Most memorable extreme music screaming

Asphyx - Last One on Earth (1992)

Martin van Drunen's tortured voice was already pretty legendary from Pestilence's early output but in Asphyx, it got both the spotlight and the decor it deserved. His desolate screams simply are the perfect fit for an album named like this. Quite similar to Obituary, but much bleaker.

At the Gates - The Red in the Sky Is Ours (1992)

One of the few "howling" vocals in death metal, providing for a much more manic and desperate aura than the standard growling. Again, very fitting for the spastic, start-and-stop music.

See also Gorguts' Obscura and Cenotaph's 2nd/3rd LPs for a similar sound.

Belkètre - Ambre Zuèrkl Vuorhdrévarvtre (1996)

Very few sounds made by a human larynx ever sounded as malevolent and hateful as those found on that bootleg version of Belkètre's underground demo (I have the Tragic Empire Records 2005 one, with an even harsher sound). Not for the faint of heart.

Bethlehem - Dictius Te Necare (1996)

Possibly the most extreme and sincere (to inb4 modern art exhibits) vocal performance ever recorded, it was divisive even for black metal fans of the days, which says a lot. Rainer Landfermann got replaced with the next album (competently, I might add) but he definitely left his mark in musical history. Finest "violent asylum escapee" rendition in my books.

Black Flag - My War (1984)

Legendary album whose B-side birthed the NOLA sludge sound, with its signature "junky screaming at the top of his lungs" vocals. Yes, not Melvins; in fact, "Damaged I" from their previous LP can probably claim to be the genesis.

Burzum - Burzum (1992)

Actually what inspired me to write this list down. Probably one of the most important 2nd wave black metal albums, and still unmatched in some regards. One being the vocals which didn't and still don't sound like anything else.

Not a scream but a blood-curdling shriek like a banshee's. Cold sounding, so cold it's dry enough to hurt your lungs with every breath. And such a match for the music…

Carnivore - Retaliation (1987)

Coming from an era where trigger warnings clearly weren't a thing, Peter Steele's tongue-in-cheek-but-how-much? thing from before Type O Negative really has its moments. And giant Pete's ever deeper and stronger voice worked wonder here.

Cathedral - Forest of Equilibrium (1991)

I think I've read somewhere a comparison between a crazy, drunk hobo in the forest and Lee Dorian. A fitting comparison. That unsettling croaking together with the funeral dirge sound reminiscent of Saint Vitus' Born Too Late really is something; especially when you know that funeral doom wasn't a thing yet, Thergothon released its seminal demo a month later.

Penance's obscure first album gave me a similar feeling, if you want more.

Church of Misery - Houses of the Unholy (2000)

Wooo, first album in the list from the third millennium! One of the few truly extreme bands from Japan (they generally lean towards classic heavy metal visuals) with vocals to match. Quite the NOLA sludge sound, but even more unhinged at times. Yeah, crazy, I know.

Crowbar - Crowbar (1993)

The self-titled that gave Crowbar a permanent seat in the NOLA sludge select founders' club. While not as extreme as most entries here, Kirk's vocals convey a surprisingly wide range of emotions (all negative, obvously) and were always a perfect match for Crowbar's music.

Dark Millennium - Ashore the Celestial Burden (1992)

Quite an underground gem from Germany that got unearthed by inquisitive fans through the Internet, featuring the most inspired progressive death metal of its times (which had almost none except Atheist) and such amazingly aggressive vocals compared to the now-usual falsetto. Very much like a higher pitched Obituary.

Dark Tranquility - Skydancer (1993)

Not an unknown band, but a very underrated first album displaying much more vigour and "soul" than its followups, very much the same story as At the Gates. This kind of rasp isn't really unique, but rarely is it infused with such energy, energy which matches the very mystical aura of Skydancer.

Darkthrone - Goatlord (1996)

Call me hipster, I don't care. This is their second best album after A Blaze in the Northern Sky and the utterly punishing production is a highlight. The vocals aren't actually that raw, but said production gives them such a convincing evil touch that it's hard to ignore. Relegates Soulside Journey to the role of nursery rhyme.

