Musical Analysis/Reaction of Unleash The Archers - Awakening (Playthrough)

#unleashthearchers #jwsoundworks #awakening #analysis #reaction
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[@JWSoundworks2]

🎵🎸Moody, atmospheric, instrumental, one-man-band prog? Right this way 👇 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5-6lmadlJyjp6M

[@majbrat]

Brittney calls her layered voice tracks the Brittney Choir ;)

[@senshimak]

This is one of those bands where everyone seems super talented, yet the songs have a lot of emotion and it isn't just a long and mindless show off of skills.

[@Kilian600]

Best SHIRT ever !!! next reaction/breakdown should be Wintersun 'Son of Winter and Stars', insane musicianship !!!

[@himpibi]

Wintersuuuun! 🤩🤩🤩👌

[@chilly2go]

As they are one of my favorite bands I've discovered in the past several years, I've listened to a lot of reactions of this song and once again you pointed out quite a few things I never heard. Thank you! If you want to continue with UtA most may suggest Tonight We Ride next which is really really good but the band is really proud of "The Wind That Shapes The Land" off their latest album. It has quickly grown to be my personal favorite and it's just a flat out banger, imho. I would love to hear you break that song down sometime. Either way, your intro music has its hooks in my brain so I'm gonna see what else you have created so thanks for the link.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Cheers, Will! Appreciate the kind words, mate.

[@primeribviking3688]

@@JWSoundworks2 please God listen to the wind that shapes the land. No one reacts to it and its awesome

[@barryvanbeek8868]

@@primeribviking3688 - Yeah! What he said. 🤘

[@elliottbishop5303]

That blue Ibanez you are playing in the beginning is a beautiful instrument.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Had to sell it, unfortunately. There was something off with the string alignment on it. It meant that the thin E string was positioned too close to the edge of the fretboard (and it became increasingly frustrating when playing solos). But everything else about the guitar was perfect. Think I had a dud. Hopefully get another one in the future!

[@NativeNewMexican]

I get an Iron Maiden feel from Unleash the Archers, specifically Run to the Hills. Got tickets to see them too! Woot!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Good call, the chord sequence/riffing during the verses is pure Iron Maiden.

[@NativeNewMexican]

@@JWSoundworks2 I loved your call out for John Carpenter, it was on point.

[@NapolianSolo]

Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit here I come!!

[@ElderRaceofMan]

The galloping is what does it for me. Hard not to love it.

[@rspeck]

Heel toe technique on the bass drums. The bass player is a cellist.

[@jaysmith5035]

Thanks for reacting to this, loved your breakdown of the song. This is the tune most folks listen to first, and it's awesome, yet it has quite a bit of old school metal vibes. If you get a chance, check out their new album, Abyss, (it just won a Juno) they added some synth and updated their style a bit to fit the sci-fi concept for the album. Great song/vid off this new album is Soulbound, or for likely their best composition from Abyss, go with The Wind That Shapes the Land (no vid.) Have a great Friday!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Cheers dude and thanks for the recommendation! 🤘

[@cmaxxen]

This. So much this.

[@dmann05]

Very much 2nd the suggestion for "The Wind That Shapes The Land" what an incredible song!!

[@howardgaskin6117]

Well, thank for your reference to COB, not listened to them before and just done 58 minutes straight, excellent, loved every minute.

[@milton1448]

Any guitarist can appreciate these two.

[@DaroffApFire]

I'm so glad you picked up on the heel-to-toe technique for his bass pedal on the drums. It's indeed a rare technique, but once you master it you can freakin' RIP on the double pedals with extremely low fatigue.

[@Brendo2386]

That must be a very very hard technique to master! In my very VERY sub par and very minimal drum skills, I couldn't imagine doing anything but the 1 and 1 technique

[@DaroffApFire]

@@Brendo2386 It's very very hard to master! But worth the time invested IMO

[@AndrewKendall71]

She's so definitively a vocal athlete

[@DanBennettUltra]

I never get tired of finding more reactions to Unleash The Archers tracks, especially when such obviously knowledgeable and talented musicians tear the track apart and point out all the awesome stuff us mere mortals could never hope to pick up on. I'd love to see you explore their work more from older tracks like General of The Dark Army, The Outlander, and Upon Ashen Wings to newer stuff like Time Stands Still, Legacy, and my personal favourite track at the moment: The Wind That Shapes The Land. Basically every track they put out is a masterpiece and deserves your attention for personal enjoyment even if not for your YT channel.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thanks very much for the info and kind comments! 🤘

[@tammymoyer7518]

Okay, any other prog metal fans hearing the opening riff on the guitar here matching almost identically with the riff of Symphony X's "Sea of Lies?" It's a great riff, and any guitarist who keeps up with a Michael Romeo part gets props, I just can't hear it without hearing the similarities.

