those bends that you do from a note you have to bend before you play it? or the timing that needs to be perfect? Yes I know what you mean. It's accessible on one hand, and seems impossible to master on the other. I love how meshuggah just goes into the 180 degree opposite direction of all that fancy sweep picking, play as fast as you can movement. Nah. Rhythm and timing, that's the juice.
I remember watching Dean from Archspire trying to learn Dancers and he was so thrown off it really surprised me normally he picks riffs up pretty quick for the most part but he really couldn’t pick up the timing
I LIKE JUICE IT IS A TRUE FILTERED VITAMIN SUBSTANCE AND FRIED RICE ROLLING IN GERMAN, GERMAN EGG WHITES EVERYTHING IS SALMON SEPARATED ONE FIN AT A TIME
Meshuggah was 1 of the first bands to drag me into complex musical compositions. The beauty is in how they dance around the 4/4 so you can still bang your head like a pro. Legends.
These guys don’t neglect lyrics, they put just as much thought into their lyrics as they do their music A lyrical review would be an even further eye opener to the talent and pride they put into their music Great job reviewing the original edition of Rational Gaze and not the remastered 👍👍
My absolute favorite part of all of your videos is watching you analyze the music; one can always see it in your eyes and body language (the solo for exmaple). You give everything an ACTUAL listen and I really enjoy your breakdowns.
Seabeast, Capillarian Crest, Where Strides the Behemoth, Aqua Dementia, Megalodon, Mother Puncher, Halloween, Clandestiny, Crack the Sky...soooo many I would love to see
Man oh man, you’ve gotta check out Swarm by these guys. The way it builds, the themes they build percussively and musically. It’s so great. It feels like an anthem of the wasps, the marching drums of a hive mind. So so good.
When I was introducing my metal head/guitarist friend to Meshuggah (he wasn't a huge fan before) I showed him Swarm. When it gets to the drop after the build up at 3:58 he just immediately stopped the song, rewound it 20 seconds and grabbed his guitar and spent the next 5 minutes trying to work out the riff because he was so blown away by how awesome it was. He's a converted man now.
I recently discovered Devin Townsends old band, Strapping Young Lad, and they have some pretty amazing songs. I would recommend listening to Skesis from their Alien album.
Rational Gaze was my introduction to Meshuggah back in 2002. I still get chills every time I listen to it AND the urge to smash everything around me lol.
Tool and Meshuggah were huge fans of each other. When Tool's 10,000 Days came out in 2006, it had a few Meshuggah-esque riffs. When Meshuggah's Obzen album released in 2008, it had a very Tool-esque riff towards the end of the album. Truly masters of their craft. :D
i saw them when they toured together in like 2002 or 03. during Disposition/Reflection/Triad, Tomas Haake came out and played standing percussion with Tool. it was dope.
Yeh one of the reasons I love meshuggah is because Jens actually yells full throttle into the mic. It matches the intensity of the music. And you were right in being confused about what to call that, because no one in metal really screams like that, in that style, besides Gojira. Most vocalists go into that low growl pocket or shriek like tortured hyenas.
Just came here via your Queens of the Stone Age video and talking about bands whose influence blew up I would suggest you check out Kyuss who almost single-handedly invented stoner rock out of Palm Springs, LA in the early 90s and was how Josh Homme started his musical career. Specifically, I would suggest the songs "Gardenia" or Whitewater" from their album "Welcome to Sky Valley". Thanks so much for keeping us company here!
Love this song! And every since I saw the misheard lyrics version, I can never not hear "I like juice, finish your juice, filtered vitamin substance" hahaha.
Im pretty sure anyone that wasnt massive into Meshuggah that heard this album. It changed their entire life, 100%. It took me a long time to appreciate this album because I was a thrash head at the time. Hearing the slow droning riffs and chugs was hard for me to get into, but once I started to understand and appreciate it, it is the reason why I have an 8 string :). I LIKE JUICE, FINISH YOUR JUICE, FILTERED VITAMIN SUBSTANCEEEE
What really makes Meshuggah work is that, no matter how complex their arrangements get, there's always an even count at the foundation. It may be a struggle to keep it all the way through, it's often buried, but it's always there.
I've been into Meshuggah for over ten years and I still can't get over how good they are. Every single time I listen to this song it's like listening to it for the first time!
Meshuggah may be the greatest band to work out to. You should listen to the remastered version of this song with the blue album cover. They re-recorded the guitars with their 8 string guitars instead of this version which had down-tuned 7 string guitars. I definitely prefer it. Great analysis man🤘
I've always loved the part of the verse sections/pre-choruses where they drop down a semitone. Makes my head bob every single time I hear it. What you said about it being in 4/4 is accurate. Most of Meshuggah's more-loved tracks are in 4/4, utilizing metric-displacement to achieve the ebb-and-flow of it. 'Shuggah doesn't use polymeters nearly as often as most people think. If you split your foot tapping into eighths, and lock into the cymbal that's smashing away on the 1's and 3's, it makes it a lot easier to "see" what they're doing, and how everything fits together logically. The main reason why Meshuggah is "your favorite Metal band's favorite metal band" is their clever use of metric-displacement over a standard groove; And also the main reason why most of the bands who try to rip them off fail. 'Tis not the kind of thing that over-analyzing will get one anywhere with lol. It's more of a feel than a technique, IMO, which is what makes it so great. Couple that with their Holdsworthian melodic-sense (like the dissonant lead you mentioned; It's got Allan Holdsworth all over it), and you've got a real tour-de-force.
