Polyphia Ego Death feat Steve Vai Reaction The Decomposer Lounge 

LOL - I thought when I released it everyone would be sleeping and the vid would get a slow jump into the sub-sphere 🤘I'm fix'n to have my hot chocolate and crumpets before I hit the sack 💤💤💤💤😴

This might be my favorite song from them now and I've been listening to them for years. It's just so beautiful, especially the last section on the roof.

This band really is special I think. The symbolism in the video is powerful. The new gods working their way up to meeting the old gods (climbing the levels in the building until they reach the roof). Building on the original simple chords in the building. Eventually reaching the pinacle Everyone putting aside their egos and acknowledging each other. The boys paying tribute to their elder and Steve welcoming them to the place where he is at. Everyone coming together to make something beautiful. At least that is my interpretation. You can tell that there is a lot of mutual respect between the boys and Steve.

Its one of those things when Vai "slows down" & keeps the number of notes down as well. & Being in the climax of the song's arrangement, all im thinking after the 10x i've played it is - Tim really nailed this really good & with Steve in mind. Carrying the song with hidden synths & still phenomenal guitar playing with Scott finally in hero guitar duty as well. Damn... how do you follow up from this.

Hadn't really considered their impact on music before because they're so young but there are bands out there now that are getting better because of Polyphia. They get blown away by something and either they up their game in response or they're inspired or they learn a technique they can apply to their own thing but it's crazy to think a band can be so talented that they elevate their entire generation's music at such a young age. These dudes aren't even out of their 20s yet and they're consistently raising the bar.

You're right on with the Vai note choices. It's almost as if he's sent this rhythm complex craziness, and he just thought, 'gonna bring the slinky calm'. Perfect choices.

That youngster who opened, playing the acoustic guitar, is definatly going places. Then the video switched to him playing electric guitar, which he made the guitar sound like a slap bass. Bad Ass playing. Very unique style. Aloha from Hawaii.

Even though Steve's solo was the most simple Polyhia solo, it is easily the best on so far. I got chills.

I’M STILL HERE AND I AM HAVING AN ACCEPTABLY ENJOYABLE TIME

I can only imagine the effort put into this one video. Wow!

The triplet run at 6:21 is what did it for me leading into Steve's introduction. Amazing sound as usual from these guys. Keep up the great work, really love your videos. Have you looked into any of the videos that Tim puts out that break down the writing/engineering of their videos and songs? I'm still here by the way!

Lu L.T. 0 seconds ago I agree with you wholeheartedly. Steve’s solo was a masterpiece in the k.i.s.s principle. While at the same time doing some very advanced stuff that I never heard him do exactly that way. Like how he entered the solo with distinct melodic lines that overlapped a as they bent and slid, but didn’t quite clump into just harmonic patterns, which was super clever and made him seem like he had a couple extra fingers there? Wow. And then how speed wasn’t the issue (possibly also due to injury?) but he didn’t shy away from some impressive, fast runs with precise and surprising cut-offs… there’s too much to say about it! One thing that you got me thinking was from your question (paraphrasing) “where will they push the envelope towards the cutting edge?” But it’s hard to ask that when they are the cutting edge isn’t it? And I’m not a mega fan of theirs, I appreciate their music but I’m not following. Just that the massive quantities of genre-bending and fusion happening in their sounds, from some metal core, djent, some prog rock and elements of math rock- but not quite, and EDM ideas of dubstep or similarities with some of the music by Aphex Twin… not to mention your accurate recognition of Latin music progressions. When something so new exists, how to know the directions it can go? What I expect is more of the same, cool things, until they’re really pressed For novelty. Then we’ll see

I'm still here, I always stick around till the end of a VAI review! 😅 When the GOAT comes along you have to pay rapt attention!!

I'm still here! :D Love you're still at this, Geebz. I may take breaks, but I'll always come back.

Steve's guitar sound is amazing.

When Steve comes in, it sounds as if they almost bow down and make way sonically. Since he is on a throne it seems fitting, loving it!

"These are not the guitar players you're looking for" 🤣🤣🤣 I love it geebs!!

