I heard my mother died four days before Hail Stan was released. You all have no idea how much I've played this song since and how much solace I've been able to draw from it. Thank you.
Life is tragic, but we don’t have to make it hell. Edit: coming back 3 years from when I wrote this and the words still hold true, my best friend died of an overdose then 6 weeks later my dad died unexpectedly and was found laying dead in the kitchen... life is tragic but we don’t have to make it hell.
I'm not ashamed to admit that even right now I'm blasting this parked in my driveway trying to not let things get me so far down when I already feel farther and farther than other days. Music is something that words can't even come close to being a remedy. I'm broken and the music covers the squeaky parts of me
Mark’s play style is so unique and distinguishable, with all of the slides, pull-offs and ringing notes. As soon as the track starts you can tell Mark wrote the song, and for some reason most of my favourite Periphery songs have ended up being written by him. Smiles, the Way the News Goes, Scarlett, etc. Something about his play-style just inspires me, I love it
Yes, i love this style of guitar. Scarlet was the first song i heard from periphery and I've been in love with them ever since, especially the songs written by Mark. I actually think this style of guitar should get a name. For ex polaris song relapse also has this style of guitar, also novelists frs album c'est lavi (I'm swedish i probably butchered the spelling there) heavily features this style of guitar. I therefore think for the people who like this style of guitar it should get a name of its own instead of going under progressive metal which in general is much heavier than this.
he is just a session guitarrist for Misha Mansoor's band Periphery (previously known as Bulb) where 90% style and compositions are Misha's so if anything is unique here is Misha's genious.
@@piotrwillow6440 Yeah a lot of dudes forget that Misha helped Mark write the Haunted Shores stuff. If people go back and listen to a track like Breeze by Bulb, you can really see Misha is like an insanely creative guitarist.
well I mean I’d be pretty disappointed if he plugged the guitar in then bombed the play through of a song from the band he’s in lmao. (this is obviously a joke, Mark’s playing is really impressive)
Well i don’t know if I would call it “bombing” the play through but at 3:51 on the slower chugs the audio doesn’t sync up, by like half a second... and a few other parts. But that’s just food for thought that maybe this wasn’t a live performance..
@@Stumpy801 you're right, good observation. But I'd guess, he probably just cut that part out, because till around 3:00 ish, the audio and video are perfectly in sync.
@@bradbattista I want one of those 7's in an American PRS so bad. I talked to the head of the custom shop at NAMM, and they're just so far out of my price range. :-( I'd do 3-4K for a USA PRS 7 in a heartbeat though.
@@bradbattista this 7 is definitely an SE. You can tell by the solid birds on the fretboard, the curve on the body is not as awesome and the core models and in a couple frames you can see the headstock say SE under the Paul Reed Smith. And it has a gloss headstock which the usa models dont have I believe.
It is just insane to me how good these PRS SE guitars sounds for the money. I think a lot of people blindfolded trying out 5 PRS guitars from different price groups would have a really hard time picking the SE guitar out as the cheapest one. As always, props to Mark for playing his SE guitars live and out in public. Not many artists that plays their cheaper signature guitars publicly, as a matter of fact I can not think of anyone that plays their imported/cheaper signature version as much as Mark Holcomb does. So creds to him! It sounds like a million bucks as well!!!
One of the most beautiful composition ever from Periphery. I listen to this song and sing along everyday thinking about my father who passed away before I became the men im now. Solace is huge with this song. Lifetime love to Periphery and their beautiful members.
The evolution of this band has been so incredibly fun to watch and experience over the years. This song is a great example of serious growth as artists.
My best friend passed away couple weeks ago. He was my roomate and we built a music studio in my basement. He never had to ask but he always did and the good memories with it hold so deep. He was a jazz player but also a rockstar and opened for some known bands. He always ripped on my musical taste but was so proud of the miles I crossed to achieve my sound. He was very supportive like my rock. A big brother and he had his final siezure. Now the studio is empty of sound and laughter. This song is a very relatable emotion i feel to when it hits in waves. I still will carry the torch and continue to evolve and learn. Music is all I have left now
I love that you do these; I always manage to pick up on some intricacies that I miss just listening to the album. I think it'd be super cool if the 3 of you got into the same room & recorded one of these, or had 3 separate videos you could link up w/ the same play-through to see how everyone's parts are different.