I really enjoyed this reaction. Its always lovely to see one of your favourite tracks get some love and appreciation. If you ever feel like it, Future Breed Machine from their Destroy Erase Improve album is the first track of theirs I heard and cemented my love for them immediately. Id never heard anything quite like it. Like a fearsome engine running at its peak.
Check out their other tracks: Sickening, Neurotica, Stengah, Perpetual Black Second, and Demiurge. This band opened up a whole new world of technical metal to me.
I was aware of Meshuggah back in the early 00's but wasn't a huge fan, that all changed after i watched them live in 2004-05. The live experience made me a fan then and to this day.
You'd love Catch 33, whole album is a journey. Also nothing got re-recorded an in my opinion sounds way better, look for the blue version of this album cover
@@MegaLaban12345 Agree! I don't think I've actually ever listened to this original version. I've jammed the re master countless times so this sounded off to me right off the bat, but once it settled in, there is really nothing off putting about this mix at all.
This version was recorded with 7 string guitars downtuned, so it sounds a little less polished or a little rougher IMHO. Their 8 String guitars weren't ready yet. The blue version of this album, was re-recorded with the 8 string guitars and remixed. Catch-33 and this album are recorded with Programmed drums. Superior Drummer plugin. I managed to get the original Drumkit from Hell 2 when it first came out, because of these 2 albums.
The remaster would’ve been great if they had used organic drums instead of that weird sounding drum program. Threw off the entire dynamics of Tomas’ drumming. The ghost notes were muted and the time keeping on the hi hats was absent.
The song that started my Meshuggah obsession. Should do something from Catch 33... the first six parts are kind of like one song and a good stopping point imo
Catch 33 is also kind of an interesting point in the band's discography. It's the first (and only?) album where all the drums are recorded from the "Drumkit from Hell". Basically, Thomas Haake recorded multiple different entries for each element of his physical drumkit, then this was used to record the drum part of this album. Yup. Technically, no physical drum was used to record Catch 33.
LMAO that's awesome, "the first six parts are a good stopping point I think", trying to get him to listen to half the damn album aren't ya. That'd be sweet lol.
@@BillCoz only 21 minutes? 21 minutes of a banger lol. I's awesome too don't get me wrong, but for me Catch Thirtythree takes the cake overall. But it's Meshuggah, almost everything is phenomenal from these geniuses.
The vast majority of Meshuggah songs are in 4/4, with polyrhythms and syncopation that cycles loops on top. The drummer Tomas Haake will often keep the 4 meter on the hat or cymbal. Counting music...Great as ever Geebz!
The fact you reacted to this song, just made my day. First Meshuggah song I discovered when Nothing first came out years ago. Picked it up at the Virgin Megastore in Denver, was instantly hooked!
You sir, would really enjoy the band Car Bomb. I recommend the songs “Scattered Sprites” or “Dissect Yourself”. Off their newest release. Maybe start there since those seem to be slightly more accessible, however their time changes, and sudden drops into a groove, I guarantee, will fascinate you!
Def look into their lyrics. As always so interesting to hear someone who knows what their talking about go over songs I’ve listened to countless times.
Meshuggah the Djent Gods. So glad you're doing more. Can you do their amazing track Behind The Sun next? Oh and the singer uses his voice as a percussion instrument in all their tracks. So unique.
Remember the song Ritual off tyhe None record? Lol Jens used his like, actual singing voice on that song... Fredrik told him to never do that crap again I think.
@@APieceOfLiquid Yeah, they did have those bands you mentioned as obvious influences but musically Meshuggah were more advanced on Contradictions Collapse than even Dream Theater's best stuff in some respects, imo, and they did have their "own sound" even at that time. The polyrhythms were way more creative and cool sounding imo. Listen to all the songs of Contradictions Collapse, there is stuff on their with thrash, prog, jazz, fusion, there's even a hint of an industrial kind of sound on some songs. Imo Haake is better than Portnoy too, but Portnoy seems more versatile, Haake has his "thing" he does on drums, it's like a style he invented, where as for me at least Portnoy seemed like a "metal drummer" who decided to throw progressive and other styles in there with thrash/metal. Haake is my favorite drummer, even topping Danney Carey..
Like, 'Shuggah sound more like an "art project" that Dream Theater, who seem more like just "a band" to me. 'Shug are more like calculated but natural feeling to me. It sounds like every extra or odd beat is there for a reason in shuggah songs, where sometimes DT seems to have just like added 2 beats or 1 beat or 1/2 a beat or something to make the rhythm more complex, like for the sake of it. Meshuggah's odd meters always resolve naturally and you can overlay a 4/4 onto it, and you could do math to figure out shit like how many measures they'll likely play before it resolves by counting and then counting a 4/4 and see where it lands. Not that I think they purposefully like, count their shit to get a number of beats they like or just so it's different each time or something, when writing the music, that's the feeling I get from DT sometimes, like they had a number in their head and counted and mapped out the beats. Don't get me wrong I've gotten way into DT and love them but compared to my top 1 or 2 bands, which Meshuggah is one of, DT is not quite up there for me.
This Album Amazed me ... Looking at their discography this was a hint of what is to come from the albums that followed and was a nod at their old sounds as well ... Now they have a more defined sound and have really crafted their own niche ... so many bands now you can tell they have inspired so many ... Headbanging to this is so much fun ...
I love how long you take to get into this. I'm watching your reaction as you get it the groove. You get it. It takes a few loops, but you get it. Watching you discuss what all us Meshuggah fans love is bliss. I've had the discussions with others as to what makes this band amazing.