I love how with every section they are moving up the floor, playing and summoning the final boss the god himself and in the end playing all together. real ego death right there) and simple trumpet finishes off the song underlining that technival skill is not the most important thing

I'm super looking forward to whatever ASMR you put out. That has to be interesting

The way tim is shaking his head during steve solo, thats how i was in the library when it came out

Im so addicted to this song already

Your channel has become my favorite reaction channel, no bullshit just producer's reaction.

Goosebumps during vais solo

Playing God flamenco, ABC k-pop, and this here.. same style uh? Sure.. makes sense 😂

8:20 - This moment, the three guitar gods fused into one Elder God, is the moment of "Ego Death" for me. It's the transition into Gestalt where the newly formed whole is more than the sum of its parts.

Watching musicians react to this with absolute glee is almost as good as the song itself. 😊

In the song, it feels like Polyphia are birds, and Steve is the wind.

It's so interesting how with the immediate juxtaposition with Vai, the much higher musicality of his parts is just undeniable. Not to say they aren't musical, but the weedeling does sometimes takeover a bit.

The guitar player part of me wanted to see a 3 way shred for part of it. The musician part of me is proud of them for not taking the obvious path and letting Steve do his thing

I'm still here 😉 Great reaction, love your production insight.

Steve Vai just comes in a fucks up the whole vibe.

Haha, loved that comment about Steve Via being Obe Wan Kanobi. When you get a chance, check out Pluton by Soen! Underrated band imo and this song is a hidden gem out of their discography. Hope you're having a great day, and catchin some gnarly waves 🤙

8am here in Ireland but glad to wake up to this :)

If you check their early stuff its extremely shreddy and technical, the last few albums were lighter and now they are going techy again. The fans have observed this arc but news fans think they are "getting technical" now haha.

they treated Steve like royalty

Just what I needed!

I am still here, with my Death Wish Coffee.

I love this song so much. I personally love that Steve's part with the band wasn't something too OVER the top and show-offy. SO MUCH FEELING IN THIS SONG.

Yoo Im still here from Argentina che ;)

Tim is my favourite anime character!

im going to come and just say it i think these polyphia fellows are pretty neat

I thought the same way as you when Steve came in, he coulda just start shredding with very technical runs or whatever which would have been the obvious thing to do but instead he choose the melodic route which sounded beautiful and fit the song

Other reactors showed up in my suggestions for this song and i was surprised you hadn't. This perfectly shows my idea about technicality vs emotional. Polyphia leans toward the technical and steve towards emotion even though he has the technicality. Polyphia's parts sound nice but they don't evoke any emotion beside "that sounds nice". I was here

Steve was definitely reserved, but also meaningful. I have to wonder if Steve Vai is their Frank Zappa ^^ if you know Steve's history, you know why I say that.

Still waiting on your review of Arch Echo. "Strut" or "Mukduk" are great tracks to start.

@ 6:30 a living god entered the throne. I picture Steve around his Sons. Passing down his Legacy through them.

Still here! please check out Pain of Salvation! you will love it!

Gotta love Polyphia’s skill and creativity… for similar vibes check out the band Unprocessed

I really like your React content to music you seem to have alot of knowledge on production and various things in musicianship. I have been seeing lots of music react channels talk about this Group called Heilung and I checked to see if you have reacted to any of there songs/rituals. The newest single Anoana would be great. Heilung is a very unique group they don't call themselves a band and they consider themselves Amplified History they make what they interpret Tribal Paganistic music from hundreds of years ago would sound like. All of there instruments and outfits they made themselves from animal hides wood and even bones. It is very unique experience and I would love to see your take on what you think. Check out Anoana by Heilung. Keep up the great work you Rock!

Do mourning palace or kings of the carnival creation by dimmu borgir

I get it tho - the sounds is very samey after a few tracks. Obviously mad respect for the skill but I kinda get over loaded with it where it could be from any of the previous tracks

It's been a while since I did this, but PLEASE could you react to Elephant Gym?! I think you'd really dig the bass! Check out "Underwater" (and for an extra treat, you could watch the live version they did for audiotree!)

A latter-day Rush? Supreme technique from virtuosos. They'll need vocals and a body of work, but they're young.

Super talented, great technique.. would I want to listen to it daily.. no, could they do half as much without effects and production.. no. Impressive sure, just can't get the emotion in it.

