Composer Reacts to Weakling - Dead As Dreams (REACTION & ANALYSIS)

[@SnakeThisLife]

Step 1: Barge into black metal Step 2: Release one album that changes the genre forever Step 3: Refuse to elaborate Step 4: Leave

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

This album was recorded in '98 and released in '00 on the short-lived tUMULt label. It quickly went out-of-print and it mostly circulated by word-of-mouth. It was such an anomalous album. For one thing, there weren't many American black metal bands, period, at the time (black metal has always been a more European genre). I don't know of any black metal at the time doing this kind of proggy, post take on the genre at all. It became something of a genuine "cult classic", and even today there's a lot of metal fans who don't know about it. I found it not long after it was released, also by word of mouth thanks to a guitar forum I frequented; but it was a challenge as it was extremely hard to get at the time. This was before it was back in print or available on KZbin, so I found it at a tiny, obscure, online CD store. It completely blew me away. I don't think at that time I'd ever heard any metal this epic and intense. It was such an incredibly emotionally, spiritually draining listen; and even to this day it's an album I can only listen to when I feel "up to it." As an example of how obscure it was, I wrote a review of it on Amazon and, at the time, there was probably less than a dozen reviews online anywhere. Pretty much every element of this album still sounds unique even ~20 some years later with all the proggy/post metal there's been since then, perhaps because Weakling has no real "successors," or bands that directly tried to follow in their wake. The closest is probably Wolves in the Throne Room, but even Wolves are closer to more traditional BM. I do want to touch on the vocals, because they may be the most atypical element. The vocalist isn't singing any words and most of it was improvised. I think there's an interview where he said he was basically just trying to express the emotion of whatever they were going for. It just adds to the incredible "abstract" nature of the album, but it really frees him up to do a lot of really original unique things with his voice most vocalists wouldn't think of if they were saying words. One single aspect of this track I will mention is the ending: I just love how it ends by pulling back all the layers. It really sounds like the aural equivalent of death, where each layer is like letting go of life until all that's left is vague noise, like the last fading light.

[@STAR0SS]

Check The Gault's Even As All Before Us if you don't know it, different sound same vibe.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

I managed to get hold of a copy of this after tracking down when I heard someone shouting 'play some Weakling' at a Wolves in the Throne Room gig. I always assumed the two bands were linked in someway, but I don't think they are.

[@FieryBiscuits]

@@StormofSteelWargaming HAHAH if that was the Islington Mill show... then I'm sorry for being a drunken buffoon but hope you enjoyed the album

[@nicholaskallaher]

If you haven't already you should definitely check out that first Krallice album. When I first heard it when it shortly after release it blew me away and made me instantly think of Weakling. A little bit better production value and missing the naturalism and more traditional black metal stylings of those first 3 wolves in the throne room albums.

[@walters147]

I know a huge influence for at least half of Deafheaven is Weakling and can definitely hear it in at points on New Bermuda imo.

[@justsomejusstsome8994]

Best Black Metal album ever. One of the best albums ever.

[@Turbopress2882]

This is the only "reaction" video I've ever cared to watch. Really well done. It was really cool to hear someone who knows what they're talking about break down one of my favorite songs.

[@CriticalReactions]

Thanks! That's a huge honor for my video to stand out to you in such a saturated field. I'm glad people appreciate what I'm doing in this little corner of the internet. :)

[@xxMorrissey]

I got kinda hyped when the next track was about to start, it's easily my favourite on the album.

[@Cynips]

Whoa, my fav black metal album as well. Will be interesting to hear your thoughts...

[@aubadoir.]

What a gem!! Props to whoever submitted this, it certainly does fit the bill of "fascinating" lol

[@progperljungman8218]

Exciting and truly original stuff! Perfect food for your critical ears 😊

[@I.P1976]

I feel lucky to own this on cd. Got the band logo tattooed on my leg.

[@dis.infectant]

Incredible record. Highly influential in its own right.

[@itlivesin]

This ablum is next level. It has some of the most melancholic moments I've ever heard. 🤘

[@seijidaitai]

One of my favorites! Really dig the guitar solo in the album's opening track "Cut Their Grain and Place Fire Therein". Weakling fans might be interested in a couple impressive covers I stumbled upon a while ago, of the album's first 2 tracks in an EP called "Fire Therein" by Grst (their production sounds more conventional to me). I don't know a lot of black metal but another album that gives me a similar feel is "The Spoor of Vipers" by Ustalost, very prominent bass riffs in that one though. Also, Weakling's backward growl vocals (or whatever, the growl where he inhales instead of exhaling) is a style that Mizmor features heavily nowadays, not sure if that sound is common in black metal. This is the 4th or 5th time I've been excited to see one of my favorites on your channel, and every time you've said it's not your cup of tea 😅 No complaints though, always glad to see you approaching it with an open mind and digging deep in the analysis!

[@melryan9412]

Wow wasnt expecting this reaction! this album is fantastic

[@whenpigsfly860]

I’ve loved this album for years but without the vocabulary to describe why. Your observations have helped me get some clarity on this masterpiece, letting me enjoy it even more.

