WTF Did I Just Hear? Polyphia: Playing God | REACTION by an old musician

There is a moment when music expands the mind... when it alters your thinking. Apparently, Polyphia lives in that moment. They call it progressive math rock. I call it enlightening! Watch as I unknowingly enter a new world!
Original video: • Polyphia - Playing God...
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[@Games_By_Design]

"Are you hearing these drums" YES THANK YOU! Everyone is always so focused on the Guitar and while Tim and Scott are absolute phenom's Clay doesn't get nearly enough credit

[@3lapsed]

An interesting factoid. Steve Vai named Tim Henson (lead guitarist there) as his #1 guitarist taking the instrument to the next level

[@perocomohahechoeso]

My 1st too, i didnt know that! This guys are just gods at song writing and playing... Original as fuck and fusing a lot of styles from baroque to trap and sounding GREAT. Thats an artist bro... And that thing they do with the guitar wtf... Im learning this song and i didnt play anything like this in my life xd and ive played arpeggios from hell, altitudes, Air... But wtf is this shit its like a solo but with chords but trap but bach but bossa nova but

[@dezertson2011]

Scott LaPage?

[@klutzmtg2310]

@@dezertson2011 Scott is incredible in his own right. But Tim is the one who creates these incredible sounds and evolves things to levels never before imagined.

[@NeCoruption]

Meanwhile tim is just riding the train tosin abasi built for him

[@grimshawr]

​@@NeCoruptionI agree, but you have to admit he rides that train very well

[@maksschmidt]

I love watching Polyphia reactions because basically everyone vibes with them from people who have deep understanding of music theory and composition to your average music listener who has never played an instrument before. They’re such an amazing band because their playing is so crazy complex yet their songs are still super accessible.

[@Twe4ke]

Can confirm! Played trumpet for like 15 years and picked up guitar in high school/college. I'm absolute dog water compared to the average guitarist, but having been highly involved with music theory from marching and orchestra, I vibe with their music hard. It's absolutely what he said, just mind blowing and these guys' musicianship is on a whole nother plane of existence from the rest of us.

[@masterkane5340]

Literal fuckin guitar porn. Idk a single guitar player who isn't absolutely blown away by Tim Henson's playing, and Polyphia as a whole.

[@YouCanCallMeReTro]

One issue that overly-technical songs can have is the tendency to alienate non-players with the aggressive musicianship. But this song really flows in such a melodic way even with the insanity of the speed and techniques being used that ends up being very palatable. Me personally as much as I love technical greatness, I need a song to have more than that. This song has that.

[@mountaverage2706]

Everyone except me apparently haha. I can't stand their music, it's extremely unappealing to me. And I listen to many different genres and styles of music.

[@maksschmidt]

@@mountaverage2706 Yeah, it definitely doesn’t hit for everyone. Music taste is so personal. One question I like to ask everyone when it comes to music is “Which band/artist should you love based on your typical music taste, but can’t stand?” It really reveals how diverse people’s music tastes are even in people with similar listening habits.

[@Bobbias]

So here's some info. Tim Henson likes to write his music playing everything through his music keyboard into his DAW, and only after writing it that way does he learn how to play what he wrote on guitar. That approach leads to forcing him to learn to play things most guitarists just never end up needing to do. One special thing about this song is that it features custom Ibanez guitars using piezo pickups with nylon strings, which is what gives this song such a different tone than you often hear in electric guitar music in general. Their older material doesn't feature those nylon strings, but still has the same level of super technical playing.

[@IceMetalPunk]

Fun related fact: Fort Minor's song "Remember the Name" has a similar story. (Not to nearly the same level, but still.) The iconic string riff that plays throughout the song was originally composed by Mike Shinoda on keyboard, and when he went looking for cellists, etc. to play it for the actual track, everyone told him "that's... extremely difficult to play on actual strings, no one is talented enough for that." So he ended up getting a whole group of cellists to play it one note at a time, one after the other, so it sounded like a single string instrument. It seems that composing on one instrument, then transferring to another, is a great way to create unique sounds.

