ANIMALS AS LEADERS Gordian Naught Composer Reaction 

Their new album is insane. Red Miso is my favourite track.

Matt has released playthroughs of the tracks off this album. Some on his channel, some on Sumarian Records, and some on Meinl's channel. Definitely give them a watch some time, the man is insane.

Yup, they switch between solos, lead and rhythm. Yet, so far as i can see it, javier does more of the rhythm parts. Speaking of Javier, you should check out his band Mestis It is way more relaxing than AAL and has great Latin Influences

"thumbing or popping the lower strings"... You mean "Slappa Da Bass"? :P

You ABSOLUTELY have to watch the live play through from Matt. It’s on a whole other level.

Since you asked how us (the listeners) get "locked in" to a track like this, I thought I'd share my thoughts. context: Gordian Naught is one of my favorite tracks off this album, and I consider this Animal As Leaders' best album. I'm a longtime fan of the band. I focus an absolute ton on the drums. Matt Garstka's drumming (particularly more recently) has just become absolutely nuts. I genuinely think I spend more time listening (and watching) drum playthroughs of the songs, than listening to the songs on their own. It's just so engaging and fun to watch him play through the songs. Highly recommend watching (or reacting) to some of those. Anyway, what I try to do to "lock in" is follow the rythmn/groove of the drums primarily. I know that can be pretty hard to do with how all over the place his playing is...but I tend to listen to songs repeatedly, so I memorize many of the changes which makes it much easier to follow when I listen in the future. That's how (and why) I get so much enjoyment out of listening to music as "complex", "intense", or "overwhelming" as this. It's only overwhelming when you're unfamiliar, and unfamiliarity is basically eliminated through repeated listens. Though there's also something special about experiencing it when unfamiliar, and just being in complete shock and awe at what you're hearing. ...I also should mention that I find a certain grass can be a useful assistant for "locking in" to complex grooves like these. Cheers.

As a drummer, there's always a part of my brain that hears the click. Not necessarily the one as these pieces of music can get very rhythmically complex, but the pulse. Then hear the pulse and the rhythms that are playing and enjoy that as a whole. Love your vids!!

Man that look…like a toddler trying a new food for the first time deciding whether to laugh or cry. Love it!

Reading the comments here I love how everyone has a different "favorite song" from the album. It just goes to show how incredible it is. For me, Gordian Naught is my favorite. As a drummer I'm just fascinated by these insane arrangements.

Pretty much one of my top albums of all time now. It is an incredible piece of art imo

For me to get locked into a song like this is the overall groove, but mostly its the drumming. Matt's stack cymbal work on the left/right play is just awesome and add such a unique dynamic to the music.

For me, what draws me to this music, and reasoning behind why my own music also becomes things like this, is the attention to detail in synchronization, syncopation, subtle nuances, and involuntary instinctual flow of music that occurs within the movement of sections of the song and the transitions. I think of it like this: You can build 4 vertical walls and a roof at 45 degrees and call it a house and it does a great job at being a house. Or, you you can pour curved concrete walls and pick specific angles of rooflines and create an architectural masterpiece that also does a great job at being a house. Each one has their preferred audience and style.

It can be tricky to try to lock into grooves like AAL's if you have enough rhythmic and meter knowledge to feel inclined to try to count, but still end up unable to in tracks like this because the meter is just so complex. For example, I'm pretty sure the first passage of the song breaks up into a bar of 17 then a bar of 19 (or broken up further, bar of 8, bar of 9, bar of 8, bar of 11). There's no sane way to follow those specific divisions just from a pure listening perspective though, so if you're trying to lock into an actual groove, you're basically forced to go more macro...all those bars add up to 36 beats, which divides into 9, so you can groove to it like it's two bars of 9, and just have to go with the flow of the odd-time switchup in the middle which keeps it from being even. Luckily Garstka is a genius at giving you just enough in his playing to latch onto to allow for stuff like that without having to actually count and figure it out exactly like I just did. The unevenness creates a disorienting push and pull, but if you let it, his playing allows you to go with the flow and lock into a slightly less complex groove than what they're technically doing without too much effort. You're not meant to have to try to truly lock into the minute intricacies of the rhythms to be able to follow along.

