Polyphia - Ego Death (featuring Steve Vai) (Metalheads React)

[@chaosNG1965]

I've watched almost every Polyphia reaction and this is the first mention of Prince, which is a vibe I've been thinking they have.

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Just heard a quote from Prince that said, “Every element in a mix should be strong enough to be the loudest part (focus)” I think this applies to this song, aside from the sax at the end. 😉

[@pitpride1220]

Tim Henson loves Prince and Hendrix. He's always very humbled when compared to them. They are his heroes.

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

@@pitpride1220 makes total sense!

[@jamesbell8861]

@@MetalheadsReactToHipHop BTW ... I love the trumpet at the end (just sayin') ... but ... I thijnk it has less to do with this song per-sey, and more to do with 'BRASS TRAX' (the player) closing out the last song on the album (Ego Death). Being he is also the first player on the Album in the song 'Genesis'. We also hear splashes of 'BRASS TRAX' throughout the album. This is all just conjecture, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it !!! LOL 🤣🤣🤣

[@ankurd2889]

This song is such an earworm for me right now..and I'm jumping reaction to reaction to relisten.. Bringing Vai for a feature was such a heart-warming thing polyphia could have done...

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Yeah the melody is really super catchy!!

[@terrafirma1849]

they are all endorsed by Ibanez, Scott's pointy guitar is a Xyphos. Tim and Scott are playing 7 strings tuned a whole step down, since the song is in Dm. 7 string guitars don't commonly have two truss rods, that's usually reserved for 8 or 9 string guitars, but the 5 piece neck is definitely more common with all extended range guitars for stability. the semi-acoustic guitars in the beginning are actually nylon-string, there's an interesting story about how Tim basically revived that Ibanez model, it launched in the 90's and failed due to lack of interest. also your observations about the chord progression are spot on, Polyphia is known for bringing technical playing and progressive-metal styles to very common and catchy chord progressions, mixing with pop and trap music for broad appeal. it's definitely thinning the boundaries between genres and showing alot of people music they'd not have given a chance otherwise. good reaction, love your observations.

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Thanks so much! Yeah it’s a pretty genius formula, shredding over catchy chord progressions and hooks! Weird no one really thought about this loophole before! Haha

[@JuicyBeeGaming]

The trumpet is part of the theme of the album. Take a listen.

[@EnkiSvohden]

Yup. The brass runs throughout the entire album.

[@vhaarr]

Also there's trumpet in the whole part after Vais introduction. They're just difficult to hear in the mix.

[@artsyjoe94]

Ego Death is the last track on the album, the first track featured Brasstracks (the trumpet player) so they put him at the end of the last song to wrap up the album in a way I think

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

We’ll have to give the entire album a listen!

[@Beaufortlawrence]

Technically proficient is an understatement 😂 but yea. The boys thump like tosin, hybrid pick and traditional pick, sometimes mixing all styles in one song. Give their catalogue a shot, these guys are extraordinary.

[@Rutaguer]

I agree that this Polyphia song made me think that their music is the culmination of rock music to date. They draw from and express so many different rock genres in their playing. I get chills at every listen to this song.

[@russellward4624]

The drummer came from a drum line background. You can hear that influence if you're familiar with it.

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

I’m a drummer so yes I’m familiar 😉

[@LAVISHING]

Loved writing this song and their latest album with them! I’ll play it with them on 7/19/23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! I’ll also be releasing my first album that night!

[@rickvenlo1362]

Hard to believe. Source!!

[@jigstraw2809]

nerd reporting for duty. Long hair is Scott LePage, short hair is Tim Henson, Bassist is Clay Gober, drummer is Clay Aeschliman idk about the clays but tim and scott are sponsored by ibanez. i'm sure that played some part in helping this collab happen since steve is also sponsored by ibanez, though i've heard rumors that steve became a big fan of polyphia anyway. I don't remember all the details, but there was a tim henson interview with Herman Li over on Herman's twitch channel where tim said he met Vai at a namm show and wouldn't have had the balls to ask for this collab if he hadn't been drinking. As for what else to check out, I'd suggest Playing God, Bloodbath, and The Audacity from this album(remember that you will die), and G.O.A.T., OD, and Yas from the last album (New levels new devils) Honorable mention goes to Look But Don't Touch, an april fools day release.

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

That’s funny about Tim asking Steve Vai. Thanks for all the info and suggestions. I definitely hear an Tosin Abasi influence with that thumb style of playing. Got to see Animals as Leaders years ago and it was gnarly! Cheers!

[@jigstraw2809]

@@MetalheadsReactToHipHop oh yeah! i forgot about that, Tosin personally taught Tim the thumping thumb technique between the last album and this one, so you're pretty much right on the money :) there's a video somewhere with Tim, Tosin, and Herman playing through the fire and flames together from a charity stream

[@burnethedragon7065]

Clay Gober is also sponsored by Ibanez and Clay A. is sponsored by Tama and Meinl.

