Meshuggah Metal Riff Lesson Part 2

[@Freezaen]

"It... Move." + Hand gesture -Fredrik, speaking his wisdom

[@Meurth]

2:44 "It... move..." -Fredrik Thordendal 2008

[@dngrouscrgo]

I think his mic fell off his shirt so a lot of what he said got lost

[@7AKV7]

"It's moving all the time" he said. They just thought one mic on Morten will be enough. It's not enough.

[@sjn_]

I like how Marten saved him tho 😂

[@ddrumdude]

😂😂

[@forwonder]

why waste time say lot word when few word do trick

[@horseradish4046]

when they lock in ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY at 8:04 with no metronome is fuckin sick, this is the power of Meshuggah, these two guys and their inhuman telekinetic guitar duo

[@YanusDV]

What Fred does at 7:59 is fucking crazy. He starts to count the 4/4 to lock into the song

[@hockeyfreak66666]

Drummers disguised as guitar players are funny like that

[@Knutorius]

0:11 Rational Gaze - Opening 0:34 Rational Gaze - Verse 1:10 Rational Gaze - Breakdown 1:51 Bleed - Opening/Verse/Pre-Chorus 2:43 regular guitar playing 3:18 Bleed - 3rd Verse / Riff Variation 4:37 Electric Red - Breakdown / Polyrhythmic Riff (where this happens) 6:20 Electric Red - Opening / Main Riff

[@doktormoney]

the fact that "this is just how we see music" makes more sense than every other video there is about playing meshuggah....

[@Blargaha]

makes you proud to be swedish, they are absolutely beastly live! One of the best live bands I've seen

[@LunarLionheart]

Love how Fredrik clicked in like a metronome and started playing with him.....hes a machine.

[@djangofett4879]

Its funny how you see several people commenting about how they don't like meshuggah on every frickin' video. If you hate them so much, then you must really be a glutton for punishment.

[@CharlesUrich]

Meshuggah's elastic rhythms are absolutely fresh and cutting edge. Get in on the groove or get out. Nothing but love for the shug

[@hectorvegasduque2234]

Damn 13 years ago, I wonder if the guy still loves the shug

[@HINRG14]

I would hope one simply does not stop loving the shug

[@uriahuriah3792]

​@@HINRG14haha

[@MrXunholyx]

That Electric Red riff is evil.

[@KingJamesNBK187]

MrXunholyx right!

[@bparrish99]

I watched the Bleed section, and immediately am great at playing Bleed! Amazing!

[@harryhengel]

I love the Meshuggah. It's funny to see how quiet (shy) Frederik is. I think the ending riff in Electric red is one of my favourite Meshuggah riffs. The other 20.000 not mentioned.

[@niovus4053]

As a fellow musician and metal composer, I can tell you guys that it is not an easy task to write polyrhythms with such intensity! Meshuggah is hands down one of the best metal bands to grace the earth. Their riffs have inspired so many creative artists, including me. These dudes are great!

[@jobodemon]

8:04 sounds massive

[@NikkElektrik]

I aspire to be able to play rhythm guitar like Fredrik. His accuracy, and memory (I mean the guy remembers 8min songs that mostly have no actual melody to keep in mind, and the riffs are just variations of the same crazy incomprehensible discordant-looking pattern!) and a right hand stamina that is mind-blowing.

[@ComeAtMeBeer]

I've always been attracted to "odd" sounding music. I grew up with Korn (not their later shit, I'm talking first album) and Tool. It was easy for me to get into Meshuggah because they have exactly what I look for in metal; rhythmically focused music that has an unusual feel and approach.

[@romanthegambler6966]

how's your journey been these ten long years?

[@Goose21]

@@romanthegambler6966prolonged exposure to such chuggy riffage has left him unable to respond

[@tabza]

I love how Fredrik just jumps in on the action at 7:58

[@SeeMick1]

I love how Fredrik keeps noodling while Marten is talking

[@holygroove2]

Incredible video now in 2024!!! Love the Electric Red riff!

[@CamiloHorrorShow]

Wow I do like listening to Meshuggah but my laptop speakers don't allow such low frequencies

[@AlexDysphoria]

To speak honestly, if to blame Meshuggah for peacockery that 2 strings are enough for playing Meshuggah rather than 8, then it would be fair to blame thousands of other popular bands who really don't play more than 2-3 strings on their 6-strings. Technique is something very subjective, personally I find polyrhythmic leads by Fredrick very technical, and I cannot say any guy from Meshuggah is a technical mediocrity.

