Such a great album, I'm definitely excited to hear more from Meshuggah. And listening to this album it doesn't strike me as a project from the 90's, it definitely has a very modern sound to it and still holds up so well in today's metal scene.
@@mollyesanborn They get better every album like Radiohead and TOOL. My personal favorite album of theirs that I think is also the most accesible is Koloss but if you really wanna go deep listen to Catch Thirtythree.
6:20 The Jazz element youre referring to, frederik thorendalls favorite guitarist was the #1 jazz fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth. Instantly made sense to me when i learned that
There will be stuff in their earlier discography that makes you think about how many modern metal bands Meshuggah has probably influenced. An example is the ending of "New Millennium Cyanide Christ".
Meshuggah are my favourite band of all time, narrowly beating out The Dillinger Escape Plan and Animals As Leaders as my top spot. I fucking love Meshuggah.
Nice! I'm so glad to finally be starting off with their discography, I've been wanting to check out Meshuggah for a while now. They definitely do remind me of The Dillinger Escape Plan at times, I can see why they're two of your favorites.
You nailed it on the jazziness. The main guitarist Fredrik Thordendal's primary guitar influence is Alan Holdsworth a really wild explorative jazz guitarist.
The lyrics to Future Breed Machine were basically The Matrix before The Matrix came out. When I first heard this song years ago I thought 'this is how many bands are about to sound', and I thought the lyrics were fitting, as they were starting a new genre. "A new way. A new breed. Implanted in our minds.' If you're going to listen to more Meshuggah, I would go ahead a keep listening to the timeline forward from here. Their first album is more of a novelty once you've listened to their catalog.
Meshuggah from Sweden was formed in the 80's (the members are in their 50's now) ...one of the products of the thrash metal era evolved into something new in the 90's ... ('Meshuggah' is the Yiddish word for 'crazy') Despite their technical music, Fredrik Thordendal (lead guitar) said none of the original members were musically trained. Thordendal formed Meshuggah in 1987 w/ Jens Kidman (vocals) who was also on rhythm guitar, drummer Niklas Lundgren, and bassist Peter Nordin... Their first EP (titled either 'Meshuggah' or 'Psykisk testbild') dropped in1989... Tomas Haake (drums) joined in 1990. Meshuggah's first full album 'Contradictions Collapse' in 1991 was not a success at the time but had a new and explosive extreme metal sound... Thordendal laments that Meshuggah did not fit in w/ the metal scene because they were not a power metal band like Manowar... Helloween... or Stratovarius... Martin Hagstrom (rhythm guitar) joined Meshuggah as Jens Kidman wanted to focus on vocals exclusively... the band released another EP 'None' in 1994. Meshuggah's 2nd full album 'Destroy Erase Improve' was released in 1995 and the band began to gain fanfare on tour... another EP 'The true human design' was released in 1997. Tomas Haake was also becoming more involved w/ drum programming in the studio (although he did play drums live in concert) as Meshuggah developed an industrial sound w/ their trademark off-the-wall riffs and polyrhythms. Their career really took off after the release of their 3rd full album 'Chaosphere' in 1998, recorded w/ bassist Gustaf Heilm... Meshuggah scored high profile tours opening for Slayer and Tool... the response in N. America started to take off. In 2002, Meshuggah were using new guitars w/ additional strings to record their next album 'Nothing'... and spent the summer on the N. American Ozzfest '02 touring festival and 'Nothing' became their first album to chart in the US... Both Thordendal & Hagstrom began using 8-string custom-built guitars in the studio and in concerts to accommodate their surreal sound. Later, they would remix and re-release 'Nothing' w/ additional guitars added to the tracks... Meshuggah's catalog also began selling admirably. In 2004, Dick Lovgren (bass) joined Meshuggah and they released another EP ' I '... followed by another full album 'Catch 33' in 2005...In 2007, they released the album 'obZen'... which resulted in a sold-out US tour and the album charted in the US top 100... The surreal music video for the single 'Bleed' got MTV airplay... Meshuggah released their first live DVD 'Alive' in 2010, recorded on the 'obZen' tour. 7th album 'Koloss' was released in 2012... and another live DVD/ CD 'The Ophidian Trek' was released in 2014. 8th studio album 'The violent sleep of reason' was released in 2016. Meshuggah released their 9th studio album 'Immutable' in 2022.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave the insightful comment. Meshuggah seems like a very interesting band to delve into further, it's crazy they've been on the scene for five decades! I've got a lot of catching up to do.
I absolutely love both of those but they can be a little hard to get into as first time listener. I think Obzen is by far the most rewarding and entertaining album after this one. Just a perfect 10 in every way and they were at the height of their power! That said every album is a contender for their best in a way, haha. My favourite is the follow-up to this one, Chaosphere. That one is just totally insane. :D
I still can't believe that I have never heard of Meshuggah until recently. It makes me wonder what other bands that I have missed out on because of no radio play whatsoever (at least radio stations in Pittsburgh anyways). After my 2nd listen, I have to say that I enjoy this album and I plan to go back to it. Though seriously bands like Godflesh, Fear Factory, Mr. Bungle, and now Meshuggah? What else have I been missing?
Right?! Glad I'm not the only one new to their music, I feel like I always have that same reaction to any new band that I get into here on the channel. Really makes you think what amazing music must exist that we have never even heard of.
@@mollyesanborn not just with recent stuff, but think about stuff from the 1970's or even as far back as the 1960's that we may not have even heard of. I feel like we're just scratching the surface of discovering music.
Heheh, you're absolutely just scratching the surface, and in some ways I'm jealous! Hearing some of this stuff for the first time is legitimately magical. I have a lot of love for all of this primarily heavy music that I grew up on, but there's so much more out there as well!
