If you're into metal or thrash music, you have probably heard about Slayer. This band is one of the pioneers of the thrash metal scene and has been active for over three decades. It's characterized by its aggressive sound, fast-paced riffs, and extreme vocals.

But have you ever wondered how Slayer's vocalist, Tom Araya, is able to sing and scream like he does? In this article, we will take a closer look at Araya's technique and provide you with some helpful tips on how to learn to sing like him.

Tom Araya's vocal technique

Tom Araya's vocals are characterized by their rawness and intensity. He often employs a technique called "screaming" or "growling", where the voice is pushed to its limits to create an aggressive sound.

To achieve this, Araya uses his diaphragm, the muscle responsible for inhaling and exhaling. This muscle helps him support his notes and sustain them for longer periods of time. By exerting pressure on the diaphragm, Araya creates a growling sound that is characteristic of Slayer's vocal style.

Araya's vocals also incorporate some singing elements. He uses his chest voice to sing lower notes and his head voice for the higher ones. A key element of his singing is his ability to switch between these two registers seamlessly. This creates a unique sound that is central to Slayer's aggressive style.

Songs showcasing Araya's technique

Slayer has a vast catalogue of music that showcases Araya's vocal style. Here are a few tracks that demonstrate his unique approach to singing:

• Raining Blood: This song is a testament to Araya's aggression and rawness. The intense opening scream is a perfect example of his growling vocal style.
• Angel of Death: In this track, Araya's voice shifts between singing and screaming, highlighting his ability to switch between vocal registers seamlessly.
• Seasons in the Abyss: Araya's vocals in this song are more melodic than other tracks, emphasizing his ability to sing as well as scream.
• War Ensemble: The opening lyrics to this song are sung with a lower pitch, demonstrating Araya's use of his chest voice.
• South of Heaven: This track showcases Araya's use of vibrato, giving his otherwise extreme vocals a more melodic quality.

Tips for singing like Tom Araya

To sing like Tom Araya, you need to master the technique of screaming and growling. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Practice your diaphragmatic breathing. This will help you support your notes and sustain them for longer periods.
• Experiment with your voice to find your screaming style. Try different sounds, pitches, and volumes to see what works best for you.
• Warm up your voice before singing. Start with simple exercises that help you get your voice ready for the more extreme elements of Araya's vocal style.
• Practice switching between chest and head voice. This will allow you to create the unique sound that is characteristic of Slayer's music.
• Use Singing Carrots' vocal range test to find songs that match your vocal range and the search songs tool to find relevant Slayer songs.
• Check out the resources provided by Singing Carrots. There are several exercises and tips that can help you develop your technique and improve your singing.

With practice and dedication, you can learn to sing like Tom Araya and incorporate his unique vocal style into your own music. Good luck!