Toska Ode to the Author Studio Diary / Progumentary

[@joelcoool]

This is the life Tracking guitars for your band's epic progressive instrumental debut EP in your home studio on your signature guitar, wearing your other band's t shirt, while your girlfriend watches in awe

[@mistersadaimusic]

+ThunderHawk606 Fucking right? The man deserves it too.

[@Williamstanway]

the reason your band rocks so hard is because you do odd time signutures without being pretentious or philastine, you have a really unique sound which today is hard to achieve, good look lads from Yorkshire and a merry Christmas .

[@Williamstanway]

although you can feel your influence you don't flaunt it like a music prostitute... you have class .

[@RabeaMassaad]

+William Stanway cheers man, really appreciate that!

[@Williamstanway]

+Rabea Massaad dude I was so drunk when I wrote this, I totally mean every word, but I sound like a complete fanboy ass kisser, oh well, hahaha,

[@RabeaMassaad]

+William Stanway hahaha no worries man thank you all the same! hahaha

[@darklauncher9596]

+Rabea Massaad You and Rob are by far the greatest guitarists I have ever heard, and your bands and all the people involved are consistent of some of the nicest human beings I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. Thank you for all that you guys are!

[@yippy327]

Dude!!!! If ten years and beyond, down the road, guitarist aren't trying to learn your playing style, they'll be seriously missing out!!!!! I just discovered you guys, Chappers and the Captain around 6 months ago. I haven't been this motivated to play in years! Man, I'll be 52 this year, and I just wanna learn. Peace and Love, Jim

[@thetruthlounge823]

10 years? More like as soon as i heard them. lol

[@jojo3157828886]

I agree James, Im just shy of 50 and Toska has motivated me beyond thanks .

[@RasmusAlmlundMusic]

I was just about to head off to bed.. Then Bea uploaded a one and a half hour long video. Guess i'm getting in bed one and a half hour later than i thought then. Merry Christmas.

[@akshitjha6251]

I come back again and again to see a masterpiece being created. :)

[@TheJoepiedoedel]

just to be clear, you mean Dave's sandwich right?

[@kevinneil6196]

I’m not the only one 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Smiagol08]

I soo love his facial expression whilst playing difficult progressions. Bea is a Beast !

[@TobiasTheGiant]

Amazing as per, but damn it we need to see more bass love! Would have loved to see Dave track some parts, but this was a FANTASTIC way to spend an hour and a half. Happy Holidays!

[@leiscwf]

Ben's kit sounded great even through the camera mic

[@johanneswarn5488]

It does, can't go wrong with a DW kit

[@leiscwf]

I suppose they were all factors in it sounding great.

[@aymericmarchand3472]

Definitely far better than TV, it's wonderful to follow the entire process, kudos to Dan and to all of you for the hard work, we'll be many to buy this!

[@wv2100]

3:46 Dave is an absolute savage.

[@DevinCLott]

I don't even need to hear full songs to know this is exactly what I need in my life. From the clips of this stuff I've heard I've been excited for months to get something from Toska and can't wait for you guys to release it! Best of luck to all of you and everyone have a merry Christmas or happy holiday!

[@kylepeterman9665]

Absolutely heartbroken to hear you've broken up. The emotions Toska's music creates cannot be replaced for me.

[@MrNexxxus]

Holy shit going back to these old videos it's sooo obvious how much weight you lost! Good on you, dude! Also SAVAGE tones.

[@DrDavis77]

Definitely best thing on TV this Christmas! Can't wait for the record to come out. Merry Christmas guys

[@PolskiOfficial]

Man that was incredible! I literally cannot fucking wait for this EP to come out! I'm more excited about this than I am about the new DT album haha soooooooo sick

[@mercurialno6]

Enjoyed that! Merry Christmas!

[@JakeHoffmansYouTube]

Dave.

[@petergoddard1960]

As a perhaps more mature in years viewer, I know little of all the labels applied and argued over in the comments. What I do know is that this is beautifully crafted and played intelligent and dynamic music. I love it. I'll buy it. I'll come to the gigs. Nuff said.

