Composer/Musician Reacts to Gorguts - Obscura (REACTION!!!)

[@nespith]

This album was a subgenre defining cult classic. I highly recommend Demilich - Nespithe for a even more wtf super technical cult masterpiece.

[@ismaelelalaoui5270]

Neither of them are that technical. They are both great from an innovation perspective but it is definitely not crazy technically (comparing to Focus or Unquestionable Presence for example). That being said they are groundbreaking masterpieces for sure.

[@joeyuzwa891]

You definitely haven’t ever tried playing either these bands’ songs

[@nespith]

@@joeyuzwa891 aha that's what I was thinking. I had a way easier time learning Atheist songs than Gorguts.

[@trevnev2780]

also listen to Pyrrhon btw

[@sehguhnai8223]

@@trevnev2780 PYRRHON

[@cinnamoncoffeecake5925]

also, Gorguts has a 33 minute song called Pleiades Dust that I think you’d appreciate a lot. Their album Colored Sands is also much more digestable, but still very complex

[@petergjata1498]

I would really love to see his reaction to Pleiade's Dust

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

@@petergjata1498 Hell yeah !

[@Mushroom_Peaks]

Fun fact: Obscura - the band mentioned at the beginning of this video - named their band after the Gorguts album Obscura.

[@Aldijar-ie2oo]

But has been creating awful primitive shit.

[@gab2876]

@@Aldijar-ie2oo okay

[@richardgamrat1944]

Now its time for Ulcerate or Portal :D

[@dandandy1863]

Yeah Ulcerate or something like Pyrrhon, Artificial Brain would be great

[@jesuscontreras124]

Ulcerate x 2

[@randomhandle07]

The grandchilds of gorguts.

[@billybobthekidiswack]

check out "Ulcerate- stare into death and be still" when u get a chance

[@Madbutcher305]

check out ulcerate's new single "stare into death and be still" if you get the chance. sound of the summer

[@lucasbrucas9632]

YES to anything Ulcerate. Every single one of their songs are an absolute masterclass in drumming.

[@justsomejusstsome8994]

Only the most ultimate metalheads listen to this

[@lucasbrucas9632]

One of my favorite memories is being in the back seat of a packed, noisy rental car, driving down a bumpy road on the side of a semi-renovated Hawaiian volcano with my eyes closed, headphones on, listening to this album. Every time we drive go over a pothole, I would jerk back to conciousness and sort of realize the absurdity of the situation I was in. Good times.

[@BLOOM604YVR]

Dude, this is a killer story.

[@MetalNick]

I immediately loved this album as a death metal fan in the '90s, still one of my favorite songs/albums. The staccato riff with slides is done by tapping with a pick, sliding down with the pick so it sounds smooth.

[@matternicuss]

That staccato is played on guitar, by 'tapping' on the strings. Seeing Luc perform it live in person was incredible.

[@cashmoney3824]

One of my favorite albums of all time. Took quite a few listens for me to really appreciate, but once it clicked, I couldn't go back.

[@cbn6635]

The whole 'Obscura' album is the ultimative mindf*ck! No one, neither before nor since (not even Gorguts themselves), have sounded quite like 'Obscura'; an album far, far, FAR ahead of it's time.. in fact, the rest of the extreme tech metal world still hasn't quite caught up... 🤗

[@cbn6635]

..by the way, another example of what you call a 'staccato slide' can be found on the Human Remains track 'Rote'.. check it out! 👍

[@aamermahmoud5666]

Listen to ad nauseam new album:)

[@jacques9515]

Listen to crimson massacee

[@aranox]

that album is such a rough listen but a total must hear atleast once in your life. very interesting

[@DavidKempe3]

"That's a track... That's a song." - This brought me much joy. It took me 40+ listens to be able to comprehend the structure and time signatures. I appreciate you taking the time to suffer through it.

[@MrRage11111ro]

So true..

