PERIPHERY - Ragnarok

This is the second part of the Trilogy, and is therefore placed around the middle of the album. I was futzing around with a variation on the Totla Mad tuning (BbGDFAD) where you maintain the note relationship on the bottom two strings but on a 7 string, so with our 7s being a half step down, this also brings the low note to F#. The ideas I had for this song didn't require an 8 string, so I figure I would just downtune from our regular tuning and mess around with that. The first riff is that typical Meshuggah style groove, but with a strange motif over the top. That motif comes back at the end of the song as a more grounded version, and at a slower tempo. I wanted this song to have a bit more of an evil vibe but i still wanted it to groove, and I remember attempting to channel a bit of Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain (you know the song, KZbin it) or something dark like that. Eventually the song makes it to a prettier and more epic section which is referencing the first riff in Muramasa in feel, but with a different progression and tempo, and it also gets linked back lyrically. When I originally demoed this song, I wanted a sort of Jekyll/Hyde moment, except in this song it is reversed (Evil to good). Masamune is the other Jekyll/Hyde song but that one is the correct way round. Jake wrote the interlude at the end of the song as a nod to a motif in one of our favorite sections in the last album's epic closer "Racecar". I have seen both Dream Theater and Devin Townsend reference songs/motifs across albums, and Jake and I love that kinda stuff, so we thought it would be a fun little easter egg as well as a cool way to revisit that theme with a twist. - Misha
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[@YFZ52]

This whole song, (but the cleans ending off the song in particular) will forever hold a large spot in my heart no matter what music I'm into...that high note gives me goosebumps every time.

[@Screamo1covers]

Listen to Jake Barnes cover, I prefer his version over..

[@jacoblevy2787]

Vieoh its nice that you have an opinion, but its irrelevant :)

[@jacoblevy2787]

+Jacob Levy what the fuck do you think sweetie can't you read? it was to tell him that his opinion is irrelevant

[@poisenbery]

+Vieoh yeah its crazy how good someone can sound when their voice is overwhelmed with delay and reverb... jezzzzzazzz man learn to spot overly processed vocals. you probably like pop radio with that taste....

[@poisenbery]

Ian Smith lol no i wasn't talking about periphery. spencer is amazing. i was referring to the guy who said "Listen to Jake Barnes cover, I prefer his version over.." jake barnes cover is loaded with delay and reverb. spencer doesn't follow the new trend of overloading the vocal track with effects, which is why i like this band so much.

[@mindyobidniz]

"Boy, i sure do wish these song were shorter." said no one ever.

[@Nysing]

This song is an absolute masterpiece.

[@matthewpreedin7251]

I've started my day with this song for many years now it's so dynamic and brilliant

[@aebious8886]

aren't all periphery songs masterpieces?

[@robdubent]

@@aebious8886 meh

[@aebious8886]

@@robdubent *BLASPHEMY*

[@johnnymartinez733]

@@aebious8886 yes.... Hail periphery #PureRiffery 🔥

[@MishaMansoor]

If you aren't doing both, you are missing out buddy!

[@Tookastudios]

Thought you wrote meth for a sec there

[@jacksincere4002]

Dont know if you guys gives a shit but if you guys are stoned like me atm you can watch pretty much all the latest movies on InstaFlixxer. Have been watching with my girlfriend for the last few days =)

[@victornickolas9036]

@Jack Sincere yup, I've been watching on InstaFlixxer for months myself =)

[@brianfarrington9918]

Lest we forget. 💎🕶

[@evelyneverlasting9038]

Like giving and receiving? Hah chumps missing out

[@ajbones]

I'm so disappointed this wasn't used in thor.

[@lucavitale7469]

someone who understands me. thank you.

[@nocturne.nocturnal]

That movie was pretty meh though, wouldn't live up to the song anyways

[@strider5119]

@@nocturne.nocturnal lol. Tell me how this song is different to thousands of other songs in the same genre, clown.

[@firmans12]

@@strider5119 i think u should work on your brain man. U cant even tell the difference lol.

[@vbgvbg1133]

@@strider5119 you’re the clown

[@keenman0403]

0:30 Get away from the Mexican girl!

[@Jack64mario]

It sounds more like "stay away from the Mexican girl" but same difference.

[@matiskaater]

Trump approved

[@aarongreen493]

lolz thanks for making me laugh at 6am in the morning

[@matiskaater]

+Aaron Green you're welcome, homie

[@nocturne.nocturnal]

KRDrums hahahahahahahha dude

[@Smung]

1:35 that buildup of rythmical chaos dropping into hard ordered chugs at 1:49 is my absolute favorite part of this track

[@armandholloway4742]

Shit is insane

[@sesarise]

4:45 It's like waking up form a long deep sleep. And the dark world as we know has now light shining down upon it. So beautiful.

