Are Cats the Original "Vocal Fry" Masters? Cats have always been rockstars. Sure, they might doze off on your lap, purring contentedly. But those soothing rumbles have a surprising connection to the growling vocals of heavy metal legends! A recent study revealed that cats purr using a unique structure in their vocal cords, similar to the vocal fry technique used by singers like Corey Taylor of Slipknot. Could it be that our feline companions were the true pioneers of vocal fry? Let's explore the science of purring and its unexpected link to metal music! Pic: Nuno Magalhães The Science of the Purr vs. Metal Growls Researchers at the University of Vienna discovered a unique "purring pad" in cats' vocal cords. This special structure allows them to produce low-frequency purrs, often as low as 25-30 Hz —far below the range of typical human voices! What’s fascinating is that cats don’t need constant muscle contractions or brain signals to maintain this sou...