Composer Reacts to Ulcerate - Stare into Death and Be Still (REACTION & ANALYSIS)

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

Also, most bands have a lead guitarist, Ulcerate have a lead drummer. You should check out any of the live drum-cam videos of Jamie Saint Merat playing. It's mind-blowing. EDIT: That said, people sleep on the guitarist, Michael Hoggard. Make no mistake, he is just as impressive. It's one guy writing/playing all of these parts, and live he will often play and then loop a riff with a pedal while playing the second part to harmonize with himself. Many of the riffs are insanely difficult as well. I tried to start learning the riff to Withered and Obsolete and I had to give up... it's just beyond my skill level. There's a cover of someone playing it on KZbin. One thing I find fascinating about Ulcerate is that the guitars seem much simpler than they actually are while the drums seem every bit as complex as they are... typically in rock/metal the opposite is true.

[@tsof3197]

I have no idea how you can perceive Ulcerate's guitars to sound simple.

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

@@tsof3197 I wouldn't say they sound simple, but unlike a lot of tech-death they aren't in your face with how complex they actually are. I think it's because Ulcerate do a lot of chordal work and the way they structure riffs is so unusual that it's not easy (at least for my ears/mind) to imagine how you might play it. Bands like Inferi or Spawn of Possession are insanely difficult too, but they write the kind of riffs that I can just listen to and get a vague idea of how they're doing it because they're more familiar.

[@isaackmojica8302]

@@jonathanhenderson9422 Tell about the insane counterpoint on CHASM OF FIRE....is beyond those bands songwriting!!

[@jesuscontreras124]

Agree 100% That crystal clear sound its amazing specially in this album. Jamie is a master of drumming but Michaels guitars are from another dimension and we never mention Paul but his lyrics and bass work are god tier material. This is a complete band and it only has 3 members. No weak points.

[@SillyBoydo]

@@jonathanhenderson9422 Yeah theres more of an emphasis on the actual composition and musicality/atmosphere rather than WOW COOL RIFF LOOK AT HOW SKILLED I AM

[@raen19]

Yeah Ulcerate are very different. These guys come from the same city as me, so I've seen them several times, and their level of comfort with their instruments is astounding. Awesome that you took the time to check them out. Didn't think they'd be your style, but it was still cool seeing you showing critical, non-biased appreciation of what they're doing.

[@The_Dusk_Sage]

This band is like the fine wine of death metal, and this album is a masterpiece.

[@jbasti227]

2020 AOTY for me, highly recommend checking out the full album

[@Underournorthernstar]

The atmosphere this band delivers is an absolute miasma filled mire. Incredible album

[@Whocares1987]

Some might say a Grave Miasma

[@paulschafer5612]

Im a guitar player and this is the first band where I literally cannot stop listening to the drummer. He's insanely talented. I don't know how he memorizes all those little cymbal inflections

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

I honestly believe Ulcerate have been the best metal band of the 2010s. Besides Deathspell Omega, I don't think any other band is releasing more challenging, avant-garde music in the genre. They're like a blend of the technical off-kilter riffing of Gorguts and Immolation and the "wall-of-sound," apocalyptic atmospherics of Cult of Luna. If I had to coin the genre I'd call it "post tech death metal." They're a band that's become a fixture of my playlists because I keep listening trying to figure out what they're doing (harmonically, structurally, rhythmically) and keep failing. It's fascinating stuff. Literally nobody is writing metal like these guys do, even when compared to their influences. This track is from their last album of the same name. The album is a masterpiece and probably my 2020 AOTY. Despite how great it is, I actually think their album Everything is Fire is a bit better, though they're quite different. SIDABS is where they first introduced more melody and "traditional" harmonies rather than just swirling, violent whirlwinds of crushing dissonance. I think it's only enriched their sound palette, and I can't wait to see what they do from here. One of my favorite musical experiences of the last decade was getting way too high and listening to this album while using the "visualizations" on JRiver. I really felt like I was falling through the vastness of cosmos as the universe was dying a heat death.

[@billybobthekidiswack]

Check out Ad Naseum and ingurgitating oblivion. I feel like there at top technicality when it comes to this still of avant garde metal but I do like ulcerate and gorguts a little more sonically.

