Upon reflection of numerous non- English singing Black Metal bands (specifically Horna), I’ve come to the realization that it isn’t what a singer says necessarily, as much as how they sing it that has an effect upon their audience.

That doesn’t mean that lyrics don’t have an impact on the music- they certainly do, but when a band sings in a foreign language (again, I draw to the reference of Horna), it doesn’t matter what that person says, but how they say it. Form over function, sonic effect over content. Whether it be a blood curdling scream, such as the one Corvus often uses or the mixed clean and screaming vocals of Garm, or the lower, raw growl of Nocturno Culto, the tone of the voice a musician uses helps create atmosphere within music.

I can make an analogy to any other instrument you would find in an extreme metal band; guitars, for instance. They do not say anything, but the sound and tone they produce have an effect on the overall atmosphere of the music. The same is true of vocals.

Thus I can draw a conclusion that vocalists do not always serve the purpose of informing us of some topic- but they themselves serve as an “instrument” in producing the sound of the music. However, with a previous knowledge of the bands’ artistic vision, whether it be the Bubonic plague concept found throughout Ääniä Yössä or the Medieval fascination found on Dark Medieval Times to the infernal obsession on Under The Sign of Hell, understanding the intended effect or background an artist has on making a song or album can help strengthen and perpetuate the feelings and atmosphere created.