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Introduction to Meshuggah's Rhythmic Style
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- Опубликовано: 29 окт 2020
- Alternate title: "Music theorists react to Meshuggah!"
Second alternate title: "So you've heard of a Meshuggah, but what does it do and what is it used for?"
There are a few versions of this type of thing on RUclips, but I haven't seen any that draw on the very cool scholarship about Meshuggah's music. Here I try to both explain the basics of Meshuggah's style and show some of the directions that their music, and scholarship about their music, have gone.
In alphabetical order, here are the sources I mention. I realize not all are easy to access; if you really want to read something but don't have institutional access and don't want to pay for it, try contacting the author! I love knowing that people want to read my work and am happy to send a pdf if possible, and that's been my experience with most scholars.
For some very cool visualizations and interpretations of riffs, and several in-depth analyses (including of "Do Not Look Down"):
Capuzzo, Guy. 2018. “Rhythmic Deviance in the Music of Meshuggah.” Music Theory Spectrum 40 (1): 121-37. doi.org/10.1093/mts/mty005.
For a very cool, detailed but accessible exploration of note choice (ie harmony) in Meshuggah's riffs and solos, check out Daniel Crawford's series of videos!
• Meshuggah Note Choice ... and all the others
For more about heaviness, the "polymetrical cadence" and an analysis of "I Am Colossus":
Hannan, Calder. 2018. “Difficulty as Heaviness: Links between Rhythmic Difficulty and Perceived Heaviness in the Music of Meshuggah and The Dillinger Escape Plan.” Metal Music Studies 4 (3): 433-58. doi.org/10.1386/mms.4.3.433_1.
For some more about "Bleed," check out my first riff analysis video (Riff Analysis 001)
For some more about how Meshuggah builds riffs by manipulating smaller chunks:
Hudson, Stephen. 2014. “Fragments of Riffs and Small Alterations in Meshuggah’s ‘ObZen.’” Metal In Theory (blog). June 30, 2014. metalintheory.com/meshuggah-ob....
For analysis of riffs with pitch and rhythm on cycles of different lengths:
Hudson, Stephen. 2016. “Disconnecting Rhythm and Pitch in Meshuggah’s ‘Nostrum.’” Metal In Theory (blog). October 8, 2016. metalintheory.com/meshuggah-no....
For more on changes to the drum patterns: Lennard, Chris. 2016. “Deforming the Backbeat: Dissonant States and Musical Expression in Meshuggah’s ObZen and Koloss.” Paper in Master’s Portfolio, Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
For a solid, in-depth academic theory of meter and rhythm in general:
London, Justin. 2012. Hearing in Time: Psychological Aspects of Musical Meter. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press.
For some very cool analysis of riffs that seem to "start in the middle":
Lucas, Olivia. 2018. “‘So Complete in Beautiful Deformity’: Unexpected Beginnings and Rotated Riffs in Meshuggah’s ObZen.” Music Theory Online 24 (3). mtosmt.org/issues/mto.18.24.3/....
For that paper about Meshuggah's lightshow:
Lucas, Olivia. 2019. “The Analytical Lightshow: Concert Lighting as Analysis in Extreme Metal Live Performance.” In . Columbus, OH.
For the first academic Meshuggah article and analysis of "I":
Pieslak, Jonathan. 2007. “Re-Casting Metal: Rhythm and Meter in the Music of Meshuggah.” Music Theory Spectrum 29 (2): 219-45. doi.org/10.1525/mts.2007.29.2....
For analysis of Catch-33 and thoughts on the 4/4 vs polymeter debate:
Smialek, Eric. 2008. “Re-Thinking Metal Aesthetics: Complexity, Authenticity, and Audience in Meshuggah’s I and Catch 33.” Masters Thesis, Montreal: McGill University.
For more on the feel vs calculation debate:
Smialek, Eric, and Méi-Ra St-Laurent. 2019. “Unending Eruptions: White-Collar Metal Appropriations of Classical Complexity, Experimentation, Elitism, and Cultural Legitimization.” In The Routledge Companion to Popular Music Analysis, edited by Ciro Scotto, Kenneth M. Smith, and John Brackett. Routledge Music Companions. Taylor and Francis Group.
If I missed anything, let me know!