[@richardgamrat1944]

You probably already know of them, but as other guy pointed ou check out Ad Nauseam (both albums are great) and then I would say Imperial Triumphant and Pyrrhon

[@depthsofabjection]

Yup, as the other guys pointed out, Ad Nauseam's Imperative Imperceptible Impulse (as pretentious as that name sounds) is fucking great. Dissonance hell

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

Thanks guys, I'll definitely be checking out the Ad Nauseam. I actually have all of Imperial Triumphant's albums downloaded but just haven't gotten to them yet. They're going on the next uber-playlist, though. Besides Ulcerate and DsO, probably my favorite new-ish metal band of the 2010s has been Horrendous, though they're much more traditional.

[@The_Dusk_Sage]

I’m terms of extreme metal this was my AOTY as well, record is incredible.

[@codexnecro]

No way you did Ulcerate :D nice. EDIT: Akhlys next? or maybe Deathspell Omega? haha

[@Wild_Open]

Deathspell Omega - Abscission would be awesome

[@muzorewi]

He already did them in a live stream.

[@codexnecro]

Abscission would be awesome. One of, if not, my all time favorite songs.

[@petergjata1498]

@@muzorewi Yeah, he did Bread of Bitterness, but there's so much from them to check out

[@petergjata1498]

I think he would appreciate The Synarchy of Molten Bones (better if with lower drums in the mix ahah)

[@TylerJMacDonald]

Nice! You should try the first track off Ad Nauseam's new album "Imperative Imperceptible Impulse". Easily my AOTY.

[@petergjata1498]

Totally agree, the whole album is great

[@richardgamrat1944]

Yes please!

[@isaackmojica8302]

Absolute mesmerezing Album

[@ckokomo808]

Killer album. Top album of the year!

[@progperljungman8218]

Phenomenal stuff! Should listen to them more... Wonderful reaction where you really show admiration along with great analysing while still having some more steps to go before you can enjoy this kinda stuff in full. But you're getting there 😁

[@CriticalReactions]

Yeah, it's a journey for sure but like you said, I'm getting there.

[@irie3yed]

@@CriticalReactionsare you there yet?? 🤓

[@sblnwwl]

One of my favorite death metal bands and albums of all time.

[@ysqure3]

Loved seeing this. Ulcerate's always been good to great, but Stare Into Death and Be Still was *phenomenal*. Sick atmosphere, absolutely filthy bass. Loved it.

[@Thenewbronzeagecollapse]

Visceral Ends, Abrogation, Clutching Revulsion and Dissolved Orders are songs that sum up what you're going for by them. Always dissonant, always cinematic, but they showcase a lot of their doomier side.

[@dosc5222]

Maybe you can do "Dissolved Orders" by Ulcerate? Or react to the Drumming Track Video of the album, which the drummer uploaded (Jamie St. Merat)?

[@NEMESIScreator]

My favorite track on the album

[@carravagio16]

A lot of people in my life wonder why I enjoy listening to this type of music thank you for articulating how the music makes me feel with more technical knowledge that I can then share with others also thank you for appreciating the technical abilities of the musicians in this style of music

[@flexdiewaldhex8941]

The drums 😳. Great stuff. Thank you, I never heard of that band before!!!!

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Nice analysis...I thought maybe you could take into account that this was the album title track, so probably more emphasis there on a dramatic/theatrical (in a positive way) style, I don't know. Yes the drummer Jamie Saint Merat is the leader of the band in a way. Now for a better production experience in my humble opinion, I'll rather recommend an album which I prefer & is called "The Destroyers of All", and songs like "Burning Skies" (I'd say with cleaner drum fills, but still a "big punishment" for your ears) "Cold Becoming" (because of the fascinating time pauses between riffs at some point, hard to explain for me as a non pro musician, best noticeable at 0 26), "Dead Oceans" (for maybe the biggest contrasts inside a song of them ?) & I could quote others. Cheers from France !

[@tedclements3369]

Awesome reaction and analysis! Ulcerate is a personal favorite. Their second album Everything Is Fire has all sorts of goodies on it.

