Polyphia - Playing God (Drum Playthrough)

Watch Polyphia's drum playthrough for their new single "Playing God". Buy/stream now at riserecords.lnk.to/PlayingGod
Guitar, Bass & Drum tabs: polyphiatabs.com
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Clay Aeschliman:
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#Polyphia #PlayingGod

[@Sako-Taco]

The real secret to why Polyphia kicks SO much ass is their rhythm section. The Clays are unreal!

[@butterfrog0]

the clays lmao

[@Arms2]

Two Clays laying down the nastiest rythms, we call that a potters wheel

[@aotahibeach5719]

@@Arms2 shout out to the potters wheel 🤘🏽 big love

[@improvingguitarist1595]

@@Arms2 lmao

[@chrismoore7882]

Late to the party... are they related? That would make so much sense why they are so tight...bass and drums I assume

[@o1swftt]

These drum machines are getting more and more realistic

[@CapFlipGaming]

I wish this was the raw take they used in the official song. Sounds so fuckin good.

[@raoulduke8720]

Really cool that they come with the beard and muscles features now too.

[@svsuke]

Lulz

[@cloudedge164]

Any idea where I can get one?

[@neil.musique]

@@cloudedge164 addictive drums 2

[@deylanengel7251]

Its actually insane how supportive his drumming is in all their music. Like everything he plays is literally perfectly fitting for the songs. I love it.

[@sauliruottu5871]

One of the main things of drumming is to play the song, and not override it. It's always great when that's happening.

[@danielmohring4610]

Its insane how well arranged Polyphia's songs are. Literally everything plays together so well

[@StoneyWoney]

They're not my favourite music, but I gotta appreciate their love to music. I love when drumming becomes more than just rhythm.

[@Allyourbase1990]

Yeah he has a really cool style

[@thetiger7474]

sorry but in my opinion I don’t like the drumming of this song, sounds like a song written by guitarists and the drummer tried to fit in. personal opinion

[@MannyDemaga]

I can see why people think Polyphia programs their drums, this dude’s playing is just that clean 🔥🔥🔥

[@csonweedagain5054]

It's typically a healthy mix of both lol

[@___xyz___]

@@taylorpilewski This. I prefer this version to the original because the drumming is audible.

[@taylorpilewski]

@@___xyz___ I like this version too I just wish they mic'd the drums better. Meinl cymbal drum videos have spoiled me 🤩

[@csonweedagain5054]

@@taylorpilewski that's understandable, I think that could've been the point however; when I think about how technical yet listenable the song is and the "image of perfection," the song makes way more sense to me (Playing God). I'm paraphrasing, but Tim Henson definitely meant it when he said "The music should be a means to an end" Definitely agree with the drums sounding a little robotic at times, but to me that speaks to the accuracy and adeptness of Clay 😁

[@stewlamb138]

@@taylorpilewski "overproduced" or not, you can't take away the fact he wrote, played and recorded it. I think the focus should be less on the production and more on the chops. It sounds like a drum machine because that's the tone they wanted, I don't see anyone ripping Tim Scott or other clay for the guitar tones they choose. :)

[@a.pro.crastinator7409]

This is what i love about polyphia: their individual skill is on such an astronomical level, that their parts are not meant to show off, but to actually complete each other. That what makes a band really. And this drum performance shows what a smart arrangement is

[@sutekhxaos]

I agree. that's good composition/arrangement and restraint.

[@w00lleymam0th9]

The arrangement is why I'm blown away. The way he kicks into that fill in the middle is so mind blowingingly seamless. I learned SO much on just watching. Literally the way he hits the drum as though to start, but completely makes room for that opening lick from the guitars... AH!!!

[@thomasjml82]

This. 1000%

[@terminusarms113]

I hope they do this with every member of the band. I love this.

[@alexspine105]

Soooo good

[@weekenddroners]

Reading my mind TerminusArms, Reading my mind!

[@hedcreb]

I mean Tim's kinda done it kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoSlc3h6dqyCisU

[@ir-dan8524]

Tim already has something like this on his own channel.