Excellent choice, Geebz. Prob my most played Meshuggah track of all time since i was introduced to them in the early '00s. I vote New Milleneum Cyanide Christ or Dancers to a Discordant System for lyrical breakdown!
Hey man. So glad to see you reacting to more Meshuggah. Most of the suggestions to them have already been mentioned, so in case you want to hear some of their more challenging stuff, which delves even Deeper into letting the riff have its stay to form an apocalyptic thunder of a broken cold groove, check their 2005 concept album Catch 33, which actually is one continuous 45 minute track just split with 13 timecodes (and it could totally work as a 3 mega lengthy track EP, I guess, if we are talking about splitting it in some reasonable manner). Its definitely something to experience.
Well spotted on the timing of the vocals. I remember watching some interview with ..I think it was one of the guitarists, where he talked about their songwriting process and how they treat all instruments (vocals included) as percussion instruments.
I may be late to the party, but if nobody has mentioned the band Gorguts... GORGUTS!! Anything off of Colored Sands or From Wisdom To Hate is amazing, especially recommend stuff from Colored Sands as far as analyzing goes. Big big recommend the song Forgotten Arrows or Colored Sands (title track).
I mean if someone were to transcribe this song - they definitely would not do it in 4/4 - cause it would make it way more complicated to read - since it’s all layered poly rhythms. - But the groove of the song is a 4/4 feel.
More Meshuggah! Nice! This song is in straight 4/4 Geebz, you're correct. You talked about the way they arrange groupings and its important to emphasize that crossing the bar line (especially in this song) is really what makes a Meshuggah riff super difficult to follow. Also, check out Cynic- How Could I?
This is the song that got me into Meshuggah. Other great songs from this album: Stengah Perpetual Black Second Closed Eye Visuals Glints Collide Straws Pulled At Random
Be interested to know what Geebs thoughts would be on comparing the original Nothing recording with the re-recorded version of Nothing after they got their newer guitars. Also would suggest listening to Straws Pulled at Random. I would choose the re-recorded version but that’s me. The ending to that songs is actually one of my favorite pieces of music ever. So amazing to hear the brutality cleanse away into the sheer majesty and beauty of that ending.
Dude, I've been excited to watch this since you dropped it which is extremely rare. I'm almost as cold as their music and you've really been brightening up my genre preferences with your input on what you take from it from all fronts. This was something I noticed from watching drum cam footage but it appears that Thomas uses 3 different hi hat configurations varying in the open splash spacing between them. Rock on and nerd alert!
I know it might shock many, but Meshuggah's influence on Metal and Heavy Music is comparable to Sabbath, Metallica, Maiden, ... Yes their (commercial) success is not comparable but they are among the bands who defined a whole new way of playing guitar and composing songs. Nobody dared to tune their guitars that low before them, the use of 8 strings guitars was almost inexistant, this heavy use of polyrhythm and polymeter was marginal and nobody sounded like them when they eventually decided to adopt their style around the mid/end 90's. It took roughly 10 years for the Metal scene to digest what Meshuggah was doing and now even some mainstream rock songs use 8 strings guitar, and maybe even more impressive they influence some contemporary Jazz musicians. Their legacy is just incredible when you think about it. This song (and album) is the birth act of Djent. One of my favourite songs by them, one of the best riffs to headbang to despite its oddity! And the guitar tone was just so unusual at the time! Please check out: Dir En Grey - Vinushka :) And if you come back to Meshuggah, please check out Nostrum, one of their most underrated songs with some absolutely mindblowing drumming
Their live shows are absolutely incredible. Less of a performance than an experience. Also, just for shits and giggles, watch the short "Face of Wall Street" clip on YT. It's a bit from this song perfectly synced to an excerpt of Wolf of Wall Street and funny as hell.
I just wanna say, I think you are my favourite RUclipsr ever. I love your optimistic attitude, and your amazing knowledge of audio engineering and composition. You are an inspiring dude. You seem like the coolest guy ever, and I hope you continue to become more and more successful on RUclips. I discovered you when you analysed Gratitude by Car Bomb and I think I've watched every video since. You seem to give a whole new perspective on some of my favourite songs and artists. You seem to review literally all of my favourite artists. It's crazy. Keep doing what you're doing. You rule!
Like your idea for a lyrical analysis. I like how meshuggah approaches lyrics. Their lyrics actually have a lot of substance, however they seem to put more emphasis on how the vocals are rhythmically and sonically arranged as part of the music rather than the meaning of the words being immediately clear and obvious. Very cool group of musicians. So much energy! Lyric analysis requests.. maybe “I am colossus” “the demons name is surveillance” “straws pulled at random” “dancers to a discordant system”
Some songs from meshuggah you might enjoy reacting to. Future breed machine ( a must ) Beneath Suffer in truth New millennium cyanide Christ ( a must) Corridor of Chameleons ( a must ) Neurotica Stengah Straws pulled at random ( a must ) Nebulous I ( a must ) Combustion Electric Red Lethargica Obzen Pineal Gland Optics ( this one is a must) Dancers to discordant system (this one is also a must, IMO the best they have ever made) I am colossus Do not look down ( great song, I guess the grooviest song I ever heard ) Marrow Break those Bones Whose Sinews gave it motion Demiurge ( a must ) Born in Dissonance ( a must ) Violent sleep of reason Nostrum ( a must ) Pretty sure you’re going to enjoy all of this songs. One of my top bands for a long time now. I could have put much more songs, but I guess this ones will give you a better comprehension of what a phenomenon meshuggah is. Cheers🤟🏽🤟🏽.
