Reaction/Analysis to the 'Fear Trilogy' (Rush) | The Enemy Within, The Weapon, & Witch Hunt | Ep 540
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- Опубліковано 2 бер 2023
- #rush #feartrilogy #rushreaction
In this #masterpiecefriday edition of #thedailydoug, I'm returning to music by Rush with their 'Fear Trilogy'. This is a three-song exploration of different facets of fear, noting how it can influence and control our behavior, both as individuals and as groups of people. The songs were released in reverse order on back-back-back albums in the early 1980's: Witch Hunt (Moving Pictures - 1981), The Weapon (Signals - 1982), & The Enemy Within (Grace Under Pressure - 1984). Today, I'm listening to audio from their live tour from 1984, a they played the three songs (in the correct order) live in Toronto, Canada. I found much wisdom in Neil's lyrics, and the music is (as always) epic. I hope you enjoy!
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![Vital Signs, Witch Hunt [Rush Reaction] Live Snakes & Arrows tour/Rotterdam 2007-First time hearing](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/X3Qs96UCto0/mqdefault.jpg)
Witch Hunt contains my all time favorite lyric from Neil.
“Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand. Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand.”
my favorite Neil lyric is "and the trees were all kept equal, by hatchet, axe and saw"
My favorite: "Those who know what's best for us must rise and save us from ourselves". As my dad used to say, "Lord, save us from the do-gooders." :)
@@jamesking9807 1001001SOS lol
And that is MAGA.
Probably up there with Sabbath's War Pigs as my favourite lyric of all time, by anyone.
Count Floyd who introduced The Weapon was a character played by Joe Flaherty on Canadian sketch comedy show SCTV (like a Canadian SNL). The intro is a video that played on the big screen behind the band at concerts. They frequently employed humorous video interludes like this between songs, indicative of their quirky nature.
Monster Chiller Horror Theater!!😂
I remember that video like it was yesterday.
P/G tour 84, at the Cow Palace, San Francisco.
And not forgetting South Park's Lil' Rush.
Another person who did video entrances for Rush was Jerry Stiller. Here's an example:
ua-cam.com/video/L_Cz9VjjvCE/v-deo.html
@@terrygorman5810 I was at that show too. My first concert.
I stand by my statement from decades ago that there’s a college degree in every Rush album.📚📖
Its the truth
I have seen a ton of concerts over the years, and nothing will ever top a Rush concert, for me. Even when Geddy's voice was shot, a Rush gig was an event. Best band ever, as far as I'm concerned.
Will never forget being at Texas Jam 84, hearing Enemy Within and The Weapon, knowing Witch Hunt was finally coming... The huge build and then that badass guitar riff drops
Amazed I didn't pass out from the glory of it
"Synergy between these three guys" is the best definition I've ever heard.
Sir Doug...you, my man are a breath of fresh air with your meticulous Rush reactions. Very impressive. Thank you.
The Weapon is my all time underrated favorite. The live Grace Under Pressure version is incredible.
That whole live DVD is stunning.
Best version of it, for sure
That Gtr solo.❤ Such a shame the studio version is so buried in the mix.
The Weapon was the song that I very much loved when I was listening the Signals album. It was the first album ever that I was hearing from Rush... I was 16-17 years old in the beginning of the 80's.
@@F1Filter one of his best
DAMN I love Rush. And they’re so easy to love. What an incredible body of work they created, and they’re such lovely, smart, interesting people. No ego at all, and if anyone has a right to strut around like they own the place, it’s these guys.
Neil was an absolute hero, who was handed more tragedy than any human should have to bear.
You've just explained what's happened to humanity these last couple of years; instill fear in people to control them.
Thanks for interpreting this material for those still asleep...
C'mon, Alan!! Governments and all our leaders have nothing but our best interests in mind and need to be trusted completely and allowed to control our lives in any way they see fit. 🤣🤣🤣
@@g54b95 Yeah, you're probably right.
Just because our top Canadian intelligence agency (CSIS) leaked documents (2 days ago) linking a Chinese Liberal MP to a CCP election interference scheme (in 2019 & 2021) is no reason to doubt one's leaders!!
Canadians were reassured there was no threat to our sovereignty thru a report written by an appointed Liberal government official and former director of the Pierre Trudeau Foundation (the current PM's dad!!).
This government appointed official solicited a million dollar donation from a Chinese billionaire in 2016 which was subsequently reimbursed to the billionaire by the CCP, but doesn't mean there were any conflicts of interest!! Oh, and today, 7 years after the fact, the government said they would pay back the portion that went to party support.
Nothin' to see here, folks; C'mon man!!
@@alan2112drums Canada, eh? I feel for you. Give 'em weed, take the guns, keep your head buried in your phones. Nothin' to see here, folks! In this country, the Chinese buy all our debt and are buying real estate like crazy. They even have private hospitals where Chinese nationals can come to give birth, so the baby is automatically a U.S. citizen. Then they go back home. Some kind a status symbol over there. No other country does that. You're in Germany and have your baby? NOT a German citizen. Etc., etc. ad nauseum. Stupid times.
