JLB vs other prog. metal singers

[lithium112]

When I check out prog metal bands on Youtube or something, a lot of the time I find that the singers' voices annoy me. They all sound very similar to me. For instance, I think the singers from Queensryche, Circus Maximus and Anubis Gate (just to name some) all have that somewhat annoyingly high-timbred voice. Whereas JLB's voice sounds quite distinct to me and I've never been annoyed with it (except the nasal sound on CiM).

Has anyone else experienced the "generic prog metal voice" syndrome and thinks that DT has avoided it with James, or have I not listened to the other guys enough to pick up on the nuances of their singing?

[Perpetual Change]

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head as to why I'll take James' voice any day.

I'd rather have a James LaBrie then another Tate, or Bruce Dickinson, or Freddie Mercury, or Maynard Kennan imitator...

That's why I can't stand the new Shadow Gallery singer. I heard an interview with the guys where they were like... "well, if we've gotta get a new singer let's go with someone who sounds like Tate."

NO NO NO!!!

lol

[Jirpo]

Well Geoff Tate is one of my favourite vocalists I don't have a huge range of experience in prog metal so I can't give an accurate answer. But JLB is also one of my fave vocalists

I agree that there should not be people that try to imitate voices like Tate, Dickinson, Mercury, Halford, Dio etc. Those vocalists simply are too unique and have such powerful voices it is impossible to replicate well. JLB has gone in a different direction and he is an outstanding singer, way better then most singers these days.

[dongringo]

JLB and Tate are my two favorite singers in the world. I agree with the op. There seem to be a lot of imitators out there in the prog world. I like the singer of Riverside though, although he's obviously not on par with GT and JLB. He at least has a distinct style though.

[Lotion]

I agree with what you're saying, but I can't see why Bruce and Freddy gets brought up here. Those are two fantastic, and for me, unqiue singers. But whatever James Labrie does, It's really something special with his voice that hits me, but as I see it, you either LOVE or HATE JLB's Voice. Also the only prog vocals i like is JLB and Tommy Karevik from Seventh Wonder. Tommy is great, but probably too "poppy" for many of you.

[El JoNNo]

For instance, I think the singers from Queensryche, Circus Maximus and Anubis Gate (just to name some) all have that somewhat annoyingly high-timbred voice.

I've never heard Tate described as high timbered, I'm not sure what you mean by that. He is a baritone that is for sure; which is not high timbered. What do you mean?

[rumborak]

I always thought that the worst aspect of new prog is its singers. Instead of choosing singers who dominate through the character of their voice (a la Peter Gabriel) the employ pseudo-operatic ones.

rumborak

[ResultsMayVary]

James LaBrie just seems like the perfect progressive metal vocalist to me. I really can't stand anyone else, except for a select few.

[rumborak]

To be perfectly honest, even James is kinda borderline for me. He's come a long way these days in being more contemporary, but in the end he is still a very high-pitched and operatic singer.

rumborak

[KevShmev]

I always thought that the worst aspect of new prog is its singers. Instead of choosing singers who dominate through the character of their voice (a la Peter Gabriel) the employ pseudo-operatic ones.

rumborak

Agreed.

And Geoff Tate (of 'Ryche) is definitely a bad example.  In his prime, he was as good as almost anyone.

[mrjazzguitar]

I think James was in his prime 15 years ago, and he is far from it now. And he could never come close to Daniel Gildenlow in my opinion. All that said, I still think he's great -- I mean I love DT and he's DT's singer..

[rumborak]

I agree, mrjazz. DG is miles above JLB as a singer. Can't stand the guy otherwise, but he's a pretty gifted singer.

rumborak

[Ħ]

There's plenty of great non-operatic prog singers.  Mike Akerfeldt, Steve Wilson, and Neal Morse are all top-notch.

[mrjazzguitar]

I agree, mrjazz. DG is miles above JLB as a singer. Can't stand the guy otherwise, but he's a pretty gifted singer.

rumborak

agreed -- James is a way cooler guy. I'd love to hear Gildenlow sing some DT w/ DT.. I think he could pretty much handle it all

[mrjazzguitar]

I really don't understand all this talk about "operatic" prog singers. James has no operatic skills. He didn't have any real opera training, and frankly, he has no idea how to really produce a sound, create volume, or control his voice the way even amateur opera singers would. Of course, James and a lot of other rock singers have other skills, but I don't see where "operatic" came into play.

[El JoNNo]

Don't worry i have never understood why people continuously use operatic to describe singing high either; I've asked the same question multiple times.

[rumborak]

To me it's a convenient moniker to mean the high-pitched, heavy-vibrato singing.

rumborak

[ThroughHerEyesDude6]

I agree with what you're saying, but I can't see why Bruce and Freddy gets brought up here. Those are two fantastic, and for me, unqiue singers. But whatever James Labrie does, It's really something special with his voice that hits me, but as I see it, you either LOVE or HATE JLB's Voice. Also the only prog vocals i like is JLB and Tommy Karevik from Seventh Wonder. Tommy is great, but probably too "poppy" for many of you.

