I guess the vocals are just an adquired taste?¿ for me Chuck's (this) and Akerfeldt (Opeth) are probably (arguably) the two best dm voices. "Control Denied" is basically Death with clear vocals. When Death was making music this was just death metal, the whole Tech DM is kind of a revisionist term, best exemplified for me by the band "Necrophagist". The same Death catalog shows a clear evolution in their sound, "spirit crusher" its a good piece from their last record. Great reaction! Greetings!
As a musician who grew up listening to this genre when it came out, you hit some things on the head. Metallica and Megadeth wrote songs that made you want to pick up your guitar. Death wrote songs that made you want to put down your guitar forever. You could always find 4 guys to jam on some Metallica in high school. There’s no finding 4 guys in your town who could pull this shit off.
@@chrisrhoton5344 yeah I suck at learning by ear, I usually get the jist of a lot of stuff but usually end up playing it wrong. Was born in 97 (Missed a great era ) though so looking up tab was the only way I knew how to learn :0. Solo's are a pain to learn like that though!
exactly Chris I listened to metallica,exodus,etc. then death,cannibal, dying fetus entered my life & opened my horizons in a positive manner till this day!!!!
@@4bschaum It’s very different from the first two albums so I don’t blame you haha, it arguably should have been released under a different band name as a side project. I dig some songs on it though; gotta love Alex Marquez on the skins
You’ll owe them a lot of pizza. It’s just not their thing. I dig it, but I’m not trying to suggest that they should keep listening to a band that clearly isn’t for them
"I don't like it but I'm enjoying it" true expansion experience in real time. The joy of the more difficult types of heavy metal (or generally, music) is feeling that feeling. That feeling is good.
Listen to bolt thrower the 4th crusade the album. It has alot to do with whats going on today potential atomic conflict war. Atrosities. Read lyrics with it and youl understand its heavy as hell
Yea, man. I'm sooo picky with rap sometimes their flow just hits me. I don't "like it" but I do enjoy it at times. No Limit with Cardi, G Eazy ASAP etc is a fire track, but the lyrics are straight garbage.
The drummer Gene Hoglan played this with basically a broken back. One of the best metal drummers around. Fun fact, he was Slayers Dave Lombardo (drums) drum tech back in the 80’s.
Completely appreciate your honest reactions! I really feel you would have enjoyed it a bit more if you were reading the lyrics at the same time, because it's actually a pretty profound and touching song.
I love Death and Chuck. But this reaction of George, it's the same I had the first time I listened this album. 10 years had passes, and it's still in my staylist.
I can't stress this enough: Chuck was a musical visionary. He understood music and the guitar at such an intimate level that he can easily be considered in the top 3 metal guitarists of all time.
@@laurenfazenbaker9777 Just appreciate they're giving it the time of day. It's clearly not their genre, and it's not like they're bashing or saying it's "just noise", which is how most of the population views it. To quote Ryan - "They're incredible"
Let’s go a little deeper. Chuck played lead and sang vocals. This must be acknowledged. He was brilliant and changed metal forever with his contributions. RIP Chuck Schuldinger
“I don’t like it but they’re incredible” is totally the best and most mature reaction you can have when you don’t like something but still appreciate there’s talent there- I hate when people call something crap just because they personally don’t get it…there’s a lot of metal, especially prog metal, that i personally don’t enjoy, but I can still see there’s a lot of talent so I’d always say “I don’t like it” NOT “this is bullshit”… I think often that reaction comes from people because they’re not being open minded, not being “free thinkers”, and something sounds a little too much, too abrasive or whatever, and it’s like a defence reaction to go “aaaa this is too much and I know nothing about music so I’m gonna say it’s crap or say it’s just noise aaaaaa!”
