albums full of thrash injected with melody and emotion, searing riffs, blistering solos and bleak toned lyrics, even venturing towards progressive in their outing titled ...And Justice For All.
Enter Bob Rock, who suggests to them they should aim for higher commercial heights, that the way to reach their true potential was to strip their sound down and opt for a more accessible and radio friendly approach. Instead of continuing to progress their sound they stepped back, and did something a little more personal, a little more emotive, and a little bit subpar. Don't get me wrong this isn't a bad album by any stretch of the imagination, however this was the first album that showed symptoms of them selling out. While this album has absolute classic tracks such as Enter Sandman, Sad But True and The Unforgiving, there is also moments of inconsistency and filler tracks.
The basic sound of this album is pretty much a hard rock sound with a more metallic edge to it. Midpaced, Wah laden guitars play many a palm muted riff, and there are also a great deal of very blues inspired pentatonic soloing. They added more of the softer toned ballads in such as The Unforgiven and Nothing Else Matters, both of which are great in my opinion. The guitars have gotten less complex with this release and have more of a alternative/hard rock sound...lots of wah pedal. The drums are pretty much just there keeping the beat and not doing anything special and the bass is kind of just in the background doing some rhythm work.
James vocals have gotten a good deal deeper than previous releases and he utilizes more of a grungy singing style moreso than his usual thrash metal shout/singing. This is also the beginning of his use of the kind of cheesy vocal accents ( oooh aaaah YEEA HEAAh).
The album starts off on a very positive note with the extremely catchy and enjoyable track Enter Sandman, a midpaced riffy affair about nightmarish images and childhood fears. Sad But True is a bit more groovy and midpaced which also happens to deal with personal struggles. The Next track Holier Than Thou is the first filler track, it pretty much just plods along and doesn't really accomplish anything. Then we get to my two personal standout tracks on this...The Unforgiven and Wherever I May Roam, the two that accomplish the goal that was intended...to make more accessible music and still manage to be awesome musically. The rest of the album is kind of just there, tracks blend into one another and the whole affair gets very tedious. Nothing Else Matters brings a more positive note showing that Metallica knows how to do emotional songwriting and do it well, but the last couple of tracks are just right back to that samey filler vibe. So while this album has its definite high points I think it ultimately fails at being what it was supposed to be i.e Metallica reaching their full potential on a record. It's a step down from classics like Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets.
Final Score 66/100
Monday, November 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Insanity Squared ( Unexpect- Fables of the Sleepless Empire)
Out there, odd, strange, schizophrenic, weird, batshit crazy: these are all words that can be used to describe the sound of this band. If you've heard the band before you know what to expect, and you know that they are aptly named, because honestly you never know what to expect from them. The song structures are ever changing, and I mean that to the fullest extent that that term can be used. It's Avant-Garde in one of its most pure forms.
To describe the sound of this band, think of totally chaotic riffs, in odd time signatures and they are constantly changing, weaving, and getting more odd.
its like
for instance
Ifyoujust DEcI ded onedayto
neglect
every single Grammar and writing rulE
and just wrote
HOWEVER THE FUCK YOU FEEL.
Get the picture? One thing I really enjoyed about this release is the bass. It's constantly present to the exact right degree. Its extremely technical and adds great depth and character to the music, and its something that lots of metal bands have lost touch with. The guitars are chaotic and riffy, there's a lot of use of piano and violins and out of character stuff like that. The vocals range from a black metal type of throaty mid pitched shriek trading off with female clean vocals and the occasional clean male vocals. The drums are nothing stunningly mind-blowing but they do a damn good job considering the amount of transitions, tempo shifts and stuff that's going on with the music.
The production is clear without being overly polished and refined, and you can hear each of the many elements that this album has, which is good because a bad production job could really ruin an album like this and make it like a wall of chaotic brown noise. At times things do get a tiny bit cluttered because of the enormous amount of things going on, but that's not a huge gripe and these moments are made less detracting by the production job that I mentioned.
The lyrics are as you would UN expect: very strange and out there, they even have a song about pumpkin vigilantes overthrowing the rule of man, excellent concept if you ask me. The only real gripe I have with this album is that it's a tad too long, and some people will have trouble listening to a whole album that's this schizophrenic. Also if you aren't already a fan of avant-garde music I wouldn't start with this release, and if you like clearly defined song structure STAY AWAY. All in all a great release, and a truly insane experience.