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

Great insider info. Keep these coming. It's gold to fans and people like me trying to learn this stuff.

[@tatoo190]

Every glimpse you guys share of writing & recording & performing is so inspiring 🤘

[@jamiedavie91]

Brilliant sound guys. Very excited to buy the full EP soon. Keep the vlogs coming Bea, they're always great to watch! Hope you all have a great 2016.

[@JesperBulykin]

One of the best things i've ever watched on youtube, love the songs so much! You're a true inspiration

[@RyuuTsubasa]

You watch that and the only thing that pop ups in my mind is... ABSOLUTELY MENTAL.... The dedication and skills gave me an eargasm! Good job! The one thing that kept me surprised, happy and ultra satisfied, with the amount of feedback comments and professionalism there actually was, the entire comments, something was a bit off or not 100% correct, there was immediate feedback, discussion... ABSOLUTELY MENTAL!

[@kevinvandenberg5548]

I am so happy that these kind of musicians exist. Merry X-Mas!

[@Yesidoplaytheguitar]

Merry christmas Bea! I'm going to watch this tomorrow when i have some more time ;) Have a great Christmas!

[@markwhyte]

I love the creativity, talent and professionalism you all have, inspiring. I’ll be getting the E.P. as soon as it’s out. Currently listening to written on repeat.

[@corneeeey]

Happy Christmas! i watched the whole and hoped it never ended. Thank you for making this!

[@calebknott8021]

When you guys pulled up to pick up Dave I thought maybe Bea was gonna say "Get in the fuckin van." Haha- Dave.

[@CBRboy1717]

I love the bit with your miss, it made me laugh. I like how people are themselves when they don't realize the camera is on. They always find it embarrassing, but its rather endearing.

[@patrickjaroch5084]

I love getting a chance to see the process, you guys are so tight . Ben and Dave are such a great combo. and bea your a beast

[@richardmason9832]

This is such a pleasure to watch. I really can't wait to hear it in full guys! It's a really good "classic" take on modern metal which works very well. Your ambient parts are what set you guys apart from other modern metal though, it's amazing.

[@cortical1]

Really stoked (as we say here in San Diego) about your stuff, gentlemen. I'm truly impressed with your compositions, expression, and technical virtuosity. I'm a sax player turned bassist who was raised on prog rock (Yes, ELP, King Crimson, early Genesis), Zeppelin, Floyd, a soft spot for some jazz, a guilty pleasure for metal, and a serious Radiohead obsession.. I can't believe I'm saying this but I honestly prefer some of your polymeter melodic lines to some of Tool's. Your best ones are less repetitive and more fugue-like than some of theirs. Sorry to miss you at NAMM 2017. Keep up the great work. If you're ever in San Diego and want me to record your brain activity while you play and show you a movie of it, look me up. Might make an awesome music video.

[@0509brook]

whoever was holding the camera at the very end has a really nice and calm voice :)

[@frego16]

Rabea im glad i meet your style. I was feeling bit stuck on my writting when i heart some of your stuff. Influenced me a lot in my new songs. Cheers!

[@poppsy69]

Takes me back to the studio days in the 80's... good work lads

[@LegoLover008]

loved this wish every band did it so interesting seeing into the process behind the greatness of TOSKAAAAA!!!!

[@MinusCube]

Thank you for doing this documentary dude! The new tunes sound great

[@JamesPery]

I feel like more bands should do this. The recording process is just as interesting as the final product. This project looks to be pretty dope!

[@espkav]

This is so good! would be nice to see a video using some of these ace chords!

[@SwampieNew]

Can't wait to buy the ep! Loving the guitar faces when bea was tracking too.

[@riaanoosthuizen9870]

Love the perseverance Bea, keep it up you're a real inspiration

[@LOLchand1]

1:10:20 onwards... some of the best pieces of music i have ever heard . seriously. this EP will be great

[@alfiebroom]

still one of my fave videos!

[@guitarmasterme]

this is damn awesome! you really inspire me to write more tunes man!