[@Andrei4224]

One of the songs of all time

[@niffingig5143]

Gorguts - Obscura is my favorite album released by any band/artist of any genre, ever. I grew up with rock, to metal, to thrash, then in 7th grade (1992) I was turned onto Deathmetal and Grindcore. A few years later I really got into classical and jazz. A few years later I got into Blackmetal and Fusion jazz. At this point Gorguts is still my favorite band. I love Emperor, Artificial Brain, Aosoth, Deathspell Omega, Pig Destroyer, as well as The Dillinger Escape Plan and Converge. I also love artists like Mahavishnu Orchestra, AL Dimeola, Miles Davis, Dave Brubek, all the way to Cheap Trick, Blondie, The Steve Miller Band, Journey, to the Cars, Ah-Ha and Depeche Mode, INXS and George Michael. I dig on Guns N' Roses, Faith No More, Motley Crue and onto Minor Threat, Infest and Black Flag. Man, I love Bob Marley, Inner Circle to Outkast, Prof and Chris Webber. I started playing guitar in 92', bass in 93' and drums in 95'. I am NOT self taught. I've played hundreds of shows, recorded drums on 2 wide released albums and 2 more for labels. I've done session drum and guitar work and was a private guitar teacher for years. I bring all this up to make the point that dinnertime as diverse and musically educated as I am thinks Gorguts is the greatest!

[@krysvanceofficial]

That's awesome man!

[@calderonugaldesalvador1662]

This song is my childhood, as weird as it sounds

[@landrec2]

you are awesome dude

[@wolverine669]

Definitely a classic Gorguts, but you really should've check out some newer stuff, like "Forgotten Arrows" or "Le Toit Du Monde". New Gorguts, as technical as it still is, is much more "easier" to approach and they've evolved quite a lot during the years

[@ckokomo808]

Just wanted to say thanks for the community! I’ve heard many new bands and asked for recommendations. Pretty much every time, I get a response! Really like that and am grateful! Peace

[@JAHWH00]

That record & band changed my life and made me a way better musician. The open is the chorus riff, then the verse, then chorus, then interlude, then verse, chorus, Bridge...which has like 4 parts. Off the top of my head there are at least 6 riifs. I could tell you weren't connecting and therefore you most likely can't listen proper. I never heard anything like it the first time I heard it, and I was instantly in love. You should listen again but listen into the second track. There is this really cool fiddle break for no reason... I love it. Clouded is a repetitive song if you'd like a point of reference. I have no problem learning their tunes... but I love their tunes.

[@ExDementia666]

Great breakdown! Like others have mentioned, it would be awesome to hear your take on some of their newer stuff, such as Colored Sands. I think that would gel a lot better for you being a much more accessible sound while still being a lot to wrap your head around musically. Super talented guys who absolutely nail it live

[@Oqualquer]

In my humble opinion, Obscura is a 10/10, one of if not the best dissonant death metal album I've ever heard. And the reason mostly is the chaotic and very all over the place nature of this album, and well, this mixed with the much avant garde elements on it not just makes an unique and weirdly charming sound but also makes it also in one of the most complex albums in the death metal community.

[@sirbattlecat]

When I first heard the song in 2000 I had been listening to metal for like 4-5 years. I was not ready. I dismissed it as utter noise. 15 years later I thought I'd give it another try and it absolutely blew my mind because my taste had expanded so much. I showed it to a friend, also a metal fan, and he was like "it's my assessment that it would be an advantage if they knew they were playing in the same band" lol.

[@pedroguazzelli4138]

3:33 it is a guitar and they have some "instructional" videos showing them playing those insane parts... Luc Lemay RLZ!

[@DrizzleWoolf]

Hey, thank you for this! The outro indeed leads to another song, and the left guitar technique here is a mix of tapping and sliding, so the guitarist taps a note with his right hand and then either pull it off or slide it, also with his right hand. To continue on the path of chaos, we can go visit Ulcerate, Portal, or Demilich as some people already suggested. There's also Imperial Triumphant which I find especially interesting, and a lot of other bands which made writing with dissonant riffs and convoluted ideas their trademark.