Believe it or not guys, your reactions toward the ending are very similar to how i was right before i final “got it” concerning death metal. It’s hard to get into, but repeated listens do tend to convert people. Also to your guy’s last point in the video, it IS honestly hard for us Metal heads to remember how crazy our music seems to others. I honestly have lost all comparative perspective in that sense, what seems accessible to me is often too much and I’m dumbfounded that it’s challenging to anyone.
I was in the same boat as LIV my first time. Loved the instrumentals, but hated the vocals. I would still listen to the music regularly though just because I liked the musicianship so much. Then one day I suddenly found myself loving the vocals as well. It wasn't long before I was actually singing along to the lyrics in my head.
@@LokiTricksterG See, the trick is to not think of the vocals as a melodic instrument like a guitar - like vocals are in pretty much every other genre. Instead, you've gotta think of them as a percussive instrument, like a bass, that adds texture instead of trying to be your main focus.
That's true, there was a time when the most extreme music I could listen to was thrash metal. When there were no more thrash left I started with altar of madness from morbid angel and I must say that was easy to enjoy... But when I got to human by death... I had to listen the album like 10 times until something clicked and then I could not stop enjoying it. Then the same happened with individual thought patterns, symbolic and the sound of perseverance. It's been years and those are some of the few albums that always sounds as good as always. It doesn't matter how many times you listen to it, you can't get bored
@@novaseer dk about that, metal has plenty of singers worth focusing on though in the more extreme sides of it they do just exist. What works for me when something was too jarring is to disect songs. What I mean is I try to search for the individual recordings of each instrument and if possible vocals. That way I can find the order of it so that when i listen its not just an invasive wall of sound.
There's a point you guys have been belabouring for years now, about technicality vs "does the shit sound good." where it almost sounds like you guys think metalheads are missing the point of music re: dynamics and melody. I just wanted to reassure you that metalheads don't like metal just because it sounds technical, they still care about melody, just in a different way. The technicality itself can make a song unique and interesting in it's own way sure, but we don't sit there thinking "oh the drummer just did an impossible fill, this shit is automatically a classic." And this is particularly true with a band like Meshuggah, which is by definition the most technical band. But crucially, they arrange their music in such a genius, off-kilter, groove-centric way that it's hypnotic. It's like a drug once you learn how to catch the tempo. If it was just double kicks and shredding no one would give a flying fooknugget. So, as much as metal can lack dynamics and melody, metalheads still care about tasteful songwriting as much as you. (except Dream Theater fans lol they're just whack.) But yeah a lot of it just comes down to your sensibilities and how partial you are to that caveman lizard-brain adrenaline. So for example when that faster tempo and vocals came in after the intro, you guys almost immediately wrote the song off. And by extension the band and subgenre itself. You guys saw that combination as irreversibly bad and there's no way the rest of the song can come back from that. But all I heard was a bridge with energy, with batshit insane vocals that are still melodic, that progress the song forward. And sure a passage like that isn't as melodically interesting as the chorus, but it serves a purpose. It smacks you with a brick wall of energy, it fills you with that caveman energy, to then make the chorus hit in a different way. So even where it seems like metal is being mindlessly indulgent and dumb, it isn't, I can assure you of that lol. And saying that the faster tempo isn't as good as the slower, sustained riffs later on, is like listening to a Kanye West song and being like, hey the beat is great, but idk what rick ross is doing in this little pocket or what kanye is saying about eating asian pussy with sweet and sour sauce. You get what I mean, It's needlessly pedantic when the production itself carries the song so much that you don't care about what dumb shit Rick Ross is saying hahah. Think of a song like So Appalled which has so many throwaway lyrics, but the beat itself is just genius. You could have it on loop all day. Also I know you guys don't believe in the whole "dewd give it a couple listens it grows on you" shtick but from your own personal experiences with bands like Tool and Opeth, i think you guys can appreciate how dense music like this does grow on you. You start to hear the melodic stuff more and become more tolerant of the vocals. Anyway just my two cents I know you've heard a lot of this before. And i really do appreciate how honest, real and critical you guys are and I agree with a lot of what you say. just thought i'd give my perspective as someone whose not a metalhead, but still loves metal and this band in particular m/ cheers
I'm all for this, but there's one thing I do want to mention: "I just wanted to reassure you that metalheads don't like metal just because it sounds technical, they still care about melody, just in a different way. The technicality itself can make a song unique and interesting in it's own way sure, but we don't sit there thinking "oh the drummer just did an impossible fill, this shit is automatically a classic." *Some* metalheads don't like metal just because it sounds technical. All my years hanging around and talking to other people into metal tells me there are plenty of people who...only care about that. I don't, I believe you don't, and I know plenty of others don't, but there are a lot of people who just rate it on complexity and discard it if technicality is absent. I actually know someone who rates complexity as essentially the defining line of "is music good" (to my endless disappointment) But otherwise, yeah: all of this is really good and important discussion to be had. I took a long time to get used to death metal vocals (and I don't think Chuck is at _all_ the most off-putting kind, which may be a bad sign, or just a matter of taste!)
