Classical Composer Reacts to Ego Death (Polyphia feat. Steve Vai) | The Daily Doug | Episode 466

#polyphia #egodeath
In this episode of #thedailydoug, I'm listening to new music from Polyphia, a genre-exploding band from Texas. They're out with their new single, Ego Death, featuring guitar legend Steve Vai. Their song has been on KZbin less than a week and already has over 2 million views! So, I wanted to see what it's all about. As before, I found them to exude musicianship and technicality, and the recording's engineering adds to the uniqueness of their talent. I very much enjoyed this listen...and played along a bit as well!
Reference Video: • Polyphia - Ego Death f...
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[@Star_Biscuit]

My brain can't figure out how you were able to improvise a piano part that went along with Steve's solo and it actually complimented it on your first time listening. Hat's off to you sir.

[@Nathdood]

for real!

[@ejRecording]

cause this song, like he said, is extremely simple, and actually quite boring

[@mubats]

Knowing the chord progression, if I did not get it wrong -> D, C, Bb, A, C# gets you there.

[@onethousandtwonortheast8848]

Dude, the chord progression is trés basic. You’re being wowed by the pyro but the changes a no big deal. These guess are no Charlie Parker or Martial Soleil or lalo Schifrin. It goes on and on.

[@ProjectPhoenix21]

@@ejRecording simple yes. Doesn't take anything from the level of technicality. Hardly boring.

[@BrittanyNgo01]

The trumpet is from the group Brasstracks. They are the feature on the first song in the upcoming album. Ego Death is the final song so the album begins and ends with the trumpet.

[@davidshoyt1979]

dope info thanks!

[@juarezhenriquelisboa3590]

The song with basstracks will be Genesis?

[@sembilanindera2231]

And rumors said that the trumpet section of both tracks will be seamless !

[@brodybazzini6729]

I thought it was a cornet

[@BrittanyNgo01]

@@brodybazzini6729 🤷🏼‍♀️ I used to play trumpet but admittedly, I probably wouldn't know the difference just looking at them

[@nikolasdarlas512]

Out of every music 'reactor' on youtube, Doug is easily the best. Superb knowledge and amazing ears...Please don't ever stop you are so good...

[@rodrigozamo]

What I love most is that he has a great touch of explaining complex things that I'll never understand about theory in a way that is very digestible to someone who doesn't know a lot about it.

[@sembilanindera2231]

A layman like me would never understand how Mr. Helvering here could name all the chords with one listening. Great understanding of musical theory.

[@OriginalPuro]

To react is something everyone does, it's not a job or a position in society, it's a natural human function of information input.

[@dexblue]

Doug is good as are Michael Pamisano, Rick, Tim, et al ...

[@Pier77Tampa]

It’s remarkable to me how tastefully they merged modern pop rhythms and feel, yet showcase their near surgical technique and mastery with the instrument. They deserve every success

[@duhduh14]

Yeah it was a really *SIMPLE* song especially for Polyphia and Steve. They made sure it was all about feel and melodies and not becoming another GENERIC SHRED FEST. We all know they could go ham especially with Steve but they didn't and they chose to play with their feelings. Maybe why it is called Ego Death 🙂

[@chelfyn]

Maybe it's because Scotty finally gets some serious limelight :)

[@Mister006]

@@chelfyn They all sit on that throne. They're all in the limelight. The differences are the genre influences that are their own is Tim = Pop/Hip Hop, Scott= Heavy Metal/Classical, Vai...well, Vai.

[@bergamot4832]

too bad there's not much feel going on in there either

[@IkenFister]

@@bergamot4832 you obviously didnt listen to the bass player. Lol

[@sembilanindera2231]

Maybe it was simple to play (for them), but surely it's not simple to compose and arrange it.

[@leventvehbiuysal1215]

Now you have to go back and give Stevie's solo an honest listen. :)

[@williamhumble7072]

The way Tim hensen explained it making these songs he finds a progression he likes and just finds fun ways to arpeggiate because he enjoys it. It’s just his style and it’s lovely.

[@npinjest7779]

Your piano accompaniment went so nicely with the track that either Polyphia should next collab with a piano player or would you consider doing a full piano playthrough video... please?