@@g54b95 It's no different here in the Great White North: it's commie country now. We're drowning in the same things you mentioned.
You think DeSantis will grant me refugee status??!!
@@alan2112drums Just get to Mexico, then you can simply walk across the border and you got it made.
One of the many many things I love about Rush is the way the music also tells the story. With Witch Hunt, it starts all dark and brooding, but ends on a much happier note giving the song's message hope... They also use counterparts ( see what I did there ;-) between music and lyrics such as Vapor Trail. A rather solemn observation with upbeat music. They seem to always incorporate something positive.
As I have no musical ability (Can't carry a tune in a bucket) I have noticed these things in the past, but due to channels like this one, I am starting to understand how it is done.
Neil was a true genius communicator! No rock drummer or lyricist could create this much excitement. He was truly one of a kind.
I miss this band so much. I think I will always mourn the loss of Peart.
RUSH e Peart would be World Icons now at their ages. No matter what kind of show anywhere a cameo by RUSH would be the top of the music chain getting their due. That's what I mourn for too because Neil can't be here to enjoy it all finally, I think.
so do iI
Grace Under Pressure is often discounted but its one of my faves.
As someone who has listened to the studio recordings of these songs 800 times, it’s truly remarkable how perfect they perform everything live. Nothing is out of place, they’re magicians.
When the vampire tells you to put your 3D glasses on, you know you're at a Rush gig...
This was my first Rush concert, and I was blown away. I was 14 and a huge fan. I am now 53 and still love Rush! Love your cap Doug!!!
Witch Hunt is one of my all time favorites by Rush, both lyrics and music are haunting and - unfortunately - still very topical.
You are - unfortunately - very correct about the topical nature of Witch Hunt but also absolutely right about how great it is.
Yes it is. It mainly applies to only one side of the political spectrum though. Republicans are all in on the hate and lies. So much that Democracy itself is at stake.
And correct
Yes it is.
The intro of the Weapon was Count Floyd from SCTV telling everyone to it on their 3D glasses because the song was so spooky….
The Weapon contains several of my RUSH favorites... Favorite Alex solo, it sounds like fear, and is utterly bonkers. Favorite lyric... "They shout about love, but when push comes to shove, they live for things they're afraid of."
I’m glad you reacted to this. Very few reactors do. Excellent job! 🤘🎸
Geddy and Neil have said that Neil would never really go back and listen to previous music they made but when Neil was well into his illness he did start to listen to their catalog of music and admitted that is was very good. Such a humble guy
Trivia re: Witch Hunt live. They recorded the song with the assumption that they wouldn't be able to play it live because the technology did not exist to replicate it on stage. One of Rush's long-standing policies was that if they couldn't recreate the song on stage, they wouldn't play it, and they tried to put a "production number" on every album that they knew wouldn't be done live. In the three years between recording MP and going on the road for p/g!, technology caught up with the band and they were able to play the entire trilogy in order, much to Doug's delight all these years later.
the interlude is a video - and that's the voice of "Count Floyd' from SCTV - which was a Canadian comedy show, Count Floyd was performed by Joe Flaherty.
I saw Rush in 1984-85? and they played the trilogy. Also Neil had two drum sets, acoustic and electronic. He played his solo and he would seamlessly switch between sets without losing a beat. Truly a master, the Professor.
Neil Peart was a big Police fan in the eighties which is where the reggae feel comes from. They used it in a few songs around that period.
Especially Vital Signs!
I saw this tour. I've seen every tour from Hemispheres to the end of the band clockwork angels. I love RUSH.
The whole guitar solo section of The Weapon gives me goose bumps. Heck the whole song. As a teen I totally believed I am not afraid of dying but not living. Changed a touch when I became a father, but he is the same and we have so much unapologetic adventure. Everyone dies, but few really live.
I often say that Neil Peart taught me more than any other person in my life, and we never met.
Thank you for the outstanding content you provide
✌️☝🏼☝🏼✌️
That was my first Rush concert in Biloxi MS. when I was in high school. It was a terrific show. I made every one since. By far my favorite band.
Love everyday Glory! Have you ever heard nobody's hero from the same album? The entire album has some amazing songs this particular era Neil really shines
This was the very first Rush concert I ever attended. I was 16 years old. It took about an hour to drive from our distant suburb to downtown Toronto and the fabled Maple Leaf Gardens.
And, yes, Doug, it was truly an awesome experience!
I was so happy when they released the live album many years later.
Indeed , Geddy is a musical freak of nature!
Hahaha Count Floyd on the big-screen introducing the band was hilarious. Amazing concert as were they all.
Alex's lead in "The Weapon" is one of my favorites.
