Boomer Bends vs Math Rock! Polyphia & Steve Vai: Ego Death | REACTION by an old musician

Young virtuosos Polyphia have collaborated with Guitar God Steve Vai on a new song called Ego Death. Old vs Young? Experience vs Fresh Minds? No, this is...Boomer Bends vs Math Rock!
Original video: • Polyphia - Ego Death f...
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[@smprather]

Tim Henson is a compositional artist. He puts a load of influences on his pallet and then starts painting, mixing, swirling, writing... and then learn how to play the ridiculously complex painting.

[@seanrees97]

Genuinely beautiful way of putting it

[@psionic6126]

On point!

[@EnkiSvohden]

Dude, this new album is insanely good, even for Polyphia. It is so different from everything else they've done, yet it almost feels like a callback to their roots. The album is like a mix of their personal musical tastes put together with their evolution as musicians, a band, and bestfriends irl. These guys are awesome people all around. I highly recommend their personal interview with Steve Vai. It's like watching a dad and his four sons hangout on the porch for an hour just chatting it up.

[@tobifunpp]

Agree 💯

[@sparda9060]

Interesting info about Clay the drummer. Clay hadn't been drumming for a long time. There was like a 5 year gap I think if I can remember correctly between him playing drums from high school band days until after college. Clay graduated from college and worked a corporate job that he hated for 2 years then decided to quit and be a full time musician as a drummer. He struck lucky by taking up a gig as a replacement for another drummer on a small tour where it led him to being picked up by Polyphia. From there he learned new techniques when he started playing with Polyphia and became a virtuoso in drums himself. Its pretty crazy story TBH.

[@DanKaschel]

That's just wild. He's soooooo good at creating an intricate skeleton defined enough to support all this elaborate musical phrasing.

[@mrtoast244]

Imagine just randomly becoming one of the best drummers in the world

[@jeffroach3722]

One thing you didn't mention is that Vai is using a technique called 'joint shifting' that Vai invented. It's when you bend 2 strings at the same time usually in different directions. Crazy. Amazing at 62, Vai is still innovating 🔥

[@jojack1234567890]

At 62 Steve looks like he really took care of himself throughout his life.

[@BrianinSLCity]

In addition, he is using the Schecter Sustainiac pickup to maximize the layering of those notes over each other.

[@Whattodowhenyourhousebur-lw1pc]

The Man signed my guitar at the factory... Not a big fan of signed guitars, but hey, it was Steve.

[@upsidedownpyramid7617]

7:10 scott did a couple bends in the distorted melody part earlier on, but Steve is making use of his signature Whammy bar style instead of bending the notes. He is essentially reverse pre bending by holding down the whammy, hitting a note, and then bending up to the original pitch by releasing the whammy. He is doing 200 IQ anti bends, crazy stuff.

[@terdroblade]

I fall in love more and more with this masterpiece every time I listen to it. Heard it over a 100 times so far and still I find/hear new things. I'm sure you will be mindblown for at least another dozen listens. The music video is also incredibly well done, they all have a sit in the chair, one by one, they start at the bottom of the building and end at the top, and in the end, above them all, sits the trumpet playing the bare naked melody. It took me probably 50 rewinds to fully understand and appreciate Steve's joint shifting intro, it is INSANE. I have a feeling this is going down in the history books of guitar/rock. They are bringing virtuosity to the mainstream and I can't wait so see where it takes us! Subscribed!

[@UnhingedReactions]

Yes, I need to keep listening to this track! There is so much there that I can't take it all in at once. Requires multiple listens for sure!

[@JPChastain]

I agree with everything you just said. Virtuosity may be exalted again, see you on the next react video.

[@billyd5749]

Listen to it about 10 times a day.

[@jukurenzz]

the trumpet at the end is just *chef's kiss*

[@speedfreakleo]

You got it right - "passing of the torch". and also I appreciate both Vai and polyphyia for doing this and to prove that the term Boomer bends is not knock on the older style of playing. Just shows in this video that new and old can coincide and at the end of the day music should not be exclusive but to be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age or race

[@abnaykazaabnaykaza912]

Well said my friend ! Whether we like it or not the "Boomers" that we are must swallow "the pill" POLYPHIA. The new Apollos have invited an ever-powerful Zeus and handed over the throne to him to then all together blow a new wind that motivates the guitarists of the future. In the olympe of guitars they settled Vai in the center surrounded by Tim & Scott. These young people deserve the respect of all their peers (and from what I see the older ones are welcome). ps; the 2 Clays do a phenomenal job that deserves so much consideration.