[@PanzerAce760]

I really like the haunting tones from the nylons and piezo

[@interdimensionalsteve8172]

The dude lierally uses computers to write "impossible" riffs, then figures out how to play them on the guitar. Quite the approach.

[@ErimlRGG]

That really makes sense, didn't know that since I'm not a huge Polyphia fan. but the section in 5:00 totally sounds like something you would write in a DAW without caring if it's viable in an instrument and even the muting and delay sounds very similar to a synth

[@UchihaSasuke02]

@@IceMetalPunk I was lucky enough to get the special edition of The Rising Tied album which came with a DVD showing them doing it, the timing needed for it is incredible

[@Durnyful]

It's everything... guitars, DRUMS, bass, timing, dynamics 🤯 Best new music I've heard in too many years

[@UnhingedReactions]

Couldn't agree more!

[@derserker1]

Tim henson and Scott Lapage, the guitarists, and clay aeschliman, the drummer, have uploaded an unplugged version of this song on their respective channels. You should check it out !

[@kylel8605]

Lepage. The door can hit your ass on the way out

[@willcharters878]

We need Gober to do an unplugged bass playthrough fr

[@dirkdiggler2218]

The series of harmonics Scottie hits on his part about 18 seconds into his vid is ridiculous

[@krisschockelt2722]

@@dirkdiggler2218 literally. You sort of hear it during the music video but Scottie’s unplugged version I was like 😳

[@dirkdiggler2218]

@@krisschockelt2722 Some of the notes in that phrase definitely get obscured a bit in the studio recording. I enjoyed the isolated parts a lot, too.

[@kankles187]

Why is no one talking about how in the pocket that bass was! Those bass lines were insane!

[@TheLevitatingFleem]

foreal dude, the bass was *incredible*

[@CLOAKBEATS.]

another cool part of Polyphia is that the bass player Clay is the least talked about member and he is a god-level musician and bass player. Says a lot about the band

[@willcharters878]

No matter how incredible Scott, Tim and Gober are, you can always tell the musicians from the casual listeners cos the first comment is always about how insane Aeschliman's drumming is

[@Artorus]

Haha my jaw dropped when I heard how tight the drums were. I play bass :D

[@MDL.720]

I consider myself a casual but one of the first things that struck me was how well the drums tie all of this together. Plus that fill is really sweet.

[@ZeroZiltch]

Casual here First listen, only guitar hit me Second time, guitar bashed me Third time, bass shook me

[@dadanddaughterbusby1726]

That’s really funny cus his first comment wasn’t about the drumming, lol.

[@zergfan3]

@@dadanddaughterbusby1726 because the drummer hadnt started yet genius boi

[@jd5179]

One of the few songs that was really hard to cover - their style is really a mash up of flamenco, bossa nova , jazz rock mash up together with an insane speed and the melody is soo smooth . Polyphia looks like invented a new music genre .

[@odinsudons]

Tim and Scott are out of this world but Clay....I have so much respect for that man after hearing his drumming. So flippin CLEAN and precise...

[@nondescriptcat5620]

yea, hearing Polyphia for the first time is a trip. they've gone so far prog on this one that they looped around into straight Flamenco and Bossa Nova, which i always support. i think you'd also like Sokoninaru, who are somewhere between Polyphia and Band Maid's Black Hole. entirely mindblowing. Tenohira De Odoru is their most popular song, but all are incredible.

[@karwashblark7499]

Holy shit this is dope. Never heard of Sokoninaru but am already a fan

[@autohmae]

The way I think about it: a band for musicians to listen to which regular people can listen to as well.

[@scottlepageslonglostson9640]

dude you should check other songs by them like - goat , saucy , od , 40oz , goose , the worst and nasty and etc

[@gabrielmares4151]

All above YES!! loved reaction we need more polyphia!

[@RustyGonzo]

+1 for O.D.

[@3lapsed]

+1 for GOAT, Goose, and OD

[@archemedes2533]

Anything off Renaissance

[@yeti4269]

Just go ahead and check out their entire discography at that point

[@SidtheSlothh]

A few months back, they played So What?! Fest in the DFW area. The drummer lost his audio to the in-ears and his tech acted as stand-in metronome and he managed to be on time for the rest of the 20+ minutes in the set. Genuinely awe-inspiring musicianship.

