An Australian public announcer has entered the Guinness World Records after producing a scream measured at 122.4 decibels, setting a new world mark for the loudest scream by a single man. Joseph McGrail-Bateup, known as “Lord Joseph,” serves as the official announcer for the cities of Canberra and Queanbeyan.
McGrail-Bateup said he was not naturally loud as a child. “When I was a child I did not have a particularly strong voice. I was very shy and quiet,” he said. He said the change began after he finished school and joined theater, where he had to project without microphones. “I practiced in theater without microphones, and over the years my voice became stronger and stronger,” he added.
He was appointed city announcer in 2017 and began competing in Australian announcer contests in 2022. In 2024, he won first place in the loudest scream competition after reaching 98 decibels. He said that earlier this year he wondered what unusual challenge he could take on next, and found the Guinness category for screaming.
McGrail-Bateup said his daughter helped choose the word for the record attempt. The previous record-holder had used the word “quiet,” but that was not strong enough for him. They ultimately chose the word “now.” McGrail-Bateup also said he was not new to Guinness records, because he had previously held a record in archery.