89/100
To describe the sound of this band, think of totally chaotic riffs, in odd time signatures and they are constantly changing, weaving, and getting more odd.
its like
for instance
Ifyoujust DEcI ded onedayto
neglect
every single Grammar and writing rulE
and just wrote
HOWEVER THE FUCK YOU FEEL.
Get the picture? One thing I really enjoyed about this release is the bass. It's constantly present to the exact right degree. Its extremely technical and adds great depth and character to the music, and its something that lots of metal bands have lost touch with. The guitars are chaotic and riffy, there's a lot of use of piano and violins and out of character stuff like that. The vocals range from a black metal type of throaty mid pitched shriek trading off with female clean vocals and the occasional clean male vocals. The drums are nothing stunningly mind-blowing but they do a damn good job considering the amount of transitions, tempo shifts and stuff that's going on with the music.
The production is clear without being overly polished and refined, and you can hear each of the many elements that this album has, which is good because a bad production job could really ruin an album like this and make it like a wall of chaotic brown noise. At times things do get a tiny bit cluttered because of the enormous amount of things going on, but that's not a huge gripe and these moments are made less detracting by the production job that I mentioned.
The lyrics are as you would UN expect: very strange and out there, they even have a song about pumpkin vigilantes overthrowing the rule of man, excellent concept if you ask me. The only real gripe I have with this album is that it's a tad too long, and some people will have trouble listening to a whole album that's this schizophrenic. Also if you aren't already a fan of avant-garde music I wouldn't start with this release, and if you like clearly defined song structure STAY AWAY. All in all a great release, and a truly insane experience.
89/100
Monday, September 19, 2011
Best And Worst So Far ( 2011 )
It almost the end of the year, so I feel it is appropriate to make a list of the best and worst so far. I have heard many different albums this year, some have been stellar some have been great, and some have been just horrible. Here is the list of albums and descriptions of why they are the best or worst.
Best of 2011 so far
1.Mastodon- The Hunter: This album was absolutely killer, and although it had a few stylistic changes that some people may not be comfortable with, it's still good ol Mastodon, and they still rock. This album is my current pick for album of the year
2.Perpetuate: This album is absolutely stellar, its very short and its really an EP but it is awesome from start to finish, relatively unknown band, but they've released a bombshell of an album that makes me happy on the inside.
3. Wolves in The Throne Room- Celestial Lineage: This album has such a beautiful natural atmosphere to it, and it even borders on drone at times. Would be album of the year right now if two other albums had not surpassed it. Its use of female vocals and synths to compliment the atmosphere are perfect
4. Autopsy- Macabre Eternal: A brilliant triumphant return for Autopsy. It sounds like it came right out of the old school death metal era. Its brutal its ugly, its pulverizing, even doomy at times but it is daaamn good.
5.Symphony X- Iconoclast: I'm really digging this album, it has an awesome concept, it has complex rhythms and structures, shredding solos, soaring vocals and it keeps my attention surprisingly well for 2 disc release. Very strong, solid progressive metal release
There has only been one album this year that has been a huge disappointment for me and that's Morbid Angel's Illud Divinum Insanus. If they had done industrial the right way this could have been an insanely good release, but they failed terribly. It's not as if there aren't decent moments but this is still a bummer of a release for me.
Best of 2011 so far
1.Mastodon- The Hunter: This album was absolutely killer, and although it had a few stylistic changes that some people may not be comfortable with, it's still good ol Mastodon, and they still rock. This album is my current pick for album of the year
2.Perpetuate: This album is absolutely stellar, its very short and its really an EP but it is awesome from start to finish, relatively unknown band, but they've released a bombshell of an album that makes me happy on the inside.
3. Wolves in The Throne Room- Celestial Lineage: This album has such a beautiful natural atmosphere to it, and it even borders on drone at times. Would be album of the year right now if two other albums had not surpassed it. Its use of female vocals and synths to compliment the atmosphere are perfect
4. Autopsy- Macabre Eternal: A brilliant triumphant return for Autopsy. It sounds like it came right out of the old school death metal era. Its brutal its ugly, its pulverizing, even doomy at times but it is daaamn good.
