ANIMALS AS LEADERS - Tooth and Claw

the JOY of MOTION
iTunes: smarturl.it/the...
GooglePlay: smarturl.it/AAL...
Vinyl available in Transparent Red and Transparent Blue.
Limited to 500 per color.
Order HERE: www.sumerianmer...
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animalsasleaders

[@Cjclb]

The production on the drums makes me cry at how good they are

[@BURGRKNG]

Cjclb Oh my god, right? The bass kick has incredible presence and clarity while not sounding triggered or too 'muddy' and every other part of his kit can be heard clearly at every stroke. I wholeheartedly believe that it's also the player though not just studio magic :p

[@marcwatkins5978]

BURGRKNG Matt Garstka (drummer) is an absolute machine on the drum kit. He is a huge example of "is the sound the player or the machine".

[@clonelover117]

+Cjclb I agree, Dream Theater should take note.

[@Okshake]

+Cjclb Thank Nolly from Periphery!

[@snow5772]

@@AG-ur1lj cool guy alert

[@jasonbottoms9187]

Animals As Leaders are metal as fuck. Its groovy, heavy, and beautiful all at once.

[@KloWn694]

+Jason Bottoms Fuck yes

[@mayday8602]

You forgot one afjective!..."KIKK-FUKKING-ASS."

[@guibernardes3]

And Jazz as fuck

[@alepagna]

Lyrics: DA DUHN NEH NEH NEH NEH DA DUHN NEH NEH NEH NEH NEH DA DUHN DA DUHN NEH NEH DA DUHN NEH NEH NEH NEH BIDALADOO

[@MultiHamster101]

Lmao this killed me !

[@alexandersumi3921]

Lmao

[@Warxoth]

alepagna Accurate.

[@3vanthe33l]

alepagna yes

[@moltfreaky]

alepagna I sing this shit everyday ahahahah

[@krthkh]

1.5 million views for a djent song in recent times is just phenomenal success and for any metal genre for that matter. These guys are the new breed

[@krthkh]

Dylan Daino prog rock... what a joke

[@skynilla4935]

+krthkh Progressive Jazz Metal, Fellas

[@braydenfath]

+Dylan Daino More because of the drums and bass, Djent is a mix of progressive metal and metalcore. also listen to the melody, this isn't progressive rock.

[@dainodawg3160]

Brayden Fath djent wasnt even a genre 2 years ago. this is no mix, this is just progressive metal, and ive grown to accept that /iamverysmart

[@xZConfusedBearZx]

+Dylan Daino Dude... You just called it prog rock

[@MilitantOldLady]

Some bands take time to record new albums, Tosin grows 2 more fingers.

[@mierdadepagina]

This killed me xD

[@DylanRayGMT]

haha

[@Granolie]

It's a bit early, BUT this once-in-a-lifetime album turns 10 years old in a few months! Which is terrifying to think about!! Where did the last 10 years go, my dudes???

[@cryptedanimations6509]

Bro I remember the exact day this album came out and I went to Best Buy holding my infant child at the time to buy the CD. Now that infant is coding websites and making animations. That time goes by quick!

[@kellyboltonjonathan3386]

2014 was another good year 🥲 oh to be hopeful and so young again

[@Granolie]

@@cryptedanimations6509 thats gotta feel absolutely baffling lol. your child learning how to code and animate makes a lot of sense if this album was in their life! cheers!

[@kite47]

gone it the wind. music lasts forever though, hope i find this song the next go around

[@schectermartin69]

these guys have to have the most epic jam sessions

[@AlpaGeno]

Jesus Christ I couldn't have been more wrong! This song and the entire album is a step forward into a blissful unknown.

[@denismarushchak9943]

Could not agree more. Previos albums were beasts, but this one... make me feel like I stepped into another dimension. Very unique, organic and original music.

[@trevorowen5528]

nailed it eugene

[@KCYON]

I think we should all take a moment to appreciate Matt Garstka , the new drummer. Man's a beast, and it doesn't sound like he'll disappoint in any way possible. Can't wait!!

[@ConnorHammond]

Saw him play with them in Sydney not long ago. Absolute BEAST! His solos fit in so well with the progression and complemented the layout perfectly.

[@LeftyGuitar45]

he isn't new.... he has been in the band....

[@KCYON]

***** I'm referring to the fact this is his debut album, being in AAL.

[@Kaelin80satron]

ANIMOSITYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

[@stareatthedot]

Bob Godden derp

[@n5r15]

It really bothers me when people take 1 short listen to an amazing prog metal song like this one and write it off as pretentious. How could you not hear the groove. How could you not feel it!