Oh, cool, they’re from my country. 👌 They’re a very important band within metal for their contribution to the genre, basically creating djent (for better or worse). They’re pretty important outside of metal as well, if I remember correctly their drummer, Thomas Haake, was used in the creation of a very widely used digital drum kit.
they're musical masters, just when it sounds like the train is derailing, it magically syncs up again, pure genius...it was great seeing how you totally immersed yourself in their music Molly, didn't even check for rocks, just jumped straight in 🤘
This whole album is a masterpiece., starting with the title track. When this came out it blew minds and they are still doing that. They also encore or close with the title track after all these years. The bit after the guitar solo...chills every time. Glad you enjoyed it and I could dive into every song but I enjoy your takes. Meshuggah always makes you think...and provides endless confusion. Also their album/ep "I" let's just say I put that on in a car ride when people say "You get one song." Ha
I aced an algebra final by answering each equation with a different time signature off of this album. And by aced, I mean I got laughed out of the classroom. Anyhoo, if this is all proving a bit too easy listening for you, Strapping Young Lad awaits!
I also recommend checking out the None EP, it came out a year earlier in 1994 but is a great addition to the album. My fav Meshuggah song "Sickening" from this EP.
@@mollyesanborn omg of course 😊 literally made my night when this was uploaded. Now I have something to watch tonight! I hope your night is going amazing too ☺️
Really incisive stuff about their songwriting that I totally agree with. Been watching some of your stuff and it seems like a really cool exploration of weird, alternative and underground heavy music, which is just my speed. Subscribed
Seeing someone experience Meshuggah for the first time will always be fun. It's pretty overwhelming at first and a lot of their stuff can sound the same, but when you actually learn the songs and can hear the 4/4 time signature in them, it's so satisfying.
First show ever was syl and meshuggah at the troc in like 01...right either before or after the nothing album released. They played future breed machine as the encore...i left soaked in sweat from moshing/dancing...one of the best memories i can think of in my life Cant wait for the chaosphere react Also ur react to mariah careys emotions
Can't wait for Nothing, their magnum opus IMO. I suggest listening its 2006 remaster version (the blue one), they really honed their sound on that release.
For an album that is almost 30 years old I still find it relevant. Imo Meshuggah were ahead of their time and still are. You are in for a treat with their discography. Best band ever. 🤘🏻
Absolutely, this album really holds up well, if you told me it had been released a few days ago I'd believe you. I'm sure excited to hear more of Meshuggah now!
Meshuggahs music falls into 4 clear Eras and sounds that break up their catalog 1989-1991: Meshuggahs debut ep & album "Psykik Testblid" & "Contradictions Collapse" are essentially odes to AJFA era Metallica albiet with a heavier darker sound. Frederick Thorendal (now lead guitarist) was the Vocalist while Jens Kidman (now lead vocalist) was on rhythm guitar duties. Hints of what is to come, still fantastic but nothing too complex. 1994-1998: With Jens & Fredrick switching roles, the band evolved into the form you just heard. Between the "None" ep, and albums "Destroy Erase Improve" & "Chaosphere", Meshuggah was able to latch onto their signature sound and set themselves apart from the crowd. It was also around this time that Drummer Tomas Haake began to experiment with polyrhythm & polymeter techniques. Tomas also does all Spoken Word vocals across Meshuggahs entire discography. 2002-2008: Spanning from the album "Nothing" (which received a re-release with a blue cover & sonically superior to the original in 2006) into the highly experimental and completely continuous EP and Album "I" & "Catch 33", and finally culminating with the album "Obzen" featuring meshuggas most popular song, this era is the result of decades of experimentation their music and the creation of the subgenre "Djent". At this point in their Career, meshuggahs guitarists were using 8 strings & Tomas was experimenting with programmed drums (Catch 33 in its entirety) 2012-2022: over the last decade of meshuggah releases, the band shows that they are still pushing the boundaries of what metal music can sound like with the Time Signature experiments turned up to the max. "Koloss" provided some of their biggest hits, "The Violent Sleep Of Reason" was recorded entirely live in studio, and "Immutable" comes after over 30 years of dominance and influence in the metal scene. Overall to recommend a follow up for this listen i would say either "Obzen" or their Debut album "Contradictions Collapse". Although seeing you react to the None EP would be the best birthday gift ever. I hope you enjoy my favorite band & thank you for coming to my ted talk :] Keep Up The Great Work Molly!!!!!!!!!!
Molly you've jumped on the Meshuggah train?!? i'm so proud! haven't even watched it yet and i KNOW you'll get what i mean when i say 'Meshuggah face' i'd love to see you carry on with their albums.... do Chaosphere next XD
You have no idea how much Us dudes, out here, are exited to listen to these types of long loved albums with You, who had never heard them before. And, the fact that You're a women, listening, and considering these types of music is a rare experience in all of history. Thank-You, thank-You, and thank-You!
I love the open minded way you always approach new music. I really enjoy your reactions cause your opinions are so true and fair to what's going on in the music. Been following your channel for a while. I'm European from Spain, so I'd love if you react to some In Flames albums, starting with their golden trilogy from 1997 to 2000, their 2nd, 3rd and 4th albums, 'Whoracle' 'Colony' and 'Clayman'. I think you are going to love those albums. In Flames also from Sweden btw, hope to see those!
SUPER ahead of their time. Meshuggah kicks so much ass, and was coming out with music in the early 2000's that didn't really catch on and become popular until the 2010's.
I had slept on this release for a long time never really gave it a try. it slowly became my go-too album. Although the rhythms are more intricate on their later releases. The rhythms and grooves here are soo insanely heavy. I honestly can't believe this album came out in 96. Incredible 👌
Meshuggah was a force of nature in the 90s, their live stuff back then had so much energy and this was the album behind that energy. This album is half way between their modern sound and their trash roots and it blends so well with the ambient and more technical/syncopated parts. It's missing the even lower tuned 8 string stuff they got into on the next albums which are more representative of modern Meshuggah but Destroy Erase Improve is still arguably their best record (among many great records)
Great reaction!! These guys are crazy and never let you catch your breath but that’s why we love them😂Nothing and ObZen are def a couple of my fav albums should check them out next!