[@axOnith]

Kinda speaking about this: clay g is sounding more minimalistic, yet even more fitting, if that was even possible. I wonder if it is going to be a signature for this whole album, or is just a particular bass selection for this - also particular song - (remember we have nylon string guitars)

[@KiLLeRBison1]

Tim gets most of the attention on social media, but every member of Polyphia is amazing in their own way. That video was simply incredible.

[@Mangaluvr247]

It's probably because Tim is the face of the band

[@EtopiaCA]

@@Mangaluvr247 How so?

[@Mangaluvr247]

@@EtopiaCA A band always has a front lead. They've clearly chosen him to be up front on stage and in promotional material. It's usually the one with the most unique style or louder precense that gets put in front. Tim has this anime eboy thing going on which is good for a front lead nowadays. Even tho on stage I notice the rest of the guys speak more than Tim. But visually he's the lead.

[@EtopiaCA]

@@Mangaluvr247 A conventional band has a front lead. This isn't a conventional band. In your opinion you see him as the lead, I doubt the band feels the same way you do.

[@Mangaluvr247]

@@EtopiaCA I've heard Tim being referred to as the front of the band by other KZbinrs. In the common eye he's currently the lead and there's nothing wrong with that.

[@GuitarmanIeuan]

The bit from 1:59 to 2:20 had me like... disgusted at how clean and good it was I can't even describe it...

[@bryceoconnor3927]

Genuinely so good.

[@apeistheplace]

Might I interest you in a drum rendition of this nice track: enjoy! 🥁🦍 kzbin.infoe41yozME0aU?feature=share

[@club0017]

Not only does clay have such good technical skill but his drumming is completely unique and has a voice of its own

[@joedent3323]

His tick-ticking on the HiHat reminds me of Abe from the Deftones. Checkout anything from "Around The Fur" for some jazzy hi-hat clicking. "LiL'JpD."

[@corporateshill7473]

Yes, reminds me of Herb from Primus, except this music is genuinely pleasing to hear instead of being ironic.

[@svsuke]

I call it live trap drums 🥁

[@WhyTheHorseface]

I’d put money on the drum parts originating with Tim programming them, and clay bringing his programmed parts onto a drumset. They are so counterintuitive to what drummers do.

[@joedent3323]

@@WhyTheHorseface I can see something like that working method going on.

[@ppackers0430]

The way he utilizes the space between beats just elevates Polyphia's sounds so much. Sorry not a drummer so probably not the right technical terms but y'all get it.

[@mermetalbard]

The-space be-tween the-notes lol

[@superepicproportions]

Most professional drummers have a knowledge that less is more usually. In this case you're talking about 'rests' between the hits. They add emphasis

[@foxfiremusic8387]

Who cares about technical terms you’re spot on with that one Patrick

[@Reaper7mk]

I was gonna like your comment but it’s at 69 likes and there’s no way I’m gonna change that! 😁😁

[@Charsy8]

@@Reaper7mk Somebody already did that, come back and like it now! ;-)

[@m0sketti]

So dope. On the studio version, the drums are mixed so that they almost sound TOO MUCH like a drum machine. Seeing him play through it live is very satisfying.

[@djnone8137]

He is the drum machine drum machines are programmed to emulate

[@kreadavis267]

my one year old daughter is obsessed with this play through after it came up on a playlist of mine. she calls it "bop bop" and watches it over and over, holding her little plastic drumsticks and trying to play along to the best of her ability (which mostly just involves hitting her mickey mouse drum as hard as she can and stopping to see what exactly you're doing so differently -- she does get the tempo more than you'd expect for someone who can't walk yet). she's never been this interested in something before, and i just wanted to say, while i'm kind of sick of this song after hearing it 20 times a day, it makes me giggle every single time she points at my laptop and says, "bop bop?" and then pantomimes furious drumming. she might be too little to say yet, but i think you may have inspired a future drummer.

[@henaadlakha]

That is so sweet, does she still like drums?

[@kreadavis267]

@@henaadlakha she does! i think piano may be her new favorite, but her lil electric kit gets a lot of use!

[@Juli-bm7yl]

@@kreadavis267aww that’s so cute!

