When it comes to music like this, you don't count. In the early years, I bet they did a lot of that, but nowdays, they are so used to it, so they do not have to count anymore. They feel it. :) That said, it is kind of ironic that he looses count of scoops of coffee. :)
trillriff-axegrinder Makes sense, in the simplest terms, if you have 4 measures of 5/4, it's pretty much the same as 5 measures of 4/4. Depends on the phrasing of the riff.
gredangeo I mean...I unfortunately learned how to play drums by ear and never learned how to count time sigs...but it doesn't hinder my playing really because like someone mentioned you can memorize the restart time by feel...I kinda think counting can mess me up more than anything because my brain is focusing on counting rather then the overall pattern...just my 2 cent :)
he has a (VERY!) slight accent. he kinda lengthens the "o" when be makes the "or" sound like in 'for' or 'recording'. i know a few people from the Minnesota/North Dakota area and they do the exact same thing
+Gibbstronic A lot of Swedes speak flawless English. Ebeeto (gamer), Max Von Sydow (actor) or Alicia VIkander (actress), are all Swedes and I didn't know it for a long time.
I think they wanted to do that sort of recording for years, but they always ended up in a situation where it was faster/easer/less costly to go down the computer-centric recording scheme. With Violent Sleep of Reason, they were in a position where they actually could do a live recording for the album with a proper engineer. This choice has very little to do with tone, but rather that they've realized that, going down the computer-centric recording, allows you to become absolutely perfect. It generates someting that is almost artificial, and they wanted to come much closer to how they actually sound live which has a lot of energy, despite minor misstakes here and there. I am pretty sure they are still writing music the way this documentary shows, it is just that when all songs are done, they rehearse them for a while and then get into the studio to record live. I really hope they will continue to do that, because Violent Sleep of Reason is, to me, one of their best albums to date!
"We have no guidelines. We do whatever sounds Good. It could be soft, hard, slow or faster. There are no Rules, Really. We have no clue How we do it.. We just write Music." I will always listen to this band!
333plus333 being able to play something that is already written perfectly is a lot different than being able to write music that is similar in quality. I think he meant replaceable in terms of writing songs, rather than just performing them.
If you don't feel as shit as the drummer after a set, you're not doing vocals right. It's one of the most physical roles in the band dude, your whole torso is involved in it. Replacing a vocalist with another good and actually PROFESSIONAL vocalist is as hard as any other member.
I would love to hear a totally ambient soundscape project by them. I've always enjoyed the softer moments of Meshuggah, with that inimitable guitar...very emotive, and terribly spacious
I wish a game company would sign them to do a Doom soundtrack or Diablo....they have so many interesting sounds within there songs it's mysterious yet reaches in and brings out chills. Love it
There's something pleasingly Nordic about the way they all quietly get on with writing stuff on their own rather than constantly firing ideas at each other.
You're right. They are very peaceful and not egocentric, they respect each other, and all try to do their best to contribute to the overall album. What a brilliant team they are. No wonder they have been around so long.
it is strange he cant count 4 scoops of coffee but how many musicians really count anymore, maybe when weiting i suppose but im almost positive they arent on stage counting in their heads but i could be weong
Just discovered this band recently after hearing the comedian, Bill Burr, talk about seeing their show. Un-freakin'-believable, complex, beautiful music. Never thought I'd say that about Metal, but now I am a believer.
I’ve seen them live twice, here in Australia, and it’s funny hearing bill burr’s comments years later and most definitely being a very similar experience when I saw them where majority of the crowd are in awe that it is being played live, as well as the muso’s and fans seriously watching and bopping their heads haha. Freakin tight as they were, it’s ridiculous, both times, how flawless they and their sound was. So so good. I’ve been a fan since 00’. Welcome :) check out Car Bomb also.
It makes me a little sad to see Marten say they can't really do everything they want. Guys like these, some of the greatest musicians, incredible innovators, and leaders in musicianship and composition, should have so much money thrown at them. It's a shame the way it worked out won't allow us to have every bit of creativity we could possible get from their brains.
marten hagstrom is the same way, very interesting isnt it? not sure why but some scandinavians have this ability and others dont, tho they all do speak english very well from what iv seen
The Last Vigil is at the same time the odd one out, and an almost nostalgic, melodic epilogue to a neck-breaking, heavy album. These musicians know their shit really well.
I love seeing the writing process in other musicians, because in the bands I have we always have so much frustration. When I listen to a band, I always find myself thinking that someone just came up with one part of it and everyone else wrote their parts verbatim. It creates stress and pressure in your own band when you're writing your own parts, "why can't I write something perfect like so and so?" I always find it incredibly refreshing to hear from Meshuggah how they create their music. And I find it especially fitting that the absolute chaos of Meshuggah's music comes from just that -- absolute chaos. No rhyme or reason, no order, no guidelines -- just panic, chaos, and desperation. I mean fuck they don't even play together. They just get together every now and then and decide to spontaneously write an entire fucking album. Jesus, man. It's like they break themselves so there's nothing left but the core of who they are when they record. Tired, lost all rational thought, braindead, they just keep going. This album is so good.
+Blaine Adamson Swedish and Norwegian are distinct languages, but both swedes and norwegians can understand each other most of the time. i personally cant tell the difference between the two, but thats just my American-ness for ya
***** i'm sure they do. And I can usually tell the difference between WRITTEN Swedish and Norwegian, but when they are spoken, it sounds exactly the same to my ear. Like Czech vs Slovak
Dammit, just two songs into Koloss (the incredible and unparalleled "The Demon's Name Is Surveillance"), and my already previously suspected thoughts from Obzen were confirmed: this band is 20 years (at least) ahead of everybody else professing to play heavy music; or maybe any music, period.
meshuggah is incredible but thats a bit of a stretch considering the magnitude of skill in metal today. they are pioneers and if a metal HOF existed theyd be in immediately so i dont mean any disrespect just my 2 cens
Unlike most 'Making Of...' docs, this one is very insightful. I like how the filmmakers just let the guys talk about the album without including too much performance footage. After all, we already know what the songs sound like! :)
If you put a thousand metalbands in a row, you can always easily recognize the scandinavian ones just by looking at their faces. I'm i the only one who notices this?