[@mpkelley20]

Their early stuff was very heavy. Basically a speed metal almost. Now they have their own sound and is easy to identify but they do mix things up like the nylon guitars on this album. One of my favorites from them is Aviator which is an older album. Features Jason Richardson who has an incredible solo at the end. Shredding yet melodic. As for their audiences I’m 49 and love their music. My 15 year old son loves them too as he is a guitar and bass player. He can’t play much of their stuff yet but he tries!

[@brandonswaney_88]

Funny you should mention the video game music. Check Out Upside Down with Jason Richardson , Luke Holland and Tim Henson from Polyphia

[@KungFuMunkeyz]

The trumpeter opens up the album with them in the track Genesis and closes it on this song. Hes called brasstracks.

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Ahhh ok I was wondered how he tied in! Thanks

[@Randallcobb56]

the trumpets are layered in starting at Vai's solo, they carry a big part of the melody in the outro bit. at the end, all he's playing is the slow section after scott's solo

[@EnkiSvohden]

I think the new guy would love Bloodbath, featuring Chino from Deftones. One of the heaviest/most melodic songs Polyphia has done since LBDT. Scott carries the song, and his solo is inspired by Dimebag Darrell and such. You guys would love the shit out of this song I bet.

[@burnethedragon7065]

That thumb technique is called thumping and they learned it from Tosin Abasi as it is kind of his signature style.

[@christerfurberg6538]

Speaking of cozy metal, I saw a reaction on this by Pete & Vinnie, two British metalheads, and one of them exclaimed "That's a lovely jumper!" XD Can't disagree!

[@herby4911]

Heheh,.. great reaction! The cozy band & Apple Store comments got me the hiccups from laughing...

[@russellward4624]

A lot of newer guitars are going 5 piece and more with double truss rods for added stability.

[@gabrielmares4151]

Songs called egodeath beginning roots...to shred(ego)..then ending on the trumpet(death of ego)

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Very Zen Buddhist indeed! 👍

[@TheWatchmen001]

That's their signature line of Ibanez. You gotta be a badass for a company to just start making an entire line of instruments in your name.

[@jamesbell8861]

Awesome reaction guys ... As good as the video is, I have discovered that the song is 10X better without all the video distractions. Every time I hear it, I hear nuances on top of nuances. I love that as I can hear the separate guitars, I hear the sexy extras. Every thing that Polyphia does has this effect. The videos are so good they distract from how great the song actually is. I hope you guys explore this genre a little more. Don't get me wrong I am metal to the core and I love OLD SCHOOL Metal with a fever, but this band has earned a spot in my hellscape. My kids and I vibe to Polyphia a lot ... and the best part is that they seem WAY MORE OPEN to the Old School Metal now as I bring it to the table.

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

We like new metal too, but we lean more towards black and death metal I would say. Greg is big on Carcass and I’m into Blut Aus Nord and Deathspell Omega. If you haven’t heard Blut Aus Nord check it out. He uses a fretless guitar.

[@jamesbell8861]

@@MetalheadsReactToHipHop Awesome ... I've been leaning into the Lorna Shore, Alien Weaponry, Cattle Decapitation and Infant Annihilator kinda vibe ... but of course I'm well versed in all genres. What's the old saying ??? ... Everything ABBA to ZZ Top as long as it's done well. Blut Aus Nord and Deathspell Omega are not on my radar ... I will give a listen for sure. Thanks !!!!

[@andreslfr]

Amazing reactions! Watching the previous generation embrace the new is a sight to behold and enjoy.

[@nazzify6417]

Love that u guys pause frequently to talk about the song but since u pause so much maybe rewind 1 or 2 seconds before resuming since it’s hard not to miss stuff pausing that much

[@pievancl5457]

Yes definitely. I don’t mind a lot of pausing so long as reactors rewind. Otherwise, the flow of the song is completely ruined, especially if they pause right before a drop or a tempo change.

[@brucelivingston2220]

Your guy nailed it, old and new. Passing the torch, is the theme ;p

[@bored78612]

Oh my goodness that Deathspell Omega tshirt, dude. I used to listen to them and Watain a lot a few years back. I gotta sub to you guys now.

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Sick! Love me some Watain too!

[@andreasmuller2437]

This song is a technical masterpiece

[@onsesejoo2605]

Perhaps the modest trumpet player presents the death of the ego, especially appearing after the wall of guitars dims away. It plays the theme and that's it, after the various motions and the throne.

[@R3c0nf1gur3d]

I think the trumpet felt like a palette cleanse after so much visual/audio epic storm.

[@kanomorrow7622]

I get a intro to anime vibe with this song. Also the three of them have there own signature Ibanez guitars. I this the two from polyphia have 7 string and vai has the new 6 string PIA. Check out Steve vai teeth of the hydra video if you get a chance! Great reaction!

