CHUDY (Trauma)

Artur "Chudy" Chudewniak is, despite the fact that it is 12 years since he first started in the band, the newest member of the Polish death metal band Trauma. He joined them in 2002, left the band in 2006 before he took over the microphone again three years later. Here is his contribution to The Deepthroat Series.

When did you start doing extreme vocals?

I don’t remember exactly, because it’s been many years ago, but I suspect somewhere in the beginning of high school, so around 1993. I was so fascinated by extreme metal that I started the band with my mates, however we never named the band. We played and rehearsed in the garage covers of DEICIDE and Nirvana, because our guitar player (who was also the organist in the church) gave us this requirement (hahaha!)

What made you start to do extreme vocals?

I like the extreme music, so this was the natural order of things that apart from being a listener I will also want to be an active part of this genre. I was fortunate enough to have natural abilities to do so and I have met in my life people who helped me a lot and that’s why you can hear me on few albums. I hope the next albums are coming soon 🙂

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

It’s very difficult to describe the techniques since I’m not the music teacher, but I’m just the regular guy who likes to articulate the lyrics in the most wild, mad and aggresive way. For me growling is the form of self-purification and the chance to show the darker side of my personality

Has your technique changed during your career?

Everything comes naturally with the experience over the years. I don’t have to put so much effort based on power into my way of singing as before. My aim was always to have as clear and massive death-metal vocal as possible.

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

Of course. I the beginning I didn’t know how to sing by throat properly and regretted this with huge pain problems, but later I started to use diaphragm my pain problems dissapeared. It’s worth remembering tht this style of singing is still quite exhausting.

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

My only training I regularly do is cigarettes, alcohol and sex (hahaha!)

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

Sex, drugs and rock’n’roll is the best way of polishing the extreme vocal (hahaha!)

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

The most important is to find a "golden mean". In spite of appearances the death metal vocal doesn’t give huge abilities. There are few crucial elements such as: arrangement, tonality and dynamics of the voice which help to be succesfull. Sadly, I heard many great death-metal albums which were ruined by monotonous and uvarying vocal moan. That is the reason why in Trauma we put extra attention to the vocals.

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?

There is no good recipie for growling. You either got it or not. You can always work your way up by being hard-worker.

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

Do what you love and don’t look at others. Scream and shout in your rooms, during shower, in the park. Love music and let it to be your guide.

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.

The extreme vocalists who made an impression on me are:

Glen Benton – the icon my role model of death-metal expression. I love everything what he had done with DEICIDE, but my favourites are albums by VITAL REMAINS.

David Vincent – sublime and nearly singing tone of voice. MORBID ANGEL wouldn’t be so succesful without him, it’s a master.

Ross Dolan – there is enough of this guy’s power and energy so he could blow the Vatican out of this planet (hahaha!), by the way IMMOLATION had the big impact on me, so I couldn’t forget about Ross.

Who do you want to challenge in this series? Give a brief explanation for your choice

Lasse Pykko from Hooded Menace is my solid choice. He is my favourite vocalist on the death/doom scene and he deserves the next interview.

 

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