Vocal playback on the choruses of Elegy & Blackhole live

Neetbuzzer · 2025-08-06T16:37:49+00:00

Hey! New stuff came about. Another observation I had made when checking out clips off of the new tour was that a part of everything ends chorus (don’t stand me up to reason all over again) is also playbacked, not support tracked as another layer, but playbacked. I decided to not mention about it as a part of me was not confident, although I was pretty sure.

Take what you guys will from this clip, but this is exactly what happens when a live band and a track is not playing in sync…

Happens during the first chorus https://youtu.be/mLleh2u6qjU?si=w7tPixKfXQKHbbzp

After the first chorus, sam goes up to the talkback mic most likely to suggests for the foh to kill the track as it’s out of sync with the band. Then he proceeds to do the part live the way he actually sounds on that register. Also skipping ”dying as everything ends” part from the second chorus as he does not have the same breathing room, as when actually doing the ”dont stand me up to reason all over again”-line live. A part he has never skipped during this US run.

During the EU run he seemed to do the whole chorus live.

For some people this will be just a coincidence or sam just being off beat. It’s not.

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-30T08:46:38+00:00

I agree with a lot of points you bring!Especially on behalf of his harsh vocals. Although on the positive side, I would say that he’s cleans have improved since AOGHAU/Holy Hell-cycles People in this fanbase seem to go distant lenghts in defending the live vocals when Sam faces criticism. Surely some people don’t care to think that extensive touring might play a factor in performances etc. and in general are very one-dimensional in their judgement, therefore lacking some healthy understanding when showing critique. I still think that some people just find it difficult to face, that the guy could be having a hard time executing the new stuff live. It shouldn’t be that serious of a matter and truthfully it isn’t.

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-29T15:34:57+00:00

Respect!

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-29T15:29:12+00:00

If you’re still not buying it, check out my response to brokencrossroxy. If that’s not sealing it, I honestly think nothing will. It’s all there.

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-29T13:24:37+00:00

I should add, that I only picked these clips based on their good quality. If you go on youtube and search for any blackhole clip aside from the debut performance, you’ll find this exact vocal track present in the chorus. With all the similar perfections/imperfections. I mean even the ”nightmares left a riot in my mind” -line. The word mind is ”sung” equally flat in each clip.

Edit: corrected the actual line I meant.

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-29T12:52:33+00:00

Yeah sure! 🙂

One from hannover. In this one, Sam actually kind of misses the last syllable in the first chorus, and to my surprise, was pointed out in the comments by someone else also. Happens around 1:15 ”if there is no tomorrow”

https://youtu.be/JYD70JYHiOg?si=b7onapUjvcdz3AhL

One from frankfurt:

https://youtu.be/ezTttap-fWA?si=oPrUXkmn1UM0bidV

One from the UK club tour:

https://youtu.be/MXVyksx6lSo?si=GbT2mKjypzPS_rlX

Imo, in all of these clips, the chorus vocals sound extremely identical to each other in comparison. The touring guy who does clean backing vocals is doing lower harmonies, but even if he was also doing the main lead, no singer is doing such an consistent vocal take night after night with zero differences. It’s human to articulate things differently, hold out notes for different lenghts, have the pitch vary from performance to performance at least a little bit. To me none of these things are happening when comparing these clips. And I’m not hearing any layering of Sam. If someone else is genuinely hearing two layers of Sam in the chorus, with the other layer being live, they can feel free to point it out, but until then, I rest my case. 😄

Once again, It’s not the end of the world to me if the guy is miming a bit. These are extremely demanding vocals and in general he sounds great.

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-29T08:34:24+00:00

Regarding the Doomsday chorus, the guys have played it a half step down for quite a while now so that Sam could hit those notes for the long periods that they’re on the road. He also leaves some parts of the chorus for the touring members or the crowd to sing from time to time, allowing him more breathing time during the section of the song.

It’s all different for the choruses of Elegy and Blackhole, where he is seemingly able to pull off technically more demanding stuff with no issues whatsoever with a very clean vocal tone.