[@prasadsatpute1294]

Polyphia is releasing a track with Anamolie , and I am so stoked for it

[@kuroishiofficial]

I was thinking the same thing. I'd love to see a full version of what he did at around 7:15

[@brianmcnamara5890]

Their pizzicato playing would suit a harpsichord well.

[@taleandclawrock2606]

@@brianmcnamara5890 oooo yes!

[@ThaBeatConductor]

So glad you talk about sound engineering/sound scapes. It's a really important thing that a lot of bands overlook. Atmosphere is almost everything.

[@somersetcace1]

The name of the song is perfect. I didn't get it till I watched the video. I think saving the trumpet for the end was part of it. They all just basically stopped and let that trumpet have the last word. Ego Death.

[@aybgim3850]

Each of the three sits on the throne at some point, while showing off their skills. But in the end they look at the trumpeter sitting on the edge of the roof and playing simple chords. This is the ego death - from sophistication to simplicity.

[@tactrix1h]

Polyphia has always done this thing where they take the most popular pop progressions, and they put them in the background as they play incredibly intricate parts over them. And that specific combination makes it so that every song sounds familiar to the brain since people have heard those progressions in thousands of songs, but also the intricate parts makes it seem so new and exciting that it just blows them away. And they're absolute masters of this type of playing.

[@chriscasiglio]

Yes, I've seen interviews w Tim where he talks about this, he often starts w a very familiar pop beat and layer it with the intricacies to where you're hearing something new but you brain feels like it's hearing something it already knows and loves. I am paraphrasing and also a non-musician currently trying to learn the guitar so please forgive if I stated that incorrectly

[@tactrix1h]

@@chriscasiglio no it makes sense, whenever you want to make a song, you want to start with something familiar and then build on that. And what's more familiar than a progression that's in the most popular songs.

[@mpkelley20]

They have a track on the album called Genesis that features the guy from brasstracks playing the trumpet. Hasn’t been officially released as a single yet but there are live versions of it on KZbin from their recent shows. Polyphia sometimes sounds too complicated and you really need to know how to break it down into the basics like you did here. There usually is some over arching melody in their songs but can get buried in the number of notes they play. This song does a better job or putting the melody out front more. Like a lot of their older songs. And when Vai starts playing, he brings a classic and amazing sound to compliment the craziness. He could have easily gone crazy too but his part was perfect and wouldn’t want to see him do more. Tim Henson has his own neural plugin that my son played around with on his guitar and that’s where a lot of their sound is coming from. It’s crazy what you can do to a guitar sound these days. And the plug-in has tons of other musicians that crafted their own sounds from it so you can use those too. Or create your own. It’s heavily “synthesized” but at least the music is coming from real instruments initially. They are my oldest sons favorite band so I hear their music quite often. We unfortunately missed their show here in Boston but I was able to preorder a signed copy of their new album for him which he will love. So happy that bands like this are encouraging real playing again and motivating kids like my son to try and push the boundaries.

[@300SmithsInARoom]

I don't watch a lot of your videos, as a lot of the songs aren't what I'm looking for. But when I do see one such as this, it genuinely fills me with a sense of joy and excitement. Thank you for the excellent work you create 😌

[@erickvermeulen9734]

I did not know what to expect, but this is a very pleasant surprise. Love it.

[@letthetunesflow]

Mad respect for that tasteful piano accompaniment you improvised, was damn cool to be honest!

[@honordevs]

Definitely my favorite reaction to Polyphia so far. Please do more!

[@Phitsik23]

I love the personal touch you add to your analyses with the piano! It seems like you're very invested in structure, so I'd like to make a random suggestion: the band Others by No One, specifically their song Dr. Breacher and the Time Travel Anomaly. It's a bit of a long song but it's the most interesting piece of art I've ever heard and extremely avant garde. (Also, the music video is only half the official song) Also, regarding the trumpeter, he will be featured on another one of the songs in Polyphia's new album!

[@sintaxera]

Imagine being the G.O.A.T guitarist, and being featured with a band with two younger arguably even better guitarists. I bet Vai is overjoyed that he has inspired this generation to reach even higher than he could. A decade ago I wouldn't have thought it possible, yet here we are.

