Customer Reviews
Buena Herramienta para todo vocalista 
2008-06-21
Definitivamente es DVD es excelente herramienta para todo vocalista de metal, no es dificil de entender con buenos concejos de los artitas que aparecen en el....... de las cosas que mas agrado fue que se preocupan en el rango de la vos del comprador ya que en Cd puedes entrenar segun tu rango por ejemplo si eres baritono, tenor, soprano etc.......
Lo que si creo que le hace falta, son los sub titulos en español o lenguaje ya que solo tiene ingles, razon por la cual le doy 4 estrellas, pero en lo demas creo que es una buena herramienta para el pricipiante como para el vocalista con experiencia........
estoy ansioso por comprar The Zen of Screaming: Vocal Instruction for a New Breed Vo 2......
saludos desde Honduras
Homework for the Cookie Monster in you. 
2008-05-29
The only downside is that the production seems to have been executed by someone who normally does infomercials. Echoing other reviews, some of it comes off as an ad. That said...
My voice would most likely be in much better shape if this had been available 10 years ago. On one hand, the natural gravel that comes with completely destroying your vocal cords does sound kind of cool at times. On the other, it would be nice to have the choice to turn it off.
If you are a metal singer and you pay attention to this DVD, it will be one of those events that may not garner the significance it deserves but none the less will positively affect the musical aspect of the rest of your life.
Although much damage has already been done in my case, and I'd already learned many of the lessons from experience, TZOS did introduce me to some new exercises and very practical techniques that have had an immediate impact on my performance.
Any metal singer would be foolish not to check it out.
Unique and helpful addition to other instruction 2008-02-21
The introduction part does come across like an ad, but once it gets going there is a lot of useful stuff. Instruction is interspersed with pieces of interviews with students of Melissa's, which is not instruction per se. But I think the interviews are very helpful in showing how it's put to use, as well as demonstrating the importance of vocal health. Most of the concepts Melissa reviews are things you'll encounter with a more traditional singing instructor, but she has her own way of describing them and explaining how they relate to screaming. She also has some unique exercises, tailored to heavy vocalizing. I think this DVD is most beneficial in conjunction with lessons/other instruction.
The reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because it only scratches the surface, and it's only designed to scratch the surface. I think this is fine for what it is, but it isn't everything. That, and the first 20 minutes are self-indulgent.
Very useful DVD 2008-02-20
This DVD is very informative, and has alot of easy-to-understand technique to save your vocal chords!
I recommend this to any screamer/growler at any level, beginner to advanced.
Following the instructions in this DVD, I have been growling safely for days... Although i haven't quite figured out how to Scream yet, I wasn't able to extract that much from the DVD as of yet.
A good DVD!
More of an infomercial than anything 
2007-12-03
First, let's be honest...if you don't already have the kind of voice to sing metal, this isn't going to help. You either have it, or you don't. What this dvd CAN do, is help you to expand your range to whatever natural degree you're able to, and help you learn to control your voice. That being said, the stuff on this dvd isn't any different or better than other instructional vocal videos/dvds I've seen. There are only so many scales and exercises you can do with the voice. I guess the big marketing thing on this is that it's for a "new breed" of vocalists but watching it just gives the impression that it's more of an infomercial for the bands and singers featured in the dvd, with various bits of the same old vocal exercises thrown in.
If you really want a solid vocal instructional dvd, by an instructor who actually has one of the best vocal ranges ever and has "been there, done that", buy the Jim Gillette Vocal Power dvd from Metal Method.com That will help you without the unnecessary BS.
The Best in Teaching Period. 2007-11-23
No Description Available.
Genre: How To - Musical Instruction
Rating: NR
Release Date: 6-MAR-2007
Media Type: DVD
brilliant 2007-11-15
i was a bit suprised to find that there wasnt much info on actually screaming on the dvd, until i figured out that all the breath control and positioning of the voice IS how you scream, overall this is the best vocal instructional dvd i have come accross. and the cd that comes with it for the warmup is invaluable!!
buy this dvd!
Too bad this is more advertisement than lesson... 
2007-10-30
I heard Melissa Cross on NPR and immediately bought this DVD, excited to learn how to scream without hurting my voice. I was disappointed to find the disk is about 55% advertisement for Ms. Cross, 44.5% standard vocal warmups and exercises, and 1 or 2 minutes of vague information on screaming.
I'm sure the vocal warmups are helpful for those who are too "hip" to take voice lessons, but if you've ever had a voice lesson, there isn't much you haven't heard before here. If you are interested in watching various metalheads praise Melissa Cross, then you'll love this DVD. But if you already have the least bit of vocal training and just want to learn how to apply it to screaming, be aware that the material here is pretty thin.
The real deal 2007-08-26
If you are the least bit sceptical about this DVD look her up on you tube. There are quite a few postings that show her at work. The DVD starts the viewer from the beginning, she never talks down to you. But, she does make sure that the basics are covered. I recommend this to anyone that can't talk after a show.
And then I pitched a scream... ...now I'm a believer! 2007-08-13
The short review: Buy it and use Cross's advice and exercises!
I've had Melissa Cross's "The Zen of Screaming: Vocal Instruction for a New Breed" for about a month and the breathing exercises and the advice on "Heat and Fire" payed off for me. Today, I was able to put forth lots and lots of tortured death-metal screams and shrieks and am not only not hoarse, but was able to intersperse the screaming and yelling with clean, melodic singing. It was actually less taxing on my vocal folds and larynx than when I try to sing opera as a dramatic baritone (it took death metal screaming to tell me I'm a lighter voice - thanks, death metal and Miss Cross!). And, since I was practicing to "The Wonder Pets" theme and "What's New Pussycat?" while mowing the lawn, I probably freaked out my neighbors.
When you buy this DVD (and you are, aren't you?), please note that the actual screaming/yelling/rasping section is fairly short and it comes after a lot of segments on breathing and some vocal exercises. Do not underestimate either the importance of proper breathing nor the value of the "Heat and Fire" segment. If you've ever torn up your throat singing raspy or beyond raspy and thought screaming was a quick, dead-end stop for your singing career (even if your career would be entirely screaming), you need to learn how to breathe properly and how to use "heat" to add rasping harmonics to your voice and "fire" to make use of the false vocal folds.
Another great thing about this DVD is that Melissa Cross doesn't want to change your voice or change your singing style; she wants you to be able to do your own thing with your own voice over the course of your own lifetime. Very good stuff!