I grew up in Sweden and when this came out, everybody where just "what the hell is this?" All the other albums after this has got another tone to their guitars, more deeper tones. Thomas Haake is the drum God in metal in generally. I even met people who listen to jazz and classical music, when they would mention a metal band which they know it would almost always be Meshuggah.
Ah, you're getting into Meshuggah! It's actually good that you started with their second album. For a long time, I actually thought this was their debut. It was really the beginning of their true sound. I picked up the first album and while it's still good, it's different from their albums since. It has more of a straight death metal feel, with hints of what was to come. When this album came out, people didn't know what to make of it. The sound was new and no one had done anything like it before (that broke into the scene anyway). Since then, there is a whole scene/genre based around what they did and are still doing, called djent. They are using polyrhythms to play multiple time signatures at the same time. Even each member of the band tends to go off on another rhythm than what the other guys are doing. It shouldn't work together but it somehow does. Glad you seemed to enjoy it, even though it is a lot to take in the first time. I also agree, Suffer in Truth is a standout, along with Future Breed Machine. I would recommend checking out their third album next, Chaosphere.
Good to know, yeah I thought about starting off with Contradictions Collapse but decided on this one as it seemed like the most highly suggested of their albums in the comments. Someone else also mentioned how I should continue forward from this point so I will likely do that 👍
Such a groundbreaking band and they continue to push their creativity to the limits...you must investigate Gojira, Devin Townsend/Strapping Young Lad and Opeth too.
Great albun😢and reaction! You should do Meshuggah's "Obzen" - arguably their best release - it's AMAZING! Be sure to get the 15th Anniversary Remastered version - it kills.
Pre 2002 Meshuggah used 7 string guitars and I have always enjoyed that tone more than the later 8 string guitar tone. The album "Nothing" was originally released using the 7 string guitars de-tuned to an 8 string tuning. It's probably my favorite Meshuggah album. In 2006, "Nothing" was released rerecorded using 8 string guitars (blue album art). The album lost something with the switch. I currently have two play lists, 7 string albums and 8 string albums. I have more songs from their earlier releases using 7 strings than on the 8 string playlist which covers over 12 years.
This Album is such a Ahead Of its Time Masterpiece It never gets old and Future Breed machine Is the perfect Opening And In Your Face song that is extremely face melting, the Groovy Soul Burn Is also Face melting fun and The song Terminal Illusions has one of the heaviest Guitar riffs i ever heard on the song Outro
Yes such a great album, I agree that Future Breed Machine as the opening track is such a crazy way to start this album off! So much variety on this record.
Meshuggah has become known for their innovative musical style and their complex, polymetered song structures and polyrhythms. They rose to fame as a significant act in extreme underground music, became an influence for modern metal bands, and gained a cult following. The band was labelled as one of the ten most important hard rock and heavy metal bands by Rolling Stone and as the most important band in metal by Alternative Press. In the late 2000s, the band was an inspiration for the djent subgenre. A huge part of the Meshuggah sound is tied to downtuned and alternate tuned guitars (especially since 2002). To help get to these extra-heavy frequencies, the band has pioneered the use of extended range guitars - starting off with 7-string instruments before moving on to 8-strings (and even 9-strings more recently!)
Rewatched this after the recent ff review...the amount of stank face, calculus, and "can you smell what the rock is cooking" eyebrow raises are hilarious
@@mollyesanborn Me and my best friend always enjoy watching your vlogs. We want to thank you for introducing us to different bands and artists. We have been listening to the different albums that you have reacted to since we discovered your channel. Your channel is the first music reaction channel that we watched together! That makes it special for us! It is always lots of fun watching your vlogs with my best friend. My best friend also finds it fun watching them with me. Do you want us to watch your older vlogs and comment on them? My best friend asks “Does Molly want us to watch all her upcoming reactions together?” :) :)
For me, discovering Meshuggah was like discovering the missing link. I had always wondered where specific sounds of modern metal post 2000 were inspired by. Such an amazing band!
just want give a big shout out to the motherfucking algorithm. not sure how i ended up here, but i stayed for the metaphors. if you the best meshuggah experience(without time traveling) snipe one of their live DVDs from the early 2000's. the endless clips online cannot compare to the entire ride of their live shows. i mean you already have the shelf for it.
They opened for Tool for most of the 90's which was my introduction. I saw them(and Tool) 4 times. Their drummer and Danny Carey had a drum battle every show. By the way, "meshuga" is Yiddish for insane.
Seriously, when this album dropped in '95, no one was ready. It was a certain kind of heavy that I didn't know I needed in my life. The rhythms and arrangements are just ridiculous.
Melodically and experimentally, this is their best imo. But the most ferocious album is Chaosphere, which is the next album. My top 3 is Chaosphere, Desrtoy Erase Improve, Violent Sleep of Reason.
It's interesting at gigs when some people are trying to mosh to this band and just can't find the groove. They try to bang their head to the kick drum or whatever. But you gotta find the the throughline through all the craziness. I saw an interview with the drummer in which he said that quite a lot of their music is quite straightforward when you look at it as separate elements transposed, but it's the way they bring it all together in the construction, like offsetting riffs and drums of different time signatures so that they go out of sync and then come back together again. It's very clever.
Fyi they sound nothing like this nowadays. Listen to Immutable and you might just get put to sleep it's so soothing. Still heavy af but beautifully musical imo.
Gotta check out the band between the buried and me. One of the best progressive metal bands of the last decade plus. The silent circus is the place to jump in on them...then You're off on a rollercoaster of a discography.
