How To Scream Like Alex Terrible: A Guide To Demonic Growls
Many people wonder how to scream like Alex Terrible, the vocalist for Slaughter to Prevail. His unique sound, often described as a genuine, loud demon voice, really captures attention. Fans and aspiring vocalists often ask how he gets those truly guttural lows that make his sound so distinctive. It seems, too, that his voice has a raw intensity that stands apart in the metal music scene.
Getting a vocal style like Alex Terrible's is something many vocalists aspire to achieve. His growls and gutturals are a signature part of the deathcore sound. You might have seen videos where people try practicing for 30 days straight with his vocal instruction, looking to see what kind of vocal progress they can make. This kind of dedicated practice, so it seems, is a common path for those hoping to get closer to his sound.
This guide will show you some ways to approach this powerful vocal style. We will cover the basic mechanics, some practice methods, and what it takes to develop such a commanding voice. As a matter of fact, it's a journey that takes time and consistent effort, but the rewards for your sound can be truly great.
Table of Contents
- Who is Alex Terrible?
- The Sound of Alex Terrible
- Vocal Techniques for Alex Terrible-Style Screams
- Practice Makes Progress
- Common Questions About Alex Terrible Vocals
Who is Alex Terrible?
Alex Terrible, born Alexander Shikolai, is a well-known figure in the heavy music world. He is the lead vocalist for the Russian deathcore band Slaughter to Prevail. His intense vocal delivery and striking stage presence, often featuring unique masks like the "Kid of Darkness" or "Demolisher white mask," have made him quite recognizable. He has a big following, with many subscribers watching his videos, some getting hundreds of thousands of views, as a matter of fact.
He's gained a lot of popularity not just for his band's music but also for his vocal tutorials and challenges. People often look to him for expert tips on deep vocals and how to control the diaphragm for metal sounds. His influence is quite wide, inspiring many to try their hand at extreme vocal styles. You can often find discussions about how he gets such guttural lows, which is what makes his sound so distinctive.
Personal Details and Bio Data
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alexander Shikolai |
| Stage Name | Alex Terrible |
| Role | Lead Vocalist |
| Band | Slaughter to Prevail |
| Genre | Deathcore, Metalcore |
| Known For | Guttural lows, deep vocals, unique masks (e.g., "Kid of Darkness," "Demolisher") |
| Online Presence | Popular YouTube channel with vocal tips and challenges |
The Sound of Alex Terrible
The sound Alex Terrible creates is really something else. People often describe it as genuinely loud and demonic, almost like a creature from a horror film. This unique quality comes from a combination of raw power and precise vocal control. He produces growls and gutturals that sound incredibly deep and heavy, which is a bit different from many other vocalists.
His vocal style seems to combine a lot of elements from various extreme metal subgenres. He's often mentioned alongside vocalists from bands like Lorna Shore or Carnifex, but he has a voice that stands on its own. The question of how he gets such guttural lows is a frequent topic among fans and vocal coaches alike. It's a sound that, you know, really hits you.
Achieving this kind of vocal output means understanding how to use your body to create sound, not just your throat. It's about resonance and projection, which, in a way, makes the sound feel bigger than just a human voice. The sheer force behind his screams is something that many people find truly impressive.
Vocal Techniques for Alex Terrible-Style Screams
To get a sound similar to Alex Terrible, you need to learn some specific vocal techniques. These methods help you create those deep, powerful growls without hurting your voice. It's about using parts of your vocal system that are not typically used for clean singing, so, you know, it takes some getting used to.
The core of his sound, many vocal experts agree, comes from what's called false cord screaming. This is a method that uses the false vocal cords, which are above your true vocal cords, to create a distorted sound. It's a technique that, when done correctly, allows for very low and heavy vocal outputs. Similarly to learning any new physical skill, it takes time to get it right.
False Cord Basics
False cord screaming is the foundation for many death metal and deathcore vocal styles, and Alex Terrible uses it quite effectively. To start, you need to find that rumbling sensation in your throat, which is a bit like clearing your throat or making a growl from deep inside. This is not your true vocal cords making the sound, but the tissue above them, so it's a different feeling entirely.