[@schoenbaard]

+Bobby Torres Why does it bother you? If the ignorance of people bothers you then you must have a hard time, because most people are pretty ignorant. And you cannot 'convince' people into liking the things you like anyway.

[@charlehpock]

+Bobby Torres one of my favourites off the album - love the intro solo, almost as good as that soaring solo in Ka$cade!

[@bloodinthewater20]

Super late here, but holy shit I think it's amazing! A lot of people just can't get it...

[@confirmedleek]

+Bobby "Pretentious", "feel the grove man" ahhhh I love this song!

[@lionskull1]

+Bobby Torres because you have to listen to a lot of music from a genre to start appreciating "the groove." and some people don't want to spend that kind of time with something that they don't necessarily like. It's like getting into a new TV show that takes a few episodes to pull you in. If they don't see themselves caring enough, then why put in the effort?

[@ianbaldwin5804]

I’m just discovering AAL, how is every song so good, complex, mesmerizing? New favorite band. -late to the party.

[@jamesbungert3155]

Same.

[@thomasjefferson2676]

Hello. Just got here myself! Nice to meet you!

[@Tungstenio-186]

SAME

[@steveg2277]

I’ve been here since 2011. Believe me, it’s never too late!!!

First time getting to know this band and GODDAMN we living it up now.

[@pwh589]

0:00-4:23 best part

[@barfbag5000]

in my 75 years on this planet... never have I seen something or heard something for that matter, as legendary or impactful as this. What these guys are doing here is truly special and should be remembered, does it go much further than that, you feel me? frfr

[@DxBlack]

25.

[@user-vr3ex1fj7c]

75 yo with a hatsune miku pic?

[@DxBlack]

@@user-vr3ex1fj7c Exactly.

[@m3talmonk3y]

@@user-vr3ex1fj7c a man of culture 😄

[@devonwatt2194]

That’s major 🧢 lol No 75 year old has that pfp or says “frfr” You’re probably like 23 max

[@SamBellGuitar]

So much energy in ths track!

[@Austin-zq9sd]

Holy shit I just found this band and I'm speechless....

[@urbanbassslayers]

Same, good stuff..

[@raysty]

We've all been there

[@raysty]

We've all been there

[@biskit460]

Welcome to the tribe.

[@juandrayo]

me too, i'm so inspired to create music. they're brilliant.

[@Takealiltripnsee]

this music is ahead of its time.

[@Kamanberu49]

I really love the lyrics.

[@garrettmiranda]

Some times the most powerful emotions are expressed without a word uttered all sarcasm aside.

[@Kamanberu49]

(y)

[@GuitarIntheMourning]

garrettmiranda i actually think this song should have lyrics. im never one against good instrumental but this could use something.

[@PanchoP7]

john myung wrote them

[@13rosieb14]

gotta fall back on low hanging troll fruit when no one but God and Tosin can play this.

[@k_bsh]

2:37 -- yes. This could be AAL's best album yet. Mix is the tightest I've heard, and Garstka has set a new bar for prog drummers. Brilliant, brilliant music.

[@pomegranatetiger]

Tosin is King! :) Love this

[@S1kTh66]

Pomegranate Tiger is King :) We Love it.

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

Dont forget about Matt and Javy!

[@Demiurge66]

You guys are amazing too! I love your bands music Tiger.

[@Twitch0n3]

I'd hate to be in AAL, all anyone seems to care about is 1 member of the band.

***** Tosin is obsviously the main "character" of the band, although he didnt want that, ence the name Animals as Leaders and not Tosin Abasi Trio or something. Javier Reyes is a wonderfull musician as well, sometimes I personally prefer his approach. Basal Ganglia is an amazing album! TRAM's Lingua Franca is another masterpiece!

[@rebreb1714]

This is the most unrestrained Animals as Leaders has been yet: this track is a pure face melter. I hope the rest of the album is like this. I enjoyed weightless but I wish a few of the songs grooved a bit more.

[@BryanScottMacKenney]

Oh the new album will GROOVE ALRIGHT.

[@Yousuck00]

I still think CAFO from the first album is the ultimate face melter.

[@oskarcolumb]

MotoX Champ that and Song of Solomon

[@LittleVMills]

cool beans! :)

[@arcadedomination8006]

Nice to see you here V!

[@alexaspencer232]

The man himself.