[@echo_waves9439]

It warmed my heart to see how happy hearing this music made you.

[@EnngTheGreat]

Man watching your reaction to different portions of the song was so on point. I must listen to this song 10x a day and I still get chills at those exact moments. The musicianship put on display by these dudes is astounding!

[@Tessitura9]

One thing I love about Polyphia is that everything just sounds so "right" and in the pocket and just *chef's kiss" mwah! 🤌🏽

[@ChildishDanbino]

Polyphia’s music is so incredibly inspirational to me. This song in particular is the most satisfying series of noises I’ve heard in a long time. I also love the high quality energy you give off. Great video, man!

[@joannclinard6657]

Like you, I just discovered them a week ago. I’ve listened to their entire catalog at work a few times and I’m addicted! Pretty sure everyone else at work is too! Phenomenal talent!!!

[@afailable]

Every day since I first heard this song I have to listen to it again, and it still hasn't lost any of its charm, if anything it keeps getting better the more you hear it.

[@tatzvanilla2819]

love your reaction! the level of appreciation of a musician far exceeds that of a normal listener when first hearing this song. love how you just absorbed and vibed to the music. you just earned a new subscriber :)

[@RiseSavant]

These guys are just next level. I’ve watched countless videos and these guys are just in another stratosphere. The musicianship, technicality, the intricacy is out of this world. They are truly master class musicians.

[@TB-sp9jy]

It was heartwarming to see you enjoying this masterpiece.

[@grotwurksmekshop6607]

This is the perfect reaction video. Someone reacting to a song/band that I enjoy and validating that enjoyment with their own. Don't know why I enjoy it but it is a thing

[@UnhingedReactions]

I feel the same way watching other reaction channels :-)

[@azfaa2178]

Here's an add on info: *“Polyphia”, comes from the word, “Polyphony”, meaning: “music whose texture is defined by the interweaving of several melodic lines” Playing off this definition, as a band, we capitalize on musicianship, and that, musically, each member of the band is a cornerstone of our sound.* Thanks Y'all. Kuala Lumpur, Friday Sept 23rd 2022

[@teraedwards7835]

I love watching your reaction because honestly? i know this wasn't the FIRST time you heard it in this video, but still the reactions were still very on point and i was totally able to live vicariously through you and gain those amazing vibes again... Great band. LOVE this piece.

[@db9789]

I've seen these guys live and they are still perfection. Being able to do it in a studio is one thing , but trust me , live is just as perfect.

[@swilsons05]

I got tickets to see them in Colombia SC this march and i'm so excited! I bet theyre going to be even better live. Great reaction! loved it. THis was basically my reaction to this song the day it came out

[@Julia-tk2em]

Were they any good live?

[@davidjarvie9546]

I discovered polyhia about 8 months ago, and I came late to the party. They are just amazing. Glad you got to react to them. Check out GOAT and other polyphia tracks.👍

[@hapyharyhard0n581]

I absolutely love watching peoples first reaction to Polyphia. This was a good one. 🤯

[@rojohe]

As impressed as I am by the magnitude of each musician's technical skills and musicality I repeatedly find myself being drawn to Clay Aeschliman's incredible drumming. What an impressive combination of musical talent.

[@NosamasoN]

If you liked that, you should also check out Animals as Leaders as well. They stand along with Polyphia at the peak of the prog instrumental scene. There newest album Parrhesia is incredible

[@interdimensionalsteve8172]

Not quite as "technically brilliant" as Animals or Polyphia, but the instrumental band Russian Circles is also on my list of favs

[@davyprendergast82]

To me AAL just sounds like hundreds of boulders rolling down a hill really fast lol. This is hundreds of times more melodic. I don't doubt the technique of those guys is up there though, without a doubt. I'd just never enjoy listening to it

[@shucklesors]

AAL doesn't really stand "along" with Polyphia... quite a bit ahead in music technicality, like Tesseract and the other guys. But what Polyphia does well is really be musically simple enough for pop song listeners, although they are technically difficult in the instrument playing (but VERY SIMPLE and approachable in terms of the music)

[@alancraig782]

I don't want to be cliche but you've got to see the guitar unplugged version by Tim Henson. It is mine blowing and you realise so much more about what he is playing.

