MICK (Destinity) – My best skill is grunts

Den franske extreme metal scenen består av utallige undergrunnsband. Jeg mener å huske den bestod av ca 1000 band for noen år siden, og da må det naturligvis være noen av disse bandene som får en viss suksess. DESTINITY er vel ikke av de mer kjente banda fra Frankrike, men de har fått platekontrakt med britiske Lifeforce Records og det var via dem vi ble kjent med bandet. De spiller death/thrash med flust av temposkifter. Kanskje ikke verdens mest spennende musikk, men vel verd å sjekke ut. Bandets vokalist Mick er vårt offer og her er hans bidrag til The Deepthroat Series.
　

When did you start doing extreme vocals (What year and at what age)?

I was 16 and it was around 1995, one year before DESTINITY started. During the first year I didn't even have a mic! (Laughs).

What made you start to do extreme vocals?

When I listened to SLAYER for the first time!

Can you describe the technique or the techniques you are using?

Since the beginning I keep working a lot to do an interesting mix of different vocals because I hate monochord voices. But my best skill is grunts of course!

Has your technique changed during your career?

Yes of course! On our first albums my vocals were much higher as in black metal! It is quite painful to listen to today but the past is the past.

Have you ever hurt yourself by using a "wrong technique"?

Yes of course! I used my throat too much in the past before I started using my diaphragm as I do today!

Is there something you do on a regular basis to keep your voice in shape? Any routines?

I try to smoke less on tour and I use a lot of stuff like tea, honey and for each show I practice before the show starts.

Do you think it can be dangerous to do extreme vocals?

No but it could be dangerous to use your vocal chords with a bad technique for many years.

What is most important for you – to make cool sounds and interesting rhythms, or to have a clear diction/pronunciation?

To be honest with you I try to do my best with all of these things!

Do you think that extreme vocals can be made into a science, like "this is how it works for everyone, to make this sound you have to do this etc"? Or is it more intuitive and individual how to do it?

I believe finding one's voice is an individual process; you have to live it completely! However, there are a number of breathing techniques and key elements that you have to learn.

Do you have any advice to people who wants to start doing extreme vocals?

Work on your own sound! Be unique!

Mention three extreme vocalists whose style you admire, and explain your　choice. What specifically do you like about the styles of those three? Also mention three vocalists (not necessarily extreme vocalists) which you have been influence by, and explain in which way you have been influenced by each of them.

Peter Tägtgren of Hypocrisy and Pain for the rhythmic placement of his vocals, Chris Barnes from Cannibal Corpse in the band's first albums for the grunts, Peter of Vader because he has a very unique voice that I find interesting.
Vocalists who had very special voices and were really innovators in the 80's like Tom Araya, Mille Petrozza, and of course, the legend, Chuck Billy!!!

Who do you want to challenge in this series? (Who should be the next extreme vocalist to answer these questions?) Give a brief explanation for your choice.
Chuck Billy without a doubt!! Because I'd like to know about all his special vocal techniques (laughs).

 

http://www.myspace.com/destinity