Decoding Meshuggahs' "The Abysmal Eye"

Time Consuming Ep #58 was a surprise episode.
Meshuggah released this song a few weeks ago and I got some requests and questions regarding what's going on in that track.
But these days are very very VERY busy on my end so I decided to do a stripped down Time Consuming video and show you guys how these songs look like before I fine nicer less alien like ways to present them.
I hope you like it!
'The Abysmal Eye' original song:
• The Abysmal Eye
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HUGE HUGE thanks to the amazing Sharon Renold for all the help in production, after effects, thumbnails and being awesome.
And lastly, BIG thanks to Omer Gabay, my brother, for all the tremendous production help!
Spotify playlists:
The "Time Consuming" playlist has all songs covered in the channel.
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If you have recommendations for songs for this channel, send them over!
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Thanks for watching, Yogev
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Intro by Sharon Renold (@sharonrenold on Instagram) and myself
Intro music by Shwesmo (@shwesmo on Instagram)
#theabysmaleye #polyrhythms #meshuggah

[@Onedarknight]

“We’re always in 4/4.”

[@CaptnShred]

Oh boy, this will be good. Album comes out in April, so I guess you'll have plenty of new material for Mayshuggah 2022 👀

[@diczman]

ahaha 100%

[@magnus.nasmark]

Oh yeah! We need a date for that so I can plan my day around it.

[@Bist040]

I've got tickets for their concert in the Netherlands in May. Was postponed from last November due to the Thing. I can only hope for the new material 🤞👀

[@flintwolf3951]

@@Bist040 have tickets for the netherlands too, cant wait to go. meshuggah never dissapoints

[@Ismael-kc3ry]

I got tickets for their tour here in the states, hypes af for the fall

[@krisnadexter]

The thing I like about Meshuggah is the song seems chaotic but there's order in it. Your description prove that there really is order in chaos.

[@thebubonicj]

They’re adding those extra beats at the beginning to throw off people like us that meticulously analyze the patterns. They’re like, “Ok we have this 31 beat riff but what if the first time we throw an extra eighth note on there so don’t recognize where it starts over. It’ll really fuck them up.”

[@puturro]

damn those Meshuggah people

[@Sandemose]

Ive talked to the guys in the band several times (at clinics, meeting them by accident in Stockholm, talked with common friends) and they come by as the most unpretentious people you could think of. Tomas seems very smart (high verbal intelligence), Fredrik more of an introvert but very friendly (I talked to him standing next to him taking a leak in the rest room at a Holdsworth (RIP) concert and he glanced at me saying "so, you also needed to take the dragon for a walk?". The few times Ive talked with Mårten he couldnt stop talking but also asking alot of questions and being curious and friendly. Jens is...Jens. I cant wrap my head around the fact that these are the guys making and performing this music. For some reason I feel it shouldn´t be possible. Thank you so much for doing these videos. Deconstructing these songs doesnt demystify them - it only brings me closer to its center (singularity?) and it brings me a profound feeling of joy and meaning.

[@YogevGabay]

Yeah they seem like very very nice and down to earth people! Never met them yet, but I really hope I will.

[@Sandemose]

@@YogevGabay they had a clinic at my school in -98, didnt know jack shit about explaining how they thought about music and trolled (in a gjentle manner) all of us starstruck teenagers. They played incredible. The staff from the school stood in awe.

[@33andre33]

My old band played with them at Euroblast and then again here in Brazil, opening for them, so I met them twice and couldn't agree more with you, really nice guys and not pretentious at all... Here in Brazil they had a problem with some notebook before the show and their soundcheck end up almost 2 hours late, so we didn't have time to do a soundcheck at all... While we were sitting back at the venue watching the soundcheck, Mårten came down the stage to us and started to APOLOGIZE and explain what happened.. we could not believe since our band was nothing compare to them.. really humble guys!

[@Sandemose]

@@YogevGabay a drummer guy I hung out with in music school tried to learn my sorry ass Meshuggah songs with angel like patience. He later got to sit in for Haake when he had back injuries for about 8 festival gigs. Who would actually do that? So weird feeling it.must have been.

