How to Learn Singing “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” from Metallica

How to Learn Singing Metallica’s “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”

Metallica’s “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” is an iconic song that showcases powerful vocals and emotional intensity. Learning to sing this song requires mastering the unique vocal techniques used by James Hetfield, the lead vocalist of Metallica.

Understanding the Vocal Technique

One of the key vocal techniques used in “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” is heavy modal. Heavy modal singing involves using a powerful and aggressive tone while maintaining control and precision. This technique adds a raw and intense quality to the vocals, which is synonymous with Metallica’s signature sound.

Other Popular Songs Featuring Heavy Modal Singing:

  • “Master of Puppets” by Metallica
  • “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath
  • “Holy Diver” by Dio

Practical Advice for Learning the Song

1. Warm Up Your Voice

Before attempting to sing “Welcome Home (Sanitarium),” warm up your voice with exercises that focus on breath control, vocal agility, and pitch accuracy. You can use Singing Carrots’ Pitch Training to improve your vocal skills.

2. Analyze the Song Structure

Break down the song into its different sections: verses, choruses, bridges, and instrumental parts. Pay attention to the dynamics and phrasing of each section to understand the emotional journey of the song.

3. Work on the Heavy Modal Technique

Study the heavy modal singing technique used by James Hetfield. This involves using proper breath support, resonating from the chest, and adding grit and distortion to your voice. Singing Carrots’ How to Twang Exercise and How to Growl Exercise videos can help you understand and practice these techniques.

4. Practice with Vocal Range in mind

Make sure to sing within your comfortable vocal range. If needed, adjust the song’s key using Singing Carrots’ Vocal Range Test and search for the appropriate key for your voice using Vocal Ranges of Famous Singers database.

5. Use Vocal Health and Posture Techniques

Remember to take care of your voice by practicing good vocal health habits. Singing Carrots’ articles on vocal health and how posture affects your singing can provide valuable tips for maintaining vocal health and proper singing posture.

Conclusion

Learning to sing Metallica’s “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” requires mastering the heavy modal vocal technique and understanding the emotional depth of the song. By following the practical advice provided and using the resources available on Singing Carrots, you can develop the skills necessary to deliver a powerful and authentic performance of this iconic song.