Demilich - Nespithe (1993)

Okay, pulling out the big and very much expected guns now. Such a list without Demilich would have lost all its credibility. I'll try to make the paraphrasing short: it's still one of the most comically alien voices in all of music, and I love it. Took some time to get used to it, but the equally alien music helped.

Depressive Age - Lying in Wait (1993)

Probably the strangest entry in this list, because it's a guest vocalist providing death metal vocals on half a single track. But seriously, have you ever heard as much power in a voice? It's like a lion's roar!

Down - NOLA (1995)

A pretty much obligatory pick since anything you might have to say about Anselmo can't change the fact that he has a pretty unique and often fitting (be it Down or Pantera) grungy voice. I chose Down simply because I prefer it.

Edge of Sanity - Crimson (1996)

I've written about power earlier, when on the subject of Carnivore or Depressive Age. Well, the very prolific Dan Swanö is another man who knew how to use his God given bellows. It really gives an additional dimension to such music.

Gorguts - Obscura (1998)

Obscura is considered one of the hardest albums to tame (a requirement to then appreciate it) and the crazed howling is partly responsible. Well, in truth no, the "culprit" is 100% the music's complexity and density, but the vocals' manic aspect fit the equally frantic sound so well.

Grief - Dismal (1992)

Along with Dystopia, the absolute peak of "angry despair made sound". Nothing more to write, it really speaks for itself.

Katatonia - Jhva Elohim Meth… the Revival (1992)

In my opinion: the best scream in death metal™. No wonder Renkse permanently hurt his vocal cords producing these wails.

Limbonic Art - In Abhorrence Dementia (1997)

Maybe not as memorable as the rest, but it still lodged itself firmly inside my memories. Just one of the top black metal vocal performances, bringing that "soul touching" effect viscerally impressive vocals often have.

Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994)

Let me start by announcing that I always found the legendary DMDS pretty underwhelming except for this track. If there's one truly otherworldly thing about it, though, it's Hungarian barker Attila Csihar's vocals. He did wonders on Tormentor's underground demo but truly needed the (surprisingly) clear production of DMDS to shine.

Mütiilation - Remains of a Ruined, Dead, Cursed Soul (1999)

Second "Les Légions Noires" band after Belkètre. Same kind of extremity but very different in tone. Leaning much more towards insanity than hatefulness. Beware, very kvlt production, definitely from within a crypt.

Mystifier - Göetia (1993)

Similar to Beherit's debut, proto-war metal with a very occult/gothic touch. The cavernous vocals are also there, constantly on the verge of reverting to animal grunts. It really ties it all together.

Obituary - Slowly We Rot (1989)

One of the gnarliest death metal vocals, propped up by the "in your face" mix. Tardy's voice is the nearest thing to a zombie screaming into your ear, to the point you can almost feel his rotten phlegm drip into it.

Paradise Lost - Gothic (1991)

The first album of Peaceville gothic death/doom may be remembered more for its incredible music (especially the title track) but the contrast provided by the desolate vocals is often overshadowed by it. I say no more!

Peste Noire - Folkfuck folie (2007)

We French seem really good at doing those insane vocals!

Pixies - Doolittle (1989)

A lone exception to the "extreme music" rule, but it deserves it. Pixies' Black Francis knows how to scream, too bad he rarely does.

Sabbat - Karisma (1999)

Part of the few mentioned truly extreme Japanese bands. The vocals can almost be considered theatrical, so over-the-top they are. Love it.

Sadness - Ames de Marbre (1993)

Quite obscure Swiss band with a very gothic sound and uniquely aggressive vocals, the close-miked production probably helped making it this striking.

Swans - Young God (1984)

Already said, but one of the only bands I deem worthy of the "superlative" qualifier. Singing is rarely the reason for it, but the nightmarish Young God track is different.

Thergothon - Stream from the Heavens (1994)

The birth of funeral doom also brought a completely unique singing technique, resembling a bleaker version of Demilich. "Singing" might be the wrong word, really, it's more like a death rattle.

Unholy - From the Shadows (1993)

Last one, another Obituary/Asphyx kind of monstruosity. But dialed up to 11 this time. The Finns are truly weird.