[@YogevGabay]

@@Sandemose Really?! Who is that?!?

[@Rocker72]

I’ve listened to the entire album for a week now, as I’m writing a review for Sweden Rock Magazine. You guys are in for a treat. It’s a lot to digest though. As always. Can’t wait for your opinion on the album Yogev. 🤘❤️🤘

[@RubenKemp]

Definitely worth buying tickets for a concert in may then?

[@aJJaIVIeZ]

@@RubenKemp If you have a chance to see Meshuggah live do it. Don't think about it just do it

[@stilnoxVisions]

@@aJJaIVIeZ I saw them live around the time Violent Sleep of Reason came out but they played stuff from Catch 33 as wel. Man.. when they played Mind's Mirrors to In Death is Life and that segue between the two... omg I thought the place was going to explode.

[@YogevGabay]

Waiting for it !

[@legendofpanigale]

@@stilnoxVisions OMFG

[@pedrobernardo5887]

Meshuggah's patterns are like me writing songs in guitar pro in 2006, only they are good at it.

[@marques_galles]

My mind is blowing. This trick/method created by you, is the most simple way to transcribe a song than I ever see. Tks for your amazing content mate.

[@sethmorris8126]

meshuggah is so rhythmically talented and you are the best teacher to ever roam earth

[@YogevGabay]

OHH thanks man !

[@jasonmacarthurdrums]

Such a great break down! Also this album is ridiculously awesome 🤯

[@YogevGabay]

Listen, I've been looping it for days. Wow, it may be one of my favorite Meshuggah albums

[@Antza]

Ooooooh yes! Mayshuggah 2022!

[@YogevGabay]

YEESSSSSS

[@carjoh1777]

Meshuggah is even more heavier. Bigger vocals and a too short headbanger heaven at the end. The song begins one way and ends in a different groove. Excellent! Pure excellence of rock hall of famers Meshuggah

[@sierrahathaway1479]

Wowzers. Meshuggah is always insane but I feel like this is even more bonkers than most. Can't believe you were able to transcribe the whole thing!

[@laughingwar3063]

Great job.

[@josephtattum6365]

How did Meshuggah manage to get even heavier?

[@alfonzog6327]

Pure willpower

[@franlovelsimic8421]

Stuff like this is why they are still the best. Also, them and Northlane dropping new records on the same day will be absolute insanity!

[@capedpersuaderj3904]

I've learned that any time someone is passionate and loves what they do they describe the difficulties as "puzzles." You can see the progression, how well you're doing and how well you've done, and it's super satisfying to click things into place along the way.

[@mathkrGames]

that's an interesting way to frame difficulties... i like it! puzzles are supposed to be tough yet enjoyable. seems like a healthy way to think about learning and improving.

[@puturro]

"tiki tiki tonnnng" on 10x speed is just hilarious. I'd listen just to that for amusement. Thanks for the analysis

[@peaceindarkness.darknessis3494]

Thanks for all you put into these.. cant wait for mayShuggah

[@YogevGabay]

Glad you like them!

[@mosthatedminnesotan]

Uh oh now we have to keep track of dotted x's and dotted l's!

[@chriscatharsis5236]

HERE WE GO

[@stotten70]

Your decoding skills are just phenomenal!!! I can’t wait for this new album! It’s gonna be a BANGER! 🤘🏾😝🤘🏾

[@gurusuryan]

Unreal. Your patience is incredible! Thank you!

[@mariohelbig9877]

I am so glad they are back and you are back on them. :D

[@robokaos69]

Been making an effort to learn this song since it released. These videos have really improved my ability to transcribe and learn by ear over time, and I appreciate the work you put into them a lot.

[@MartinGogov]

So insightful to see your process, Yogev, thanks for sharing 🙇 Amazing content and breakdown, especially on the Meshuggah tunes 💪 Looking forward to Mayshuggah 2022!

[@lexdeobesean]

Analysing the average meshuggah song is like solving Fourier equations! 🤤🤘

[@horseradish4046]

It seems a lot like "I", the rhythms are more of improvisations which sound cool rather than methodical patterns

[@NoEasyFeet]

fantastic.

