This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply. This is from 2017, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it: Melissa Cross is a classically trained singer and actress. But it’s her work with metal bands that’s the reason for her success, and her nom de guerre: the “Queen of Scream.” The 60-year-old has worked with some of the biggest names in hardcore, from Slipknot to Slayer and Megadeth. As America’s heavy bands hit the road this summer, Cross is in demand–and takes VICE News backstage at the Vans Warped Tour stop in San Antonio. more Not all embedded content is displayed here. You can view the original to see embedded videos, tweets, etc.
@Jason Tate thanks for checking this out. I worked on this show/episode as the translation/script manager. there were quite a few absolutePunk/chorus fans at VICE News.
I remember Keith Buckley speaking really highly of her a while ago. Good to finally put a face on such a legend in the scene.
I've heard of her quite a lot over the years. Read a few mixed things about her methods but given some of the fantastic vocalists she's worked with, she must be good.
If you listen to the lead singer syndrome episode with Keith Buckley he says he didn’t get really anything out of working with her.
In the video it looks like all she did were vocal warm-ups and breath control (diaphragm) work with them. I hope they get more than that lol
I guess my memory played tricks on me. I went and listened to it and it does seem like her methods aren't exactly always adapted to her clients.
Feel like I heard about her maybe 10 or 12 years ago. When I was screaming in a band I thought her stuff might help. Didn’t use much of it except a few things that seemed to work. Interesting story...!
If not her, who are some good teachers for technique on that kind of screaming? Asking for a guy sitting on, like, 120 shitty GarageBand demos and an exhausted voice.
Same. I remember my friends bought the Zen of Screaming and we would practice together for our hardcore bands back in the day. YIKES