I love Tommy Karevik. His voice truly is unique, and I recommend "Unbreakable" off of Mercy Falls as an illustration of his power.

[Bolsters]

Russell Allen

[Perpetual Change]

To be perfectly honest, even James is kinda borderline for me. He's come a long way these days in being more contemporary, but in the end he is still a very high-pitched and operatic singer.

rumborak

He is a bit of a fossil now, isn't he? Funnily, if Dream Theater would have come out 5 years later, things could have been much different. The weird thing is that James is, in a lot of ways, the last of the great operatic metal singers. I'm not talking about where he's at now, though, but where he was on the Images tour. Nothing from there suggests anything other than that the last and best operatic singer had arrived.

Of course, shit happens. Tons of lost potential, but metal died anyway (with James' vocal chords) and the James we have now, who's worked his way back up, is still a trademark voice and a premier voice in a general that's become pretty marginalized. He's done an excellent job of adapting his voice to more contemporary styles, and sure, he might be thinning on the old stuff but, come to think of it, it seems like the initial awkward period is ending and he's now finding ways to play to the advantages of his aged voice. He may not have the same skill set as he used to, but he does sure seem to have gotten a lot smarter about using what he does have.

And I honestly don't get the Tate defending. When I think of "overrated operatic singers masquerading as people who've had real training" he's way up there.

[El JoNNo]

And I honestly don't get the Tate defending. When I think of "overrated operatic singers masquerading as people who've had real training" he's way up there.

He did have real training... How was he overrated, he is now, definitely not then.

[Dynia]

Daniel Gildenlow has the most powerful voice i have ever heard, but i'm not sure if his singing style would fit DT. James is a brilliant vocalist, too, and i think that he is perfect for Dream Theater.

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

I obviously cannot imagine Dream Theater without James Labrie. He is THE voice of Dream Theater. However, he is nowhere near singers like Russell Allen, Mike Patton, and Daniel Gildenlow for me.

[jsem]

Russell Allen

+1

[pogoowner]

And I honestly don't get the Tate defending. When I think of "overrated operatic singers masquerading as people who've had real training" he's way up there.

He did have real training... How was he overrated, he is now, definitely not then.

Agreed. He may be a shell of his former self now, but Geoff Tate was incredible in the 80's.

[Perpetual Change]

And I honestly don't get the Tate defending. When I think of "overrated operatic singers masquerading as people who've had real training" he's way up there.

He did have real training... How was he overrated, he is now, definitely not then.

I don't know man. Nothing I've ever heard on the records or on live stuff from back then really impressed me at all.

[Aquila Chrysaetos]

I find that with the newer gereration op progmetal I need to get used to the vocals. Same happened when I first got into DT.
This I experienced with Circus Maximus and Aspera. But now I like it.
I especially like how Mike of CM has this TNT like vibe to his voice.

With a band like Disperse it's another story.
I find the singer not a particularly great vocalist, but his voice fits the music so well that it's just awesome.

[El JoNNo]

I don't know man. Nothing I've ever heard on the records or on live stuff from back then really impressed me at all.

His flawless transitions between head and chest, breath control was amazing, consistent tone etc..


I notice Daniel Gildenlow's name comes up quite often, granted he is very good but I don't see how he excel's past Tate. DG uses more grit/husk and has more of a metal sound to his voice. Tate had a much fuller operatic (right context ) sounding voice and his high notes were definitely fuller.

[kartmaze2]

Jørn Lande did an Amazing job on the Ayreon album! Maybe his main genre isn't prog. metal, but he certainly can pull it off! His voice has both range, dynamics, richness and power suited for prog metal. I think he is my favourite singer og all time with Russel Allen close behind. JLB ain't bad either, but IMO he comes a bit short compared to these other guys...

But I would never switch JLB with someone else to sing in DT, no matter how awesome or amazing they are.

[tartarus250]

poor james in my opinion he defo had the best voice in prog/meatal but after a bout of violent food poisoning nearly wreaked his voice i'd say he has done a really fantastic job of re building his voice and is still one of the best voices in music

[hefdaddy42]

I agree with what you're saying, but I can't see why Bruce and Freddy gets brought up here. Those are two fantastic, and for me, unqiue singers.

I don't think he was slighting them, but people who try to imitate them.

[rmp0012002]

No one in my opinion can top Tate when he was taking care of his voice and putting more effort into his singing. I also prefer Dominici over JLB, he was just the better singer.

[rumborak]

I also prefer Dominici over JLB, he was just the better singer.

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

Yeah, really. Dominici was a god-awful singer. He sounded like some random guy trying with all his might to sound like Geddy Lee.

[mrjazzguitar]

Dominici was a god-awful singer.

agreed. what were they thinking?