FIRST LISTEN TO "Ego Death" by Polyphia feat. Steve Vai

[@meadmaker4525]

Every one of those guys is a master of their art. There's a reason it sounds that tight. Just amazing.

[@MaddyReactions]

So true!!!

[@comadose25]

"Creating an atmosphere where all of this can make sense" is the best description I've ever heard for their drummer (Clay Aeschliman). I'm glad you said that, he really is a great drummer and it's easy for that to get lost under the guitars. He has some awesome drum playthroughs where you can really appreciate what he's doing (and not doing, pauses and such).

[@MaddyReactions]

Thanks! I used to leisurely play drums, so I seriously appreciate what he’s doing!

[@guigoinz112]

Perfectly said!

[@mwudzy]

They're a living embodiment of the whole being greater than the sum of it's parts, and each part here is already a virtuoso...

[@MaddyReactions]

So true!!! I love watching them!

[@Kynowah]

They are doing a picking style called hybrid picking, you’re basically got it the first time it’s combining normal picking and finger style. Another song you should check out is Nightmare by Polyphia

[@MaddyReactions]

Oooohhh!! I love it!! I will add to the list ☺️☺️☺️

[@lasagnasux4934]

One of the big three modern instrumental groups, as far as I'm concerned, along with Plini and Animals as Leaders, and probably the most accessible out of all of them. Always groovy, and Steve Vai on this is just beautiful with his new "joint shifting" picking technique. Such a legend.

[@MaddyReactions]

Ohhh! I’ve have to look into Plini and Animals as Leaders! ☺️

[@lasagnasux4934]

@ItsMattyMayReactions they're really good, very technical. Plini did Electric Sunrise, which might be the most beautiful song I've heard. Animals as Leaders is not for everybody, but their song The Woven Web is fantastic. If you do check out Animals as Leaders, always do a live one, either Tosin's live at NAMM or Matt's drum playthroughs. It's wild what those guys can do.

[@MaddyReactions]

Awesome! Thanks for the recs! ☺️

[@blackdog6969]

@@MaddyReactions I agree, Woven Web is awesome. There's a few other songs I can't quite remember right now but I believe they did live recordings. Tosin"s thumb, you need to prepare for because he can do some damn unnatural things on the strings with it but still so bloody cool

[@GunnerSG]

@@MaddyReactions I will add "Pastures" , "Every Piece Matters" & "Sunhead" to that Plini list - he is one of the most "happy" guitar composers/players I've come across ;) his music is very uplifting and warm - I think you will dig him !!

[@anthonyb8314]

This is 🔥. I love hearing artists who have their own sound. I've never heard anything like this

[@MaddyReactions]

So unique, right!!

[@dmann05]

Both guys in the rhythm section are named Clay, which is ironic because they are solid as a rock. Every member is a killer on their instrument. You can see individual playthroughs on their channel.

[@MaddyReactions]

LOL hilarious! Love it! Feel free to share your favs!

[@kevh953]

Not heard this before and I think I enjoyed it as much as you Matty, I was definitely making some weird faces as well haha great reaction as always ✌️

[@MaddyReactions]

Thanks Kev! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kevh953]

@@MaddyReactions Ren with the big push band , I shot the sheriff/road to Zion/hip hop would be a good one to do but I would really love to see you do Akala fitb part 4

[@suipsycko]

You took a big step with this, not many people appreciate jazz/metal fusion... it is a unique genre..

[@MaddyReactions]

I love jazz and metal!! Lol Sooo it makes sense, Lmk if you have recs for similar artists!

[@suipsycko]

@@MaddyReactionsAnimals as Leaders - Red Miso (instrumental) and to show my age 🤦‍♂️ maybe.. Dream Theater - Metropolis part 1 ‘The Miracle and the Sleeper’ (it’s 10 minutes long and more progressive metal) .. of course you can never go wrong listening to anything from RUSH..

[@Coleyjp0716]

Oh wow this is super interesting I love it never heard anything like it

[@MaddyReactions]

YES! I really like them!

