As a musician, I can listen to this all day long. And I do. I can see where non musicians don't add this to their playlist. No biggie. They are one hell of an innovative band. To get Steve Vai to endorse them, speaks volumes.

In case anyone didn't notice, the structure Polyphia had was three acts, each act having a different guitarist sitting on a throne and being a solo showcase, with the third and final one being none other than Steve Vai. And then the whole thing concludes with all three guitarists simultaneously blowing the song out of the water. I think it's cool stuff, Ryan. Edit: also just noticed this now, but the whole song is subdivided into smaller sections which last exactly 30 seconds each all the way through to the end

The coolest thing about Vai’s playing on the track was how reserved he was. He was intentionally seeing how much he could play certain notes and stretching the frequency with the string bending with his hands and whammy bar. He was playing super tasteful while surprising everyone with note selection. Masterful

When it comes to Vai, you have to do "For The Love Of God." Period. You can do other stuff, but you gotta do that one.

Polyphia is making guitar playing cool again for a new generation that needs guitar heroes (the rest of the band are incredibly talented obviously). I think they're important just for that alone.

Polyphia is definitely music for musicians but they have way more structure than a lot of other music that would be called music for musicians. I feel like they ride the balance well.

Vai is a guitar god, and is a technical monster. Polyphia is paying homage to the legend by literally placing him on the throne. If you watch, they start off playing in what looks like a basement, then later in the midrise of the building, then finally on the roof. They're literally working their way up to him. 🙂

I feel like Neurotica is a perfect Polyphia song that gives enough repetition and structure and provides catchy mesmerizing riffs

That's the best part about Polyphia is that they DON'T follow the norm on song structure. The more I here from Polyphia the less I am craving great lyrics. For my whole life every artist telling me what's up. Every song has lyrics telling me their story. With Polyphia it's my story. I hear their music and it takes me somewhere I've been, brings up my daydreams, or allows me to work on the puzzles in my workflow without distraction. Sometimes it is a different story for the same song. I hear different nuances every time a hear a song again. It is refreshing not to have somebody else's story in my head all the time. I didn't even know how awesome that could be until I discovered Polyphia. Think about it, there was a couple generations that only had classical music with no lyrics. If you wanted lyrics you went to the opera. I'm not saying all lyrics are bad ... it's just nice to be alone in my own thoughts sometimes while I enjoy music at a higher vibration.

The Polyphia boys uploaded a video of them singing along to all the parts in this song which was hilarious and you should check it out in your own time so they would’ve been cool with your thoughts Ryan haha

I loved Vai's playing on this track, but I think it was a bit reserved, compared to what he normally does. Check out some of his early work, like "Passion and Warfare." He's well known for being crazy (see "Teeth of the Hydra"), but he's also an incredible composer with great melodic sensibility.

They definitely have song structure, best composers out at the moment. Steve Vai said they are the next guitar gods

This is s a very tasteful and restrained Vai here but it is very definitely Polyphia's thing. If you are after checking out Vai either go with 'For the Love of God' or something a lot more recent ('Teeth of the Hydra' perhaps- definitely interesting) he has put out some of his most interesting work in decades since covid came on the scene imo.

I don’t think I can just listen to Polyphia. I always end up watching videos. I feel it adds so much more to it than just listening to the song.

Some great bands you need to check out: Agalloch - Not Unlike The Waves Alcest - Les Jardins De Minuit Cult Of Luna - Nightwalkers Leprous - The Price The Ocean - Jurassic | Cretaceous

@2:55 Tim is using a technique called “thumping”, Tobin from Animals as Leaders really paved the way for this technique. Also, all 3 stringed instrumentalists use the technique called “chicken plucking” which is rad, especially hearing it from the bass 🔥

The cinematography is amazing, the camera panning around them whilst they are back to back, then they seamlessly move to be facing the camera as the climax ends, AWESOME!