A good way to find your false cords is to try a gentle cough. The sound you hear and the sensation you feel when you cough, that slight rumble, is your false cords. From there, you want to try to sustain that rumbling sound with a consistent airflow. It's not about pushing hard, but about controlled air movement. This takes practice, as a matter of fact, to get consistent.
Remember, the goal is to produce sound without any pain or strain in your throat. If it hurts, you are doing it wrong, and you need to stop and rest. Proper false cord technique should feel like a vibration, not a scratch or burn. You want to keep your throat relaxed, which is often harder than it sounds.
Diaphragm Control and Breath Support
Diaphragm control is absolutely key for any extreme vocalist, and it's certainly true for getting a sound like Alex Terrible's. Your diaphragm is a muscle under your lungs that helps you breathe deeply. When you scream or growl, you want to push air out using this muscle, not by tensing your throat. This provides the strong, steady airflow needed for powerful sounds.
To practice this, try lying on your back and placing a hand on your stomach. When you breathe in, your stomach should rise, and when you breathe out, it should fall. This shows you are breathing with your diaphragm. You want to practice pushing air out with your stomach muscles, almost like you are grunting or pushing something heavy. This gives you that deep support, you know, for your vocals.
Proper breath support protects your vocal cords and allows you to sustain growls for longer periods. It also helps you get those genuinely loud and demonic sounds without straining. Without good breath support, your screams will sound weak and you risk hurting your voice, which is something you definitely want to avoid.
Larynx Positioning
The position of your larynx, or voice box, plays a part in the depth and tone of your growls. For really guttural lows, like those Alex Terrible produces, many vocalists try to drop their larynx. This means lowering the position of your voice box in your throat, which helps create more space for resonance and a deeper sound. It's a bit like yawning, actually, where your larynx naturally drops.
You can feel your larynx by gently touching the front of your throat and swallowing; it moves up and down. To drop it, try to relax your throat and jaw, and imagine yawning or making a deep, surprised "oh" sound. This can help bring your larynx down. It takes some practice to control this movement consistently, but it can make a big difference in the depth of your sound.
Combining a dropped larynx with false cord technique and strong diaphragm support can help you get closer to that truly demonic growl. It's about finding the right combination of these elements that works for your voice. In a way, it's like tuning an instrument to get the best sound.
Vocal Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs
Just like any physical activity, vocalizing, especially extreme vocals, needs proper warm-ups and cool-downs. Skipping these steps can lead to vocal fatigue and even injury. A good warm-up prepares your vocal cords and the surrounding muscles for the work ahead. It helps to get the blood flowing and makes your voice more flexible, so, it's pretty important.
Start with gentle humming, lip trills, or siren sounds. Then move to light false cord growls, gradually increasing intensity. For example, you can do some very soft growls, just barely audible, and slowly make them louder. This helps your false cords get ready without putting too much stress on them right away. It's about waking up your vocal system gently.
After a practice session, a cool-down helps your voice recover. Gentle humming, soft sighs, and silent stretches for your neck and jaw can be very helpful. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day is also super important for vocal health. This helps keep your vocal cords moist and happy, which is a good thing, you know, for long-term vocal ability.
Practice Makes Progress
Learning to growl like Alex Terrible, or any complex vocal skill, really just takes time and consistent practice. There's no magic trick or shortcut. It's about building up stamina and precision in your vocal muscles, much like an athlete trains their body. This consistent effort is what truly brings about noticeable changes in your sound.
Many people find that daily practice, even for short periods, is more effective than long, infrequent sessions. This helps your vocal muscles build memory and strength gradually. It's incredibly worth it, not just for the good it does for your soul, but perhaps, in some respects, for annoying rude neighbors with your powerful sounds, if that's what you're aiming for.
The 30-Day Challenge
Alex Terrible himself has videos where he explores what can happen to your growls and gutturals if you practice for 30 days straight. These kinds of challenges can be a great way to stay motivated and track your progress. Following a structured plan for a set period can really help you see improvements in your vocal control and sound quality.
During a 30-day challenge, you might focus on specific aspects each day, like breath support, false cord consistency, or vowel shapes for different growl tones. It's about making practice a regular part of your routine. You can find many vocal coach videos online, some of them featuring Alex Terrible, that guide you through these types of daily exercises. For example, you might spend 15-20 minutes a day just on low growls.