[@oriondrums2]

Best tone for AAL I have ever heard.

[@beyondmassakren]

yep, totally agree

[@AlejoViard98]

Drop B I think it is better than Weightless's tone because in the previous album he used Lace Alumitone and Deathbar, and now he uses the Ionizers, which are much better.

[@oriondrums2]

Oh yeah.

[@xydex99]

Tosin, your Misha is showing.

[@SabianTamaDrummer]

***** Or he's hired by the artist to contribute...

[@gogreyhoundmusic]

SabianTamaDrummer you mean he's hired as the producer.

[@xydex99]

spicyfetus Nolly produced the album, but I'm pretty sure Misha helped write this album in some capacity.

[@stareatthedot]

He co-wrote and co-produced 7 songs on the album with Tosin, and Nolly did final mixing.

[@Yousuck00]

I’d love to see them write together again.

[@hadeskiller1]

I really wish they'd done more with that 3:12 riff. Sounds absolutely godly.

[@Аркадий-и4м]

sounds very peripherish

[@k2h873]

@@Аркадий-и4мYeah.. cause Misha Mansoor produced the whole album 😂

[@SuperHARMONIQUE]

Many years ago I discovered Dream Theatre and I though myself " OK , this is progressive metal music and noone will be able to do something more technically... But today when I hear Animals as leaders I think " OK : never say never " LOL !!!

[@Max_Payn3]

I know what you mean. Insane levels of virtuosity seem to be the standard today

[@PatrickMillais]

Haken have taken Dream Theater's crown.

[@BryceTackes]

If From Software made a game like Dank Souls that was science fiction instead of midevil then they should use AAL music for the boss themes and make the fights even more buttclench intense!

[@vicrattleheadslayerofwaifu6288]

they did, it's called armored core

[@D0WNT0WN]

Bryce Tackes heh... Dank Souls. I want to play THAT game.

[@TurtleBoxOfficial]

@@vicrattleheadslayerofwaifu6288 Armored core is not a Souls game though...it's entire different in style and genre.

[@LaziestBassist]

DANK SOULS LMAO

[@moltfreaky]

How can a human being write, compose and express something like this ???????????? How can something so amazing emerge from someone? IT JUST BLOWS MY MIND EVERY SINGLE TIME

[@maxusjb1352]

The intro riff reminds me so much of older Veil Of Maya

[@YungWillias]

I agree... and I adore it so flopping much

[@billy120745]

That grind they go on starting at 0:45 is so stinky, gosh I have the chills what a breakdown

[@DPMAN2424]

the outro sounds like something Veil of Maya would do ... or has done ... (all love, no hate) this album sounds fuckin boss

[@Gemmyfire757]

Sounds like Marc Okubo was sitting in on the writing process as well as Misha.

[@kilipeti]

exactly!

[@juliansalazar7097]

He was..

[@Yousuck00]

Peripheral Animals of Maya

[@MK4vDubbin]

I think the Joy of Motion is going to a really interesting release. Seems like they're making an effort to bring back the heavier, metal influences (not that Weightless didn't have heavy tracks) while still progressing their sound. I'm pretty excited.

[@haajasparx]

This song is a classic and I'll be jamming to it 30 years from now because this is the type of music that lasts. Everyone wants to be a critic that's fine, all of the greats have them

[@karynstudiosloane-ceramics436]

still listening? :)

[@LemonMerigueTie]

man im still mashing out to their first album their music never gets old

That first (1:30) solo is amazing, that fusion like moment in 1:35-1:37 gives me the chills! I think this is going to be an amazing album. =)

[@chaotemagick3]

I want to die in an epic slow motion battle with this song playing

[@miketoyo1311]

chaotemagick3 an honorable death it would be

[@402stoned7]

🤘

[@chrishauge291]

Why would you wanna die? Revel in the madness ensuing and live to do it again.

[@Timmydope]

FUck this is so good... Just discovered Animals as Leaders and I am now a massive fan!

[@shadow_self.]

This song has everything. Sweet chord progressions, melodies and leads, and they brought the groove/heavyness for this one. The drums are phenomenal, Matt is the fuckin man.

[@damiensmith6588]

i love everything about this song. the random solo. the tight snare/kick from drums. the abrasive and satisfying abruptness. hands down- amazing!

[@apresz]

10 hours of Animals As Leaders - Tooth and Claw PLEASE!

[@stalmeseto]

The Joy of Finally getting a good guitar tone on an AAL album.

