ANIMALS AS LEADERS - Mind-Spun

the JOY of MOTION
iTunes: smarturl.it/thejoyofmotionitunes
GooglePlay: smarturl.it/AALgoogleplay
Vinyl available in Transparent Red and Transparent Blue.
Limited to 500 per color.
Order HERE: www.sumerianmerch.com
--
www.sumerianrecords.com
www.sumerianmerch.com
/ sumerianrecords
/ animalsasleaders

[@HANGNAIL]

"I guess you guys aren't ready for that. But, your kids are gonna LOVE it." -Marty McFly

[@kiliabgonzalez9977]

So glad these guys don't have a singer. Their music is incredible

[@im_inpax5939]

Kiliab Gonzalez no singer thats better " thats what i say they don t need a singer and thath s why its so cool and amazing

[@StillBallinful]

Kiliab Gonzalez dat guitar sings doe

[@Dhieen]

+Kiliab Gonzalez I'm not sure... The band is very cool but id like to hear some music of them with a singer (a great one of course)

[@tonymcculloch8157]

+Dhieen Ugh. No. AAL has never needed a singer and never will. The music speaks for itself. Let the music take you through a journey, not a singer telling you what the story is while guiding you. Guide yourself through the universe of your own brain. Let the sound consume you. It's more addictive than heroin. I was an addict and AAL feels better than dope. So, discover the journey and melt into the stars.

+Tony McCulloch Uoooowh! You're very fucking right! HAHAHA

[@beef7054]

that's what you get when you get a drummer out of Berklee....

[@MilesMorrisDrums]

TRUE

[@michaelrene2551]

Wow Meshuggah meets Dream Theater meets funky Aliens!

[@OnlyosirizHouse]

All of their albums are fucking insane. 3 of the most creative and soulful albums ever. I don't get why people say "oh it's just really technical playing with no feel or rhythm." BUUULLLSHIT. Maybe you're just a God damn robot. Every single song on all 3 albums makes you feel differently. Each song has it's own representation and own feel. It's possible to listen with a deaf soul.

[@lukaskucera9043]

I mean I really hate djent and a ton of other prog metal bands because they are like jazz, useless notes all over the place but animals as leaders had a lot more depth and tosin takes from some of the philosophy of the old blues players as far as you can make rhythm and lead on the same guitar at the same time and its not totally boring like all other prog bands

[@gaborkrausz5402]

the first time I played songs from this band to my dad, and when this song came on, he said that *"meshuggah plays punk music compared to this"*

[@landonrone933]

lib arts class told me to talk about some art that resonates with me- Anger, frustration, anxiety, and confusion are difficult emotions. Every person experiences them and every person experiences them differently. They’re often intimately tied together, amplifying each other in a trying enough situation. Properly dealt with and in the right context, they’re perfectly healthy. That isn’t the way we talk about them, however- that is, if we talk about them at all. It seems that these particularly incendiary feelings are generally avoided as a topic of conversation or discourse. I don’t think this sort of avoidance does anyone any favors in the way of having a healthy understanding of ourselves and the feelings of those around us, but I do understand the uncomfortable nature that surrounds these emotions. The piece of art I’ve chosen is in this vein. Animals As Leaders is an instrumental progressive metal band. They try to make music that adequately expresses vast ranges of human emotion without the use of the human voice- which communicates emotion so readily. In their song, “Mind Spun”, from the album, “The Joy of Motion”, the emotional context of the instruments storms around frustration, anxiety, and confusion. The aesthetic of their chosen genre for the Animals As Leaders project (metal), grounds the overall feel of the song in “anger”, with the strong down-beats and furious tempos. The song begins with just two notes from a guitar, resonating in a way that sounds much like an organ that might be played for the proceedings of some serious event. The same two notes are distorted and bent from the swelling sound of a separate guitar coming from behind until the eerie introduction is met with a rampage of heavy downbeats syncopating wildly. Once there appears to be a groove established to the song, everything seems to shatter into chaos as the instrumentalists fit incredibly complex polyrhythms over each other, signaling confusion and panic. A diminished scale arpeggio is formed over this- a dizzying swirl of notes that will serve as the “hook” through the song. This looping, melancholic barrage is played over harsh rhythms that continue to evolve, creating a serious sense of anxiety. Around three minutes in, the song slows and almost goes silent. Just a few tired notes are played over a rhythm that barely keeps the song moving. As this measure repeats, it gets quieter and sparser, bringing a moment of relief from the onslaught of the first few minutes. As the song would have otherwise ended, the two notes from the beginning of the song begin to swell again on their own. The full force of the anger and frustration blasts back, refusing to end with a whimper.