[@clandestinekits]

Deathspell Omega as well

[@nr655321]

Keep in mind that these 4 minutes are just part of a 1h musical experience. Also, the more you listen to these songs the more overwhelmingly intense they become. In a way, repetitive musical bits become something you can at least hold on to. This much can't be said about for example the vocals (coming from 2 vocalists) which are very intimidating.

[@AwakenTheGuardian]

"this is the primus of death metal" Okay but the first death metal album of all time has Larry from Primus on guitar, wouldn't that be the primus of death metal? JK jk i know what you mean lololol

[@maynardhero]

This reply is a bit late, but Luc Lemay did say in an interview that Possessed - Seven Churches along with Death - Scream Bloody Gore got him into death metal. Funny that Larry LaLonde influenced Luc Lemay lol. Whodathought?

[@avengedsoul6661]

Hey dude, I've got some tracks for you to listen and react to if you get a chance; "Songs For No One" by Caligula's Horse "Illumination Theory" by Dream Theater "The Call" by The Neal Morse Band "Reverie/Harlequin Forest" or "Ghost Of Perdition" by Opeth "The Architect" by Haken "Memory Palace" by Between The Buried And Me "The Sound Of Muzak" by Porcupine Tree "Flying Whales" by Gojira "Genesis" by Devin Townsend (WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR FULL EXPERIENCE) Your reviews are top notch. Keep it up, mate.

[@skoomamerchant77]

Would love to see you react to anything Gorod. Perhaps Transcendence?

[@Vredesbyrd666]

Necrophagist - any song from Epitaph

[@danieldelacruz7642]

Vredesbyrd666 yes please!

[@perenniallotus]

Symbiotic in Theory!

[@Vredesbyrd666]

@@perenniallotus my favorite!

[@lamaenfeu9804]

Ignominious and pale !

[@chaddowns901]

Man, their Pleiades Dust album is a lot more polished/accessible.

[@danieldelacruz7642]

Chad Downs I feel like colored sands is the most accessible

[@thewhorocks515]

Yeah I think he would have appreciated Pleiades Dust or Colored Sands more.

[@petergjata1498]

@@thewhorocks515 I really hope he'll do a reaction for Pleiades Dust and/or a track from Colored Sands.

[@trevnev2780]

I love that album and ep but damn this mixing on Obscura was too fucking good

[@bigolboomerbelly4348]

Gorguts: basically, you need to understand music theory in order to make anything sound *this* abrasive

[@morbidxoneq2013]

Not really.

[@ysqure3]

I'm definitely a fan of Gorguts, I think I do indeed find myself getting into that flow state with their songs. Especially listening to the entirety of an album at once, not just a song, it can be fascinating. But it's abrasive and off-putting even by the standards of death metal, so. There you go.

[@ckokomo808]

I haven’t really listened to them. I’ll be checking them out. Any recommendations on where to start??

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

@@ckokomo808 Their album Obscura is widely considered a masterpiece of death metal, but it's also their least accessible and can sound like chaotic noise on a first listen. Their prior albums (Considered Dead and The Erosion Of Sanity) are more traditional (but excellent) death metal. The album after (From Wisdom To Hate) is more a mix of Obscura's esoteric weirdness and more traditional death metal. Their latest albums (Colored Sands and Pleiades' Dust) are more prog death, but also still excellent. Really hard to go wrong with them. Start with where you feel most comfortable.

[@ysqure3]

@@ckokomo808 My two go-to albums of theirs are Obscura and Colored Sands but all their stuff is pretty interesting.

[@ckokomo808]

Jonathan Henderson awesome. Thanks! I don’t mind obscure, just might have to give it a few listens! I’ll definitely be checking out their stuff this week.

