"It's not very long, it's just under seven minutes" Yep, a classical composer.

@Ajoi1995

3 жыл бұрын

HAHAHHA YEAH

@SelcraigClimbs

3 жыл бұрын

had a good giggle when he said that hahaha

@el_manu_el_

3 жыл бұрын

😂

@guslakis

3 жыл бұрын

LOL

@pratyushbzr

3 жыл бұрын

Gotta get him into Dream Theater I guess 😎

"it's not let me settle into a groove, it's constantly changing meters" Matt Gartska: *laughs in 11/16*

@breadyegg

3 жыл бұрын

When he's really amused, it's in 9/7.

@missaelknight

2 жыл бұрын

He actually does that 😂😂😂 I've been out for dinner with him and yes hes as weird as he plays

@Marta1Buck

2 жыл бұрын

@@missaelknight 🤣

"It's constantly changing" like my brain... dancing...

Did you know the band has a pet Parrot? Tosin and Javier taught it how to say, "Poly wants a rhythm"

@fliexvolkovan6704

3 жыл бұрын

Oh that’s funny 😂 where do they say that?

@777Looper

3 жыл бұрын

That's friggin amazing.

@harveygitarista1600

3 жыл бұрын

Fr?💀

@shapeshifter-theamorphousg3264

2 жыл бұрын

Lol

@onnixcarmichele3911

2 жыл бұрын

Got em

"That was a weird little section" "Welcome to AAL"

"My only complaint is that it wasn't twice as long" That's my complaint about every AAL tune! Nice breakdown. Liked and subbed!

@abduladebayo2596

3 жыл бұрын

I feel the same, especially about Point to point.

@ethanwiebe6662

2 жыл бұрын

I kinda like that they aren't too long cuz then I can listen to it twice as much without getting tired of a song

I love seeing classical musicians reacting to their first taste of Animals As Leaders. Classical is already Prog in itself, but Animals As Leaders is a whole new level of mind-bending musical brilliance. The Brain Dance is a perfect first choice as well.

@harveygitarista1600

3 жыл бұрын

It's the perfect song to introduce for people who are hearing it for the first time. As opposed to people suggesting Cafo.

@distortingjack

3 жыл бұрын

"Classical is already Prog in itself"... I mean, it's very arguable whether the opposite is the case, but this is just a weird take

@samschellhase8831

3 жыл бұрын

@@harveygitarista1600 I agree, Cafo is incredible, but it's in your face the first time you listen to it, and it can be kinda off-putting. Inamorata and Song of Solomon are great starts from that album as well. Behaving Badly has some bubbly guitar work IMO too

@pabmargera

2 жыл бұрын

@@samschellhase8831 Inamorata ufff my favorite song of Tosin

@gardendado1999

2 жыл бұрын

@@distortingjack Yeah, literally weird take, there may be classical stuff with prog structures or similar type of harmony but it does not compare at all.

I'm sure if you reached out to Tosin Abasi (the guy on the acoustic) he's have a chat with you about theory and why they choose what they do. He's not only a phenomenal player, but he's super interesting on his music theory concepts and depth. Would be great to see a deep conversation on the theory... as a creative myself (visual), it's not so much the what but the why... why are certain choices made types of things.

@cornela1

3 жыл бұрын

He really is a visionary and it's so inspiring to hear Tosin talk about how he comes up with these things. In a recent video on instagram he said something about how he was just staring at the guitar and thinking of different ways and approaches to play it. Something about how he was thinking about how both hands don't have to move in synchronicity and out of the whole thought experiment came some new selective picking technique ideas. Thought that was dope. Humble dude too.

@user-ov5nd1fb7s

3 жыл бұрын

No he is not. His harmonic depth is lacking.

@GregNoblin

3 жыл бұрын

@@user-ov5nd1fb7s ok, sport.

@jangobango2847

3 жыл бұрын

He started out playing green day then learned about frank gambale lol

@user-ov5nd1fb7s

3 жыл бұрын

@@jangobango2847 Gambale has mastered harmony and can improvise on any chord changes. That is the important thing, not the sweeps.