[@luisguzman8260]

Cutest thing ever, gotta get her a kit now 😂

[@brunonogues5128]

Future musician here, she seems attract by music, instruments etc a lot, you should bring her into music, with little toys instruments for example :)

[@randomname191]

Clay is just on a whole other level. No one else plays like him, and I can’t wait to hear him on the rest of the album

[@Fingerlickinggoood]

It’s all about the AI man

[@pungentzeus]

archspire drumm

[@dark_lumi]

@@pungentzeus i love spencer a ton but he’s very much more about speed than rhythm

[@WhyTheHorseface]

@@dark_lumi spencer?

[@C4CH3S]

another amazing drummer (that we may never see play again in a band any time soon) is Ben Minal (ex Toska). dude doesn't play as fast as Clay, but has that same "melody" type of drumming that just fits perfectly with the guitars, and dude plays proggy time signatures and proggy fills like he was born knowing how to. there are just so many modern drummers that are out of this world

[@wolfingitdown2047]

It's so fortunate that we get to see such talented musicians find each other in a lifetime

[@hyboirds1536]

Dude wtf... when that groove at 2:41 starts he just glues it all together. Ridiculously smooth.

[@namaboku]

Clay does such a stellar job at finding unique accents in spaces within the composition that add a ton of interest while serving the bigger picture. What an absolute beast.

[@justyouraveragehumanbeing7411]

they used trap drums at some points in the song, and this man just casually plays those parts without breaking a sweat, *he's actually playing god*

[@joelmorningstar3645]

I think the midi parts are just louder than his drums at some points, but he's always playing.

[@willspeakman2461]

@@Cue-Ball. Is it possible to get that studio sound live using a electric drumkit?

[@user-vo7fp1yj6p]

@@willspeakman2461 No way. Maybe if using something like superior drummer or Steven Slate drums you could get an ok sound. But the production here is as talented as the band members.

[@marlonlam6959]

Every member of this god damn band is so fucking technical, yet play with so much soul 🤌. Just incredible.

[@EmilianoGirina]

Finally a drummer who gives me the same kind of emotions as Mike Portnoy. Different style but same soul. Impeccable technique, great interpretative skills and impressive musical "phrasing" skills.

[@edjaedavid6362]

Oh good! Glad to know you recognize Mike Portnoy!

[@qwertz12345654321]

his phrasing is really what makes this stand out and better than your EDM drum machine. There are quite a few covers that hit all the right notes, but don't sound good

[@TheKingoftheriff]

Nah Portnoy doesn't know how to finish a song without banging every tom at least once.

[@edjaedavid6362]

@@TheKingoftheriff nah. His old songs were so good. The new ones were just made to impress the crowd. In his prime, he was one of the best in the world.

[@TheLegendarySuperSaiyanBroly]

This guy is Lightyears ahead of Portnoy...

[@butts4653]

if you listen through the entire polyphia discography you can distinctly hear a huge change in style and feel them come into their own once Clay joins the band in 2016. Everyone likes to praise the guitar in polyphia (rightly so), but the incredible talent of Clay behind the drums is a huge determining factor in why they've pushed so many boundaries. The 2 Clays the unsung heros of this band for sure.

[@Swollen_Goat]

TWO PLAYTHROUGHS!? Are we going to get a Scottie and Gober playthrough as well? I hope so. Also, you are amazing. Love your style. Hope to see you here in Charlotte in August.

[@hamorii9334]

@@laurencekirmer669 guessing you’re not from the U.S.

[@SamuraiGuy]

Super excited for Gober's

[@improvingguitarist1595]

@@SamuraiGuy I LOVE gober's bass technique

[@Swollen_Goat]

@@SamuraiGuy same. He's so good.

[@mickdeez]

YESSSS bro can't wait to see them in CLT!!!

[@srinjansanyal7677]

Clay's one of the best drummers of our time

[@user-wuniii]

I agree... 👍

[@mikedrop4421]

That's basically the bands whole shtick, find the best musicians on each instrument and put them together. No vocals because the mastery of the instruments is the voice of the band.

