Nik just invented a new form of reaction and i love it🔥🔥🔥

we constantly forget nik is an actual talented guitarist sometimes

The fact that he got whole sections of the solo right by just spamming the minor pentatonic scale really fast is hilarious.

He has become even faster at covering songs, doing it while also learning the song saves time and I like efficient things so this is great

That solo was SPOT ON for how Kirk's gonna play it live!

What a brilliant format idea! Art of guitar did something sort of similar with their first new single, watching the video on mute and trying to figure out what it sounded like. Loved that too. Super fun.

actually insane how fast he picks up on what's going on and replicate's it. also I love how he just doesn't care about failing, he just does it!

Actually insane that he can learn riffs this fast. Metallica isn't exactly the most technical band but it's wild nonetheless.

i like this a lot better than a normal reaction, its super interesting keep it up

This was awesome! I’ve never seen someone try to react to a song while playing it while hearing it for the first time, this was super fresh!

Metallica is one of a few bands who make E standard sound heavy. I'm digging this reaction format also 🤘🏻

Absolutely perfect! Couldn't tell the difference between Nik and the actual song! 10/10

Next time, you should try playing the guitar for a new song using only the Isolated drums and vocals. It requires you to write a guitar piece for a song and see how well yours stacks up to the original after!

Okay, but major credit for how quick his reaction time on this was. Never seen someone improvise and sound good this quickly.

This is such a unique way to react to a new song! Would love to see more vids like this :)

Sounded better than when i would have practiced this song for days lol

guitar hero reactions are actually a great idea to mix things up This brought back memories of playing Metallica's One on guitar hero 3 and losing countless times when the solo hit

To be honest the song is decent at best, but nick made it sooo entertaining. its good to see that not everyone on the internet is a magician doing perfect songs 5 mins after they drop. Love it

I like the new way of doing video's Nik! 🙂

Definitely way more entertaining than just a reaction haha! Love seeing you experiment with more things and hopefully this helps you enjoy it more.

That was awesome, no one on KZfaq has the chops to do what you just did. They also probably aren't an absolute mad lad like you, love it Nik keep it up.

I don't forget how good Nik is, every upload has me picking up my guitar. At this point I'm reminded how good he is. Even if I'm amazed he has done what I do in 7 minutes as opposed to 7 weeks. Throw some more lesson type uploads out .... But loved it

Nik now playing song he havent heard lol. Who would've thought

love the "new wave" this channel is on. Keep up the good work :D

Freaking loved this. You're such a humble guy with so much skill.

Fuckin great dude! I have had similar experiences when friends would thrust me in front of other people and ask me to play a random song I’d never heard before. Don’t knock the ear-trained musician, they will always surprise you

Loving seeing more guitar content on the channel again, happy to see you working in some of the stuff you've been wanting to get back into onto the channel!

This is just great, very fresh and super fun to watch! Please continue!

This was awesome!! I loved it 😍 would definitely want more!!

I hope Nik does more of this, it was cool as hell

This is such a cool reaction format, would definitely want to see more. The only person I've seen do anything close to this was Stevie T, who took a teaser for a song and tried to write the rest of it. I don't think I've ever seen anyone else try to play along to a song while they hear it for the first time.

I really love the direction you want to take this channel! Very fun and inspiring! Keep doung you!

Hear me out. This song is far more personal than the average listener may realize. It's why I can personally relate to it. But so can you or others you know. As an alcoholic, the lyrics James penned "If Darkness had a Son" hits hard. James has struggled himself with alcohol. It's wonderful he uses music to vent, share, encourage and strengthen. For decades now, "The Unforgiven" saga has been a self analysis of his life, his journey and more importantly, his struggles. Alcoholism in this case. With that in mind, check out this first verse. Temptation Temptation Temptation Temptation The beast still shouts for what it’s yearning He stokes the fire, desire burning The never-ending quenchless craving The unforgiven misbehaving If darkness had a son, here I am Temptation is his father If darkness had a son, here I am I bathe in holy water Temptation, leave me be This whole verse is about him admitting he struggles. Admitting he's misbehaved on the path to sobriety. He beats himself up constantly and struggles constantly. So do alcoholics or addicts in general. We all can relate to this self hatred, self accountability and vulnerability. People have complained this song is repetitive, too long etc. All I can say...is imagine this song as the path to sobriety. It IS repetitive. It does take too long. (We all wish it was an easy fix to recover and be sober.) We are tempted daily. We are challenged daily. But we wish and long to be clean. (The holy water reference) This song is an ode to recovery. Admitting our faults and wanting to be the best we can as we battle our demons. Again, it's art. Interpret how you will. This is just my alcoholic interpretation. Cheers all. One day at a time.