Tosin is the absolute greatest emergence for the guitar of the last decade as far as I'm concerned.

As others have already mentioned, the song is all over the place for a reason. The title is Brain Dance - it doesn't let you settle on any one thing, constantly moving into something else

i believe Tosin Abasi once said in an interview that they use their instruments to convey emotion, and when you hear those notes that seem very out of place it’s used to convey something like anxiety

@DaTLMusic

2 жыл бұрын

It's a vicious cycle lol writing prog is stressful and there stress goes into the music as prog

@ThcBanaman

4 ай бұрын

I somehow feel happy and at peace usually, weirdly comforted and moved

After listening to Animals as Leaders I'm always left wondering if I should practice my guitar or just quit. They motivate and demotivate me at the same time. Great reaction. How about a weird one? IGORRR - Cheval

@luizz_k

3 жыл бұрын

I second this

@johnlennartsson4816

3 жыл бұрын

As a drummer I feel the same after watching Matt Garstka

@baguette6302

3 жыл бұрын

i third this

@jacksmith4460

3 жыл бұрын

I forth this, it's inspiring and defeating all at once hahaha

@isaiahgendron2332

3 жыл бұрын

@@johnlennartsson4816 primarily a guitarist but i started on drums so i feel this

Here are few choices for you: Pain of Salvation - Beyond the Pale Wintersun - Sons of Winter and Stars Ne Obliviscaris - And Flowers Plague the Kaleidoscope

@Visionoir

3 жыл бұрын

NE OBLIVISCARIS - And flowers...

@Aaron-er2rh

3 жыл бұрын

That whole Pain of Salvation album as a whole is amazing

@FlipperWolf

3 жыл бұрын

I'd put Flowers Plague by NeO at number 1 on your list :p Also I'd add Gateways - Dimmu Borgir (The live version with the symphonic orchestra)

@stronk9760

3 жыл бұрын

Never Say Never - Justin Bieber 😳😳

@inkubuzz

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, yes and yes.

If you want a longer piece, I highly recommend listening to their whole album "Weightless" from beginning to end continuously. That's an experience.

Your interpretation is excellent. I really appreciate the technicality of your analysis. I would love to hear what you have to say about Plini's music!

@UponthePath

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, Plini has wonderful compositions and virtuosic playing.

@trainofthought06

3 жыл бұрын

Definitely, I'd say either Selenium Forest or The Glass Bead Game.

@DaTLMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Plini perfume

I saw the Generation Axe tour and Tosin Abasi was playing alongside the likes of Steve Vai, Ingwe Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde, and Nuno Bettencourt. Tosin made the biggest impression on me and wowed me the most. That really says something about how excellent he is.

CHON - "Bubble Dream" on Audio Tree live Young boys at the apex of talent

@wayowayoexe9193

3 жыл бұрын

@@redpilltotal2023 cringe

@KartikRoad

3 жыл бұрын

@@redpilltotal2023 big cringe

@tengukaze9199

3 жыл бұрын

@@redpilltotal2023 yeah and nothing wrong with delicious candy

@Djitterbug

3 жыл бұрын

@@redpilltotal2023 cringe x3

@thedesolatescene3240

3 жыл бұрын

@@redpilltotal2023 holy fuck thats cringe af

could there be a Snarky Puppy reaction coming up? hmm.. I feel like it's right up your alley

@joelcoool

3 жыл бұрын

oh god The Curtain would be amazing

@solefood7477

3 жыл бұрын

Omg yes please!!!!!!!! Preferably Lingus!!!!!

@CoronaryArteryDisease.

3 жыл бұрын

YES. Great recommendation

Wait until you hear their song "CAFO". It's a monster. Would love to see you analyze Polyphia, CHON, Plini and Intervals; they're similar to AAL. For something a little different, check out The Omnific, who run with two bassists and a drummer. For a real treat, Dance Gavin Dance sounds like the aforementioned bands but with two singers.

@matthewbehr5725

3 жыл бұрын

CAFO is so over-rated.

