The guy is just a force of nature. Speed, accuracy, 4 way independence, huge vocabulary, creative, traditional grip, odd time signatures, and just damn fun to watch. Possibly the greatest prog rock drummer living.
JESUS, WHAT A FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE!!!!! I must have seen all Virgils projects and videos since I have the internet, but this tune combined with their performance is something exceptional! Virgil gets more and more phenomenal with age...brilliant playing and lock! :)
This is probably one of the hardest songs on the album to perform live, especially without a keyboardist. It looks like they have a click going with a backing track that has the keys. That's respectable! This piece is such a challenge. Really hoping there is more footage from this show :-)
Júnior Braguinha sports a beautiful Jaco/Berlin tone on this tune. His chops are fabulous also. Donati ain't right. André Nieri is a beautiful player also. It's inspiring to hear this style of music perpetuate from the late 70's until now. I'm hearing a lot of influences that I grew up with. No need to mention who or which. This is representative of why musicians give their lives to what they love to do not caring as much about the money as they are at perfecting their craft and maturing as artists.
there widya...Bruford's trio , Bill Connors Holdsworthian phase maybe? , etc. which spun out of all those fusion pioneers which spun out of the original Miles Davis transition, Crazy Holdsworth stepped off the planet ,eh?
This band is unreal, technically; I mean the whole band, not just Virgil. As a drummer who grew up listening to highly technical music, I eventually figured out that a good majority of it was soulless. Maybe that's a bit harsh, but it was true: the music's expressiveness was "forced" at best. As I listen to this performance, I can't say it was soulless; not at all. Difficult to listen to, but very expressive - and full of grooves the average person can lock onto. I think Virgil's song-writing ability has improved alongside his formidable technical skill (and I like some of his older material, so I don't mean to sound like a snob, etc).
thanks for the comment -- I really appretiate when people take their time to write down some more profound thoughts and I agree, this composition is both challenging and catchy. and although there are lots of changes in it's structure, it doesn't feel as forced as the usual prog fusion metal rock. you don't need to have this song inhaled and exhaled for years to be hooked instantly and at the same time you really can spent some time with it and be excited all the way :-)
@Jon Richt Dear Jon, don't know your age, but at the end it doesn't matter, want to tell you this: I saw two outstanding gigs, both with Virgil killed drumming at the same month in late 80s, attention please: 1st band heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/glamcd.cgi?BandNum=3099&CDName=Elementary 2nd band www.discogs.com/Loose-Change-Live-At-The-Grainstore/release/5237997 You don't sound like a snob, you love MUSIC as well as I do. Cheers, mate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@chupeauxx WHOA !!! Virgil in the EIGHTIES ?> I didn't catch wind until he was with the illustrious Holdsworth and the formidable Anthony Crawford...HE IS ...y'know...one of those super human phenomenons
Donati appears to be counting this piece bar for bar while part-referencing his laptop. Aside from his tendency to view the laptop screen, of course - the overall sound includes keyboard-type pad sounds - at several junctures (yet without a 'fourth member') and which must only be produced and projected to audience at the exact intended point in the piece. That is extremely tight musical navigation!
I remember Virgil's first interview in Modern Drummer magazine & it was the realization that the instrument was going to be pushed to is technical limits in the same way that piano virtuosity has been doing for centuries, but unlike a piano, drums are still evolving & the setup & tunings are highly variable. Where do we go from here?
Virgil, I love your phrasing and the way you fill across the bar line! You have such an independent voice within the context of a song. I find your playing very inspirational, it extremely lyrical. On top of all the technical proficiency, you still manage to make the piece swing against any time signature. I miss Anthony, has he moved on to other musical challenges?