[@josephmorland332]

You know he hasn't changed his tone since the first album right? He literally only uses three guitar tones... and with each one he will shred thine face off if he pleases!

[@stalmeseto]

Josiah Montague Maybe amp wise it's the same, but he started using the Ionizers in his guitars not too long ago. That effects a lot. Also, the Misha/Nolly mixing treatment adds a lot too. This is not the same tone from the first two album at all.

[@albertllaphan]

Josiah Montague I thought the new pickups sounded wildly different from his previous rig.

[@umadachi]

Especially at that breakdown around 0:42, seems misha reeeaaalllyy liked the tone he got on Punisher by VoM

[@doughendler2295]

Josiah Montague His basic tone hasn't changed....but the engineering prowess of Misha has greatly improved since the first album. Plus Nolly who's just a boss. It sounds MUCH improved, but yes, still Tosin tone.

[@Hauntedundead]

Reminds me of Periphery. And yet it sounds so much AAL. Couldnt get any better that it reminds me of both my fav bands with my favorite guitarists, yet it goes beyond and kicks my ass through the screen.

[@christopherbroad667]

Bpo tjr hatrrs could it be. Rhe next renisaumce has fainaally arived yumabs are evolving agai n as we sspeak!!!!

[@bayronuziel9456]

SI PERO PERIEPRY TA BIEN KULERO

[@Sphelpsx]

not many bands can pull of no vocals but these guys never cease to amaze me!

[@urbanbassslayers]

Got drunk and stumbled into this band .. fuck yeah...!!!

[@calenperez4170]

Fuck yeah! you fish in Washington at all?

[@urbanbassslayers]

No, but I have family near bremerton.

[@calenperez4170]

Nice, try going to eastern Washington sometime, preferably the potholes or Moses lake some badass smallmouth and walleye here

[@urbanbassslayers]

Right on!

[@friendswithbenedicts4869]

Urban Bass Slayers Sacramento CA Bass Fishing. Hell yeah bro! I fish to this band all the time, it's great!

[@painlessly_bc]

Ok, this DEFINITELY isn't a still image...

[@marcwatkins5978]

Yeah, definitely, I thought it was a sort of mind trick but I was so unsettled by it that I had to pause and play to figure it out. Glad you noticed it too haha.

[@orilevi1123]

Brandon Chambers Hey man, the album's called Joy of Motion after all.

[@marcwatkins5978]

אורי לוי well stated.

[@blackaxium234]

muntificator nope

[@Niaxe111]

+Brandon Chambers These guys like the trippy vibes.

[@RobertoReyesChHC]

This sounds like Veil Of Maya with groovier drumming, fusion, and guitar solos.

[@PainIs4ThaWeak85]

Wait, wha? I guess people like what they like, but "meh" @ Veil of Maya. Sreamy kids don't really do it for me. But alas, that's coming from someone with a taste for the likes of Torture Killer.

[@levimcelrath9232]

Yeah that syncopation definitly has a VOM feel to it.

[@RobertoReyesChHC]

PainIs4ThaWeak85 Veil Of Maya is of the first american Meshuggah inspired progressive metal bands that came before this band.. Marc is a great composer and guitar player in my opinion. This song shares a lot of the same sense of exotic melodicism found on tracks like "mowgli".. the jarring angular maj7 sound reminds me a loooot of them. That combined with some of the alien like effects and the choppy syncopation really reminds me of them. To me this sounds like a more stream lined version of of AAL and what they're capable of. Not a bad or good thing IMO.

[@chaotemagick3]

It's mostly just that first fret bend that does it

[@sonicboom20078]

Just listened to the entire album and to all of you that are judging the album based off one song, you are HEAVILY mistaken.

[@haydensattler954]

share, please

[@stephenkessel6037]

***** then why are you listening to an AAL video?

[@alpegg75]

***** Not as boring as your comment.

[@kaywulff2783]

***** dude just because you can't appreciate it doesn't mean it's bad, it just makes you ignorant

[@petrucci619]

***** you probably dont love music like you think you do

[@michaelweaver4589]

This guitarist is one of the most incredible guitarists that I've heard in my many years of listening to music.

[@GRiMHOLDx]

Tosin Abasi is a Demi-God!

[@kevingibranr3365]

+GRiMHOLD no. He's 666od.

[@D1mPlays]

words can't describe how excited i am for a new AAL album

[@SloppyCat79]

The mixing sounds much better in this album.

[@stevenchristopher3413]

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[@shredflanders97]

Steven Christopher Goddamn right! Thank the Lawd fo Nolly!