[@WhirlwindDrums]

One of my favorite Periphery songs. Everything is awesome here, but that outro from 4:45 onward my God. so beautiful

[@Hubbath]

Check out Racecar 12:43

[@Roxas3510]

I love the ending of this song so much

[@tylerread8375]

Best part of the whole song is the "Night will bring the presence of a ravenous demon setting out to terrify" part.

[@fondfarewell2]

Tyler Read literally makes the hair on my arms stand, so heavy, lyrics make it even heavier.

[@armandholloway4742]

That part is extremely tough 🤯🤯🔥

[@assassinscreed00]

Love the switchback to Muramasa about halfway through. Absolutely beautiful, and pumped to the brim with emotion in the way he says it.

[@jnsn94]

I can't say it enough but this part ...goosbumps ,almost in tears Everytime .it get me

[@uabb96]

I get goose bumps every time I jam this song.

[@sacredxgeometry]

Love the allusion to Racecar's riff at the far end of the song. I noticed a lot of repeated phrases that I loved in the first album make resounding statements onto the second. Can't wait for the third LP (Clear EP was great!)

[@rangamsarmah2061]

The song that got me into periphery fuck yes. The moment I got into this, I just got in from some other prog and a LOT OF GOJIRA, and this just made me feel a lot of gojira, which helped me get into it at first, but then by the second half kicks in, I realised, these guys have such a fantastic sound ot their own.

[@davetorres3906]

At the time this band clicked with me i was heavily into Gojira and Meshuggah too (and i still am), jammed those 3 bands nonstop everyday

[@Hyunckel101]

I was gonna say, the dude didn't even mention Meshuggah once when talking about their influences lmao. Anything djent derives from technical death metal, anything deriving from technical death metal takes inspiration from the likes of Meshuggah.

[@Avatar1178]

1:49 brb suing periphery for my whiplash

[@discoveranceband]

3:18 the vocal harmonies my god, such a masterpiece!!

[@Tateisadrummachine]

that final high note gives me goose bumps holy shit

[@TEmory]

This song is manic-from pure brutality to beauty. 1:50 is whiplash-worthy.

[@jimlahey6530]

true statement(s)

[@mysticprophecy5395]

Nice avatar, jim.

[@nickbroomhallmusic]

This is ridiculous.. Some of the notes that Spencer Sotelo can sing in full voice, I can barely sing in falsetto. DEAR LORD.

[@MossmanProductionz]

Scald the inside Fold the endless search within you Scale the insight for a day that lies befoer us Somewhere in time.. I wish I could sit down with Spencer and find out how he finds his inspiration for his lyrics.

[@robdubent]

Beerz

[@jamespaiva8065]

every time i listen to periphery its almost like the first time. i abslutely love this band. so underated. so talented. i imagine movies and scenarios to this music. thank you periphery.

[@a-aron19]

2:20 is absolutely Tool influenced. Love it.

[@amanbabani5489]

3:51 how to hell did he hit that note 😍

[@nocturne.nocturnal]

2:20 to end is best part for me, especially 3:19

[@valentinisenberg7419]

Me to my man

[@valentinisenberg7419]

+shael Isenberg. Nvm the next part man, common!

[@darrenholcombe8439]

Nocturnal Nucleus agreed I honestly can't stand the first part

[@brycedurand6937]

i like the intense parts at the beginning alot but i like how it winds down too.

[@nocturne.nocturnal]

@@darrenholcombe8439 in my case it's not like I can't stand it, I just love how it goes from dark, evil and chaotic - as if we were faced with imminent death and destruction - to a hopeful, almost cheerful atmosphere. For me it feels like when some kind of Deus Ex Machina appears out of nowhere in a show and "saves the day", so to speak. The contrasting atmospheres of both halves of the song are what makes this song for me

[@SKEPSISsean]

1:45 is possibly the heaviest thing I've ever experienced.

[@MattHarnettMusic]

One of the best songs on the album!!

[@Solid_Dude]

Possibly of their whole discog hahaha

[@based_will]

So dope. You guys rocked Skyway last Friday. Holy shit.

[@shork6953]

Truly Majestic!!!

[@cjlc93]

What has been heard, cannot be unheard.

[@jwcorcoran9838]

As if this song wasn't beautiful enough already; I fucking lost my mind at the Racecar reprise from 4:49-6:35

[@blueskythinking4745]

Didn't even realise it was based of racecar till I read the description. That's my favourite electronic interlude that jakes ever written

[@MTWD27]

I've listened to this album a billion times. I can't believe I've never picked up on that.

