I couldn't help, I like the Cookiemonster Voclas far better than the term harsh vocals.
Now I will forever imagine Petri Lindroos as Cookiemonster.

Do you like harsh vocals or listen to any of those bands?
Some bands like Ensiferum have harsh vocals and clear vocal songs. Your thoughts?

I also noticed that even Rhapsody of Fire goes screechy. I think it's great to mix different singing styles. In case of Ensiferum I love the mix of cookiemonster Petri and the clear choir singing of the rest of the band members.

The harsh vocals of bands like Finntroll or Eluveitie are not everyone cup of tea. I like the voice of Katla and Vreth and I like Finntroll but there are bands with harsh vocals which I can't stand because I don't like the singers Cookiemonster voice.
Opposite is Finntroll's singer Vreth. On Nifelvind he sang for the first time clean voclas and it sounds pretty strange. His harsh vocals are much better than his clean vocals. Well, I guess he isn't used to sing clean vocals.

Interesting subject. Even though I'm much more openminded towards different styles of metals than for instance a year ago, I still cannot digest cookiemonster vokillz throughout a whole song.

The exception is when there's a guest musician who joins the clean singer of a band. Examples are Kamelot - March of Mephisto, Nocturnal Rites - Cuts Like A Knife, Freedom Call - Ages of Power.

And the Rhapsody songs you are talking about (When Demons Awake, Thunder's Mighty Roar, Reign of Terror) are exceptional. It just feels so right when the vokillz go "waarggh". Big exception.

As for Ensiferum (and Wintersun): totally awesome music, except for the vokillz. Can't stand it.

I enjoy some of them but usually not as much as clean vocals. I guess the first time I heard cookie monster vocals that was when Jesper Strömblad was trying to say how Anders Friden sings and I think that description fits his style very well ( his clean stuff however ain't so great)
I think Rainer Nygård of Diablo has a very good growling voice (and clean too) It ain't too agressive but not too smooth for the very rough music. You can really understand the lyrics and it is usually calm enough too)

I go for clean vocals. But I don't mind it (different to a few years ago) if there are harsh vocals too.

For example now I love Haggard! Begore I thought it's all great except for this vocals, so I didn't like the whole stuff. Same with Turisas.

Concerning Rhapsody: I still don't like Fabio's efforts in When Demons Awake. But what he does in Reign of Terror is more than awesome!

But leave me alone with nothing but growling!

I wouldn't consider Fabio's singing in Reign of Terror as harsh or cookiemonster vocals. It's more singing screechy..and it's awesome!

Compared to his usual singing style it is harsh.

And just to make sure, we're talking about the parts with those lyrics
For the children fallen
For the dreams you've stolen
For the smile of women
For respect and love

May the flame of angels
Clash your hordes of demons
Stop your resurrection
Burn your fallen soul

I want to hear vocals like Matt Barlow(Iced Earth), Eric Adams(Manowar) and Hansi Kürsch(Blind Guardian)..... This kind of voice it's more than EPIC

Petri Lindroos as Cookiemonster

I like the more barking sound of Cookiemonster vocals, but the more screaming type are not for me. I love Johan Hegg's voice, but Mitch Lucker (Suicide Silence) is not to my liking. I really like Petri Lindroos voice.

A friend of mine gave me the songs of a Haggard album. Curious to give it a listen now.


Ripper >>>>> Barlow. But Barlow's still good.

Yes I think so!!