[@SloppyCat79]

***** Nolly mixed this?!

[@alpegg75]

It's got real drums and bass this time too, definitely helps it sound better.

[@Theasian612]

Darth Doge I don't think Nolly mixed it, I'm pretty sure that it was Misha who produced this album.

[@TaketheLead13]

The lyrics to this song are so powerful they have such a strong message

[@elpisadvocate5082]

@@kalisto52 r/whoooosh

[@user-uk5cu4vw7o]

WRONG there is an owen wilson sample or someone saying WOW at the first part of the song.

[@SabianTamaDrummer]

Let me ask you something. Why do you think they released this song? Because it's the most ACCESSIBLE. A) Just because there isn't loads of notes doesn't mean it's not a stellar composition. B) A label will almost always release the single that will please the widest audience. C) Enjoy the art.

[@PSNDaSingh]

So true, that's why Prosthetic released CAFO first when promoting the first AAL album although it sounded much more mainstream and nothing like the rest of the album.

[@MacGuarnieri]

I've listened to this song like 8 times since they posted it. Can NOT wait for the new album.

[@melefono4273]

These guys are frickin' animals at wat they play.

[@Twitsonx]

If this was on Guitar Hero.... XO

[@thebrokenpuppet2714]

holy crap

[@oldrocknroll1]

+Jack Delaney Green and open purple notes EVERYWHERES

[@dainodawg3160]

+Jack Delaney some parts would literally be 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0

[@ThePhobos100]

+Jack Delaney Probably too good for that.

[@Twitsonx]

***** Agreed brother

[@HateKeys]

I love the fact that they are going for more direct and heavy songs as well as their trademark "holyshiti'mfuckingtosinabasihearthissoloout" sound

[@xLaLaRainx]

My sentiments exactly.

[@grievous56]

Didn't like it at first. Grew on me. Love it.

[@Ylmzrozn]

Yea, first time I could not comprehend and the complexity flooded me but then I digested and now I feel GOOD! Yep, nutritious.

[@1SeniorSmurf]

if this is what happens when animals lead, I am voting for a moose in the 2016 election!

[@toolement]

What about a literal Bull Moose?

[@fleckx]

Hm the 'Moose Lodge' is a Masonic Lodge, meaning Illuminati, so you're voting for the same ol thang!

[@Vegan_Kebab_In_My_Hand]

Well they already are anyway.

[@AndJamTracksForAll2014]

The Roman emperor Caligula made one of his horses a senator, Animals as Leaders.

[@1SeniorSmurf]

ex3vious That is a cool factoid! is that where the name comes from, or is it a coincidence?

[@thy_art_is_cats6860]

this song is fucking amazing

[@TyronTention]

What a coincidence, haha. We have the same profile picture.

[@thy_art_is_cats6860]

that is a coincidence haha

[@dEMuKi0]

Tyron Tention Masayo Mandeles you guys should follow the signs

[@andrewbielec9353]

Masayo Mandeles separate yourself from the machine and embrace your own identity you guys

[@oOAvokesOo]

FOLLOW THE SIGGGGGGGGGGNS, DADADADAD DADADAD ADAD AD A D AD AD AD A D AD A D dD d a d ad a

[@BenderBossGM]

Play this music while playing doom 2016 and Reading Berserk, you guys freaking rule!

[@MrFINcredible]

Nice, haha. I don't think there's a single page in Berserk that this wouldn't fit with.

[@bavingeter423]

Animals as leaders, doom 2016, and berserk is a vibe

[@MetalliDeth1223]

I hope this is the only song on the album that relies on the "djent" motif. The clean jazzy songs on the self titled are what made me love this band.

[@PowerSourceTheBand]

I don't normally like instrumental songs (and I know I shouldn't be hear if I don't) but this was epic!

[@elizle]

*here

[@mondertonian]

elizle He was making a pun.

[@postrockforthemind128]

You are missing out on instrumental music man... This will Destroy you, Scale the Summit, God is an Astronaut, Modern Day Babylon, Tides, Irepress, Red Sparowes, and the list goes on.. Do yourself a huge favor and venture into the world of instrumental. I am glad I did for sure man.

[@postrockforthemind128]

Timothy Sharp Also, Russian Circles (Whom I will see live tomorrow! :)) Angel Vivaldi, Chimp Spanner, Pomegranate Tiger, Pelican and one of my favorites..If these trees could talk. Ok I am done. Haha.

