Tosin can slap, hammer and fingerpick his 8 string all at the same time.

Your brain is like a computer program the way you can instantly digest things.

Also this song, Physical Education, at shows the whole crowd usually sings the melody along with the band, its a great time

The reason Tosin sounds like he's playing 3 guitar parts is because of the double-thumping technique inspired by legendary bassist Victor Wooten. He has a bunch of videos on walking you through the technique. An Infinite Regression is the first song in their discography where he used this, and it's really fucking cool. Edit: If you want more AAL, I highly recommend Ectogenesis (my favorite song) or Tooth & Claw

Your reactions to these guys really help me appreciate their talent and skill. I enjoy the song more after having watched your reaction. Thanks Chase, looking forward to the next one.

I had never seen this video but am super familiar with the song. Loved it, dude!

Djimi Hendrix at work!

I love that you said, "I'm so glad I was wrong. They're like scientists" This should be celebrated more!

I love that you always encourage musicians to keep working on their craft in the face of these virtuoso.

Chase, where is the Periphery reaction, I've been waiting for weeks now! xD

Tosin (the guy doing the rhythm and clean arpeggio part) is doing a slapping variant called double thumbing (where the thumb comes down and does a double stroke before the fingers follow with pops or ghost notes) and a selective variant on the clean section where he hammers on and double-thumbs the next two notes on the string before using hammering on or plucking the rest of the arpeggio.

I never clicked on a video so fast... If you want other tracks by them I would say try Waves Of Babies(EMGtv version of this), Woven Web(There's a NAMM 2016 version of this), or The Brain Dance(There's a Dunlop Sessions of this).

There are a lot of songs that you will need to check out by Animals As Leaders but please react to The Brain Dance. One of my favorite compositions by the band and the only the hint I’ll give you is 4x5=20 but also 5x4=20 😉

Wave of Babies (on EMG TV), it's the perfect play through of a song because it's just Tosin and you can see everything he's doing. It's a MasterClass in guitar work

React to, "The Brain Dance". So many variations within the song. I think you'll really enjoy it.

Around 8:00 when you're talking about how clean it sounds. I'm pretty sure Tosin is using "selective picking", so the arpeggios are actually hammered on without picking. Which is probably why it sounds so clean, because there's no pick attack.

If you would like to check out more technical metal, I recommend listening to Blotted Science’s “Synaptic Plasticity.” The band is a trio made up of a guitarist, bassist, and drummer.

Here's a very cool bit of a song lyric I think you can appreciate. "In dreams my thoughts take their form. To give memory identity. Through dreams I obtain the ability to connect sight with sound". -See Through Dreams by Death. Death/Control Denied is hands down my favorite band of all time along with Lynyrd Skynyrd.

You put whole new perspectives on songs I've been a long time listener of all the time. Your insight is amazing!

When I saw them live - Physical Education sounded so bad ass; better than the studio recorded version.

Take a look at Between the Buried and Me - The Coma Machine and Voice Of Trespass please!

Can't wait to see you react to Shoemaker or Tribal from Nightwish. They are such masterpieces.

yes this band is awesome

The technique is called thumping, he's producing those low notes and the plucking sounds at the same time, or one after another rather, victor wooten is a bassist that founded the technique and tosin learned it from one of his students!

You should definitely do a song by floral whether that being marsh partition or climbing a wall I think you would love them and have a huge appreciation for them

It is amazing to watch you dissect these songs, so far I've only seen G.O.A.T. , Goose, Cafo and this, and you have pointed out little details(like the fuzz) that i hadn't noticed despite having heard these all hundreds of times and being an audio major. Also your natural reaction is the perfect mix of excitement/visual emotion and theory breakdown.Thank you so much for your content, you do an amazing job and I am excited to watch EVERYTHING else you have made! Cheers

It’s cool listening how how you interpret tosin’s playing when he’s tapping because you don’t know what it is and haven’t heard it before

Yes!! ANIMALS AS LEADERS! Thank you. Hey, check out Son of a Bach, Passacaglia.

I learned about this group from your first reaction to them, and then binged them all day. Great timing, I just posted a request for more, over on Discord. So a nice treat this morning. This was my favorite thing from my day of bingeing them, good call Chase!

There's no "Shouldn't" where Tosin Abasi is concerned. 🤣

I like the songs better after listening to it again with you.

They (Sumerian) have recently released live footage of a recent concert. Matt Garstka, the drummer, wasn’t part of the band when Cafo was written/filmed, so there will be a difference in playing. Looking forward to your next AAL reaction.

Chase, I love your analysis. you've introduced me to another great band. I just walked back through your videos. Is it true you've never reacted to Beth Hart? You must check out her performance of Am I the One from the Paradiso. Her performance is one of the best I've ever seen.

I feel like you’d love Native Construct, their sound was incredible.