Vai + Polyphia Hits different. Feels like vai is passing down the torch and trusting this generations music

don’t know if y’all realize it but they are actually using basic chords structures and progressions as a base and then flexing over the top. and the vocal melody-like riffs are so good. and just the right amount of trap/hip-hop beats. they’re damn near perfect

the comment you made about Steve Vai and the way he plays it true to an extent, probably because he has played with so many people (Especially Zappa) he knows what the fans want and how to be able to mix creativity with commercial viability. BUT that being said he also has some very experimental stuff on his albums too, he just knows how to mix those in with more commercial material rather than just making a whole album of great "technical" music that no one wants in their playlists.

You guys need to give Cult Of Luna a listen. "I: The Weapon" would probably be a good song to start with.

Tender Surrender by Steve Vai goes absolutely crazy. The amount of emotion he puts into his playing is ridiculous lol. He just bleeds passion

Ego Death is a powerful experience. Really appreciate this masterpiece.

Tender Surrender by Steve Vai, you won't regret it

The plucking technique is called thumping. 😊 I believe Tosin Abasi taught them that technique

For somebody a bit lesser known that does purely instrumental rock, Plini is really good. "Pan", "Cascade", and "Selenium Forest" are all incredible.

These dudes are redefining musical boundaries. They deserve all the love.

Also if y’all want a Polyphia that’s good to “bump in the ride” try one or two of these.. 40oz Yas! Look But Don’t Touch O.D. There’s no way you won’t bang your head to any of those 👌

I'm not a musician but I really enjoy thier sound I am relatively new to polyphia as well, to me this was a very artistic video and song, they start small and in a small space but each time the space gets bigger the song becomes more complicated while highlighting each players strengths, just in this video they highlighted 3 different play styles, 1st dude was more a flamenco type plucker, 2nd dude was more the classical shredder type, and steve just lived on his wammy bar... and when they all started playing together the guitars harmonized and all three parts blended perfectly... The final scene where they play to the "king" in his throne was cool too, like hey we think we can vibe with the king and it looks like the king wants to vibe with us... it was a beautiful "story" without words

I’m surprised you guys didn’t react to “ABC” by Polyphia. It has vocals! Super catchy. Check it out!

Highly recommend Plini, he's extremely technical but has a song structure that's slightly easier to follow and he plays more with feels (kinda like Steve Vai).

He picks, plucks, slaps, and shreds all seemingly simultaneously.😮

I really dig this track, but for the GOAT Steve Vai, For The Love of God is a must. It's a masterpiece

I think you'd like their earlier songs. Right now they're trying to push guitar music beyond what's traditional, I suppose. The older stuff is more traditional song structures.

I think your trouble with Polyphia's technicality is an example of not seeing the forest amongst the insane number of trees. If you put on earbuds and just let it ride while you go about some mindless tasks I think you could recognize the song structure much more. I love you guy's vibes and thoughts! Great reacts as always!

GUYS TRUST ME YOU WILL LOVE Polyphia - Chimera (feat. Lil West) (Official Music Video) THEY DONT OVERDO IT AND THE VOCALIST POPS OFFF

I know you guys aren't the biggest Polyphia fans. They are my favorite and I'm so glad you react to these!

I think that plucking sound iconic to Polyphia comes from Tim and Scott's ridiculous hybrid-picking skills. It creates this unique sound that I rarely hear outside of Polyphia music, and those two are probably in the top 5 greatest hybrid-pickers in the world.

Yoooooooo!!! Tim and the bois

We all know what Steve Vai is capable of, and I think many were expecting him to unleash all of his tools, but, they are all professionals and it takes a professional to hold back and only offer up what the song needs. Polyphia knows what their music needs and cuts out all the unnecessary extras. This song is a 10/10.

I've been bumping this in my car non stop since release, it's totally playlist. and once again, it's not to impress musicians, but it is to push boundries of music and for those with a passion for music...really need you guys to recognize that, because these guys really are bringing something new and exciting which is why they are getting so big so quickly. if they just played your regular by the numbers stuff, they wouldn't be talked about the way they are.

The song shows that no matter how great you are , there is always someone greater than you somewhere and that’s when the ego dies , love the concept

I thought the same thing about this track, but then I listened to it 2 more times and found the groove.