[@sandenson]

I see what you did there

[@shadybrain3424]

lol what? they wish they can even have the talent vai has. tim henson cant even play most of his own songs live.

[@VirtualDvid]

'Better guitarrist' mmm I don't think so.

[@dezmodium]

I don't know if they are better but I also don't think it's healthy to compare them like that. These guitarists all specialize in certain techniques. I think what makes this video awesome is seeing the Polyphia guys doing what they are good at and seeing Vai do what he is good at and vibing at how they compliment each other. It's like saying one BBQ pitmaster is better than the other when one makes the best pork shoulder and the other makes the best brisket. If it means enjoying the best, I'll have both.

[@cribbycribs]

@@shadybrain3424 Chill out dude, vai is undeniably great but being as stubborn to say that these dudes don’t have any of that talent is just plain short-sighted. Think more, speak less.

[@justinludeman8424]

Your observations are deep. Thanks. They are so syncopated and rhythmically adventurous. I am really enjoying everything this band does.

[@skildude]

The guitar reminds me so much of Zappa. It doesn't hurt to have Zappa's guitarist(Steve) to play with.

[@johndalien023]

Steve's energetic and fun work with Roth was extremely influential for many guitarist,such as myself.Yankee Rose is epic.David Lee Roth's rock n roll swag is iconic.I miss those days.🤘

[@stanf9898]

If there is more content like this on this channel, I'm subscribing. Loved when he decided to play along with them. Truly shows his understanding of music in a way that talking about cannot capture.

[@pemjr]

Doug is the man this channel is great

[@haydenarlington8256]

Blown away by that. They brought the G.O.A.T. of shred. Also that’s nice of them to at least ask you to take down the Playing God vid rather than copyright it like other bands or musicians would.

[@thefourthwritedjentleman3643]

The film clip is awesome They start low in the building, with each level it gets heavier/harder Followed by Steve on the thrown - so so cool I remember Steve said Tim was the future of guitar

[@RageForSeven]

auditioning live for polyphia..that's a ballsy move..polyphia with a jazz vibe, i like it

[@hinduismwithpremananddasbhagat]

You nailed it. Its not that they are playing super complicated progressions or changing keys or tempo, its that how they are playing them and how they sound is so unique.

[@michaelbell75]

Nice! Your piano part made me think keyboards would take them to a new level. Someone like Jordan from Dream Theater on a couple tracks would be killer.

[@taleandclawrock2606]

Appreciate the insight into the basic melody being a lament, i felt that, listening to it, but was unaware that was a labelled form. The beautiful purity of the iconic trumpet at the end always brings tears to my eyes. I must have listened to 5 or more different reaction videos, and learned more about music from each one. Polyphia are not just entertaining us, and facilitating emotional and cognitive processing ( as all good music does), they are helping educate us. A beautifully put together work of art.

[@PeterDaley72]

oh you played over Steve Vai's solo. That's evil!

[@emaneercsadeeni]

But also fabulous to see the instant connection for Doug who’s from a different corner of the music world.

[@garrettpatterson9490]

Steve via tones fucked that whole song up. Sounds like me when I eat too much dairy and have to poop

[@user-jl2kw5jy2z]

Skipped best parts

[@user-vv9it9ye4g]

Love ya Doug, but you should be fined for A. Playing along with this B. ...doing so over Steve's magnificent contribution. ❤

[@jlafloe]

Now I peep the “Hand. Cannot. Erase.” LP in the background. Wonderful taste, as always!

[@Arrow2theACL]

Doug did a full album reaction on Hand. Cannot. Erase. on his Patreon. Amazing breakdown.

[@GregNoblin]

Polyphia works so well because while they're super innovative, they're not really reinventing the wheel. By using super approachable chord progressions used millions of times in pop music and usually keeping a 4/4 time signature it gives them the opportunity to create really catchy hooks and damn near ear worms. The filigree and "flexing" of their ornamentation makes it really interesting and has a wow factor and their use of different voicings and tones and effects help create a ebb and flow dynamic that keeps the listener's attention. They've really hit a solid formula.