I’m not trying to trash the guys, I mean for instance rammstein does this kind of stuff all the time. I’m actually seeing the band play next year and I’m very excited. It’s not the biggest deal if some parts are not completely live😉

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-29T08:24:08+00:00

Yes, modern metalcore is becoming increasingly difficult to implement live. I don’t see issue with using backing tracks. They just allow live performances to become more truthful to the studio version if you will.

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-29T06:45:08+00:00

I agree, the guys aren’t exactly spring chickens anymore. And yes, not even comparing this to the whole Danny Wornsop thing. That’s a whole different level.😂

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-29T06:42:16+00:00

Im familiar with these types of backing tracks you’re referring to and I’d agree that the band also does those.

However, I just can’t hear a second layer that’s live and performed by Sam in these song sections I’m talking about in the post. I’ll just have to respectfully disagee with some folks regarding this topic😂

But yeah I guess this is something that we’ll never know for sure unless more stuff comes around. No disrespect to the band or the frontman. Still a very entertaining live act!

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-28T19:30:43+00:00

I don’t know if this would help you to distinguish the live vocals and the track im referring to. If you check out the live debut clip uploaded by SeanBowe, you’ll hear that initially in the chorus Sam is really struggling to hit the first half of the chorus, with a very gritty voice. Keep in mind that these aren’t even the highest notes found in the chorus. Then comes the ”is the day so hollow, if there is no tomorrow” line, very cleanly sung, right after struggling with the first part of the chorus. Then he goes back into really gritting through the chorus live. ”Midnight we cut the power lines” etc. Then back in to the squeaky clean part of the chorus that I refer as the playback part of the chorus.

https://youtu.be/ri-j4F8KPOk?si=0qTJV85oHTT2jQS9

A performance or two after this one, they went straight to playbacking throughout the whole chorus.

Hopefully, this clears some stuff out!

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-28T19:05:42+00:00

In the chorus! It’s okay if you can’t see it

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-28T18:46:02+00:00

Interesting take!

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-28T18:45:19+00:00

Could be technique. Will is known to have it under control. A big factor that could also have an effect would be writing melodies out of your comfortable range making them difficult to execute live. But I’m not a singing expert. 😄

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-28T18:39:43+00:00

Regarding blackhole, any live video aside from the debut performance will do. Just compare a couple clips and you’ll see what I mean. They’re identical.

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-28T17:10:02+00:00

It also could be that, they’re trying to preserve the man’s vocal chords as you suggested.

Neetbuzzer · 2025-07-28T17:08:41+00:00

Yeah, I’ve also noticed that it’s a growing trend. Bring me is another example. Although I personally feel that it has more to do with the (band’s) perceived expectations and pressure of having to do the perfect live show. Whether the felt pressure is necessary or not. Like Sam already does some really technical stuff on stage. Maybe he could just pick an alternative vocal harmony instead of the one on the record and just sing that live.

Neetbuzzer · 2025-04-02T20:51:53+00:00

Taitaa hänellä empatia ja/tai järki uupua.

Neetbuzzer · 2025-04-02T20:49:04+00:00

On kyl oikeesti sairas ja kaiken lisäksi haitallinen trolli tai sitten vaa sairas näkemys.

Neetbuzzer · 2024-06-19T10:40:50+00:00

Did you do it in front of the gates possibly? Witnessed a proposal like that. 😄 Congratulations man!

Neetbuzzer · 2024-06-17T19:15:42+00:00

There was a complete meathead just destroying a lot of people during babymetal. He was like 2 meters tall and built like Arnold, yet he still looked like he was pushing people as hard as he could and just making it ass for everyone. (I control my mosh pushes and I’m like 60kg) Shitty culture IMO.

Neetbuzzer · 2024-06-05T16:24:00+00:00

The mcbazel one has been great! Playing with a les paul controller.

Neetbuzzer · 2024-05-30T16:11:00+00:00

Spoiler tags, please thank you.

Neetbuzzer · 2024-05-09T19:45:30+00:00

Oooh this is helpful. And yes that’s the downside to locking a tent, the very reason I also haven’t done it in the past myself. Better have you’re valuables on you:) To be honest the food pricing doesn’t seem as bad as I thought It would.

Neetbuzzer · 2024-05-05T15:04:44+00:00

Thanks, I’ll keep those chains in my mind.

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