New peeve in metal

Since when did this whole multi-layered tracking on chorus' in songs become the new thing? It is just so weak and lame to me! Almost every album that has come out since the middle of 2018 to the present, this is a thing. It ruins the song to me. Everything before it could be relentless or just really driving, then that chorus comes on and it goes to the shits!!

Does anyone else notice this trend or is it just me that notices??

Hasn't it been there forever? At least in melodic metal.

I agree I would prefer less layered vocals. Some choruses demand it, most don't.

Even worse, a lot of bands layer every single vocal line, no matter if it's bridge, chorus or verse. Which makes it sound processed and inhuman.

New? Blind Guardian has been doing this forever and all the power metal bands followed suit.

Bands that do this - show what kind of bands they are.
I like music that’s rusty - not polished - with a few loose ends -
it’s way more listenable. Old School.

Glower wrote:

Bands that do this - show what kind of bands they are.
I like music that’s rusty - not polished - with a few loose ends -
it’s way more listenable. Old School.

That's what I like about those first three Blind Guardian albums. It's rough and innocent. Angry and unsophisticated. Those big melodies they had were more impactful because you discovered them later after a few spins. Nowadays it's all laid out for you, too easy.

They reached an apex with Imaginations from the Other Side, I think, with the old style and the newer more bombastic style. It had the best of both worlds, and that's why it's my favourite by them. Nightfall followed and it was already much more "epic" and Night at the Opera had layered vocals all throughout so much it made it difficult to listen to. I remember I got through a full listen only because I focused on the drums. They were so good despite the music. Too bad Thomen Stauch left after that record. He was not the best technically, but he gave an aggressive style band that edge. Nowadays they have a robot of a musician who plays like a machine. And I completely steered away from the topic at hand.

Yes, vocals should preferably be recorded as one man (or woman) sings them, because that makes them more distinct.

I think it works for BG but I get why people like the more raw style.

I like it both ways, but BG does it so well that all of their albums work for me, with and without.

Devin Townsend has been doing it for years.

Yeah, it's been around forever, but I would say it only bothers me if it's used too much. BG is a good example of getting it right and not pummeling ya over the head with it.

I'm a Def Leppard fan, so...

Do you think it's becoming more common place now because it's easier to cut and paste the same vocals, adjusting pitch, sound, etc., over and over through the computer, whereas in the "old days", the vocals had to be recorded individually and then layered? Just a thought.

the sentinel wrote:

Yeah, it's been around forever, but I would say it only bothers me if it's used too much. BG is a good example of getting it right and not pummeling ya over the head with it.

I feel pretty pummeled listening to recent BG, believe me.

Can someone post an example so I know what we're referring to?

I hate Blind Guardian's vocals, if that's what we're talking about.

Temple of Blood wrote:

Can someone post an example so I know what we're referring to?

I hate Blind Guardian's vocals, if that's what we're talking about.

Big choruses, I think.