Your Meshuggah counting tip alone was worth clicking on this video for.
For real tho. Subconsciously I've always tried to do that when learning a wonky rhythm, but the way he explained it here is just *chef's kiss*
It's cool to know others do this as well.
He did what thousands of fans have always struggled with.
Worth the like!
That's funny. Trying to explain the patterns to a non-musician I use the same technique. Meshuggah counting. lol
next music theory course I take if they make us do rythym exercises I'm Meshuggah counting the whole time to see what happens
“Its a different kind of groovy world” he says with a completely straight expressionless face. This guy gets it.
"Looping asymmetric guitar riff patterns, which phase against quadruple meter backbeats, and are truncated to realign at hypermetric boundaries."
This does sound like lyrics Meshuggah would use. Just imagine Jens vocalising this in his style...
Looping a-sym-metric.
Guitar riff patterns.
Which phase against.
Quadruple meter backbeats.
And.
Are trun-ca-ted.
To re-align.
At hy-per-metric.
Boundaries.
Man I could hear this
i actully sang this part in Jens voice. dang it really works as lyrics
It fits perfectly into Born in Dissonance, lol.
Ohhhh fuck I just tried it and it sounds just like him 😂😂
Hahaha... This why I read comments.
Beams of patterns loop through my head
Thrusts of riff asymmetric engaged
Hypermetric boundaries succumb
I'm phasing now against the backbeats
My crimson meter quadruply spilled
Truncate fluid of life realigned.
lmao love this
This is underrated! 🤣
Needs a "scourge" thrown in there
Okay that was good 👍
Came to learn, ended up being in the video.....🙆🏼♂️ time to nail this head banging thing once and for all😂
Haha thanks for watching! Despite my jesting at the start I really enjoy your (and others's) reaction videos!
@@metalmusictheory5401 no worries man, no offence taken lol. I 100% understand why channels like mine get a bad name, but I’m just here to find some sick music and share it with an audience🤘🏼 great video buddy, will take a few watches before I even begin to grasp what you’re talking about but we’ll get there...🤣
I just plug my headphones in and walk with purpose. Your langer swing = the headbang rhythm.
“In Additionately” Dude I cracked up lol
Daamn that sentence sounds like something Jens would scream over chug chug
I'll excuse you this time, but in the future I expect you to refer to it as djent djent.
@@KimStennabbCaesar Thanks, but in my defense id like to say that when you palm mute djent djent (and thats what you do for vocals to cut through) you get chug chug ^_^
@@tatorusia6057 Yeah dude, just joking, hehe. Chugging the first beers of 2021 over here. Cheers!
@@KimStennabbCaesar Happy 2021 ! Cheers !
This is so perfectly right hahahhaa
Meanwhile "drum teacher" reaction channels be like: wHerE's OnE??!?
lmao I feel this
I thought it were the guitarists asking for this :p
LOL I love Garret Miller
Garrett Miller is the man
I'm pretty sure that they're asking for "One" from Metallica.
Otherwise it would be pretty embarrassing for them, right....hehehe...because they're drummers....hehe...not knowing where "one" is...hehehe...right?!? :'D
The way he stands makes me feel like he's about to get ready to fight me through my screen
lol I promise I'm not
About to throw down during Bleed live 😂😂😂
The concept of "Meshuggah counting" in subdivisions is such a fantastic acknowledgement
In addition to the meter: check out Meshuggah's live shows - guitarists head bang in 4-4 beat, playing asymmetric riffs at the same time.
For sure! Guy Cappuzzo had a cool paper about this at SMT this year, including some examples from Meshuggah and AAL where the guitarists are headbanging differently from each other in the same section. They definitely hear in relation to the drum's beat, but it's harder to tell if they're grouping those beats into 4s (at least just from how they're moving). The real test would be to see if they can count the beats out loud (1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4...) while playing the guitar riffs... It's a complicated question! Thanks for watching!
@@metalmusictheory5401 Thanks for the video! Really enjoyed watching.
@@metalmusictheory5401 I woulda thought the headbanging being in '4/4' was likely as this can effectively make it 1,1,1,1,1... with some 'corrections' as riffs restart or go into the next, which doesn't really require any thought.