[@shreyaspai3791]

What a sudden transition at 02:21..I fucking get goosebumps all the time when I listen to the part from 02:21 to 04:25.... LOVE THIS!!!!!!

[@audreypatterson3702]

Shreyas Pai I skip to 2:20 every time lol

[@shreyaspai3791]

Audrey Patterson Haha..YES! I do the same! xD

[@bartech101]

Shreyas Pai this part right at 2:21 is very inspired by tool schism ATsrCNJhic4?t=4m42s

[@jwcorcoran9838]

I feel like I can take on the world when I listen to this song, fucking awesome

[@jimlahey6530]

Best modern metal band in the world...

[@michaelfjmusic]

Periphery is to music as quantum particle physics is to science.

[@aaronnichols2442]

Michael Judd yes

[@anthonymcbride855]

Agreed SIR

[@sanderscast]

1:49 BRUTAL

[@jnsn94]

Don't mind . I'm just here to listen to a masterpiece

[@athorn923]

Ragnarok live hits different. When I saw them live last year they Started with this song and it was absolutely insane. Misha looked so angry and badass the whole time lol.

[@Yojimbo711]

The rythmical approach on this track is awesome, also the outro is hypnotically melodic. Definately my favourite track on this album.

[@syzlogy48]

04:09 HOLY SHIT I LOVE THAT RIFF

[@iris_the_cat]

is that riff a callback?

[@Szili0]

"MANSOOR: It’s a little dorky, but the three songs-“Muramasa,” “Ragnarok” and “Masamune”-refer to three swords from a Final Fantasy video game. Muramasa and Masamune were Japanese legendary sword makers, and Ragnarok is a Scandinavian reference to the end of the world-Viking stuff. That’s the cool explanation…but really we just ripped off Final Fantasy!"

[@illectrikjm]

40 days and night, i spent alone... this song's intro riff, mixed with these lyrics grabbed my attention immediately. to me it sets the whole song up for that trashy neck breaking rhythm... theirs nothing left but the darkness to guide the way... Spencer, you've really stepped it up on this album. your an amazing story teller...

[@FuCkInGWhItEcHaPeL]

Bro, the positive aura and politeness that you find here is just a part of what comes with the Periphery listening experience here on KZbin. There is so much positivity that flows from this band, I truly see it bringing people together more than I see it pushing people away from each other on these videos, and I never even thought about what this lekiweh said because I hadn't read it (until I read your comment) and all I can say is that that is exactly what happened to me with... *(continued)*

[@nicolasgarzon7408]

Ese final es como un ASMR para mis oídos...

[@blueskythinking4745]

3:03 kinda sounds like the bridge section in tools schism.

[@KDollism]

I got that also and I think its one of the reason I love this song.

[@richardreney2846]

But in the distance we can see shining clear our demise to be, were not listening TOO OURSELVESSSSS~~~~

[@Shostakovich88]

Great God, this song is so epic, especially second part, reminds me on Mass Effect!

[@drewrosson8908]

3:48 Omfffg. That high note.

[@asenseofclarity9582]

I listen to this and Tesseract's "Nocturne" to get pumped for track meets haha

[@johnnymartinez733]

Probably there best song ever tho..... Frfr 🔥🔥🔥💘💞💞👌👌👍👍 truly beautiful

[@brandonthorn]

Such a talented group of dudes. The vocals on this crush the first album and there is finally a true mix of excellence from all of the members. Love this song.

[@jaythedjentleman2571]

I have a theory on this song. Ragnarok (or Ragnarök) is the Norse mythology for the end of times in which some of the major gods will die in a war of the world. The war represented through this song is shown in the beginning and middle of this song, when the metal evil sound of the song is played, but that end bit, where the music becomes peaceful and ambient is when the fallen gods reach Valhalla, which is the Norse version of heaven. (Disclaimer: I don't believe any of this in real life, I'm a Christian lol)

[@nmularoni1]

Jay Petrini that's a very interesting theory in a good way

[@kenshin4113]

I think you're very close to what does happen in Raganrok, though you're not quite there. I most certainly see parallels in the song intro and the description of "an Axe age, a Sword Age, A wind age, a wolf age" in reference to the proceeding terrors to the main battle of Ragnarok. As the song progresses it violently represents the rising of the jotunn, Jormungandr, and Fenris towards Asgard. During the songs climax we can feel the death of Oðinn and the choice the Aesir and Vanir make to die an honourable death followed by the world being submerged in water, then silence representing darkness. The silence is then broken by a serenading and clean movement of clean guitars, a drum machine representing the break of light and the rebirth of the world, with the surviving Aesir (including Viðarr, Váli, Moði, Magni, and Baldr who ascends from Hel) and two surviving humans Líf and Lífþraser. One thing you get wrong about Norse myth is that the Gods do not ascend into Valhalla, rather they actually die (kinda the point of Ragnarök

[@sencrew5293]

I always thought the peaceful ending of the song was the universal reset after the war.