1:09 thank God for those time and money constraints Martin was talking about because I’m pretty sure if any mortal human were to be exposed to Meshuggah‘s true idealogical potential their heads would implode instantaneously
Seems they would like to, but they seem also to work better separately, and are such amazing players, they can bring it all together when they record or perform.
Man I dont know why but this gives me like flashbacks from 20-25 years ago. Hanging out with friends in someone's basement, you brought whatever equipment you would enjoy, big ass computers, TV's, speakers, simple food and sodas and then just grinded out all the fun you could have with each other. Someone doing their own thing half the time in a selected free room lol and you go check on each other. Man good times, good times
I find this so relaxing, this is like the fifth time I watch this video and I find this so freaking relaxing to my ears and eyes, specially when they talk about the tempo at 16:11 !
Thanks so much for uploading this, it's been a fantastic video and given me a brilliant insight into the process of one of my favourite and definitely the most influential band to me.
Yeah, well the same thing goes for Us in Denmark, but just not as good as the guys from Meshuggah. And taking that they have never lived anywhere else the Sweden, it's a pretty good job.
Damn this was great to watch! You guys are all so down to earth and honest it was really cool to see you guys write an album and to see the different approaches and issues that came. I'm a drummer and Tomas is such a great drummer! he is core to meshuggahs sound but they all are. Brilliant set up too with the hi-hats, perfect for metal. A great band I absolutely need to see live \m/
I love watching this documentary. It's just so fun getting a glimpse of how they made this album because it's very inspiring. Especially considering Meshuggah is one of the bands that really inspires me to play and write music
I really dig their method of working together while working apart. Their dynamic in the studio, coupled with the way they truly work as a team, is phenomenal.
agree ! imagine Allan playing one of these tracks..and i'm sure he could. He's done it before with Planet X - who are much more polyrythmic than Meshugga. :)
These guys make killer songs. Apparently what the write is only a fraction of what they aim for (budget, time, feasibility, etc). Could you imagine if they actually could create what is in their head? The world would explode
Very impressive in every area. Very impressed with how well they work together and how much respect they have for one another. Very very impressive. And how musical they are. That is a simple statement but they just aren’t beating out a hard song. They really understand what they want and they are capable of slow intervals that sound great and haunting.
I miss being In the studio with my guys recording metal. Life has changed so much since I was younger. I always tell my vocalist we aren’t that old and that we need to get back on the horse. The shot at the end with the atmospheric guitar track while they sit around the table really took me back. Really wild to think this band was formed the year I was born
My ex sent me this n he’s absolutely amazing on drums n guitar! Just wanted to say that first. I’m a proud Swede. My Name is Åsa. I LOVE MESHUGGAH!!! Thank you for this documentary. Music takes dedication and this band is 100% dedicated!!! Thank you for all your hard work!!!!
Just met these guys for a second time on their latest North American tour. It really feels like meeting true masters of their craft. True gods of the metal world.
thank you for this insight........ it's tough doing what they do anyways....their kinda music isn't easy to replicate, let alone come up with. Thank you for uploading it.
Live Meshuggah is more sacred because of "how" they record, then tour; All out ritual and power transfer evolving and tightening and loosening and...just amazing in awe of the void as they play to fill and collapse it!
It's a beautiful record and the one that focuses the most on groove and brutality within the music. People loose sight of that when comparing this record with Obzen. Obzen was about complexity, Koloss took the ideas from Obzen and slowed it down, focusing on the groove.
I was really surprised by the fact that Anders Björler did the filming and editing here! Never knew that he is doing "Behind the Scenes"(Making of) videos for so many bands! :)
i really enjoyed watching this... Amazing álbum, and DEMIURGE its a masterpiece of art. Best metal song of the century so far. Im sorry if i dont write perfectly, english is my third language. thanks for upload it.
8:10 - It's wild to see that Dick was still in the 'hired gun' type of role back then, but over the next decade he'd go on to write some of their craziest songs with Tomas. The Abysmal Eye, Phantoms and the Violent Sleep of Reason all spring to mind!
I think it's easy to write-off the validity of composition via 'drum-machine' since it immediately conjures thoughts of SoundCloud DJ's, but when you consider the composer both writes and plays it, it makes you appreciate the artistic talent required. After I thought this through it elevated my respect for modern-day artists immensely - especially those who you know are talented enough to play this stuff live without a hitch.
I know that some bands need an outside ear (a producer) to hear things and give input during the recording process... usually it is to make sure the musicians don't get lazy when recording takes... "yeah... that's good enough!" Their job is to push the band past what is comfortable to get the best out of them. What is great about this band... is that they are constantly pushing themselves with no need of a producer with a whip. It is cool that they are recording their music themselves... I wish more musicians would take the time to learn a DAW and establish their own recording space so they can record themselves instead of being dependent on a label to book a studio, hire engineers & a producer to make an album. Now.. MIXING is a whole other animal and probably should be handed off to someone who knows what they are doing, but even then it should be under the guidance of the artist. The artist should ALWAYS be in control of their music. This is what separates genuine musicians and music from mindless pop manufactured crap.
Always wondered how Demiurge was so slow and crushing yet so perfectly even, turns out they slowed it down in post production, Haake is just too cracked lol