[@Inferiis]

you're probably right. There is this saying that you play 4 chords to thousands of people, or thousands of notes for 4 people. Seems like Polyphia found the middle ground, sounds technical, but still catchy for your average music listener as well. (I mean Tim's playing IS technical af, but the music itself is pretty simple, pretty much the opposite of Tool f.e. where they don't use so many notes, but you won't find 30 consecutive seconds in the same time signature)

[@chelfyn]

I was worried that there was little space left for innovation on guitar. I was wrong, and both Tim Henson and Steve Vai have been pushing the boundaries in the past few years. Steve's Candle Power made me think about bends in a whole new way. Tim Henson made me think about guitar in a whole new way. Also, Doug, please do Window of a Waking Mind by Coheed & Cambria. It's staggeringly good.

[@holliswilliams8426]

Not really sure either of them have actually pushed any boundary, Henson essentially plays trap flamenco.

[@lilkujo]

If you care about the boundary pushing of guitar I highly recommend listening to Matteo Mancuso's work and what Julian Lage is doing (especially the work he released with Bill Frisell earlier this year). Both are pushing all sorts of boundaries. Matteo's my favorite new guitarist by far.

[@Absolute-Melody]

Possibly my favorite song they’ve released this year

[@sembilanindera2231]

Some people said in YT comments that this song "has no feeling" 🙄 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 People are hilarious. At any rate, Mr. Helvering here is the best reactor and analyst for ANY music because he analyze the merit of the music elements, not the genre. Salute, sir.

[@ShaneDizzin]

That's wild cause I feel it has more feeling than most of their songs I've heard in the past.

[@bsievwiwvwjw7053]

@@ShaneDizzin it’s just a general excuse insecure hendrix-era musicians will use to hate on modern guitar, despite the fact that “back in their day” there were the same type of people that hated on Hendrix, Van Halen etc.

[@sembilanindera2231]

@@ShaneDizzin Yeah, also they mixed more genres into their current music compared to the past

[@bored78612]

Anything not pentatonic with some blue notes thrown in sounds like no feeling to them.

[@laremare]

@@bored78612 Don't forget slow bends up to the 5th or the root (not in tune, of course) and then picking the minor 3rd of that note while it's still ringing. Truly carries more feeling than anything the Muppet man or Vai could ever come up with.

[@zog6940]

Oh my god it's so nice seeing a reactor that actually has a wealth of knowledge and isn't pausing every 2 seconds. Bravo. I wish I had someone like you teaching my band class in high school.

[@delicrux]

I really appreciate this breakdown and the accompaniment on piano really shows how good your ear is and the theory you followed that formula almost flawlessly very impressive.

[@jordanlarson6488]

I'm guessing the trumpet is a teaser to the following track on the record/video, which I'm betting will have that trumpet as a feature.

[@alessandrosavino1499]

it's the last track on the album, the first one features the trumpeter, I think it's more a recall to the instrument itself and to a recurrent melody

[@architectoverlord]

If you get the chance to see them live, DO IT! They put on a fantastic show.

[@Mister006]

The Album that comes out at the end of October starts out the first track with the Trumpeter you see at the end of this video, Ivan from BrassTracks

[@RaymondBCrisp]

As a former trumpet player, I loved the trumpet outro. I think any further addition of the trumpet throughout the song would have lessened its impact at the end.

[@connermcgoat7594]

As in novice guitar player seeing polyphia knocked my socks off but after hearing your breakdown of it, you really bought it back to Earth. really enjoyed the video thank you 👍

[@davewebster5120]

Holy shit that track is massive. I get chills every time. Great analysis!

[@munchywizard8380]

Haven't stopped playing that song at least 5x a day since it came out.

[@BrandonMusicXL]

Doug! This is my first video I've seen from you and I gotta say I love your review. First - I love how you play the track straight through, but your able to get your point across while the song plays. Secondly, you really understand music and can play along on the piano in a simple but effective way to get your point across. Wonderful review! You've got a new subscriber :)

[@EddyBat3]

What most people fail to realize (and I only did bc I had the song on repeat) Is that the trumpet I think starts being heard after steve's intro on the roof @ 6:26. Its in the background but its there and it adds to that sound stage and the growing theme within the song.