5:26 That's exactly what started my love for guitar as a kid. They also have a game out called Rocksmith where you can plug in a real guitar and it will throw you actual notes.

You asked your listeners what it feels like: AAL is just like taking a huge bath. There are so many notes, I’m floating in openness. The intensity and speed eventually gives way to just a profound spaciousness…

Man I love that face you make when the unexpected virtuous melodic stuff hits.

Since you like animals as leaders with 2 guitars and no bass, why not give the opposite a try? The omnific have 2 bass players and a drummer, i suggest listening to Antecedent, it has clay gober from polyphia on it as well, making that 3 basses! Love your videos as always Geebz

This band pushes boundaries.. Unreal music writing

The drummer as been doing a bunch of videos on the Meinl youtube channel recently. it's amazing how effortless he makes it look

Best reaction vids on youtube and the chillest guy doing them! Keep up the content Geebz!

Monomyth is my favorite song off this album. Drums are incredible.

I need a 10 second segment of you imitating the fast slapping noise.

Love your videos and that "thumbing and popping technique" that you're talking about is called Slap bass technique

I listen to this type of music because I like the build up and the tension. I like the push and the drag until it all comes to a release, and you feel like you’re somewhere totally else.

I remember I had smoked some pot before the first time I listened to this track and it near gave me a panic attack from the way they build a swelling dark anxiety with their intense technical rhythms and phrasing. Really evokes some crazy feelings each time you listen! Favorite tracks on this album are Red Miso, Gestaltzerfall, and Thoughts & Prayers

I think the kind of different sounds, definitely the rhythm shifts and hearing stuff that kind of sounds a little crazy to just even, like, where does the idea for trying to make that kind of sound come from? That's definitely the kind of thing I feel drawn too for this sort of music, cool to see it, the drums are definitely nuts too. I also really like the super dissonant chunky chords that pop up here and there. Great video, thanks for doing it.

Also for me personally this album has been their easiest to listen to. I owe it to Matt's drumming.

these guys were my first instrumental band too. amazing musicians, always doing crazy stuff!!!!!!!

Omg I didn’t know they had a new album. Danke. :)

Yessss. Thank you. Jist saw them live Feb. What an experience

Hey Geebz! I just saw them live about a month ago so I can answer a few questions. For the thumping, Javier and Tosin are consistently switching off (sort of) with those parts. They played a good 80-or-so minutes and don't seem fatigued whatsoever when playing these super technical songs. Tosin actually credits Javier with pioneering their signature thump sound. He basically taught it to Tosin. If you listen to their first record, those are all Tosin's songs. He wrote all the parts and recorded them and then Misha (from Periphery) produced and helped him finish the album to send to Sumerian. Javier and Matt joined the band later when Tosin needed people to tour with. Then Tosin and Javier got tight together and they collaborated more. You can hear Javier's influence distinctly on all of their subsequent albums. Matt is a robot. No other way to say it. He's incredible and ties everything together with the band. It's weird that there are only 3 guys but they make MASSIVE sounding music, even live. I'm like 80% on the story of their formation, mainly pieced it together from interviews of Tosin and Misha.

Thank you Geebz

The punch of the low frequencies can cause a bowel movement…incredible production on this whole album. Concise and perfectly dense songs, I believe this may be my favorite one yet. This is next level shit…

Listening to these guys feels like when my computer has too many processes running and I have to Ctrl+Alt+Del, full reboot afterward, haha. Good stuff though!

Just saw these guys live in Austin recently. Incredible show doesn't begin to describe it.

This new AAL is definitely my favorite stuff from them!! Always appreciate your insightful videos. Hope you get around to checking the new Porcupine Tree single Herd Culling it's a single version so maybe the album one will be different, but good stuff. Or the other singles too if you haven't already, don't recall seeing them. Much love!

