PETER (Vader) – Necrolust
- Posted on 15-09-2011
PIOTR "PETER" WIWCZAREK from VADER is the big boss amongst the growlers from the deep Polish coal mines. VADER is one of the bands in the world that tours the most and then it’s really important to keep the voice alive. Peter began his vocal duties 23 years ago and says here that he spent some years developing his vocals to the way he wanted. He also tells how he takes care of the voice but also that he is not afraid to experiment a bit, although it can lead to strange noises the following days. Here is PETER from VADER and his contributions to THE DEEPTHROAT SERIES.
When did you start doing extreme vocals (What year and at what age)?
It was in 1988 on Thrash Camp Festival in Poland. Doc just joined Vader a while before and we started to work on the upcoming „Necrolust" demo.
What made you start to do extreme vocals?
"Czarny" (Blackie) was our singer at that time and he was singing in Polish. I wrote "Decapitated Saints", my first song in English ever. „Czarny" couldn’t learn it right so I decided to try to sing in my own. And that was my debut on stage as the singer…Few months later "Czarny" left the band and I took over the vocals. My first serious efforts you may hear on the "Necrolust" demo tape.
Can you describe the technique or the techniques you are using?
I don’t care about the name or description of the "technique". I never did… I just wanted to sing/growl in an extreme way, you know. Expression was a clue. First I was looking for a good way of edition. You can follow my "research" from "Necrolust" till "Black To The Blind". Vader’s 3rd album, when I found the perfect combination of brutality and clarity. I started to sing stronger and use more diaphragm then just cords and throat. This "technique" saved my chords and don’t fatigue them so much, which is important when we do our intense touring.
Has your technique changed during your career?
In first years pretty much. Then I was just improving my voice and added some different pitch. On the new album there’s much of such emotional voice differences indeed.
Have you ever hurt yourself by using a "wrong technique"?
Not much since I found right way of screaming. I’m not afraid to experiment with the voice on stage. Sometimes I have to pay for that the next day with embarrassing hoarseness 😉
Is there something you do on a regular basis to keep your voice in shape? Any routines?
I keep away from strong alcohol and straight shots. It dry my throat too much and I usually have problems with good vocal for the next couple of days. I may drink vodka or Jack "weakened" by juice or Cola. On longer tours I drink warm (not hot) tea with sugar and lemon just after I left stage. On shorter trips cold beer has the same effect.
Do you think it can be dangerous to do extreme vocals?
Peter: Sex may be dangerous too…Does it mean that we shouldn’t do that? 🙂
What is most important for you – to make cool sounds and interesting rhythms, or to have a clear diction/pronunciation?
Sound and rhythm was ALWAYS been a priority in Vader. Vocals in Metal – specially in its extreme wings – has an expression and a carrier of emotions. Unlike in the other styles of Music GROWL is a label of Death/Black Metal. However I still put an attention on distinctness of my voice tho’.
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 have no idea. I don’t think, this "style of singing" may be learned in any kind of Music School :))) Growl is rather a kind of Art of expression more than singing. All in all it is still us who decide, if we want to do it in this very particular way or not.
Do you have any advice to people who wants to start doing extreme vocals?
Never force Yourself to do anything, so never force Your voice. It is good to wait until Your voice is yet fully changed/mutated. The chords are strong but still very sensitive. Besides… do not scream more then necessary.
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.
It’s hard to name just few… I respect Metal singers first because Their charisma and then their voice. Rob Halford with His very Metal outfit and soooo unique technique is definitely my icon! David Vincent has very powerful and majestic colour of voice and Chris Cornell great tone and expression. I love Them , tho‘ I sing totally different. Other influences? Beauty in voice of Kate Bush. Experience and margin of David Coverdale or Glen Hughes. Hard work and real show and Madonna….and so on and so on.
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.
Jeff Beccera or Martin Van Drunen. I think, They have totally unique and absolutely overwhelming power in Their throats.