[@Gnomojo]

One of my best feelings was when I randomly searched Polyphia and got a Daily Doug. I’m subscribed but I didn’t know this existed. It’s 2 and a half months to Christmas and I don’t care. Merry Christmas to me.

[@dialsoap7610]

THANK YOU for simplifying Polyphia. I'm learning music but you simplified it so well that I was able to understand it. They are just technical.

[@dumbstupid5065]

From what I understand the trumpet player is on another song and this (Ego Death) is the last song on the new album (don't quote me on that, though). Great breakdown, most clear information/explanation I've seen on any of the music nerdery reaction videos.

[@TheDonkeyFLOPPER]

Man I am so envious of people that can break down musical nuances like this. A lot of bands I love are often considered music for musicians I just nod my head and I’m like yea that sounds cool. Maybe one day I’ll pick up an instrument and explore my need for funky sounds

[@gradypatterson1948]

Part of what makes Polyphia so enjoyable is how much *interest* they create with relatively simple chord progressions! Like a master baker on a TV competition, the underlying chords are the basic cake recipe, but the flavoring, the layering, the decoration ... these are what take the cake from a standard cake to a winning construction! Despite the differences in style, the same idea has worked for Steve Vai for decades, also - it is no surprise that they work *so* well together!

[@GordonHeaney]

These kinds of tracks are technically amazing, most impressive......the issue is that at the end, I can't always remember much about them

[@phillipnoble7868]

Agree. Technical brilliance is not the same as great music. 30 minutes after hearing this, I don't think I'd recall a note of it.

[@michaelrstover]

I don't get it at all, tbh. There's nothing in their songs I can enjoy or get into.

[@DabsDad]

there is a feeling that the music is sterile and being made by robots(with the exception of Vai)

[@okplld]

Maybe it's not your taste. Their songs are refreshing. Complex strong structure is not for everyone. For some of us it offers more than the generic songs people usually enjoy with so called 'feel'. The whole 'feel' thing is subjective. I'm not even a guitarist or a musician.

[@GordonHeaney]

@@okplld Yeah, I understand that, I've been playing guitar for 38 years and I can appreciate the skill. I also love some progressive metal, so I can appreciate complex arrangements too. It is indeed all down to taste.

[@jordanlittle9446]

I feel like when you were improvising there after identifying their chord progression, you really got down to the essence of what Polyphia is and does. They take something incredibly simple and see how far they can play around within that. Get a good, dope beat, a thematic chord progression, and then keep breaking up and styling on that chord progression.

[@extrememind100]

one does not simply play over steve vais solo and not listen to his epic solo with full attention!

[@Arrow2theACL]

I'm sure it's not easy. Doug sure does make it seem simple though.

[@fosho404]

100% Agree!!! Steve solo part is so dope Doug instantly wanted to join the band!!! Can't blame him!!! This song is amazing, I'm studying their music, and sound it's a deep rabbit hole!!!!

[@mathumphreys]

Nice piano jamming Doug.

[@leetshi927]

Mixing so many hand technics, songwriting technics, it's a masterclass : not a song, a gimmick !!!!

[@benthrasher9739]

Polyphia songs are always a party. Their previous album, New Levels New Devils, was the first that had a bit of an edge to it. Every album is full of party sounds and pop feel despite being metal. It's so unique and fun.

[@carlsonloggie]

All Ibanez, all the time.

[@MrVibrating]

Vai's work is what makes the piece - his little counterpoint intro; multiple, asynchronous polyphonic bends at the same time! A single pitch bend is kinda mechanically intuitive, up to a point - you just keep increasing till you hit the desired pitch.. but try doing two or three at the same time, with vibrato and legato etc, and keeping them in tune.. guy's just a wizard..

[@jobbus22]

Best part of the song was Steve's solo and the trumpet at the end. No doubt 😀

[@joemariotti3935]

I tell people about Polyphia all the time and most have never heard of them...imo, I think music like this can only be truly appreciated my other musicians. I have been asked "what kind of music do they play?" my answer has been ( Classical-Progressive Jazz Fusion!!!)