[@metalmark1214]

I like your musical break down of the song. Stellar! You have a great CD collection behind you.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Cheers, Mark!

[@isaiahwelch8066]

Hey JW. Yes, you are correct: Grant Truesdell is an exclusive Ibanez artist. Not sure what guitar or gear he's using now, but he has gone to a different guitar for the Abyss album, which is an Ibanez 7-string. If you want, join Grant's Twitch stream, as well as the Unleash the Archers Discord! It's a hell of a good time! 🤘🤘

[@foxtanker4055]

You are being bombarded with Unleash the Archers. Like all the rest they have influences but this is like you said... fresh.

[@calumteine2008]

I think I heard the bassist's technique called "claw and hammer" at some point. Thumb, ring, middle, thumb ring, middle, etc... Supposed to accentuate the galloping cadence.

[@godimlarge]

The bass player uses what’s called a claw hammer technique. It’s seen mostly in banjo playing. Not sure where he picked it up but it sure seems to work for him

[@sk8mysterion]

Nice one, thx for the analysis ✌️

[@williammccullough2466]

Unleash the Archers put out two of my favorite albums recently in Apex and Abyss...I'm not usually into concept albums, but they're phenomenal. One of my favorite songs is a track called Legacy off of Abyss; it's an absolute banger.

[@slash-1971]

Love this band and Brittney is an amazing singer, a bit like a female Dio. Their album Apex is my favourite, every song is absolute quality. Not really got into their latest album Abyss yet though 🤘

[@antoniomaraspin]

There’s already a female Dio, she’s Doro Pesch

[@sirjohnny1974]

Or a female Bruce Dickinson

[@luisnunes2010]

Album of the year, 2020! Abyss.

[@UnhingedBecauseLucid]

the dissonant finger tapping part just before the Children of Bodom'esque part was actually just pure Michael Romeo (Symphony X)

[@jen.g.]

I saw this in my feed but was busy when you posted it. Finally getting around to watching it (after your latest Jinjer reaction because I always watch Jinjer first). I’ve never liked anything even close to power metal until UtA. Out of curiosity, have you ever listened to Ne Obliviscaris? They’re an Australian progressive metal band, and their song “And Plague Flowers the Kaleidoscope” is part of the curriculum at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. I’d love to see you break that song down.

[@TheIpadfanatic]

Great job John! This is the gateway song for Unleash the Archers for most reactions. Please Unleash fans correct me if I am wrong, but Brittany does a lot of vocal dubbing for her studio recordings. I am not a thrash metal fan and the almost constant double bass kicks can get fatiguing for long listening sessions. I enjoy them so much more when they mix it up.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thank you, man. Insanely talented players. Looking forward to seeing what else they have to offer, for sure! 😊

[@williammccullough2466]

In an interview I recently saw with Brittany Slayes, she took a little inspiration from Devin Townsend when it came to the vocal layering...and it works phenomenally. I had heard Tonight We Ride several years ago and was blown away by her vocals, but Awakening really sold me on the band as a whole...look forward to hearing more from them!

[@klausgrnbk6862]

Really like your reactions, anyone can do "I like that", but your classical training shines through, when you use phrases like 'counter motion'. Probably my favorite reaction channel. Go Clown Core!

[@DrSkeff]

Great reaction as ever John and I especially love your references. The Ozzy riff, Testament vibe, CoB, John Carpenter ambience all spot on.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thanks dude! 😎🤘

[@onslaughtx8309]

Another cool analysis and reaction. UTA tends to be heavier on the guitar harmonics, and sometimes gives me Helloween or Maiden vibes post Brave new world. Just checking out Diamir, and it took me a while to confirm who you were in Behind The Facade, even though I checked your shorter haired look in Rupal Face video. lol. The end reminded me of the keyboard playing by Joost Van Den Broek in some of the Ayreon live stuff. Well done!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Haha cheers man, yeah I'm the guitarist in the band (but also play the organ solo at the end and record keys on my own songs). I normally have very short hair but lockdown as brought out the Charles Manson look in me. Think I'll keep it for a while lol. Glad to hear you're checking the band out, thanks!