[@kawhileonard7731]

All time* , this while band you could make the case that they are some best musicians in their instruments of all time, they literally are goats

[@flataffect]

@@mikedrop4421 much like tool or periphery, hard to find someone who could actually make these songs into songs with vocals and make the songs still good

[@nilleftw]

@@mikedrop4421 I'm so glad that they don't have any dedicated singer. Love instrumental music.

[@JonathanBeltran]

this dude fuckin crushes this shit out of the drumkit. perfect amount of space to let the song breath. what a monster.

[@BlehgarySD]

The way his drums stand out so much yet compliment the song so perfectly is wild. I’d love to see each guy in the band do one of these so we can see it come together.

[@denmun9722]

Appreciate these immediate follow up covers for the track. They clearly know the majority of their listeners are musicians who were fumbling and fucking around trying to cover various bits the past few days

[@andrewsawyer9273]

Honest to god some of the best drum playing to come from clay and polyphia as a whole

[@Andreeee75]

I love when he hits and immediately stops the sound with his hand.

[@rain9058]

This guy is such a monster, man. It's one thing to be as mechanically and technically proficient as this, but to be able to do it in a way that also serves the song. Unreal levels of skill, musicianship, and creativity.

[@NedeljskiH]

We all need that drums sound in studio version!!!

[@TheFlamingChips]

Yeees. Imagine if the album was doubled. One half produced hiphop style, the other acoustic.

[@Felps]

Incrível.

[@neibo]

FELPS

[@ZionCrowley]

do nada o felps escutando polyphia

[@thatbrazilianboi]

FELPS?

[@manooke7tr100]

Incrível

[@Lizankuka]

felpinho?

[@kvk1]

the amount of combined talent in this group is illegal

[@daphenomenalz4100]

Both Clays complement each other throughout the song. That's the power of Clay²

[@baldbearded9601]

He makes it look so easy that a lot of people don't get how technical and intricate what he does really is. This is beyond good

[@jazlok7139]

I noticed one thing in common from my favorite drummers across all genres. Their style of play is more involved with the other instruments in harmony vs just being a time keeper

[@derekmaynard5619]

Persicley! Following the music with the drums and making sense out of it.

[@Crybabymanbewbs12311]

Wow this drummer is so good, sounds exactly like the drummer from Polyphia

[@dragchainreaction]

i was thinking he kinda looked like him but idk

[@CiDK]

They should hire him or something

[@jeremytitus9519]

With skills like these, he surely has a bright future ahead of him!

[@AndyLXT]

This guy is a 9/10… not at Clay’s level yet… the hair needs to be down… then maybe … maybe I’ll think about it

[@camaro-bk7wz]

😕 You guys can't be that stupid can you? this is clay!! the drummer from polyphia!!

[@zamzamoof9320]

I just love how Clay knows when to hold the drumming, not to overpower too much. It shows the spectrum of musicknowledge he has. Rhythm, pacing, every drumming pattern… just elevates this song to whole another level. Keep up with the amazing artworks my dudes.

[@marekneugebauer5021]

The fact that what we hear is pure real audio makes this so much more outstanding

[@joelmorningstar3645]

The real is accented by midi stuff, but all of them are always playing the core hits/notes. This one guy thought time had a "delay effect" for the final solo part till he watched the real playthrough.

[@marekneugebauer5021]

@@joelmorningstar3645 yeah, but who asked 🙂

[@joelmorningstar3645]

@@marekneugebauer5021 Not a damn soul.

[@burneraccounthandle]

@@joelmorningstar3645 in the song, sure, but this is a playthrough

[@Viktor5644]

I'm so glad we didn't even have to wait for a Meinl studio video! Thanks for giving this to us straight away a week after the single.

[@35mmonica]

clay deserves every last one of his cymbals. his splashes, builds then subsequent chokes, bell hits...everything just sounds so artistic and creative. i had stank face the entire time fr.

[@rhrdth]

Man, I miss watching him play live. Everything just sounds so clean. Definitely one of the best drum machines out there, if not the best.

[@carinae2035]

The mixing of these drums is something else

[@kono152]

drummers are so impressive to me, the amount of tempo accuracy you need is unbelievable

[@piercejenkins13]

Clay's use of cymbals and ghost notes are so incredible. All of the hi-hat stuff with the stacks blew me away. This guy is awesome.