I don't think they're complaining about lack of melody, they're just not getting "groove" out of it. They just have to have what they call "medium thrash", and can't handle the odd time signature, fast double bass, blast beat, tremolo picking or poly-rhythm sections that are often associated with Slayer or Death Metal acts. That just gets them out of their comfort zone, as I would expect. Speaking of which, this song is a terrible entrypoint to Death for them. Something like Bite the Pain or Spirit Crusher would be right in their comfort zone.
George is a real metal head now. Even mentioning playlist and Death in the same sentence is a token of how far he’s come from the start. You can tell he really enjoys the complexity and arrangements with the stank 🤣🤘🏻
"The Philosopher" is what singlehandedly made me obsessed with DEATH overnight. I'd also reccommend "Pull The Plug" or "Zero Tolerence", something more chuggy and up their alley.
Now I know you guys have the best death metal reactions. wow. I lived next door to the bassist on this album. He used to ride his dirtbike through my back yard and I didn't even care because i've listened to this whole album since I was ten years old.
Probably you guys will enjoy Death over the years, it's a band that shocks in the first times hearing to them, but musically its incredible. I only liked it more after a long time. Fantastic Band
I don't think they will. Most people, even people who like metal can't get past the vocals. Plus, in their case, they don't like really fast songs for the most part
Couldn't agree more. It took me weeks to get into Chuck's music but once it clicked, I was sold and now I consider Death's discography flawless. Each album is a masterpiece in it's own way.
Death metal vocals are definitely the biggest hurdle for people. Funny though, I'd think singers like Tom Araya would be more difficult for them but he's no problem.
@@MrOctober44 thats crazy cause his voice is really the best ive heard in the most extreme sides of metal. Do not enjoy most of them at all but this band and especially his voice and lyrics are perfect man
Death is one of those bands I wish I could discover again! I still to this day haven’t found a band that was as tight and consistent as Death. I remembered buying 4 albums at the same time! I had listened to all of them in their entirety. I tend to cry when The music just stomps on my heart. Death and I have a love/hate relationship
It's a beautifully written song about losing the innocence of childhood and reflecting on those memories. The lyricism adds to their music so it should be read when listening imo. Chuck was a pioneer of talent, especially at the time, but even in today's standard. His lyrics are messages of meaning, which I've always appreciated. It doesnt always go into the typical brutal aggression death metal always was at that time. His vocal style was the original and incredible to pull off while playing technical riffs at the time. RIP Chuck!