@Cestariarts

3 жыл бұрын

CAFO is a quite simple composition and incredibly repetitive, not even close to something as rich as Brain Dance. That song is more about shredding than anything else

@MattJFilms

3 жыл бұрын

Love me some Intervals! The Shape of Colour was such a treat with Travis Orbin on the drums :D

@Y-e-e-t

3 жыл бұрын

@@Cestariarts That's implying that shredding at that level can't be as good as something like this either. They're both good and dumbing it down to "quite simple and incredibly repetitive" not only downplays how impressive the song actually is, but is pretty stupid all around.

@md_vandenberg

3 жыл бұрын

@@matthewbehr5725 I'm interested in Doug's opinion, not yours.

Loved your analysis of this mind-bending track! Getting a slight peek at the theory working within this song helped me appreciate it a whole lot more!

I'm immensely pleased to see and hear all the new musical talent out there.

this is one of my favorite recordings of all time. its just legendary!!

4:41 was the section that sent me down a flamenco rabbit hole that I'm still in today. Discovering Paco de Lucia has been a massive influence on my music.

I like people talking in a musical languages.. Listen to this song a lot of times and it will sink into your heart❤️

I love that you have actual critiques. I've seen a few reaction videos and they just love everything all the time. Makes it hard to value their opinion if everything is favorable. Really loving this channel as I'm trying to learn music theory.

Love to hear the knowledge on music. Keep it up man!

yes!! so glad you picked this song

This is their greatest song in my opinion. Was great to see it live.

Glad you enjoyed them!!

Thats the best part Doug.... Music that makes you unsure......unsure of what's actually going to happen next....

I really appreciate your reaction videos while I'm quarantined! Keep up the good work! Have a nice day.

This is a fantastic performance, but in the studio version, the section when the drums come back in after the solo acoustic midsection is one of the greatest passages they've ever written. It's incredibly beautiful and almost inspirational.

Thanks for this. Your insight adds to my enjoyment of this band. Subbed!

I love how you break downs these works of music. I don't have the understanding of the vocabulary or music theory to fully understand what you're saying, but I love the depth. It really sets you apart from most typical "reaction" videos.

Tosin has said since they dont use a singer they have to convey emotion through chord progression that where one note or chord seems off to create an uneasiness or anxious feel. Their thought process and raw skill is incredible

4:22 "Cha ba la wah"

What a great guy, AAL is one of my favorite bands and I really enjoyed to revisit the band through his eyes/ears. Well done!

Awesome band, got to see them live about 3yrs back, incredible, was first time hearing them and knowing of them.

I liked the distortion. I think we're supposed to listen to it more than once :) - first time I hear them but so thankful for your analysis and bringing them up on your channel!!!

I like the woven web. Saw them live back in Chile and I still can't digest it.

@inkubuzz

3 жыл бұрын

Wena

"They move too much" my only issue with AAL lol.

Hey Doug, new to your channel but I really enjoyed your analysis of this piece. AAL is one of my favorite bands ever. I'd love to hear more music theorizing about this band! They have a great catalog. I'd recommend a song, but they're all so good.

So glad you finally got to them! Please do more Animals as Leaders! I really appreciate your analysis. Try to dissect their (poly)rhythms more. You should do a breakdown of Tempting Time next.

Thank you for sharing. This is the first video of yours where I don't have a clue about the musicians.

React to Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence from Dream Theater, it's amazing. Greetings from México!

The 8 and the 6 string together are really cool it’s amazing to see them play with the difference in range.

Nice video! I would like to see another AAL-based video as their technique and composition is just so interesting. Really enjoyed your take!

i love music and love when people like this have such a developed ear. I wish I understood music on this level.

Ya. Animals as Leaders tends to have some songs that are purely technical exercises as music. They have a number of songs that are just pure flexing on their prowess. Some are much easier to get a groove on though. Like, I love The Woven Web for a groove.

Nice to come across reactors who can offer a valuable input and not just watch the video with us 🤦 Loved your explanation of theory and appreciation for their music. I'm subbing to hear more of your thoughts!

Very cool! I would love if you did Sons of Winter and Stars with the band Wintersun it's epic, has some really cool arrangements and off the hook musicianship. Thanks for a great video.

