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I see your points, yes.

I've picked the topic... but I'm doing preliminary research here and on other sites to find the topic. Since it is a linguistics study, I have to quantify my data in some way, so...
My working thesis is that nonstandard forms of vocalization work not just in creating a dynamic but as an extreme form of expression not present in normal singing voices and in replacing them, creating a standard form in heavy metal music.

And for the purposes of this research, I am considering most vocals in pop and classical music to be standard. My job here is get opinions on them and see exactly what they do for people who listen to them. That's where my quantifiable data comes in.

Does 'standard' mean established? If that is the case, perhaps 'metal' voicings are more established than thought.Primitive music of all cultures contain much of the vocalization currently popular in metal just modified slightly for the genre.Nothing new here, more a return to the primitive.

Meh, that's not a return to the primitive. If nothing else, primitive cultures were not subject to the western tonal scales. What did you mean with similar vocalisation, I can't see no similarities. The inscription of music in the society is completely different, while the human's ability of producing different voices didn't change as much. Similarity is in vocal output, but what's important is the role of the voice in music, in the message it's trying to get across and the role of music in today's society. The Metal and The Voice - that's all new and characteristic of our modern society.

Really?Metal music is entiarly different culturally than primitive music? Stories of myth and magic?No privitive ever sang about that, right??? The Devil???? No primitive ever sang about elementals like that, right???? No similaritys in beat, right. The realitys of life and superstition. Firtility?
Do you Listen to primitive music?

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have worded that like that.
To me metal IS the new primitive, full circle,man

Today more than ever all that serves the entertainment purpose. Today's music draws from those times but the INSCRIPTION is totally and completely different. Beat is beat, of course it's similar, but that doesn't make it all the same shit. When doing a research, one should look for little differences, not for generalisations. In music there's melody, harmony and rhythm. Yes, it's all the same. But what makes one music different from the other? It's recycling, yes, but it's also reinscribing, adapting therefore changing. That's what makes it interesting. Saying it's nothing new is ignorant. The emphasis is on differences.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have worded that like that.
To me metal IS the new primitive, full circle,man

Why metal over pop or rock or new age? And I'm guessing you understand "primitive" as "primordial" and "primary," not inferior.

Yes primitive doesn't mean non intelectual or infirior in any way. I think metal stands out as the full return to the origins of music expression. ELEMENTAL if you will. I just mean that unlike previous stages in music history, metal shows a true modern interpritation of the primitive experience. The 'caves' clans. (substyles, glam,death,power,etc.)the social mindset(trance/mosh)primitive dance. Elemental in every respect! I think that's what makes it unique. all roads lead back to metal.
I did mention that it is modified to the modern format after all it ISN"T a recycling but rather a rennessance of the original form

In the early days of language and the days leading up to that, Gutteral vocalizations were the norm to communicate human thought. Vocalisations indicating threat, sex, rage, happyness agony/meloncholy)are part of all primitive music. Now metal has returned to these sounds mixing it with the power of modern language. The new primitive.

I see your points, yes.

lol sorry about that. I fucked up my post & I can't figure out how to delete posts on this forum, so I just left it all but blank. I'll try again now...

Explain your like or dislike of distorted vocals (growls, screams, grunts, black metal vox, and barks) in metal.

I can enjoy harsh vocals as long as they aren't totally incoherant. A shit metalcore screamer who just goes raraarsharasharaah!! will make me switch him off immediately, & a shit death metal growler who just goes bodobodoogoooo will just make me laugh so I can't take it seriously. It just sounds a lot better when you can make out the words.

But I really like harsh vocals when blended well with clean vocals ( a la Mr Townsend). When they come on & off like that I don't get desensitized to them so easily, & it makes the music more interesting to me.

Explain your like or dislike of operatic and clean vocals (prominent in power metal, Devy's music, classic metal and thrash) in metal.

Generally it varies from one singer to the next, but I love good clean vocals. Most male power metal singers sing too high for my taste, I can't enjoy that stuff because it sounds so lame & cheesy. I don't mind female operatic vocals, that sounds much more natural. My favourite clean singers are Devin Townsend, Bruce Dickinson & John Bush.

What lyrical themes are appropriate for each?

I don't really concern myself with lyrical themes, as long as the arrangements aren't too repetitive & the vocal delivery is good. The obvious answer is the growls are more suitable for darker, doom & gloom subject matter, & the squeeky power metal vocals are for fantasy storytelling & happy fluffy shit. But clean vocals can cover any lyrical theme with the right level of aggression, or lack thereof.

Do you have a favorite vocal style? Why?

I guess I prefer clean vocals, because there's a wider range of them & there's more melody in them.

Hehe, yea, I have to chose an arbitrary "standard" by which I would contrast metal vocals. It is one of the only genres in music that can be identified by its vocals alone. Considering the vast vast majority of music bought, sold, dowloaded and listened to in America is pop or a hip-hop derived music, I would have to say that metal vocals (both distorted and clean) are not the norm here. Everyone sings like a pop star or in a post-punk/emo style, even on what those foolish people consider "Hard Rock and Metal" Radio.

I do not believe that vocal styles in metal are a more primitive style. It takes time to develop and hone down distorted vox in many cases, myself included; and even longer to become Rob Halford in his higher pitched wails. They are just simply apart from the usually accepted style. Not any better or worse, just suitably different and appropriate (in most cases).

Have you ever heard ancient Native American singing? It is so dificult it takes years to learn and hone and only a handfull can even do it at its easyist. It is also thousands of years old.Just one example. Primitive does not mean simple.Or simplistic. I'm just being the odd ball.giving another way to look at it.

I think what separates metal from other styles is a complete lack of subtlety. Rather than minuscule shifts to a sound to convey an emotion, metal musicians tend to throw everything through the speaker and get their point across very loudly.