@@_Stroda lol
This Guy! This is not the usual kind of guy. He's not...it's more complicated (but I'm not able or willing to explain) He is like: It's like this and that and that's a mouth full, but here is how. And then it's how it is. I salute you! Being able to make complicated things as clear as you did is a true sign that you know what you're talking about. Thanks!
Haha thank you so much! I'm glad it comes across that way!
The 4/4 is clearly the groove when it kicks in. The asymmetric riffs are to keep your mind occupied and challenge your fingerdrum skills when driving :)
Finally someone that actually identifies the phrase truncation. So many people say crap like "theyre playing in 39/8!" but it's so obvious they're just cutting the phrase short to realign with 4/4 so the next section can start cleanly.
The fact you also identify the meshugguh counting makes this the best meshug video on RUclips. No wanky music theory showoff bullcrap, just describing the music both as it is and as it feels. This is the gold standard for meshuggah analysis.
Agreed! This guy understands their music!
"fuckin finally, someone gets it!" - f. thordendal
This man needs a faculty position. This is crazy
The metal Adam Neely. Well done sir
It's nice to hear someone spell it out. As a Meshuggah fan, I independently figured out the "Meshuggah counting" over the years, and already have been counting Pravus in my head using the same numbering
This is the way.
I think if you want to learn their music you need to develop "Meshuggah counting" as a way to train yourself to memorize it, but the beautiful part is when you can listen to and play their music without counting it. When you've heard the riffs so many times and your hands/feet can play it without thinking, you enter this fucking weird harmony between the main pulse (usually the 4/4) and the syncopated riffs. Truly amazing music
Summing up video :
DUH-DUH IN ADDITIONATELY POLIMETRIC CADENCE
Someone did their homework. Great analysis dawg. I would assume over the course of an entire career of doing weird polymeter shit, these guys are probably being sincere that they just feel it in 4/4
Yeah for sure, which is what makes it so impressive!
Massively complex and challenging, however you meshuggah coat it.
Massively underrated comment
The "meshugah counting" is something that I've always kind of perceived, but haven't seen people talking about. Thank you for the analysis.
Plot twist, Haake hears the weird guitar/bass drum patterns and the guitars hear 4/4.
haha that's a real mind bender
That was the clearest explanation I've ever heard. I'm still confused. Clearly I'm missing the LSD component.
@@rofyle it’s just a bunch of Swedish dudes grooving, and can be viewed through two lenses, the 4/4 one or the cycle of whatever they’re doing above it
@@Sjrm126 Yes, to the casual listener. But to the band or anybody wanting to practice these songs with groove and feel, it must be felt through both lenses at the same time. That is why it's so challenging and interesting. If they were playing either part without the other, there really wouldn't be anything to shout from the rooftops about-at least from an analytical perspective.
Meshuggah style of counting - hell yeah, that opened a new world for me. Thank you man, awesome video.
Man, I'm just starting work on a master's dissertation about the emergence of the whole "djent" movement (yes I know djent is a contentious term, especially when related to meshuggah!) and I had no idea that there was any scholarship at all about Meshuggah etc. The fact that your ideas are so well thought-out and articulated, AND the fact that you link to a load of other scholarship about the music is just amazing. Looking forward to seeing more from you!
That's awesome! And yeah there's been quite a bit about Meshuggah in music theory, and a lot more scholarship on metal than I realized before I started grad school (and a lot of it is from the last 5 years or so). Good luck!
Meshuggah is one big "DO try to headbang" challenge
Listen to the high hats
the paradox of meshuggah is that you can headbang it but you can't count it
1300 views? This? Incredible stuff, such great detail and knowledge combined with actually playing the music. Mind-boggling! Thank you!
I didn't even know I had that many haha! Thanks for watching!
@@metalmusictheory5401 You're getting closer to what you actually deserve, slowly
I've been completely obsessed with "Clockworks" since the first time hearing it. I've figured out all of the patterns and how they work together, and it still never fails to blow my mind how it all just works. I use my own version of "Meshuggah time" when listening/analyzing, and it's awesome to know that others out there hear these guys the same way I do.
This deserves a lot more visits than the currently ones
"Do Not Look Down" is my favorite example of their style, at least to show it clearly. other songs are "more meshuggah-ey" but i think this one shows one of the core concepts really well. Excellent video! really put into words what's going on in an easy to understand way. thanks for this!
