A verb that can be used to talk about an unpleasant loud sound

[alpacinou]

I'm trying to describe a situation where a person hears a very loud unpleasant sound and the sound sweeps through them.

Can I use "rattle through skull"? What other choices do I have?

Does this work?

The motorcycles in this old town are really loud. When they pass you, the cacophony of their engines rattles through your skull.

 

[tedmc]

jarring/grating/rasping

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Rattles is good. More:

- roars
- resounds
- reverberates
- screams
- careens

 

[alpacinou]

Is the whole sentence okay?

The motorcycles in this old town are really loud. When they pass you, the cacophony of their engines rattles through your skull.

 

[Amigos4]

Is the whole sentence okay?

The motorcycles in this old town are really loud. When they pass you, the cacophony of their engines rattles through your skull.

My personal opinion: I do not associate the word "rattles" when I think of "really loud" motorcycles. The sound of a motorcycle is distinctive. I would use a more powerful word like one of Charlie's suggestions in Post #3, as well as "pulsates", "rumbles", "thunders".

 

[Tarheel]

Is the whole sentence okay?

The motorcycles in this old town are really loud. When they pass you, the cacophony of their engines rattles their bones.

A suggestion.

 

[Tarheel]

I made a mistake. I should have said rattles your bones.

 

[Amigos4]

I made a mistake. I should have said rattles your bones.

Nice catch, Tarheel! I was about to vote you off of the island! ;-)