[@JustTheTip556]

^ yeah man he's right. this is actually the best KZbin comment I've ever read. You definitely deserve more credit for such a comment lol. super creative and intelligent, man. you should pick up a guitar sometime.

[@whyush.k]

My man you just made *theneedledrop* look like a kiddo. Super review/analysis. I'd rate this 15/17 😅👌

[@HoopyFroodood]

Dude, yes. Here's what I wrote on "Owane"'s "Come Pasta Blitz" Hey, thanks for the interest guys. I was already on an upward path at the time. At my worst I was an opiate addict with nothing to live for. At my best I was working a steady job, free of addictions, and had a wonderful woman to share my life with. When I wrote that comment I was recently dumped and slumped into alcoholism (better than opiate addiction so it's okay right??) Anyway, I kind of had a catharsis while listening to this song super drunk one night. It was so beautiful with just the right amount of complexity, and something about the overall tone helped me quit ignoring the pain of losing my lover and just break down for a while. By the end of it, I was reevaluating my life and admitting to myself that I needed to stop drinking so much and move on from her. How did this song affect you all? Y'all probably understand, it's hard to say how instrumental music affects me. When I listen to Mind-Spun by Animals as Leaders I imagine a Lord of the Rings-style battle between two fantasy armies, with the focus being on two mages having a mental battle, the music describing what spell is cast or who is focusing harder. There's a somber and chill moment about 2/3 into the song that to me means that the 'good mage' is failing, but as the music rises he realizes he can't let his people down, and initiates an outpouring of magic and will so intense it destroys himself and the 'evil mage' simultaneously. When I listen to Irrelevant Connotations by Special Providence I just feel raw power and a mellow confidence that I don't normally have, with a bit of connection to the universe. And when I listen to this song, I get some kind of catharsis energy. And I'll never forget that first moment... Here's the song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apbMnqOrZcZ0aM0 P.S. FUCKIN' CHECK OUT "SPECIAL PROVIDENCE" kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmispIVsbNCVh6s

[@alkalinkintriopark]

Tl;dr

[@HoopyFroodood]

@@alkalinkintriopark You should "r". It's a very well composed comment they wrote.

[@Spirosgod]

Sometimes I find myself thinking that, prog metal of this era (with a lot of artists following through) is pushing some boundaries and people catch on with it, I think we are witnessing a big step in metal history.

[@clayunderearth1884]

Animals as Leaders is an official landmark of metal.

[@sandansaiyan5675]

AAA AAA the same was with Pink Floyd

[@redpoppyanvil7192]

It definitely helps non metal listeners to understand and appreciate from a more of a musical aspect as oppose to just the dark,fast heavy shit that everyone seemed to be misinterpreting anyways.it really is starting to evolve out of the darkest into a light.

[@WhalesOnTheMouth]

the title of this song is so fitting

[@ThatOtherPerson1]

Your avatar accurately depicts how I was after going through this album.

[@SebastianTinajero]

I used to use Viagra now I use animals as leaders

[@ENZO76133]

Lol this just made my night, thank you

[@tonymaddox8837]

I'm witcha on that, I almost killed one. She crosses the street if she sees me coming... Lol. Should have a warning sticker on CD case that says warning, maybe hazardous to her health. They are the most bad ass instrumental 3 piece band ever. Most people I know don't have the intellect to comprehend what they have just experienced.KEEP ROCKIN BRO

[@TexasBIoodMoney]

I'm not gonna lie. This band really didn't appeal to me too much but the more I listen to their stuff it started to grow on me. AAL is a good band. Don't go Djently!

[@tanchwa3740]

YES! favorite song. I thought me and my friend were the only ones that called it that xD

[@METALLiCMETALLEr]

Cool!! another one to the list 😝

[@Hellion6325]

David Faure djazz

[@Rael-777]

"Good"... Really?

