Interview by Kris Peters
With the modern world embracing technology like never before, it was only a matter of time before the metal scene and metal music became caught up in its web. Don’t get me wrong, technology and the wonders of modern advancement have long been a part of the music industry – everywhere from live sound to studio tricks to programmed drums – but it is the concept of AI that has been more divisive and controversial than anything else.
But it has always been inevitable. Like it or loathe it, AI is not only here, it is also integrating into more of life and music than some of us care to admit.
Until now, heavy metal has been unchartered territory for anything AI-generated. Musically there have been many advancements but when it came time to replicating hard rock/metal vocals the challenge seemed to always be insurmountable. But not any more.
In conjunction with AI vocal synthesis company Eclipsed Sounds, Seann Nicols (Westfield Massacre, Adler’s Appetite, Quiet Riot) has been working on something new and exciting called HXVOC, the first-ever AI rock/metal vocalist for Synthesizer V Studio 2. This is an entirely new technology that allows producers to generate fully realistic rock and metal vocals, complete with rasp, grit, and even full-on screams.
HXVOC is a first-of-its-kind AI vocal instrument that gives musicians and producers unprecedented access to a professional rock/metal vocalist without needing a real singer. It’s powered by Synthesizer V Studio 2, the most advanced vocal synthesis engine available today. The key breakthrough is that HXVOC can accurately perform aggressive rock and metal vocal techniques, including rasp, grit, belting, growls, and screams—which have never been done at this level in a vocal synth before.
Rather than replacing singers, HXVOC is an instrument for musicians – just like drum machines and amp sims. It empowers producers, bands, and solo artists by letting them create fully produced songs with high-quality rock vocals. This is a major first for the vocal synthesis world, and it’s already making waves. Two official showcase videos have been released, original songs demonstrating HXVOC’s capabilities in both a Sleep Token – style track and a modern rock song created specifically to highlight its vocal modes.
This technology is about to change music production in a big way, especially for rock and metal. Now, any producer in the world can access a professional-quality rock vocal without needing to record a singer. With AI-powered vocals becoming more advanced, this could be a turning point for the industry.
A known and respected hard rock/metal vocalist, Nicols has approached things from the perspective of a working musician and is adamant HXVOC will only benefit the music industry, not destroy it. HEAVY sat down with him for a chat to find out more about HXVOC and ask a few questions that we think may pose a concern.
“It’s got a lot of moving parts,” he began. “And I’m new to the space, so I’m by no means an expert. But I’ll give you the best to my knowledge. Basically, AI vocal synths have existed for a long time. Apparently this has been like 25 years in the making. I guess it started with a thing called Vocaloid, which is a company that Yamaha founded. And it started out as a Japanese-based company, and they did like a lot of anime, and it went into pop and electronic.
And that’s mainly where the AI voices have found most of their traction. But to get a voice that worked for rock was really hard and challenging. Because they couldn’t get the grit, they couldn’t get the… they couldn’t get the aggression to come out of the voice. It just sounded very robotic, and they could produce clean tones, but they couldn’t produce that like guttural, like raw that you need for rock, right?
So basically this is the first time that we’ve had those intense techniques captured and reproduced with an AI. And it took us about, well, two years in development. And it was actually just a meeting of technology and the engineering behind it and the team and the training and special techniques that all had to go into capturing and being able to create this voice that people can get like a real rock metal vocalist right out of the computer with the AI.”
First HXVOC Showcase – Before The Quiet Comes
We hit him with the question many are wanting to know: Is HXVOC designed to actually replace a vocalist in a band?
“Not at all,” he stressed. “No. It’s an instrument. It’s not a replacement. And I realize that’s a concern, but, you know, I was toying around with this technology for a long time. I mean, it started with drums, and then it turned out you could do your drums and program your bass, and then they created guitars and synthesizers, and there’s orchestral libraries and everything. And this is just an extension of that, but now for the human voice. And now when we listen to demos that are made by musicians on their computers, the drums sound pretty killer. And it’s because of guys like Steven Slate that made the really complicated process of recording drums in a big studio, and you need all these microphones and these crazy consoles and engineers. I mean, it’s super complicated to get a good drum sound, but he just made it so it was really easy so you could just load it up on your computer put your beats in and voila it’s like sounds like it was recorded in a million dollar studio and uh that’s what we’ve done essentially with a rock voice now.”