[@vupreti58]

the octive riff at the end is honestly their sickest riff dispite it not being as complex as the rest of the song.

[@Djuggernaut117]

That's a common line that's in all three parts of the trilogy, "Muramasa", "Ragnarok", and "Masamune". They share commonalities, and that verse "Somewhere in time, we welcomed in the fall, but in the distance we can see shining clear our demise to be, we're not listening to ourselves" is the theme that all three songs follow. Hope this helped.

[@Mattchudon]

3:52 DAAAAAAAYYUUUUUUUUMMMMM!!!! Sponce has some serious pipes! Way to hit that high F#

[@aidenpro3641]

but they are still epic, i saw them live when they came to virginia beach and i damn near snapped my neck in half from headbanging ! spencer nailed that note at the end too.

[@deathbykitties]

That part like 1:03 - 1:34 sounds pretty edgy as flock. I like

[@xmeninthehood]

this song is awesome, so is this whole album. great band, they always seem to have the perfect blend of clean and hard vocals in their songs, and the guitar and electronic stuff is just unbeatable. one of my favorite bands for awhile now

[@maxroxdrums]

Luke, your drum cover brought me to this kick ass band, Of Mice & Men, Woe, Is Me. And also my favorite band, The Word Alive! Congratulations Luke you deserve it! Your drum covers are amazing and your live performances with The Word Alive are purely INSANE!

[@garrettwarman7201]

2:19 YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@slavicharrystyles6914]

1:49 Holy shit

[@Vallnerik]

+Matt Rose Night will bring the presence of a ravenous demon setting to out to terrify. Jesus...that's scary.

[@Darkwolf1923]

Spencers singing gives me shivers at that part

[@TsarDragon]

The end makes me wanna cry. So beautiful. Makes me want to listen to Racecar which was my fav song off their debut. This album is the greatest I've ever listened to. I've never listened to any type of music for vocals before but Spencer just does it for me. I listen to a song and I find it hard to focus my listening to 1 sound because everything sounds so fucking boss.

[@danielbeanmash639]

I like the part where he yells "death" lmao

[@calebbliss8626]

Spencer did some awesome low screems to this last night when i saw em. Tbh periphery is heavier live

[@moosoo19]

Go listen to fucking fuck by periphery. It's complete nonsense, but you can see what Spencer can do with it voice.

[@kitpalmer1583]

+Jamie Palmer by Girlfight actually :)

[@onewaytickettotheastraplan2232]

You guys are listening to periphery for the vocals? Hahahaha oh shit. That djent though.. Drums are fucking sick too.

[@datNERO17]

@@onewaytickettotheastraplan2232 Thats how they got so popular?

[@syz7525]

the most beautiful outro i've ever heard

[@arnoldrunscali]

That's Rock and roll in general even the fathers of rock and roll have taken something and made it their own and it's still done 70 years later

[@MrCameratape]

I wonder if people are coming back to see this after the new Thor: Ragnarok trailer

[@rhcp357]

one does not simply dislike periphery

[@ChaChaRealSm00th]

1:18 - 1:35 this is to the day one of the tasties grooves ive ever heard. The whole band is on 🔥

[@NickMcMillen16]

Glad to see that you are open-minded enough to come in here though and listen without bitching about how bad "screamo" is. Thanks man, means a lot :)

[@SoDerpy]

1:49 - 2:05. oh. my. god

[@joshuawagner8154]

3:34

[@aznlimecoco]

seriously fuck everyone who said he can't sing.

[@tl_nik0n353]

89ji I don't think a lot of people realize that Spencer had to re-record their first album because they had a different vocalist. It's pretty hard to try and go over someone elses work.

[@benmoores5822]

This sent a shiver down my spine... too good.

[@narunovi]

The song that made me fell in love with the band! (first song i heard of them)

[@crazyfaceperson]

00:49 whoa, this is getting good. 01:03 do I want to know what this is building up to? 01:18 I don't think I do 01:34 Ah that isn't so bad! 01:49 Oh fuck, nvm. My head just exploded 2:06 So how am I banging it so hard? 2:20 Oh this is nice 2:45 Very nice 03:19 Oh wow 03:44 Oh wow! 03:52 And my brain exploded again This song is perfection.