Might be hard if they live far away from each other. But it'd be great to see a playthrough with all 3! Heck, might as well just make a live studio music video. Lol
Mark l hope all is going well with you and your loved ones. I still come back to this video from time to time. To me it seems to be one of those reference things that you remember when and where you were at the time. I took three of my 4 girls with me to Philly last September. You killed it 6' in front of us all night. Great gathering to remember. Great song to remember.
This is one of my favorite Periphery song, it`s so beautiful and Spencer vocal performance, is both very sad, and so powerful aswell, it really feels like someone who has gotten beaten down by life and that they are surrounded by so much sadness, but they still manage to have a deep and profound love for life regardless.
@@reading-ambience-e8f Unfortunately he was found missing today. Last seen in his car with his hair and beard perfectly shaved and left in his car while his clothes were found 6 miles from the parked car.
@Mark Holcomb - just purchased this beauty online.. staring at the clock counting down til 330 to drive an hour to Dave’s guitar shop in Lacrosse, WI to pick the Burst SVN up. Thank you for using your musical gift brother .
I'm not sure how one song is able to draw out such strong emotions of immense joy and intense sadness. Thankyou Periphery for writing a song that genuinely makes me tear up almost every time. It really is only smiles in the end//
Love the new Periphery album, especially this song and Reptile. Our guitarist wants one of those Holcomb signature PRS so bad! Also he's a huge Bears fan lol
@@bradhargis2261 True, but the original signal still comes from the pickups and they do need to have an element of quality and versatility to allow the axe fx to shine
i have to give you so much credit Mark. You are the only artist that i see CONSTANTLY using the SE version over the Core ones..... you're the only artist that i believe when they say their more budget friendly version stands up just as much as the expensive versions. but not from your words, your actions speak so much louder. always meant to say that, the opening shot reminded me about it.
Damn...the finish on THAT sweet guitar....🔥🔥🔥!! It also doesn’t matter who solos on their songs, so much guh-dang talent! I honestly enjoy the intricate layered rhythms just as much as the main riffs. May they continue to bow to no one and keep writing music like this! Thanks, MH!
I recently lost my older sister last month a few days before Christmas, this song hits differently now. I’ll be practicing this song and play it as a tribute for her birthday in August.
A friend of mine had this playing in his car, and during the intro, I started singing "You would not believe your eyes, if ten million fireflies..." I'm no longer friends with that group of people.
Every time I hear this song I go back to that feeling of what it took for me to move on after loosing someone I loved really much. And every time I sing this song my heart sent the wish of reunion against all odds. It is a song of defeat and that’s what brings so much solace cuz it is only when we surrender to what is (the loss of a loved one) that we learn to live with what was left (memories). And that’s something that’s ours.
I heard my mother died four days before Hail Stan was released. You all have no idea how much I've played this song since and how much solace I've been able to draw from it. Thank you.
stay strong brother, we're all with you here
@@SoRryMm Thank you.
Life is tragic, but we don’t have to make it hell.
Edit: coming back 3 years from when I wrote this and the words still hold true, my best friend died of an overdose then 6 weeks later my dad died unexpectedly and was found laying dead in the kitchen... life is tragic but we don’t have to make it hell.
Sending good energies your way.
Stay strong, stranger ✊
Lost my elder brother feel your pain, stay strong.
Who knew 7 strings could sound so happy yet so heavy at the same time!?
"It's not about size, it's how you use it"
Drop C does wonders.
It's not drop C, it's drop G# on 7 string
Guess you haven't heard Kadinja
@@hcaz5818 kadinja sucks tbh. Sounds too robotic
Mark is flexing extra hard with all those prs guitars on the wall lol.
I was looking for this comment, I wanted to make it
Custom....custom made babeboy
But picks up the cheapest one 😅
Dude that's like a solid 50k. My mouth dropped...😱
@@jacklewington2118 not too sure about that man🙈 it's still his custom made sevenstring with custom build bridge and stuff.