[@UnhingedReactions]

I did watch that! He is a true virtuoso.

[@countslick2924]

Polyphia is the only band I watch reaction videos too lol it’s so satisfying seeing other people as blown away as I was the first time I heard them back in 2018

[@pufferaway]

Truly appreciate the sentiment you presented, as I and many others have also become smitten with Polyphia. I've been having "The Sinister Minister · Bela Fleck And The Flecktones" flashbacks since first exposure! 😃

[@buzzpsy]

Very nice and genuine reactions sir, much love!

[@joshchacko7729]

Simple and sweet. Loved it dude. Thanks a lot. It's a joy watching you. One can see the passion in your face. 👌🏼

[@UnhingedReactions]

Thanks!

[@joshchacko7729]

@@UnhingedReactions I really man it. You were born to live music. You're blessed to play too.

[@Hoho-dc7fg]

the fact that scott smiled when he got an email

[@klutzmtg2310]

I discovered these guys way back when they first came out with the Inspire EP and even back then when I shared one of their songs to a long dead youtube channel people were vibing with it like crazy. It makes me happy to see so many older people fall in love with this band ESPECIALLY when back in like 2014-2015 so many musical elitists were giving them shit and calling them garbage because they dared to make music the way they wanted to and didn't abide by traditional means. Tim, Scott, Gober and Aeschliman are all immaculate and even when Brandon and Randy (both former drummers) were part of the band they still dropped bangers. They had another member extremely early on named Lane back when they had Brandon and Lane doing vocals for the rare but still possible to find Original EP "Resurrect".

[@williamchristian8705]

It’s like a great movie. You watch it a few times and you keep picking up more and more. My first listen it was all about Tim playing. Then as I progressively listen to it. The bass came through. Clay came through. Clay on drums and the fills and ghost notes. I felt like I was overloaded. Then the damn whistling even hit me. A real masterpiece for my taste.

[@StephenRoberts99]

you should listen to some of their earlier stuff, hearing how they've grown as musicians into what they are today is an awesome experience

[@CinJyxxe]

Tim Henson, the writer for Polyphia, is practically inhuman with his music theory. It's like he finds a theme he likes and then just takes it into different realities, interpreting that theme over and over with different musical perspectives and using different influences to modify it. It creates this ridiculous blend of seemingly clashing sounds and echoes of different genres that just crash together to create artwork. If that was it, that'd be jawdropping itself, but then the entire band can take Tim's insane melodies that should realistically only exist in theory and actually move their bodies to make those sounds and rhythms come out of actual music instruments. "Playing God" isn't just a title, it's a testament to how far they've challenged the mastery of their craft.

[@kc_jones_gaming]

These guys are changing music like Jimi changed guitar and I’m here for it 🤘

[@BrokenWingman]

I haven't really delved into their most recent album (that this song is from), but their album New Levels New Devils, is one of my favorite instrumental* albums of all time. (* they have a few songs with guest vocalists)

[@hetconaviation2624]

Watching your mind getting totally blown... priceless! Don't feel like you're playing catchup to a band that left lightspeed in their dust the day they began. I'm 75 and I just "discovered" them. There's hope for this world after all. (My guitar career was back in the 70's and 80's.). Welcome to the next level. (sorry for the old Sega ref)

[@onsesejoo2605]

I am only now watching this video. To me this piece brings the 70's jazz fusion group Return To Forever to mind, especially the piece "Romantic Warrior". It also uses a lot of latin elements in it and is largely acoustic instrumental.

[@knowingjake]

I absolutely love your genuine appreciation for what SHOULD and IS a mind blowing performance. Thank you for not hamming it in or exaggerating your experience. It didn't need it. Take my like, my dude.

[@davidboyce9847]

flamenco flavor with alternate picking, but watch tim play the base line on his runs are just sic! wow!!

[@JordanCS13]

This song was put in my Weekly playlist suggestions on Qobuz, and I had never heard Polyphia before. This song came on while I was working, and I basically had the same reactions on display here. And now for the past two weeks I’ve pretty much only listened to Polyphia because I feel I have to catch up the time I’ve lost not knowing about them.

