Out-of-Tune vocals

Look at the bottom paragraph.

Got it - thanks!

Steve Rowe sounded a little out of tune on Scrolls.

Here's a thing, bear with me:

- Allan Aguire aka Ramald Domkus has some pretty special vocals. Listen to Scaterd few's magnus opus Sin Disease, for example. Probably he wanted them to sound like this but you might not be wrong calling it "out of tune".

- Jimmy P. Brown is a buddy of Ramald. We could saw this on the vlog recently that was extensively discussed here. We can also see it by this inside joke in the liner notes of Vegeance Rising's Destruction Comes, where Allan had some guest vocals on Raegoul, basically background wailing. He is credited as Ramald Romkus AKA "Jimmy P. Brown" (source: https://www.discogs.com/de/release/14422662-Vengeance-Rising-Destruction-Comes)

I have given this quite some thought and when listening to the post classic era D records such as Stay of Execution and Learn, which came out in 1992/93, all of a sudden it appeared to me that Jimmy was sounding not unlike Allan on Sin Disease (1990). Could it be that Jimmy was inspired by Allan's voice and, therefore, emulated his style on his own records?

This would explain the mysterious liner notes inside joke (it's Allan doing the wailing, but because Jimmy sounds the same when wailing, they put Jimmy's name in hyphens next to Ramald's). 

It would also explain Jimmy sounding slightly "out of tune" on certain songs. It would then be on purpose because he emulated Allan's style, and not because he can't hold a note.

I know, that's a lot of conjecture and speculation but it's been brewing in my mind recently so why not post it here.

Sing it with me!

Release the power!
Not ours, not angel’s, but God’s above!
This is the hour!
Demons, your fate is sealed!

SLAY THE WICKED!!!!!!!!!!

MagnusPrime wrote:Steve Rowe sounded a little out of tune on Scrolls.

When I record some death metal I’ll make sure to autotune my growls.

Pethead wrote:

MagnusPrime wrote:Steve Rowe sounded a little out of tune on Scrolls.

When I record some death metal I’ll make sure to autotune my growls.

 Yes!
Hilarious!
Someone please do this! 

Sevenoneself wrote:Some of our favourite albums have pretty out of tune vocals. Like Deliverance - Weapons of our Warfare. Do we like them despite this, or is there something intrinsic about it that actually adds to the  appeal?

One, I'd never be able to tell Jimmy was "out of tune" on Weapons.

Two, if he is out of tune on Solitude and Slay the Wicked as mentioned, it sounds fantastic! I'd like to hear more out of tune vocals like that.


Three, I'm more inclined to be bothered when the singing is weak/warbled, or poorly phrased.

A few examples:

Weaker Vocals

I really loved Reflection of Glory's "Escape the Dream" album but there are some weak examples of singing at times. Maybe a lack of confidence or perhaps trying to do more than what he could. Generally it remained solid, even great at times but, on a wonderful album, it was the weakest link overall.

Another band that pops up on Angelic Warlord regularly is Sombre Holiday. Terry Friesen has a nice voice but doesn't always hit the mark.

Poorly Phrased

Affector "Harmagedon" - musically fantastic, amazing vocals, but enough times where, being faithful to the Scriptures and the storyline the words and vocals were forced into place. A mighty effort to be sure but it's always been my biggest difficulty with the band/album.

There are some notable secular examples of this on Redemption's early material with Ray Alder (Fates Warning), especially "The Fullness of Time" and the power metal band Wuthering Heights.

Believe it or not, I think phrasing makes a huge difference in death metal vocals and harsh vocals inn general. You might be able to growl but if you can't phrase and use inflection right you're just barking/shouting. It takes a lot away! Most of the old school guys nailed this. Modern death metal/deathcore/metalcore is often missing this.

As much as I like the music, Divine Retribution’s Misericordia has a lot of off vocals.

Sevenoneself wrote:Stevegarvey, I see you quoted me (which definitely flatters me  ), but I don't see any response. Did my browser mess-up, or did something glitch on your end so your text didn't show up?

There, I fixed my reply.  I commented within your quote, when I intended my reply to be AFTER your quote.  Sorry for the confusion!

Frozen Fire wrote:.......I'm more inclined to be bothered when the singing is weak/warbled, or poorly phrased.

A few examples:

Weaker Vocals

I really loved Reflection of Glory's "Escape the Dream" album but there are some weak examples of singing at times. Maybe a lack of confidence or perhaps trying to do more than what he could. Generally it remained solid, even great at times but, on a wonderful album, it was the weakest link overall....

Poorly Phrased

Affector "Harmagedon" - musically fantastic, amazing vocals, but enough times where, being faithful to the Scriptures and the storyline the words and vocals were forced into place. A mighty effort to be sure but it's always been my biggest difficulty with the band/album.

I completely concur with this. Especially, Affector. I was so excited to listen to it after seeing Angelic Warlord's 100% rating. And it was such a letdown; it seemed they put so much effort and skill into the music and melodies, and then just slotted in whatever words they wanted without thought to phrasing, poetry, etc. I can't enjoy the music b/c the lyrics are, IMHO, so out of place.

I’m still baffled by the 100% score for Affector. That’s higher than any of Theocracy’s albums got. The musicianship is impressive but there are little to no vocal hooks, which makes it a slog to get through.

Does anyone here know Andrew Rockwell from AW? I'm, of course, someone who's out of the loop, but many of you know quite a few band members and those in the industry.

Pethead wrote:I’m still baffled by the 100% score for Affector. That’s higher than any of Theocracy’s albums got. The musicianship is impressive but there are little to no vocal hooks, which makes it a slog to get through.

When you base your lyrics solely on Biblical texts like Revelation, you're really not going to write catchy songs.  However, "Harmagedon" has plenty of hooks in the chorus and the verses as well as spectacular melodies.

Seventh Servant did something similar, but they managed to have stronger hooks.