Really High Singers: Yay or Nay?

[Temple of Blood]

Personally, I think this style is great if a guy can do it well. I'm a huge fan of guys like John Arch, Ski, Mike Sanders (Toxik) and the singers that could really wail and sing as over-the-top as the guitar playing is in metal. I know some people hate it and prefer to hear guys like Hetfield and Chuck Billy but how do you guys feel?

[MSC2471]

I guess growing up hearing the Air Raid Siren voice of Bruce Dickinson, I've never had an issue with singers that can hit the stratosphere. I would add John Cyriis to this impressive list of singers who can sing high and not bother me in the least- and for thrash/speed metal I feel that Keith Deen of Holy Terror needs a mention as well...

Matt

[Prof]

To me, 'siren' singers have the more versatile voice and vocal style - and as such are usually more interesting to listen to.
Rough sounding thrash vocalists, for instance, are a perfect fit for that brand of metal, but tend to be pretty useless when they have to switch to something else or even to a more laid-back kind of song.
There are, however, exceptions in both categories. Some high-pitched singers I cannot stand for longer than two minutes (ever heard the French band Syrinx' 'Crystal cliffs'-cd? Jeez....) And some so-called 'limited' thrash singers never fail to kick your ass. Yeah, Keith Deen of Holy Terror is an excellent example here.

[Michael@SacredMetal]

Short answer:

<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>YAY!!!</span>

[OSMRECORDS]

I like both I like the Chuck Billy's but I also like the people who have the vocal range. I think it is nice to hear a wide range.

[pepsiswasp]

Just received some new cd/r's earlier this week and listened to one of 'em earlier today...
You want a high-pitched vocalist:
Mike Soliz from Texas cult-band Militia!
Listen to "Objective:Termination" (and the other songs on "The Sybling").
He shortly sang for Watchtower (also on a track on the "Doomsday News" compilation on Noise records; anyone got this one on cd - I could use a cdr copy of it!).

[Cthulhu]

I like those high pitched singers. For me, they are an essential part of Heavy Metal in general.

*looking forward to see Emerald (NL) on the Keep It True-Festival*

[Kiss of Death]

High pitched singers are one of most important heavy metal trademark, unfortunately nearly no younger band features this kind of singers anymore.....

[Temple of Blood]

Well, judging my everyone's opinion it looks like I am on the right board! Most find it irritating I have foud, or they say they don't like singers "too high".

Mike Soliz is good, I have heard him before. I am also really intersted in Emerald ... are they like Deadly Blessing?

Anyone besides me heard Wade Black (Crimson Glory, Seven Witches, Leatherwolf) when he was singing with Lucian Blaque? Or Tim Owens when he was with Brainicide?

Anyone heard Optimus Prime, the post-Deadly Blessing band?

[Prof]

I am also really intersted in Emerald ... are they like Deadly Blessing?

The Dutch band Emerald's 'Iron on iron'-CD (a fine reissue of their 80s 'Downtown'-LP) is a must-have for anyone into classic European metal with a Deadly Blessing-like singer.
There's also a very good Swiss band called Emerald whose style is in the pure and classic 80s vein as well, but the vocalist doesn't soar like Bert Kivits from the Dutch Emerald or Ski from Deadly Blessing.

[kmuk]

Yes Optimus Prime w/Larry Betson on vocals.
Sounds like Deadly Blessing meets Grunge. I like it

[Prof]

Yes Optimus Prime w/Larry Betson on vocals.
Sounds like Deadly Blessing meets Grunge. I like it

If that isn't a contradiction in terms, I don't know what is!

[SoBelow]

I like the Optimus Prime demo. But I don't think it's grunge.

As for the high vocals. I like it. I can only take so many vocalists that don't actually sing.