[@dakyanddena]

Imagine the feeling when you write the song like this... man -.-

[@jonolson7933]

always pictured an epic chase to this song 0:00 - man rests on his knees in a forest clearing in meditation. breathing 0:18 - 'what is that?' 0:23 - RUN. 0:46 - through the underbrush 1:04 - 'We WILL find him' 1:16 - oh god oh god oh god 1:27 - he can't escape now! 1:37 - shit. a cliff 1:49 - they're coming/to jump or not to jump? 2:00 - fuck it. JUMP 2:17 - this river has led me to the city 2:27 - into the streets 2:37 - dodge traffic 2:47 - gasping for air inside a building entrance 3:07 - walking, trying not to look suspicious 3:47 - they're here. 3:58 - RUN.

[@violadude97]

Dude, you should do this for other songs!!!

[@TheBandFake]

Jon Olson So basically the Darude - Sandstorm music video?

[@matenorth]

I thought i was the only one who does that.Congrats sir!

[@VikramShankarMusic]

I want someone to make this.

[@kantvishi]

Awesome comment

[@ImTheDrummer115]

Matthew fucking Garstka. That dude can drum.

[@slipknotm1]

its hard to not get chills from this song

[@HaZexHD]

no kidding... the crosspaterns

[@mrmaxpom]

All music I have ever listened to in my 56 years on this planet is now SHIT to me. It. IS. all. SHIT. This is AMAZING!!!!!!!

[@user-ey4rn1zf2w]

Max Pomeroy amen brother

[@WorldOfDeepThought]

Max Pomeroy So true.

[@a-maize-zing]

haha

[@meshuggahdave5607]

Welcome to the family.

[@Ruhma.]

exactly hahaha. this is music's answer to meth

[@yuvishere]

2:30 SLAP THAT GUITAR TOSIN \m/

[@ArtyMartyD]

Right at the start. If a guitar had lungs and could breathe.

[@ChelseaGrinMan001]

+Martin Bodger that made my fucking day right there that is some magical philosophical shit right there

[@ChelseaGrinMan001]

why was i so stupid

[@oioioioi992]

ChelseaGrinMan001. Lmao

[@leviathan3630]

@@ChelseaGrinMan001 bruh lol

[@sonicboom20078]

Consider my mind spun.

[@dandelionheart4670]

This song feels like trying to steady my breathing during a panic attack. Gorgeous

[@newspaperlightbulb]

I will never look at music the same after hearing this.

[@MarshTheDarsh]

the djoy of motion

[@jsunproter1940]

Everytime i hear one of their songs i just think, holy shit so many cool musical ideas crammed into 1 song.

[@AliothSenator]

What the hell is going on.

[@zapz0rd]

+AliothSenator Your balls are being reborn.

[@coolhammas]

Fucking tripping isn't it??

[@Demiurge66]

Lmao it's the time sigs xD

[@joshcross9226]

+AliothSenator dude i saw this guy recently on the generation axe tour and all the other guitarists on the tour were astonished by his crazy time signatures. Nuno bettencourt himself was confused what to do while he was playing physical education with tosin.

[@scottmcgibeny]

+Josh Cross That tour just came through Houston and I am kicking myself for not being able to go. I can see the guitarists just in dumbfounded amazement while Tosin is playing.

[@johnwells2217]

That intro/outro riff is one of the coolest things I've heard in a long time. Reminds me of something Meshuggah would write...

[@eXistenZ1al]

It sounds kind of like Humiliative to me

[@danielsgrunge]

This is like 30 years in the future

[@chriss8792]

Garstka is a god

[@poxidro0]

Master of polyrythms...

[@sharrythedave4758]

Master of odd time beats !

[@Siccinthamind619]

+Achintya Sharma Meshuggah are the true masters

[@oscarmike3195]

Unfreakingbelievable....GREAT ALBUM...MIND SPUN IS MY FAVORITE TRACK ...DAMN WHAT A KILLER TUNE!

[@tasteegold7772]

no he's a simple jazz drummer

[@greerlee5748]

I can't be the only one who realizes that bands like this are more enjoyed by actual musicians than just the average person, like looking through the comments people here are actually discussing the time signatures and the various techniques and instruments.