[@UnhingedReactions]

Agreed that the two Clays need a shout out as well! Obviously, being a guitar guy, I focus on Tim and Scott, but the two Clays are just as integral a part of Polyphia.

[@matthewroszkowski4674]

This reminds me of many jazz takes where they travel far from the melody, but always return for resolution. Perhaps this is too complex for the pop crowd, but I think music lovers of all genres will see the virtuosity, uniqueness, and passion in these songs.

[@viviolet7]

good news! polyphia's got a pop song with equal complexity in ABC, and people love it

[@DanKaschel]

I think you do pop a disservice

[@Conkee1711]

Im glad you mentioned Scott. In any other band he would be a guitar God. In Polyphia, he's "that other guy."

[@atarisidequest]

Yeah your passion for music shines in this reaction. You feel it and it comes through in your expression. Actually this is by far the best ego death reaction on YT, and I've watched them all.

[@UnhingedReactions]

Thank you!🤘

[@deportedsouls3165]

The intro-lead repeated through-out and ending with the trumpet, is phenomenal! As a guitarist and composer myself, I really enjoy the complexity and layers, and the song grows for every time I listen, although I liked from the first time.

[@Cvillain626]

9:15 I never noticed it before but Tim is just goin off headbanging hard af in the background xD love that dude

[@swilsons05]

haha neither did I! love it lol

[@roygarrett1663]

Ive seen Vai several times through life. Solo tour and with Whitesnake. I've known Polyphia for a few years but never listened to. Then I saw this video and had to see it. I knew Vai was top 5 of all time. Before I watched this, I watched a few Polyphia vids before I watched this. This vid is one of my favorite collabs of all time. Simply amazing. The mesh with Vai was insanity. The subtle bends while the band continued their usual was amazing. Another vid when they guested a Vai concert in the background was incredible as well. A new generation of guitarists are rising. Yeah, not for everyone. I agree. But I'm over the fence for this band. Apparently Steve Vai is.

[@RaymondBCrisp]

This song is all about the contrast. Polyphia's technical prowess is so complimented by Steve Vai's style, it's not even funny. And the trumpet outro is so smooth. This song is amazing on a whole new level. Polypha makes music for musicians.

[@Sicknificant1]

They were bending in their first little 80s sound alike solo. I think both were doing it intentionally haha. They do their whole "see we can imitate 80s solo sounds with boomer bends" and then Vai is like "oh yea? you heard bending like this before?"

[@bradtaggart5509]

Wow! I have heard you review these guys before, and every time they amaze me. It’s generational I suppose. What I mean is, being a generation older than you Ed, I was into Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and all the classic rock bands in the late 60’s and early 70’s, but I can remember the first time I was introduced to Steve Vai’s music, and it was just like the feeling I get now when I hear these guys. He completely blew my mind. He wasn’t mainstream either, and rarely got any airtime, but he was a magician on the guitar. Thanks buddy for always reviewing a great variety of music. Thanks to you I have found a couple of really excellent musicians that I never would have found on my own. 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@UnhingedReactions]

Glad you enjoyed it! They amaze me just as much as Steve Vai did so many years ago!

[@Luismayer77]

you rock! I love see 2 entirely different generations (I'm 29) loving the same music. I wish I could have listened to Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd back then in their prime

[@bradtaggart5509]

@@Luismayer77 Their concerts were amazing too! 😊

[@fsmdanimal]

Love this tune.. can't get enough of Polyphia.. and Tim Henson's playing in particular. The cool thing about these guys is they're playing things that are technically off the chart, but they're also very listenable, quality tunes. That's Tim's real gift.... his composing and production skills. Steve Vai's part is good, but I've got to be honest... I've never been a big fan of him. It's not that he can't play and do amazing things, but I just haven't found his music to have that listenable , melodic side like the Polyphia songs do. As far as him being the best in the world, ever.... really have to disagree with that. There's many that I'd put on the same level as Steve... Eddie, Jimi, Santana, etc. ... but there's one name that hands down was the GOAT in my opinion: SRV. None of these other guys plays with the emotion he did, nor do they generally use the heavy gauge .013's that Stevie did. Those strings gave such more depth and tone to his playing. Already have one of Tim's signature nylon guitars on order... couldn't pass it up at $699.