[@_Dio_Brando_69]

Legitimately, Clay's drumming is some of the best I have ever seen. It's so tight. Literally. Absolutely insane precision, not to mention suspending the drumbeat in just the right places to perfectly compliment the ungodly guitar shredding.

[@SirRayDonavan]

My GOD!!!! Seeing all that he actually does is freaking INSANE!!!!! GOOD SHIT!!!

[@thrumyeyesphoto]

Such a tight groove. This guy is a machine!

[@treyn8070]

I love the somewhat unorthodox symbol use that Clay does. He makes it fit in so well and it gives such a unique sound to an already so unique band.

[@krpi7685]

I love how there's a clear groove through the whole thing. Complex, varied yet straightforward so that it's an easy but interesting listen.

[@tub3l0rd]

Clay is absolutely my favourite drummer. Incredible feel and such well written parts.

[@MrMattmre]

the patterns from 1:50 through the bridge into the second half, and those massively intricate fills in between are next level! I like the musical maturity of sticking to simplified patterns and crafty symbol work during the first half of this track, it really helps lend character to the second half on the drum side.

[@maximumnoise78]

dude, i have been a drummer for over 25 years and this is simply incredible. you didnt miss a beat or a note. its perfect. im in love. congrats!

[@aaronunroe5267]

You leave so much space and air in the music for each other and make brilliant accents….it’s just a beautiful thing to see

[@ZionCrowley]

i rlly love how Clay is so original and unique. Polyphia isnt polyphia without him

[@gotmoresoul]

MAN, I fuckin LOVE the clean syncopated way Clay plays...it's EXACTLY the way I--as a Hip Hop beatmaker--have always wished to play the drums.

[@grimble4564]

Imagine the absolutely insane amount of hours of practice, thinking about music, and refining your style it takes to get to the level these guys are on. The level of mastery and sheer creativity thats on display with this band is absolutely mind-bending.

[@Zigzagtiger]

It's so amazing and inspiring that it's not neccessarily the part is insanely hard, but rather the preciseness and musciality is what makes it so, so good. Lots of drummers can benefit learning to play like this.

[@ryanramage]

Thanks so much for sharing this with us Clay! It's awesome to watch you work, and this will make trying to learn this song so much "easier"

[@raven4442]

Ah man I love "Polphia"!

[@CjDrums]

I love how tight your playing is and the amount of space you give the song

[@sunraiii]

I love the fact that you guys share your respective instrumentals and show them played separately. Please keep that up in the future!

[@Genkiooo]

This released on my bday is an even better gift!

[@MatthewsPersonal]

Happy birthday, mate

[@Genkiooo]

@@MatthewsPersonal Thank you, I appreciate it dude

[@hawkrel97]

The timings, the pauses, the silences, the stretch of silence from one ride to the next, bro. I can't even fathom how long this took, but the arrangement is so fucking incredible. I would be so curious to see like, what goes into writing these arrangements. I know Tim Henson does it alot, but like, with how intricate the drumming has to be, I can't imagine Clay doesn't have a heavy hand in how it goes, ESPECIALLY considering how supportive the drums are, but how other songs, use, like, a drum rhythm, for the base of the song, so its just....Its so crazy. I couldn't handle being given this as a piece of music and being told, just wait for your timings. So complex, and utterly amazing.

[@Doppity]

The way you compliment the other musicians is second to none

[@russellgallien5449]

The way Clay A. and Clay G. match their attacks and releases to create an 808 sound/feel is dope.

[@trqoiz]

just unbeleivably tight and controlled... a true master

[@Jigsaw2533]

This sounds so much better than those electronic drums on the studio version

[@Allyourbase1990]

He’s so on time , every little note is perfect. Amazing

[@johncpakin]

Thank you so much for producing these videos for your tracks. As a musician, seeing special videos dedicated to the singular artists that makeup such a great band is fantastic. Please never stop making them.

[@titans77]

its actually hilarious that when you look up the top 20 drummers of all time they are all old school drummers. Clay literally runs them in a circle.