[@dryad_92]

I love how eloquent they are about the bands purpose and sound.

[@holygroove2]

I wish they'd have gone further into the next section of the Bleed riffs cause that's what makes the song awesome - when they vary the rhythm and make it start and stop in funky places. LOVE it!

[@DROWXXI]

Take a shot anytime meshuggah palm mutes

[@enzio24]

pretty much hahahaha

[@BradyThomas]

oh god what about bleed

[@hogosbazvarakh9220]

HAHAHAHahAHAhaHAhahaHAHASHAHhaHAhaahahaHAHAHAhaHaaaHahaha YOur so dune!

[@metallicaspiker16]

First 5 seconds of Bleed is Insta-death.

[@Iheartdgd]

My lawyer would like a word with you

[@xxczerxx]

How the f*** do they remember all those rhythms for live shows? :O

[@drumkidstu]

Feeling. They learn the songs by feel. Counting just makes it confusing.

[@AndrewKlinger]

@@drumkidstu 6 years later we've finally figured it out!!

[@crow-vz5lx]

it i really the feel and sound for them .

[@darkySp]

I can remember them by feel, which i would guess is how they probably do it, but honestly ? No idea how they remember the latter part of Bleed, i think it's the 3rd Verse. Can't get past the 4th bar.

[@leviathan3630]

@@darkySp that's when the counting starts

[@underscoreisnotvalid]

man i love these guys, they have such a good feel in terms of groove and a sick guitar tone

[@bok3rnes425]

6:56 de-dooo-du-ku-tu-ku-tu-ku-tuk (polyrhythmic language). But yeah their music is cool and complicated (that's what's makes it fun) 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ifluxion]

4:30 lol Hagstrom - Ah, and um...it's ah where uh....uh...we come in... Thordendal - This happens Hagstrom - Yea, exactly. This happens.

[@Oreomeister]

Tool and meshuggah are good friends. Their influence on each other is apparent to people who listen to both. The fact that two quite different types of music can be influential on each other is awesome. That riff was influenced by jambi, and jambi was influenced by meshuggah. Cool stuff.

[@ifutureman]

"This is a rhythmic exercise." AND I LOVE IT! Who says a hook can't be strictly a rhythm?

[@SoaringTrumpet]

That lick in Electric Red is one of my Meshuggah favs. Basic 4/4 time, catchy as hell repetitive ("and so forth"!) syncopated riffs on top. I'm tapping my toe but at the same time trying to follow the complexity of rhythm.

[@FRANK45CASTLE]

I never even seen this in recommended for 14 fuckin years. This is awesome and makes me feel old lol

[@EFFJAY88]

It’s crazy how effortlessly he plays all this stuff. The timing is insane.

[@PansyFeet]

man, I love the sound they get, and thats without any stomp boxes or anything? Freaking awesome

[@holygroove2]

Man that Electric Red riff is still crazy fun. Love how tricky it sounds and IS.

[@AlexDysphoria]

Ah, guys, could you please stop this "8 strings are completely unnecessary" and "boring stuff"? Why should I ask everyone every time to be tolerant and polite here? Please, do not offend the tastes of those people who love Meshuggah (including me). Thanks.

[@ZEROTECHMUSIC]

Whoever says 8 strings are unnecessary doesn't own an 8 string and are jelous xD

[@Iheartdgd]

@@ZEROTECHMUSIC after owning an 8 string for half a year after being one of those kinds of people for my entire life... I think you might be dead on.

[@bmw_m4255]

Stop complaining about your own video

[@bmw_m4255]

@JM Coulon that's funny

[@MatheusMPL]

8:03 damn, that's heavy

[@MrPist0ler0]

The tone on the Electric Red riff is \m/ for life!

[@AlexDysphoria]

Dear Sir, I can assure you Fredrick uses all of his strings while doing his incredible lead work. I also would like to recommend you Fredrick Thordendal Special Defects side-project. Solos it contains have completely blown me away - that proves at least Fredrick understands and uses potential of every string in his 7 and 8-string guitars. It is just a matter of Meshuggah's music - using of the lowest strings most frequently.