Sir please react Dewa Budjana - Queen Kanya or Dewa Budjana - Mahandini. thank you 🙏😊

🤙🏽

I love Vai’s solo, because there were so many notes in the rhythm guitar, bass, and drums, and he used his solo to “sing” over top of all of the fast stuff. Using that sustainiac pickup and whammy bar for like a hyper-legato style was such a good contrast. So god damn cool.

Tim does a lot of the production himself actually, hes done a couple videos showing how he produces and comes up with ideas for a lot of his songs already. He did a production video on playing god and he said hes likely doing a vid for all the songs on the new album, so we get to see what production stuff he used on these songs

The thing you say about Polyphia opening doors is absolutely true. Tim literally will show people how he comes up with ideas at his desk with Ableton on his channel. I think a lot of composers often keep those things a little closer to the vest. Like, I can't imagine anyone else saying they lifted a structure from Taylor Swift, especially in a progressive rock/metal band.

Great analysis! Really enjoy your perspective as someone who has clearly spent a lot of time making music. Most of the people reacting to Polyphia just want to gush about the technique, but your more mature POV is really valuable. And I agree that I'd like to hear Polyphia try something different next time.

Vai plays with restraint. He knows how to emphasize notes and phrases. The guy is a legend for a reason.

I love Polyphia and this song took me the second time around to truly appreciate it, there is soooooo much in it it's overwhelming at first but after you listen to it again you start to appreciate it for the song not the skill

I have no business being awake right now but suddenly I'm glad I am LOL

I loved how them grooving spawned a trumpet player out of thin air

I like seeing Scott take some well-deserved space, really seems like he was channeling his own inner Steve

A while back Tim Henson caught alot of flack for what he called the "boomer bends" in a conversation with Rick Beato. Then he collabs with Steve Vai who bends everything like a damn question mark 🤣 I love how much fun Polyphia has, everything is so complex yet incredibly lighthearted

I'm still here! I get what you're saying about building up to Steve Vai's part, but I also think there is a strong melodic element here, but it's just delivered in a more intricate manner without many sustained notes. It's a reason I think they are able to craft memorable songs and push the boundries like this

Scottie is just so damn good and nobody ever says anything. It's always how good Tim is, and while that's not incorrect, the nose needs credit. The man has audibly gotten more skilled at not just shredding but composing really thoughtful solos and harmonies to go along with Tim's stuff.

I’ve seen a lot of people criticize Steve’s part and say that he underplayed/should’ve done more/etc. I think it’s clear that he chose a more restrained, and dare I say- tasteful, piece for what that moment in the song required. It certainly contributes to the song’s feel of a parlay between the young upstarts and the elder statesman. Building on something that you said, I think that following the first half’s “angular” staccato technical playing from Tim & co. with something more “singsong” and fluidly melodic is satisfying and grounding to the listener. You mentioned looking for that moment in the song, and Steve delivered it. These instrumental guest feature songs often run the risk of turning into “show me your moves” songs where the guest and host musicians just take turns whanging around and one-upping each other. In the year 2022 Steve Vai doesn’t have to prove his chops to anybody anymore, and I appreciate that he’s willing to step back and really fold into the song, and serve the song, rather than overshadow it or make himself the main attraction.

The Melody of Vai is 🔥🔥🔥reminds me Sean Kingston beautiful girl 😂😂😂😂

The Vai part gave me goosebumps juxtaposed to the super new school polyphia mechanical style… the vai feel just hit even harder. like two gens appreciating each other, but staying true to their sound harmoniously.

The first time (couple times even) I listened to it I gotta be honest, łał I could follow was the chord progression and a few parts of Steve's solo in that I just couldn't find the melody, there was too much happening, but man, listening to it now for the fifth or so time...getting some goosebumps. When you hear the melody sing through it all, it's really cool. I mean Steve's still takes it for me, for a fairly simple melody, man does he come at it from a million ways. So creative. And of course, that little pick stop before the drop gets me every time 🥺🥺🥺 listen to it a couple more times, you'll find the melody and it'll all fall together really well. I can imagine I'm now hearing what the band hears more or less, and it just goes to show you they're just having fun and making it for themselves too. Very cool. Oh and IM STILL HERE ❤️🤟

When you are so early even the music/audio hasnt loaded in yet..

