Louder Than Words
by @RockSoulLife
Have you ever been asked to scream in public ? Most of us require significant convincing until we manage to muster a pathetic squeal. Overwhelming awkwardness quickly ensues.
A hollow scream is not only artificial, it also fails resoundingly to connect due to a lack of purpose. Humans scream for a variety of reasons, from an evolutionary perspective it’s a self preservation mechanism. From an emotional point of view, it’s a manifestation of energy overflowing across our soul. Within the musical realm, and particularly in the rock world, screaming takes on the role of the battle cry. Its power lies in its authenticity. Its ability to impact, to lead, to inspire.
There are two types of people in this world: those who lower and soften their voice upon encountering a microphone and those who seize the moment and thrive, letting their soul pour out unfiltered with the utmost disregard for consequence or judgement. The latter are the people we can not help but follow and revere.
My interest lies with the the unique individuals that happen to create music with a message, passion and drive that compels them to raise their voice simply because their voice has become but an outlet for the flow within their soul. There is no stronger bond than that which is created through the visceral transition from word to melody to raw emotion. It is the transition itself that casts a spell on us, it takes hold and creates the uncontrollable desire to join in.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this phenomenon is that we tend to identify with the driving force behind the energy of a scream regardless of the source. We are willing to connect with pain, joy, loss, bliss or fear all the same. A meaningful scream makes us feel alive and if we have to experience hurt along the way, then so be it.
There is a fascinating difference of opinion regarding the cathartic nature of providing an outlet for repressed energy/emotion. There are those who believe that this purging acts as a cleansing mechanism that rids us of what we do not wish to retain and/or can potentially harm us. Others maintain that this behavior acts as a conditioning process that makes us seek and constantly recycle this energy, in essence adding fuel to the fire.
Leaving the psychology to the psychologists, I use rock music in this style as a bridge, a gateway to acknowledge an emotion that needs to be connected with in order to transition to a different emotional state. I absolutely love hard rock with vocalists that explode their souls through their voice, but the key for me is that it has to take you somewhere. When you connect with the journey that leads to that peak, the primal scream becomes a euphoric release that allows you to not only hear the emotion but feel the energy behind it. It is one of the most sublime musical experiences you can encounter if your state is in harmony with the flow of the performance.
Like all great pleasures in life, moderation is essential. It’s not that the experience in itself must be limited, but rather that it’s significance gets diluted when exerted indiscriminately. So what are some good examples of this magnificent soul power ? Give the following a try and feel where it takes you:
Shadow on the Sun
Audioslave
Chris Cornell’s voice has the power of a thousand souls behind it. It is the combination of his unique vocal range with the ability to seamlessly crescendo into the highest peak of his soul. The musical platform for this song builds up so much power that it’s culmination can only be accomplished by a viciously unrestrained release. Vocal chords be damned.
Whole Lotta Love
Led Zeppelin
Not only is Robert Plant the greatest frontman in the history of rock n’ roll, but he provided the context in which all rock vocalists exploit the deepest trenches of their soul to extend their melodies into the stratosphere. This epic classic is dominated by that surreal transition from the sexually charged middle section to the wailing guitar and drums that signal that this can only end in the highest of notes. “Love” is probably the most utilized word in the musical vocabulary, but nobody has ever managed to deliver it with the power and feel in which this song projects it. The holy grail of rock vocal performances.
I’m Broken
Pantera
The metal genre is littered with thousands of bands and vocalists that believe that the louder you scream and the faster you play, the stronger your song will be. 99% of these bands are wrong and their music is crap for it. Pantera is not one of those bands. They excelled in what this story is about, authenticity. One minute of listening to this band and whether you like them or not, you will acknowledge that everything makes sense. The energy of the music is so intense but utterly infectious. The vocal style of Philip Anselmo is extreme but in perfect harmony with the music. He retains a level of nuance within his range that gives Pantera an intense but relatable emotional tour de force. This song/album (Far Beyond Driven) debuted on the Billboard charts at #1 in 1994, unprecedented for an extreme metal act. Why ? Because kids needed an outlet to scream their souls out.
Hooker With a Penis
Tool
Have you ever had one of those days where you just feel like punching someone in the face ? In the interest of keeping you from jail and a lawsuit, listen to this song instead (you’re welcome). If you read “The Mind Blown Realm”, I discussed the profound musical and lyrical context in which Tool operate as truly gifted artists. This particular song is the complete opposite of that mindful approach, but one that showcases the raw and natural aggression that serves as the backbone for such a unique band. In exploring the philosophical and artistic rights that consumers feel entitled to upon spending $9.99 on a record, Maynard chooses to channel every bit of his soul into leaving it abundantly clear that you do not have a say in the matter. While most Tool songs carefully navigate and manage the build-up and release of tension, this one immediately grabs hold of you, screams at your face relentlessly and abandons you feeling like a train wreck. If it wasn’t for the majestic screaming/breaking voice pummeling you senseless in a rocking sonic boom, you could almost feel offended.
So what do all these songs have in common and what place should they hold in your rock soul repertoire ? The simple answer is that these artists embarked on a musical journey in which the only authentic outlet to convey their true message and feel was to transition their voice and words into pure energy emanating from the pit of their soul. The reason they are special is because they ring true. Their spirits roam wild, free and know no bounds. Their animalistic allure is undeniable.
One does not fight forever. To continuously exert this level of energy is not only unsustainable, but defeats the purpose of finding closure and relief. The “scream your soul out” wrench is but a tool that allows you to build a bridge. It is a means to an end. It should serve to take you from the place you are currently at, to the place you want to be. We just need a bit of kick sometimes to get there.
Rock N’ Roll Will Save Your Soul…
@RockSoulLife
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