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Voice science meets musical artistry

My 20 favorite metal bands

12/20/2016

2 Comments

 

No, Evanescence is not on this list (no judgement! Well, maybe a little...)
--Liz Jackson Hearns

Picture
I know, I know, the sweet teachery exterior betrays me, but I. Love. Metal.

I love metal because it’s fun and loud and over the top. I love a deep, rumbly, dirty death metal growl and a heavy groove. Music is an escape for most of us, and voice teachers need a little musical getaway sometimes, too! When I listen to death metal, I get the drama and flair of opera with the existentialism of romantic german lieder, and a vocal style that I don’t spent an ounce of energy analyzing. It’s blissful.

A disclaimer of sorts: there are some bands listed that are a little out there and if you didn't know me you might think I was into some crazy nonsense. I don't espouse the wild things in the lyrics--they are intentionally explicit, and that's part of death metal's charm. Listen with girded ears if you’re new to the genre, but I encourage you to fill your soul with some juicy, heavy goodness.


In no particular order:


  1. At The Gates - You'll know it's a classic, because the first lyric is "GO!"
  2. Strapping Young Lad/Devin Townsend​ - Devin Townsend is one of my vocal idols. He has a long roster of awesome songs, and he can seamlessly go from screaming to operatic tenor vocals. What a virtuoso!! 
  3. Lamb of God - I like comparing old Lamb of God to new Lamb of God, before they started working with Melissa Cross and after. Love their vocals. 
  4. Everdying - A local Chicago one-man band, this guy is crazy talented and speaks to all the things I love! And the fact that he introduced to me to this genre, for which I am ever grateful, should be noted. 
  5. Arch Enemy - Particularly old Arch Enemy, this female lead vocalist makes me want to be all I can be. 
  6. Dark Tranquility - My all-time favorite metal band. So good. 
  7. Samael - Orchestral and overbearing and I love it. 
  8. Children of Bodom - Just a raucus of music. Try to keep up with these insane solos and screechy vocals! 
  9. Dethklok - Yes, they're a cartoon band. But I love them. Toki is my favorite, of course, followed closely by Murderface. 
  10. Opeth - I could listen to that juicy bass forever. Another of my all-time favorites. 
  11. Amon Amarth - Classic Viking metal. Channel your inner gods of war!
  12. Gojira - Djenty djent goodness. I wouldn't count on a downbeat anywhere, but when the groove hits you, you'll know. 
  13. Meshuggah - Favorite #3? 
  14. Tesseract - That bowyn-bownt that I crave, plus gorgeous harmonies? Yes please!
  15. Volumes - Though it has kind of an early 2000's feel, there's still a good groove in there.
  16. Tool - Of course. I chose Vicarious because I think it highlights Tool's ability to grip you into a story while lulling you into odd rhythmic patterns.
  17. After the Burial - A little play on some panning and endless subdivisions = happy ears.
  18. Within the Ruins (also their take on the Inspector Gadget theme which is super fun)
  19. Angel Vivaldi - These last two are my favorite instrumental-only bands. A beautiful blend of classical and...other. 
  20. Paul Gilbert - I dare you not to play air guitar while you listen to this. 

This list is of course incomplete, and I am constantly on the look out for new musical experiences. Who are your favorite metal bands? 
2 Comments
Emily K
12/20/2016 06:51:01 pm

I don't count Evanescence as a metal band either. :) Disturbed is my favorite, and my fav songs from them are Stricken, Stupify, and Down with the Sickness!

Reply
Ken
1/19/2017 05:06:30 pm

You've spanned a good breadth of metal! But wait, there's more! Much more!

I feel I can go on and on and on about metal. So many sub-genres and distinct differences and evolution, there's something for everyone. Everyone!!!@#$%

I love seeing and hearing more women and female-fronted metal bands! Arch Enemy was the first metal band I got into back in the day (I don't really count Staind, Mudvayne, whatever, some people do. Maybe Godsmack, but then again metal is SO diversified "metal" is essentially meaningless). For clean female vocals, I've found Dorthia Cottrell of Windhand and Lori S. of Acid King on my playlists more recently.

Earth does a great job at being suuuper slow without evoking sadness (unlike those Funeral Doom metal bands...) and has very pretty tones. Botanist is very pretty black metal that doesn't use guitars (on most albums) and sounds...weird?

Anyway, good list! The end.

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