In the full interview, we engaged in a detailed discussion about the evolving role of technology in the music industry, particularly focusing on Seann‘s collaboration with Eclipse Sounds and the introduction of their AI vocal instrument, HXVOC. Seann emphasized the potential of AI vocal technology to enhance songwriting and studio work, viewing it as a valuable tool rather than a threat to jobs in the industry.
Seann elaborated on the capabilities of HXVOC, highlighting its ability to capture the nuances of rock and metal vocal techniques, which have historically been challenging to record. He reassured that the software is intended as an instrument to empower musicians rather than replace live vocalists. We addressed some of the concerns that invariably come with new innovations, his role in HXVOC, how it will benefit the heavy metal industry and plenty more.
Eclipsed Sounds (HXVOC): https://eclipsedsounds.com
Dreamtonics (Synthesizer V Studio 2): https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizerv/
In recognition of the intricacies and thirst for knowledge surround AI in music, HEAVY also conducted this interview with Seann separately via Q&A in order to allow readers to take their time and fully digest the magnitude of what is being described. These answers will not be exactly the same as the audio/video interview because of the fact Seann had more time to structure his responses and used that time to ensure he answered everything to the absolute best of his knowledge.
HEAVY: When you say first of its kind, can you be more specific because AI vocal machines have been around for a while?
SEANN: Yeah, AI vocal synths have existed for years, but until now, they’ve mostly been limited to pop, electronic, and anime-style voices. Some producers have tried pushing them toward rock and metal by layering effects or tweaking parameters, but the results were rarely convincing—and the process was anything but intuitive.
HXVOC changes that. It’s the first AI vocal synth truly built for high-intensity rock and metal vocals—and the first rock/metal voicebank developed specifically for the Synthesizer V Studio 2 platform. Right out of the box, it delivers the grit, power, and intensity that heavy music demands, handling everything from clean, melodic singing to aggressive screams, distorted belts, and deep growls. It also gives users precise control over phrasing, tone, and expression, making it a serious production tool for musicians and producers.
Powered by Synthesizer V Studio 2, HXVOC takes full advantage of cutting-edge vocal synthesis technology, providing unparalleled realism, improved AI pitch expression, and precise vocal tone control—making it the most advanced rock/metal vocal synth ever created. This is a game-changer for musicians and producers in heavier genres. For the first time, artists have access to a highly realistic, expressive AI vocalist built specifically for rock and metal.
In a nutshell, what is the primary goal of creating HXVOC?
To empower musicians by giving them a professional-level rock/metal vocalist they can use in their music—without needing a real singer, elaborate recording tools, or expensive studio time. HXVOC is a tool designed to help artists bring their vocal ideas to life faster, easier, and more affordably.
HXVOC isn’t designed or intended to actually replace vocalists, is it?
Not at all. This is not an AI songwriter or auto-music generator. Just like drum machines didn’t replace drummers and virtual instruments didn’t replace musicians, HXVOC is a new instrument that expands creative possibilities for artists. It’s still up to real artists, songwriters, and producers to create music—HXVOC simply helps them bring their ideas to life. It provides a realistic and expressive vocal instrument, just like a virtual guitar, piano, or orchestral library in a modern production workflow.
HXVOC – Vocal Mode & Spanish Cross-Lingual Synthesis Demonstration (Synthesizer V Studio 2)
My first thought was that something like this would spread through the music world to the point all music would be created by AI, thus killing out the whole live music scene, but that’s obviously not the case.
Exactly. If anything, HXVOC can help more artists get their music out there, leading to more real bands forming and more live shows happening. Many bands start as solo projects or struggle to find the right vocalist—HXVOC gives them a powerful tool to create not just demos, but fully-produced, professional-quality songs.
HXVOC meets creators where they are, whether they need a vocalist for writing, arranging, or releasing a polished final track. It’s a versatile instrument that can help artists build momentum, gain traction, and ultimately bring more music to the live stage.
Why have rock/metal vocals never been done in a vocal synth before, and why does HXVOC succeed where others have failed?
The biggest challenge was replicating the complexity of human vocal distortion—the way grit, screams, and growls interact with breath, pitch, and resonance. Most previous vocal synths couldn’t handle these extreme techniques convincingly. HXVOC succeeds because it goes beyond just raw intensity—it captures the intricacy and nuance of a real rock/metal performance. The software doesn’t just mimic sound; it interprets the artist’s intention, allowing for more natural phrasing, expressive dynamics, and emotional depth than ever before.
Since rock and metal are highly emotional, visceral, and extreme genres, this level of realism is a critical breakthrough. HXVOC brings us closer to feeling the genuine emotion behind a vocal performance, making it a true expressive instrument.