[@ianmoran2206]

As absolutely insane and the entire group is, it's crazy to me how much the drums standout. I love polyphia.

[@Garkimyer]

I absolutely love seeing fellow musicians react to polyphia for the first time because they all react the same and it’s exactly how i reacted. Musicians just recognize the mind bogglling talent of EVERYONE in the group. They’re modern day virtuosos, Paganini would be proud.

[@mandalor03]

Great reaction. Really felt that

[@matthieusavary983]

This track is an absolute beauty.

[@ontoshere]

I just found these guys yesterday and have been watching others react to see if others feel the same lol I was blown away, it's not that they played it, it's that they created this. If that makes sense? Yes obviously there's a lot of skill to play like that, but there's lots of skilled people. It's the innovation with their instruments that just floored me. Haven't heard anything quite like it. The entire composition and performance these guys pull off is incredible.

[@Yodaandhislightsabre]

I'm 69. These guys are my new favorite band. I heard of them just recently, too.

[@Glacier2kx]

We finally have an heir to Rush. It was going to take an absolute level up of incredible proportion for someone to step up and pick up the torch that Rush has been holding. Its not all about the technical - its also about accessibility and for lack of a better word, song. This is it. Its the current peak of musicianship, song, rhythm, color and texture.

[@Mars-1995]

I love your poduction quality. Subscribed

[@UnhingedReactions]

Much appreciated!

[@shawnvaughn91]

I'm personally a really huge polyphia fan and yes it is prog metal progressive metal tends to take some of the elements of jazz that used to exist and rock and brings it back. If you like these guys Animals As Leaders is another prog metal band their little bit more metalish, but they span over funk, Jazz, and Blues in their metal. And then there's what I think is a one-man band called Plini. Flaneur is one of my favorite of this band(?). This song is very very Jazz heavy.

[@masterkane5340]

Polyphia is fuckin amazing. Everyone in this band is a literal master at their instrument, and craft... Absolutely fuckin incredible playing from all of them. Tim and the Drummer really stand out tho. Watching ppl discover their music for the first time is always as satisfying as actually watching these guys play.

[@LiquidRetro]

The guitar playing is what their known for but their new drummer is totally underrated.

[@truly_I_say]

This has to be my favorite virgin reaction to polyphia that I've ever seen. You can tell this guy is actually amazed because he knows what he's listening to and how hard it is to play at this level.

[@aidanthompson4328]

I just love people seeing polyphia for the first time

[@justasidecharacter5961]

so wholesome just a man enjoying music

[@Miceliism]

Favorite reaction thus far!

[@diocoroorpiada8388]

The #Drummer🥁& #Lead #Guitar🎸 #Player is a #Beast😳 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@ryosaebafr2000]

i agree, this title is incredibly awesome, technical, and melodic... pure happiness listening to this! :D have a good day sir!

[@bittercombatvet7501]

I search for teacher and composers first time Polyphia reactions 😆 I heard old boy when he was but 17 for the first time I know.

[@averageatbest8146]

🤣🤣🤣 Loved this reaction!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@jakedoom8807]

its not just next level, its another dimension

[@truly_I_say]

1:10 When someone says "this is the best meal I've ever had!" but you know it's only the bread sticks..

[@villegas24]

Idk why they are so controversial. I love that there is finally a band that is stirring shit up. They are insane.

[@woollymammoth8282]

I JUST found Polyphia last week and I had the exact same look 20 seconds in when you paused it.... it is absurd

[@UnhingedReactions]

😎🤘

[@XcaliburReborn]

The hand placement makes it look like hes only playing half the notes but hes playing all of them through hybrid picking and its messing with what my eyes see and my ears hear. also another outrageous guitarist is Ichika Nito. incredible

[@marcpatzelt2430]

I actually have been a fan of the for quite a lot of time when this came out but I had the same reaction as you when I first heard this

[@tor8068]

That drummer is Crazy Good! His timing is within zillionths of a second! And the Guitarists are insane Good!