I love that song so much.
There is also "Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion".
I managed to stay through out the whole video. Nice & understandable explanation. Thank you!
I tried to drunk explain how they play to a friend who is musically illiterate but really enjoys them. This is some good fuel to help my next drunk ramblings! Thanks for the good video!
Ive been a fan since 1995 as a teen. I tried showing people meshuggah and they didnt get it in 2000. But now everyone loves Meshuggah. No idea.
This is how I've approach learning any riff by ear since i first started playing 20 years ago and you've just taken my entire mind and laid it out for me to see. I am so impressed. Great work lad.
Great explanation 🔥
Thank you!
Very well explained ! The first time I heard their music over 15 years ago my first reaction was “It sounds like they are playing riffs backwards!”
Incredible band. Been a fan since 1998s Chaosphere. Love the academic breakdown 👏👏👏
These guy are modern day music geniuses. I love them. I can't wait for the new album to come out.
"I think it's safe to say that no metal band formed in the last 30 years has had more of an influence on music than Meshuggah"
*Whale noises intensify*
Underrated comment
If you know, you know
Love Gojira but to be fair, i'd say they aren't even close to what Meshuggah has done for music, or metal in particular.
still Lars is better than Tomas on drum
Ha, Gojira absolutely took it to the masses. But no Meshuggah, no Gojira.
After seeing this video, I think I’m finally ready to listen to Meshuggah. I am not a fan of the style but after hearing them randomly at a festival, they are really catchy and your video make me want to listen to them again :)
Be careful, it can take over your musical world before you know it haha!
@@metalmusictheory5401 Ain't that the truth.. wish someone would have warned me!
The video we needed.
Very interesting stuff, thank you for adding some new words to my musical vocabulary. I'm definitely going to check out your other videos.
Man, what an amazing video! Much congrats to you, subed and wanting more of it!
By far the most interesting Meshuggah breakdown.
Well done, throughly researched and well presented.
👍
One of the best video ive seen this year, thank you for that amazing content keep on going bro
Just found your channel and loving the content you're putting out. Analytic and quite informative. Keep it up!
Incredible channel, I feel like I was waiting 15 years or more for this kind of thing. Thank you!!!
Great clarity, and well presented. Thanks for sharing your understanding of these patterns, very helpful !
This deserves SO MUCH MORE views! Well done Sir!
Man what a hidden gem of a channel. Instant subscribe. Thanks my guy!
Thanks for taking the time to give those insights at Meshuggah's music structure. Really good job. This is the kind of video that should have one million views!
Looking forward to your next video..! This is an excellent explanation..!
Incredibly well done! Amazed at how succinctly you were able to sum up all the rhythmic complexity in Meshuggah-with just one sentence! Looking forward to more analysis. Great work, keep it up! 👍🏼
You're a bloody legend! I've seen many videos that discuss their music but you really nailed it for me. The writing techniques, terminology, solid multiple examples, and notation!
Amazing content. A lot of work put into this. Instant subscribe.
Thank you for the detailed breakdown of the music theory behind this amazing band, great video!!
This is brilliantly explained. I definitely expanded my vocabulary after watching this and plan on putting some of this to practice.
Bro fantastic breakdown, and I love your "Meshuggah" timing method this just completely blew my mind on how easy you made it and opened up my bass playing on a whole other level. Keep it up fantastic content mate, instant sub
One of my favorite types of videos, explaining complex rhythmic music that is. Great video, you were to the point throughout it and you fully explain their approach to polymetric composition(s) very well.
Really good explanation! Thank you for taking the time to create the video
That's amazing bruv. Keep up the good work this Meshuggah counting is a really good way to learn any riff in general I think
Wow. You are absolutely nailing all of this, with clear and concise language that doesn't get bogged down with the heady concepts you are trying to explain. This is great, and I'll be using this video to teach this concept!
Bro, excellent analysis. Actually helped me enjoy it more. That counting method works wonders. Thanks!
Amazing video! Thank you for the insight. This explains a lot. That clockwork outro was great
Thank you. I really appreciate you breaking down what we're all hearing in these complex songs.
Great video. I can see the hard work that went in. Good job with the playing as well.