Song title: "It's Only Smiles"
Mark: Doesn't Smile
we were lied to
i mean, it's only smiles
Mrak is always smiling inside.
I profoundly wish to hear this song for the first time again...
I just did and had tears in my eyes within a minute
I always love how melodic Mark Holcomb's progressions and arpeggios are. What a musician.
I'm not ashamed to admit that even right now I'm blasting this parked in my driveway trying to not let things get me so far down when I already feel farther and farther than other days. Music is something that words can't even come close to being a remedy. I'm broken and the music covers the squeaky parts of me
Much Love, Brother. I feel it too. Hang in there.
I need that Jake Bowen gif on my screen forever
me three
Never knew the Jake solo was that easy!? It’s all in the hips 😱
ooga booga chaka agrees
Elishawan Johnson you should definitely still warm up and stretch a little first before attempting 🤪
Hips and nips
Mark’s play style is so unique and distinguishable, with all of the slides, pull-offs and ringing notes. As soon as the track starts you can tell Mark wrote the song, and for some reason most of my favourite Periphery songs have ended up being written by him. Smiles, the Way the News Goes, Scarlett, etc. Something about his play-style just inspires me, I love it
Yes, i love this style of guitar. Scarlet was the first song i heard from periphery and I've been in love with them ever since, especially the songs written by Mark. I actually think this style of guitar should get a name. For ex polaris song relapse also has this style of guitar, also novelists frs album c'est lavi (I'm swedish i probably butchered the spelling there) heavily features this style of guitar. I therefore think for the people who like this style of guitar it should get a name of its own instead of going under progressive metal which in general is much heavier than this.
But racecar is the best. Also who wrote all new materials?
Mark plays how I wish I could tho lol
@@HugoStiglitz88 iirc, racecar was jake and anm was an old bulb demo
he is just a session guitarrist for Misha Mansoor's band Periphery (previously known as Bulb) where 90% style and compositions are Misha's so if anything is unique here is Misha's genious.
@@piotrwillow6440 Yeah a lot of dudes forget that Misha helped Mark write the Haunted Shores stuff.
If people go back and listen to a track like Breeze by Bulb, you can really see Misha is like an insanely creative guitarist.
I like how he casually plugs in the guitar like its an everyday jam, and absolutely NAILS the playthrough.
well I mean I’d be pretty disappointed if he plugged the guitar in then bombed the play through of a song from the band he’s in lmao.
(this is obviously a joke, Mark’s playing is really impressive)
Well i don’t know if I would call it “bombing” the play through but at 3:51 on the slower chugs the audio doesn’t sync up, by like half a second... and a few other parts. But that’s just food for thought that maybe this wasn’t a live performance..
@@Stumpy801 you're right, good observation. But I'd guess, he probably just cut that part out, because till around 3:00 ish, the audio and video are perfectly in sync.
@@Stumpy801 guess its the video editing part.. but who knows. after all its his guitar riff parts anyway.
Honestly I would wager pretty much anything the audio was all pre-recorded and then just played over for the video.
Still dope tho.
His playign style is so unique, i love how he voice those chords in a prog metal song like this, thats superb!
I just discovered periphery, and i've never wanted to hear so many songs for the first time again like i do right now.
im jealous but at the same time i can promise they will get even better EACH TIME you listen to any of them :)
@MetalGuitarTimo I can definitely confirm that. 2 years later and they're my favorite band ever!
@@kalisto_2007 i started a couple years earlier but still true for me :) this is a once in a lifetime band for the chosen guys like us :D
Man, that ending with the chonks and the beautiful lead progression is the kind of thing I live for
"Hi there its Mark, just casually demoing my new signature prs se 7 string guitar"
I need one of these in my life
wait has a seven string version of the SE been released?
Pretty sure this his custom PRS 7 from the Maryland custom shop. Not an SE model.