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

I know the Steve Vai video but not sure if Greg does.

[@Dave1507]

They play ALL the techniques!

[@jjamz7051]

I was wondering what the hell happened to you guys. 😆 Nice to see you're back. Hi new guy! 🤘🏻

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Love our OG fans! Hope you’re well!

[@tommysk8r94]

You guys should invest in some headphones so you don’t have to pause every time you want to make a little comment

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

We don’t want to talk over the music, so we will continue to pause.

[@UMIunited]

Dude these reactions are more in-depth and interesting than those who listen once, talking over the music with half-assed phrases like "beautiful" "umhh" "hmm" "yes" etc. We all listened to the song before, it's way more entertaining to listen to others opinions and thoughts

[@pievancl5457]

I second this comment, not necessarily because of the pausing, but simply because Polyphia is headphone music. So many intricate little details that pop on headphones, not to mention the bass and drum mix. Unless you’re rocking some super high end speakers, headphones are always the way to go when listening to music for the first time.

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

@@pievancl5457 I’m an composer/music engineer so we are actually listening on high end monitors. Also I feel a bit disconnected wearing headphones for reaction videos.

[@pievancl5457]

@@MetalheadsReactToHipHop perfect then! No headphones needed.

[@jamesbell8861]

Polyphia also does a song with Chino ... that you guys should react to. No Video ... Just a slick visualizer. Bloodbath feat. Chino Moreno is track 11 on the latest album. I'm a huge Deftones fan so this is one of my favourite tunes by Polyphia. I love that there is no flashy video to distract from how intricate the song is. Once again NEXT LEVEL.

[@leonardolopes5553]

Semelhante a base da música " The Evil That men Do - Iron Maiden"

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Up the irons! 🤘

[@rrkkmindsvids8774]

that john wick's "Yeah..." lol

[@busybee3817]

Its ego death And you guys werent ready. You are hurt

[@brucelivingston2220]

The sun is setting behind him.

[@lightxgrenade]

You should check out "Bloodbath" by Polyphia, they got Chino Moreno from Deftones doing vocals on that one. I'd argue that song has the best chance of being played on a metal radio station. To answer your question regarding who listens to them, I think it's mostly musicians and to a certain extent, guys like you reacting to them has probably brought in plenty of new listeners which is a pretty awesome thing - I'm going off on a tangent but I genuinely wonder how reaction videos have helped bands like Polyphia, Jinger, Slaughter to Prevail, etc (bands with some sort of unique element that makes it perfect for reaction videos)

[@vegasviking86]

Take a shot every time they say "yeah"

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

It’s better than “like” I guess. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@symondealmeida9454]

That was a 5min intro for a Trumpet solo

[@beensavage390]

this man said mideval fantasy and not a Suit of chainmail or a battle axe in sight hahaha

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Mace to your head!

[@koshi-dono]

Yeah...

[@lacedgoods9155]

Prog hop👀😜 progressive hip hopish type beats

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

🤦🏻

[@AlanJohnPeach]

Watching Feedback videos with constant pauses genuinely sucks compared to ones where people actually listen to a song like a song

[@jakeforaker9628]

Be less stoned next time and instead talk about what a masterpiece of composition and expression this song is. Couldn’t finish it because of the pauses and lame baked commentary.

[@metal-adjacent]

I heard a new Testament track kinda recently. Might be something for you to check out

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Hell yeah! Saw Testament back in the 80s at a small club! They kicked ass!

[@metal-adjacent]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaSQm56Am8akjtk

[@Goosethe]

2 truss rods is accurate

[@samferrer]

The weird sound of the drum is not digital ...

[@saky29]

Hey dudes, cool video! This is hugely influenced also by genres like J-rock. Listen to the opening of an Anime called Claymore, I think you can find some little similarities with how the base goes and the rhythms there.

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

Interesting thanks!

[@rickvenlo1362]

Mediocre reaction. Too much attention to visuals. Expectations D minus

[@Speed_And_Violence]

what people don't understand is that Yvette Young started this movement

[@slugfest9685]

I love Yvette Young but that's such a weird take

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

I’ve followed her for a long time, and Kaki King as well. Both are awesome and somewhat similar. Stanley Jordan should also be mentioned for the hammer-on stuff. But to me this is closest to Tosin of Animals as Leaders.

[@Speed_And_Violence]

Yes let's not forget about animals has leaders

[@Speed_And_Violence]

@@slugfest9685 he learned many techniques from her on tour then boom Everything changed.

[@hangglidingmontana6134]

yeh the melody is played naked above them all at the end.

[@serboraswizard2811]

This guys do not know what 's going on...lost in the woods

[@MetalheadsReactToHipHop]

You sure about that? It’s not rocket science man. Haha pretty simple harmonically actually.