[@onslaughtx8309]

@@JWSoundworks2 Hah! Rupal Face keeps popping up in my playlist, but I tend to listen to it in the background. You look so much like an Italian friend of mine with the long hair, the short hair just confused me for over a minute! Looking forward to your band's release. I admit that your solo work is a lot more down my alley.

[@jdflyers33]

Your reaction are so good. I love all the music knowledge because I am not a musical person myself

[@Pappakropp]

Yes!! The Alexi vibe is my thoughts to! Love this deep reaction. Love power Metal!!

[@jonnyberggren4598]

Thanks for a great reaction... This band and her singin is just awsome...Sometimes let me think of Iron Maiden.. Sometimes of Judas Priest vibes...You will see in other songs... And omg her voice....Just love this...

[@jen_jen8595]

This band is cool because they have a theme to each album and tell a story throughout all the songs.

[@tylerdimodica1264]

Thats a sick guitar and man you shread

[@sleepydragonzarinthal3533]

I love their drummer so much hahah but the whole band is amazing!

[@sylbaryn]

Mate. Fantastic breakdown as always. Absolutely loving the insights and knowledge you bring. Never noticed the dampner on the guitar before and I must have watched this video 106 times. There's a mobile phone video of Britney singing a Queensryche song in an Edinburgh (my town) karaoke bar. It's just after they played a very small gig that I wished I'd been at. It's a pleasure to see how much she enjoys her craft. And the rest of the guys are so brilliant as well. More please.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Cheers Tom! That's cool. I remember my bro saying after he saw Anathema in Paris they went to a wee bar afterward and the whole band was there. Said he ended up chatting away to Danny for about half an hour.

[@rodneyhearne3405]

Great breakdown and reaction to one of today's most interesting groups. You're always informative and interesting it simply reminds me that I need to drop by more often. Yes, I am hitting the notification bell.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Cheers Rodney! 👍

[@gwaptiva]

Love my RG550 (think mine's an 1988 one -- bought new in 1989 though)

[@guitar_noodle]

I love your analysis of songs. Your references are on point. All the bands and movie references I know and understand your perspectives. Try tonight we ride or general o f the dark army next.

[@GG-iu6xd]

SOULBOUND

[@dmacpher]

Believe bassist is doing 1 and 3 claw hammer like a banjo player.

[@suzannemartin776]

Nice to get your breakdown on this one. The part with the 2 guitars playing in harmony just after the solo reminds me of some of Trivium's stuff as well. I would love if you could do a reaction sometime to an Aussie band called Butterfly Effect, their song World's on Fire. Also good to hear you sounding a bit better :)

[@JWSoundworks2]

Good call on Trivium. And thank you Suzanne. Hope you're keeping well.

[@vigridr7614]

I've always thought to myself that Britney could replace Bruce at a Maiden gig or two and no one would complain. Might just be me. Your analysis is very enjoyable always, keep it up.

[@highjynxx]

That was a very interesting reaction and I have watched a lot for this song. UtA are the absolute best. You should try some more to see how diverse they are. The Wind That Shapes The Land is musical storytelling at it's absolute peak. Or check out Legacy to see a whole new set of influences. These guys are serious metal nerds.

[@gastonvolpe4811]

Dude you have an amazing talent!!!!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thanks very much dude, appreciate the kind words!

[@svolos1971]

Great reaction. Next stop: Tonight We Ride. Vocal level 1000 from Brittney in this one! Thrust me!

[@mikestoner4090]

The section where you heard Children of Bodom, I hear Helloween

[@muaddib4329]

at 11:04 the technique you're talking about is referred to as "Heel Toe" and was how I originally learned to do faster rolls but a lotta guys also do "swivel". I personally found the motion of Heel Toe easier to figure out especially with longer boards on the pedals. Essentially its a rocking motion with the foot where you push the pedal down like normal with the toes (which raises your heel slightly) then as you remove your toes and the board comes back up from the spring tension you drive your heel down (which brings your toes all the way up) and then repeat. Once you get it down its a fluid wave motion and relies of efficiency of movement. It's economy picking for your feet =)

[@JWSoundworks2]

Yeah, my bro is a drummer (and I also play a bit myself). Superb technique. Never noticed anyone doing double kick rolls in doubles like that before!

[@danielspangler6679]

May sound crazy but getting a big Grim Reaper vibe through the verses and Michael Kiske era Helloween.