@guilhermealiboni5523

3 жыл бұрын

Oh I would love to see him react to this one to

@GAIS414

3 жыл бұрын

@@guilhermealiboni5523 Yea, the singing arrangements are fantastic too, probably the most overall talented band in metal.

@NathanaelFosaaen

3 жыл бұрын

He'll either love it or hate it. The arrangement IS pretty wild though.

@GAIS414

3 жыл бұрын

@@NathanaelFosaaen I'm leaning hard towards loving, It's hard to argue with the attention to detail and sheer musicality of the song.

@Rektenon

3 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure he would love all aspects of it as he has previously stated that constant double-bass isn't his favourite (which is happening most of the 14-minute song)

Man, you should do And Plague Flowers the Caleidoscope from Ne Obliviscaris. Is an absolute masterpiece

@Renkaru

3 жыл бұрын

I think he'd also love Eyrie by them! It's a lot different, but it's highly underrated in their discog. It definitely shows off their diversity in a more mellow way.

@guilhermealiboni5523

3 жыл бұрын

@@Renkaru They have a lot of good stuff, some very underrated. And in my opinion is one of the best modern metal bands and a group of amazing musicians.

@ZuccAF

3 жыл бұрын

This would be awesome if he do them

@dohoeijmans2432

3 жыл бұрын

Overdone in the zillion reactions that already exist, but yes, a masterpiece.

@Renkaru

3 жыл бұрын

@@dohoeijmans2432 yeah I think he'd personally enjoy Eyrie a lot more, it's abit more dynamic in terms of stuff of other NeO stuff

Animals as Leaders is just the top.. There's so much in the genre as a whole you'll enjoy!

Frankly this is the first time I've seen Tosin Abasi playing an acoustic in an Animals As Leaders performance. I'm used to seeing him play an eight string electric. After a long relationship with Ibanez, Tosin is now his very own guitar manufacturer: Abasi Concepts. Lately I have seen several guitarists using two guitars in a performance; one on a stand and the other on a guitar strap. Band-Maid's Kanami Tono starts "About Us" with an acoustic guitar on a stand and then steps back from it to switch to her electric.

the sections are like the conscious vs unconscious mind. or being awake (where things are always changing) vs dreaming (major key w/ neat voice leading meddling) and then waking again.

yeah i'm also as equally amazed to how well they managed to fit a catchy djent part in the middle of the song

When you paused the 1st time and hit me with the theory I was in at that point .. Ive never seen/heard someone deconstruct a section so deeply from 2 mins of listing .. Amazing .

I really think this is the best song they've ever written! That being said, I agree that in this live version of the song, Javier has too much distortion on his guitar. The album version sounds much better!

Doug, Not much of a KZread user, but definitely a fan of your videos! Opeth is my favorite band and I enjoy watching your genuine reactions to their music. Watching your reaction to this song in particular reminded me of another favorite musician of mine, Yussef Dayes. I'd love to see you react to his drum-centric videos. Yussef Kamaal is a good place to start, with the song Caligraphy.

Wow that was cool!

keep in mind that they use 8 string and 7 string guitars with drop tunings also (this is where the low B is coming from) 😊 ... nice review... keep checking out other tracks for them 🤘

What a great comment "I love watching pros at whatever they're a pro at". Stealing that.

AAL are so incredible. Again, I really think you would love The Dear Hunter, wonderful prog music with lots of classical instrumentation and rarely fits into a genre lol.

"REALLY." hahaha that got me. great review.

Animals as Leader are the top!

I love how the song slows down and that's when we get the "wha-at just, happened?"

Very glad to see you doing some Instru-metal. AAL is one of the bands I listen to when working. Also recommended Russian Circles and Pelican.

Another amazing Symohony X track is When all is lost. That one is Epic! A must listen!!

wow great video!

Hey Doug. Always great to see you work stuff out. Am I right thinking you have perfect pitch? Amazing skill man.

Might possibly could be the best band on the planet. Def on another level from most. Been a fan of them since their first album.

I love to watch pros, watching pros and explaining just how pro it is 😊

Scale the Summit is another great band. They're instrumental only, like Animals as Leaders, but their style is a bit different. Totally worth a listen since you really dig Animals as Leaders.