5.Symphony X- Iconoclast: I'm really digging this album, it has an awesome concept, it has complex rhythms and structures, shredding solos, soaring vocals and it keeps my attention surprisingly well for 2 disc release. Very strong, solid progressive metal release
There has only been one album this year that has been a huge disappointment for me and that's Morbid Angel's Illud Divinum Insanus. If they had done industrial the right way this could have been an insanely good release, but they failed terribly. It's not as if there aren't decent moments but this is still a bummer of a release for me.
Mastodon- The Hunter
Its that time of year, time for a new Mastodon release, time for one of the most well known and well respected progressive metal bands to drop their latest musical offering, and with the hype this band got with Crack the Skye, and the consistently great quality of all their past releases is it possible to live up to the hype, to craft an album that continues to garner them respect and critical acclaim, or would this album fall into the usual trap of bands that have just released what many consider the apex of their career? I must admit I was a little apprehensive about this album, especially with the more whimsical song titles, and the new album artwork...then I heard Black Tongue. Well this could be the one gem amidst a turd of an album. I then heard Curl of the Burl, different for them yes, but still daaaamn good. The whole album lives up to my high expectations, and somehow even kind of exceeds them.
This an album that takes the core elements of the Mastodon sound from all the past releases, throws in some off the wall new elements to create a sound that is totally unique in the Mastodon catalog and yet somehow awesomely familiar. The sound on this album is more stripped down compared to Crack the Skye, you won't find the super long songs, and the all out proggy songwriting and flash that you saw with the last album, but it keeps some glimmers of that sound, mixes it with the sound found on albums such as Leviathan and Remission and adds in some new more lighthearted sounds and vocal stylings to create an entirely new sound for them yet again.
One of the things that sets this song apart from most other Mastodon releases is the fact that it doesn't have an overarching concept, and it doesn't have that same continuity as past albums, one track will sound different than the next, they don't keep to the same formula throughout, and to some this may be off putting, I really enjoy it. I think there's something for fans of all eras of Mastodons career thus far.
The guitars are awesome in this release, they range from really heavy chaotic riffing, to really laid back haunting melodies, to even some really happy sounding stuff on The Creature Lives. One addition I really love is the even more southern sounding riffing on the song Curl of The Burl. I also really love that they use more synth and synthesized weird noises and sounds. The solos on this album continue to be awesome just as on any other Mastodon release. Brann continues to use his usual over-the-top spastic drumming style as always, but now he seems to be able to rein himself in and be reserved when the time is right. Troys bass work is very well done and pretty clear in the production. The vocals on this album are also well done, and they have really upped their game when it comes to vocal harmonies. Much like the previous album the vocals are mostly clean singing.
I find myself at a loss to fully be able to describe the sound on this album, as it is so varied, and just at times very odd. Mastodon has once again broken from the barriers of a constant samey type of sound to craft an album that is a strong contender for album of the year. So has this topped Crack the Skye, and exceeded the greatness we heard on that album, well yes and no, yes in that it has expanded upon that sound. And no in that there are a very few moments on this album that are so off the wall I can't fully fully embrace them.
To summarize, this an album that successfully blends a variety of new styles and sounds and yet holds true to their signature sound that they crafted on Leviathan, and Remission. It is proof that a band can experiment with their sound radically and succeed and craft a great album. This is an exciting release and a great cap on the month of September, making this possibly my favorite month in metal for this year.
Score: 96/100
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Perpetuate Self Titled EP - Classic and Highly Underrated
Perpetuate is relatively little known band hailing from Canada, who play in a progressive style, with glimmers of power metal and Gothic metal, and I had the pleasure of stumbling upon this band while me and a friend were searching for new and interesting metal releases. Upon first listen I knew this would be something special, and something that I would be coming back to time and time again.
This album is truly a refreshing experience, it's the sound of a band that loves to play, and the energy they bring to the table is absolutely astounding. That is the main thing I love about this release is every song exudes emotion and raw passion for music, Something that many big name bands tend to lose with time.