It’s the Groove Geebz, the Groove. I am perplexed and Addicted to this Edge of Musicality.

For me not being able to figure out the rhythm is part of the appeal. Forces you to just let the music come at you without the analytical brain keeping count.

Parrhesia is the most cohesive album that AAL has released thus far. With their music, it is more of the feelings that I glean from them. Technique aside.

YES…love any AAL reaction. Keep it up, Geebz 🤙

Love you Geebz

If I may suggest - next time you do Animals As Leaders breakdown go for a live session, it's way more fun, they are awesome on stage.

Matt Garstka's YT channel is a drummers paradise.

This is the best album I've heard in the last few years. Just amazing, mindblowing stuff.

Have you considered revisiting Symphony X? I'd love to hear what you think of The Odyssey. It's a musical retelling of The Odyssey by Homer and it is excellent and epic. It's long though. 24 minutes long and it's in 7 movements. It's probably the fan favorite song though.

Should check the drum video Matt released! Tosin and him have released a bunch of videos of them playing songs off this album

In my opinion, the thing that makes this band, my favorite is just the pure grooving on any kind of rithms or time signatures. And of course when you find that they don't have a bass is gg. Compositions makes sense , and the creativity is mind blowing for me. Now they are creating videos that complements the music, that's another level.

Geebz, another great one as always. These guys are insane live. Still voting on you checking out glass cloud.

Thank you for review. This trio is from another planet of skills. My favorite from the album is Red MIso.

I'm more into their melodic kind of music, not that this type isn't, but you explained really well how they are technical with their music here and also with the way they play. Three masters doing their thing, pretty amazing if you ask me. Great video Geebz🤘 Looking forward to seeing more of this band and "The Contortionist".

To add a caveat - they don't have live and/or traditional bass. I believe both Misha Mansoor and Nolly from Periphery (as well as the band I imagine) have been credited for adding bass both played and programmed :)

To get a better idea of Javier, you should check out his solo project called Mestis. Personal favourites are "Mt Pleasant" and "Uno Mas Mor" both from the same album.

Matt’s playthrough video of this track is definitely worth checking out.

Also on this album, micro-aggressions. Definitely worth the listen!

Such an epic track

Hope someone convinces Geebz to react to something off the new Cave In album Heavy Pendulum (maybe "Amaranthine"?) Not enough reacts to those gents who shifted the orbit of so many genres. Great react here, love seeing peoples brain try to keep up lol I get locked in when Matt hits those floor toms, doom doom...I'm moving and in it now

Matt Gartska is the Vinnie Colaiuta of his generation and he is STILL getting better

I believe the bass is recorded separately because they both play 8 string guitars otherwise. Also, if you check out Mestis (Javier's solo project, Eikasia is my favorite song so far), you sort of get a feel of his own personal style and can kinda start to pick it out in AAL songs, especially the song Para Mexer.

Okay okay, I got something for you. This is a real gem and you will LOVE it and many of your viewers will have never heard of it and love it just as much! Culprate! I HEAVILY recommend "Culprate - Whispers Part 1&2". There is no way around if. The decomposition and sounds they create are another level, I promise! :)

To answer your question about how us pure listeners lock in: djent is my favorite genre and I play a 7 string, but more often than not it's actually the cymbals that helps me lock in

Can we just appreciate Geebz’s hashtag of instrumental? It’s instra-mental for sure.

i'm starting to have my own pattern,.... after work> Geebz > cool new track > Spotify > truck stereo. ( cue surfing Fred Flintstone yelp )

Such a good song, was kinda hoping for the drum cam though :)

For a track like this …you of course need a primer of “Primus” and “Dream Theater” … you also got to have double bass drum ingrained in your heart!

I hope you check out Mgla’s Exercises in Futility V drum cam. Truly masterful drum work.

From a pure listening perspective I don't really feel like I'm getting locked into a beat with songs like this. It's more like I'm a ball getting thrashed around in a pinball machine.