Yes more please this was great I was playing along with my own guitar and i have no idea how you got that solo so accurate on your first playthrough the pentatonics killed me lol

This is a great format. Clearly you're having fun and that's what's most entertaining. Thanks for the new type of content!

Great format Nick,super fresh. Keep it going !

This was a beautiful mess, would love to see more.

That was sick! I would love a side by side of you playing the actual song next to this 1st take. That would be awesome!

i really appreciate when you upload your guitar playing, and this was a real challenge. great job!

Really fun format mate, keep it going.

Nik actually giving me music content and him playing the guitar over a reaction is the best.

Nik doing covers super early yay!

This is the best reaction to a new song video I've seen in a long time from anyone! I dig the format!

This was such a cool way to do a reaction. Loved this you're so talented dude

Yeah this was WAYYYY better than any other reaction video! Keep doing these!!!

Nik just hit random notes at the solo and still sounded so freaking good

I really like this format. It makes react videos to music I don't listen to more appealing because it could be fun to watch you figure it out and it also reminds me of when you used to do a lot of covers and stuff like that. It doesn't hurt that it was funny. Really fun video.

bro this last videos are great, i'm happy u are back playing and i can see u are also happy with it!

That was awesome and hilarious, dude. Actually authentic to boot. A far cry from the guys hearing enter sandman for the first time. 😂 Always enjoy the vids man, much love from the 6ix.

This was a BOMB creaction. Do more please. When the next ABR song comes out hit it up!

I'm looking forward to more of these Nik... loved thus

love this video concept. super impressive to see the anticipation mixed with the reaction time to jump between new things

Holy that's super sick. Keep up the good work

What a great idea I loved it great job!

This is actually some of my favorite content you have put out! keep up the good work!

Bro I just saw how close you are to 1 million subs. Much deserved brother I hope this year is one of the best for you!

Dude, guitar cover by ear in one take is a wild idea and I'm here for it. Edit: How did you not have a wah set up and ready to go for this? The one and only thing I could have told you with certainty before the song started was that you'll need a wah pedal.

This is actually so insanely talented, good job man this is such a sick idea, definitely separates you from the rest

I hope you do more of these. This was pretty sick

This is awesome Nik, luv this take on a reaction video !

I’ll be waiting patiently for the next Periphery single creaction

Do this again for the next releases. So bad ass!🤘

More of this please! Like I love your regular reactions but this was loads of fun.

So good!!! Such a great idea. Please do more! I hope this made you feel creative and you had fun doing it.

That intro is soooo long it sounds like it's actually made to learn the riff the way you just did haha

I really think this the best song yet of the album! Keep going Nik!

this was actually very fun video idea ngl. keep up the good work, you are a beast!! : )

this is great. great job on the fly Nik. you should do more of these in the future in place of reactions

Do this to the entire album when it comes out!

It would be a cool idea if you only saw the lyrics from a new song, asked people to describe the song and you had to record what you think it would sound like! Would be a hefty task but it would be cool to see what you’d come up with!😊

Brilliant! Combining Nik's specialties, reactions and guitar. This is top tier content, sir!

Dude you have to do more of these, this was priceless!!!

He nailed that solo!

Nice vídeo!

Great format. More of this please

Love this idea! And really well done! Would definitely like to see more of these.

this is a very fun concept, but i fear it will be disastrous if you try a slightly more complex song

Real life guitar hero going down..and I’m here for it…🤘

This is really awesome, this type of content would be great to see in the mix

I really dig this type of content keep making it!!!

This is amazing how fast he can adapt to the Song. He should be in a Metallica Cover Band.

Alright, I havent even watched the video but good

This is awesome. Always impresses me to see someone learning a song so quickly on the spot in real time..nice!

Best concept in years on the YT metal community! So fun to watch :) Thanks Nik

First time hearing this song. I lost it at 5:20 and onward😂. Time to listen to it. Sounds really good.

And I will like this video without even watching it 😂

Thisnis such an awesome concept!!! Great work all around.

Excellent work, Nik! Also, compliments on the format.

This was great. Anyone who plays knows what god tier playing this was. Love when Nik has a guitar in his hands. I hope everyone is enjoying the new content Nik is trying out as much as I’ve been enjoying it. Keep doing what makes you happy man.

One of my favorite videos you've ever done. I loved it. So entertaining haha

I already love the new wave of content. Do what you feel most comfortable bro

Dude this is some of the best content you've put out! Watching you play is 🔥

Dude this was a realy nice video. I love that you go back to more guitar focused content

I don’t know how you don’t have more followers here. Your videos are so much fun and music. Keep up the good work!

Loved this! You should do more of these man!

insane! great clip and you should do more stuff like this.

Thank you for starting to drop such interesting content again!

This is so funnnnn too watch!! Go get it nik!

More of this please, Nik! I got my ab workout in for the day, that's for sure 🤣

more reactions like this one, please nik!! It's very fun, I love it!