[@thelimpestbizkit13]

and CLOUDKICKER!

[@isaacwilks5898]

Idk why but this song makes me want tomato juice

[@myfairjew]

best comment here

[@gupmistro1]

Awkwardly enough, this comment made me ask, do I want tomato juice? Now I'm all confused.

[@oOAvokesOo]

lolwat

[@ryanhanes841]

Top 5...well, top 1 weirdest yet most awesome comments ever.

[@gupmistro1]

I realize tomato juice was in question, but I broadened it to anything liquid tomato

[@Elecguitar600]

Listened to the whole album. Had to order a vinyl immediately. They have outdone themselves once again. Flawless victory.

[@horatiotrismegistus616]

I seriously wish all the genre references would go away. And those making them can get djent. Genres mean nothing. Every song is a unique creation. Even fish know this.

[@horatiotrismegistus616]

vladi1Z Categorize? Yeah. So you know what to buy. Don't want to cross an imaginary line. Creativity is not defined by any stupid categorization. I dare mock it because I have been a musician for over 20 years and I do not allow some stupid label to dictate how I create. You would do great in marketing and advertising. Or designing shoes for little girls.

[@vladi1Z]

Horatio Trismegistus not just for marketing, but for musicians as well. no one is telling anyone what to create but even if all music creations are unique, some are more similar and some are less, all muscians take influence from somewhere, so there is nothing wrong with categorizing, taking a group of music with many similarities and giving it a name to idenify, so anyone may create any creative music he wants but in the end its similar to something else so it need to be categorizing so music world wont be chaotic. the fact you are a musician means almost nothing, someone fast with great shots doesnt mean he will be a great football trainer. just because you write music doesnt mean you know whats holding the music world and how. and last thing, you better give more importance and respect to the marketing, eigher you like it or not, the whole music world is built over marketing, some are using it for bad and some are not, but without marketing music world would be so much smaller and almost no poeple would listen to it or make it, so even if the main help of categorizing is at marketing, its still something that holds music world from falling apart.

[@horatiotrismegistus616]

vladi1Z Art does not depend on marketing. Marketing depends on marketing. Fuck Genres.

[@vladi1Z]

Horatio Trismegistus Some "fake artists" may use in a bad way, selling shit and getting alot of money for that. But without marketing the music world would fall apart, artists would be in a worse economical state than now, so there will be much less musicians, most people would not even listen to music as they never heard one. it will just fall apart. without marketing music would be some unpopular things which "wierd people" do in some closed clubs or something. And Im pretty sure that even if you are unaware of it, YOUR musical career started out as a love for music through the marketed music...

[@horatiotrismegistus616]

vladi1Z Marketed music stunted my growth as a musician. I understand what you are defending. Musicians and artists in general struggle and I don't like that any more than you do. However, art as a commodity destroys the pure flame of creative genius that gives us art in the first place. I'm not claiming to know the perfect solution- but I am claiming and will continue to claim that art is not a product to be consumed and thrown away. That is what has given us over a half century of short, disposable "hit songs" that get played to death and then tossed into the "oldies" bin. Art is like nature, it recycles itself, and it will diversify naturally, if it is allowed to thrive. I'm ok with calling some music "jazz" and some music "metal" but even those categorizations mean little to me. Because they are not absolute any more than our over-abundant artificial genres.

[@Jormungandr69x]

Love it, can't wait for the album. The first two were stellar to say the least. AAL has proven you don't need any edgy screaming to make a great metal record. Hell, they don't need vocals at all, their instrumentals say more than any one person could. Hopefully we'll see some bands following in their footsteps, and not just going for your basic "djent" chugs. Keep it coming, guys.

[@MichaelPsyche]

God damn! Why the fuck haven't I kept up with this band more?? This is fucking epic!

[@lukehansen5563]

IKR

[@Trottelheimer]

I've been waiting in anticipation for this! What hits me is that they're back to the highly fatiguing sound of the first album. One listen and my ears are shot. This is brickwall compressed to hell and back, and it's clipping all over the place. That is such a downer after the beautiful sounding Weightless. The moral is to never let anyone from Periphery anywhere near your audio... Oh well, at 2:35 I hear the AAL goodness - here's hoping for more of that :-)

[@vdljnrg]

Or just not assume that this is a finished product maybe? Considdering the album teaser they released before this is way less compressed it seems odd that they would have this level of inconsistency going on. And how would this be Misha/Nolly's fault btw? They've expressed that they'll never force their own idea's on others, meaning in the end it's up to AAL how they want the album to sound. I somehow doubt they would stay quiet during the process if they didn't want this level of compression as it is hard to miss...