Great tune these guys are so damn talented. A rock suggestion I’d love to see from you guys is “skid row - quicksand Jesus” Amazing song and Sebastian Bachs vocals are insane.

Ya'll gotta watch the ending of the 1986 film, Crossroads; Steve Vai has a guitar duel with Ralph Macchio (I believe it is Vai himself who played and Macchio mimed for the film). The track is called "Eugene's Trick Bag"

Now you gotta react to "Teeth of the Hydra" by Steve Vai. The video version is a must to get the full effect 😉

The thing with polyphia songs for me is the first time I hear a song I’m normally like “it’s ok but I don’t think I get it” then if I listen to it a few more times by the third time I’m like “this song is killer!” It’s like my mind needs some time to take it in and learn to appreciate it.

This video is the evolution of a melody from its concept to it being taken all the way to the top. Each layer of the building is a step in the evolution of the melody.

If you listen to the song a few times the strong structure becomes a lot clearer. The initial acoustic riff repeats and I enjoyed it a lot more after 3-5 listens.

Actually Steve Vai is VERY eccentric in his playing at times, beyond what maybe non guitarists would want to listen to. Extreme technicality and originality. You’ll see. Holy hell. Hes an Alien. Sounds like he purposely laid back into the groove in this tune. Its a fantastic song.

George, when you say his playing reminds of of plucking, that's because he is. Henson uses (and constantly abuses) hybrid picking, which is a pick in two fingers, with three other fingers to pluck wild shit. He is plucking, you nailed it.

"Blue Powder" to me still can't be topped as far as Vai goes. With headphones on it's pure magic.

Their song, ABC, has a vocalist. You should check it out.

Steve Vai is a master. His feature doesn't do him justice. He probably reserved his playing just to not overshadow and overplay for just a feature and not his own song. You guys should do a song written and performed by him alone. Some of his most famous songs are For the Love of God and Tender Surrender. Some of my personal favorites are Die to Live, Building the Church, and Racing the World.

It's funny because Polyphia have some of the most effective song structures- main melody/chorus to begin the song then a progression before a nice bridge to lead back into the chorus. It's just masked by outrageous talent.

Steve Vai is the most flamboyant player of them all, his feature here is just more understated and tasteful

I always wonder because the first time reactors of polyphia always says "they dont have a structure" But for me it is well structured. Some people will say its not melodious. But for me it is really melodious. And cathcy Thats just my point. No hate. I love reactions being real ❤️ Be blessed everyone

Feels like I just stepped into a fancy elevator in a fancy building and Polyphia is the music playing. Fancy elevator music.

Steve's catalog is definitely music for musicians. He pumped the brakes hard in this feature. But I can't lie, I'm a musician and have listened to this song on repeat for days

Tender Surrender and Bad Horse are my two favorite songs by Vai. Must listens

He uses the echo/reverb as the rythm. It's brilliant.

Great Video. You guys nailed it.

Late catching this (a year later) I do love Polyphia and can listen all day. That may be because I’m 76 and was raised on jazz (my dad would have loved their recent works that are jazzy) The combination with Vai though was just unbeatable. The whole thing was richly done and the collab with Vai went seamlessly and Vai added an emotional element that took it to the next level.

One of the greatest passing of the torch and paying homage to a great guitarist

“Boondickenz” 😂. Awesome. Subbed. You guys is awesome.

I'll cast another vote for Steve Vai for the Love of God. A lot of the stuff he does is impressive but that's kind of his Magnum opus. And if you happen to see any of his old live stuff also check out Mike kenneally the other guitarist who is also a monster. Although very few people know of him. If you'll notice he doubles Steve on everything he's doing with what seems to be a little effort. He just never got recognized for it by anyone other than other guitarists.

The four chords are the structure. That's why it's "ego death", it's basic. It's perfect.

Its great to watch Polyphia videos, but the best way to listen to Polyphia is just to put it on while driving or in the background and then all of a sudden you notice you're humming along and bobbing your head.

I was very much on the too technical to enjoy train but then I ended up seeing them live because I was curious and it changed everything. They really can play their music and they have some vibey more groove based jams such as "nasty" or "the worst" which are the songs I tend to enjoy the most.

