David Benites, vocalist of Renesans is the go-to vocal coach for some of the heaviest voices in modern metal.
As the founder of Extreme Vocal Institute, he’s worked with artists from Motionless In White, Asking Alexandria, Black Veil Brides, Lorna Shore, and countless others.
But David isn’t just about vocals. His approach to performance is deeply rooted in physical training, recovery, and discipline.
In this Gym Rock Crew Fitness interview, David breaks down how the body, breath, and mindset all tie directly into vocal longevity.
Extreme vocals are a Full-Body Sport
David doesn’t see screaming as a “throat thing.”
He sees it as athletic output.
From oxygen control to core strength, he explains why vocalists who ignore their physical conditioning are setting themselves up to fail.
“The more you can do with your body, the more you can do with your voice.”
And no, this isn’t about just lifting heavy.
From Powerlifting to Performance Longevity
Before coaching elite vocalists, David spent years in the powerlifting and bodybuilding world, training as part of a competitive team.
That experience shaped how he teaches today.
Structure, patience, and repeatable habits over ego and extremes (well vocals are a different story).
The same principles that build strength in the gym are the ones that keep vocalists consistent on tour.
Why most Vocalists are training wrong on tour
Tour life destroys routines.
David explains why trying to “train like normal” on the road often backfires and how he adapts training to:
- Limited time
- No gym access
- High physical output on stage
His solution isn’t complicated, but most musicians completely overlook it.
Cardio, breath & stage endurance (this part matters)
If you think cardio doesn’t matter for screaming, David strongly disagrees.
Stage performance burns serious energy and poor conditioning exposes you fast.
He breaks down:
- Why cardio directly affects vocal control
- How breath management changes everything
- The simple mistakes that wreck endurance mid-tour
This section alone is worth watching the full interview.
The 3 essentials every vocalist should carry on tour
This might surprise most people as there are no gimmicks or influencer supplements.
David names three essentials every vocalist actually needs and calls out the predatory marketing that convinces musicians they need more.
One of them isn’t even a physical object.
Why your voice gets wrecked offstage
Here’s the part most vocalists never consider.
David explains why:
- Talking after shows
- Loud environments
- Poor recovery habits
…can do more damage than the performance itself.
His fix is surprisingly simple and immediately actionable.
David Benites dives deeper into:
- Vocal recovery when your voice feels shot
- Alcohol, sleep, and their real impact on vocals
- Managing focus and distraction on tour
- Why patience beats intensity every time
If you’re a vocalist, front person, or performer who wants longevity instead of burnout, this one’s mandatory.
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