A Spectrographic Analysis of Vocal Techniques in Extreme Metal for Musicological Analysis

Eric Smialek; Philippe Depalle; David Brackett

A Spectrographic Analysis of Vocal Techniques in Extreme Metal for Musicological Analysis

Eric Smialek, Philippe Depalle, David Brackett

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Non-Cochlear Sound
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings of the 38th International Computer Music Conference, ICMC 2012
Publisher	International Computer Music Association
Pages	88-93
Number of pages	6
Volume	2012
ISBN (Print)	9780984527410
Publication status	Published - 9 Sept 2012
Externally published	Yes
Event	38th International Computer Music Conference - Ljubljana, Slovenia Duration: 9 Sept 2012 → 14 Sept 2012 Conference number: 38

Conference

Conference	38th International Computer Music Conference
Abbreviated title	ICMC 2012
Country/Territory	Slovenia
City	Ljubljana
Period	9/09/12 → 14/09/12

Access to Document

http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.bbp2372.2012.015Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "A Spectrographic Analysis of Vocal Techniques in Extreme Metal for Musicological Analysis",

abstract = "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.",

keywords = "Extreme metal, Vocals, Death metal, Black metal, Audio analysis, Spectrogram, Signal processing, Paradigmatic analysis, Motivic analysis, Vowels",

author = "Eric Smialek and Philippe Depalle and David Brackett",

year = "2012",

month = sep,

day = "9",

language = "English",

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volume = "2012",

pages = "88--93",

booktitle = "Non-Cochlear Sound",

publisher = "International Computer Music Association",

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note = "38th International Computer Music Conference, ICMC 2012 ; Conference date: 09-09-2012 Through 14-09-2012",

}

Smialek, E, Depalle, P & Brackett, D 2012, A Spectrographic Analysis of Vocal Techniques in Extreme Metal for Musicological Analysis. in Non-Cochlear Sound: Proceedings of the 38th International Computer Music Conference, ICMC 2012. vol. 2012, International Computer Music Association, pp. 88-93, 38th International Computer Music Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 9/09/12. <http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.bbp2372.2012.015>

A Spectrographic Analysis of Vocal Techniques in Extreme Metal for Musicological Analysis. / Smialek, Eric; Depalle, Philippe; Brackett, David.
Non-Cochlear Sound: Proceedings of the 38th International Computer Music Conference, ICMC 2012. Vol. 2012 International Computer Music Association, 2012. p. 88-93.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - A Spectrographic Analysis of Vocal Techniques in Extreme Metal for Musicological Analysis

AU - Smialek, Eric

AU - Depalle, Philippe

AU - Brackett, David

N1 - Conference code: 38

PY - 2012/9/9

Y1 - 2012/9/9

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Extreme metal

KW - Vocals

KW - Death metal

KW - Black metal

KW - Audio analysis

KW - Spectrogram

KW - Signal processing

KW - Paradigmatic analysis

KW - Motivic analysis

KW - Vowels

UR - https://quod.lib.umich.edu/i/icmc/bbp2372.2012

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 9780984527410

VL - 2012

SP - 88

EP - 93

BT - Non-Cochlear Sound

PB - International Computer Music Association

T2 - 38th International Computer Music Conference

Y2 - 9 September 2012 through 14 September 2012

ER -

A Spectrographic Analysis of Vocal Techniques in Extreme Metal for Musicological Analysis

Abstract

Conference

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