[@brewtaleats6555]

Yeah that’s most people’s reaction the first time hearing this song. It took me repeated listens to appreciate this track for the uncomfortable, tense feeling it gives me. There’s nothing else like it. This album was ahead of its time and remains a dense, chaotic piece of musical art that cause visceral reactions in the listener. I listened to it on repeat 4 times before finding this video, and I’m going back for a 5th listen before going to bed.

[@JosephAllenB57]

I think you'd like newer Gorguts material such as their "Colored Sands" and "Pleiades' Dust" albums. Give Ulcerate a shot as well. Tremendous technical death metal.

[@Madbutcher305]

I would recommend checking out a song from Gorguts' next album, From Wisdom To Hate, which I think is more accessible and tidier generally. Would recommend Das Martyrium Des especially.

[@mateogarcia6942]

LOL mofos threw into the deep end hard... i love this album, and that riff in the second part is killer!

[@zzrncic2469]

You definitely need to check out "Recharging the Void" by Vektor. You'll find it fascinating. It's one of the most artistic technical metal songs I've ever heard.

[@mytholictim]

Even though I like and appreciate Gorguts, I would have preferred Gorod, Beyond Creation, Virvum, First Fragment, Severed Savior.. or maybe old school tech death like Necrophagist, Cynic, Atheist, Death... well, we might still be getting Beyond Creation (my guess) as there's one more to come.

[@mytholictim]

Vektor or Revocation would be great too!

[@landrec2]

Severed Savior is an insane band.

[@j85grim4]

There was some audio clipping in this video too towards the beginning. Very strange that the only two times I have noticed this were during Gorguts songs haha.

[@jetblack4345]

First time I hear about this band and love this guitar actually I'll check out their catalogue

[@Astral0muffiN]

I would love to see your reaction to anything from Colored Sands. They really got the best elements together on that album! So much more fluent and cohesive. But this is a great place to start. "Just throw everything out the door" ^-^ (Edit: Forgotten Arrows, saw it, loved it!)

[@garbanso1788]

RIP Big Steeeeeeve

[@berserker8884]

I might be missremembering things, but I think that Yes Close To The Edge has some moments with a very similar guitar technique. But I might be wrong.

[@Eccentricjuices]

Classic Record. It makes no sense at first; but after a few repeated listens it clicks and slowly becomes a classic with’n the genre of Technical Death Metal.

[@ethanstiles948]

Interesting perspective, and love the open mind and honesty regarding your implicit biases. Very cool to hear what someone with your knowledge and POV thinks of experimental music. I’d love to see your reaction to something from Live Dead by the Grateful Dead

[@ethanstiles948]

Also I’m a huge fan of gorguts even though I’ve just found them recently, I think you may find something more interesting to you on that album because it has a lot of variety. Check out Sweet Silence for a more structured and sweet but still chaotic ripping and wild by the end track

[@bigolboomerbelly4348]

the singer Luc LeMay also wrote a classical string trio kzbin.info/www/bejne/fl6nq5J_n9WIhq8 note how once again he refuses to use more traditional progressions.

[@badrandom3rd]

Wish you would listen to the next song, Earthly Love, because of the cello on it.

[@eliaturrin2476]

Next time try to react to öOoOoOoOoOo - rules of the show, you will enjoy them, trust me

[@seepia8947]

Some semi obscure (haha) stuff suggested here. I dig it!

[@ToxicTerrance]

You should check out *Wormed* Their newest album is amazing. Any song would work, but "Metaportal" is a great album

[@samuelfiello9558]

I highly recommend Unexpect- the quantum symphony or Unsolved ideas of a distorted guest. It’s very unique and there is nothing quite like it to me

[@petergjata1498]

That'll be great

[@AdamCantalupo]

lol yo dude!!