Fun little piece of serendipity. I grew up loving this band. And formed a band in high school. After school I started interning at the Howard Stern Show (not an intern that was part of the "cast" but just for the news team) and my band played at a festival in NYC and DEATH was playing that night. And I met them and it was amazing they had a drummer that they were using for that tour and I think one album. And his name was Richard. .... A couple years later. Richard being s fan of the stern show. won a contest on the Howard stern show and became one of the longest running characters on his show. I went on to work at a different radio station in the same building. And stern's show was having a guitar player contest thing having to do with Limp Bizkit. And I never got to go on air cause they ran out of time. And then Richard saw me. And recognized me from that random festival in New York. And I got drunk AF with him that weekend. And we still talk occasionally. But yeah Sometimes ite so crazy how certain things line up
Deaths cover of Painkiller has some of the most extreme vocals and by a SKILLED guitarist as well. one of their best songs , best covers by any artist and greatest metal songs ever recorded. i think even any non metal head would appreciate.
You should think of Death as the Rush of death metal. It's progressive death metal. Not everybody is going to like it. Chuck's vocals being a wall you can either get over or you can't. But understand for those of us that are into this type of music Death represents the best of the best.
Blast beats are to get you to mosh. Breakdowns are to get you to nod your head (the jaws riff). Grooves are to get you to tap your foot or make the stank face. Solos are to get to be in awe of the musicians. When you watch something like this live, you get to experience all of this at the pace that a metal fan in their 20s can handle. Sometimes those abrupt changes are put in right at the moment where the crowd is getting tired from moshing, or to get the pit to explode all at once. Additionally I'd like to add that this was very innovative at the time. This is the kind of song that lead to bands like Mastodon and Gojira, who took these influences and, IMO, made them so much better.
All progressive genres sound disjointed on first listen, almost literally every song, jarred at first until it clicks. Death was the band that forced me to listen to death metal vocals because I couldnt deny the musicianship and interesting melodies. They are like the best of thrash/death, with some progressive elements and distinctive signature style. The way you guys felt about Death I feel about Vector. If you can get past the vocals, I would recommend Spirit Crusher, Scavenger of human sorrow or Flesh and the power it holds (all off of their last album Sound of perseverance. The philosopher, pull the plug and Lack of comprehension are all great as well.
If you haven't checked them out, there is a band from the early 70s called Death. Three brothers from Detroit playing Punk/ Hard Rock. Great stuff, and a fascinating story. Definitely worth your time
I've been away for a while and was stocked to see you in this fold where you do not see many reactions. Appreciate the ear for music, the honest takes, and the openness to listening to music even when you have no obvious draw to it. It's a great mix and genuine which is rare with reaction content at times. Keep it up!
George reminds me of me a few years after I started listening to metal, where I started off with Sabbath and Metallica but was turned off by death growls. Then some time later I worked my way into accepting stuff like Death because the music is so great
What James said! Exactly! I first heard Heartwork by Carcass in the 90s. Musically it was(and still is SPECTACULAR)...BUT...I couldn't "get" Jeff Walker's vocal style. I'd tell folks these guys make the Metallidudes sound like Simon and Garfunkel. Again. LOVED the music. Not the "cookie monster" vocals. Then , at 53 something happened. I discovered the late, great Chuck Schuldiner and Death. Then I REALLY started discovering and listening to melodic death metal and technical death metal. Now a year later I LOVE Death, Insomnium, Dark Tranquility, Machine Head, Soilwork, Mors Principium Est, Allegaeon, et al., and am constantly searching for killer new bands and older ones I've missed. And honestly almost THIRTY YEARS later Jeff Walker from Carcass is my favorite extreme metal vocalist and Carcass is my favorite HEAVY METAL band. This (not really old but older) dawg LOVES the new tricks I'm learning. Bring on the heavy shit! Now the Metallidudes honestly sound like hard rock to my ears.. Well...not really...the first 4 Metallica albums are beyond epic but THAT was the "real" Metallica.