[@franciscomira2958]

Wow. Amazing explanation. Excellent work.

[@matthewpowell2527]

Awesome

[@CpLKaNeZA]

Can't wait for the whole LP and your analysis on each and every track on it :)

[@user-fw9nb6pk9m]

Can't wait for the concert tomorrow

[@XtremeCashier]

Learning this song on guitar now, it is, by far, the longest I've spent getting through a song (and counting...)

[@jaywinkeler7726]

I loved getting to see your more raw analysis. Telling my music-major son to watch this video!

[@etherience5282]

Really interesting approach! I am a drummer as well and I would definitely use more numbers as opposed to different markings, but this was really cool to see the process of how you transcribe the songs rhymically. Overall, great video Yogev! 😁👍

[@caioquicoli9389]

Holy moly

[@sarthakkar4692]

Can't wait anymore

[@sepiarain]

Legendary as always. Have a nice trip.

[@mosthatedminnesotan]

Haha this is an awesome raw video! I analyze in a similar way with x's and o's. Thanks for sharing!

[@Armakk]

My dude, I was hanging til 3 & 4 and then you turned my mind into marmalade.

[@YogevGabay]

Mine is in a gas state

[@mwright80]

Nice! This is my first time seeing one of your videos but it won't be the last.

[@YogevGabay]

Best comment ever. Happy you like it!

[@cyrus7822]

Absolute beast.

[@matyassveceny7573]

i'm just impressed how fast he can imitate those kicks with his voice. tiki tiki dun tiki tiki tiki dun.

[@parakletusbeats]

Man! This is amazing! And really interesting to show it a bit "rawer" than usual. The whole thought process and way you simplify and represent things are amazing. Your channel is really amazing and love all your musical examples, even showing some weird timing that happens in Hip Hop. Gave me some confidence to write either polymetric beats one ones with odd time signatures (e.g. 7/8). And so great you took the time to decode the Abysmal Eye, knew this would come on your channel soon :)

[@YogevGabay]

Great to hear ! I'm happy you're writing and creating mew music !!

[@7AKV7]

Yaaaaaasss this is so helpful in covers! Thank you man!

[@YogevGabay]

Happy to help!

[@Diftonez]

Good one!!

[@koalamusic812]

i just found your channel and i appreciate the effort you put into them. experimenting with time signatures really spices your music up.

[@andylatham4277]

I snorted audibly when you said "Riff 3, the weird one"

[@YogevGabay]

hahahahaha

[@filthee1]

Fucking amazing mate

[@nicolasbecerratrigo9293]

i've been looking forward to this

[@grayjphys]

Manically excited for the next album lol

[@stefan86wtf]

Damn, going right for the new track. Super cool :)

[@dannytruant]

Amazing help bro

[@DavidMacVicar]

How does this make sense, in their heads...amongst all their other catalog...

[@kalisto_2007]

Just realized that both Meshuggah's Immutable and Northlane's Obsidian will be released in the same day. There sure will be a lot of djent in april!

[@galielkarmi995]

I LOVE YOU 🖤

[@LeCheeZy]

I hope you do a Mayshuggah series with the new album ♥

[@YogevGabay]

Hellz yeah I am

[@masonkiller1]

heavy stuff is going on here!

[@GlintzKollide]

Meshuggah really are Aliens.

[@robistocco]

Meshuggah may or may not be your thing but you have to appreciate what it might take to memorize and play a full live set of their music: can you imagine? I'm wondering whether there's a "bigger picture" for all their song, like a simpler pattern or rule, a mnemonic device you have to remember, that you then develop throughout the song to generate all those patterns... Or they just have supernatural memory 😁

[@mattwhite399]

Agreed! The memory!!!!

[@michaukasiak3997]

According to an interview they just hear it as it is. No special pattern.

[@iau]

If your job consisted on putting 8h a day into learning these patterns you would also do a pretty good job

[@cmloegcmluin]

When I’m first learning a Meshuggah song, the numbers and analysis really matters. Eventually I just begin to feel it, and I forget about all of that. It’s sort of amazing how they write these riffs that are so technical but dissolve into groove.

