How important are vocals to you?

[King Richard]

I find vocals equal to any other instrument that a band uses. If one part of the music sucks, then generaly it's somewhat difficult to "get past" it. This explains why I cannot stand brutal death metal, metalcore, etc.

 

[Chairman Kaga]

Power Metal = Important
Symphonic Metal = Important
Black Metal = Not important
Death Metal = Not very important
Thrash Metal = Not important at all
Viking Metal = Very important
Folk Metal = Somewhat Important

 

[Mort Divine]

Vocals are completely unable to ruin a metal band for me - but other genres that are more vocal dependent like pop and rap I have to like the vocals.

 

[Krigloch the Furious]

 

[rms]

vocals > geetars > drums > don't care past that

 

[Black Friday]

Vocals are probably the hardest part to get right. They're only as much part of the music as everything else, but they're one of the first thing I'll notice if they're done wrong.

 

[challenge_everything]

Vocals are probably the hardest part to get right. They're only as much part of the music as everything else, but they're one of the first thing I'll notice if they're done wrong.

+1

For the most part, I don't care too much, but bad vocals have the potential to ruin an otherwise good album.

The screamed vocals on Ephel Duath's Painter's Palette comes to mind.

 

[EyeballKid]

It definitely depends on genre, as far as harsh VS. clean goes (though I'm usually a fan of cleaner vocals).

However, if I don't like a singers voice (quality or they are just plain bad/flat) I cannot listen to a band. I can't get past the singer just because the music is cool.

 

[Manic Ferocity]

Vocals can enhance the music (so they're important in that regard) but bad vocals rarely ruin the music for me.

 

[S<issors]

vocals are a big deal but what really matters in metal is BASS.

No bass = no heaviness = yawn

 

[Psychonaut]

Extremely important. I can love them music but if the vocals don't sit right, it's over. And I'm very picky about them too, especially for power metal.

 

[The Butt]

Depends on the band... it's not very important for a black metal band, for example, if they had a bad vocalist, there's a lot more emphasis on the music.

But for some, it's really important. Like a lot of power metal band's, as well as Black Sabbath.
Tony Martin =

 

[Black Friday]

vocals are a big deal but what really matters in metal is BASS.

No bass = no heaviness = yawn

Independent bass tracks can really make for a headbanging experience.

 

[panzerfaust666]

I love most vocals tbh. I just see how they effect the music, and usually the work fine with the music itself imo.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Usually they aren't too significant in one way or another for me, but really bad vocals can completely ruin a band for me.

 

[rms]

vocals are a big deal but what really matters in metal is BASS.

No bass = no heaviness = yawn

I may sound like a big idiot, or just un-informed but I personally can never hear the bass, unless it's the only instrument being played..

 

[challenge_everything]

Sounds like you need a better stereo...

 

[mutantllama]

Yeah, I hardly hear bass either.

 

[The_Quadfather]

Vocals are only important when a band utilizes clean vocals. Otherwise, I could care less about the vocals.

 

[Master_Yoda77]

Although good vocals can only enhance the experience, they are normally the last thing I notice when I listen to an album. Drums, bass, and guitar are far more important in making a "good" album.