[@lyconxero457]

I don't see why Polyphia would have any trouble remembering any of the songs they've written. It's no different from writing lyrics or coming up with melodies: when they're your creations then they automatically have a special place in your memory due to the hours and hours you spent creating and refining them. Past that, I didn't even write these songs and I can remember every note that's played simply because I've heard the song so many times. Whether or not I could actually PLAY IT is a whole other matter but their technical skill is top notch. Also, the point that Tim was trying to make about the whole "boomer bends" thing is that he was simply trying to find his own sound that wasn't simply emulating what those of the past had done. Steve Vai is probably example number 1 for what Tim was aiming NOT to emulate in his playing; not to downplay Steve's skill at playing or excellence at song creation but instead to force himself to come up with his own different style.

[@UnhingedReactions]

I totally get what Tim was saying, and it's totally valid. I just saw a lot of people talking about his "Boomer bends" comment and thought it was interesting they were collaborating with Steve Vai, who bends it like Beckham! 🤘

[@hampuspersson6509]

I really think that is a great way to find your creativity, to force yourself to find new paths by setting up limitations for yourself. Like playing a solo with only one note, or in this case eliminate the easiest way of incororating emotion into your guitarplaying, the big bend. Now he has found his voice and can ofcourse use bends but don’t have to rely on them.

[@sparda9060]

Yeah I am the same with linkin park's first 2 albums, I remember every single lyric of every songs in Hybrid Theory and Meteora. Listened to those songs thousands of times over 20 years.

[@titntin5178]

Great reaction and I love the way you really feel what they are about. Earned my sub.

[@igordasunddas3377]

Awesome reaction and very honest, yet professional. Thank you. I play the piano for around 30 years, but never professionally, and to some simple extent I can even play these songs (I play by ear, feeling and memory only - I don't read notes). Polyphia and Steve Vai make music, that often requires me to listen in order to make out the pillars, that I have to remember if I want to be able to recreate even a simple version of any of their songs (no, I don't upload stuff to KZbin, I just play for fun). This and the Playing God reaction video was very cool, thank you!

[@UnhingedReactions]

Thanks!

[@jasonrd316]

Polyphia does do a lot of bending, just not the long "weeeeee, weedily wee" kind of bends we're all used to. It was a fair assessment he was making...he's trying to make fresher sounds.

[@UnhingedReactions]

Agreed. After listening multiple times, I did notice some light bending from Polyphia, but nothing like Vai 🙂

[@jasonrd316]

@@UnhingedReactions lol very true! Of course, nobody does it like Vai. Straight up legend

[@bored78612]

@@jasonrd316 Vai never did those standard third rate hendrix style cookie cutter pentatonic bends.

[@jasonrd316]

@@bored78612 Yeah, I think that's exactly why they wanted Vai in this colab.

[@user-be9eb7gs6o]

I've always loved each music genre for what they are, but polyphia are so good at what they do, that I see myself listening to more progressive rock than I used to recently.

[@njldst2007]

Quick shout, Scotty LePage actually does a lot of micro bends in his first solo

[@UnhingedReactions]

Yes after listening to it again, I did catch the micro bends. But compared to Vai, it's barely a bend 🙂

[@diverdown631]

In an interview vai stated that they chopped up what he played and pasted it back together to make his part.

[@UnhingedReactions]

Interesting!

[@samakechijowo]

That signature bending and whammy bar play from Steve Vai that makes his guitar sings, always fascinating! Never get tired of that.

[@Kasaaz]

It feels like it's a combination of the individual skill of each of them and the fact that they're all so much on the same page as to what they want to accomplish with their music. I hope they stay together and keep making music for as long as possible, because it really feels like they all play off each other.

[@johnandrews1737]

From another old fart, , of all the reactions i have listened too, yours to me is the best. Very clear and precise and I love your logic and thought's on what they are accomplishing and the passing of the torch. Well done and thank you.

[@UnhingedReactions]

Thanks!

[@Coinmancer]

That second solo gets all epic metal and there is tons of bends in that one for sure. It was almost like foreshadowing for vai.

[@BrokenWingman]

Scotty does a number of intermittent bends in his section before Vai comes in, but Vai definitely goes HARD on bends, it's wild. The trumpet outro on this track brings me so much joy

[@jleote]

It says a lot about the boys when Vai is the weakest link in the song lol.

[@abnaykazaabnaykaza912]

Absolutely, there is room for everyone. History teaches us that people said the same thing you are saying now about rock'n'roll when it appeared long ago... Time has proven that those who had not listened to the bad critics were right to persist. others arrived later and took over. However, you are right, only time will tell. Peace 😎✌

[@RedSinter]

Interesting 🤔 that EVERY reviewer has missed is that this was their Homage to those, Steve V in particular. And as I said EVERY reactor has missed that chair he intros in was shared by all of them. First Tim was sitting in it, then Scott, then Lastly Steve.