[@000sicair]

The thing I can never get over is how small they make those giant fucking guitars look.

[@-cfh-architector7963]

RiffMasters!

[@Henry14arsenal2007]

Anyone knows their signal chain/tone for this video? Seriously that tone sounds so brutal.

[@juggernautone577]

0:00 Rational Gaze 1:45 Bleed 4:12 Electric Red

[@Solar-Winds]

@bluetoothmark Wiki says: meshuga:, also meshugge, meshugah, meshuggah: crazy (Yiddish משוגע meshuge, from Hebrew məšugga‘) So, plausible, but, I'm not too sure that's the reason behind their name.

[@domigit]

@MendingSilence It's regular Eb tuning (Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, Eb) and the two low strings are an F and a Bb

[@holygroove2]

Dude. Electric Red is my favorite song on Obzen. I'll have everyone know that I bought that album b/c of this video.

[@AntiHero1996]

@Blargaha Have you seen em? They're on my list of need to see bands.

[@Marinkorpse]

I agree with you sire, love both bands as well

[@komeng2006]

I hate Meshuggah (sigh!). I am pretty sure their intentions are to mock us. They compose "simple riffs" but put together with the tempo, adding this and that, it is so hard to follow. It is easy to lose focus, they're like athletes. ~a guy who is lost, trying to play along Meshuggah's songs

[@Vintrahun]

but its so much fun when you finally understand and learn these pretty riffs and bends... yeah its a complete mindfuck sometimes :D ~ a guy who also play tons of Meshuggah song's

[@SaladFingers_]

Don't worry man. Those guys can't be human...

[@jishnuhaider6482]

You mean "Let focus go from your deceiving ears"? ;-)

[@shapiro127]

@Wrathofkala I think people tend to mean technical not only in the physical sense, but also in the mental sense. For example, try to play bleed. Its so mentally and physically taxing I think you'll understand once you try to keep up with the polyrhythms.

[@rjc7289]

I love their use of odd time signatures. They put an interesting spin on heavy metal rhythm guitar. When you consider most metal guitarists distinguish themselves with their lead guitar playing, the fact that they are unique for their rhythm parts is quite remarkable. Normally, these super-low, dinosaur-fart riffs aren't my thing, but I have to give them credit for forging their own path and not sounding like anyone else.

[@Trasselkalle]

Maybe this is what you mean, but it is Fredrik who is sitting on the RIGHT, as we viewers see it. Sure, he is on the left of Mårten from Mårten's point of view, but that is a different thing :)

[@saintlotus93]

I had a lot of trouble with it too, but I realized most of my trouble was because I would stiffen up when played it. I had to practice really slow, that way my wrist and arm would be more relaxed and loose, when I played it full speed. It also smoothed out when I changed my pick to a dunlop jazz 3, they glide over the strings a lot easier, for me.

[@PhillipMcKeever]

@CorvetteCoonass i can understand those low of notes as long as theres not too much distortion.. i picked up bass about a year ago and its getting better

[@CadaverSpawn]

That's some serious timing!

[@CharlesUrich]

On the contrary my friend, I love Meshuggah more than anything. nothin but love

[@DontPieceMe221]

The tightest guitar duo (and band) ever.

[@44eelz]

@toxsikkilla are you sure? didnt they say it has a longer scale tho?

[@hoofed]

Rational Gaze is from the album Nothing. There are two versions of the album and both should be on the iTunes Store.

[@MaLaKaThIsS]

woaah yess sooo beast like their tone and playing!!!

[@OfficialArkasia]

Actually, Fredrik is on the right and Marten on the left

[@NecroButcher91]

The bass in the newer ('Nothing' to now) albums is actually tuned to the same pitch as the eight strings, because if it was an octave lower the speakers wouldn't be able to reproduce the frequencies properly. So that's mostly why they have that popping or boinging bass quality, because the bass and the guitars kinda blend together because they're the same pitch and they use alot of distortion on the bass.

[@Armorteur]

Amazing, when they both play.

[@Spermwhales93]

@PansyFeet They use an Axe FX Utra now, but then it was just the Line 6 Vetta II heads and the cabs.