[@greerlee5748]

I think more people should listen to it to. I don't mean that only musicians should listen to it, but musicians tend to have more respect and tend to like it more because they actually know the work it takes to get to that point.

[@hubertrapinat8275]

+Greer lee I'm not a musician, but I really like this music

[@greerlee5748]

Hubert Rapinat I'm not saying that only musicians like it, but it tends to be more musicians like this, people who aren't musicians can still like it, it's just more musicians appreciate the amount of work that is put into making something like this.

[@sleepyd1231]

+Greer lee You son of a bitch. I checked every comment Twice on this thread for some people discussing the time signatures. But there are none. I really want to know them damn signatures. Like I know the intro is 7/8 but I loose it after that.

[@PokmoDrums]

+Dylan Ost I don't want to get into too much detail but the song is mixing 7/4 and 4/4 on most parts. The section at 0:45 though... bar by bar it's 11/8, 13/8, 11/8, 10/8, played twice

[@KenFarnham]

Now imagine a video for this song made by Cyriak

[@geoffreybrown5769]

fuck yea

[@opethinchains]

this MUST happen....

[@TheBandFake]

I don't know if I want to.. ;-;

[@ianfisher3150]

Andrexthor Now my mind is spun. Yesssssssss!

[@1dudecrush]

Andrexthor Someone tag him, I betcha he would if he heard this

[@connoranderson5373]

This album is literally as modern and as evolved in progressive metal and fusion influences as any other album, while sounding fantastically fresh. All while remaining consistent with the labels audience and growing to other circles, it's an amazing achievement of a record

[@ash.b5969]

You see an Animals as Leaders song named Mindspun, u know shits gonna happen

[@jacobdrums4386]

right on

[@DeepSouthPal84]

Asher Budnah you aint kiddin bro. fuckin nailing it down!

[@NeoSymphony]

1:49 - 2:01 So much meshuggah here

[@devincyr4992]

AAL videos have the chilliest youtube comments. Instead of banning each other to the 7th layer of hell, we're just all enjoying awesome fucking music

[@Diesel_Budgie]

If this song ever becomes royalty free, I'm making the hardest Doom Eternal montage with it.

[@Melchiz3dek]

more like mind-fuck, holy shit this is fucking amazing

[@gonzaloalvarez4507]

Was listening to this while high and almost fell into a coma during that little bit starting at 2:33 and on. Holy shit this band.

[@Mjmjmj69]

lmfaoooo!!! i def went through that shit but mine was from that beginning riff thats in like 593480438094 time signatures

[@chriswarren5728]

Marcus James pretty sure it's in 4 4, bro.

[@chriswarren5728]

silly me Girlish Goat

[@Drugon-Dag]

That parts so fricking INSANE!!!!!

[@Drugon-Dag]

That parts so fricking INSANE!!!!!

[@overlex]

I hate Tosin as fuck! this is like the 90th pair of pants he owes me -.- good song

[@Bandit2924]

If meshuggah and rings of saturn had a child with only the pros of both combined

[@ashtonnicodemus17]

ruslan mam bruh

[@TrickysBen]

As a drummer that rhythm during those 8 bars at 1:48 is dirty as all get out. I melt a little bit listening to it.

[@iwantrevengex]

Best song to listen during an airplane takeoff...

[@theflyingcrud]

6 years late, currently experiencing that and.. man you aren't kidding. Just perfect

[@drummerLANE]

0:23 a trippy one-of-kind groove 1:05 is such a cool continuation 1:49 reminds me of Meshuggah 2:27 is so awesome it's stupid 2:47 reminds me of Gojira Anyways, this song is awesome.

[@OffensiveBiasMusic]

The part that reminded you of gojira, I was thinking the exact same thing.

[@gnrplusledzeppelin]

Sir Sauvage same

[@Diesel_Budgie]

​@@OffensiveBiasMusicI was thinking more Deftones tbh

[@psychrot]

1:37 thank the fucking world for china cymbals. holy fucks.

[@psychrot]

It actually sounds kind of like a cymbal stack. idk

[@mattpryor9336]

Christopher Chambers I believe I heard from another fan that he used a stack on the album instead of a china ( that is why the decay is so quick) such a great album.