Fredrik Thordendal - meet the drummer you Must play with in the future - Virgil Donatti. Seriously, though - this gave me So many vibes of the Sol Niger Within from Fredriks Special Defects project, that Donatti seems to me like a great guy to turn to If Thordendal Really wants to make that 2nd album at some point... Also, its Sooo refreshing to hear modern prog-metal by pro-players which actually Sounds musically enjoyable. Most of the time this kind of music, when written by Professional musicians, it sounds so soulless and like something you would learn for an ensemble exam in school, just that your teachers could judge your skill by how well the piece is executed.
drumming is a very hard job todo it is very difficould.Your brain has to work at the highest way possible to make things at druming possible so it is sometimes just a simple thing and you have to focus on all your lims that they work correctly. so druming is sometimes easy but can be very exhausting sometimes
David Lims...? Not limbs!? Anyways...I am not a drummer but totally understand it! Besides if drummer is smiling all the time while playing , I don't think I will like that!? A smily drummer...? That's CREEPY! LOL.
J'adore , musique très complexe , tous des musiciens incroyables , du Bartók en Jazz si j'ose , si il fallait relever les parties , Grand soucis , technique très élevée pour tous les instruments ,mémoire phénoménale , Mr Virgil Donati est pour moi , qu'il me pardonne un ( extraterrestre)
Virgil ur the best man!!! One of kind u made me want to keep playing drums 👍👍 T, Lang ur in 2nd place pretty close but slightly different I think u learned a few things from Virgil, than there’s the rest of the drummers out there that are great but at a different skill level ,Virgil’s to technical that’s why he does his own thing . Thx u for being A force to be reckoned with🐲
I just watched other videos of his...& LOVE 'EM. LOL. Other clips I watched were very musical & tasteful! This one is not bad, but wish more dynamics & melidic .
It would be so kind of you Master if you can send me a drumless track of this particular tune...or can give other options how I can play drums with this music without your drums....I will be grateful,I know it's almost impossible to play along but still it would be my great pleasure if I can play drums as you do...
At around 36 seconds you can clearly see his reaction to his rushing slightly... “it’s ok guys I know, it won’t be happening again “ .. So he’s human after all.
These guys are extremelly gifted, but Virgil isn't from this planet, not just a great drummer, who for playing like that must spent hours and hours studying, he's a good songrwriter and skilled producer also. The man is almost 60 years (58) and also has time to go to the gym. I think this kind of otherwordly being doesn't need to sleep, if so, how can he have time in a day to acomplish all those tasks so well?
Besides his otherworldy drumming perhaps you can say he is the most down-to-earth when it comes to what he has to do for every day - just keep on doing his things regularly which during the last several decades of his life led to such level of mastery, what he is today as a superb, extraordinary human being but humble and humane.
monokhem I think he is a definitely very talented drummer.( technically)But you are right that not many people will remember this piece 's melody. It's not a difficult beat...or any to listen to..but,.As not melodic enough...though it's more melodic than many out there doing this kind of drumming & music! But still from the musicality point , still a lot less melodic . Though partially very short notes I'd remember...but the rest are so forgettable! But I have to say he is a very talented one , but unfortunately that doesn't make him become automatically a great drummer like you are saying.Music is music! You have to be more expressive emotionally as well as technically! More susceptible to feelings & mood & all.Has to have dynamics! Not just mono tone & one dimensional! And if they just wanna appeal to only certain people & market ...that is then done I guess, but not too appealing to music fans ....need more versatility...! Only certain drummers will appericiate.Why do they wanna limit it ?
I like this! But not memorable enough to say I love this! I could see all of them are very talented.But one dimensional...mono...only targeted & appealing to certain people.Though more melodic than many out there doing this fusion metal stuff...& I don't dislike it..., but from musicality point, still lacking a lot ! .I wish they can be more melodic all the way thru & more musically expressive & please do not forget the DYNAMICS! I came here as someone posted this site on another fusion band clip I believe Eddie Gomez & Steve Gadd video.
![Virgil Donati Group - The Empire [Dresden Dumfestival 2016]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/J4u3hXrn-jA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Virgil Donati Group - The Empire [Dresden Dumfestival 2016]](/img/tr.png)
4 stroke roll with one hand with both accuracy and speed is crazy. 🥁💪
The guy is just a force of nature. Speed, accuracy, 4 way independence, huge vocabulary, creative, traditional grip, odd time signatures, and just damn fun to watch. Possibly the greatest prog rock drummer living.
Definitely up there with Thomas Lang when it comes to versatility.
One of the most amazing shows I have ever caught--and being old as hell, I have seen my fair share of kick-ass shows!