@@kraterkop yeah I know… just couldn’t put more because there is a limit of words😅😅. At least I think there is. But totally there are so many songs of them there are ridiculously good.
4:10 Yes, if I could sum up a good portion of Meshuggah's phrasing, they hardly ever use a standard 4 measure, rinse-repeat pattern. They stretch their view out to 8 bars, constantly jumping around with "where's 1?" until it comes to a climatic end and we all find 1 again, moving on to the next phrase. Basically we ride the tidal wave of guitars and let the snare pop and vocals keep us planted on the board :) . Another great vid, teach!
Meshuggah Riffs: The hardest 3 note riffs you’ll ever learn
Amen
those bends that you do from a note you have to bend before you play it? or the timing that needs to be perfect? Yes I know what you mean. It's accessible on one hand, and seems impossible to master on the other. I love how meshuggah just goes into the 180 degree opposite direction of all that fancy sweep picking, play as fast as you can movement. Nah. Rhythm and timing, that's the juice.
Less is more
I remember watching Dean from Archspire trying to learn Dancers and he was so thrown off it really surprised me normally he picks riffs up pretty quick for the most part but he really couldn’t pick up the timing
@@domanz1I do like juice.
Let me point out one of the oldest Meshuggah memes at 5:29 "i like juice, energy of truth, filtered vitamin substance".
Yup! This was back when the Meshuggah song everyone obsessed over was Future Breed Machine haha
Isn't it finish your juice instead of energy of truth?
based
I LIKE JUICE
IT IS A TRUE FILTERED VITAMIN SUBSTANCE
AND FRIED RICE
ROLLING IN GERMAN, GERMAN EGG WHITES
EVERYTHING IS SALMON
SEPARATED ONE FIN AT A TIME
"I like juice, it is the true, filtered vitamin substance"
This whole album "Nothing" is out of this world.
I see...man of culture !!
You could say that 'Nothing' is better!
@@sou1daddy503 true nothing is A catch in a kolossal violent Sleep
@@BbNaB an unmatched masterpiece .....yet matched by their follow Up. true Magnus opus!!!
It's outta sight man
Far out
For me "Nothing" was THE Meshuggah album that got me into that rabbit hole.
Destroy Erase Improve, for me.
@@morilot indeed! But what I meant, Nothing was the album that really got me into Meshuggah
@@wolverine669 I heard them live in 96, thats when I really got hooked. But then I had already heard the album and they were awesome live.
The demo version of Closed Eye Visuals came out right as I was starting High School. Such a time.
Chaosphere for me
Meshuggah was 1 of the first bands to drag me into complex musical compositions. The beauty is in how they dance around the 4/4 so you can still bang your head like a pro. Legends.
👏👏👏👏much yes. Big agree
You username XD
They are the greatest.
Yeah, fake 4/4 is the best time signature hahaha
@@xavkoston16 I love me some good fake 4/4
I can't unhear: I like juice! Amazing live band, looked like most of the audience went into a trance.
Its a true filtered vitamin substance 🤘
EVERYTHING IS SALMON SEPARATED ONE FIN AT A TIME
@@CyclopticAetherDUH WE OUT OF TEA JAMAICANS REAL!
NEVER DRINK FROM THE CARAMELIZED
These guys don’t neglect lyrics, they put just as much thought into their lyrics as they do their music
A lyrical review would be an even further eye opener to the talent and pride they put into their music
Great job reviewing the original edition of Rational Gaze and not the remastered 👍👍
I second this
@@Koivisto147 I third this. Never realised really till i saw the live vid of millenium cyanide christ with subs. Sci-fi poetry!
Go read the lyrics for "I". Fucking dark epic poetry 👍
I'm not really a lyric guy but after listening to the lyrics of perpetual black second I definitely started paying more attention to their lyrics.
I like juice, it is the true filtered vitamin substance 🤘
I like juice...it is a true, filtered vitamin substance...
Always heard "I like juice, finish your juice, filtered vitamin substance". Pleases me this is still going
EVERYTHING IS SALMON
SEPARATED ONE FIN AT A TIME
It's all right!
“TASTE THE LOTION!!”
Key of geebz please please please.do a decapitated track
It's what you do on this channel : Everything examined , seperated one thing at a time
🤘😂❤️
that's it!!! 🤘🏻
Straws Pulled at Random. Unreal tune and one of the coolest things they've ever done.
Especially in the original version. That snare gets me so freaking hard dude, groovy as hell!!!
Just after the first pause "I like juice, finish your juice, filtered vitamin substance"
Cannot unhear
Lethargica and Demiurge are great Meshuggah songs
Their grooves are one of a kind
Demiurge is so sick, 1000%
Lethargica has to be one of the heaviest songs ever written
I think Geebz already reacted to Demiurge, also the drum play-through for Clockworks and a few others.
Demiurge....try not to headbang. I dare you.
@@Slaughterhauzen it’s scientifically impossible to not headbang to Demiurge
My absolute favorite part of all of your videos is watching you analyze the music; one can always see it in your eyes and body language (the solo for exmaple). You give everything an ACTUAL listen and I really enjoy your breakdowns.
Wow, thank you!
despite my constant nagging for “The Wolf is Loose”, I feel obliged to join the chorus for Mastodon’s “The Last Baron” (“Divinations” though…)
I'm joining you in suggesting the wolf is loose, well the last baron too, but the wolf is loose is cooler.
Seabeast, Capillarian Crest, Where Strides the Behemoth, Aqua Dementia, Megalodon, Mother Puncher, Halloween, Clandestiny, Crack the Sky...soooo many I would love to see
For the love of all that you hold holy do anything from Crack the Sky, which would include Last Baron......so....yeahLasdt Baron
Love Mastodon
How about The Czar?
