The story behind my vocals on "A Nightmare To Remember"

Am I the only one who hears the cookie VERY quietly in the background of the current version? (Listen to the isolated vocal stem).

Someone probably pointed it out a few pages ago....

Just joined the forum, and as my first comment, I want to say that I totally don't see what the debate is all about. It never entered my mind during multiple listens of the song that Mike's vocals were annoying/bad in some way. It seemed fitting to the song and that was that.

Thanks for what you do, Iron Mike!

Well, Opeth and in the broader sense, "cookie monster" vocals have been very polarizing subjects on the forum here for years now.

Though I take issue with people calling the tracked vocals "cookie monster" as they aren't really... except for the ending "roar".  Overall I enjoy the section's feel but the lyrics just don't match up.

I guess the only thing I can say is the "RAAAARRRRHHH" at the end always makes me fucking crack up out loud, I mean it makes me LAUGH.  The lines before are fine but the roar is just silly...

Thanks MP for all that you do for DT (and LTE!) fans, we love you.  Great idea releasing the instrumental mixes for the new album, the songs sound amazing.  I hope you will continue that practice for future DT albums.

Hi Mike! I hope you read this! I am from Argentina, sorry but do not write well in English! I consider myself a big fan of DT, I love your work! everything you do, and the truth that when I hear your vocals in ANTR woooowww increasingly Mike! but at the time gave me a lot of anger keer criticism in several places that make you! the truth , as the few bands and members who care about us, I felt very bad as you were, so I didn´t add the forum before because I did not write well, but I felt like I needed to return what you do and all the band doing with your music, to appreciate that if we do all the work!
I'm sincere, I have no cd favorite, I love them all!  each one touch me in different ways like his lyrics, including Falling into infinity which is very critical! in spanish! perdon si no es entendible el texto hice the best i can!! mis saludos to the guys!! i love your side projects to!!! haha Please John Myung to write a song  again and make a headbanger! still the best
mikegarcia62@hotmail.com

DTChemist


I guess the only thing I can say is the "RAAAARRRRHHH" at the end always makes me fucking crack up out loud, I mean it makes me LAUGH.  The lines before are fine but the roar is just silly...

Same here. It sounds like he's joking around.

A51502112

DTChemist


I guess the only thing I can say is the "RAAAARRRRHHH" at the end always makes me fucking crack up out loud, I mean it makes me LAUGH.  The lines before are fine but the roar is just silly...

Same here. It sounds like he's joking around.

+1

Yeah I didn't mean I was laughing *at* MP, I was laughing at the roar...I know he likes to joke around, I do, too, which is why it's so funny

Well, I'll admit that you're vocal part kinda cought me off guard just cause it's not typical DT, but really when I thought about it, DT isn't a band that does the same thing over and over again. So I think it's cool that you tried a new approach. And I'm glad you decided to go with the final recording cause the first one just kinda sounded funny, heh, no offence. The second, the 2 vocal parts just didn't mix well. But the third was strong, but not overboard. So I love the new album and I'm sure I'll be pleased with anything in the future.
 
Anthony

Mike,

No disrespect, but thank you for not doing the cookie monster vocals.  One of the reasons that I like DT is that your vocals are SINGABLE!  I can't sing along with growls.  As a vocalist, I love how DT is so melodic in their music, I can sing along with JP's guitar, and everything!  I would have been extremely turned off of that song if you guys had added those growls.  If you have by chance read my posts on DTF (where we try to keep all criticism constructive and non-bashing) I'm not a fan of growl/screamo vox AT ALL, that's just my style and taste.  I like to be able to sing with the music. 

Anyways, the song how it turned out is awesome, and while it's not my favorite of the album (that's The Best of Times, that song is beautiful), it's rockin!

Sorry for the bump but i would just really like to say that the way it is on the album sounds awesome to me and the growling isn't as cool imho.
I actually really like the Dual Vocal thing even though it sounds kind of out of hand.
But i really respect MP's decision and i don't see how people can say that the part is really bad or trying to sound cool.
It's one of my favourite parts of the song along with the mellow "Hoplessly drifting..." part.

Agreed!!!!! This part is really great!

to me it sets the song apart from the others on the album especially considering the blastobeatrix at the end.
Its all mint metal at the end of the day though

Nice to read this just now for the first time and learn a bit about how the guys worked on different parts for that section of the song. Having seen ANTR three times live I think Mike's performance on that part of the song is just incredible. It was definitely one of the highlights of the show each time I saw it. I can't fathom how he can drum that section and sing those lyrics in that fashion, especially the second part, it's not like the lyrics are easy.

I have to say that I think Mikes vocals are fantastic and I love the heavy side of it.

Mike,

Your original post hints that, as producers, JP and yourself are concerned with what DT fans can swallow.  I suggest taking a different approach and just make your music to your tastes and forget what the fans think about it.  You've earned that right!!  We'll love it (or hate it), but either way we'll be listening to your music and supporting the band.

As for the Great Cookie Monster Debate, I have noticed that I personally am not emotionally moved or affected by screamed lyrics.  To me, they lack rhythm, melody, harmony, articulation, and don't really express anything musically.  If there is any band on the planet that could insert musicality into this vocal style it would be DT.  So I'm throwing down the gauntlet.  On your next record, if you feel the urge to scream, just do it and make a believer out of me and the rest of the cookie haters.     

oh damn the clean version of the song (with only labrie singing) is not available anymore...
 
does anyone have it by any chance?

Oh, gawd/

Holy thread resurrection!