JESUS, WHAT A FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE!!!!!
I must have seen all Virgils projects and videos since I have the internet, but this tune combined with their performance is something exceptional!
Virgil gets more and more phenomenal with age...brilliant playing and lock! :)
Junior is such an insane bassist, his tone is out of this world!
This is probably one of the hardest songs on the album to perform live, especially without a keyboardist. It looks like they have a click going with a backing track that has the keys. That's respectable! This piece is such a challenge. Really hoping there is more footage from this show :-)
Sheldon Kreger it's a piece, not a song! As no vocals! I had to say! So many people don't know that anymore!
Virgil is the man, so creative and powerful, a real inspiration.
love it, absolute bad ass band, virgil is a monster
Amazing, not enough superlatives for Virgil - thank you man!
Champions of the world !!!
Crazy shit!!! Can't imagine playing this at any point in my life, hats off to the man!
perfection! what a band!!!! virgil is the king
Júnior Braguinha sports a beautiful Jaco/Berlin tone on this tune. His chops are fabulous also. Donati ain't right. André Nieri is a beautiful player also. It's inspiring to hear this style of music perpetuate from the late 70's until now. I'm hearing a lot of influences that I grew up with. No need to mention who or which. This is representative of why musicians give their lives to what they love to do not caring as much about the money as they are at perfecting their craft and maturing as artists.
there widya...Bruford's trio , Bill Connors Holdsworthian phase maybe? , etc. which spun out of all those fusion pioneers which spun out of the original Miles Davis transition, Crazy Holdsworth stepped off the planet ,eh?
JUNIOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THX
André Nieri representando o Brasil na Guita.. parabéns mano... tocando com o mestre dá batera.
"The masters of time", should be the name.
Elite power & precision. Thanks Virgil
Always so incredible
Great Show!! Great band!!!
Nice tune. Thanks to share.
This band is unreal, technically; I mean the whole band, not just Virgil.
As a drummer who grew up listening to highly technical music, I eventually figured out that a good majority of it was soulless. Maybe that's a bit harsh, but it was true: the music's expressiveness was "forced" at best.
As I listen to this performance, I can't say it was soulless; not at all. Difficult to listen to, but very expressive - and full of grooves the average person can lock onto. I think Virgil's song-writing ability has improved alongside his formidable technical skill (and I like some of his older material, so I don't mean to sound like a snob, etc).
thanks for the comment -- I really appretiate when people take their time to write down some more profound thoughts
and I agree, this composition is both challenging and catchy. and although there are lots of changes in it's structure, it doesn't feel as forced as the usual prog fusion metal rock. you don't need to have this song inhaled and exhaled for years to be hooked instantly and at the same time you really can spent some time with it and be excited all the way :-)
drumtalk amen to that...this one of my few all time fav albums that I can't help but over-analyze adnauseum...Virgil is a beast in so many ways
drumtalk Love this... Not difficult to listen to when you consider that this whole composition is 4/4 time. Genius. Am I missing something, Virg?
@Jon Richt Dear Jon, don't know your age, but at the end it doesn't matter, want to tell you this: I saw two outstanding gigs, both with Virgil killed drumming at the same month in late 80s, attention please: 1st band heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/glamcd.cgi?BandNum=3099&CDName=Elementary 2nd band www.discogs.com/Loose-Change-Live-At-The-Grainstore/release/5237997 You don't sound like a snob, you love MUSIC as well as I do. Cheers, mate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@chupeauxx WHOA !!! Virgil in the EIGHTIES ?> I didn't catch wind until he was with the illustrious Holdsworth and the formidable Anthony Crawford...HE IS ...y'know...one of those super human phenomenons
Absolutely amazing!
Great performance!
Donati appears to be counting this piece bar for bar while part-referencing his laptop. Aside from his tendency to view the laptop screen, of course - the overall sound includes keyboard-type pad sounds - at several junctures (yet without a 'fourth member') and which must only be produced and projected to audience at the exact intended point in the piece. That is extremely tight musical navigation!
He's obviously playing along to a backing track. You can even see his in-ear monitors.
correct and they are all listening to a click track that only they hear.
Also Consider Andre Nieri playing some Keyboard parts on guitar.