I'm not really into metal but this abum is Meshuggah's masterpiece. The musicianship, the dark dystopian sci-fi atmosphere it has, the amazing futuristic guitar solos and insane drumming. Yes, like you said, some parts are very jazzy, like some free jazz...Frederick Thordendal was pretty influenced by Alan Holdsworth, one of the greatest jazz fusion guitarist. Unfortunately they will totally forgot free form and variety in the next albums. Great review as always !
Since this album in '95 they haven't made a disappointing album and the fact that fans tend to argue about what the best album is should also say something about the overall quality (I think I'm an ObZen guy ;) ) Just to show the consistency here a live version of Future Breed Machine from last year, 28 years after recording and singer Jens Kidman at 57: th-cam.com/video/xtju8pwSGMA/w-d-xo.html
Now you've done it. You cracked the seal on Meshuggah, and there's no going back. The "heavy shit" nerds' favorite band (I can't blame them). I would, of course, recommend their next few albums. Chaosphere and Nothing really progressed their sound, and Obzen is a fan favorite.
Meshuggah's discography is pretty consistently good-to-great. They get a lot lower and groovier after Nothing but this album is really cool to me since it still has so much of their thrash DNA.
Hello Molly. Imo, this is the most interesting and diverse Meshuggah album, but every album of theirs is really good. Nothing and the I EP are standouts. I'd also like to recommend River Runs Red by Life of Agony, seems like a record you'd like and is a really, really heavy alternative metal album from the 90s. Greetings from Costa Rica!
It's propably best if you go onward in chronological order if you continue listening to them. This way, the sound and music construction changes over time, allthough it's allways unmistakably Meshuggah.
Fredrik Thordendal really likes Abstract Jazz guitar. not enough people talk about how amazing Jens Kidman's vocals are. either obZen or Chaosphere next.
@@mollyesanbornyou should see their live performances. 30yr old songs with modern tighter production + impressive lightshow complimenting the rhythm still sound very fresh.
Please do Chaosphere next (it came out in 98 and it’s brutal) 🔥 not many people have reacted to the album here on TH-cam, but it would be awesome if you did
One of the, say, 10 most important metal albums of the 90'es; a bonafide classic and still to this day my favorite Meshuggah release... 👌
Such a great album, I'm definitely excited to hear more from Meshuggah. And listening to this album it doesn't strike me as a project from the 90's, it definitely has a very modern sound to it and still holds up so well in today's metal scene.
@@mollyesanborn They were far ahead of their time at this point; still are to a certain degree. 🤗
@@mollyesanborn They get better every album like Radiohead and TOOL. My personal favorite album of theirs that I think is also the most accesible is Koloss but if you really wanna go deep listen to Catch Thirtythree.
I remember kerrang giving it a middling review. At one point calling it grunt grunt widdle widdle. Haha.
@@lungfulldrummer8921 yeah, but when was the last time Kerrang had its finger on the pulse?
My first Meshuggah album. It will always hold a special place in my ears. Polyrhythmic genius.
Ahh nice, yeah this was a fantastic introduction to their music.
6:20 The Jazz element youre referring to, frederik thorendalls favorite guitarist was the #1 jazz fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth. Instantly made sense to me when i learned that
They get better as they go on IMO. You'll enjoy the album journey!
Ooh I'm very excited to hear more!
There will be stuff in their earlier discography that makes you think about how many modern metal bands Meshuggah has probably influenced. An example is the ending of "New Millennium Cyanide Christ".
@@mfsars1075F*cking great song
@@mollyesanborn After Chaosphere, make sure you watch the music video for "New Millennium Cyanide Christ" too!
They got progressively lamer over time.
They've really been phoning it in since 2000.
4:08 Just a few minutes into experiencing Meshuggah for the first time and you’ve got their whole thing figured out. Impressive.
the vocalist Jens is an absolute monster
Meshuggah are my favourite band of all time, narrowly beating out The Dillinger Escape Plan and Animals As Leaders as my top spot. I fucking love Meshuggah.
Nice! I'm so glad to finally be starting off with their discography, I've been wanting to check out Meshuggah for a while now. They definitely do remind me of The Dillinger Escape Plan at times, I can see why they're two of your favorites.
it started with DEP for me as well
Wow. You really went into the deep end with this. Messuggah takes no prisoners . One of my favorite albums
Thanks for watching! Yeah Meshuggah is great, this album has so much variety on it and it was an awesome introduction to their music.
You nailed it on the jazziness. The main guitarist Fredrik Thordendal's primary guitar influence is Alan Holdsworth a really wild explorative jazz guitarist.
I absolutely love that jazziness that they have! Makes their sound very unique and adds a nice touch of lightness to their music.
The lyrics to Future Breed Machine were basically The Matrix before The Matrix came out. When I first heard this song years ago I thought 'this is how many bands are about to sound', and I thought the lyrics were fitting, as they were starting a new genre. "A new way. A new breed. Implanted in our minds.' If you're going to listen to more Meshuggah, I would go ahead a keep listening to the timeline forward from here. Their first album is more of a novelty once you've listened to their catalog.
There is definitely a futuristic vibe to the tone of this album, it really doesn't sound like this album was released in the 90's.
Thanks for giving my favorite band a whirl.
Meshuggah from Sweden was formed in the 80's (the members are in their 50's now) ...one of the products of the thrash metal era evolved into something new in the 90's ... ('Meshuggah' is the Yiddish word for 'crazy') Despite their technical music, Fredrik Thordendal (lead guitar) said none of the original members were musically trained.
Thordendal formed Meshuggah in 1987 w/ Jens Kidman (vocals) who was also on rhythm guitar, drummer Niklas Lundgren, and bassist Peter Nordin... Their first EP (titled either 'Meshuggah' or 'Psykisk testbild') dropped in1989... Tomas Haake (drums) joined in 1990.