Chuck was the most influential metal master of our lifetime... he wrote the music and formed members to play... his sound is one of a kind.... growing up as a metal guy, I needed to progress into the vocals because the style and speed needed an equal level of aggression that compliments the energy and groove of the sound. I saw Chuck before he died and it changed my life forever
The fact that you straight up say you don't like the sound BUT you still say "They are incredible" makes me appreciate you guys so much. (And the obstacle course comment was pure gold)
The lyrics in this song are so incredible. "Symbolic acts, so vivid/yet at the same time, were invisible." It's crazy how you can go through life, and seemingly mundane acts in your life will not only persist in your memory but contribute a significant portion to who you are. Those turning points in your life are invisible in their significance until you reminisce years later.
This is amazing. Loved watching you guys get through this song. I understand where Ryan is coming from "I don't like it, but I enjoy it." George, it was cool to see you go from a no to a yes on this one. The thing about this song is how important the content of the lyrics are for each of those riffs. Symbolic [Album] has my favorite lyrics of all time. Chuck was so talented in telling an every day feeling or event and making it seem fantastic. This is literally my favorite album of all time.
In my opinion the lyrics are a key factor in this song. It gives a soul and meaning to the song. Death is not only fast music, technical skills and great musicians, every song is attached to a feeling or symbolic experience.
Btw, the drummer on this album is Gene Hoglan. He's generally considered a legend. He's also played for Strapping Young Lad and filled in for many other major metal bands.
Yeah, definitely need to give Voice of The Soul a listen. Different side of Death that I think you guys would appreciate. As others mentioned Control Denied is Death with a Power Metal vocalist and really deserves an opportunity to be heard...Consumed, Expect the Unexpected and also When the Link Becomes Missing would all be good tracks to start with.
If the vocals don’t resonate with you, check out their instrumental track Voice of the Soul, the guitar riffs and solos will tickle your soul and you will see how phenomenal Chuck was. Btw vocalist and guitarist is the same guy. RIP Chuck
DEATH - Human album . In 1992 I heard that for the first time at 14 years old and I ran under the bed sheets and listened to it from there. I was very scared. God I love them.
I was 16 when I first heard Death. It was an Individual Thought Patterns album. Chuck's vocals sounded scary to me as well🙂 It was like a real devil's voice. Then of course I became addicted to that vocal. Chuck was a great musician, songwriter and composer. But to be honest, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't like the pre-Human albums. But they became more perfect with every step. That's why it makes you think what the band would have done if he hadn't died at an early age.
As a member of the Death Metal scene that began here in South Florida and as a huge Death fan and Chuck Schuldiner fan (vocalist and songwriter of Death) who passed away in 2001, I feel like he would have loved the outreach you guys gave to the community
I'm glad you guys stuck it out through the whole song. One of Death's best. Also, that ending transition yall loved so much happened in the very middle of the song.
Pull The Plug would imo also be their most accessible song for people getting into Death Metal coming from someone who loves Metallica all day every day
@@onairmastering Yes it does the drums are only clicky cause of the production. clicky drums were in every death metal song prior to 1995, When instrument mics were finally made that could hand fast double bass with out bottoming out.
@@Bartman61911 NO, I asked Terry Butler and he confirmed. The drums are not clicky, they are a drum machine. Terry was the bassist for Spiritual Healing and was in the band in Leprosy, but he didn't play, so leprosy is Chuck and Ross, and Ross can suck it with those lame ass lazy solos.
Nah, it would probably be Crystal Mountain off of this same album, the vocals aren't too harsh, there is a very catchy melodic pattern in the chorus, and its not really that heavy. Its really almost a thrash song. Pull the plug has too harsh vocals and isn't really that accessible.
One of the greatest metal songs ever. As you said towards the end, you want to listen to it again as there's so much in it. But the more you listen, the more you'll find how good it is to listen to.
Death metal is an acquired taste I think. I've been into metal all my life and I've only grown to really appreciate death metal over the last 3 or 4 years. Now it's one of my favourite genres. I listen to Bolt Thrower, Cannibal Corpe and Obituary daily.
