And ... we're back (and I'm, now, really late for this)!
Hopefully you enjoyed yesterday's stimulating venture into the not-so-secret world of black rock n' roll culcha (Click here to see part 1). Now, before you all start kvetching about how there wasn't enough metal on the list, allow me to remind you that we're only half way there; 7-12 starts now-
7) Derrick Green - Sepultura
Sepultura has become a bit of a punch line in metal circles. The once highly influential and venerated Brazilian thrash unit fell off the map for many when founding rhythm guitarist and vocalist, Max Cavalera left the group in 1996. To the surprise of most, the group decided to press on without him.
In 1997, Cleveland native Derrick Green completely uprooted his life to fill the slot. At the suggestion of a friend, he recorded vocals over a, then, instrumental track, and submitted it to the band. In just over a month, he would be in Sao Paulo, practicing with the group.
Sepultura's works since the incorporation of the "new" singer, have been unfairly dismissed by many a listener. Since their shaky regrouping in the early 2000's the band has creatively flourished, due in no small part to their second frontman. His greater range (including a gravely baritone and tonal howl) combined with his more cerebral writing capabilities allowed Sepultura to operate in ways never imaginable with Cavalera at the helm.
Case in point, 2006's Dante XXI, a record inspired by Aligheri's classic literary work, The Divine Comedy. With blazing riffs, horns sections, violin solos, and Green's unique voice delivered in tandem, the maturity of the band was fully realized.
Most Recent Release: A-lex
8) Carley Coma - Candiria
Ah, the fusion masters of New York. Try as I might, I cannot think of even a single group remotely comparable to these underground heroes. The band, in their early years, mixed free jazz, hardcore, and even hip-hop in ways that were as terrifying as they were momentarily brilliant (their introduction of rapped vocals into the context of heavy songwriting earned them the occasional distinction as rap-metal patriarchs).
In those days, Coma barked and shrieked himself hoarse over the swinging audio carnage of his bandmates. However, his talents would not fully manifest until the group's later years of experimentation.
Candiria had an unfortunately very literal turning point experience when their tour bus was rear-ended by an eighteen-wheeler in 2002. From this misfortune each of the band members were left critically injured, but all recovered and approached their music very differently from then on (releasing the very appropriate What Doesn't Kill You in 2004.)
Most notably, they became deeply fascinated with progressive rock and the concept of melody (!). Coma used this change of direction as a chance to experiment with his own singing ability, a skill that had been almost completely untapped by the band. On the aforementioned release and their most recent album, Kiss the Lie, he mastered his smooth, expressive croon and used it to superb effect. He has truly become one of metal/rock/hardcore's most versatile vocal talents.
Candiria is currently in a state of flux, but word on the street is that they might have a new album on the way in 2011. Here's to hoping.
Most Recent Release: Toying With Insanities Volume III
9) Howard Jones - Killswitch Engage
If you are at all familiar with modern metal, you are, undoubtedly, well acquainted with these guys and the unmistakable voice that drives them.
The melodic metalcore mavens had a defined sound long before Jones' involvement (the group's extremely talented first singer, Jesse Leach, established their harsh-to-clean vocal style), however, his entrance occurred just as the group's popularity peaked.
His silky singing and passionate gutturals are instantly recognizable and have inspired a number of imitators. It is always curious that someone can manage to be so consistently positive with his lyrics while singing over such heavy music. Still don't get that ...
Most Recent Release: Killswitch Engage
10) Byron Davis, Corey Pierce - God Forbid
This might not be the best representation of the guy ...
Along with Killswitch Engage, God Forbid played a pivotal role in the development of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal movement (NWOAHM - a hell of an acronym). However, instead of approaching the style from the hardcore-influence angle of the Bostonians above, they came from a strictly metal background.
That's all very interesting- but the point is: their singer Byron isn't someone you want to cross. A while ago a friend of mine recounted his first experience of the man at a God Forbid show: "I was scared shitless."
"Byron the Brutal," as he is sometimes called, has developed into a very effective metal singer. His raspy screams and gruff singing suit the group's sound quite nicely. He is also, again, one scary mofo.
Most Recent Release: Earthsblood
11) Benji Webbe - Skindred
One might say Skindred is to Bad Brains what Sevendust is to Living Colour. These "ragga-punk-metal" pioneers are one of the nuttiest bands in existence. (It is almost impossible to know whether to jump or mosh at their shows- I can speak from personal experience).
Of course, Skindred would not be Skindred without their one-of-a-kind singer, Benji Webbe (ex-Dub War). Reggae-infused singing, high falsettos, rapid-fire chatter, raucous screams, and everything in between; the man does it all.
Webbe's puzzling range gives Skindred a remarkably broad appeal that few bands, even remotely affiliated with metal, can claim to possess.
Most Recent Release: Shark Bites and Dog Fights
12) Tosin Abasi - Animals as Leaders/Reflux
It's ironic that I should start and end this feature with black guitar virtuosos on completely opposite ends of metal's timeline. It's funny, 'cause Tosin Abasi might just be the Hendrix of the current day.
Abasi began to garner attention for his work in the late-progressive metalcore band Reflux. However, after they split, the classically-trained guitarist was able to go back to school and prepare himself for his true calling.
Animals as Leaders is the full culmination of Abasi's frightening degree of talent. With the programming aid of Periphery mastermind, Misha Mansoor, Abasi's mind-flattening eight-string riffs, gorgeous tapping skills, and awesome emotional shreds (sounds almost like an oxymoron) were let loose.
Most Recent Release: Animals as Leaders
Warning: you may quit guitar after you hear this-
From Youtube:
"This is better than porn"
"Dude, this is my porn"
So ... moral of the story: rock and metal, just as with rap and hip-hop, aren't genres dictated in any way by race. Will there always be more white rock and metal musicians than black? Who knows? But, after all of this, it shouldn't matter. The contribution is clear.
* * *
... if you were, again, mislead by the title, out of pitty, here is an actual black metal band:
There, happy?
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