[@EthanMckennaMusic]

In interviews they say they think of the whole section rather than the smaller repeating patterns. Which makes sense but is hard af.

[@revsharp777]

Thanks for the "behind the scenes" look of how you figured out these complex tunes. While I love Meshuggah, only the last riff is grabbing me in this tune. Still hoping for another masterly crafted album.

[@jonahbacon2415]

Excellent content as always

[@hakkenarsk]

Haha, awesome quick analysis. If you wanna dwelve into weirdness, check out the new Voivod-album. Loads of progressiv stuff there.

[@kimrobingraham]

Good lord this is complicated!

[@mosthatedminnesotan]

Ok but for real X X carat to the 5th power is my favorite notation.

[@HeavyMetalAlpha]

I was just wondering if you were going to do any videos on their new stuff. Speak of the Meshuggah! 🤟

[@solyamidoremifasolya1027]

When pices fit, as it says..)

[@good_greeb]

petition to creata a "yogev's whiteout fund" on your patreon

[@saintsrule1853]

Hell yea bro. You already know what’s up. I was going to request this one too. I missed this series. WAIT YOURE COMING TO THE STATES!! If you come to Louisiana hit me up. I’d love to meet you man

[@YogevGabay]

Yo! Yeah I'm in Boston for 3 weeks !

[@saintsrule1853]

@@YogevGabay come to Louisiana bro

[@flanger001]

I am so ready

[@my-spinning-wheel]

I know you listen to Venetian Snares and drum and bass!!!! We need a video analyzing some Vsnares or other insane electronic music. Best rhythm related channel out here

[@YogevGabay]

Dude I LOOOOVE venetian snares

[@my-spinning-wheel]

@@YogevGabay We need some VSnares content... I can imagine more people who are into extreme metal getting into him if you expose them to his magic. Just something to think about!!! Love your work brother, from a fellow Israeli. Truly magnificent analysis you are doing and there is nothing else like it on youtube.

[@YogevGabay]

@@my-spinning-wheel Thanks a lot man ! And yeah, I have some VS thing in mind, but it'll take me a LOOOOOOONG time to get that ready hahaha

[@my-spinning-wheel]

@@YogevGabay Haha I can imagine you have a lot on your plate! But I look forward to it.

[@milimaximus1624]

My body is ready... I don't think my brain ever will be, though :P

[@tekra8971]

Do the new song, "God He Sees in Mirrors". It is the 6th track on their newest album, "Immutable".

[@themetalnut3755]

I miss the Meshuggah calculator

[@YogevGabay]

I sense it's gonna return

[@robbledot7290]

I Am That Thirst next??

[@boudewijnlamper]

9:55 I think I may have found what you're looking for! If you start to count on the second beat of the outro riff (so -xxx if beat one is xx-x), you'll notice a pattern that lasts for 22 quarter notes, which is looped exactly 3 times. So you'll start with a random pattern for one quarter note, and then a new loop is played right until the end. I guess you could argue where the pattern starts, but I've found this to be the easiest way to wrap my head around it.

[@YogevGabay]

OH! I guess that's another interpretation that works hahaha they're both correct, but I don't really know how THEY did it. Unless of course we ask them hahaha

[@ormeyer]

אח יקר יא יוגב

[@YogevGabay]

מודה מודה לך !

[@nipulkradmsinatagras8293]

*This will be another brainsplattering album from the Swedish Meatballs.*

[@dliessmgg]

when you speed up the digidon you sound like the crazy frog. amazing

[@monsterfukk7737]

Can I request Namaste by Veil Of Maya? The breakdown in that has eluded me for like 5 years now, no matter how well I think I understand it, I try to play it and lose it entirely

[@leoplat8318]

I feel like this is one of the most difficult Meshuggah songs they've released. By the Ton was insane because it had some patterns that never repeat but Abysmal Eye feels like it's one of their most complex material yet. It's sounds like relentless comets and fireballs raining from the sky. It's disorienting and chaotic

[@franlovelsimic8421]

Great point! And here I was thinking Our Rage Won't Die has a crazy pattern hahaha. Chaosphere also has some head scratchers but the fact they're still dropping truly insane songs this late in their career speaks how "once in a lifetime" band they are!

