It’s safe to say that extreme metal vocal coach David Benites is a bit of a renaissance man. Between coaching some of metal’s most iconic vocalists, such as Chris Motionless (Motionless In White), Andy Biersack (Black Veil Brides), and Bryan Garris (Knocked Loose), among many others, and operating his own online music education platform, the Extreme Vocal Institute, Benites has become one of the most in-demand and viral figures in the rock and metal scene, and for good reason.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience in crafting the perfect metal vocal performances for countless individuals, it only makes sense that the renaissance man himself has now ventured to center stage as the frontman of his very own extreme musical project, aptly named, you guessed it, Renesans. This past April, Renesans released their latest single, “Split Brow,” showcasing the band’s signature blend of classic metalcore while incorporating everything from deathcore to slam into one pummeling package.
The track, which was produced and mixed by Benites himself, is a testament to his ferocious vocal delivery while also highlighting the technical strength of the band’s all-star lineup, which includes Dave Dunsire (guitar), Ron Bernhaut (bass), and Luke Green (drums). If “Split Brow” is any indication of where Renesans are headed next sonically, the metal scene at large is certainly in for a treat.
Having guided and inspired many of the scene’s most iconic figures, we asked David Benites himself to break down the albums and artists that ultimately shaped who he is today, not only as a coach but as a performer and vocalist.
From Killswitch Engage to Bring Me The Horizon, these are the albums that shaped David Benites’ sound!
As Daylight Dies - Killswitch Engage
Being from central Massachusetts growing up in the 2000s, Killswitch was in my blood from the start. The songs on this album are impossible not to sing and scream along to. Having both be equally powerful and memorable really stuck with me and inspired me to push for the same within my vocals and my songs with Renesans. This was also a major highlight on Guitar Hero 3 for me. [Laughs.]
No Time to Bleed - Suicide Silence
Discovering this band live for the first time 5 days before “Lifted” was released and the start of this album cycle altered my brain chemistry. The piercing, relentless sounds of Mitch Lucker's screams stay with me to this day. The undeniable presence within sound and movement had me hooked from that day on, and that’s been a staple for me as a vocalist and a performer from the beginning that I still carry with me now.
Deep Blue - Parkway Drive
“Say it with your WHOLE chest” is definitely the operative phrase here! Deep Blue is an absolute powerhouse of an album from a powerhouse band I’ve listened to thousands of times. I learned how to scream my lyrics with truth and fullness without holding back in a way I don’t hear very often. The weight that these songs have absolutely crushes, and every time I’m writing, once I get the same crushing feeling in my own songs, I know they’re complete.
All Hope Is Gone - Slipknot
One night growing up, I couldn’t sleep and had MTV on and accidentally saw the premiere of the “Psychosocial” music video and release of the song ahead of the album. This really solidified my love for this band, and the whole first part of that year I listened to it every day getting ready for school haha. This record rides the line between rage and sorrow so well and with such a strong identity within the band and Corey’s vocals. Once I became a vocalist and artist myself, I’ve always strived to ride that line in my own way as well.
One-X - Three Days Grace
Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t know the lyrics to anyone else’s songs haha. I know EVERY WORD to this whole album front to back. Every track, the ENTIRE song is the chorus and stays with you as such! The strength in these lyrics, the songwriting, the tones of voice, and the mix of this album are among my favorites of all time and set the standards I hold myself to as a vocalist, writer, and mix engineer. I’ve only loved this Three Days Grace album more over time since discovering it as a kid, and I strive to reach this level of sonic explosiveness and memorability with every Renesans song.
That’s the Spirit - Bring Me the Horizon
I listened to this on repeat and nothing else for months when it came out a decade ago. This record redefined songwriting for me both musically and lyrically. For heavy music to find this level of emotion and song structure, with darker topics reaching such a wide audience through relatability and simplicity, fascinated me. Screaming through the singing and vice versa to this degree spoke to me, and I’ve built my own version of it to call home here. I learn new things every time I listen to it again to this day and do my best to put the pain I’ve felt into songs people can sing along with and feel with me in Renesans songs.
Slow Decay - The Acacia Strain
As a New Englander, The Acacia Strain has been a lifetime staple and an inescapable truth of what helped build much of heavy music today. I’ve always enjoyed their work, but they really got me as a fan when they started rolling out Slow Decay. I was enamored watching them demonstrate how heavy music can evolve over time. Hearing songs, vocals, and lyrics being devastatingly heavy and yet fun and inviting at the same time shed a much-needed light on this world of music for me. Heavy music is for everyone, and we can be angry and sad together and yet enjoy the release. I’m doing my best to follow in their footsteps here along my own path with my music.
A New Hope - Vanna
I grew up in the same town and area as some of the guys in this band, so I really looked up to them a lot. The energy their songs had live in those days was where I learned what shows can be, and that made me fall in love with this world of live music. The spirit of that era of life is something I hold real close, and I make sure to feel that connection with every crowd I perform to.
Scoring the End of the World - Motionless in White
I’ve loved this band for a long time, so working with Chris Motionless, coaching vocals for a tour, performing “Slaughterhouse” live with MIW every day, AND starting to work with the same producer, JD deBlieck, for my music too was extremely exciting. Working with Chris and JD is a masterclass in precision, both on the vocal front and in performance. I’ve learned so much from them about how to slice through songs, and I really found myself and my voice through these continued experiences with them. This album also speaks to all the true metalcore values I hold dear.
Genesis - Job for a Cowboy
I’ve always known and respected this band for what they did for heavy music, but I gained a whole new perspective when I covered “Embedded” back at the start of my YouTube channel. I unlocked a new level of depth and dynamics in my screams from working on that song. That entire record, along with the rest of their discography, left a big impact on me for how impactful vocal acrobatics like this can be without needing to be watered down, as well as rhythmic excellence.
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