I think where this band's strength is and always has been is in their ability to take a simple chord progression and turn that into a riff and then turn that riff into countless other little micro-motifs. I think the production value is where this band, and in fact most of the prog bands now pushes forward - This is the same kind of effect Hendrix had on the production level of his time, using effects and production to make Ernie Isley type rock sound like an entirely different thing altogether. I hear a LOT of Buckethead, Criss Oliva, Shawn Lane, Steve Vai (obviously) and the guys that came before them like Dick Dale in this, along with a lot of influences that have fuckall to do with rock or metal.

That Trem action for the beat drop that Steve did, literal goosebumps.

The thing I loved about Steve's solo is the first part : you can see he listened to polythia, saw their use of natural harmonics to create melody, and took inspiration from this concept to incorporate this in his vocabulary. Not that he couldn't or didn't use natural harmonics before, but I think I never heard him take it to that extend. If anything, rather than showing off, he took more of an humble "homage" approach and added his own style with big bends and vibrato use.

I'm still here 😊 Geeze this song and video blew my damn socks off... Absolutely loved Scotty shredding his part to pieces with that super peaceful expression he always has 😌

scott, tim, clay, the whole band ripping, but steve gave me the goosebumps.

I think that Geebz may have missed ABC which definitely pushed in a different direction for Polyphia. In fact, every single song they've released off their upcoming album has sounded different from the one preceding it which has me very excited for when their new album drops because it's likely going to be an adventure.

Already slapped that like. Let's watch now... Edit after watching: Love that you noticed how they built up to Father Steve's moment. It really felt like a loving tribute to the greatness of Vai and his respect for the new generation of greats.

Next react to the Acapella version !!

I loved the Obi Wan Kenobi reference - so apt - and your “opening new doors” conclusion is spot on IMO. Thanks Geebz, you’re a diamond.

Steve Vai is the only musician who has made me feel things through instrumentation. Seeing these three guitarists duet (triet?) in an aptly named song and hearing Steve make that guitar song made me tear up yet again.

You should see the acapella version of this that they did too. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jPFrtyjqKLw.html Love these guys. I seen them 3 times. I cannot wait to hear the Chino Moreno feature to finally hear a collab between my 2 favorite bands (seen Deftones 6 times).

I'm still here. And still loving these videos!

Thank you uncle (you remind me of my uncle lmao) for your incredible breakdowns of the technical aspects of my favorite band. Greetings from the future Hawaii

I think I have listen to this song now overall for about 30-40 times and it can still give me goosebumps on that climax.

You are so wholesome ☺️ I come to your channel when I'm feeling really down and I need some warmth in my heart. Thank you ❤️

Wait, he doesn't know Tim is producing these and making the vast majority of those creative engineering decisions? Lol

You should check out Bernth! I find his style quite similar to some Polyphia songs but still unique. He just released Waterworks where he put water in the guitar, great song

As to where they're going, you missed a single release. ABC is a pop songs featuring a female vocalist.

If you get steve to jam with you, you know you are on top. Absolute mindblowing tune. Listen'nd to it almost 10 times now. Instant classic.

Well, if nothing else, Polyphia and Steve Vai just made the best Ibanez commercial I can think of ;)

I waited to watch this one with you Geebz, and WOW did they blow me back in my chair when Vai came in.... He turned their sound into something absolutely _magical_ ...glad to share it 1st time with ya😁

FYI, the trumpet player at the very end is Ivan Jackson. They are part of the hiphop/edm duo Brasstracks. Talented brass player!!

Check out Tim's " Making of" vids of the last few great songs you've reviewed

To me this sounds definitely like they didn't try to make something super powerful for the first few minutes just because they wanted Vai to shine.

I love this because it just picks you up, and you don't realize it does until it sets you down. That feeling when you're biting down but don't know you're doing it until you, for whatever reason, stop.

4:00 i was thinking the same thing, but those last 3 or so minutes of the song gave me my answer.

I think Tim does a lot of the engineering if i'm not mistaken? i could be wrong.