Amazing breakdown as always. They do us synths to bridge the gaps and give some ethereal vibes and some songs they really shine. That groove.. uummphhh. KZfaq is definitely going to Victor's Jam next 😂

Maybe some periphery - sentient glow or lune at some point.

Yay :) You brighten up my day and you should react to a live performance!

Amazing analysis Chase. These guys are so incredible, you're right about one chugging low while the other plays lead. No need for a Bass when you got that covered in the Rhythm section anyway. I'd love to see Arithmophobia next, they got a live version (or a session version anyway) that's really good. The level of concentration on everyone's faces through the whole video is great to watch. Keep up the awesome work man, your musical tastes is right in my wheelhouse so you're absolutely one of my favourite "react" channels. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ZtNzitFqr9qZh58.html EDIT - If you're gonna keep going with the super tech proggy stuff I'd also love to hear bands like Dillinger, BTBAM, Fall of Troy, Protest the Hero and Tesseract. Couple of Japanese bands, Toe, Elephant Gym and Tricot have many of the same intricacies but in a less heavy fashion too.

Not as technical but primal as it can be... You did a studio version several weeks ago. Now it's time for live. Heilung | LIFA - Krigsgaldr LIVE

Heilung | LIFA - Krigsgaldr LIVE

Nephele by Animals as Leaders is definitely one that should be mentioned. Such a beautifully written piece.

Plini!

I prefer the live version of this song as Matt plays a part that better fits what the guitars are doing after the break after the crazy drum fill. Plus, he solo's while the guitars vamp on a variation of the main riff. And he never plays the same solo twice....he just goes off!

Chase, Huge fan here, Huge!! love how your brain and musical background makes me hear things I would have never paid attention to, and your facial expressions are awesome when you find a sound that was unexpected. If you ever get a chance listen to COHEED AND CAMBRIA - either "Old Flames" or "The Gutter". Their older stuff is amazing as well and they are pretty unique... Each album is one story told in multiple songs. Hope you can get to them at some point. Cheers!🤘

You would love Mute by Native Construct, great composition. It takes you on a musical journey

first time hearing them and WOW. when listening my brain seems to latch onto a bit in the piece and as soon as I seem to grasp what's going on there's something new, they add something else. it's busy and certainly not easy casual listening, but they still manage to make it all make sense. the only thing that doesn't make sense is how it's humanly possible to play like this. incredible talented group and a great find, definitely going to dive into them more in my own time.

Very nice reaction! I really liked your phrase 'scientists with guitars'. The thing I find extremely refreshing with them (all three of them - although Tosin seems to be natural focal point) is that - even though I've been listening to music for 40 years, it is still possible to find 'pioneers' expanding the limits. As someone else mentioned below, there is a fantastic video from Namm 2016 with Tosin playing through 'The Woven Web' - they don't have 4 hands - they just do with one hand, where others need at least two ;)

As a lot of people have said, there is an amazing Dunlop session version of Brain Dance which I'm sure will blow your mind, absolutely stunning

Chase, “they’re like scientists with guitar”, absolutely! If you’re in for a wizard with guitar, check out the new solo album of John Petrucci, Terminal Velocity. Really curious to hear your reaction to that album, for instance the last track, Temple of Circadia, kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gtt2edN5zMjTZZ8.html.

The whole of Animals as Leaders’ first album is quite excellent!

Love this track. A lot of their songs Im not really into but the ones I like, I really like and this is one of them. Ca$cade, Lippincott, The Woven Web, Nephele have such cool groves.

They are now using a live bass player

Check out the song "Tooth and Claw" from AAL, I would almost even recommend watching the Matt Gartska drum cam version of ot to really get a sense of his talent. Also I see lots of suggestions for Periphery which is awesome because they are probably my overall favorite band. I would start with their first album so you can see where they've come from then start working through the albums. Maybe Icarus Lives to start only because I would consider that their first single although you could just as well do an entire album listen through and i would personally watch the hell outta that!

How about taking a look at The Omnific? It's an instrumental band with two bassists and a drummer. They have some very nice songs.

Now this'll be a good breakdown

Just think you could have the same sound from 10 guitarists playing 2 string instruments 🎸

I'd really like you to check out Andy James. '85 is a great song. Also Jason Becker's Altitudes for a blast from the past!

You should react to (provided you haven't heard it already) Electric Sunrise by Plini

These 20ish minute long videos of yours don't feel like they're 20 minutes at all. So fun to see you having fun listening and I'm learning from the succinct but thorough analysis. What about the Brain Dance by AAL?

This sounds like some of the experimental rock of the late seventies and early eighties. I'm reminded of The Method Actors, or even Battles.

Well done sir =) Great analysis...as always i fear XD We still need you to do the metal horns XD "They are like scientists with guitars" what a compliment =)

Next song from them should be Tooth and Claw! Much heavier version of their stuff

Great to see this covered. Remember the last time you found your new favourite band? Welcome to the next time, even if you don't react its worth a listen. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aNdgm7SS1K63pHk.html Rick Beato does a great analysis of the song Goliath, such a shame these guys arent more well known

You should react to their dunlop live sessions. Fantastic stuff.

