MAGNUS JØRGENSEN (Panzerchrist) – …may result in a broken nose

Magnus Jørgensen is the lead singer of Denmark’s most extreme metal band PANZERCHRIST. There, he began to Growl at the end of the last millennium. He is also the lead singer of the Danish melodic death metal band Crocell. Magnus began as a extreme metal vocalist as late as 16-years of age and according to himself the first band he was in was more an alcohol project than a band. Eric Adams, Bruce Dickinson and Lemmy is his greatest inspirational sources while Dallas Toler-Wade, Michael Åkerfeldt and Tom Waits are the three singers he admire the most. Here is Magnus Jørgensen from Panzerchrist and his contributions to The Deepthroat Series.

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

2001, I think. I was 16.

What made you start to do extreme vocals?

Some of my friends needed a singer for their band, and during a bout of heavy drinking we decided that it should be me, even though I had no experience whatsoever. Actually, it was more of an alcohol consumption project than a band, but that’s how it started.

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

Not really – I am 100 % self-taught. I put a lot of focus on breathing correctly.

Has your technique changed during your career?

Yes, mostly through trial and error. When I first started out, I had no idea how to breathe correctly or how to do high screams, but by trying out different ways of doing it, I found a way that works.

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

No. If whatever I’m doing hurts, I stop doing it. When we were recording the first Crocell album, I lost my voice, and I was panicking, because I didn’t know why. The next day, I came down with the flu.

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

We rehearse with either Crocell or Panzerchrist quite often, and I find that it’s the best way of keeping in shape. I don’t understand singers who only show up for a few rehearsals – rehearsing really makes me better. But apart from that I don’t do any routines. When recording, I drink a lot of red wine, which parches your throat and is absolutely horrible for your voice. And you get drunk to boot. It works for me.

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

Sure, screaming some big guy in the face may result in a broken nose.

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

I don’t think those two things are opposed at all. For me, a clear pronunciation is very important, since that is what is used to make cool sounds. Real words sound cool, because they carry meaning. Making strange noises sounds like shit 99 % of the time. Having a clear pronunciation allows you to explore and make use of the phonetic and semantic qualities of the words. Any good singer does that.

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?

By all means, don’t try to make it into a science. This is rock ‘n’ roll. There is nothing wrong with doing exercises and taking singing classes, but at the end of the day, we all have different voices and are capable of different things. If you have talent, it’ll shine through.

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

No.

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.

Extreme vocalists:

Dallas Toler-Wade – Amazing, crisp growl. He sounds furious.

Mikael Åkerfeldt – There is so much power in his voice and unlike a lot of extreme vocalists, he’s actually singing, not just making noise on top of the music.

Tom Waits – Just listen to Tom Traubert’s Blues. I have never heard anyone convey so much emotion through such extreme singing.

Influences:

Eric Adams, Bruce Dickinson, Lemmy Kilmister – these guys made me dream of being a metal singer when I was a kid. The emotion of Adams, the energy of Dickinson and the coolness of Lemmy. Nothing’s changed really, they are still my heroes. I don’t care if it’s extreme metal, heavy metal or rock ‘n’ roll – I honestly don’t see a lot of difference.

http://www.myspace.com/Panzerchristofficial