You’re known for fronting bands like Adler’s Appetite, Quiet Riot, and Westfield Massacre. How did you get involved in something so groundbreaking?
I’ve always been passionate about pushing creative and technological boundaries in music. As AI began making waves in music production, I saw its potential to fuel a new wave of breakthrough innovations—particularly in the area of vocal production. I started experimenting with AI in the studio and wanted to dive deeper into how it could enhance the way I produce vocals.
In 2023, I connected with Eclipsed Sounds at the NAMM convention in Anaheim, CA. I was already familiar with vocal synthesis, but when I heard what they were doing with AI voices, I was blown away. We started discussing the idea of creating a true rock/metal AI vocalist—something capable of handling rasp, screams, and extreme vocal techniques with the same intensity as a real singer. Two years later, HXVOC is a reality.
Looking back, I wish I had something like this earlier in my career. It removes so many creative limitations, making it easier to develop ideas, refine vocal arrangements, and produce finished tracks—without the usual barriers of time, budget, access to a vocalist, or a studio. Now, anyone can bring their vision to life with a professional-grade rock/metal vocalist at their fingertips.
What was your actual input during the research and development stage?
I recorded hundreds of vocal performances across multiple styles—clean singing, full voice, falsetto, belting, rasp, fry screams, whispers, and growls—covering a wide range of vocal tones and registers. These performances were recorded through a world-class chain of high-end microphones and analogue equipment, ensuring the same level of quality found in top rock and metal studio productions. Eclipsed Sounds then analyzed, categorized, and processed these recordings using advanced AI training models to create the most realistic and dynamic rock/metal vocal synth ever made.
Second HXVOC Showcase – No Reason
I also worked with Eclipsed Sounds on the creative direction of HXVOC. They’re an incredibly talented and professional team, and we really clicked on the futuristic vision for HXVOC’s design. Their deep connection to the vocal synth community was key in shaping the visual presentation, backstory, and lore surrounding HXVOC’s avatar. It’s been an amazing creative partnership from start to finish.
Who else is involved?
The core development team at Eclipsed Sounds worked extensively to capture the nuances of my vocal recordings and bring this voicebank to life. The showcase music, artwork, and visual identity were crafted by their incredible team of illustrators and producers, shaping both its sonic and aesthetic vision.
But perhaps the most exciting aspect of HXVOC is its connection to the creative community it was built for. The artists, musicians, and producers who use it will ultimately shape its future—through music, visuals, storytelling, and beyond. HXVOC isn’t just a voicebank; it’s an evolving creative force, driven by the artists who make it their own.
Run us through the creative process for users. Do they have to have their own lyrics, or are they provided/generated by the AI?
Users provide all the creative input—lyrics, melodies, phrasing, and vocal style. HXVOC does not generate lyrics or melodies—it’s a tool that turns the user’s ideas into a complete vocal performance. Think of it like a virtual instrument for vocals—the same way a musician programs drums or synths, they can program HXVOC to sing their lyrics and melodies the way they hear them in their head.
How much human element will be retained in the songwriting process?
100%. The artist controls everything—HXVOC doesn’t write, think, or create music on its own. It’s a tool, not a songwriter. The best results will always come from musicians who know how to craft great songs and shape compelling vocal performances.
Can someone input their own voice and make it sound like whoever they want?
Synthesizer V Studio 2 includes a feature that converts a user’s voice recording into MIDI data, which can then be rendered using HXVOC or any other SV2-compatible voicebank. While this doesn’t alter their voice, it maps their recorded melody into Synthesizer V, giving them full control over the phrasing, expression, and performance details of the voicebank they choose within the software.
How easy is it to access HXVOC?
Super easy. All you need is a computer and Synthesizer V Studio 2—no expensive studio setup or high-end gear required. Synthesizer V Studio 2 works as both a standalone application and a plugin compatible with all major DAWs including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, FL Studio, Ableton Live, and more. At NAMM 2025, it was revealed that Synthesizer V will be included in an upcoming Pro Tools update as an ARA2 plugin, providing seamless integration and advanced capabilities for Pro Tools users worldwide.
HXVOC is available directly from the Eclipsed Sounds website. Once installed, it becomes available for use inside Synthesizer V Studio 2—similar to how a plugin functions within a DAW.
Official Release Dates:
Synthesizer V Studio 2 – March 21, 2025
HXVOC – March 27, 2025
