Classical Composer Reacts to The Brain Dance (Animals As Leaders) | The Daily Doug (Episode 77)

#Reaction #HelveringReaction #AnimalsAsLeaders #AnimalsAsLeadersReaction #TheBrainDance #TheBrainDanceReaction
In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm reacting to The Brain Dance by Animals As Leaders. This performance is from what they're calling The Dunlop Sessions). They are a trio of truly expert musicians...a wonderful listen!
Reference Video: • Animals As Leaders - T...

[@warpticon]

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

[@Ajoi1995]

HAHAHHA YEAH

[@SelcraigClimbs]

had a good giggle when he said that hahaha

[@el_manu_el_]

😂

[@guslakis]

LOL

[@pratyushbzr]

Gotta get him into Dream Theater I guess 😎

[@asalas.photography]

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

[@breadyegg]

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

[@missaelknight]

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

[@Marta1Buck]

@@missaelknight 🤣

[@Noxxys]

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

[@nudsh]

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

[@fliexvolkovan6704]

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

[@777Looper]

That's friggin amazing.

[@harveygitarista1600]

Fr?💀

[@ShapeshifteR-TheAnomalyGameCat]

Lol

[@onnixcarmichele3911]

Got em

[@utbdoug]

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

[@abduladebayo2596]

I feel the same, especially about Point to point.

[@ethanwiebe6662]

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

[@llamafactorySA]

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

[@lred1383]

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

[@BurstingVeins1]

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

[@harveygitarista1600]

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

[@distortingjack]

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

[@samschellhase8831]

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

[@pabmargera]

@@samschellhase8831 Inamorata ufff my favorite song of Tosin

[@gardendado1999]

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

[@GregNoblin]

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

[@cornela1]

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

[@user-ov5nd1fb7s]

No he is not. His harmonic depth is lacking.

[@GregNoblin]

@@user-ov5nd1fb7s ok, sport.

[@jangobango2847]

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

[@user-ov5nd1fb7s]

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

[@XxPoisonedSpiderxX]

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

[@DaTLMusic]

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

[@ThcBanaman]

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

[@wadertots]

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

[@opticalecho119]

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

[@logos8312]

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

[@arewelost7469]

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

[@UponthePath]

Yes, Plini has wonderful compositions and virtuosic playing.

[@trainofthought06]

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

[@DaTLMusic]

Plini perfume

[@faceless_lurker]

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

[@rojohe]

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

[@gordiannot77]

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

[@opmike343]

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

[@Diesel_Budgie]

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

[@jhersonlopez9220]

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

[@joelcoool]

oh god The Curtain would be amazing

[@solefood7477]

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

[@CoronaryArteryDisease.]

YES. Great recommendation

[@randallcarroll8528]

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

[@iangillies711]

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

[@unwrittenwizard910]

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

[@ChintzMusic]

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

[@wayowayoexe9193]

@@el-Ritmo-te-Señala2025 cringe

[@KartikRoad]

@@el-Ritmo-te-Señala2025 big cringe

[@tengukaze9199]

@@el-Ritmo-te-Señala2025 yeah and nothing wrong with delicious candy

[@Djitterbug]

@@el-Ritmo-te-Señala2025 cringe x3

[@thedesolatescene3240]

@@el-Ritmo-te-Señala2025 holy fuck thats cringe af

[@DruNature]

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

[@NamelessOne22]

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

[@adrianramirez4884]

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

[@merdus69]

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

[@mreyes8519]

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

[@andrewichigo]

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

[@Visionoir]

NE OBLIVISCARIS - And flowers...

[@Aaron-er2rh]

That whole Pain of Salvation album as a whole is amazing

[@FlipperWolf]

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

[@stronk9760]

Never Say Never - Justin Bieber 😳😳

[@inkubuzz]

Yes, yes and yes.

[@PaladinJenkis]

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

[@Fjord66]

Hell yea! Animals as leaders is so good. And some of their songs (ie brain dance) have elements that remind me of Tinariwen, psych, and jazz fusion in addition to the prog(ressing) metal they're known for... and it's so cool!

[@darkrzane]

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

[@rigelberlingeri]

Animals as Leader are the top!

[@toxictator4561]

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

[@GAIS414]

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

[@guilhermealiboni5523]

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

[@GAIS414]

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

[@NathanaelFosaaen]

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

[@GAIS414]

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

[@Rektenon]

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

[@ryanfreedman6348]

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

[@benhanka7180]

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

[@md_vandenberg]

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

[@complexdevice]

CAFO is so over-rated.

[@Cestariarts]

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

[@MattJFilms]

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

[@Y-e-e-t]

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

[@md_vandenberg]

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

[@parkpatt]

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

[@matiassolstad4814]

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

[@JAbuhamada]

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

[@thecoltsnohuddle]

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

[@ConnorHammond]

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

[@puzzlepuddles6712]

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

[@Lexamus11]

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

[@backspaceninja9860]

Glad you enjoyed them!!