[@samuelfiello9558]

Lol hey man! It's basically all I listened to today

[@perenniallotus]

Hey man i've got a question or two for the Q&A. First one, do you recommend classical training for getting into composition? Second one, could you explain counterpoints? You've brought it up a couple times but i'm still not getting a feeling for what it is. Keep up the good work and stay safe!

[@CriticalReactions]

Thanks for the questions. I really need to get around to doing this Q&A. I've added it to my list of questions and will answer it in the video.

[@connorrodenfels338]

Gorguts literally hurts to listen to but I think that's the point 😂😂, I personally don't find them all that amazing other than the colored sands album imo. A band that does this dissonant technical style better would be ulcerate, they just realesed a brand new album where they explored some more melodic ideas while still retaining the dissonant ulcerate feel. I strongly recommend you try out stare into death and be still by ulcerate.

[@richardgamrat1944]

I actually quite like Obscura and don't care that much abou Colored sands... And when it comes to Ulcerate, it's probably my fav tech death band, which album(s) do you prefer may I ask? :D

[@connorrodenfels338]

@@richardgamrat1944 at the moment I'm completely in love with ulcerates newest album "stare into death and be still" so that might be my favorite from them but before that "shrines of paralysis" was absolutely amazing

[@Fvckedwithaknife]

shit you want to go dissonant, he should check out Portal then.

[@Maduro7]

Gorguts have evolved their sound from this masterpiece of avant-garde sound of death metal. Im assuming you haven't heard their many outputs based off your comment. You should check out there discography to see the evolution between obscura and colored sands. They have spawned a ton of bands with their incredible selection influence

[@vincemelson9655]

Very very sophisticated album.

[@SpikeValentine]

It is guitar, it's some sort of pick tap slide. You can see it in a live 1998 video.

[@icipher6730]

Look mom, I'm on TV, lol. Obscura is Gorguts' most loud, raw and chaotic album for sure, it's really hard to appreciate and enjoy it from the get-go even you analyze the shit out of it. I don't know if you'll have another week of tech\prog death metal, but it'd be great if you listen to a track from their most recent LP "Colored Sands", because it's somewhat more refined version of Obscura. And yeah, like I've said, their guitar technique on Obscura is bonkers. You can get a glimpse of it in playthrough video for "Chaos In Motion " track by Gorguts' members side project called Negativa. It's really just a bunch of tactically positioned slides, tapping and weird picking (often without any palm muting whatsoever).

[@zappagorewaikato1009]

Not the "Primus". Luc Lemay is the Ornette Coleman of death metal, Kia kaha \m/

[@brunowilliam7529]

I think you would find their newest album colored sands really interesting. they have evolved quite a bit

[@swagxmagician]

Please listen to despised icon- MVP, they’re one of the first death core bands I got into and they’re one of the OG’s of the genre. MVP is the song that got me into them

[@Beartooth.12]

Fit for a autopsy - Black mammoth

[@coulombeQC]

Hell yeah Live version would even be better

[@jasonlauritsen5587]

I love death metal, it's been above and beyond my main squeeze for music, but I've never been able to get into Gorguts. They have some amazing riffs here and there that i really love, but as stated in the video it's too Primus. Great band to learn as it will expand your skills especially in the weird time sigs and wackiness, just isn't my cup of tea.

[@danpierce1898]

Check out After the Burial, theres a live video for A Steady Decline that's really good. They are phenomenal live

[@frostblackmoon2878]

I mean I'm an old-school gorguts fan so I like considered dead more than anything that record is classic and the song structuring armoire old school

[@thee_rita5156]

You should do Deathspell Omega - Abscission Nice reaction!

[@petergjata1498]

That's a majestic track

[@willd3218]

Check out Your Disposal or Bring Back The Plague by Cattle Decapitation

[@blindguardian1979]

I like Gorguts earlier albums which are a bit more straightforward. Just can't get into this album...From Wisdom to Hate has a few tracks I like though

[@ismaelelalaoui5270]

Obscura took its name from Gorguts album.