[@kent-oveprestberg3578]

Guthrie Gowan and Buckethead are the pinnacle of technical guitar playing. Well Tim Henson are too.

[@UnhingedReactions]

Love both Guthrie and Buckethead! Amazing players!

[@PROMITHEFSDESMOTIS]

Just...God lavel !Its amazing!

[@junito1957]

THE BENDER IS THE MAIN LEAD SINGER OF THIS COLLABORATED AND THE TRUMPET APPROVE OF IT

[@Sicknificant1]

I can't explain why but the first time I heard this song I was really underwhelmed... but then I heard it again another time and it hit me completely different and I find it amazing now.

[@UnhingedReactions]

I was impressed the first time, and it's only gotten better with each listen!

[@seldrake_fox7893]

I just noticed your lights are in sync with the music, lol

[@UnhingedReactions]

Hell yeah, and we didn't even do anything... It's just the power of the music! 😎🤘

[@Durnyful]

It is just ridiculously good 🤪

[@darkogregec7503]

Torch passing. Nice!

[@jeanknowles6317]

These musicians are not of this world. Again, Frank Zappa would be weeping for joy, and totally mesmerized. 🌻🌻🌻❤️❤️

[@IamKhylsdrak]

I don't imagine their guitar tabs :)

[@lazarus8910]

giving credit to Steve for creative joint bending, should not forget Jerry Donahue

[@UnhingedReactions]

Indeed. His influences spoke to that specifically. Including Amos Garrett, Albert Lee, Robin Ford, Tommy Emmanuel and others. Thanks for watching. 🤘

[@osspillkits]

This changed music. U don't need voculs

[@muninntog142]

I honestly don’t think Tim meant anything derogatory by the term “boomer” there. It seemed like he spent a while to search for a word that worked and settled there. What I took it as was him saying more of a legacy style but I could be wrong

[@muninntog142]

I do hope that Scott picks up these bends tho. It would compliment his shredding much better than Tim’s fast-technical playing

[@xEmperorMao]

Polyphia isn't math rock

[@zach4968]

Who cares?

[@xEmperorMao]

@@zach4968 And yet you comment lmao

[@UnhingedReactions]

Debatable. I've heard them described as math rock, even by themselves, but they certainly are more than that.

[@zach4968]

Ok admittedly I was just trying to be a dick, but since you seem to be sticking around I actually want to re ask my question in a serious, not rude way. I'm not trolling, I'm honestly curious. To what extent do you think it being or not being math rock should matter? Do you think genre provides anything to the art or experience?

[@CosmicEcho83]

I agree that Polyphia isn't math rock but also don't think it matters much. The reason I don't see them as math rock though is because they rarely get into odd time signatures. That being said using uneven subdivisions isn't really that different from weird time signatures IMO.

[@danielovares6684]

Steve Vai guitar god? WTF Even Petrucci is better than Vai lol

[@UnhingedReactions]

Are you kidding me? Vai is a master!

[@danielovares6684]

@UnhingedReactions I'm not saying he is bad. He's still one of the best ones, but he is not the guitar god... Petrucci has more theoretical knowledge and skills. Even Satriani is better than Vai. BUT I won't and can't call anyone the guitar god, since everyone exceeds in their matter and besides we're still missing someone who exceeds in every playing style... who's most probably be called the Guitar God

[@UnhingedReactions]

Given that this subject matter is purely subjective, The only thing that matters is which players and styles bring you the most satisfaction and enjoyment. It's not about made-up deities, or goats (unless perhaps on a Pink Floyd album). It's personal preference, and only you know exactly why you like it so much. That's why sharing music and your opinions regarding it with others is so special, you can share your favorite stories. And nobody's right or wrong, just rockin'.🤘🧠

[@dr.s.]

Two artists/acts that really do not hit anything inside me. I really do appreciate their technical skills, no doubt about that. But that's just what the brain tells me.I don't know if this is the future of guitar playing or just a phase. Anyways, who does know? For me it's not so much the playing that is too complicated, I just don't like the overall tone. It's thin and for me boring. Personally, I much rather listen to one of Uncle Larry's Homeskoolin' tracks on repeat for 24 h, he's got so much tone. What sorta bugs me, is that a lot of people my age see bands like Polyphia and generalize that there is no "real" guitar playing anymore (whatever "real" means, I think they mean more traditional, Hendrix, SRV, kind of stuff). And that's not true. There are still a lot of guitar players sub 40 (even sub 30) that don't do the fiddledi-diddledy stuff. There is space for all.