[@scottzimmermann9431]

Some things to notice - the gutarists each occupy the throne in different levels of the building, with Vai getting it on the top, and then the horn player higher than any of them (but no throne). Also - notice the pure magnetic attraction of the several styles - Tim - super technical finger magician, lots of staccato and picking, Clay - metal god sweetpicking and more traditional playing, but still super technical, Steve - bending all over creation masterfully, a legato megatalent. And they feature Clay (bass) in the middle stage many times. Lastly - the mix is very crisp, and the drums are way hot, almost like a e-drum kit would be. Everything about these guys is top-shelf. Now go watch their collab with Sophia Black. Gah!

[@MaddyReactions]

I have! 🤗 I loved it!!

[@JDoors]

I only learned the terminology for "plucking and picking at the same time" because I've been obsessed with Polyphia and heard the term from someone reacting to one of their songs, its "hybrid" picking. Picking, and using your remaining fingers to play the strings too. I'm astonished, but apparently it's a thing.

[@MaddyReactions]

It’s so cool!!!

[@robertpetre9378]

The thumb slap thing which he’s doing, which is very common amongst bass players that I think Tobin Abassi from animals as leaders showed him how to do that apparently it took three months to master it.

[@AlexiosTheWretched]

Absolutely awesome! They were doing many techniques at once 😅

[@MaddyReactions]

Right?!

[@BradModelle]

Hoo doggies is right! Great react.

[@GreeVince247]

If you ever get a chance to see these guys live I highly recommend it 🤙🏽

[@MaddyReactions]

I bet it’s awesome!!

[@comadose25]

Seconded. I've been to a lot of shows, saw Polyphia last year and it might be tied for the best one I've ever seen (sorry BTBAM, still love you).. They sound flawless live and it's just a jam. Going to see them again in a couple months and can't wait.

[@blackdog6969]

For a different muso that does Jazz Metal, check out Mike Le Rossetti's Djent Jazz Funk". That said, there's a lot of Polyphia's early stuff to look at too and a personal favourite track of mine Steve Vai did was the Halo 2 Mjolnir Mix. I mean, you look up any of those names and you'll find bangers anyway. Have fun, hopefully you'll enjoy them

[@MaddyReactions]

Oh wow!! Had no idea Steve Vai did Halo 2! Classic game.

[@blackdog6969]

@@MaddyReactions Oh yeah, I think the 4th mission, Scorpion over the bridge. At least that's where I remember it

[@Blend-25]

These guys are crazy!! I usually prefer instrumentals anyways but these guys are NUTZ!!! Awesome reaction

[@MaddyReactions]

So crazy!! Thanks ☺️

[@Jaaazzzy2003]

I'm not much of a fan of their sound, but their talent with each of their respective instruments is undeniable. Henson is a great writer as well.

[@MaddyReactions]

I agree!! So much talent in one band.

[@mjm5081]

Maddy, hope you're doing good! If you love this song, you might love "For The Love of God" by Steve Vai. ✌❤🎶

[@sembilanindera2231]

Polyphia: Tim Henson - Guitar Scott LePage - Guitar Clay Gober - Bass Clay Aeschliman - Drums Featuring: Ivan Jackson (of Brasstracks) on Trumpet

[@MaddyReactions]

So cool!! Thanks for sharing!

[@epicbrumoment8810]

On the usual but not in this video Tim is the lead guitarist

[@thanebear]

He is plucking and picking aka "hybrid" picking. Good eye! 👀

[@EverendeverGroup]

I love these guys to death, but I still can't get past the fact that this song is just 4 chords, over, over, over again.

[@MaddyReactions]

LOL

[@scottzimmermann9431]

In interviews, Tim acknowledges that much. Easy chord structures connected and painted with flexes. This is so-called math-rock.

[@Easy_Skanking]

@@scottzimmermann9431 My personal opinion is that those short structures come from kids being raised on Nintendo music. 8-bit music played by real and very talented musicians. LOL

[@TheDallasdeadeye]

youre the most beautiful woman i have ever seen on youtube, no cap.

[@MaddyReactions]

🩷 thank you