[@psychrot]

Matt Pryor Yeah, I thought maybe at first the short decay just came from the fact that hes subdividing eighth notes with the ride pattern, but now that i listen its very evident its a china stack, and a gnarly one at that.

[@luisgonzalez-pu4xq]

its both man, hes got a stack and a bad ass china

[@OctopusBus]

Christopher Chambers I believe its a Meinl prototype over a 16" (or 12") china

[@t3hm4zn]

That transition at 2:00... cyclonic!

[@NousAbslolutus9]

probably the sickest track in history of music

[@brandoncooper413]

This band definitely isn't your entry-level band for listening. Nevertheless, love for music couldn't be described better than AAL. This album is everything I wanted from these guys, their expertise has grown exponentially since Weightless. I don't think there's a song on here that hasn't dropped my jaws yet xD \m/

[@spark2766]

this does spin my mind

[@KCYON]

Literally went for a #2 after hearing this hahaha.

[@Greenevil89]

It's much better to go for a #2 while listening to this

[@8onevisual]

Listening to AAL will make you at least 0.0000000001% more intelligent. Fact.

[@ShaunMeechan]

Love AAL, my friends just look the other way and say it's like their material sounds like final fantasy music. Grinds my gears because these guy's are so talented and my friends are dumb!

[@1ndr4n4th]

The drums, when they enter the song, goddamn, it's insane. The power, the groove, the syncopation!

[@PlayToDie]

If someone could loop the part at 3:07 , I would send him a truck of beer. This is love. This is life.

[@VigilSerus]

2:47 and on section gives me so many feels.

[@officialreefer5272]

*sigh* it's funny too me when people are still listening too the same shit from years ago & granted if that stuff is the older good stuff but if your going to be familiar with the old stuff be updated on the new, I know so many people who play instruments like myself that won't know anything about this album cause there still listening too the old pantera albums & there just missing out cause this shit is just innovative, can't WAIT! Till the new TOOL album is out !!!

[@zacharybaranek9492]

I would've gladly thumbed up this comment had the Tool rip been excluded. Fuck yeah, I am eagerly awaiting a new Tool album, and have done so what, 4-5 times over the last 20 years? Word of wisdom, leave the negative out of your final statement when crafting a positive point. Woulda been perfect ending at "innovative". Not mad bro... just sayin'. Great point on keeping an open mind, btw.

[@zacharybaranek9492]

@@lw4384 right?? Patience is a nightmar... or err umm. virtue!

[@zacharybaranek9492]

Thumbs up Kevin four years later. I don't even remember why I cared, even after reading my comment... that wasn't me! That was me... married. Not me.

[@alpegg75]

This new album just lights up my brain in such an awesome way.

[@patrickkirkbymusic]

i always look down in the comments to s when the best parts of the song are hahaha

[@SneezeOnYourLunch]

Oh, dude, the best part is between 0:02 and 4:36!

[@patrickkirkbymusic]

gilles coreysghost agreed

[@TPM4594]

You can't just listen to a song the whole way through? Fucking hell

[@jamesmurff193]

Unusually great. Then again, I can't get enough of this stuff.

[@al145]

The beginning weirdness reminds me of my grandfather's fire radio before he retired/became too deaf to actually fucking hear it. It's something so mundane but so ingrained into me specifically, and I don't know if it was actually like a widespread normal thing, this tickles me in a way I can't even start to explain in any meaningful way. There's probably a chunk of 30ish year olds who know what im talking about...maybe. Knowing tosin, it can't be accidental..... accidjental? is that joke too old now?

[@deadpenguinss]

At 2:06 it sounds like they start to introduce the sound of little birds circling over your head (like in old cartoons) to help your brain cope with the fact that it cannot comprehend the sheerly beautiful complexity of what it's being subjected to. The title seems to fit this notion as well.

[@Ziqohth]

my favorite song!! :D

[@santiagocarbajo5389]

Thanks AAL, this record is so effin perfect. It's too beautiful.

[@aerlicechantelle]

I've listened to this album so many time already I'm beginning to get restless, but I just can't stop listening!

[@jettgjr31]

Yeah rite..lol

[@joeyvpoisonfree]

3:07 Yes sir!

[@AstronautBlue]

This album fucking rules.