[@flippypwa978]

I was not expecting Ulcerate here ahah. Thank for the reaction ! They are insane. I really like the album right b4 that one ! Check that out if you have the chanse ! :)

[@isaackmojica8302]

Finallly man!!!They are the most Compelling Truly extreme Metal band of all time ....i Recomend you to listen To their full albums ...hard listen but All the more Rewarding!!

[@pascalg16]

This band is developing a following in recent years

[@nathanlockhart3876]

Interesting, these guys are similar to deathspell omega which would be awesome to see you react to. Abscission would be a great one

[@mushroomcloud222]

Been into Ulcerate for over a decade. Basically, a few albums before they were essentially perfecting this extremely dissonant, technical, overwhelming, difficult to listen death metal to perfection, and on this album.... they just realized that they can get the dissonance and difficult listen to be completed / resolved in actual melody. Without ceasing to sound like themselves, but just adding the cherry on top. I think if you'd have heard their few albums before, you'd possibly have appreciated that this is close to bringing a very specific thing they have been working toward close to perfection in a take it or leave it sense.

[@Erix77]

This album is nothing short of a masterpiece. Enormous atmosphere!

[@trowabarton222]

This album is awesome. The atmosphere they build reminds me of a less tech/more death Fallujah. Edit: I think Khemmis - The Bereaved will give you that more doomy less aggressive sound you're looking for.

[@bLindSC2]

Oh shit nice, this is the first in a while where I've already known and love the track. Ulcerate are great, I think this is their best individual song but the rest is close behind. Edit: well aside from leprous, and actually a few now that I look back at the recent uploads. Have a mental image of being introduced to a lot of new stuff recently and this poked out for some reason, I do love this one

[@beanbagman0039]

Amazing band, after checking their discog they made me look at metal differently. Extinguished light has a beautiful outro would highly recommend it

[@oldschooldeathmetal8417]

Your reactions are actually interesting and different, well done sir

[@ambassadortourettes753]

Thank you again as I extend gratitude for doing this reaction I posted the link to all my contacts and got you definitely a few more subscribers and emphasis upon your channel covering a ton of styles of different music that they are assured a wonderful rabbit hole✍️ The greatest appeals of your channel is your highly interesting overviews that spare no quarter or concern being elongated and though.... BTW 👍 You chose the very song I felt would be the most befitting for your gravities... Other songs might have came off too bombastic and untempered for the ear you have.... Great place to start✍️ Thank you again for taking the time for my request and going beyond any expectations to cater to doing such✍️ I am aware of the value of the time you place into these reactions 👍

[@WTrewarthaJones]

The intensity of the drums is definitely something that takes time to accustom to. When I first listened to this I found it a bit draining too but after a couple listens they start slipping into the back a bit.

[@makjak111]

This band is definitely all about the drums for me

[@jbasti227]

JSM is an absolute machine

[@juhaloukaja5078]

same. I really want to like Ulcerate but it's... kind of boring, apart from the drums. Jamie is such a skilled drummer that he alone carries the band.

[@Kain_R_Heinlein]

@@juhaloukaja5078 everything is fire would be the best album to enjoy tbh.

[@isaackmojica8302]

@@Kain_R_Heinlein for begginners....

[@Kain_R_Heinlein]

@@isaackmojica8302 haha definitely not lol. They are bewildering there

[@jesuscontreras124]

Its so good to see you doing this video! AMAZING!

[@ambassadortourettes753]