Meshuggah's first full album 'Contradictions Collapse' in 1991 was not a success at the time but had a new and explosive extreme metal sound... Thordendal laments that Meshuggah did not fit in w/ the metal scene because they were not a power metal band like Manowar... Helloween... or Stratovarius...
Martin Hagstrom (rhythm guitar) joined Meshuggah as Jens Kidman wanted to focus on vocals exclusively... the band released another EP 'None' in 1994.
Meshuggah's 2nd full album 'Destroy Erase Improve' was released in 1995 and the band began to gain fanfare on tour... another EP 'The true human design' was released in 1997. Tomas Haake was also becoming more involved w/ drum programming in the studio (although he did play drums live in concert) as Meshuggah developed an industrial sound w/ their trademark off-the-wall riffs and polyrhythms.
Their career really took off after the release of their 3rd full album 'Chaosphere' in 1998, recorded w/ bassist Gustaf Heilm... Meshuggah scored high profile tours opening for Slayer and Tool... the response in N. America started to take off.
In 2002, Meshuggah were using new guitars w/ additional strings to record their next album 'Nothing'... and spent the summer on the N. American Ozzfest '02 touring festival and 'Nothing' became their first album to chart in the US... Both Thordendal & Hagstrom began using 8-string custom-built guitars in the studio and in concerts to accommodate their surreal sound.
Later, they would remix and re-release 'Nothing' w/ additional guitars added to the tracks... Meshuggah's catalog also began selling admirably.
In 2004, Dick Lovgren (bass) joined Meshuggah and they released another EP ' I '... followed by another full album 'Catch 33' in 2005...In 2007, they released the album 'obZen'... which resulted in a sold-out US tour and the album charted in the US top 100... The surreal music video for the single 'Bleed' got MTV airplay... Meshuggah released their first live DVD 'Alive' in 2010, recorded on the 'obZen' tour.
7th album 'Koloss' was released in 2012... and another live DVD/ CD 'The Ophidian Trek' was released in 2014.
8th studio album 'The violent sleep of reason' was released in 2016.
Meshuggah released their 9th studio album 'Immutable' in 2022.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave the insightful comment. Meshuggah seems like a very interesting band to delve into further, it's crazy they've been on the scene for five decades! I've got a lot of catching up to do.
Catch33 and Nothing are other Meshuggah masterpieces
Noted, I'll be looking forward to hearing them!
Can’t forget ObZen
I absolutely love both of those but they can be a little hard to get into as first time listener. I think Obzen is by far the most rewarding and entertaining album after this one. Just a perfect 10 in every way and they were at the height of their power!
That said every album is a contender for their best in a way, haha. My favourite is the follow-up to this one, Chaosphere. That one is just totally insane. :D
I still can't believe that I have never heard of Meshuggah until recently. It makes me wonder what other bands that I have missed out on because of no radio play whatsoever (at least radio stations in Pittsburgh anyways). After my 2nd listen, I have to say that I enjoy this album and I plan to go back to it. Though seriously bands like Godflesh, Fear Factory, Mr. Bungle, and now Meshuggah? What else have I been missing?
Right?! Glad I'm not the only one new to their music, I feel like I always have that same reaction to any new band that I get into here on the channel. Really makes you think what amazing music must exist that we have never even heard of.
@@mollyesanborn not just with recent stuff, but think about stuff from the 1970's or even as far back as the 1960's that we may not have even heard of. I feel like we're just scratching the surface of discovering music.
Heheh, you're absolutely just scratching the surface, and in some ways I'm jealous! Hearing some of this stuff for the first time is legitimately magical. I have a lot of love for all of this primarily heavy music that I grew up on, but there's so much more out there as well!
@@NerudoP-Clowes Facts
The further you go in their discography the more you will fall in love with Meshuggah. They are lovely. So happy to see you've started off on them.
Oh, cool, they’re from my country. 👌
They’re a very important band within metal for their contribution to the genre, basically creating djent (for better or worse).
They’re pretty important outside of metal as well, if I remember correctly their drummer, Thomas Haake, was used in the creation of a very widely used digital drum kit.
they're musical masters, just when it sounds like the train is derailing, it magically syncs up again, pure genius...it was great seeing how you totally immersed yourself in their music Molly, didn't even check for rocks, just jumped straight in 🤘
Yes they are brilliant! I'm looking forward to hearing more of Meshuggah's albums now. Thanks for watching :)
This whole album is a masterpiece., starting with the title track. When this came out it blew minds and they are still doing that. They also encore or close with the title track after all these years. The bit after the guitar solo...chills every time. Glad you enjoyed it and I could dive into every song but I enjoy your takes. Meshuggah always makes you think...and provides endless confusion. Also their album/ep "I" let's just say I put that on in a car ride when people say "You get one song." Ha
I aced an algebra final by answering each equation with a different time signature off of this album. And by aced, I mean I got laughed out of the classroom. Anyhoo, if this is all proving a bit too easy listening for you, Strapping Young Lad awaits!
Haha, that's awesome! I'll definitely consider doing Strapping Young Lad sometime soon, I'd love to hear them.
City is a amazing industrial metal album
@@mollyesanborn Strapping Young Lad is your gateway to Devin Townsend. SYL has some simultaneously INSANE and BEAUTIFUL songs.
another flawless band-cataloque to explore,..Obzen probably the best album,.
I'm very excited to hear more from them, including Obzen!
@@mollyesanborn you should be^^
Yass obZen!! I can't wait!
Woohoo! Finally!
I also recommend checking out the None EP, it came out a year earlier in 1994 but is a great addition to the album. My fav Meshuggah song "Sickening" from this EP.
I'm so exited for this one Molly! This could open so many doors to bands like Periphery or Tesseract. Enjoy your journey 🖤
Thanks for watching! I'm looking forward to hearing more of their albums from this point.
