ARCH ENEMY Singer Sounds Off On Vocal Technique, Early Influences And Being A Vegetarian

ARCH ENEMY frontwoman Angela Gossow has posted the following message on her official MySpace page:

"I get so many wonderful messages every day it is almost overwhelming. I am sorry, but it is impossible to answer them all.. So I have collected the most frequently asked questions and will answer them here in one go:

Q: What are space cookies?

Angela: "They are my fave bedtime sweets. Their main ingredient is this lovely green plant called cannabis in its dried, processed form. I highly recommend the book 'Cannabis A History' from Martin Booth. It is literally food for thought. Remember though: Everything you consume can turn into a drug if you OVERconsume.. Food, alcohol, cigarettes, whatever — and space cookies too."

Q: Is this the REAL Angela?

Angela: "Yes, it is really ME. It would very scary, if somebody else out there would have my private pictures and could answer all these questions."

Q: What music influences [you], what are [your] fave bands?

Angela: "I am a metalhead. Period. There are no skeletons in the closet, no EMINEM or BRITNEY SPEARS in between my CDs. Its all pure fucking metal: ARCH ENEMY, ASPHYX, AUTOPSY, ACCEPT, ARMAGEDDON, ANNIHILATOR, BOLTHTROWER, BLACK SABBATH, BEHEMOTH, CARNAGE, CANDLEMASS, CARCASS, CELTIC FROST, CORONER, DIMMU BORGIR, DISMEMBER, DEATH, DEICIDE, DARK ANGEL, DEATH ANGEL, DANKO JONES, EXODUS, EUCHARIST, ENTOMBED, EDGE OF SANITY, GRAVE, GOJIRA, HALFORD, IMMORTAL, INCUBUS, ILLDISPOSED, JUDAS PRIEST, KING DIAMOND, MASSACRE, MASSACRA, MEMENTO MORI, MALMSTEEN, METALLICA, MALEVOLENT CREATION, MERCIFUL FATE, MY DYING BRIDE, MORBID ANGEL, NEVERMORE, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, OVERKILL, OBITUARY, OLD MANS CHILD, PUNGENT STENCH, POSSESSED, PESTILENCE, PANTERA, QUEEN, QUEENSRYCHE, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, SEPULTURA, SARCOFAGO, SADUS, SLAYER, SOLITUDE AETURNUS, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, THE HAUNTED, TESTAMENT, TERRORIZER, UNLEASHED, VITAL REMAINS, VENOM, WARRIOR SOUL, WINTER.. To name just a few."

"Influences: The music I love. The singers I respect: Chuck Schuldiner, John Tardy, David Vincent, Jeff Walker. They are brutal, yet clearly to understand. They never tried to sound like somebody else. These are my main goals too. People always try to draw comparisons. It's boring me."

Q: Do you play any instruments?

Angela: "I played the flute when I was a kid later on I switched to accordion for about four years Then I got into metal and a Strat plus small Marshall amp at the same time. Today I play ESP custom, left-handed. And I just started with piano lessons."

Q: How do [you] write lyrics / where do [you] find inspiration? Do [you] ever have a writer's block?

Angela: "I read a lot. This is my main source for inspiration. When I have a writer block, I dig deep into movies and poetry books. Fantastic stuff to steal from, hehe.. A thesaurus is very helpful for finding different expressions for one and the same word."

Q: How do [you] get [your] voice to sound like it sounds?

Angela: "I use my vocal cords in conjunction with my false cords. They produce this gargly, raspy sound. I do NOT use a pitchshifter or harmonizer to create my vocal sound. I do not think it is possible to create a good scream by using effects. Controlled, abdominal breathing is a necessity. Strong, flexible vocal chords and frequent training is also required, if you want to sustain your voice over long periods of touring, etc. Acid reflux and smoking are your vocal chords worst enemies. When your throat/your larynx starts to hurt, this is a bad sign. If you are on the road it's usually not possible to stop screaming for a week or two. Try not to speak in between shows to give your damaged voice a rest. Make sure you dont eat late, don't drink any alcohol and avoid spicy food. Be nice to your inflamed larynx. Living a boring life for a while is not as bad as canceling a show. I have learned that the hard way. A good introduction into screaming technique, warm-ups etc is Melissa Cross DVD 'The Zen Of Screaming'. You can order it at www. Melissacross.com."

Q: CARCASS and Michael's gear set-up:

Angela: "About CARCASS: I am afraid this is a question for Michael, really, as well as his gear set up. On www.myspace.com/michaelamott there is a detailed illustration of his effects and gear in the picture section."

Q: What is your favorite song you have done thus far with ARCH ENEMY?

Angela: "'Ravenous'."

Q: I was just wondering besides the fact that death metal in general is awesome. What was the reason for you to start listening to it? Was it a band or just the attitude?

Angela: "It was the sheer energy and aggression. I found a radio station from England that played metal. I was about 15 years old and I didnt even know that this is metal. I just knew: this sound is giving me strength. Soon I discovered there were more people out there who liked SLAYER, TESTAMENT, MORBID ANGEL. They hooked me up with lots of LPs and tapes. And with 17 I joined my first metal band."

Q: About being a vegetarian:

Angela: "I don't have a problem with carnivores as long as they are conscious about what they do and do chose the 'right' meat, which is either self-hunted or bought at an organic farm, where the animals can roam free and at least have a cruelty-free life. The problem is, most people have actually forgotten where their meat comes from. In fact, most kids don't even associate their steak or burger with a once-living creature. If everybody would think a little and act responsible, there wouldn't be a meat industry with all its evil and damage to the ecological system. It is the thoughtlessness and indifference of society that creates such terrible abuse and exploitation of animals."

Q: Your intro music for live shows: Who wrote it?

Angela: "It is from DEAD CAN DANCE 'Summoning Of The Muse'. The album is called 'Within The Realm Of A Dying Sun'."