[@christophertyree3017]

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

[@bearcub710]

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

[@StuckTrippin]

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

[@cisumevolneblok]

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

[@etoineschrdlu9382]

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

[@luizz_k]

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

[@inkubuzz]

Wena

[@Andrewkcollins]

yes!! so glad you picked this song

[@coffeeandboatshoes]

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

[@fubar1217]

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

[@TomicaCZ]

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

[@love-fii]

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

[@spencerb8149]

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

[@inkubuzz]

Yep Scale the summit is really nice

[@vashthestampede5221]

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

[@thisfirstdarc]

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

[@raygun1414]

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

[@patrickftw8464]

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

[@onraj9mm]

Yes!!

[@stephendavies8751]

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

[@TGZKittyMan]

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

[@BigBadBalrog]

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

[@chacehorsman2615]

More groovy songs from Animals as Leaders are "CAFO" or "Wave of Babies". Excellent reaction and analysis, I'd love to see more!

[@cameronroot]

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

[@kriskallas7988]

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

[@52ndWarhawkGerbil]

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

[@cylys]

Thanks for breaking it down for us. Could you please review CAFO from Animals as Leaders?

[@j.d.4697]

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

[@louxd]

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

[@Ashtonsmusic777]

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

[@jangobango2847]

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

[@arminhess1512]

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

[@tjbay13]

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

[@Marrero1]

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

[@nmularoni1]

🙂

[@eastsideeddie]

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

[@21380]

4:40 Javier thumping the sickest and tightest background ever.

[@DaveSteele07]

Part of the song reminds me of either a Steve Morse tune or Shawn Lane tune. It's got that vibe to it.

[@qbakies]

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

[@Hadri_ART]

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

[@TheGrassimo]

4:22 "Cha ba la wah"

[@eastsideeddie]

2 things about this review made me laugh. That a man as advanced as Dr. Helvering is just hearing of a band that has been around for 14 years, and that I watched this with a friend of mine who, despite owning 8 guitars, can only play the intro to Smoke On The Water. As we sat here and watched this his eyes kind of glazed over like what you would see in a 2nd grade student if you tried to explain advanced calculus to him. Yet here I sat, with only a BA in Music, understanding every word. To my friend's credit he only asked me to stop the video once to explain dissonance. (They way he grasped it was when I used "absent of harmony" to describe it.) After that he kind of just heard the teacher from Charlie Brown cartoons "Wah wah-wah wah wah wah". Despite having spent an hour with him twice trying to explain how moving from one fret to the next was the same as moving from one key on a keyboard to the key immediately left or right with no consideration of black and white and sending him home with homework to learn where every E is, every F, etc... he came back with more questions than answers, making me understand that he is tone deaf to where he can't match an E to an E. So he doesn't have enough of "the music gene" to try and teach him. But I have subscribed to this channel as I enjoy critical analysis from someone at this level.

[@robfox6103]

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

[@Reffitt2]

I'm surprised he didn't make any comment about the 8 string LTD that Javier Reyes is playing. The blue guitar that Tosin Abasi is playing is a nylon string electric.

[@LuizCarmonaEditor]

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

[@2wayplebney]

Excellent. Have you done Allan Holdsworth or Crim yet? I didn't see them on the main page, but I may have missed them. (Soft Machine's Hazard Profile, and Starless by King Crimson.)

[@MyGroo]

I wonder if Brain dance title has any relation to the "Dance of eternity" by DT. Like these guys heard the Dance of Eternity and said "ok hold my beer"

[@emiliocecena15]

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

[@kartoflanystefan4937]

I think Beyond this Life (Live at Budokan) would be ideal too see on this channel.

[@miscellanyman263]

Great review, Doug. 7:47 is kinda-like "Black hole sun, won't you come, an' wash away the rain..." (Soundgarden). The pairing of Nylon Acoustic-Electric guitar with Electric-Distorted Metal guitar at the beginning provides a certain tension of timbre, i.e., upper-current of Good/under-current of Bad, as it were; whereas, in the end section, Tosin switches back to 8-String Electric Guitar creating a greater parallel of timbre. I am still of the opinion that Master Rhythm Machine, Matt Garstka (Drummer), is greatly under-utilized in this trio. Doug, have you listened to Garstka performing with über-Musicians Eldar (Djangirov)/Piano and Henrik (Linder)/Bass: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opnbYn1_bbmdnsU -- just sheer awesomeness.

[@JasonSmith-lp6wg]

The obvious progenitor to this, I would think, would be The Mahavishnu Orchestra, a Jazz Fusion band started by John McLaughlin in 1971. Their Noonward Race is amazing. If, however, you want to see guitar virtuosos melting you mind with finger-shredding - not to mention melodic - intensity, you'll want to watch something called Friday Night in San Francisco, which features John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, and Paco De Lucia. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Best.

[@LeMigouduMusée]

The album is a pure beauty

[@guilhermealiboni5523]

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

[@Renkaru]

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

[@guilhermealiboni5523]

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

[@ZuccAF]

This would be awesome if he do them

[@Deauxtje]

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

[@Renkaru]

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

[@peacekeeper3026]

Breaking down Animals as Leaders is like following up a nuclear reaction.

[@aalegge]

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

[@TheGuyFromWI]

Matt's over here like WTF I gotta do to get mentioned!!!??

[@MrScrofulous]

Tosin plays, Doug's brain starts to dance :)

[@vishwas2490]

i think in the midst of all the amazing tunes and guitar playing you forgot to hear the brilliant drumming doug... give it another listen and hear the drummer..

[@johnmcminn9455]

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