The sound here is a pretty much very Maiden-inspired prog metal, with glimmers of the gothic style on occasion. Think soaring riffs, galloping bass at times, bombastic drum beats, and blistering solos, all of these are to be found in this 6 track EP. The keyboards accentuate the atmosphere of the album very well. They vocalist/keyboardist Kim McInnis is very competent at what she does, the vocals are high energy operatic style vocals that are very appropriately placed in the production, not overpowering the music, but not buried beneath the guitars to where you can't hear them. The bass is not as high in the mix as I'd like but its very well done, and as I stated before the guitars are very very well done. The riffs are power metal inspired and at times very complex and progressive. The solos on this are very well written and very much what you would expect from a prog metal band.
My favorite track on here is Medusa, its orchestral, and very dark, but it has an atmosphere that I love. The lyrics are very well written and the structure of the song weaves along with the story. I love the soft part right before a build-up to an explosive climax, and it leads right into their tribute to Iron Maiden in the form a cover of The Trooper. This is an extremely well done cover and an appropriate end to a stellar effort
All in all I feel that this is a strong contender for album of the year, its a high energy slab of proggy power and gothic metal that will keep any fan of prog and Iron Maiden. On a final note I feel that this band really deserves more exposure. This is a fantastic release and I look forward to hearing more from this band.
96/100
This album is truly a refreshing experience, it's the sound of a band that loves to play, and the energy they bring to the table is absolutely astounding. That is the main thing I love about this release is every song exudes emotion and raw passion for music, Something that many big name bands tend to lose with time.
The sound here is a pretty much very Maiden-inspired prog metal, with glimmers of the gothic style on occasion. Think soaring riffs, galloping bass at times, bombastic drum beats, and blistering solos, all of these are to be found in this 6 track EP. The keyboards accentuate the atmosphere of the album very well. They vocalist/keyboardist Kim McInnis is very competent at what she does, the vocals are high energy operatic style vocals that are very appropriately placed in the production, not overpowering the music, but not buried beneath the guitars to where you can't hear them. The bass is not as high in the mix as I'd like but its very well done, and as I stated before the guitars are very very well done. The riffs are power metal inspired and at times very complex and progressive. The solos on this are very well written and very much what you would expect from a prog metal band.
My favorite track on here is Medusa, its orchestral, and very dark, but it has an atmosphere that I love. The lyrics are very well written and the structure of the song weaves along with the story. I love the soft part right before a build-up to an explosive climax, and it leads right into their tribute to Iron Maiden in the form a cover of The Trooper. This is an extremely well done cover and an appropriate end to a stellar effort
All in all I feel that this is a strong contender for album of the year, its a high energy slab of proggy power and gothic metal that will keep any fan of prog and Iron Maiden. On a final note I feel that this band really deserves more exposure. This is a fantastic release and I look forward to hearing more from this band.
96/100
Friday, August 26, 2011
Top 10 songs by the Big Four of Thrash.
This is a challenge laid out by my friend Turr. Picking Ten has been insanely difficult but I will try to judge it as best I can.
10. Anthrax- Caught in a Mosh- This song is just generally a fun thrash song, the riffs are fast, the lyrics have a whimsical tinge to them, and the chorus is quite singable, not to mention it has a killer solo. In a list of great songs by the Big Four, this one is essential.
9. Anthrax- Metal Thrashing Mad- A lot of people would say that this song is inferior to everything on Among The Living, and as an album Among The Living is indeed better than Fistful of Metal, but this song is a pure thrash anthem, and I find it to be just slightly better than Caught in a Mosh. As you can tell I have a thing for thrash songs that are about thrashing, and the whole thrash attitude.
8. Slayer-Blood Red- This song is short but sweet, and I always find myself headbanging and singing along with it. It's theme is one that you find often in thrash metal, one of war and death, the massacre of innocent people if you will. It has an instantly recognizable riff, and the solo is quite awesome as well.
7. Slayer- Raining Blood- It's a little cliche to say mention this song, and I was tempted to place Angel of Death here instead, but something about this song just grabs me, that main riff is a monstrosity and it sounds so fucking heavy and sinister, and the screams of RAINING BLOOD FROM A LACERATED SKY, it just gets me. The end of it just goes into a chaotic onslaught of lead guitar that would make any Slayer fan happy.
6. Megadeth- Peace Sells: This song is definitely a favorite not just out of the big four, but in all of thrash metal in general. That bass line comes in and immediately you know you're in for something good, then you hear that lead guitar line and the vocals come in. It's one of the best things you can do in thrash metal, to sarcastically take stabs at "the system" and his vocals are perfect for it. This song is littered with awesome leads everywhere not to mention infectious riffs, and of course a fucking beast of a solo. What more ya asking for huh?