This is a nice piece of music, not just an excuse to showcase what one has been working on.
Amazing what a trio
Awesome Trio
❤ ❤ ❤
Perfect combination!
Amazing performer !
Alles was drin ist!
super cool !!!
so great
I remember Virgil's first interview in Modern Drummer magazine & it was the realization that the instrument was going to be pushed to is technical limits in the same way that piano virtuosity has been doing for centuries, but unlike a piano, drums are still evolving & the setup & tunings are highly variable. Where do we go from here?
que barbaridad músicos de primer nivel
Virgil should live for ever S2
NICE TUNE!
Virgil, I love your phrasing and the way you fill across the bar line! You have such an independent voice within the context of a song. I find your playing very inspirational, it extremely lyrical. On top of all the technical proficiency, you still manage to make the piece swing against any time signature.
I miss Anthony, has he moved on to other musical challenges?
Excellent
Exceptional and exponential -in growth- I'd add. This vid and the drumtalk about Dawn of Time are the best spent 30 min this year...
fantastic bassguitar player...3D Harmony BAND...
OUAOUUUUUU.................SUPER VIDEO !TNX!
Almost hard to believe the whole this was 4/4! Love it or hate it, there's a lot to learn from here!
Amazing ¡¡
Really loving that 4/4 passage when Virgil counts it in, right before they start playing...just genius!
Grandissimo Virgilio! inimitabile! versatilissimo!unico!
5:20....to like 5:30, is some of the smoothest shit ive ever heard in a minute.
Fredrik Thordendal - meet the drummer you Must play with in the future - Virgil Donatti.
Seriously, though - this gave me So many vibes of the Sol Niger Within from Fredriks Special Defects project, that Donatti seems to me like a great guy to turn to If Thordendal Really wants to make that 2nd album at some point...
Also, its Sooo refreshing to hear modern prog-metal by pro-players which actually Sounds musically enjoyable.
Most of the time this kind of music, when written by Professional musicians, it sounds so soulless and like something you would learn for an ensemble exam in school, just that your teachers could judge your skill by how well the piece is executed.
i will see and listen virgil rest of my life
The bass holding this shit down good lord above
Amazing Virgil . I want that Suhr Nieri is playing . Nice .
Very Nice!👏😉👍
No manches, quel niveau !
Brilliant :)
NICE!!!
JUNIOR BRAGUINHA BASS,,,BRASIL # 1
Madre mía.
virgil doesnt always smile so when he does you know he's enjoying himself
drumming is a very hard job todo it is very difficould.Your brain has to work at the highest way possible to make things at druming possible so it is sometimes just a simple thing and you have to focus on all your lims that they work correctly. so druming is sometimes easy but can be very exhausting sometimes
David Lims...? Not limbs!? Anyways...I am not a drummer but totally understand it! Besides if drummer is smiling all the time while playing , I don't think I will like that!? A smily drummer...? That's CREEPY! LOL.
good jam.
The bass groove and rhythm around 6:30 sound just like the main groove in Panzerballett's Rudolph. Anyone else hear that?
yes
❤
you 3 very good
Virgil is a drum god. I'd love to hear his hyper-elaborate skills in some kind of metal band.
Animals as Leaders
Closest thing I can thinknof
Planet X
I love 7 strings that dont look like 7 strings, just a nice guitar with 7 inst of 6. Cool guitar, awesome performance!
The guy is absolut insane!
This sounds like a beautiful mix of Tribal Tech with perhaps some Steve Morse and Greg Howe thrown into the mix. Just beautiful
J'adore , musique très complexe , tous des musiciens incroyables , du Bartók en Jazz si j'ose , si il fallait relever les parties , Grand soucis , technique très élevée pour tous les instruments ,mémoire phénoménale , Mr Virgil Donati est pour moi , qu'il me pardonne un ( extraterrestre)
Who says you can't dance to this?!?! Just look at that audience move!! Fucking swingin' !!!
Virgil. Nuff said.