The key to these challenges is consistency. Even if you only have a little time, a few minutes of focused practice every day can add up to significant gains over a month. It helps build vocal muscle memory, which is quite important for these sounds.
Listening and Imitation
A big part of learning any vocal style is listening closely to the vocalists you admire and trying to imitate their sounds. Listen to Alex Terrible's songs, paying close attention to the nuances of his growls, how he articulates words, and the rhythm of his vocals. Try to break down what you hear and then attempt to reproduce those sounds with your own voice. This is a common way to pick up new vocal qualities, you know.
You can use recordings of yourself to compare your sound to his. This helps you identify areas where you need to improve. Don't just try to sound exactly like him; use his style as a guide to develop your own unique, powerful voice. It's about taking inspiration and making it your own, in a way.
Paying attention to how he uses his voice in different songs or live performances can also give you hints about his technique. Sometimes, watching live videos can show you his body movements and how he engages his diaphragm. This visual information can be quite helpful for understanding the physical effort involved.
Vocal Stamina and Precision
Developing vocal stamina means being able to sustain your extreme vocals for longer periods without tiring or losing quality. This comes from consistent practice and building up the strength of your vocal muscles and breath support system. It's like building endurance for any physical activity. You need to train your voice to handle the demands of screaming, which, frankly, can be quite taxing.
Precision involves having control over the pitch, tone, and articulation of your growls. This means being able to hit specific low notes or make your growls sound clearer when needed. Exercises that focus on specific sounds or transitions between different vocalizations can help improve your precision. For instance, try to growl different vowel sounds while maintaining the same low rumble. This can be a bit tricky at first.
Both stamina and precision are built over time with regular, mindful practice. It's not about forcing the sound, but about refining your technique so your voice can perform consistently and powerfully. Remember, it's a skill that develops with dedicated effort, so just keep at it.
Common Questions About Alex Terrible Vocals
People often have questions about how Alex Terrible achieves his incredible vocal sounds. Here are some common inquiries, with some helpful answers.
Is there a more in-depth way to produce more demonic growls like Alex Terrible, besides using false cord and dropping your larynx?
While false cord and dropping your larynx are key foundations, achieving a truly demonic growl also involves other elements. Resonance plays a big part; learning to push the sound into your chest or head cavities can make it fuller and deeper. Additionally, manipulating your mouth and tongue shape can change the tone and add to that guttural quality. Some vocalists also use a slight amount of vocal fry mixed in, which can add a gritty texture. It's about combining these elements, so, you know, it's not just one thing.
How does Alex Terrible get such guttural lows, and does he genuinely sound loud while also sounding like a demon?
Alex Terrible achieves his guttural lows through a combination of highly developed false cord technique, exceptional diaphragm support, and controlled larynx positioning. The "genuinely loud" aspect comes from the immense breath support he uses, pushing a large amount of air with control, which creates a powerful sound wave. The "demonic" quality comes from the specific resonance and distortion created by his false cords, combined with the low frequency produced by a dropped larynx. It's a precise application of force and technique, which, in fact, makes him stand out.
What can happen to your growls and gutturals if you practice for 30 days straight with the videos of Alex Terrible?
If you practice consistently for 30 days straight with Alex Terrible's vocal guidance, you can expect significant improvements in several areas. Your vocal stamina will likely increase, allowing you to sustain growls for longer periods. Your false cord consistency should get better, making your sound more stable and reliable. You might also notice an increase in the depth and power of your gutturals as your breath support and larynx control improve. Many people find that this kind of dedicated practice really helps them refine their technique and find new sounds within their voice. It's a good way to see real progress, you know, in a short time.
Developing a vocal style like Alex Terrible's is a journey that asks for patience and a lot of practice. It's about understanding how your voice works and training it safely. Keep working on your false cord technique, improve your breath support, and pay attention to your larynx position. Remember to warm up and cool down every time you practice. The benefits of this kind of vocal training are many, and you might find it quite rewarding for your own sound. You can learn more about vocal techniques on our site, and perhaps you'd like to link to this page for more extreme vocal tips.
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