5. Megadeth- Tornado of Souls: For this spot in the list it came down to this song, or Hangar 18, and the deciding factor was the highly amazing solo right in the middle of this song, not necessarily better from a purely speed/technicality standpoint, but the choice of notes and rhythm for this solo were perfect, not to mention the song itself is wonderful. Definitely a classic.
4. Metallica-For Whom The Bell Tolls: This song is one that I've loved for quite awhile, and was instrumental in bridging the gap in my musical tastes, from nu metal type stuff into more extreme forms of metal. But all that aside, its a fucking awesome song. Another song about war, and it covers the topic well, the lyrics are great, the guitar part conveys the lyrical content well. This is one of my favorite Metallica songs, and although it doesn't have the hallmarks of your average thrash song its still one amazing song. "take a look to the sky just before you die...ITS THE LAST TIME YOU WILL!"
3. Metallica- Hit the Lights: I've been in love with this song from the first time I ever heard it, and I consider it the quintessential pure thrash song. This song is a thrash song about thrash, and the attitude and the feeling surrounding it, the thrill of being there live and banging your fucking head and the whole rush of it all. its chock full of awesome guitar leads, the drums are nothing special really, but I still consider it a classic. I've had the metal madness for years, and let me tell you, once you start to rock you'll never be able to quit.
2. Megadeath- Holy Wars: This song is about exactly what it sounds like its about, holy wars and the punishment that is due. This song is a work of musical genius, and it's structured perfectly, not just using verse chorus bridge solo, as you will see lots, but they also don't just change it just for the hell of it, and when the structure changes it goes with the lyrics at that particular section. It has some classic solos in it, and even a nice acoustic piece right before the first tempo change. A master work of thrash metal.
1. Metallica- Master of Puppets: I almost didn't want to put this here, because it's become such a cliche over the years, but I really do love this song, and I find it to be one of the best thrash songs ever written, and definitely the best by the big four of thrash. It has everything you could ever want in great thrash song, the choppy palm muted riffs, the perfect lyrical subject matter for a thrash song, a nice bass guitar presence, and the nice legato guitar soloing. Now take all that and right in the middle add a good healthy dose of melody and put in it a really emotive solo, and what do you have? You've got a masterpiece of a song, one for the ages if you like. Many may disagree, but this song has stood the test of time, and I think its awesome.
10. Anthrax- Caught in a Mosh- This song is just generally a fun thrash song, the riffs are fast, the lyrics have a whimsical tinge to them, and the chorus is quite singable, not to mention it has a killer solo. In a list of great songs by the Big Four, this one is essential.
9. Anthrax- Metal Thrashing Mad- A lot of people would say that this song is inferior to everything on Among The Living, and as an album Among The Living is indeed better than Fistful of Metal, but this song is a pure thrash anthem, and I find it to be just slightly better than Caught in a Mosh. As you can tell I have a thing for thrash songs that are about thrashing, and the whole thrash attitude.
8. Slayer-Blood Red- This song is short but sweet, and I always find myself headbanging and singing along with it. It's theme is one that you find often in thrash metal, one of war and death, the massacre of innocent people if you will. It has an instantly recognizable riff, and the solo is quite awesome as well.
7. Slayer- Raining Blood- It's a little cliche to say mention this song, and I was tempted to place Angel of Death here instead, but something about this song just grabs me, that main riff is a monstrosity and it sounds so fucking heavy and sinister, and the screams of RAINING BLOOD FROM A LACERATED SKY, it just gets me. The end of it just goes into a chaotic onslaught of lead guitar that would make any Slayer fan happy.
6. Megadeth- Peace Sells: This song is definitely a favorite not just out of the big four, but in all of thrash metal in general. That bass line comes in and immediately you know you're in for something good, then you hear that lead guitar line and the vocals come in. It's one of the best things you can do in thrash metal, to sarcastically take stabs at "the system" and his vocals are perfect for it. This song is littered with awesome leads everywhere not to mention infectious riffs, and of course a fucking beast of a solo. What more ya asking for huh?