I have never seen Zany Zebra so honored and filled with gratitude that you truly took to the heart of remotely considering his suggestion for Ulcerate🤘 That was not based purely upon elite musical infatuations....✍️ Albeit it extremely difficult on the average ears to detect any musical merits👆 Zany Zebra feels for a first time reaction your analysis could not be closer to the quintessential cores and furthermore you utterly nailed everything that most would never note let alone being willing to acknowledge due to their own and respectfully so musical tastes🤔 You effortlessly not only with a savant's acute surgical precision 👌You as well most importantly eased into being willing to embrace the artistic integrity of a band one rarely has the open mindedness to explore let alone being able to endure regardless of their musicality 👍 You pretty much painted the musical landscape of Ulcerate with an admirable an elite of level of extrapolation 👌Other fans would surely agree 👌 That in Zany Zebra opinion would have Ulcerate themselves feeling exceptionally proud of this very worthy and worthwhile reaction... This was an awesome Gift for Zany Zebra and both the fans and the musicians of this band 🤘 Lastly for now 🤔 The greatest and most unlikely adjective you possibly could have used🤷 I literally have dared imposed and insisted upon being used to describe the musical atmosphere of Ulcerate despite it seemingly being the most unbefitting word to use🤷 YOU USED THE WORD👌🤘 "Gorgeous"👌👍 Which in regards to the "Drummer's Percussive Painting" paired with the stratospherically gifted writing of the other members truly created a challenge in musical attentiveness....✍️ Ulcerate simply does have passages that one's mind just passes an aneurysm about having to admit 🤷 Some of their stuff is just beautiful in musical thoughtfulness of intentions and execution to the end complete...✍️ Interwoven throughout the pieces verses stalk or radical changes of contrasting styles... This reaction it is just so well intuited and well balanced 👌 I think you will find by following comments this reaction will surprise you with mutual praise my friend 👍🤘 Sincerely THANK YOU🤘 I (I mean Zany Zebra) longed for the day this one dropped 🤘 AWESOME AF👌 BTW 👍 Yes most of their stuff DOES have more doomed driven moments that breathe longer and add basically the soundtrack to the end of the world...✍️ I always said? Ulcerate basically is the theme music through the arch of the Apocalypse 🤘

[@martinrenteria4513]

Absolutely phenomenal album

[@bff6434]

This is one special album..like some blackened death doom jazz

[@anoptforout]

So awesome to see this great band featured on the channel. Would LOVE to see you react to another progressive metal group (in this case supergroup) - Alkaloid's opener on their first album (the Malkuth Grimoire) called "Carbon Phrases". Some interesting musicianship, songwriting for 3 guitars, and production I think you'd have a lot to say about: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5WyZad8gN-WpZY

[@gmorkins6006]

Ulcerate are on another level

[@thedissonant]

They became the level they´d claimed.

[@sylenth1243]

You review the best music dude. Cheers.

[@CriticalReactions]

Thanks!

[@kijkedwin]

He loves it.

[@ThatOneGuy7550]

One of my fav bands of all time fr

[@carlossalinas7008]

batushka review?

[@thewhorocks515]

I should listen to this band more.

[@ckokomo808]

What a freaking song. I been challenged myself to listen to more death metal last year and this year has been more disso death and more dissonant music in general. It’s interesting how my ear has changed. I feel that certain notes sound good together- consonance. Others don’t and create tension- dissonance. But as I’ve listened to more dissonant DM, I’ve found that the dissonant notes aren’t wrong, they just create a different texture/emotion/atmosphere than what is anticipated. Have you noticed a change in your ear with this style?

[@CriticalReactions]

I'm not sure if my ear is changing yet. I keep thinking I've just been lucky with higher fidelity BM. But I have had an easier time analyzing this style in the last few months.

[@robertomugabe11]

i dont know if you have done the band Convulsing. Maybe an album from 2016?

[@CriticalReactions]

Nope, can't say I've even heard the name. I'll check into them.

[@SaturnineXTS]

My favorite song by them is Await Rescission. Much less of these minors and more dissonance.

[@lenfantsuave]

Hard agree. Await Recision is their finest moment.

[@richardgamrat1944]

Please react to something from Everything is fire or Shrines of Paralysis!

[@Whocares1987]

Ulcerate fans check out Heaving Earth they don’t get enough love

[@thedissonant]

Quite some piece of advice there. Great young band.

[@Whocares1987]

@@thedissonant yep totally underrated !

[@LegendMathai]

Ulcerate kicks ass.

[@thetruth4654]

Ulcerate simply doesn`t have a bad album

[@Infeareon]

20:15 yeah he might do double bass lmao

[@j85grim4]

Maybe it was just me but, I kept hearing the exact same note in the bass over and over again. There seemed to be no chord progression at all in the bass.

[@juhaloukaja5078]

Okay, you're used to growls - now do Silencer - "Death - Pierce Me" :D