Yeah I'd also recommend lessons, especially over my suggested "exercises" regardless of how fun they are.

Watching my bro hang half his body out the car, singing off the top of his lungs at the car next to us "CHAOS AD, TANKS ON DA STREETS etc etc" can be quite entertaining.

I don't know if I'll actually go for singing lessons.

I'm more going for the plan of just getting the power I need for my vocals, because Im already hearing the entire albums flow and vocal harmonys etc in my head, if I just force myself to do it, I'm bound to improve each time I do eh? Maybe just because of the way I've learnt guitar, a lil bit of lessons, but I'm much more one for finding my own way of doings things.. To me it works this way, the better equipment I get, the better and BIGGER sound the drums + guitars + atmosphere gets, and the more I need to push myself vocally.. Started with just acoustic + singing along, so it was very delicate + I like the melodies I can pull off, it just lacks the power, so nowdays getting the thicker fuller sound I just find my voice is already designed to match my riffs... Maybe it sounds easier than it is, but thats how it is for me these days, music as the only release..

Ya, I'm entirely self taught for the violin and guitar. Vocals are the only thing I took lessons for, and I'm glad I did (both lessons and self teaching myself the other instruments). I just think of vocals a tad different because you are the instrument and need to create your throat into an instrument rather than buying the top of the line gear. Not saying everyone should, but they help a lot. Besides learning to sing in tune and what not, they help with speed and power.

At least that's where I learned to use power for my vocals.

Trying to sound as loud as you think you have to to reach the crowd damages vocal cords more than anything. Let the mike do the work.
Also...when I sing clean....it's kinda like a pushing feeling, almost like you're taking a shit but not nearly as severe and pull air from your diaphram. When doing this, open your throat a little and squeeze the air out in controlled amounts through your vocal cords. You don't have to do it hard at all...just slightly....works for me really well.

I dissagree, letting the mic do the work pulls out some of the intensity and the powerful sound. Depends on what sound you're going for, but pushing is a good thing. Just have to develop the muscles and lungs a lot in order to make a really good go at it.

Uhh... Removed..

Maybe this helps: Learn to sing (Death metal style) - with professor Opeth

lol, that's awesome.

Try drinking green tea, I find that helps, but I only 'sing' for fun.

I used to think screaming was like impossible, because I always thought they were actually screaming at the top of their lungs. Once I started developing my own technique, however, I learned that it actually isn't too loud, it's more of a rasping technique that you get used to over time. I've learned to do everything from death metal screams to really high... screams. I can't sing though. And it only sounds good through a microphone.

This might have been mentioned, but I'm not gonna read through every post. But I think* if you want to sing like that you need to lay off the dairy products, as milk drys out your throat. Maybe drink tea with honey in, as honey is good for your throat or something. I know it's something along those lines! if this has been said, drop me a pm and I'll delete this post

This might have been mentioned, but I'm not gonna read through every post. But I think* if you want to sing like that you need to lay off the dairy products, as milk drys out your throat. Maybe drink tea with honey in, as honey is good for your throat or something. I know it's something along those lines! if this has been said, drop me a pm and I'll delete this post

Hmm I used to drink milk with honey... Kinda cancels eachother out.

Here is an interesting one for you.

When my band play live the singer does 90% of the vocals, I do 10%.

He roars/growls etc at a volume just above speaking level, I roar/growl really loud.

After the gig, his voice is the same, my voice is fucked, I sound like Tom Waits when he speaks!

volume seems to play a major part.

hehe i was thinkng the other night how cool and fitting it would be for tom waits to do a metal song...

I've performed as vocalist in numerous metal bands over three-four years and i've always found the warm-up the most important part. Without it, my voice would sound cracked and out of tune, with constant "drop outs" where i'd simply be unable to go on. 10 minutes of making different humming or aaahh noises defininitely helps, as it lowers your tone and prepares your voice. Make sure you alternate between low and high, because this adapts your vocal cords to quick changes.

Also, the guitarist in my older band used to bring the bands fizzy drinks. If you are a vocalist, LAY OFF THEM, I know they might help you "gargle" but they also reverse most of your work on your vocal cords, at least to me. My voice begins to backfire again.

Of course, this will be different for others, this is just my experience.