[@jeroenverbeeck7925]

This is awesome! Thanks Rabea, happy holidays dude!

[@sonic7184]

Why does tracking guitar look so intense? Oh right... Because this is insanely technical :D I was yelling "Go Bea!" at my screen the whole way through xD Also 1:11:27 is really great.

[@jamespeace5043]

The guitar parts near the end were just magical :O

[@FadingReign]

This sounds so awesome! Can't wait for the release!

[@Hadiplaysmusic]

This is fucking intense, man. Did you guys have a click going for any of the tracks by any chance? I didn't hear one but wanted to make sure.

[@RabeaMassaad]

Hahah cheers man! we didn't actually use a click track on this record. Just because the music itself speeds up and slows down throughout the different sections. It's subtle but having a click track ruins the vibe for me with these songs

[@Hadiplaysmusic]

+Rabea Massaad That's epic, man! Sounds fucking solid! How do you time the shimmering delays? Do you listen first and tap then track? or are the delays on Logic in post?

[@RabeaMassaad]

+Hadi Sarieddine cheers man. There's actually not a single piece of post processing on the guitars, or bass. Of course we mixed the drums etc and EQ'd where necessary. But we want the final product to be as transparent as possible. All guitar FX where done with my board, my guitar and myself :-)

[@Hadiplaysmusic]

+Rabea Massaad you know what, man, this stuff to me is right up there with Tesseract and Sikth and that whole league of beasts. You guys are fucking epic! I vote yes to Toska live in Dubai #TabbouliMetal

[@overnightgrowth]

Great stuff guys! Loved to watch this. Many cool moments.

[@blackie75]

Merry Xmas big gun. Hope to see heaps more content from you in the new year. Keep up the great work bruzzy.

[@DylanGoodwin23]

I can't wait for this to come out! It is going to kick some serious ass, man! Merry Christmas!

[@LP808]

Thanks for the Progumentary! I'm looking forward to owning the Toska EP! I'll be blasting it deep in the swamps of Louisiana. lol

[@Nyitemare]

Really enjoyed this, glad it was as long as it was too =D Cant wait to get myself a copy of the EP, well done on getting it done in that crazy short time!

[@SoulofDuty2012]

So much win here! Merry Christmas 😀

[@haroldlongone]

Amazing Groove Rabea Merry Christmas.....

[@shawns9316]

Hey Rabea, love the progumentary! I love the clean sounds @1:11:29. Did you use an acoustic simulator and delay? If so, which ones? I'm digging the Toska tones! Look forward to more in the future. Cheers and Merry Christmas!

[@lmcf_gtr]

Shawn S if it's of any help, he's using the bridge pickup if his guitar (either a Chapman Henchman or a Bareknuckle Warpig) split into his strymon timeline and big sky into his Krakens

[@sam19195]

Why don't you have the cove anymore

[@AlexRooneyComposer]

+Sam Gordon It was in Dad's garage and he moved out of that house

[@elensie6897]

Chalk teeth is such a tune!

[@cortical1]

Nice reference to the Sting song Seven Days. Keep killing it guys. So fun to watch your prog-ression since this.

[@InvictusBananman]

Gut.... Das ist sehr gut Some Toska-love from Germany

[@isansimpson2056]

I love studio diaries...really cool stuff going on with this album too.

[@emigoth]

Amazing guys!!! Horns up from Italy 🤟🏻🔥🤟🏻

[@CesarAllGuitar]

1:06 onwards sounds extremely close to Dorje.... there is Aeromancy everywhere

[@caridooshi]

thank you Dan for this awesome footage!!! I can sleep good now #thanksdan

[@CEnjoyer]

love to see how open you guys are to constructive criticism... loved the ep!

[@HaZZb97]

This makes me appreciate drummers a lot more haha, great work guys :)

[@MrThomkids]

the synergy here is so cool to watch.

[@anubhabsaikia4778]

Man! His recording room is so claustrophobic.

[@neilomac]

Crazy how different Bea looks now. Dat weight loss. 👊

[@LannersTV]

I'm really liking this, Bea you're so insane! This will be available on iTunes yes? I want to purchase it so hard

[@sjoerdsteenbergen5534]

The part starting at 1:20:00, which song did that turn into?