[@maniasrockjoeelindio4775]

MAGNIFICO

[@magne14527]

I just cant take it this is too good

[@dougjenkinson5374]

This is amazing, favourite song on the album!

[@shaneedmundson7506]

Im a huge AAL fan, but I wonder what they would sound like NOW if Chebon Littlefield came back on bass. I watched a Matt G. Cribs where he was like, Why cant AAL have a singer? and Im thinking Why cant AAL have a bass player!!! Such a great band, though. Love and kudos to Tosin, Javier and Matty G!

[@dantejemmott4800]

AMAZING!!!!!! I LOVE THIS ALBUM!!!!!

[@MrSuphyxiated]

god damn. Everyone thinks any AAL song with an ongoing double bass and sweeps automatically sounds like cafo

[@dialed4life]

This melts my face

[@ABR1fan]

2:29 I cried

[@Grahfx]

Honestly, one of the best thing i hear last 10 years

[@jacobdrums4386]

this should be in the doom reboot

[@aaronnichols2442]

every time i play doom im blasting the fuck out of AAL

[@Fryboh]

First song to give me goosebumps in forever. Dat intro.

[@HoangNguyen-zv3xb]

The song has a Tarantino-esque vibe to it.

[@neuro3680]

+Hoàng Nguyễn No.

[@patrickcharles8436]

The first 5 seconds, definitely.

[@skywalkerneoblade]

Where has this band been all my life!!!

[@novavirus7497]

I’ve never understood the argument between “instrumental music is soulless” and “vocals ruin music”. Some music needs vocals, some doesnt

[@arcioko2142]

agreed, but i dont like when music focuses purely and solely on lyrics and leaves composition of instrumental as secondary

[@drummerLANE]

Oh how I hope they'll play this live on their next tour. This, Para Mexr, and The Woven Web.

[@alejandroalvarado6534]

Am I the only one that gets some vibes from the song that plays during the Link vs Ganondorf battle in Ocarina of Time?

[@danielmetselaar2382]

i get this meshuggah feeling with the riffs :)

[@jshrmstrng]

Copee Pazta Take your meds m8

[@danielmetselaar2382]

Copee Pazta pls i'm just saying :O

[@VigilSerus]

I totally do too man, I can't point my finger on it, but totally Mesh vibe.

[@douglasdiaz9553]

After reading the song title I hear the guitar saying "mind-spun" on those bends.... it won't go away. you're welcome.

[@dangnola69]

If my PTSD had a soundtrack it would be this song.

[@arapnator17]

I feel like this should be the theme to a Metroid boss battle

[@_notho]

Very Nice !

[@UltimoGuitarist2]

The entire area at 3:10 gives me chills.

[@aliesquembrekucukalic]

That first riff

[@Jono6671]

First time I've heard this band- gotta say, this is awesome!

[@rockersunitemm8615]

Music is a beautiful language

[@jettgjr31]

Very nice

[@sosedated08]

totally sick!!

[@afroinness]

Sick!!

[@Blues0824]

this track grooves so dang hard

[@HeroicD23]

I just saw these guys last night with Between the Buried and Me and The Contortionist. This is one of my favorite tracks ever by them. It is the perfect theme song for Terminators being deployed and just leveling a battlefield and destroying everything so sinisterly..

[@amaranthinagony]

I feel like this is definitely one Diego helped on.

[@ManleyReviews]

Anybody else picking up CAFO vibes? God this album is so amazing.

[@WolfnWool]

ahhhh 3:10, im totally doing mushy to this album! keep it comin guys, been a fan since the first album!

[@basilaydyingm7506]

Immediately started humming that weird intro sound even though I never heard this track until today! Fuck yeah!! Good headbanging stuff right here! My Dopamine release is off the hook rocking to this track OMG!!

[@EssV_]

*OMG GUYS ITS THE AWESOME ANTS. GOOSEBUMPS MUCH!!!!*

[@KaLaka16]

wotwotwotwot

[@garyjohnson7424]

Tosin Abasi is the greatest guitar player of all time! You heard it here folks!

[@xOnimpulsex]

meshuggah and holdsworth all up on thisin

[@A.j.Rodriquez]

RIGHT!?! FREAKING AMAZING!

[@xdamoxhawk209]

Although Holdsworth is pretty evident in meshuggah as well