Ur counting tips just simplified life for me immensely. Thank you
Hey bro appreciated this vid! Meshuggah is my favorite band, so really appreciated the riffs you were playing, i haven't learned to play 2 of my favs yet that you played, Dancers and Violent Sleep. Such sick music mate
Love it, subbed! Can’t wait to see more!
Subscribed! Fantastic video, and the most succinct and best explanation of these techniques I’ve seen yet. Sharing this with all my metal head buddies, who inherently understand the feeling of music like this, but struggle to put it into words. Keep it up man!
Dude, really cool. I think your channel will get a lot of metal heads into theory. Keep it up, great stuff.
So epic. Thanks. I will check out all your other videos soon
Just found your channel, it's pretty cool what you are doing. Thanks dude!
was hoping to find a video like this for a long time.
we need more stuff like this about rhythm theory.
thanks a lot :з
I think you did a great job explaining their music, this video will push me listening to their music more.
Your channel helps keep me inspired about learning music theory, it's something I let slide in my adult life after guitar lessons weren't priority. Thanking you for this content, especially as someone who beat their head against a wall learning meshuggah shit in the past.
Pure gold! Would love to hear more analysis!
Blown away ! The quality of this channel is unheard of, dude you’re awesome👌👌👌
Thanks so much!
Absolutely awesome video! As a filthy casual to most music theory in everything but "I can nod to the grooves" this actually helped me understand how to hear the patterns as more than just the individual riffs. I hope to see more of these!
Hats off for breaking it down. With the diagrams I really could stay on track. Top notation and puzzle solving.
This is one of the greatest videos I’ve ever seen and I wish I had somebody to share it with that would appreciate it like I do.
Holy shit this is probably the single most useful video I have ever watched in my life. You articulated everything I imagine musicians who play this style know innately but can’t explain.
Being a guitarist myself and loving Meshuggah from the bottom of my heart, this is truly a great video! Thank you! :)
I use Meshuggah Counting too! You've expounded on their use of asymmetric riffing so well! Sick vid.
this is one of the clearest expositions of a complicated topic in music that I think I've ever heard / watched. "meshuggah counting"... explains so much. that simple graphic at 17:55 is easy to follow and makes so much sense. great work!
great video, very informative in a simple manner, subscribed!
I’m an insane Meshuggah fan and have been fascinated by their music ever since I discovered them back in 2008. This is awesomely informative analytical observation of their distinctive style. Definitely subscribed!
Excellent video. Great concept worth discussing, and broken down very concisely and digestibly. Also I am really enjoying your tone here. It’s so heavy but so clean and clear!
Thanks! I'm glad you like the tone lol a lot of people hated it
Dude thank you so much for this analysis... fantastic!
great vid, enjoyed it a lot! Ivory tower is on loop for months, cant get enough of it :)
Love that track!
This video is exactly what I've been looking for since I started listening to meshuggah! Thanks man.!
Happy to hear it! Thanks for watching!
Been listening to Meshuggah and related bands for a while. First thing I knew, there were patterns but it wasn't as discernible, until I watched this video. Great job on the explanation. It was enlightening about listening to Meshuggah in a bigger picture
Great ! Great great great ! That was super interesting to have someone explaining all of this. Awesome work :-D
Have a sub. Incredible analysis/breakdown/understanding. 'Meshuggah Counting' is 100% the best thing I've learned about this band. Being a drummer, Haake has kept me busy for decades. Nice job.
This is a fantastic video essay. Seriously dude, great job.
I am honestly so happy that I’ve found a guitar theory channel that is up to date on academic sources. As a postgrad I get disappointed that so many online videos try to utilise theories that just aren’t conducive to understanding the musical style being discussed, but this is fantastic. Great stuff!!
this was awesome! meshuggah counting is and extremely cool concept that will help me head vang on beat 😂 also thanks for not talking about bleed and only bleed over and over again like every single other internet source seems to do! incredible video!
Well explained, good job. Very revealing!
I have never heard of Meshugga before this. I’m intrigued. Thanks for all your work! Great Video!
You're in for a treat!
Awesome video man. You've put in work.
That clockworks chart ay 17:54 is fantastic. It's like a cheat sheet to the hardest rhythm to keep track of. Kudos man, this is some good stuff