[@RogerKayeGuitar]

it is a part of illumo

[@tierankarb]

man old Bea videos are a trip

[@TastyChevelle]

REALLY looking forward to the release. That bit at 27:30 was particularly really fucking cool.

[@hardtobearit]

hanna is so awesome

[@yujoestar4185]

can't wait to hear this EP

[@chrisharringtonguitarist]

Can't wait to get a copy of this, love it!

[@Crazy3189]

Any update as to when it will be available to buy?

[@reiniervanzwieten7092]

+Sean Conway you can preorder now for like 0.50 pounds officialtoska.bandcamp.com

[@1959twa]

Happy Christmas Rabea!

[@bennyelsensohn9299]

Hey rabea, yesterday i was listening to ode to the author and thought "man, this bass sounds so heavy and clean in the mix! I would love to know how dave recorded it." Then i went back to this video and at the end it is stated, that dave had no footage of him recording bass. But i want to know it so bad. Could you please tell us in a Ask the Fro video or something how you got this tone. I would be very happy if i only know the trick. Every note sounds full and present in the mix but not overcompressed. Is it a certain rig or mainly the DI track blended with an amptrack with all the effects in it? How does it sound so even an punchy. Sorry for this long post. Rock on dude, you guys are the best! Many thanks from Austria

[@dale4857]

Rabea, was the Kraken and two notes Torpedo live going the two Pa speakers in front of Ben's drum kit or through the Mac book pro. I see a white 4x12 evh cab and a panama 4x12 cab.

[@tomsherlock9477]

Dale looks like it was going into the Mac with the torpedo, then I assume used to help Ben keep time/give the context and how the parts as he's playing.... I think that cabs were being used as a desk

[@VitorDuzarte]

Merry Christmas everyone. Cheers!

[@jaymick10]

cannot wait to buy this ep

[@en_ray]

The Sikth vibes are REAL. Nice work guys.

[@Mezurashii5]

1:30 I bet he was texting "Dave." to someone.

[@banaantjexx164]

Oh my god! I love your drummer!!!

[@soejrd24978]

appel

[@damonstewart70]

Great band!!! Bea reminds me of a modern day metal Leslie West

[@davidlapham4959]

the part where the cymbal fell actually sounded really fuckin awesome cuz it built tension and then released it when he started using it again!

[@boilingpaul]

I love to watch Ben play drums....he's so damn good....even when it's off...wow...

[@shubhankarkulkarni6453]

I just started watching this. It's 1 am rn and I've got school in the morrow... I regret nothing. fuckin' love you guys!

[@BadMotivator66]

i need this album in my life...

[@paulcarter802]

Merry Christmas, also great video!

[@BCQD4]

Bea, when can we expect to see full versions of the songs you were writing on your baritone, like the one you played for the official kraken demo, It sounded killer, Cheers!

[@JimmyBlimps]

When you were tracking the guitars at home Rabea, was that running your amps through the Torpedo with cab simulation? Great results if so, and I'm curious what the monitoring levels in the room were like. No dramas with the neighbors? I'm buying a Suhr Reactive Load next week and I'm always looking to hear great implementation of cab simulation where I can.

[@JimmyBlimps]

I commented too soon, you totally explained that near the end xD

[@LukeBass1000]

@1:00:17 The perks of having a musician gf - not only does she put up with your crazy noise but gives you that look...

[@TheFastfoodgaming]

I can't over that clip of Dan smiling after putting that clip in

[@Danguitarboy96]

7 days is a BANGER.

[@ObscureSignals]

This sounds great! Can't wait to hear the full thing. What happened to The Cove? That place was great!

[@shanewallace4294]

Never mind I just found it on iTunes and am going to purchase it now, thx for the awesome album, a bit short I wish it was longer. No criticism just a wish as it is awesome.🍻🇨🇦

[@shanewallace4294]

just purchased it, thx😉

[@ReegusReever]

Thanks, Hannah