Please do a lyric analysis on this song. The drummer actually writes the lyrics and they are GENIUS
yeah, he is plugged the fuck in
he likes juice
@@samenbi710and pea soup
You have to check out "straws pulled at random" out of that Album!
My favorite off nothing
Man oh man, you’ve gotta check out Swarm by these guys. The way it builds, the themes they build percussively and musically. It’s so great. It feels like an anthem of the wasps, the marching drums of a hive mind. So so good.
I much prefer the live version from The Ophidian Trek live album. Such a badass song
Huge Meshuggah fan and Swarm is probably my favorite track, criminally underrated. Such a swingy groove!
When I was introducing my metal head/guitarist friend to Meshuggah (he wasn't a huge fan before) I showed him Swarm. When it gets to the drop after the build up at 3:58 he just immediately stopped the song, rewound it 20 seconds and grabbed his guitar and spent the next 5 minutes trying to work out the riff because he was so blown away by how awesome it was. He's a converted man now.
The production on Koloss might be my favorite of their albums
Rhythmic perfection. Had the primal drums going the whole song. My second favorite Meshuggah track
I recently discovered Devin Townsends old band, Strapping Young Lad, and they have some pretty amazing songs. I would recommend listening to Skesis from their Alien album.
The New Black is a solid SYL option as well
Angry Devy
Shitstorm.
Yes
City is my go to.
Such a mind bending album. I’ve been listening to it for about.. what 15 years now? I still don’t fully grasp it.
Have you heard the instrumental version of NOTHING someone made on YT? If not you gotta check it out!
I clicked on this so damn quickly, your a godsend Geebz!
Rational Gaze was my introduction to Meshuggah back in 2002. I still get chills every time I listen to it AND the urge to smash everything around me lol.
Tool and Meshuggah were huge fans of each other. When Tool's 10,000 Days came out in 2006, it had a few Meshuggah-esque riffs. When Meshuggah's Obzen album released in 2008, it had a very Tool-esque riff towards the end of the album. Truly masters of their craft. :D
«Were»? Are they not longer fans of eachother?
@@CodamATW i would guess they are still fans of each other. I was just giving some light context for the 2 albums at the time but I see your point..
i saw them when they toured together in like 2002 or 03. during Disposition/Reflection/Triad, Tomas Haake came out and played standing percussion with Tool. it was dope.
I saw Meshuggah open for Tool. Life changing.:)
Yeh one of the reasons I love meshuggah is because Jens actually yells full throttle into the mic. It matches the intensity of the music. And you were right in being confused about what to call that, because no one in metal really screams like that, in that style, besides Gojira. Most vocalists go into that low growl pocket or shriek like tortured hyenas.
i love watching people listen to meshuggah. it looks like their brain is melting.
Just came here via your Queens of the Stone Age video and talking about bands whose influence blew up I would suggest you check out Kyuss who almost single-handedly invented stoner rock out of Palm Springs, LA in the early 90s and was how Josh Homme started his musical career. Specifically, I would suggest the songs "Gardenia" or Whitewater" from their album "Welcome to Sky Valley". Thanks so much for keeping us company here!
Love this song! And every since I saw the misheard lyrics version, I can never not hear "I like juice, finish your juice, filtered vitamin substance" hahaha.
This was the first Meshuggah song I ever listened to, it blew my mind as a 13 year old kid.
Im pretty sure anyone that wasnt massive into Meshuggah that heard this album. It changed their entire life, 100%. It took me a long time to appreciate this album because I was a thrash head at the time. Hearing the slow droning riffs and chugs was hard for me to get into, but once I started to understand and appreciate it, it is the reason why I have an 8 string :).
I LIKE JUICE, FINISH YOUR JUICE, FILTERED VITAMIN SUBSTANCEEEE
What really makes Meshuggah work is that, no matter how complex their arrangements get, there's always an even count at the foundation. It may be a struggle to keep it all the way through, it's often buried, but it's always there.
I've been into Meshuggah for over ten years and I still can't get over how good they are. Every single time I listen to this song it's like listening to it for the first time!
This was the song that got me into meshuggah in 2015. Have been stuck ever since
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO REVIEW THIS SINCE SUBSCRIBING BACK IN MAY! THANK YOUUUUU!
Meshuggah may be the greatest band to work out to. You should listen to the remastered version of this song with the blue album cover. They re-recorded the guitars with their 8 string guitars instead of this version which had down-tuned 7 string guitars. I definitely prefer it. Great analysis man🤘
The closed captions do the meme of this tune’s lyrics justice
I've always loved the part of the verse sections/pre-choruses where they drop down a semitone. Makes my head bob every single time I hear it. What you said about it being in 4/4 is accurate. Most of Meshuggah's more-loved tracks are in 4/4, utilizing metric-displacement to achieve the ebb-and-flow of it. 'Shuggah doesn't use polymeters nearly as often as most people think.
If you split your foot tapping into eighths, and lock into the cymbal that's smashing away on the 1's and 3's, it makes it a lot easier to "see" what they're doing, and how everything fits together logically. The main reason why Meshuggah is "your favorite Metal band's favorite metal band" is their clever use of metric-displacement over a standard groove; And also the main reason why most of the bands who try to rip them off fail.
'Tis not the kind of thing that over-analyzing will get one anywhere with lol. It's more of a feel than a technique, IMO, which is what makes it so great. Couple that with their Holdsworthian melodic-sense (like the dissonant lead you mentioned; It's got Allan Holdsworth all over it), and you've got a real tour-de-force.