[@Trottelheimer]

Bitey Nobody would be happier than me if it turns that the album doesn't clip and that the compression is reasonable or preferably not as hard as we hear here. However, given the history and the evidence so far, I'm not holding my breath... Previously published KZbin clips have been the same dynamically as on the CDs. Their first album (engineered by Misha Mansoor) is possibly one of the worst mixing/mastering jobs I've come across. It clips all the way through, with thousands of hard clippings per track and full scale DC runs of hundreds of samples (that's absurdly extreme). Weightless on the other hand (not produced by M.M.), has no clipping at all, and actually has tracks that stays below 0dB - the sound is good and easy on the ears. Those two albums are polar opposites, and then this comes along with the same mix/master disaster (by Periphery people) as that found on the first album. The sad thing about this is that the talent and music of AAL gets squandered by some of the worst audio production possible. For those wondering what's going on here, check out this article for the lack-of-dynamics bit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war and this article for the clipping bit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipping_(audio) I.e. we get served broken audio on lots of recordings these days due to a silly volume "arms race", which makes the sound really bad for your enjoyment, your ears and the art of audio production. By now we have a young generation who might not even have heard properly engineered records. For those who care about good sound, "join the cause and spread the word", starting here: dynamicrangeday.co.uk/

[@michaelhackman3195]

I do agree with you that it is over compressed, you have to choose between calling it clipping or brickwall limiting, it can't do both unless someone REALLY doesn't know what their doing with a limiter. The brickwall limiter prevents overloading (clipping) on the master bus.

[@Trottelheimer]

Michael Hackman It actually is both brickwall compressed/limited and clipped, unfortunately (same as 1st album). So yes, someone REALLY doesn't know how to engineer audio (gain staging in this case), also unfortunately... (Edit: I'll provide some images of waveforms if someone wants to see it). Fortunately (see, all is not black :-)), there are some very clever de-clipping tools out there which really works, so that bit can mostly be fixed. And so I have a de-clipped version of the first AAL album. I recommend "Perfect Declipper" (and/or "Stereo Tool") by the ingenious Hans van Zutphen: www.perfectdeclipper.com/

[@billhimself934]

out of all the amazing AAL songs this is top of my personal favourites

[@kaibrainard7227]

I feel like a douche for saying this, but they need a bassist, or when recording at least have Tosin or Javier record some bass tracks.The riffs are awesome, but they feel a little empty.

[@DemitriQ]

They have a bassist....

[@kaibrainard7227]

They do? I looked on Wikipedia and its just the three right now. I listened to a few songs from them, and really liked their old stuff cus there was bass in it.

[@DemitriQ]

It's the bassist from periphery they're just recorded in for all performances

[@kaibrainard7227]

O ok, cool.

[@Wintersentinel]

Here, copy/pasted this from Nolly's ask.fm account: "Did you play bass on all the songs on the new Animals As Leaders album?" "No, I should set the record straight since I think a lot of people think I did - I played on Lippincott, Tooth And Claw, and Para Mexer. The rest is a virtual bass instrument, though we took time to make it sound as realistic as possible. A couple of other bass things I should clear up since my ask.fm inbox is full of questions about this - all the thumping stuff is Tosin on guitar, not bass, and on Physical Education the bass line is in the same octave as the guitars since they're tuned to a low C# (on all other songs it's an octave below)."

[@IAmUrOm]

Man you guys. Opinion is opinion, but Animals As Leaders is the artist. Let them be . This song is just as creative and imaginative as their past albums, and none of you are going to change their creativity by being selfish and not accepting their new sound and new techniques.

[@Patriots-Inc.1776]

EXACTLY! I COMPLETELY AGREE!!!! I look forward to every new album. Tosin, Javier and Matt are three geniuses to their craft!!!!

[@PureCoreTV]

Starting at 2:47, any pokemon game ever.

[@MattHarnettMusic]

Fucking awesome, and the mix is incredible.

[@TannhauserCreative]

Adam Nolly Getgood at his finest :P

[@TobyKBTY]

I honestly love this. For all the atmospheric epic stuff, I can always just go back to the first and second album but I definitely love this.

[@tychakra]

They performed this when I saw them 2 weeks ago. Extremely talented band!!!

[@JTR1Cinema]

Beginning to sound less technical, but really crisp sound. Can't tell if I'm happy or not.