[@nicolasfrossard4315]

I just realized the outro is the same guitar riff as the last one in racecar before the fade away!

[@salvomessina2158]

This is one of the most beautiful things of this song

[@EditorJoe]

I like seeing you reply to people in my news feed, usually makes me chuckle

[@benl5251]

Nothing beats that high note.

[@IbanezPlayer124]

I just spat Sprite everywhere.

[@brendaseisojos2653]

brutal

[@TheMrmattnorris]

There is really only one word that can describe this song. Perfection.

[@FuCkInGWhItEcHaPeL]

** ...are truly amazing and deserve every last ounce of recognition (which isn't NEARLY enough) that they can gather. This website needs more clean and healthy debates like the ones I see here on Periphery videos. I can say with the utmost confidence that I agree with the last sentence of your comment in its entirety 100%. Let's keep the good vibes flowing, here.

[@jasonmeyer3060]

Heard these guys when they were called "Protest the Hero".

[@brokensteel8516]

That's when Phillip H. Anselmo was lead vocals for them?

[@MasterVsApprentice]

Isn't that another band?

[@TheHellishRobin]

jason meyer As for I know, Protest the Hero is another band. Another great band, but a completely different one...

[@brianashe4302]

Protest The Hero is a different band. Periphery toured the US with Protest The Hero in 2012.

[@ChristopherMundahl]

lol

[@RabidScotsman]

OMG! That scream at 3:52! It made my balls jump back into my body! Masterful control, sir!

[@Sh1bble]

That sounds really fulfilling to play..

[@koit222]

Oh, no problem ;) The pleasure is all mine, dear sir!

[@Hellion6325]

does he actually say "ninja turtley?" .__.

[@Hellion6325]

ok it says "It clings to the palm of my hand eternally." derp

[@dylanwilliams4493]

Does everyone else change video at 5:00 too, or am i the only douche ?

[@uc1hamadara13]

Yeah I don't listen to those parts either, not because they're bad it just kills the mood. I have separate time to listen to that stuff.

[@blueskythinking4745]

It's my favourite interlude on the whole album, it doesn't really flow with this song though, they should have made it it's own track/interlude

[@bork750]

definitely my favorite on the album. love the idea of a "trilogy", creates a great and interesting relationship between the songs.

[@GeauxSaints53]

Every time I play Halo 4 I hear that sick beginning drum fill then the three mystical chords.

[@Phant0mGetsuga993]

Fuck this skrillex-core nonsense. METALLICA S&M FOR LIFE

[@Maczuga_Herkulesa]

Naruto5tails hahaha metallica sucks ^_^

[@cowsarecanadian6405]

Old Metallica > Periphery Periphery >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New Metallica

[@cowsarecanadian6405]

havoren Agreed, Periphery is fucking great. I'm glad Spencer joined From First to Last, or I never would've found them.

[@doofy3111]

Naruto5tails HxH >>> naruto

[@blitzn00dle50]

I cannot wrap my head around what makes this remotely similar to skrillex. that's about as absurd as if I called metallica "yonkagur-core"

[@magiaburst]

Favorite of the trilogy. No doubt.

[@danieltrott3706]

that voice sends shivers down my spine, frekin amazing

[@Rahrhino]

I seem to remember Thor slaying the world serpent but as it crashed down to die it breathed it's poison breath on Thor, taking his life with him. Yep, it's based on Sturlosson's compilations like Codex Regius and prose eddict. The main force in the destruction of the world was at the hand of a giant (I think his name's Sayr) with a giant fiery sword ^^ Only 2 humans escaped in Midgard, the realm of humans (our ancestors I guess). I wrote a 3000 word paper on it a few years back... loved it!

[@abalavam]

The ending is just like that awesome transition from the song called Racecar.

[@nekezajebancije]

Damn, that was one of the first times I haven't read the description. It was the wrong time to not read it. :D Thanks, man!

[@punchyouindaface1]

I would like to congratulate you guys for keeping this discussion so clean and polite, I believe this is the first time I have ever seen a healthy debate like this over KZbin Bravo!! Also, just to add input, I also thought his vocals were kind of odd in the beginning, but like lekiweh said, if you keep listening and keep an open mind, he will grow on you, trust me, I thought that wouldn't happen but I learned to appreciate and now I really enjoy it :)

[@WestinBDrums]

wow awesome dynamics. Enjoyed this a lot, keep up the good work guys!