[@kenbean75]

Great analysis.Your channel is one of the best on youtube.Most reactors are garbage without any music knowledge and overly focusing on singers.Which is comical when its metal band cos singing in metal is least important part.Metal is always about music first.Always been and always will be.So keep up good work and stay away from "muh floor qwinn of metal" cringe.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Thank you, Ken!

[@luisnunes2010]

Quite a few channels that could have been good were ruined by the Nightwish, more Nightwish and even more Nightwish garbage. If nothing else, how many interesting vids can you do about one band?

[@hippywill]

@@luisnunes2010 ya nightwish is great and changed a lot over the years but there is only so much u can do of them before it gets repetitive

[@chris-fc9im]

This band is amazing, this is not one of their best songs and they love to do entertaining fever dream type videos (lost art) This drummer is amazing and their latest album "Abyss" is an all time favorite, right up there with NW oceanborn, sabotage and powerslave.

[@powbobs]

Power Metal.

[@stevendorsey4554]

Check out "Brittney Slayes Sings Opera", with a opera metal cover of "Brindisi".....So much Fun!!!!! And Amazing!!!!

[@andrewhussey4538]

They opened not too long before the pandemic for dragonforce so you can get an idea on the audience that's kind of picking up on them. I honestly prefer these guys, I was quite into dragonforce in their valley of the damned, inhuman rampage days, they're still obviously phenomenal musicians but some of their more recent stuff has a much more...almost major key, happy vibe to it that I'm not as fond of...these guys have the chops but feel a little thrashier, just stumbled across them thanks to the algorithm a few years back lol

[@jsamuelsen]

I've watched this video at least 20 times. I never heard Alexi until now. Yes. Maybe it was the "genre" I think this is.

[@almuramoo5554]

IMMORTAL IS MORE THAN A NAME! AWAKENING To look up into the night's sky, to see the stars they are changed To know a thousand years or more have passed, and I am the same This mountain hollow that keeps me in a suffocating embrace A prison and a safe haven, it's always been this way Lo, a new master calls me to awakening, I know this one brings the end Far out beyond the darkness I've been living in it's true, a whole new world awaits Stellar constellations rise, lighting my way in the night Once again revitalized, to roam; to never die My path begins with the new dawn; a voice is calling my name It always starts as whispering then manifests to a scream I'm drawn to the creature that wakes me, bound to them by the curse My soul exists only to serve, a covenant of birth Fear not the task ahead there's no escaping it, there's no good nor evil here Stellar constellations rise, lighting my way in the night Once again revitalized, to roam; to never die Come to me, awakening Follow my voice, come to me Fear not the task ahead there's no escaping it, there's no good nor evil here Stellar constellations rise, lighting my way in the night Once again revitalized, to roam; to never Lighting my way in the night To roam; to never die

[@trkll666]

Unleash the archers started out as a kinda melodic death band. Listen to the behold the devastation album...

[@PK--ITA]

Nice band (Too many doubled vocals...), discovered a few years ago. Some Helloween vibes too :) but they can do that, they are young .... try some SymphonyX song :) Greetings.

[@JWSoundworks2]

If you're enjoying the content, folks, please consider... 🅿Supporting me on Patreon 👉www.patreon.com/JWSoundworks 🎸Buying my original music 👉🎹therupalface.bandcamp.com/ ☕Supporting me @BuyMeACoffee 👉www.buymeacoffee.com/JWsoundw... Thanks!🤘 JW

[@The_Tribal_Beef]

I'm hearing maiden and DragonForce vibes , never heard of this band before but again I'm certainly going too hear them now

[@jen_jen8595]

I would love to see you react to Angel Vivaldi, specifically Mercurain Summer but any would be great.

[@Mu77ley]

I believe the bass player plays a lot of upright bass, which could be why he has that slightly odd (for an electric bass) right-hand technique.

[@luisnunes2010]

Their main influences are Iron Maiden, Queensrÿche, Angra and Rhapsody of Fire. If you let the power metal shred giants of the 90's pass you by, here's Carry On kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqGpqmOdo5uMZqc and Dawn of Victory. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qInPi419p8d4fbc Both perfect options for reactions. The double bass goes all the way back to Helloween.