[@LegionOf3]

If you want to hear some more insane guitar work, check out Throne of the Anxious by Stephen Taranto

[@garrykim9098]

Right?!?! You perfectly summarized my feelings about this song and band. Here were my thoughts and feelings, not in any particular order. Amazement Confusion Awe Inspiration Joy I have not felt so strongly about a song in an extremely long time. Great song with the greatest musicianship. Pure joy to listen to.

[@UnhingedReactions]

Sounds like your 🧠 and 🎵 are getting along very well... ain't nothin' better than that.🤘

[@fearcrisis2872]

Some of Flamingo style mix with some kind of drum beat which I don't know the name but new style. Yeah, like you say this is the next level

[@nikkister9752]

They’re from my hometown ❤️🎼🎸🥁 Plano, Texas y’all ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ They’re amazing 😻

[@grawl69]

I love your reaction

[@Musicislife-es5ws]

Great reaction ❤❤❤

[@jamesparmet4652]

No on ever talks about their bassist but he just always plays the bass notes at the perfect time. Not too over the top but him and the drummer just work so well together with meaningful pauses.

[@OGFlipperbaby]

Had the same reaction first time i heard it. they are wild.

[@adaqable]

This solved music for me, I hope they release more in similar style or ill die listening to this track on repeat.

[@SRunni_]

They do have tabs/ music sheets on their website of this song...very interesting to see......

[@rupertprior6923]

It's a modern masterpiece their aren't enough words to describe how good they are on every level. Geniuses who are only going to get better wow for the future

[@legotechnictrains8999]

It'a like Young Sheldon making a test so well, everybody's grade's being downgraded.

[@murtazaseidally4487]

I love it when he giggled like a lil girl and cover his mouth. Love the reaction ❤

[@UnhingedReactions]

😎🤘

[@MrUjin57]

Эта группа выбивается из нашего времени и кучи музыкального мусора вокруг нас. Настоящая музыка, виртуозное исполнение.

[@ddstanfield9259]

I worked security at some concerts. Standing at the baracade back to the stage, 15 y/o kid I would have said came out. Good looking Probably from a well off family in Connecticut was my guess. Then This guitar comes in my head. I turn and the KID played like this I was amazed

[@Uberrheogenic]

Check out Pagan by Vitalism

[@rileyjessup2414]

Love vitalism sad they broke up 💔

[@jaylewis9203]

I still think goat is their best song. This song is phenomenal too, but you can hear the influences of jazz and flamenco and bossanova or whatever. Goat is 1000% original. A sound thats totally their own. Unlike anything youve ever heard, but still just as groovy. Great reaction tho. Man of supreme taste.

[@UnhingedReactions]

I couldn't help myself and watched Goat already. Totally amazing!

[@wakelham1958]

i think GOAT has some south east asian 'gamelan' melodic influence. i understand why westerners felt that it is something that is alien to them

[@jaylewis9203]

@@wakelham1958 definitely, im not familiar with that genre, but the first time i heard it, it blew my mind. From my experience, totally unique.

[@wakelham1958]

@@jaylewis9203 gamelan is like a dark, melodic music using traditional instruments.. i am not saying Tim took the idea from that genre specifically, but there are some similarities indeed. Anyhow, judging how polyphia evolves, I will definitely expect Tim to create more unique sounding masterpieces in the future

[@beastofthenorth1072]

TIm has a video on his channel explaining how he wrote it. Tim Henson.

[@scott-ts3kj]

that bobs burger cut was hilarious lmaoo

[@UnhingedReactions]

Haha, thanks for catching that! :-)

[@zaazletsgo1944]

Love 💗 your reaction.

[@leadawwwg]

I'm gonna start this over again . Wish I could rediscover polyphia ❤

[@UnhingedReactions]

😎🤘

[@CoastalChunk]

This song was played on Nylon Strings btw.

[@chazhubbs7815]

I love your reaction😂

[@chuckaluck40]

Polyphia is amazing , sounds a lot like al di meola john mclaughlin and paco de lucia , Tim and Scott are on another level.

[@5weatym3adows]

That was actually a great video and reaction dude loved it, ove been trying to get someone to react to Jack and owane they are also next level but a little more jazzy they just released two new songs, please check them out. Jack and Owane