[@DonaldRecord]

Excited to hear this album...however... I WANT MORE T.R.A.M.!!!

[@KibatsuMusic]

4:18... I couldn't breathe... that was too much. Literally breathless

[@godisdead_]

I always heard about this band everywhere, but never got around to checking them out. Very talented dudes.

[@brendonseney4850]

OH GOSH ITS SO AMAZING!! 0:50 best part! It was an excellent honor meeting the three of you guys!

[@boulevarddesairs]

Awesome !

[@VincenzoAvallone]

dem drums :|___

[@FerralTurtle]

and the beast behind those drums is called Matt Garstka

[@TheDillonater]

I'm learning this song at the moment and it's killing me. I've only ever done covers that were easy for me so I was like "I want to do something difficult that will 'wow' people" and I spent about 3 hours today just getting through the first minute and thirty seconds. I haven't even touched that Latin groove at 2:35 - I'm terrified to even make it that far.

[@itsheavymetal]

Engaging as usual. I'm enjoying a lot the way Tosin Abasi was recorded. Great news Animals As Leaders is releasing new music, can't wait.

[@BrettFairchild]

Tosin told me last night that Nolly mixed the album. Awesome job!

[@ruthfrancis1915]

How can you not have mad respect for these guys? This is sick!!!

[@Jacobleewilley101]

holy shit! this just brought my zelda gameplay to a WHOLE new level!

[@GRiMHOLDx]

lol xD

[@nabilh9485]

As a long time fan I was expecting so much more from this, hoping the album is better!

[@12ealDealOfficial]

I'm surprised this track is divisive. I'm a long time fan as well and I personally enjoyed this more than *most* of 'Weightless.'

[@nabilh9485]

12ealDeal Just my opinion, one song isn't nearly enough to judge this album also I agree weightless was not incredible, the first album was though!

[@cepheus0694]

12ealDeal Then again, Weightless wasn't that great, either.

[@jeffreysmith8361]

I saw these guys open for Dream Theater in Bridgeport, Ct the other night. Didn't know of them and I had never listened to them beforehand. They were ABSOLUTELY FREAKING AMAZING!!!!!!

[@ironandthread]

Me too, Vancouver last night. These guys got themselves a new fan!

[@digitaltoryconservative658]

Love this Extremely Talented Metal Band. Under-rated. Magical.

[@jefeltner11]

In my limited experience with instrumental djent, I think this song best exemplifies all the qualities of the genre of anything I've seen.

[@Morkeric]

if there's any band whose sound you shouldn't assume, it's AAL this could easily be the weakest song on the album for all we know

[@dainodawg3160]

waiting for the naked ape fanbase to grow and then have everybody come here like "naked ape sent me"

[@VENDETTA363]

+Dylan Daino hahaha yeah that angry cow got me hooked, she is kool

[@apr2047]

+Dylan Daino he sent me here haha

[@dainodawg3160]

charlie bennett aal is a great band, you should listen to their other songs

[@acenine8149]

That's why I'm here

[@Javier-il1xi]

+Dylan Daino Naked Ape sent me here :)

[@dieseldoctor415]

Possibly the best instrumental band besides Conquering Dystopia. Nothing like some relaxing music

[@cyberbri6899]

OMG!! These guys!! Never heard of these guys. Great sound and making difficult music to play flow like water down a stream!

[@CreationNeverSleeps]

loved the heaviness of this new AAL good job Tosin and his team!

[@drewfitz11]

I can't tell if the background is moving, or if I'm just tripping major ballsack.

[@jdg94939]

Well the album is named joy of *motion* after all...

[@specialed171]

It's moving

[@Rigel14a]

If you pause it it will stop moving.

[@defBILLtones]

***** Mind BLOWN!

[@braxtonmarshall1883]

I couldn't tell you I'm too stoned 🤣

[@mirallesmario]

They never disappoint. Wicked track!

[@coma-body-stilllife]

Very "Have a Blast-y" and common mans collapse-ish. Also sounds like Nolly mixed it. Kind of wished i heard more tosin, but hopefully there will be more abacity on the other songs!

[@voodoobananarecordingstudi5707]

a buddy just introduced me to this...for which I am eternally grateful!

[@smcurry1234]

Everything that comes from this guitar is nothing but GOLD. I agree the 1st album was nothing but epic. It was the first time I have every heard anything like this, and CAFO and Tempting Time will go down in the record books. Bands evolve and this is just another amazing album that will come from this band. AAL for life!