5. Megadeth- Tornado of Souls: For this spot in the list it came down to this song, or Hangar 18, and the deciding factor was the highly amazing solo right in the middle of this song, not necessarily better from a purely speed/technicality standpoint, but the choice of notes and rhythm for this solo were perfect, not to mention the song itself is wonderful. Definitely a classic.
4. Metallica-For Whom The Bell Tolls: This song is one that I've loved for quite awhile, and was instrumental in bridging the gap in my musical tastes, from nu metal type stuff into more extreme forms of metal. But all that aside, its a fucking awesome song. Another song about war, and it covers the topic well, the lyrics are great, the guitar part conveys the lyrical content well. This is one of my favorite Metallica songs, and although it doesn't have the hallmarks of your average thrash song its still one amazing song. "take a look to the sky just before you die...ITS THE LAST TIME YOU WILL!"
3. Metallica- Hit the Lights: I've been in love with this song from the first time I ever heard it, and I consider it the quintessential pure thrash song. This song is a thrash song about thrash, and the attitude and the feeling surrounding it, the thrill of being there live and banging your fucking head and the whole rush of it all. its chock full of awesome guitar leads, the drums are nothing special really, but I still consider it a classic. I've had the metal madness for years, and let me tell you, once you start to rock you'll never be able to quit.
2. Megadeath- Holy Wars: This song is about exactly what it sounds like its about, holy wars and the punishment that is due. This song is a work of musical genius, and it's structured perfectly, not just using verse chorus bridge solo, as you will see lots, but they also don't just change it just for the hell of it, and when the structure changes it goes with the lyrics at that particular section. It has some classic solos in it, and even a nice acoustic piece right before the first tempo change. A master work of thrash metal.
1. Metallica- Master of Puppets: I almost didn't want to put this here, because it's become such a cliche over the years, but I really do love this song, and I find it to be one of the best thrash songs ever written, and definitely the best by the big four of thrash. It has everything you could ever want in great thrash song, the choppy palm muted riffs, the perfect lyrical subject matter for a thrash song, a nice bass guitar presence, and the nice legato guitar soloing. Now take all that and right in the middle add a good healthy dose of melody and put in it a really emotive solo, and what do you have? You've got a masterpiece of a song, one for the ages if you like. Many may disagree, but this song has stood the test of time, and I think its awesome.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Top Metal Vocalists, Clean and Harsh
My Top 5 clean vocalists and top 5 harsh vocalists.
Clean
1.Rob Halford- The quintessential heavy metal vocalist in my opinion, his falsettos are out of this world, and the power he had behind his vocals is unrivaled. Songs with particularly awesome vocal performance by him would be, The Sentinel, Dreamer Deceiver, and Painkiller.
2.Ronnie James Dio- Let me just stress this close, VERY CLOSE second. I love Dio, he has the power vocally to get you into any song he's vocalist for. I haven't heard a single bad vocal performance by him. He was an inspiring talent, and a vocal legend, his operatic style was not quite as high of a range as Halford, but nonetheless he was just as powerful.
3.Bruce Dickinson- This man has some power in his pipes, and quite a lot of emotion to boot. His performance in songs like Run To The Hills and Number of The Beast are insanely good. Even in 2010 on The Final Frontier he still had the majority of his vocal power intact, he can't quite hit the high notes as well, but he's still kickin.
4. Geoff Tate- He's the perfect prog metal vocalist. He has the range similar to Dio but not quite the same power behind it. His talent really shines through on songs such as Eyes of A Stranger and Don't Believe in Love. Not much else to say, Geoff rules.
5. Garm- He does clean and harsh vocals but I chose him for the clean category because my god he has such versatility. He can go from the middle low register all the way upward to almost Halford-like highs. He can be powerful, or quiet and soothing. His work with Ulver and Arcturus are particularly awesome.
Harsh
1. Lord Worm- Purely for his strength, this man's screams are something that you would hear coming from an open pit that leads to hell. There's a scream in the song Open Face Surgery that makes my blood curdle.
2. Dani Filth- A lot of people would disagree, but I am saying this on the basis of his past work, he had quite a range on him. He could do deep demonic bellows all the way to nails on a chalkboard break squealing shrieks. He's my favorite harsh vocalist, but for talent, Lord Worm takes the cake.