[@wolframreactor74]

I would love to see Doug review TheOcean Jurassic-Cretaceous. Sooo much to download in their musical soundscape pallet. 😮

[@vampetz]

Okay but now I want a Steve Vai song ft. Polyphia that is more in his domain.

[@iPhoneMovieGuys2]

The terminology you used around 5:30 you said it was "lament" as it was a descending progression. BEAUTIFUL terminology, I will be using this from now on.

[@spdcrzy]

The lament turned triumphant is DEFINITELY intended for this particular song.

[@beensavage390]

Finding a root note is easy. But doing it on the spot and then composing a piece that can pull its weight on this piece? Pretty incredible.

[@jorgegandarillas4599]

This guy needs to add that piano and play it along.....that was dope af

[@davidsleith7222]

love how good these folk are so talented. i love how tim henson uses long phrasing and simple proressions, then vai appears and immediately starts dive bombing pitch bends not going nuts like he is more than capable of, but adds liife/ another flowing texture to what is essentially is a generic pop progression Dm Cmaj Bflat A/c# back to Dmin.

[@sembilanindera2231]

Mr. Helvering this is unrelated but I just noticed that Iron Maiden's "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" in your wall ! My favorite Iron Maiden's album there !

[@stevecohen6723]

Why does Robert Fripp come to mind?

[@Priapos93]

Polyphia have been doing lots of collaborations since I became aware of them. As far as that goes, I've found other musicians I now follow through those collaboration.

[@TheNuncFluens]

Ok that piano made it 100 times better for me.

[@stevenwiebe8933]

I wish you could teach me music. Doug I get you Best. You deffently know music better than anyone I've ever heard. Your a great music professional.

[@Arrow2theACL]

Doug teaches on-line classes which includes some private lessons. Check Doug's Patreon for details, catch him on a Sunday Live stream or e-mail him.

[@ThoArtOne]

The rhythm is machine perfect, I wonder if it all was quantized in the studio...

[@SteveK348]

doug throwing it down on the improv!

[@jpelorat]

Fantastic... I'd call their genre "Easy listening Prog"...

[@scottis]

No ones talking about the music video enough and how it correlates to the song name Ego Death. Tim was on the throne in the beginning. Then Scott was on it. Finally, the 'ego death' is when Vai is the final person on the throne. They put an absolute legend on the song, and it's basically saying it humbled them. I don't think they have an actual inflated ego, but they know they're going down in the books as some of the greatest to ever play a guitar.

[@delicrux]

Well said I was also surprised no one picked that up as well as having all of them give up the spotlight to the trumpet player who is sitting higher than them. Even more humbling

[@scottis]

@@delicrux damn didn't even think of that!

[@OriginalPuro]

Because music videos don't matter. Music is something you listen to, not watch.

[@scottis]

@@OriginalPuro they have meaning dude lol

[@emayfrit]

Hey Doug, Tremendous Reaction!

[@emayfrit]

One of these Metal Mondays, you ought to do a reaction for Metallica's The Call of Ktulu, it is really a monumental composition, and I know your little brother would also be so proud of you if you did!💥😎💥!

[@emayfrit]

...and or Blue Powder by Steve Vai, its a great ballad!

[@Arrow2theACL]

@@emayfrit Daily Doug 237

[@mikegottschau4224]

This was an excellent reaction and analysis. I've been putting off getting into Polyphia for a while now, but Steve Vai is my absolute favorite guitarist, probably my favorite artist after Led Zeppelin, so when I saw that they featured Steve in this song, I knew I had to give it a listen, and I'm totally blown away. They kind of sound like if Animals as Leaders did alt-pop instead of prog metal. I'm always a fan of highly technical and experimental artists like this. Doug, I highly recommened you check out a guitarist by the name of Jon Gomm. He's been bouncing around tge underground scene for two decades now, and he's absolutely incredible. I recommend checking out the songs Passionflower, Afterglow, The Weather Machine, and Topeka, but you HAVE to watch the accompanying videos. Check out Passionflower first, and make sure you watch the older version. It's absolutely life changing. My first time seeing it, I was 12 or 13, and just starting to get into playing guitar, and I've always equated it to having my third eye opened.

