How Death Metal singers make their extreme vocalizations

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Learning a melody like Adele or Pavarotti is not just about raw talent. The best singers in the world have to work on their technology. But pop stars and opera singers are not the only singers who have found out how they can use their voices for a maximum effect.

Death Metal singers also train their voices to meet this unique guttural register. And these iconic screams are not as easy to master as they may seem.

Vocal scientists at the University of Utah are now bringing Death Metal singers to the laboratory to understand how they make their extreme vocalizations. What you find is not only revealing for metalheads, but could also help improve the treatment of people with some types of voice injuries.

Host Flora Lichtman speaks to Dr. Amanda Stark, LanguagePathology and Vocology Researcher at the University of Utah, and Mark Garrett, vocal trainer and senior singer of the band Kardashev.

The Universum of Art is organized and produced by Dee Peterschmidt, which also wrote the music. The original segment was produced by Shoshannah Buxbaum. Our show art is illustrated by Abelle Hayford. The support for science and reporting on science of science on Friday comes from Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.