Awesome review. But is there really a backing track?

You HAVE to do their song Tooth and Claw but the Guitar Center live session. P_P_P_PLEASE!

I never saw the video clip before. Pretty nice, but I keep wanting to see them play! Also, Funny you mention weaving it together... One of my favorite songs of them is The Woven Web. If you want a live version for a change, he's one: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aNmoa7ylktqlnIk.html Then afterwards in your own time, search for The Woven Web Tosin Abasi Cosmopolitan - it is a video of that song completely focused on Tosin's guitar. You can see every single tap, slap and pull. Unfortunately it doesn't show Javier, who in his own right is an amazing guitarist.

Absolute love your reaction videos especially the Polyphia and AAL ones. Your ability to appreciate the technical wizardry adds so much. In my opinion The Woven Web is a must react. It incorporates more backing track like Polyhia's newer songs but has some insane thumping and drumming. Check out the live performance Brutal Assault 21- Animals As Leaders Live (2016) its the first song. Never stop the amazing content

If you want the idea of they put an idea to a name and a piece, look no further than The Brain Dance

Infinite regression by AAL is amazing

I would love to read that article on the art of listening ♥️ And thank you once again for an awesome breakdown! If you'd like to listen to an instrumental that is pure happiness and joy, I would recommend Intervals - Responsibly Irresponsible, or anything by Plini as others have suggested :)

Check out their Dunlop Sessions. It's got a couple of their songs showcasing their range quite well. It even has some interviews with each of the members sprinkled in between the songs. Ectogenesis and The Brain Dance are both featured (which are both very good songs worth checking out soon!). Additional songs to check out: Tempting Time Lippincott Behaving Badly Odessa Ka$cade

Love your videos!! Please, take a look at Omnific - Khimaira, I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it 😁. Regards!!

Iv heard this track so many times, and you picked out things iv never caught before. Great stuff man, have a damn good day! P.s would love to hear your thoughts on Language I: Intuition by The Contortionist. Plenty of layers for you to unpack!

Great vid! You should check out Tosin Abasi's youtube channel to see how he plays, he has some crazy picking techniques

it's okay to not know what Tosin is doing. we are only human.

could you please react to some Ice Nine Kills someday? The American Nightmare is a massive song. You won't regret it :)

I commented this on your Polyphia reaction video, but you totally need to react to a song by the band “The Omnific”. I’d start with Pharaoh, but all their songs are fantastic. Keep up the great content man! You deserve way more subscribers!

Animals as Leaders is one of those bands you just kind of need to turn your brain off and LISTEN... let the soundwaves into your brain. Then once they've settled in start trying to actually understand what you are hearing.

Could you do a reaction to Leprous, preferably The Sky Is Red 🤘

You NEED to give Neurosis a listen Chase. They are an relatively unknown, but incredibly influential band with a vast catalogue of music that is downright mind bending in so many ways. Its is very unlikely that you will get a lot of requests for them but do not let that fool you, Neurosis will blow you the fuck away. Trust me on this. Personally I would love to hear your thoughts on the track Aeon from their 1996 record through silver in blood. Its a 12 minute masterpiece that will send you onto a rollercoaster ride of conflicting emotions. They aren't as technical as a lot of the things you review but their songwriting is simply outstanding. It is certainly a challenging and difficult listen in the way it switches between a gorgeous, downright fragile melody and utterly devastating chaos but well worth the attention and something I think you will be able to appreciate. They are a band that is all about the atmosphere they create and if you aren't familiar with them you should change that very soon. Among the many, many bands they have influenced are names like Isis, Mastodon or Tool. So yeah, give 'em a go.

You should check out the live video they just published a few weeks ago: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hrl-p9p6p5aqd3U.html

I am sure you have figured out by now that they both use a slap technique

Jason Richardson please 😁✌

You should do The Brain Dance next

would be sweet if you reacted to this drummer. Matt Garstka, check out tooth and claw playthrough or his inner assassins playthrough!

When you realize it's actually Tosin and not a backing track :) watch his "Thump" tutorial/video. The guy is an actual god.

Hecc yeah, love AaL

MC Thunder II coming out 9SEP. Have you cleared your calendar?

If you like instrumentals, check out my friends in the band Fall of the Albatross. You don't have to do a video, just enjoy.

Please do a reaction video of The Woven Web from Animal As Leaders!

Do "The Brain Dance" by them next. The live versions are better in my opinion.

watch the brain dance by aal

Complicated... funk? Interesting for sure. TU4C!

If there is no bass in AAL's music, Earth is flat.

Avenged Sevenfold- Higher

You MUST check Vitalism!

Watch out the song Reich mir die Hand - Blutengel ! XD

I feel like you are more than qualified to review the chaos that is Methwitch - burn victim.

There's like 20 guitar tracks on this song.