This is a masterpiece of metal. Loved seeing your reaction to this. Thanks 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Thanks so much for watching, yeah this one was great! Such a fantastic introduction to Meshuggah's music.
This band changed metal music forever. Chaosphere will melt ur brain 🧠 🤪 My personal fav.
I'm so excited to hear Chaosphere as well!
Heyy Molly you’re amazing!! Keep the good videos coming😊
Thank you so much! :)
@@mollyesanborn omg of course 😊 literally made my night when this was uploaded. Now I have something to watch tonight! I hope your night is going amazing too ☺️
Really incisive stuff about their songwriting that I totally agree with. Been watching some of your stuff and it seems like a really cool exploration of weird, alternative and underground heavy music, which is just my speed. Subscribed
Thanks so much, I appreciate that! Glad you're enjoying the videos :)
They do so much with their tracks. So many ideas!
Yes there was always something interesting to pick up with my ears on this album, so much variety.
Seeing someone experience Meshuggah for the first time will always be fun. It's pretty overwhelming at first and a lot of their stuff can sound the same, but when you actually learn the songs and can hear the 4/4 time signature in them, it's so satisfying.
First show ever was syl and meshuggah at the troc in like 01...right either before or after the nothing album released. They played future breed machine as the encore...i left soaked in sweat from moshing/dancing...one of the best memories i can think of in my life
Cant wait for the chaosphere react
Also ur react to mariah careys emotions
Did not expect this but happy to see more meshuggah love, hope you do their other albums
Can't wait for Nothing, their magnum opus IMO. I suggest listening its 2006 remaster version (the blue one), they really honed their sound on that release.
For an album that is almost 30 years old I still find it relevant. Imo Meshuggah were ahead of their time and still are. You are in for a treat with their discography. Best band ever. 🤘🏻
Absolutely, this album really holds up well, if you told me it had been released a few days ago I'd believe you. I'm sure excited to hear more of Meshuggah now!
OMG SO EXCITED FOR THIS ONE.
Meshuggahs music falls into 4 clear Eras and sounds that break up their catalog
1989-1991: Meshuggahs debut ep & album "Psykik Testblid" & "Contradictions Collapse" are essentially odes to AJFA era Metallica albiet with a heavier darker sound. Frederick Thorendal (now lead guitarist) was the Vocalist while Jens Kidman (now lead vocalist) was on rhythm guitar duties. Hints of what is to come, still fantastic but nothing too complex.
1994-1998: With Jens & Fredrick switching roles, the band evolved into the form you just heard. Between the "None" ep, and albums "Destroy Erase Improve" & "Chaosphere", Meshuggah was able to latch onto their signature sound and set themselves apart from the crowd. It was also around this time that Drummer Tomas Haake began to experiment with polyrhythm & polymeter techniques. Tomas also does all Spoken Word vocals across Meshuggahs entire discography.
2002-2008: Spanning from the album "Nothing" (which received a re-release with a blue cover & sonically superior to the original in 2006) into the highly experimental and completely continuous EP and Album "I" & "Catch 33", and finally culminating with the album "Obzen" featuring meshuggas most popular song, this era is the result of decades of experimentation their music and the creation of the subgenre "Djent". At this point in their Career, meshuggahs guitarists were using 8 strings & Tomas was experimenting with programmed drums (Catch 33 in its entirety)
2012-2022: over the last decade of meshuggah releases, the band shows that they are still pushing the boundaries of what metal music can sound like with the Time Signature experiments turned up to the max. "Koloss" provided some of their biggest hits, "The Violent Sleep Of Reason" was recorded entirely live in studio, and "Immutable" comes after over 30 years of dominance and influence in the metal scene.
Overall to recommend a follow up for this listen i would say either "Obzen" or their Debut album "Contradictions Collapse". Although seeing you react to the None EP would be the best birthday gift ever.
I hope you enjoy my favorite band & thank you for coming to my ted talk :] Keep Up The Great Work Molly!!!!!!!!!!
So awesome that you got goosebumps at Sublevels.
I absolutely love that track! They fuse that sort of chilling, toned down atmosphere with so much brutal heaviness in such a fantastic way.
Molly you've jumped on the Meshuggah train?!? i'm so proud! haven't even watched it yet and i KNOW you'll get what i mean when i say 'Meshuggah face' i'd love to see you carry on with their albums.... do Chaosphere next XD
u always give such fresh and interesting perspectives on music
You have no idea how much Us dudes, out here, are exited to listen to these types of long loved albums with You, who had never heard them before. And, the fact that You're a women, listening, and considering these types of music is a rare experience in all of history. Thank-You, thank-You, and thank-You!
I love the open minded way you always approach new music. I really enjoy your reactions cause your opinions are so true and fair to what's going on in the music.
Been following your channel for a while. I'm European from Spain, so I'd love if you react to some In Flames albums, starting with their golden trilogy from 1997 to 2000,
their 2nd, 3rd and 4th albums, 'Whoracle' 'Colony' and 'Clayman'. I think you are going to love those albums.
In Flames also from Sweden btw, hope to see those!
Mightiest force ever. Meshuggah are just from another galaxy.
SUPER ahead of their time. Meshuggah kicks so much ass, and was coming out with music in the early 2000's that didn't really catch on and become popular until the 2010's.
I had slept on this release for a long time never really gave it a try. it slowly became my go-too album. Although the rhythms are more intricate on their later releases. The rhythms and grooves here are soo insanely heavy. I honestly can't believe this album came out in 96. Incredible 👌
Meshuggah was a force of nature in the 90s, their live stuff back then had so much energy and this was the album behind that energy. This album is half way between their modern sound and their trash roots and it blends so well with the ambient and more technical/syncopated parts. It's missing the even lower tuned 8 string stuff they got into on the next albums which are more representative of modern Meshuggah but Destroy Erase Improve is still arguably their best record (among many great records)
Great reaction!! These guys are crazy and never let you catch your breath but that’s why we love them😂Nothing and ObZen are def a couple of my fav albums should check them out next!