You've gotta check out more of the album, Gestalzerfall, Red Miso, and Micro-agressions are must listens.

most prog the high hat gives it away but im a melody lover lol

As far as this platform of reaction videos/ breadown videos on RU-vid or any entertainment platform goes, I think you and Rick Beato have cornered the market in your own way. Just one man's opinion. I love your work.

The main six measure pattern of | 6/8 | 6/8 | 5/8 | 6/8 | 6/8 | 7/8 | is so sick in this song

Best band in the world.

Also check out Matt's play through of Red Miso. Starts out kinda chill then gets crazier as it goes. Also watch his play through of this song. He does some really great splash/stack work on this new album. I like how at the beginning of this song, he runs through 4 or 5 beat variations as Javier and Tosin repeat that same intro riff. You should also watch one of the clinics that Tosin does (plenty out there). He goes into technique, geeks out on gear and talks about his influences.

Would love to see you do Their Dogs Were Astronauts - Contortionist

red miso from the new album is amazing, and matt realesed a playtrouh of that one !

Animals is my favorite progressive instrumental project. Other worldly

PLEASE DO Ne Obliviscaris - Devour Me Colossus

I don't know who played which parts specifically, but I've heard them talking about recording this album. Interestingly both Tosin and Javier have signature guitars, and apparently both of them played each others guitars for different parts just to get whatever tone was best for the part they were recording. If I remember correctly it was mostly Tosin's guitars for rhythms and Javier's for leads, but I could have it backwards. They do have somewhat different playing styles, and Javier talks about how he sort of has to learn the crazy techniques and parts that Tosin comes up with. So if you were really familiar with both of their playing styles you could maybe figure out who wrote/recorded what parts.

Scale the summit!

You should check out Gerstaltzerfall from the album. Has a bit of everything from the album imo

I believe Misha from Periphery was producer on this album.

I’m sure I’m not the first, but check out Matt’s play throughs. RIDICULOUS. I was VERY impressed with the Red Miso one.

Gotta do Micro-Aggressions from this album too

you should check their debut, it's their best album (maybe Soraya or tempting Time?)

When tosin flexes- planets align

Oh yeah this album is sick! Red Miso!

They mixed it themselves :)

If you can check them out live as the sound is titanic. Almost like the modern psytrance sound here in the UK. One of the major pitfalls about the djent scene last decade has been muddy low end with a lot of the extended range guitars in a live setting. AAL, Meshuggah, Car Bomb and Tesseract.

Red miso takes the cake off the new album

This was produced by Misha Mansoor of Periphery. The would explain the mastery of engineering .

They switch yes

I recommend the band screaming headless torsos plsss

This should be good!!

Please try: 65daysofstatic - Retreat Retreat Sikth - Bland Street Bloom Refused - New Noise

I heard a track by them once on a bootleg where they had this Venezuelan guy who RIPPED on the Lead Electric Cowbell SO HARD, he took over the entire song! 0.0

Hi Geebz! Love engineering? Still waiting for you to check out Hum - “Afternoon With the Axolotls.”

Loving your channel and the nice person you are. Check an underrated yet unique and super interesting irish band called Gilla Band (previously called Girl Band). Their style? No-wave noise rock.... whatever. Their music is unique and their singer's even more unique. They released 3 albums, a new one lastly which is great (Most Normal), but IMO the 2 previous ones are clearly richer... kind of. Check Holding Hands With Jamie (1st one) and The Talkies (2nd). You'll need several listenings before getting into their universe but it's worth listening to them. Cheers from France Man :)

Red Miso, you have to check it out!

It would be great if you heard the song "Tráeme la Noche" by Gustavo Cerati. Love your content Geebz. Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱

Also keep in mind this is the album closer, so it's a really no-brakes power push.

Hi Key of Geebz, Can you look into "Syu - Vorvados" album? it's really good and underrated. Their song "chaotic reality" has alot of progression (fear of the mind).