[@professionalname5298]

The best song on this album is arguably "Nostalgia" you should check it out sometime

[@piixiie1337]

Chekout Ulcerate or Deathspell Omega any album

[@timberlyy2582]

If you dont have anything against other languages than english then you can give Imperial Circus Dead Decadence a shot

[@DeathByGeek]

I love this album, but damn, it took me several listens to get into.

[@petergjata1498]

I love too much this band

[@hamburgersandfuriousanger6820]

Watch the song live in ‘98

[@noshow]

Anything by Deathspell Omega

[@landrec2]

omg yes!

[@tedclements3369]

Check out the album Kwintessens by Dodecahedron

[@lamaenfeu9804]

React to Portal !

[@kibavlood5826]

Bro forget everything and try Fallujah - Dreamless or Fallujah - In void alone

[@lashedandscorned]

Sapphire is better.

[@erecshyr1nol]

Ulcerate - stare into death and be still

[@somMelon]

Check out Out Of Subconscious by Teramaze

[@chaosocculta9329]

Deathspell omega

[@jadeisme4345]

Please react to a band called Glass Beach- bedroom community

[@goatinstein]

Should listen to speed of the strike by Exmortus

[@talivaldisozols1649]

Car Bomb - Sets

[@polkaputo3226]

yo seth rollins is doing music reviews now

[@CriticalReactions]

I'm out here buckle bombing this music to soften it up before curb stomping it for information that I can use in my analysis!

[@giovannifiorini5108]

Do vektor! Anything from terminal redux

[@gilbertsalinas4522]

Can you react to Voivod - Obsolete Beings

[@deathmetaldouglas69]

I call it the Captain Beefheart of metal. Primus an OK example but not as good.

[@colins7771]

Hahaha... clearly this is a reaction video listening to this song for the first time ever lol. These kind of videos are goofy as hell. But I guess people believe him as such which is awesome. Dumb

[@MrRage11111ro]

Gorguts is not appropriate for reaction videos.. impossible to get from the first listen

[@CO6883-o3c]

Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize

[@landrec2]

lol

[@jeh2240]

I feel like this is something I would have listened to back in like 2005 - 2007 during my noise/math metal phase. Their guitar tone actually reminds me a lot of a band called The Crinn, that I listened to back then... Except IMO The Crinn is way better. To each their own though.

[@JackCarver10]

I couldn't listen to this, too. LUL

[@jesuscontreras124]

Ulcerate

[@derjeniche5409]

Their first two albums are great but cant listen to "Obscura", it´s horrible for me (unmusical, like Meshuggah)

[@CaptainShitacularAVL]

It's great tho

[@CharlesEMurphy]

For me - junk. Sorry. Some people may want to look up Frank Zappa showing Steve Allen how to play a bicycle.

[@paravarium]

Nah fam.

[@DuskbloomRose]

Not a sound I particularly care for.

[@metalhead4x448]

I liked Gorguts a lot more before they started all that weird dissonant chord bullshit. Its just not catchy at all.

[@isaackmojica8302]

WEAK fuck

[@justsomejusstsome8994]

Call himself metalhead and then whines about music not being catchy hahahahaha

[@justsomejusstsome8994]

Call himself metalhead and then whines about music not being catchy hahahahaha

[@metalhead4x448]

@@justsomejusstsome8994 It has to be interesting not a bunch of nonsensical noise.

[@justsomejusstsome8994]

@@metalhead4x448 If you can't see the patterns in it then you shouldn't even say anything about it. It's incredibly complex and unbelievably tight and yet chaotic. It's dizzying. Even if you don't like it, which is fine, I mean it's not easy to listen to, it's just moronic to call it nonsensical because it isn't.

[@yotambraunshtein9786]

This guitar doesn't fit the drums

[@petergjata1498]

What do you mean hahah, they sure fit the drums perfectly.

[@michaeljensen8211]

Try listen to Danish "undergang", what Will you say 🤔