@@bradbattista I want one of those 7's in an American PRS so bad. I talked to the head of the custom shop at NAMM, and they're just so far out of my price range. :-( I'd do 3-4K for a USA PRS 7 in a heartbeat though.
@@bradbattista this 7 is definitely an SE. You can tell by the solid birds on the fretboard, the curve on the body is not as awesome and the core models and in a couple frames you can see the headstock say SE under the Paul Reed Smith. And it has a gloss headstock which the usa models dont have I believe.
Me after 1642 consectutive days: That 7 string SE model is coming any day now, just you wait
Amen
I'm buying one the moment it becomes available.. HAS to be soon now! :P
He has plenty of 7s, there's gotta be a reason he picked THIS one...
@@masensmith4226 because he gets revenue lol probably not the reason though
Today was the day my dude! prs just announced its out. 2 finishes
It is just insane to me how good these PRS SE guitars sounds for the money. I think a lot of people blindfolded trying out 5 PRS guitars from different price groups would have a really hard time picking the SE guitar out as the cheapest one.
As always, props to Mark for playing his SE guitars live and out in public. Not many artists that plays their cheaper signature guitars publicly, as a matter of fact I can not think of anyone that plays their imported/cheaper signature version as much as Mark Holcomb does. So creds to him!
It sounds like a million bucks as well!!!
My favorite Periphery guitar player at it again ;)
One of the most beautiful composition ever from Periphery. I listen to this song and sing along everyday thinking about my father who passed away before I became the men im now. Solace is huge with this song. Lifetime love to Periphery and their beautiful members.
The evolution of this band has been so incredibly fun to watch and experience over the years. This song is a great example of serious growth as artists.
My best friend passed away couple weeks ago. He was my roomate and we built a music studio in my basement. He never had to ask but he always did and the good memories with it hold so deep. He was a jazz player but also a rockstar and opened for some known bands. He always ripped on my musical taste but was so proud of the miles I crossed to achieve my sound. He was very supportive like my rock. A big brother and he had his final siezure. Now the studio is empty of sound and laughter. This song is a very relatable emotion i feel to when it hits in waves. I still will carry the torch and continue to evolve and learn. Music is all I have left now
I love that you do these; I always manage to pick up on some intricacies that I miss just listening to the album. I think it'd be super cool if the 3 of you got into the same room & recorded one of these, or had 3 separate videos you could link up w/ the same play-through to see how everyone's parts are different.
Nic Lake would be cool if they did a split screen with the whole band.
yep we need this
Yes!
Might be hard if they live far away from each other. But it'd be great to see a playthrough with all 3! Heck, might as well just make a live studio music video. Lol
They did that a while ago with all new materials
This song just seems to sound better amd better every time I listen to it lol
I remember seeing you play this riff on Misha's birdfish and thinking how sick this riff was. Glad you finally made it into a song 3 years later.
Can you give me the link to the vid?
@Rener Abano thank you. That guitar looks weird.
Such a beautiful guitar, beautiful tone, and beautiful riffs. It truly is only smiles.
still get chills everytime!
I love metal when it has such nice harmony to it. Periphery is amazing at fusing the two into masterpieces
I think I'll just smile through it ALL FOR YOU. Permanent chills from this song.
same, i cant listen to it without getting the feels
One of my favorite track from the album. I'm so happy to get to see the playthrough. Thank you Mark!
Mark l hope all is going well with you and your loved ones. I still come back to this video from time to time. To me it seems to be one of those reference things that you remember when and where you were at the time. I took three of my 4 girls with me to Philly last September. You killed it 6' in front of us all night. Great gathering to remember.
Great song to remember.
Mark's riff always hit different
This is one of my favorite Periphery song, it`s so beautiful and Spencer vocal performance, is both very sad, and so powerful aswell, it really feels like someone who has gotten beaten down by life and that they are surrounded by so much sadness, but they still manage to have a deep and profound love for life regardless.
What an amazing guitarist! He should audition for Periphery!
Officially endorsed by Periphery too which is nice of them to appreciate good fan covers
Uhh hes in a band it's called one direction
I heard he is making his campaign as a Nickelback guitarist by now and filling their music with good quality guitar solos
@@reading-ambience-e8f Unfortunately he was found missing today. Last seen in his car with his hair and beard perfectly shaved and left in his car while his clothes were found 6 miles from the parked car.