Great stuff MS!
Yeah I really enjoyed this album! Meshuggah is definitely a band I will have to further explore here on the channel.
Siiick album! See these guys live if you ever get a chance Molly.
I grew up in Sweden and when this came out, everybody where just "what the hell is this?" All the other albums after this has got another tone to their guitars, more deeper tones. Thomas Haake is the drum God in metal in generally. I even met people who listen to jazz and classical music, when they would mention a metal band which they know it would almost always be Meshuggah.
I love that, they definitely do have a strong jazz element to their music that makes it really stand out.
Ah, you're getting into Meshuggah! It's actually good that you started with their second album. For a long time, I actually thought this was their debut. It was really the beginning of their true sound. I picked up the first album and while it's still good, it's different from their albums since. It has more of a straight death metal feel, with hints of what was to come.
When this album came out, people didn't know what to make of it. The sound was new and no one had done anything like it before (that broke into the scene anyway). Since then, there is a whole scene/genre based around what they did and are still doing, called djent. They are using polyrhythms to play multiple time signatures at the same time. Even each member of the band tends to go off on another rhythm than what the other guys are doing. It shouldn't work together but it somehow does. Glad you seemed to enjoy it, even though it is a lot to take in the first time. I also agree, Suffer in Truth is a standout, along with Future Breed Machine.
I would recommend checking out their third album next, Chaosphere.
Good to know, yeah I thought about starting off with Contradictions Collapse but decided on this one as it seemed like the most highly suggested of their albums in the comments. Someone else also mentioned how I should continue forward from this point so I will likely do that 👍
Such a groundbreaking band and they continue to push their creativity to the limits...you must investigate Gojira, Devin Townsend/Strapping Young Lad and Opeth too.
Thanks, I've already heard Gojira's full discography but I will certainly keep the rest of your suggestions in mind!
Great albun😢and reaction! You should do Meshuggah's "Obzen" - arguably their best release - it's AMAZING! Be sure to get the 15th Anniversary Remastered version - it kills.
Pre 2002 Meshuggah used 7 string guitars and I have always enjoyed that tone more than the later 8 string guitar tone. The album "Nothing" was originally released using the 7 string guitars de-tuned to an 8 string tuning. It's probably my favorite Meshuggah album. In 2006, "Nothing" was released rerecorded using 8 string guitars (blue album art). The album lost something with the switch. I currently have two play lists, 7 string albums and 8 string albums. I have more songs from their earlier releases using 7 strings than on the 8 string playlist which covers over 12 years.
This Album is such a Ahead Of its Time Masterpiece It never gets old and Future Breed machine Is the perfect Opening And In Your Face song that is extremely face melting, the Groovy Soul Burn Is also Face melting fun and The song Terminal Illusions has one of the heaviest Guitar riffs i ever heard on the song Outro
Yes such a great album, I agree that Future Breed Machine as the opening track is such a crazy way to start this album off! So much variety on this record.
@@mollyesanborn agreed.... make sure you check out chaosphere! its even more facemelting
@@MetalHeadJagger I'm excited to hear it!
Meshuggah has become known for their innovative musical style and their complex, polymetered song structures and polyrhythms. They rose to fame as a significant act in extreme underground music, became an influence for modern metal bands, and gained a cult following. The band was labelled as one of the ten most important hard rock and heavy metal bands by Rolling Stone and as the most important band in metal by Alternative Press. In the late 2000s, the band was an inspiration for the djent subgenre.
A huge part of the Meshuggah sound is tied to downtuned and alternate tuned guitars (especially since 2002).
To help get to these extra-heavy frequencies, the band has pioneered the use of extended range guitars - starting off with 7-string instruments before moving on to 8-strings (and even 9-strings more recently!)
Rewatched this after the recent ff review...the amount of stank face, calculus, and "can you smell what the rock is cooking" eyebrow raises are hilarious
Hi Molly, me and my best friend watched together. We are enjoying your vlogs. We have never heard of this band. It sounds very experimental. :) :)
Meshuggah is great, I'm excited to dive more into their discography. Glad the video introduced you to them! :)
@@mollyesanborn Me and my best friend always enjoy watching your vlogs. We want to thank you for introducing us to different bands and artists. We have been listening to the different albums that you have reacted to since we discovered your channel. Your channel is the first music reaction channel that we watched together! That makes it special for us! It is always lots of fun watching your vlogs with my best friend. My best friend also finds it fun watching them with me. Do you want us to watch your older vlogs and comment on them? My best friend asks “Does Molly want us to watch all her upcoming reactions together?” :) :)
For me, discovering Meshuggah was like discovering the missing link. I had always wondered where specific sounds of modern metal post 2000 were inspired by. Such an amazing band!
o hell yeah! do all of meshuggah! my fav band
I got this when it came out. It was like nothing I'd ever heard in metal. And it's their their best album, IMHO.
just want give a big shout out to the motherfucking algorithm. not sure how i ended up here, but i stayed for the metaphors.
if you the best meshuggah experience(without time traveling) snipe one of their live DVDs from the early 2000's. the endless clips online cannot compare to the entire ride of their live shows.
i mean you already have the shelf for it.
They opened for Tool for most of the 90's which was my introduction. I saw them(and Tool) 4 times. Their drummer and Danny Carey had a drum battle every show.
By the way, "meshuga" is Yiddish for insane.
Oh man those drum battles must've been crazy to see live!!! Both Tool and Meshuggah are such talented bands 🔥
They have a flawless discography. One of the most influential metal albums of all time
I'm very excited to hear more, this album was a great introduction to Meshuggah's music.