I really enjoyed this reaction. Its always lovely to see one of your favourite tracks get some love and appreciation.
If you ever feel like it, Future Breed Machine from their Destroy Erase Improve album is the first track of theirs I heard and cemented my love for them immediately. Id never heard anything quite like it. Like a fearsome engine running at its peak.
There's also the acoustic version called Futile Bread Machine which I find quite amusing.
Check out their other tracks: Sickening, Neurotica, Stengah, Perpetual Black Second, and Demiurge. This band opened up a whole new world of technical metal to me.
I was aware of Meshuggah back in the early 00's but wasn't a huge fan, that all changed after i watched them live in 2004-05. The live experience made me a fan then and to this day.
Same! I saw them live and was like I get it!! I I now get it!!
One of my favorite live bands. Just mind blowing and tight
You'd love Catch 33, whole album is a journey. Also nothing got re-recorded an in my opinion sounds way better, look for the blue version of this album cover
I enjoyed this version a lot actually, but the Blue version is still superior.
@@MegaLaban12345 Agree! I don't think I've actually ever listened to this original version. I've jammed the re master countless times so this sounded off to me right off the bat, but once it settled in, there is really nothing off putting about this mix at all.
Or the album "I"
This version was recorded with 7 string guitars downtuned, so it sounds a little less polished or a little rougher IMHO. Their 8 String guitars weren't ready yet. The blue version of this album, was re-recorded with the 8 string guitars and remixed. Catch-33 and this album are recorded with Programmed drums. Superior Drummer plugin. I managed to get the original Drumkit from Hell 2 when it first came out, because of these 2 albums.
The remaster would’ve been great if they had used organic drums instead of that weird sounding drum program. Threw off the entire dynamics of Tomas’ drumming. The ghost notes were muted and the time keeping on the hi hats was absent.
The song that started my Meshuggah obsession. Should do something from Catch 33... the first six parts are kind of like one song and a good stopping point imo
Catch 33 is also kind of an interesting point in the band's discography. It's the first (and only?) album where all the drums are recorded from the "Drumkit from Hell". Basically, Thomas Haake recorded multiple different entries for each element of his physical drumkit, then this was used to record the drum part of this album.
Yup. Technically, no physical drum was used to record Catch 33.
Catch Thirtythree is an absolute masterpiece. It's even a bit weird within the context of Meshuggah. Man I love that piece of art.
LMAO that's awesome, "the first six parts are a good stopping point I think", trying to get him to listen to half the damn album aren't ya. That'd be sweet lol.
@@vacuity7147 I actually like "I" better, although only 21 mins of music, but C33 was fucking amazing too.
@@BillCoz only 21 minutes? 21 minutes of a banger lol. I's awesome too don't get me wrong, but for me Catch Thirtythree takes the cake overall. But it's Meshuggah, almost everything is phenomenal from these geniuses.
Meshuggah are, quite simply put, the only metal band. Period.
The vast majority of Meshuggah songs are in 4/4, with polyrhythms and syncopation that cycles loops on top. The drummer Tomas Haake will often keep the 4 meter on the hat or cymbal. Counting music...Great as ever Geebz!
One does not simply just catch the groove of Meshuggah, but you found it. Well played Sir well played!
The fact you reacted to this song, just made my day. First Meshuggah song I discovered when Nothing first came out years ago. Picked it up at the Virgin Megastore in Denver, was instantly hooked!
It's finally happening!!! Yes, Geebs!!!
When u get used to this song its imposible to not make the last scream
You sir, would really enjoy the band Car Bomb. I recommend the songs “Scattered Sprites” or “Dissect Yourself”. Off their newest release. Maybe start there since those seem to be slightly more accessible, however their time changes, and sudden drops into a groove, I guarantee, will fascinate you!
I think he already did a Car Bomb video (Gratitude)
I would say HeLa and Mordial are more accessible than Dissect Yourself. Or maybe I just never got into the laser gun sound
Car Bomb recommendations always get my thumbs up. I'm suggesting Sets, Nonagon or Spirit of Poison
He did Gratitude but I'm waiting for him to do more. NONAGON!!
@@bb-sw6ur Yes I agree, but I'm even keener for Spirit Of Poison, that track is incredible.
Def look into their lyrics. As always so interesting to hear someone who knows what their talking about go over songs I’ve listened to countless times.
Them:
Meshuggah: Dominates with no remorse
Man, what a banger!
I love your reaction at 6:25, like what the hell is that time signature!
Meshuggah the Djent Gods. So glad you're doing more. Can you do their amazing track Behind The Sun next? Oh and the singer uses his voice as a percussion instrument in all their tracks. So unique.
Remember the song Ritual off tyhe None record? Lol Jens used his like, actual singing voice on that song... Fredrik told him to never do that crap again I think.
@@BillCoz in their early days they sounded like a cross between Metallica and Dream Theater. Especially his voice.
@@APieceOfLiquid Yeah, they did have those bands you mentioned as obvious influences but musically Meshuggah were more advanced on Contradictions Collapse than even Dream Theater's best stuff in some respects, imo, and they did have their "own sound" even at that time. The polyrhythms were way more creative and cool sounding imo. Listen to all the songs of Contradictions Collapse, there is stuff on their with thrash, prog, jazz, fusion, there's even a hint of an industrial kind of sound on some songs.