[@fromthesky1050]

I think honestly nobody can cover this on the flute, not even flute guy.

[@leoplat8318]

@@fromthesky1050 He will definitely try to cover it hahaha

[@leoplat8318]

@@franlovelsimic8421 Chaosphere does have some crazy patterns but you can still distinguish them. The patterns on their newer material are hiding so well that you cant even tell. They are super long and complex

[@yamrad6424]

please do david maxim micic - smile, the middle opera djent part is desturbingly awesome

[@YogevGabay]

Yo I love that albuummmmmm

[@lilnazir2099]

😱

[@neon-rust]

Not gonna lie, I chuckled at the chipmunks :D

[@hendrikwasgehtsiedasan7103]

i liked this video

[@tsingtsai1416]

if i fully understand meshuggah, i can bulid a rocket

[@m3kuro9sk39]

1:44

[@jmpsthrufyre]

Time to consume some time consuming

[@solyamidoremifasolya1027]

Hi, Yogev, would you mind to breakdown your Ancient Secrets especially the significant part from 6:36? Aurora from 6:37 also. Shdemati's intro fragment from 0:15 on keyboards, or whichever it was. It was so cooooooooooool. And what is this cool rythm on Clockwork? Will you go to record playthrough or anything like that?

[@YogevGabay]

hahahah thanks ! I'm happy you like the HAGO stuff! As for a play through for Clockworks, I'm sure there are plenty of great covers online by players who are WAY better than I am !

[@solyamidoremifasolya1027]

@@YogevGabay ❣️.

[@OrtizIndustries]

digga digga dong

[@metadata5638]

Guitar language (The Digga's}

[@DTH88]

I decoded another code found in this song. I realize now in the second riff, meshuggah is messing with us fans for trying to figure out what's happening. lol's all over the place

[@Dan-ji4db]

Digga digga digga donnnng digga digga donnnng

[@YogevGabay]

YYESSSSS

[@guitaristssuck8979]

Have you been watching Keys of Geebz? You adopted the same "alright"

[@YogevGabay]

What is that?

[@guitaristssuck8979]

@@YogevGabay a reaction youtuber, he pronounces "alright" exactly like you did in this video, it's his leitmotiv

[@YogevGabay]

@@guitaristssuck8979 hahahaha I'll check !!

[@guitaristssuck8979]

@@YogevGabay great, he's got some Mesh reaction videos too

[@drunkship12]

Great work but I feel like I understand the song even less now

[@voidabstraction]

Great work man! I loved the song, but the last album set a high bar for the mix and was disappointed with it, found guitars kind of lost in the mix, even the leads were getting lost for me (not including solo).

[@dr.weeniehutjr]

Dude fr it sounded like a demo in comparison to the last album and I hate to be a critic but, everything seemed really quiet. I have to crank the volume super high in my car just to hear it at a moderate loudness. The bass tone slaps though…

[@karlkanner3467]

guitars definitely not as raw/present sounding as the last album. in this one, they're kinda more of a rhythmic device than a melodic one, aside from the solos. it kind of works IMO, since they were going for a ..bigger? sound/soundstage, and that means it's a little more bass-heavy rather than mids

[@netta106]

but what about crash pattern while guitar solo goes on? I really wanna catch up with that pattern... what does that MEAN!? )))

[@YogevGabay]

The crash cymbal you mean ?!

[@netta106]

@@YogevGabay Yea. It sounds so good and in place - amazing. But when i try to find the pattern of it - I loose myself...

[@YogevGabay]

@@netta106 It follows the kick pattern. I think he hits it every beginning of a phrase.

[@netta106]

@@YogevGabay But why it feels like it never repeats the same pattern? Sometimes its like 2-2-1, then its 1 and fast 2... I really go crazy about it)) Dont know - may be i'll get the song, slow it down and will make notes while this is happening to understand. Coz now - I just cant. Its so awesome and of course there's a pattern. But I just cant find it. Yet.

[@donjaun8435]

I wish we could just have music without 10,000 youtubers coming up with some premise for a video to make it about them.