Voice and Body in Extreme Metal Music

Abstract

Metal subgenres such as, for example, death metal, black metal, doom metal, which are considered as constituents of the “meta-genre” of extreme metal, have built up a very specific sound and imagery during the last several decades. As Keith Kahn-Harris noticed, this cluster of sub-genres gathers musical acts of different historical backgrounds and ideologies, which show the highest level of diversity, artistic vibrancy and dynamics, while at the same time being the most problematic area of metal culture in general. The supposed aggression, radicalism, and exclusivity in sound stem not only from the fast, virtuoso, and technically demanding playing of the instruments, but also from the very peculiar vocal emissions. This monstrous voice, which is the result of the extended vocal techniques (primarily screams, growls, squeals), is the point of intersection for several issues concerning voice, body, and technology.