[@andysdead]

@Jayomi09 wonder how would Fredrik feel about Tosin Abasi...

[@guillermomartinviana9390]

@Pepefromthebario I think they use the Axe Fx.

[@faaip0de0oaid]

man that guitar sound is amazing!!

[@kaakatin]

Cool to see Marten's head bopping in 4/4 when he plays

[@killzoomer]

Meshuggah is AWESOME!!!

[@juvedoo99]

@feverhood first six strings are regular tuning and the 7th is a b and the last is an ff but they do f# i think.

[@reamp0000]

really nice guys

[@Vesna83]

can it be more heavier than the riff starting at 7:55

[@JoeyAP2]

Where can I actually get that album?? I searched iTunes, and no results showed. What's his myspace?

[@Pepefromthebario]

what kind of amp do thy use does anyone know how i can get this sound???

[@donSparda]

Looking forward to downtuning to the Meshuggah tuning and playingxD

[@fredmachine]

@mazklassa1 They mention their amps in the first part. Line 6 Vetta II heads.

[@SquareWand]

@Virus940 I think they all sound different and unique enough that remembering it is like thinking about that one pair of socks with a hole in it. Its somewhere in the pile for sure.. and as soon as you see a glimpse of it you're able to recite every last thread in the sock.

[@AntiHero1996]

@Blargaha No...that's wrong...Fredrik Thordendal is the blonde one and Marten Hagstrom has dark hair

[@ifluxion]

@Wrathofkala Is technical only about using 1000 different notes? Meshuggah is technical because they use polyrythems

[@gumblebroo]

@Virus940 when i play meshuggah i use 1-2-3-1-2-1-2-1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3-4 etc. ^^

[@cavasnel]

It wasn't improvising. It was a medley from his album "Sol Niger Within" and it easily beats anything Meshuggah has ever done. His name is Fredrik Thordendal, check him out. You can hear the entire album on his myspace.

[@BTMandy1]

i think they said line 6, I think they have that sound because of the 7 and 8 strings, cuz line 6 arent tube amps so guitars the same when u plug them in, im pretty sure about that

[@boxmouth1]

8:04 Gotta love the internal metronome.

[@METALHEAD80s]

dude totally!! These guys should be playing at the end of the fucking world. Sometimes when I listen to the actual song obzen I like the world is going to end when it stops and that crazy heavy riff comes in. SOOOO FUCKING HEAVY

[@CorvetteCoonass]

@PhillipMcKeever I can clearly hear the difference in notes that they are playing, but I'm also a bass player so that pitch range is normal for me.

[@TheDescent]

3.18 to 4.12 it's absolutely brain melting to me.

[@TheChrispablo]

fredriks iceman 8 strink blew everything away...

[@hssn124815030]

look how he moves his fist in the opening riff of bleed THAT'S GREATTTTT !!!!!!1

[@ChainsawVsGod]

Goddamn. They have a fucking VICIOUS! guitar tone.

[@donSparda]

I understand why people dislike Meshuggah, it might be too complex and too different to mostly everything else called metal, i like Meshuggah, not love, i barely heard a few songs, but so far i like them, it can take A LOT of time to get into a metal band, what happens when that band is unique?

[@DrXaOs]

lol fredrik is stoned lol 0:35

[@Si-Al-Ti]

+DrXaOs haha classic!

[@DrXaOs]

kungmat :D

[@AlexDysphoria]

Well, still let's respect Korn fans. There are a lot of people who love their music and are influenced by them. But still Meshuggah's lowness is so fucking sick! *praying to Re-Nothing guitar tone*

[@bradnc1988]

Insanely deep...

[@nagelkyrch]

true legends in action..

[@KillProficiency]

Such fucking groove

[@gearsofcha]

if somebody know what instrument did they use u can say me in my mailbox. i love this band but i can't realize this sound !!!!!! thanks a lot

[@supah1337B]

what normmaly suprises me, with theres songs, mainly bleed obzen rational gaze esc they have repeating riffs yet still keep it non repetitive

[@MetalAriel]

now that I think about it I must admit you're right

[@1x9x8x9]

Great vids bro, cheers!

[@GYXkid]

@darwinism14 not necessarily, just an idea. i was comparing them, the vocal track on this is sort of like a complicated rap with interesting lyrics instead of a rhyme scheme.