You guys may want to give “Ichika Nito” a listen. He’s a virtuoso like Tim Henson, but his compositions are a bit more melodic.

Plini- Electric Sunrise. Or any other plini song

Vai is god damn incredible. That dude's musical third eye always scanning the scene. Polyphagia,these guys ain't no joke either. I'll be checking out more from them.

Steve Vai's playing on this track is honestly way more tastefull and enjoyable than much (not all) of his stuff, but he is the most interesting of the old guard of guitar virtuosos, and can bring such a richness to his playing. Great feature and performance by both him and polyphia

Perfect fit for Vai imo. Finally found a place that compliments him.

Honestly with Vai in it seemed like an intro track straight from old games such as Pinball Dreams or Pinball Illusion. It's amazing!

Steve Vai - Tender Surrender Live is the ticket! Going to see him next week and I’m bringing a bucket….I have to try to save as much as my melted mind as possible.

Might as well check out ABC too. It's their most catchy/conventional song so it should be more their speed but I can also see them thinking it's corny too lol 😂

You guys should try Yas by Polyphia if you want a normal song structure. People keep forwarding you their most technical songs but they have just as many that are melody-centric.

Great review! ✌️✌️✌️❤️❤️❤️

Saw Steve Vai with G3 several times. Having him share the stage with Joe Satriani was mindblowing. For The Love of God is one of Vai's masterpieces. Recommend checking out the HD Upscaled version.

Steve Vai is the only guy I've ever seen play guitar with his hips

This music video is really good like a fresh meal at a Japanese restaurant. A lot of thought to heart to hands.

Everyone loves the Vai squeakies

I wish so much that I could let you guys see Polyphia’s songs through the eyes of a musician. It amazes me every time how the structure beauty of their songs passes over your heads. Nothing against you guys, just that some songs need to be seen through the eyes of a musician.

As a guitarist I agree 100% with what you said about them being musicians musicians. I don't think they play to show off and impress other people. I think they play like any other musician because they enjoy it and it's what they like. But the have them on in the car I think it would be difficult to really jam to that. It's just not what they're about. Then again Frank Zappa was very similar. Not necessarily something you jam to. But impossible to listen to without having your mind blown by how incredible they are as musicians. But that's the evolution of music. If it was the same all the time and just something you groove to it would get boring. I kind of look at this video as them acknowledging the greatness of people like Vai but then also him acknowledging their greatness and passing the torch on. As previously stated songs like the love of God will give you much more of a song structure.

Vitalism- Pagan guitar play through is like polyphia but more metal/Djent and more structured traditionally. Highly recommend coming from a guitar player. Hope you enjoy.

KING LOS DROPPED SOME NEW HEAT

Their chops are the reason they are famous right now. There is a weird pattern in the industry right now where you either have to have insane chops , or you are doing pop music. Nothing in between. I remember when the standards where much lower as far as skill. There is still a void in popular music with impressive musicality.

Thanks for giving these guys a listen again

I like that you guys always pull up the lyrics

Awesome that you guys know Steve Vai, had no thought of you all reacting to a song like this. Polyphia great also you guys turned me onto them!

Used to watch alot of your videos and this one popped up in my feed today. It’s funny because I was actually jamming to this in my car at full blast today.

Steve Vai - Teeth of the Hydra (4 different instruments-One guitar body) 🤘🤘

That guitar thumping like playing a bass just sounds so cool. Found Polyphia after watching a Steve Vai video. Got instantly hooked to Polyphia. Incredible. I'm glad this reaction video was made. 10/10

Steve Vai is the master of "Guitar God Swagger".

Steve Vai For the Love of God. Face melting

Please listen to the band In Flames. Cloud Connected Quiet Place My Sweet Shadow Take This Life Crawling Through Knives Touch of Red Thank you and In Flames we trust.

I think Ryan describing plucking accidentally was doing the Cosby show theme 😂

Oh! I haven't caught your reactions in minute but I LOVE when you come on through my world or Metal!!! Your reactions are always THE RIGHT REACTIONS!

polyphia's flex picking is apparently "boon-dickins" lmao this is awesome!