Molly; you are NOT getting away without listening to “I” by Meshuggah. You are not.
Everyone chip in to suggest that masterFUCK of an album.
I look forward to hearing it! :)
Seriously, when this album dropped in '95, no one was ready. It was a certain kind of heavy that I didn't know I needed in my life. The rhythms and arrangements are just ridiculous.
Melodically and experimentally, this is their best imo. But the most ferocious album is Chaosphere, which is the next album. My top 3 is Chaosphere, Desrtoy Erase Improve, Violent Sleep of Reason.
Nice, I'm excited to hear more from them and see what I'll think of the rest of their albums!
It's interesting at gigs when some people are trying to mosh to this band and just can't find the groove. They try to bang their head to the kick drum or whatever. But you gotta find the the throughline through all the craziness. I saw an interview with the drummer in which he said that quite a lot of their music is quite straightforward when you look at it as separate elements transposed, but it's the way they bring it all together in the construction, like offsetting riffs and drums of different time signatures so that they go out of sync and then come back together again. It's very clever.
Great review of a killer album!
Hi Molly! Future breed machine is my favourite song by Meshuggah.
Such a fantastic track, what a way to get this album started!
In 2002 Meshuggah toured with Tool and both bands influenced each other during that tour. The influence is very apparent on their albums after 2002.
Yes, hoped for this! Chaosphere next, holy shit lol
Fyi they sound nothing like this nowadays.
Listen to Immutable and you might just get put to sleep it's so soothing. Still heavy af but beautifully musical imo.
Really Enjoy How You Describe Things!
Thanks so much!
Gotta check out the band between the buried and me. One of the best progressive metal bands of the last decade plus.
The silent circus is the place to jump in on them...then You're off on a rollercoaster of a discography.
I've actually heard some of their music already, not their entire discography though so I'll definitely have to dive in some more!
I'm not really into metal but this abum is Meshuggah's masterpiece. The musicianship, the dark dystopian sci-fi atmosphere it has, the amazing futuristic guitar solos and insane drumming. Yes, like you said, some parts are very jazzy, like some free jazz...Frederick Thordendal was pretty influenced by Alan Holdsworth, one of the greatest jazz fusion guitarist. Unfortunately they will totally forgot free form and variety in the next albums. Great review as always !
Unpopular opinion perhaps but my favourite track from this album has always been Suffer In Truth. Love the chunky chugging riffs.
Yessssss I think it's my favorite too! Absolutely fantastic track.
Came here for Sublevels, most beautiful solo I ever did hear. Gives me Ecco the Dolphin vibes
Amazing album
Yeah this record was a fantastic introduction to Meshuggah!
Since this album in '95 they haven't made a disappointing album and the fact that fans tend to argue about what the best album is should also say something about the overall quality (I think I'm an ObZen guy ;) )
Just to show the consistency here a live version of Future Breed Machine from last year, 28 years after recording and singer Jens Kidman at 57: th-cam.com/video/xtju8pwSGMA/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for sharing, I'll have to check it out!
Try lamb of god's as the Palaces Burn
Lamb Of God is absolutely on my list of bands, I can't wait to hear them :)
Check out their next album "chaosphere" its another Facemelting Masterpiece that will blow your mind away even more
I am looking forward to hearing it!
Beneath is my favorite Meshuggah song of all time. And they’ve never played it live which is a total shame. It’s so good
Now you've done it. You cracked the seal on Meshuggah, and there's no going back. The "heavy shit" nerds' favorite band (I can't blame them). I would, of course, recommend their next few albums. Chaosphere and Nothing really progressed their sound, and Obzen is a fan favorite.
Yeah this was a great introduction to their music, I'll definitely continue down the Meshuggah rabbit hole :)
Did a cover of "Beneath". Love this album!
Meshuggah's discography is pretty consistently good-to-great. They get a lot lower and groovier after Nothing but this album is really cool to me since it still has so much of their thrash DNA.
Hello Molly. Imo, this is the most interesting and diverse Meshuggah album, but every album of theirs is really good. Nothing and the I EP are standouts. I'd also like to recommend River Runs Red by Life of Agony, seems like a record you'd like and is a really, really heavy alternative metal album from the 90s. Greetings from Costa Rica!
When Meshuggah was GREAT🤘.
Ur takes🧠 are always interesting👍
My new kind of hobby , watch ppl react to Meshuggah
It's propably best if you go onward in chronological order if you continue listening to them. This way, the sound and music construction changes over time, allthough it's allways unmistakably Meshuggah.
I'll definitely keep that in mind when doing more of their albums in the future, thanks!
When this album came out all our heads were blown
Fredrik Thordendal really likes Abstract Jazz guitar.
not enough people talk about how amazing Jens Kidman's vocals are.
either obZen or Chaosphere next.
This was a fun watch
Happy to hear that! Glad you enjoyed the reaction :)
@@mollyesanborn I'm going to watch your other reactions. I like the analysis
So ahead of it's time
Yes this album has such a modern tone to it, could have been released yesterday and I wouldn't question it.
@@mollyesanbornyou should see their live performances. 30yr old songs with modern tighter production + impressive lightshow complimenting the rhythm still sound very fresh.
a good meshuggah album to check out is ObZen, got this song called bleed and the drums on it are actually insane
Please do Chaosphere next (it came out in 98 and it’s brutal) 🔥 not many people have reacted to the album here on TH-cam, but it would be awesome if you did
The first time, this album vacillates between pain and pleasure. With more listens, you realize its perfection.
listening to primus followed my meshugga is amazing
Youre the best
Aw thanks so much! Hope you enjoyed the reaction :)
MORE MESHUGGAH!
Please jump straight to Catch 33 🙏
Noted, I look forward to hearing it :)
If I remember correctly, the intro is a washing machine slowed down.