Totally agree with you. Started with Death metal only during the pandemic after listening metal my whole life and now it's cannibal + death + children of.bodom etc etc all week long
@@gregrodrigueziii8075 Yeah I've found over the years that their patrons have a bad habit of choosing the wrong songs to represent he bands they react to.
You guys have to check out Spirit Crusher... Some of the best riffs Chuck ever wrote, and it's a bit slower as well... Think you'd actually dig that one!
Symbolic is widley considered in the Metal community as the greatest Death Metal album of all time. This album really is a pillar in the world of metal. Please review the song 'Flesh and the Power it Holds' by Death!
@@VirgilStarkwell1969 Thats what makes Death's discography so great. Most people agree they don't have a bad album but preferences are allllllll over the place
Death isn't for everyone, but they were one of the all time greats of metal. I honestly feel that their individual thought patterns album was their best, but Chuck was an incredibly gifted guitar player
This is my favorite Lost in Vegas video. You guys start out by not liking it at all, but by the end, you were starting to get into it. Felt like I was watching both of you going on a long musical journey. It also made me feel nostalgic because I had a similar reaction when first getting into death metal.
@@captainbalderdash5412 Good point but could be a better format to appreciate death metal instruments. But they have evolved so much as it is. I would love to have a conversation with them about Obituary haha
They didn't have the best equipment or knowledge back in the 90's when it came to recording, mixing and engineering albums like this. Chuck's legacy and what his influence left on the world of music as a whole is much deeper than most people realize.
You guys should check out the song Spiritual Healing by Death. It's slower and more groovy than the Symbolic album. Also I think you guys would enjoy Chuck's voice much more, since it's lower.
Spiritual Healing is my favorite Death album. Human is their best album though. It’s taken me years to differentiate the two. The musicianship just went through the roof on Human.
Just wait till you guys get to Dying Fetus lmao they got aome of the nastiest death metal grooves and breakdown riffs, but it is definetly a technical death band
🔥🔥🔥🔥🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻RIP Chuck. His vocal style and how he delivers the lyrics were so unique. Read the lyrics as you listen. Do Spiritual Healing, something from HUMAN cover more!! BOLT THROWER!!
Great band by one of death metal’s innovators,the ‘tech’ came later when Schuldiner started to use so many more elements while experimenting with his sound and made it so much cooler.
Honestly I love you guys and your reactions, especially to genres that you're not super familiar with. Being able to appreciate music and talent is more important than finding a new favorite song. You guys recognize how talented these musicians are and how their fans love their music and can enjoy the song for the experience even if you don't necessarily love it. You guys have taught me to be more open to music I generally would write off. Much love, keep up the great videos and honest reactions.
Have y'all ever checked out At The Gates? The Slaughter of the Soul album is legendary. World of Lies would be an epic reaction. The opening riff is AMAZING!!!
I agree, I think they would love that one. I love how it is sort or all metal genres in one. Technical death/thrash/prog but with that massive catchy Sabbath riff during the chorus
I am an OLD metal head. I didn’t appreciate Death at first. It took many years (not listening to them) Eventually I started listening to them again and “The Sound of Perseverance” album messed my head as to how I missed how awesome they actually were from the start.
Ive had so many laughs and im only half way thru the video. George cracks me up with his comments. This is also my first listen to the song and I also love the technical ability of these guys. You guys are such good sports, even though its not your cup of tea you give credit where its due. Im sure fans appreciate that about you two as much as I do. ✌
Well yes and no. I mean, i love Death and they're saying they make music Just for flexing their musicianship which Is not true. Death had a lot of Deep messages and strong melodies in their music, they're just not an Easy band to listen, but this Song has an incredibile structure. I can understand why they don't like this stuff and i'm glad that they're honest and Just say What they feel, but also i kinda think that they're missing the point of this genre, which Is not just a showcase of technical stuff but much more, and i can confirm myself because i compose this kind of music and i do for fun and for myself, i don't really care how difficult the Song Is, i Just want to express myself with my music.