When Vocal editing is done “right”
Vocals, there is 101 ways to do them. Either recorded on a Nokia in a cave somewhere in the depths of the arctic circle, or recorded on a Neumann U 87 Ai in a professional studio; or anywhere in-between, you have another important decision to make. How are you going to edit them?
Look I get it, who does not love raw animalistic vocals? I know they can be intriguing and outright fun. However, let’s be honest, how often do we actually get that in any sort of music?
Written By Wolves is a Metal-Core band from New Zealand. From their Secret Sessions & Prologue EPs to their Album ‘Secrets’ to their vast array of singles; over the last few years they have transitioned from a relatively mediocre Rock band into a rock-solid Metal-Core band. All this without losing themselves and their style along the way. They still have their progressive roots, that to be honest is what drew me into them in the first place. They simply aren’t following the normal trend.
Breaking the mold on what to expect from vocals, Written By Wolves, absolutely kills it with layering, multiple vocalists, and yes of course a little bit of auto-tune here and there. Ugh, the dreaded infamous auto-tune, who really cares or even notices to be honest? It is a staple of vocal production, use it! Don’t be afraid to multitrack and layer, and if you feel like there is a part that you can’t do… GET SOMEONE WHO CAN! There is nothing wrong with a little bit of help every now and then. There is a reason why there are things as touring musicians or session musicians, they are literally there to help you out if and when you are struggling to preform and need them.
Same goes with editing and vocal production. You may not get that pure heavy sound you want without taking separate vocal takes and wide panning them. You may not get those clean crispy highs without a little bit of pitch correction. You may not get the full space that you want without some reverb. We do this on guitar, why not vocals?
Written By Wolves seem to have cracked the code and realize that to get the sound that they want out of vocals, a little bit of editing, layering and multiple vocalists, goes a long way. This is why they stuck out to me, they are not afraid to get weird with it and make it work for them. Honestly refreshing to hear and I hope that they keep making music that they enjoy, and hopefully that joy for the art is reciprocated by their fans.
Who says you can’t produce vocals, without over doing it?
OH NO - WRITTEN BY WOLVES
Lyrics*
Can you
Tell me, will this story ever end?
It's getting more insane with every line
Yet we're sitting back and watching like
Oh no, oh no
But I can't look away, I swear I've tried
Even held my hand over my eyes
What is this obsession? Like
Oh no, oh no
Oh no
Tell me when it's over (is it over yet?)
It's like a car crash and I just can't look away
Every day more insane
We sit back and let humanity burn, break and decay
Why can't I fucking look away?
No way there can be more, now we're fine
Surely we've crossed each and every single line
Cue the hornets and the asteroids
Oh no, oh, fuck
Maybe we're just doomed by design
We'll self-destruct if we're just given the time
Will we ever learn our lesson? Like
Oh no, oh no
Tryna look away for the millionth time
But I just gotta see what's coming next, oh no
Tell me when it's over (is it over yet?)
It's like a car crash and I just can't look away
Every day more insane
We sit back and let humanity burn, break and decay
Why can't I just fucking look away?
Now, where to begin?
First came the fires
Then we lined up for World War III
And listened to the liars
And their special brand of idiocy
Then came the virus
Well, hasn't that just been a treat?
And don't forget the riots
'Cause oppression's still yet to be beat
Tryna look away for the millionth time
But I just gotta see what's coming next, oh no
Tell me when it's over (is it over yet?)
It's like a car crash and I just can't look away
Every day more insane
We sit back and let humanity burn, break and decay
Why can't I fucking look away?
Tell me when it's over (is it over yet?)
(I've been trying to look away)
(But things don't change, oh no)
It's like a car crash and I just can't look away (it's not over yet)
Every day more insane (I've been trying to look away)
We sit back and let humanity burn, break and decay
Why can't I fucking look away?
It's not over yet
I've been trying to look away
But things don't change
Oh no, oh
*DISCLAIMER: Lyrics are taken from third-party sources, no attempt on my part has been made to correct any errors.
Better Luck Next Time, ft. Trenton Woodley (Hands Like Houses)