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

Wicked performance! I like this drum sound much better than the over-processed drums on the final release.

[@chegadesuade]

feels like Clay is the dark horse of the band, much as I love the guitar it's these drum playthroughs that really interest me

[@oc0dyc]

The guitar work is so good you forget the drums are just as killer. Awesome job man.

[@codectified]

Why do the drums sound do much better in this play through than they do in the studio version?

[@sp1epiphany]

It's a drum based video. They have just boosted the drum track to be louder than the rest. It's the way it's mixed.

[@srijanghosh6491]

Clay is a beast. God damn! That timing and speed is just insane + the technicalities 🔥

[@pigslayer275]

This display makes me appreciate the whole of the song so much more, the precise timing of the drums & the THREE GUITARS in tandem makes this infinitely more impressive, It's unreal

[@Yao686]

The technicality of this track is just on a whole new level! It requires a lot of experience and musical knowledge to come up with something as good as this!

[@adamstarr2889]

Definitely the Neil Peart of our generation, explodes my brain every time. Keep it up Clay

[@spacetaco048]

He didn't even fail to use a single cymbal or drum in this entire kit... Now that's actually crazy.

[@tracystephens5014]

& use it so fitting & flawlessly. A beautiful song..amazing

[@buzzpsy]

These are new era geniuses with complex guitar playing and super cool drumming, super inspiring, thank you for giving such awesome music to this world ❤️

[@dirtona6579]

Must feel amazing to have a group of people you know can execute whatever you can imagine. Unreal talent. Just came to the channel wanting to find drumming after watching playing god, and got quite literally exactly what I wanted. Thanks for that, too.

[@BloodMagic_1]

Clay playing the hi-hats God. I've been searching this since the release. I knew Clay would need to make a statement because many reactions thought it was engineered. That's how perfect his playing is. 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@LovelyBollocks]

That gave me both Goosebumps and the warm fuzzies. I literally am my entire life I've never experienced both in one song that was amazing

[@nathanberry919]

Some of the most unique organic drumming I have ever seen

[@Lukekalani_]

I just love the intentional space that is created in this song. What a drummer!!

[@dscarmo]

I have watched and marveled at this fill so many times already, so creative 2:12

[@deStampede]

This sounds better for my liking than the studio version.

[@evhoRoLL]

I love seeing all the other members of the band. I love Tim Henson and I know he's a large part of the brilliance in Polyphia. But ever single member is such an incredible talent they should all be showcased more often.

[@slimjimkirky86]

Digging the grooves and the room sound. Great jazz chops with those triple-strokes on the ride and hats.

[@issamelarmi]

I find myself listening to this more than the released version. The drums are louder here :3

[@PTR2K]

Love this video. Polyphia should do this for each band member cause it shows the different layers that go into their tracks

[@Absurd000]

Dude is fucking SICK on those drums. Love this song so much and the drums are a huge part of the reason why.

[@zantiagorpo]

The little accentuations, the cleanness, the little details accompanying the melodies and guitar and base riffs...... man ..... just... WOAH!.... "devil is in the details" some say, you took that to another level!

[@sirgallabad]

Man that part from 0:13 to 3:03, shit’s incredible.

[@TLD]

Only possible thing that could have made this video better was that bulls shirt 🤘🏼🏀

[@mathewreed818]

Great playing and creativity. Really happy to hear a more natural drum sound versus a blend with triggers. Would love to see more of Clay online.

[@CatfishMan131]

Every part of their music is insane!!!! The combination of everyone fits so well together.

[@onthewaffle1455]

polyphia is the best! the song is so new but it’s now my favourite

[@iamdaveandhaveaniceday2651]

*polphia

[@GheeButtersnaps]

I feel like they all need to release individual play throughs of their music so that we can all see that they can ACTUALLY PLAY this crazy stuff lol. Mad impressive.

[@keithcoleylifeforce4020]

Damn Clay, I know you have heard it a thousand times, but it’s so CLEAN! So much space in between. Crisp baby…crisp.

[@TheMacasso]

amazingly punchy and crisp production all in all., another cooking cut - great linear stylin on da drums....