[@STAR0SS]

You should check The Gault, feature the guitarist & bassists of Weakling, it's more goth-rock and much more palatable, although also very dark. I'm pretty sure most the guitar parts are single takes but with a lot of effects, John Gossard really produced some very original parts on these albums, playing with feedback, overtones, ... never heard anything quite like it. The whole band also really came together and produced something quite unique (vocals, bass & drums are fantastic too), even they split right after their first album.

[@jefwhitehead4301]

Weakling =often imitated but NEVER duplicated… And those who were able to bear witness to them live will never forget that experience …all hail Gossard

[@user-tk2jy8xr8b]

Absolutely brilliant album. Weakling enjoyers may also like Njiqahdda, some of their movements resemble this material. Also I love how the vocals begin to sound intermittent from time to time like if there's not enough air in the lungs to scream but he still does.

[@CaptainRhodes]

Yea both Weakling and Njiqahdda got a special place in my heart.

[@codexnecro]

Those guys were ahead of their time.

[@ambassadortourettes753]

This is incredibly soothing 🤔

[@CriticalReactions]

That's.....not the word I'd use 😅

[@AA-ou2ye]

This album is a masterpiece.

[@Vermonol]

Top 5 favourite black metal album ever. Very unique and very rare to find a copy!

[@mpr1972]

you had me at "amorphous blob of guitar-ness"

[@plyzd6133]

Best album ever to come from the US

[@jessewatkins6151]

Yeah haha i had just starting to release metal shit myself at this time but more of thrash wishing i understood how to play black metal. And i must say this album really freed somthing in me to help break into and understand what i was listening to and learning to play black metal. This band and many others from all over the world at this time

[@markd7933]

I like the way you said playful when describing that middle section. I think part of the reason why this album is so legendary is because of how experimental and almost avant garde they sounded. The band came from a math rock background so it makes total sense. They werent just another raw black metal Transilvanian Hunger copy with 2 riffs per song and a steady drone of blast beats in the background. Someone else who came from math rock bands in the US is Wrest from Leviathan, amazing and legendary as well. The US scene has always gotten shat on by the europeans but BM has always been popular in the west with the 1st wave scene well before the norwegians.. the argument is total nonsense.

[@justsomejusstsome8994]

Have you had a recommendation for Demilich yet?

[@CriticalReactions]

I've had over 1200 bands recommended to me but somehow that's a new one. 😅

[@justsomejusstsome8994]

@@CriticalReactions they're a really legendary Death Metal band from Finland. They made only one album but it's so weird and unique, it's really different. It's really a surreal experiencie.

[@Eolithmusic]

I would love to hear a breakdown of Nespithe

[@Omnizoa]

If you haven't checked out Jack Luminous by Voivod please do. It's 17 minutes.

[@ShadowSamba]

I second this

[@Gabobow]

I third this

[@pantsedjuniorhayseed4816]

you should review yellow eyes "no dust" if you're digging the weird black metal.

[@epiphanictruth5942]

You should cover Asunder, features a member of Weakling. Abandon would be another great band to cover - both Asunder & Abandon are sludgy/funeral doom type bands with some unique instrumentation & beautifully melancholic arrangements.

[@HikoSeijuroXIII]

Nothing else compares.

[@progrockplaylists]

loved the polyrhythms

[@marksleblanc]

kicked off third wave black metal. this album will always be legend!

[@ronbent]

Goat album, great choice

[@SanskarWagley]

legendary album

[@alexdotluna]

Please do Crow Black Sky - Ascendant, it's what I'd describe as space black metal. It sounds like a blend of Interstellar soundtrack with BM.

[@rooster_205]

Great jam! I enjoyed this one.. The drummer is a machine.. only thing is that ending dragging on..

[@rooster_205]

First Fragment - La Veuve & Le Martyr (Guitars & Bass Playthrough) / First Fragment kzbin.info/www/bejne/anilimVugbmFbM0

[@MaaZeus]

I on the other hand loved the ending. Its both hypnotic and oppressive. 👍 But yes, the drummer is amazing.

[@rooster_205]

@@MaaZeus Everybody has their own taste.. it's all good.. I did enjoy it though.. I'm about to make me a Playlist for them in just a bit

[@crawlingwind]

Too bad the drums don’t sound that great on this recording. I lived in SF when they were around, and saw them live a few times. The drummer was absolutely incredible!

[@whorrors]

Weakling is easily my top 10 BM

[@DustinWilbourn]

Was hoping for some thoughts on the intro, that imho is the greatest intro of all time. Otherwise I really appreciated your thoughts on this song. Cheers!

[@TheLivirus]

Very interesting! I just wish the mix was a bit clearer.

[@rizkycaesar18]

Can u react Silencer? 😁😁

[@heathens_swill]

PLEEEEEAAAASE react to the Krallice song Monolith of Possession

[@CriticalReactions]

Past me accepts the request! Though I'll tell ya, this was one of the first times I had heard anything like this 😅 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWWwd6eZacukmsU