GLEN BENTON (Deicide) – A Child of the Underworld

Tja, her trengs vel ikke noen innledning i det hele tatt. Jeg regner med alle vet hvem denne karen er og hva han har brent inn i panna. Mister Glen Benton er en reinkarnasjon av Satan, han har kanskje den ondeste av alle death metal vokaler og han skremmer skjorta av de fleste bare ved å smile. Det florerer med diverse historier om karen og de fleste "kansegpåerne" har en mening om ham. Men, det er mulig du skifter litt mening om mannen etter å ha lest dette intervjuet. Her er uansett Glen Benton fra Deicide og hans bidrag til The Deepthroat Series.

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

I was 17, I was in this band no one could write the lyrics nor had a voice to do them, we had recorded this demo song, and when no one was looking I wrote some lyrics and laid them on the track, well when the others heard the song it divided the band and it soon fell apart due to the so called leader of this bands ego and religious beliefs, I still have the song saved on a cassette 4 track master the year was 1985

What made you start to do extreme vocals?

When I heard what was out there I knew I had them beat.

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

I don’t scream from my throat, I use my diaphragm and not the one your mother keeps in the medicine cabinet, but the one above my stomach, my vocal cords I use to change pitch, I apply a technique that I have used from the start where I double track my lows and highs to give it a harmonized vocal effect, I have never used anything on my vocals other than reverb, that’s it.

Has your technique changed during your career?

There was a time when for some screwy reason I wanted to be the lowest, and it was a a change, but now I am back to my roots as the new album will showcase.

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

The only time I ever hurt myself was right after having my tonsils removed, I went on tour two weeks after having the procedure done, and it was gruesome to say the least.

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

I use to smoke and drink and back then I thought it was my secret weapon, now at 43 I think differently. I quit smoking and drinking which caused a sudden weight gain, it happens when ya quit smoking, takes a few years for the metabolism to get back to normal and that’s where I’m at now, I don’t really do too much for my voice I was born with it.

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

Only if you don’t know what your doing, if it hurts your doing it wrong, I don’t loose my voice and never have, knock on wood!

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

It is all important, everyone doing what they do best, makes for great albums.

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?

For myself it is a personal thing, I could try to teach a person to do it, but I don’t know to many people who want to grind their vocal cords into raw meat, it takes allot of discipline just like any instrument.

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

Don’t take the criticism to heart, if I did I wouldn’t be doing this interview, like I always say if it feels good do it….

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.

Halford, what can I say, the guy is a machine.

Lemmy, if he can do it anyone can, love the brutal tone of his voice.

UDO, gave me the idea to combine highs and lows in a more brutal combination.

Elvis, he was the king for a reason.

Ronnie James Dio, made me what I am today, and I’m not on any kind of band wagon because he passed, he started it all for me when it comes to metal.

Ian Gillan, his vocals are in a class by his self, amazing range on all levels

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.

I don’t listen to music like my own, but if you want to challenge someone, talk to John Oliva, another amazing talent from my old stomping grounds, he’s my only competition in these parts, as far as originality and talent, plus he’s a good friend and a person that gave me inspiration.

http://www.myspace.com/theofficialdeicidemyspacepage