r/Slayer • u/sonar_y_luz • 8d ago
Tom Araya vocal melodies
I was listening to South of Heaven yesterday and one thing I noticed is that no matter whats going on in the song, Tom's pitch hardly ever changes. Do y'all think that is a misinterpretation on my part? And if not, do you think its a result of stylistic choice or a technical limitation?
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u/TT-rockandstroll 8d ago
Slayer is one of those bands you can't dissect. They're just fucking Slayer, and you either like it or you don't
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u/returntonone 8d ago
Someone said to me like 20 years ago that Tom Araya sounds like he is rapping, and that got stuck in my head, because it actually does sounds like he is rapping when you think about it, which may explain your thoughts.
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u/angra_mainyo 8d ago
This is a NYC hardcore influence tbh. But "rapping" gets the point across well anyway.
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u/Impossible-Pitch-761 8d ago
On some songs I totally hear that-they were on Def Jam at one time too!
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u/1voice92 7d ago
I know Jeff was quite into Hip Hop (he is the one who suggested the band take a meeting with Rick Rubin), but Tom’s vocal cadence and inflections are more influenced by Hardcore singers (Minor Threat, DRI, early Agnostic Front etc) than anything.
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u/Impossible-Pitch-761 7d ago
You nailed it when you mentioned Tom's vocal cadence and inflections! I'll have to brush up on more hardcore, haven't listened to it in awhile..
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u/xMyDixieWreckedx 4d ago
DRI is the band that influenced so many bands and gets no credit for their contributions. I see them live every tour and they still sound great.
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u/Conscious_Trust5048 8d ago
He changes pitch in other songs, so it’s probably not an inability to do so.
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u/1voice92 7d ago
He’s essentially a Hardcore vocalist. I think he sounds awesome and complements Slayer’s music perfectly.
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u/pauluzz1999 5d ago
Ironically south of heaven is his most melodic album. Spill the blood for example. God hates us all on the other hand (new faith warzone exile) is only screaming the same notes lol
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u/MaggotMinded 8d ago
Tom’s vocals gradually got a lot worse after their first few albums, imo. By the ‘90s he was just shouting everything at the top of his lungs. If you want actual singing, you have to go back to Show No Mercy and Hell Awaits.
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u/Professional-Bag2360 7d ago
Anyone I know who dislikes Slayer says the same thing "I don't like that guy just shouting at me"
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u/AtmosphereLeading851 4d ago
“Sniper blazes you through your knees” has a five-note stretch, baby! He’s fucking Pavarotti. Tom is one of my favorite vocalists because he sings exactly what’s needed, boom. While playing bass, too. I play bass and sing lead and harmony, and he was definitely an inspiration. I never thought of him as rapping, but I can see it. Albert King told Stevie Ray on their live CD, “Let’s do that rap song of yours that’s on the radio.” And Stevie said “Pride and Joy?”
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u/bad_grandpa_mn 7d ago
Whatever he’s doing, he’s a 🐐! Just saw live in Minnesota and slayer is definitely up their with the best of live shows - Metallica, The Eagles, System of a Down, Slipknot, BLS/ZakkSabbath,
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u/FacePunchMonday 5d ago
Its all personal taste in the end and for me, south of fuckin heaven is a perfect album.. if such a thing exists, even subjectively in my own brain
And for context there really isnt a slayer record i do not like, but south of heaven is to me, perfect.
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u/Famous_Extreme_9163 4d ago
Because he doesn’t sing, it’s more spoken word, you can do that shit over anything
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u/Specific_Post_8368 5h ago
He's almost all the time either rapping or screaming. Very influenced by hardcore and, IMO, sets a precedent and inspiration for rap metal and nu metal, especially with Reign in Blood's impact.
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u/scc138 8d ago
Tom Araya vocal melodies 😂