[@kenyattacoleman7284]

the trumpet is an endcap to the album. the trumpet player is featured on the first track of this album and ego death is the last.

[@hocuspocus6681]

Awesome reaction, love the riffing over it. Please do next 'Sailing the Seas of Ganymede' by Joe Satriani - Vai's teacher. Super unique track, weird but brilliant.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Man, when you started playing the piano that was magic happening before my eyes

[@gruubysasquatch]

The chord progressions and theory behind the song may be simple but I invite anyone to get a seven string and cover that intro lick Tim is playing and post it to show us how easy it is.

[@auradmg]

It's hard to classify Polyphia as a "prog rock/metal" band really, they mix so many styles and influences. They take a lot from hip hop and pop music by keeping the backline super simple and memorable, then absolutely blowing it up with ornamentation. Some fun facts about Ego Death! It's essentially an audiovisual biography of the band with the throne as the focal point. It starts with Tim alone in a (super fucking stylish) basement, then he's joined by Scott, then the band comes together. They move up through the building in the middle stage as the band grows, and the distorted guitar and very 'metal' solo symbolises the death metal and neoclassical metal style that initially got them noticed. Finally they hit the top and there's another layer of biography; initially Vai is alone on his throne with the band watching him, then the band backs him up, and finally they play together, literally back to back and side by side. It seems like the guitar part that Steve recorded for this is very different to what's in the final version. Tim and Scott have talked about them presenting the song to Steve and him originally wanting a writing credit rather than a feature because so much had been chopped and changed that he didn't feel like it was "him" on the song any more. But as he listened more he came to understand Tim's artistry and agreed to the feature credit. I wonder what the original Vai solo sounded like!

[@zukacs]

I love how with every section they are moving up the floor, playing and summoning the final boss the god himself and in the end playing all together. real ego death right there) and simple trumpet finishes off the song underlining that technival skill is not the most important thing

[@BinkyTheToaster]

I love that music so totally consumes you that you needed to play along with the song. BTW, the guy at the end with the horn recorded the rest of the trumpet parts in the song. They're in there, mostly in Steve's section, and where the three leads are playing together at the climax.

[@JacksonFuller457]

The trumpet player is from bass tracks, and he’ll be featured on Genesis, All Falls Apart, and here on Ego Death

[@jazzandrocknroll3235]

I would absolutely LOVE to see Doug react to Todd Rundgren’s Utopia - “The Ikon”. A 30 minute prog epic, he would LOVE it. It’s a mind-blowing musical work!

[@bustedfender]

I had to listen to Live at the Regal right after this track to refill my soul.

[@crystaloffrost]

What was called variations in classical music is called Flex now by Polyphia :)

[@gosborg]

To me, the trumpet at the end ties their music back to its blues/jazz roots.

[@or9481]

Really appreciate the walkthrough on theory. Very helpful.

[@jamesshort8159]

Would really love you to review Steve's entire album "Passion and Warfare". Considered by many to be his masterpiece. For a future extended play episode. The concept and creation alone is extremely interesting and the music stands the test of time.

[@carlosnascimento9269]

Oh wow, this is great.

[@walllee6470]

The trumpet was a nice add-on and my favorite part.

[@Dreamdancer11]

Ηuge admiration for someone who has a combo of perfect and relative pitch and can catch things on the fly...i think thats the most coveted music skill.....countless hours of solfege maybe?Anyway...always fun to watch your videos.... now those are some reactions that actually have meaning attached to it...keep doing your thing....

[@sarajevsky]

Doug, can you choose one of best Balkan guitarist, Vlatko Stefanovski , song "Uci me majko."..( Teach me mother), or song "Zajdi zajdi" from Serbian virtuoso Radomir Mihailovic Tocak? You WILL BE surprised with ingenious performance. Both are epic melodies from south Europe, played on guitar by real maestros. Thank you.

[@valebliz]

I’d love you to react to something from Brad Mehldau, maybe some rendition of well known pieces like Teardrop.

[@MultiHamster101]

Pretty nuts how you broke down the entire song like that. Amazing

[@johnanderson3475]

said the same thing. i was really bummed the trumpet only had that one section.

[@cfwalte]

I dig that flat cap!