[@VelcroSnake93]

Yeah, definitely not a live performance, some giveaways are having the guitarists sit in the same spot at times to film them, and it sounds like the same exact recording as is on the album, and I'm guessing they wouldn't use a live recording for the album unless it was marketed as a live album. That said, their live performances are also excellent. The KZbin channel "Dr. Light Productions" has some high quality live videos of UtA.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Yeah, that occurred to me when I was editing the video (couldn't believe I missed it at the time lol).

[@devinmorse3607]

Legend has it that Bruce Dickinson and Ronnie James Dio conjured a daughter of Metal. They bestowed upon her the name of Brittney Slayes, and that is what she does.

[@devinmorse3607]

You are one of the few people to realize she is harmonizing with herself. Most assume it is autotuned.

[@pikachusama]

A melodia que você toca e produziu me lembra a banda de progressive Amasefer. Deveria ouvir. É incrível. Album "Slave of Life de 2008" Parabens pelo canal, eu curto muito tua opinião e forma como toca. Abraços do Brasil!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Muito obrigado pelas suas amáveis ​​palavras, meu amigo! Eu não ouvi falar dessa banda. Vou dar uma olhada neles! :) Saudações ao Brasil!

[@pikachusama]

@@JWSoundworks2 Writing in Brazilian Portuguese is not easy, so congratulations!! Let more videos and reactions come!

[@JWSoundworks2]

@@pikachusama I must admit - Google translate did the heavy lifting on that one 😀

[@M3RSpaceScopeCm1y0]

Pls. try check The HU band and some song of Ez Mil

[@conchosewing]

dude that intro of yours is sick! can i get the link for it?

[@JWSoundworks2]

Cheers dude! jwsoundworks.bandcamp.com/

[@Sumaleth]

I don't know this band too well. Interesting reading the comments to see who others think they sound like and none mentioned the band that immediately came to mind for me: Megadeth (musically if not vocally). This might be an interesting one to check out (not necessarily as a reaction, even just for personal curiosity): kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH7CmGeebsSap5o It's Septicflesh playing ANUBIS live with a huge orchestra and a packed audience. If you haven't heard them before they're worth at least one listen. I won't say any more :)

[@roy19491]

Brittney is 25% Ronnie James Dio, 25% Bruce Dickenson, 25% Ian Gillian, And 25% Geoff Tate......

[@crabuki1273]

The song is so much more interesting when the drummer stops double kicking constantly. I enjoy the song, I enjoy double kick, but it gets annoying when it's overused.

[@Jakob-tf6kj]

Since when is "the Dude" a skilled bassist?

[@crabuki1273]

After a few White Russians you start hearing his genius.

[@HistoryBuff]

Hearing a Scotsman saying, "never a pict around when you need one" classic. If you're not scottish...then I apologize and need to get my ears checked

[@JWSoundworks2]

Haha! I'm actually not Scottish. But that's the most common misconception with my accent. I've had many people think the same. I'm actually from Northern Ireland! 😁🤘🎸

[@HistoryBuff]

@@JWSoundworks2 ahhhhh awesome! I literally just dropped a video from "miracle of sound" about Cu Chulainn. It was all about Ulster. Super cool!

[@HistoryBuff]

@@JWSoundworks2 anyways, super interesting breakdown! I just stumbled on your page and noticed you've done some of the Nightwish staples. I always do my best to invite other youtubers who've covered NW to the Nightdreamer's reacticide discord server. It's pretty huge and its a great place for reactors to chat and share some great resources. Let me know if you're interested.

[@JWSoundworks2]

I must check this out!

[@JWSoundworks2]

Discord is something I haven't looked into yet but have had a few subscribers saying I should look into it sometime soon! Appreciate that man. Must research it (never used it before!).

[@Warchild0311]

F

[@arminhess1512]

Cool song, great performance, but for a prog guy like me the album is almost boring. They are great but the music doesn't give me the kick I wanted to.

[@cat-o-matic]

Does a comment equal a like? I ask because the computer machine gets my liked videos confused with my liked music from my music service.

[@JWSoundworks2]

Hey Edward, a comment on a youtube video equal a like for that video? Nope!

[@bobespirit2112]

I guess today’s metal isn’t for me; 20 seconds in and I’m so bored I want to go to sleep 🤷🏻‍♂️. It’s fast but it’s dull to me. The solo section is better. I’m sure most on her will enjoy but just too similar to every metal song of the last 30 years. Can’t any of these bands come up with something completely original and moving the way Zeppelin, Rush and Sabbath did?

[@hippywill]

they broadly fit in to the power metal progressive metal vibes i would say