@inkubuzz

3 жыл бұрын

Yep Scale the summit is really nice

@vashthestampede5221

2 жыл бұрын

I 3rd Scale the summit, they're awesome as well

Wow, beautiful gem of a channel. Someone needs to get this guy to react to King Crimson

I‘d love to dig in deeper in the whole rhythmical concept… that’s what’s REALLY mindblowing!

Hard to top! Tosin and his companions are in beast mode all the time!

The zenith passage is phenomenal

"sounds like the bassist" with 8 guitar strings, who needs a bassist? JK, the ability to hear which chord it is and how it's modulated is fucking incredible

Didn't know (probably heard) this exact song, but when I saw the name "Brain dance" by Animals As Leaders I knew that it will please you :) They are great band... I love songs Ectogenesis or The Woven Web. Both are a bit more agressive but the musicionship behind it is just awesome! And it's just f***** crazy that Tosin (the black guitarist) is playing all those fast and rythmical parts just with fingers.

Check out Fives by Guthrie Govan.

I'd love to hear a classical composers reaction to Polyphia

@DaTLMusic

2 жыл бұрын

fun to listen too not much going on in terms of chord progressions or time signatures

Tip for listening to such music: Find the underlying rhythm(s) that is compatible with as many sections as possible, grove to it and enjoy the dynamics as your rhythm goes in and out of harmony with their rhythm.

I think the guitar is most likely using a piezo electric pickup which would be at the bridge of the guitar (the black bar holding the strings). It uses crystals to generate an electrical signal as apposed to magnets in traditional pickups. The piezo pickup helps give the guitar the more acoustic sound.

I love the fact that there are constant changes, it s progggg

AAL are just on another level! Would love to see you react to The Dear Hunter - A Night on the Town...as a composer I know you’d love fellow masters in the art! Definitely subscribing to see you break down more stuff!

tosin is a guitar hero lol my number 1 inspiration. cant wait for the AAL show in october

I enjoyed this breakdown. I would highly suggest Clockworks by Meshuggah. In particular Tomas Haake's work on the drums is mesmerizing.

There is no grooving to this, it’s Math Prog Jazz Fusion Rock lol. 🤣😂😅

"huh" is a perfect comment to so many AAL riffs haha

7:04 onwards is my favorite part of this reaction hahaha this is so cool

The drummer, Matt Garstka is in a project called GEM. There are a couple videos from Meinl (his cymbal company) of this project. I'd recommend "Vertigo".

Great band. I would recommend Air Chrysalis, colorful track with a beautiful melody. Para Mexer as a great jam with some groove sections. The Joy Of Motion is an even starting point for the band. Madness Of Many is more technical and experimental but a fun listen.

Mainly, I'm here because you guys recommend awesome music.

"Extremophile Elite" by Between the Buried and Me!! Theres a tiny little wind section in the middle that I love. You'd like it too 🙂

@nmularoni1

3 жыл бұрын

🙂

To me each section and where it resolves is all about the contrast that comes with the next section and where it starts. They use clever ways to get through each section and it feels like to me, some of the stranger changes within each section are about creating an unpredictable but still musical "meandering" that eventually sets up the contrast element I first spoke about. The melodies used in each section stand alone very well, which to me is what makes it so cool. Also I find the Meter/Time changes all have a groove relative too the previous section in some way which adds to that contextual aspect I was mentioning. I don't find it that hard to move to honestly. (it's really hard for me to express this, my theory knowledge in terms of study and language is terrible, but my ears and internal rhythm are strong, so my ear and my body understand even if my musical theory communication is way out its depth hahaha)

On impulse is a great song, I think that'd be a cool one to analyze. One of the first songs I heard from animals as leaders, still one of my favorites to this day

@onraj9mm

2 жыл бұрын

Yes!!

this dude know so much musical theory there i need a react of his react to understand his react

I mean, just do what we do and listen to it again lol

Holy cow, AAL, how fitting ... This is going to be good!

Matt garstka AAL drummer said your last bit about loving watching pros do their craft almost word for word in an interview I heard with him, it's so true