1:58 Aw shit, camera's on me...GAME FACE!
great comment
Virgil ur the best man!!! One of kind u made me want to keep playing drums 👍👍 T, Lang ur in 2nd place pretty close but slightly different I think u learned a few things from Virgil, than there’s the rest of the drummers out there that are great but at a different skill level ,Virgil’s to technical that’s why he does his own thing . Thx u for being A force to be reckoned with🐲
I just watched other videos of his...& LOVE 'EM. LOL. Other clips I watched were very musical & tasteful! This one is not bad, but wish more dynamics & melidic .
Anyone noticed the "7-string guitar" and the "5-string bass" ??? ...Virgil is epic as always!👍☺😆
Brutality
10/10
great linear style, this guy really sounds first class, and his power trio is really creative...
It would be so kind of you Master if you can send me a drumless track of this particular tune...or can give other options how I can play drums with this music without your drums....I will be grateful,I know it's almost impossible to play along but still it would be my great pleasure if I can play drums as you do...
Junior, you're a monster...
Wait... I hear keyboards. Who's playing them? The laptop?
Yes. Backing track. With click track. For Virgil.
Please support the new VD band project called IceFish featuring 2 members who have recorded guitar and keyboards on IN THIS LIFE studio album.
Virgil przeszedł do DW ??!!!!
Omg! I try to not think of bad words, but... THAT IS FUCKING HEAVY! THAT THEME! THAT GUITAR SOUND! Puta que pariu! 🖐👊👏
7:30
virgil I hope one day you meet my husband and make drums duet he is a great drumer he is explosion talent
At around 36 seconds you can clearly see his reaction to his rushing slightly... “it’s ok guys I know, it won’t be happening again “ .. So he’s human after all.
Out of space!!!
Braguinha e Donati juntos...
These guys are extremelly gifted, but Virgil isn't from this planet, not just a great drummer, who for playing like that must spent hours and hours studying, he's a good songrwriter and skilled producer also. The man is almost 60 years (58) and also has time to go to the gym. I think this kind of otherwordly being doesn't need to sleep, if so, how can he have time in a day to acomplish all those tasks so well?
Besides his otherworldy drumming perhaps you can say he is the most down-to-earth when it comes to what he has to do for every day - just keep on doing his things regularly which during the last several decades of his life led to such level of mastery, what he is today as a superb, extraordinary human being but humble and humane.
...WAIT!!!... he is 58!!!????...no way!!!!!
59 now
monokhem I think he is a definitely very talented drummer.( technically)But you are right that not many people will remember this piece 's melody. It's not a difficult beat...or any to listen to..but,.As not melodic enough...though it's more melodic than many out there doing this kind of drumming & music! But still from the musicality point , still a lot less melodic . Though partially very short notes I'd remember...but the rest are so forgettable! But I have to say he is a very talented one , but unfortunately that doesn't make him become automatically a great drummer like you are saying.Music is music! You have to be more expressive emotionally as well as technically! More susceptible to feelings & mood & all.Has to have dynamics! Not just mono tone & one dimensional! And if they just wanna appeal to only certain people & market ...that is then done I guess, but not too appealing to music fans ....need more versatility...! Only certain drummers will appericiate.Why do they wanna limit it ?
That scored a kilo-Ringo. That is it would take a thousand Ringo's to play those drum parts. I think Thomas Lang's stuff is worthy of a mega-Ringo.
Music that u must be straight to play,obviously, but high to listen too,very inspiring though
Ohr-gasmus !
bass sounds very high
virgil is the messiah
We have found the Buddy Rich for the air age.
Alan holdsworth is alive and well
❤
I like this! But not memorable enough to say I love this! I could see all of them are very talented.But one dimensional...mono...only targeted & appealing to certain people.Though more melodic than many out there doing this fusion metal stuff...& I don't dislike it..., but from musicality point, still lacking a lot ! .I wish they can be more melodic all the way thru & more musically expressive & please do not forget the DYNAMICS! I came here as someone posted this site on another fusion band clip I believe Eddie Gomez & Steve Gadd video.
Here the difference between this guitar player and Tony Macalpine!
"JAZZ METAL".
Fusion xD
Technically great musicians playing tuneless technical chops with zero emotion. What is the point?
Somethings are inferior
I can tell it's very hard to play because it's very hard to listen to...
Zinger