Imo Haake is better than Portnoy too, but Portnoy seems more versatile, Haake has his "thing" he does on drums, it's like a style he invented, where as for me at least Portnoy seemed like a "metal drummer" who decided to throw progressive and other styles in there with thrash/metal. Haake is my favorite drummer, even topping Danney Carey..
To m,e Meshuggah are more "organic" sounding than Dream Theater.
Like, 'Shuggah sound more like an "art project" that Dream Theater, who seem more like just "a band" to me. 'Shug are more like calculated but natural feeling to me. It sounds like every extra or odd beat is there for a reason in shuggah songs, where sometimes DT seems to have just like added 2 beats or 1 beat or 1/2 a beat or something to make the rhythm more complex, like for the sake of it. Meshuggah's odd meters always resolve naturally and you can overlay a 4/4 onto it, and you could do math to figure out shit like how many measures they'll likely play before it resolves by counting and then counting a 4/4 and see where it lands. Not that I think they purposefully like, count their shit to get a number of beats they like or just so it's different each time or something, when writing the music, that's the feeling I get from DT sometimes, like they had a number in their head and counted and mapped out the beats. Don't get me wrong I've gotten way into DT and love them but compared to my top 1 or 2 bands, which Meshuggah is one of, DT is not quite up there for me.
this whole album is one of my top favorites. the feeling front to back is just on another level.
This Album Amazed me ... Looking at their discography this was a hint of what is to come from the albums that followed and was a nod at their old sounds as well ... Now they have a more defined sound and have really crafted their own niche ... so many bands now you can tell they have inspired so many ... Headbanging to this is so much fun ...
I love how long you take to get into this. I'm watching your reaction as you get it the groove. You get it. It takes a few loops, but you get it.
Watching you discuss what all us Meshuggah fans love is bliss.
I've had the discussions with others as to what makes this band amazing.
... and you get it.
Love your channel.
Excellent choice, Geebz. Prob my most played Meshuggah track of all time since i was introduced to them in the early '00s. I vote New Milleneum Cyanide Christ or Dancers to a Discordant System for lyrical breakdown!
I love that he makes “the face” we ALL make when listening to Meshuggah. Hell yea!
Hey man. So glad to see you reacting to more Meshuggah. Most of the suggestions to them have already been mentioned, so in case you want to hear some of their more challenging stuff, which delves even Deeper into letting the riff have its stay to form an apocalyptic thunder of a broken cold groove, check their 2005 concept album Catch 33, which actually is one continuous 45 minute track just split with 13 timecodes (and it could totally work as a 3 mega lengthy track EP, I guess, if we are talking about splitting it in some reasonable manner).
Its definitely something to experience.
Well spotted on the timing of the vocals. I remember watching some interview with ..I think it was one of the guitarists, where he talked about their songwriting process and how they treat all instruments (vocals included) as percussion instruments.
You'll get nothing. And love it. Anyone else remember that genius marketing?
Ben waiting for this🙌🏻🙌🏻
I love that you have discovered the groove in our field of metal!! It's never too late to find the groove!!
Meshuggah live was absolutely fantastic. One of the more polite moshpits I've been in actually
I may be late to the party, but if nobody has mentioned the band Gorguts... GORGUTS!!
Anything off of Colored Sands or From Wisdom To Hate is amazing, especially recommend stuff from Colored Sands as far as analyzing goes.
Big big recommend the song Forgotten Arrows or Colored Sands (title track).
Good call, I forgot about those guys
Distorted vocals is a good way to describe growling or screaming without offending anyone lol
I’m so thrilled to see all these meshuggah critiques
Hahahaha "man, that is dissonant" it sure is Geebz...it sure is
"Corridor of Chameleons" by Meshuggah for your 1 year countdown!
you're absolutely right, the whole song is in 4/4, most of their songs are.
6:25 is one of my favorite riffs in metal, it's incredible
I mean if someone were to transcribe this song - they definitely would not do it in 4/4 - cause it would make it way more complicated to read - since it’s all layered poly rhythms. -
But the groove of the song is a 4/4 feel.
More Meshuggah! Nice! This song is in straight 4/4 Geebz, you're correct. You talked about the way they arrange groupings and its important to emphasize that crossing the bar line (especially in this song) is really what makes a Meshuggah riff super difficult to follow.
Also, check out Cynic- How Could I?
4x4 sickness and how sick one can distroy the standard 4x4 rhythm in the most BRUTAL and elegant fashion!
Got this song on a multi track magazine CD many years ago and was hooked ever since. Watching them live is another experience altogether!!!!!🤯
I so love your reactions to challenging rhythms. You're the man Geebs!
This is the song that got me into Meshuggah.
Other great songs from this album:
Stengah
Perpetual Black Second
Closed Eye Visuals
Glints Collide
Straws Pulled At Random
PLEASE react to Alcest, they're amazing and you'd like them. I'd recommend Protection, Ouiseaux de proie or Percees de lumiere
That'll open the rabbit hole to bands like Amesoeurs, Lantlôs, Deafheaven... so I completely agree!
I love alcest
I love Alcest so much, would love to see either of those songs. Maybe even Faiseurs de Mondes too
Be interested to know what Geebs thoughts would be on comparing the original Nothing recording with the re-recorded version of Nothing after they got their newer guitars. Also would suggest listening to Straws Pulled at Random. I would choose the re-recorded version but that’s me. The ending to that songs is actually one of my favorite pieces of music ever. So amazing to hear the brutality cleanse away into the sheer majesty and beauty of that ending.
Dude, I've been excited to watch this since you dropped it which is extremely rare. I'm almost as cold as their music and you've really been brightening up my genre preferences with your input on what you take from it from all fronts.