3. Varg Vikernes- what kind of noises would you expect to hear coming from a torture chamber from medieval times, well probably the sounds that come from this mans vocal cords. He has the ability to convey every torturous hateful emotion ever through his voice and he does it with such power, Vikernes is by far the greatest black metal vocalist of all time.
4. Chuck Schuldiner- One of the first actual death metal vocalists, and no doubt one of the best ever. If you need any other reasons why he's on this list, just listen to the songs. Get ahold of Symbolic, Scream Bloody Gore, or Human, and prepare to be amazed.
5. Antti Boman- Vocalist of Demilich these vocals are like the low pitched gurgle from a demon, if demons could growl that low. I fucking love how its so unlike the majority of death metal vocals, and he did this with no sound effects added. Amazing.
P.S I had an extremely hard time choosing who should be on here, and am already thinking many that I possibly should have included
Honorable Mentions: Ihsahn, Serj Tankian, Tarja, Maynard James Keenan, Dax Riggs, Mike Patton and the rest of the extremely talented metal vocalists who I failed to mention you all rule.
Cheesiest metal vocalist: Shagrath ( on newer releases)
worst metal vocal perfomances: Hetfield on St. Anger and Vincent on Illiud Divinum Insanus
Clean
1.Rob Halford- The quintessential heavy metal vocalist in my opinion, his falsettos are out of this world, and the power he had behind his vocals is unrivaled. Songs with particularly awesome vocal performance by him would be, The Sentinel, Dreamer Deceiver, and Painkiller.
2.Ronnie James Dio- Let me just stress this close, VERY CLOSE second. I love Dio, he has the power vocally to get you into any song he's vocalist for. I haven't heard a single bad vocal performance by him. He was an inspiring talent, and a vocal legend, his operatic style was not quite as high of a range as Halford, but nonetheless he was just as powerful.
3.Bruce Dickinson- This man has some power in his pipes, and quite a lot of emotion to boot. His performance in songs like Run To The Hills and Number of The Beast are insanely good. Even in 2010 on The Final Frontier he still had the majority of his vocal power intact, he can't quite hit the high notes as well, but he's still kickin.
4. Geoff Tate- He's the perfect prog metal vocalist. He has the range similar to Dio but not quite the same power behind it. His talent really shines through on songs such as Eyes of A Stranger and Don't Believe in Love. Not much else to say, Geoff rules.
5. Garm- He does clean and harsh vocals but I chose him for the clean category because my god he has such versatility. He can go from the middle low register all the way upward to almost Halford-like highs. He can be powerful, or quiet and soothing. His work with Ulver and Arcturus are particularly awesome.
Harsh
1. Lord Worm- Purely for his strength, this man's screams are something that you would hear coming from an open pit that leads to hell. There's a scream in the song Open Face Surgery that makes my blood curdle.
2. Dani Filth- A lot of people would disagree, but I am saying this on the basis of his past work, he had quite a range on him. He could do deep demonic bellows all the way to nails on a chalkboard break squealing shrieks. He's my favorite harsh vocalist, but for talent, Lord Worm takes the cake.
3. Varg Vikernes- what kind of noises would you expect to hear coming from a torture chamber from medieval times, well probably the sounds that come from this mans vocal cords. He has the ability to convey every torturous hateful emotion ever through his voice and he does it with such power, Vikernes is by far the greatest black metal vocalist of all time.
4. Chuck Schuldiner- One of the first actual death metal vocalists, and no doubt one of the best ever. If you need any other reasons why he's on this list, just listen to the songs. Get ahold of Symbolic, Scream Bloody Gore, or Human, and prepare to be amazed.
5. Antti Boman- Vocalist of Demilich these vocals are like the low pitched gurgle from a demon, if demons could growl that low. I fucking love how its so unlike the majority of death metal vocals, and he did this with no sound effects added. Amazing.
P.S I had an extremely hard time choosing who should be on here, and am already thinking many that I possibly should have included
Honorable Mentions: Ihsahn, Serj Tankian, Tarja, Maynard James Keenan, Dax Riggs, Mike Patton and the rest of the extremely talented metal vocalists who I failed to mention you all rule.
Cheesiest metal vocalist: Shagrath ( on newer releases)
worst metal vocal perfomances: Hetfield on St. Anger and Vincent on Illiud Divinum Insanus
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