A spectrographic Analysis of vocal Techniques in Extreme metal for Musicological Analysis

Extreme metal genres such as death metal and black metal force music analysts to seek alternative methods to Western notation-based analysis, especially when one asks what means of expression their vocalists may draw from in order to seem convincing and powerful to fans. Using spectrograms generated by AudioSculpt, a powerful sound analysis, processing, and re-synthesis program, this paper demonstrates a mixed application of spectrograms and conventional music analysis to vocals in two separate contexts: an a cappella recording in a soundproof laboratory and a commercial recording with a full band. The results support an argument for the utility of spectrograms in revealing articulations and expressive nuances within extreme metal vocals that have thus far passed unnoticed in popular music scholarship.