@@human6310 his bodily remains were found last week at some haunted shores
this song means a lot and will always be special for me. thank you guys so much and thanks to Mark for a perfect playthrough.
Now we just need a drum-through of “CHVRCH BVRNER”...
you're not wrong xD.
OmegaLuma PLEASE
bro yes
YES
I was literally about to comment this as soon as I watched this video
I love how I can almost tell you plays the solo in a Periphery just by hearing it. Shows how much i listen to these guys.
Holy carp! I love what you’ve done with the tone here! Each note and string sounds like it’s on its own, yet together. Beautiful!
What a great playthrough that even periphery themselves put this on their channel
I would actually love to hear a vocal "playthrough" of either It's Only Smiles or Satellites! Great work on this one, Mark!!! :D
Victor Borba does an amazing vocal cover of both, actually. I don't think he's well known, but he does an amazing job imo. Worth your while
TheRockstarr33 would recommend checking out victor borba- dude’s voice is as close to Spencer’s as I’ve ever heard , his covers are phenomenal
Tristan Maloney has got the best vocal cover of this song on TH-cam. And it only has 56 views. It should have way more!!
This song just hits me a certain way, especially chord progression in the chorus. I get extra chills.
Yesss been waiting for more playthroughs! This is so sick
@Mark Holcomb - just purchased this beauty online.. staring at the clock counting down til 330 to drive an hour to Dave’s guitar shop in Lacrosse, WI to pick the Burst SVN up. Thank you for using your musical gift brother .
I'm not sure how one song is able to draw out such strong emotions of immense joy and intense sadness. Thankyou Periphery for writing a song that genuinely makes me tear up almost every time. It really is only smiles in the end//
That part before the solo that starts at 1:53 is so cool. It's that kind of unique style of play that makes Periphery my favorite band.
This gives me hope that there will be an SE Mark Holcomb 7 string at Winter NAMM😍
If you havent gotten one yet.......get one......I promise, just get one.
I always come back to this video. It's so beautiful, thank god mark started playing guitar in his life.
I strongly feel that we’re in some kind of guitar renascence. Everything’s progressing and getting way more technical which is really cool to see.
Song Structure for: Periphery - It's only smiles:
0:00 - 0:11 İntro
0:11 - 0:34 Chorus
0:34 - 0:43 Verse1
0:43 - 0:45 Pre Chorus
0:45 - 1:20 Chorus
1:20 - 1:53 Verse2
1:53 - 2:32 Verse3
2:32 - 2:53 Bridge (Guitar Solo)
2:53 - 3:01 Verse1
3:01 - 3:04 Pre Chorus (Transition Riff)
3:04 - 3:27 Chorus
3:27 - 3:48 Verse1
3:48 - 4:54 Verse2 (With different rhytms) (As outro)
Love the new Periphery album, especially this song and Reptile. Our guitarist wants one of those Holcomb signature PRS so bad! Also he's a huge Bears fan lol
“Mrak, you have way too many guitars.” -said no one ever
Sick play through!
I've been a fan of Periphery for 10 years!! They are always so awesome!!!!!
That is the catchiest riff I’ve ever heard
It's amazing the variety of sounds Mark manages to get out of his sig guitar and pickups
It's more the axe fx, not the guitar.
@@bradhargis2261 True, but the original signal still comes from the pickups and they do need to have an element of quality and versatility to allow the axe fx to shine
It was only smiles until the Jake GIF, then it was laughter 🤣
Lmao saw this comment a few seconds after it popped up. Made my day.
I literally listen to just this song all the way too and from work. Really gets you in that optimistic mood.
Jake’s soloing technique is amazing 🔥😍🤘🏻
I always keep coming back to this vid, always
Instant like after I saw the guitar collection...
i have to give you so much credit Mark. You are the only artist that i see CONSTANTLY using the SE version over the Core ones..... you're the only artist that i believe when they say their more budget friendly version stands up just as much as the expensive versions. but not from your words, your actions speak so much louder.
always meant to say that, the opening shot reminded me about it.