This was something I noticed from watching drum cam footage but it appears that Thomas uses 3 different hi hat configurations varying in the open splash spacing between them. Rock on and nerd alert!
Dude. Soul burn is so funky.. By MESSHUGAH.. GREAT UPLOAD
I know it might shock many, but Meshuggah's influence on Metal and Heavy Music is comparable to Sabbath, Metallica, Maiden, ... Yes their (commercial) success is not comparable but they are among the bands who defined a whole new way of playing guitar and composing songs. Nobody dared to tune their guitars that low before them, the use of 8 strings guitars was almost inexistant, this heavy use of polyrhythm and polymeter was marginal and nobody sounded like them when they eventually decided to adopt their style around the mid/end 90's. It took roughly 10 years for the Metal scene to digest what Meshuggah was doing and now even some mainstream rock songs use 8 strings guitar, and maybe even more impressive they influence some contemporary Jazz musicians. Their legacy is just incredible when you think about it.
This song (and album) is the birth act of Djent.
One of my favourite songs by them, one of the best riffs to headbang to despite its oddity! And the guitar tone was just so unusual at the time!
Please check out: Dir En Grey - Vinushka :)
And if you come back to Meshuggah, please check out Nostrum, one of their most underrated songs with some absolutely mindblowing drumming
A video of Meshuggah - "I" would be soooooo cool!
I LIKE JUICE, FINISH YOUR JUICE, FILTERED VITAMIN SUBSTANCE! good choice!
Yes! One of my fav Meshuggah tracks. I was hoping you'd dissect this one.
Their live shows are absolutely incredible.
Less of a performance than an experience.
Also, just for shits and giggles, watch the short "Face of Wall Street" clip on YT.
It's a bit from this song perfectly synced to an excerpt of Wolf of Wall Street and funny as hell.
same album, same feel; spasm would be a crazy reaction. cheers from the land down under geebz!
I just wanna say, I think you are my favourite RUclipsr ever. I love your optimistic attitude, and your amazing knowledge of audio engineering and composition. You are an inspiring dude. You seem like the coolest guy ever, and I hope you continue to become more and more successful on RUclips. I discovered you when you analysed Gratitude by Car Bomb and I think I've watched every video since. You seem to give a whole new perspective on some of my favourite songs and artists. You seem to review literally all of my favourite artists. It's crazy. Keep doing what you're doing. You rule!
Meshuggah is a mood forever
Like your idea for a lyrical analysis. I like how meshuggah approaches lyrics. Their lyrics actually have a lot of substance, however they seem to put more emphasis on how the vocals are rhythmically and sonically arranged as part of the music rather than the meaning of the words being immediately clear and obvious. Very cool group of musicians. So much energy!
Lyric analysis requests.. maybe “I am colossus” “the demons name is surveillance” “straws pulled at random” “dancers to a discordant system”
Nothing is by far the best album they found absolute new essence with this album
the lyrics for this track are awesome I highly recommend a lyrical breakdown
Meshuggah are fantastic... that crash just crushes! btw killer Death Wish mug! Slainte!
I LOVE how the outro riff is the same with the intro riff....but they are different if you pay attention
Just listened to this album in the gym at 6 AM. That woke me up allright
I just love your channel so much.🔥 You are amazing dude.
Keep it up🎶
Man these guys first couple albums was what got me into them. So iconic for djent and metal in general.
Some songs from meshuggah you might enjoy reacting to.
Future breed machine ( a must )
Beneath
Suffer in truth
New millennium cyanide Christ ( a must)
Corridor of Chameleons ( a must )
Neurotica
Stengah
Straws pulled at random ( a must )
Nebulous
I ( a must )
Combustion
Electric Red
Lethargica
Obzen
Pineal Gland Optics ( this one is a must)
Dancers to discordant system (this one is also a must, IMO the best they have ever made)
I am colossus
Do not look down ( great song, I guess the grooviest song I ever heard )
Marrow
Break those Bones Whose Sinews gave it motion
Demiurge ( a must )
Born in Dissonance ( a must )
Violent sleep of reason
Nostrum ( a must )
Pretty sure you’re going to enjoy all of this songs. One of my top bands for a long time now.
I could have put much more songs, but I guess this ones will give you a better comprehension of what a phenomenon meshuggah is.
Cheers🤟🏽🤟🏽.
Glad you included “break those bones whose…..” I feel like this song gets overlooked a lot
Great fucking list!
@@willlewis153 Lol "Break Those Bones...", god damned too long of a title to even type out in full but an awesome song.
Man this band has so many bangers. Looking at this awesome list and still so much is missing!
@@kraterkop yeah I know… just couldn’t put more because there is a limit of words😅😅. At least I think there is. But totally there are so many songs of them there are ridiculously good.
Meshuggah - New Millennium Cyanide Christ
Meshuggah - Dancers to a Discordant System
Tomas Hasske the drummer writes a lot of the riffs, hence the syncopation. Follow the right hand!
i remember this exact video, was nice to see you react to meshuggah with curiosity and respect hehe
4:10 Yes, if I could sum up a good portion of Meshuggah's phrasing, they hardly ever use a standard 4 measure, rinse-repeat pattern. They stretch their view out to 8 bars, constantly jumping around with "where's 1?" until it comes to a climatic end and we all find 1 again, moving on to the next phrase. Basically we ride the tidal wave of guitars and let the snare pop and vocals keep us planted on the board :) . Another great vid, teach!
Haake usually will play a 4/4 under the guitars playing in odd meter to give it the polyrhythm vibe.