Oneday I will quit my job and start practicing guitar for 8 hours a day.
Then I will play like mark.so happy tunes yet so heavy.
I could honestly watch Mark play guitar all day long. He's got such a unique style.
1:43-1:54 is the greatest thing ever
Exactly my thoughts.
Man u should listen to the band Wide Eyes if you like that part, they write a lot of similar licks to that
That chord at 03:17 Is the beefiest chord I've heard in a long time. Absolutely fantastic. Also, hope this SE 7string is a teaser...
Who dislikes this??? You gotta be insane to not see how gorgeous this is. Open your ears plebes.
Damn...the finish on THAT sweet guitar....🔥🔥🔥!!
It also doesn’t matter who solos on their songs, so much guh-dang talent! I honestly enjoy the intricate layered rhythms just as much as the main riffs. May they continue to bow to no one and keep writing music like this!
Thanks, MH!
Ok, now I know I need to save money for my 3rd Mrak Signature PRS SE
thank you mr holcomb. the holcomb prs is the best guitar I have ever played. i love everything about it.
1:54 I am not a perfect PERSON!
There's been times where I've despised you, but this comparison to Hoobastank has really topped it off
@@KeyanHoushmandLive hey its the guy that makes some shitty songs sound less shitty with djent. Thank you for your service
Omfg I ruin this song for all my friends because I sing these lyrics at the same spot! Thank you for validating me!
I've always thought the same thing haha
Oh damn.
It must be so satisfying having the amp change your tones and effects for you as you're playing
I clicked faster than Mark can play
that's all we're good at im afraid
b.s.
comment of the day!
I recently lost my older sister last month a few days before Christmas, this song hits differently now. I’ll be practicing this song and play it as a tribute for her birthday in August.
How tf does spencer write vocals to this
I'll see you guys tonight!
I really hope this means there's a 7 string signature on the way
Holcomb SE 7? Hell yeah! Will buy in heartbeat.
Don't think I've ever clicked a notification this fast
absolute sucker for smooth slides between the tapping, sounds like magic
Nobody :
Me : Do you like PRS Guitars ?
Mark : 0:01
I love you guys, best band for ever 😍 this is my favorite song from the new record !!
Much love from Austria
Waiting for that "haha you play good, you should play for Periphery" joke : ^)
Such an uplifting peace
I need that guitar solo by Jake Bowen gif
I love this band and this song so much. For me, there will never be another band that tops Periphery.
*watches video*
*contemplates selling 7 string*
... *googles tabs instead*
That hint of purple accent in the guitar finish is just perfect
I like how the Axe-fx says “Mrak”
Mark's riffs are always top notch man.
A friend of mine had this playing in his car, and during the intro, I started singing "You would not believe your eyes, if ten million fireflies..."
I'm no longer friends with that group of people.
that made my day :').
Understandably so.
This is the playthrough I was waiting for!
I could watch him play that first riff on loop probably for the rest of my life and have no qualms
PRS guitars are simply amazing. This thing sounds great. These riffs sound great.
2:33 *guitar_solo_by_Jake_Bowen.gif*
Yes! Ive been waiting for a playthrough of this song, the guitar parts are so well put together
Insane cover mate ! You should definitely send it to the band, pretty sure they'll love it too !
This guy is really good. I wonder if Mark let him borrow his 7 se?
The most Mark song on the whole album. Probably why it was my immediate favorite!
He absolutely nailed this guitar cover.
@Mark Holcomb I just buyed this precious guitar, what a wonderful video !!
Every time I hear this song I go back to that feeling of what it took for me to move on after loosing someone I loved really much. And every time I sing this song my heart sent the wish of reunion against all odds. It is a song of defeat and that’s what brings so much solace cuz it is only when we surrender to what is (the loss of a loved one) that we learn to live with what was left (memories). And that’s something that’s ours.
Very dank playthrough, thank you.
Mark, PRS Guitars - can we get dat SE 7 string??