You get a like just for being Doug and just being awesome!
Nice reaction video. Rush is really one of my favorite band. The lyrics, the music, the superhuman live execution. Right up there with the Beatles as far as the number of tap your feet songs is concerned. What is really amazing is that they managed to swing in odd meters. I have seen a lot of people dance to Rush songs with great enthusiasm with the only problem being the drum break in songs like Tom Sawyer. Not a big problem though because most people on the dance floor just went full air drum mode.
Thanks for the review.
The Weapon will always give me goosebumps when Alex finishes his solo and it changes key at the end to brighten it up. Just so good.
Awesome that you brought up Everyday Glory - one of Rush's hidden gems both musically and lyrically.
One of their greatest album closers, imo.
What a great song!
The live version of the Weapon is an incredible experience. Neil Peart sounds like he's firing a machine gun in totally controlled bursts, his fills are so fast.
The narrator that you couldn't place is Count Floyd from Second City, a Toronto based comedy troupe that had a TV show in the early 80's. Friend of the band.
I saw the Grace Under Pressure tour in October 1984 in Saginaw, MI. Overwhelming experience. In total I saw Rush 6 times.
Saw them a few weeks later at Brendon Byrne Arena at The Meadowlands in NJ. Fan freakin tastc!!!! Never missed a tour since… Greatest band ever. The holy triumvirate!
RUSH The greatest rock band that ever was or ever will be.
This was a FANTASTIC reaction. Touching on the lyric from Everyday Glory was the icing on the cake. I have always admired that last lyric line from Neil. It is simply...genius.
Love your comment about Geddy being able to not only sing but play those intricate bass lines...incredibly talented as they all are!!!
I was lucky to have grown up with Rush. Right from teen-ager to when Neil passed away. They were always there. I saw them several times over the years. Just 3 guys making all that sound, awesome. I still feel really sad that Neil's gone and Rush are no more. Thanks Doug!
Count Floyd was a character from SCTV
Joe Flaherty played the character
Subdivisions "The Weapon" was my first Rush tour and I saw every tour from that album til the end. My favorite band of all time.
I was at this concert. I saw Rush live every tour from Permanent Waves up through Counterparts. They were magical.
So a couple of things. 1. You should have watched the actual live videos, because to see them pull that stuff off live as a trio is just, well, WOW. 2. You said you should have been born earlier. I’m 52 and I figure your sharing, roughly, the same neighborhood. You are of the perfect age to have been on the Rush ride, most if not the entire journey. My first Rush show was in 1983 and my last was in 2015. From the short Grade Under Pressure recording sessions warm up tour, where they performed a few Grace tracks before they had even been recorded, to the final bow of R-40, I saw them at least twice on every tour, closing at an even 50. Vapor Trails was my most attended tour at 7 shows. I was just so happy to have Rush back after Neil’s tragedies and five long years of silence. Nearly every Rush fan thought it was over. Heck Rush thought it was over. .
I’ve always considered myself a huge Rush fan, but I didn’t know about the Fear Trilogy. Thanks for introducing it to me!
It was VERY awesome to be at this concert! It was the 4th time I saw Rush after the Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures and Signals tours.
They were massive live.
I would really love it if you reacted to Available light as I believe it is their biggest and most precious hidden gem. You of all people will truly appreciate it for what it is.... A PERFECT SONG ! From one musician to another, you've got to give it listen. Please I beg you Doug. So few reactions because it is not a hit but it is Rush at their peak.
That was frigging awesome , Especially Thr Weapon and Witch Hunt, man I really miss these guys no other band give me the emotions that RUSH gives in all aspects,
Timely music from a great band. Especially now days. Much Respect Maestro Doug!
“…a tongue that tastes like tin”. One of the best alliterative lyrics any where. Listen often enough and you’ll pick up Neil’s alliteration in every song.
I feel as though rush as a three piece band live they put more sound than most four piece bands could. awesome live RIP Neal.
As a kid I never knew if they were saying "Experience two extremes" or "Experience to extremes." I love having a computer to search the lyrics now. It was hard living in the 80s sometimes. LOL
Totally not related but I used to read Rush lyrics to my mom (who was a very well read, and brilliant woman) and she would say how poetic, philosophical, educational and psychological Rush was. We used to laugh and call it "Rushology." (Little did we know that other people called it that too.) She was very impressed. Not a big fan of the music itself (too loud for her LOL.) They were my favorite band though, and she said how brilliant I was to love them, and she totally understood why. She passed away 4 months ago, and I've been quoted to have said, "Rush's music doesn't remind me of anyone like other music." Tonight, I've been convinced that my claim is untrue. Rush reminds me of my mom. :(. Doug, you mentioned that you were born too late to see Witch Hunt in concert. I discovered Rush in 1981. I had just turned 13. I looked your age up and realized that I'm almost 10 years older than you. Ouch. Dang. I'm old. Blessed to be old enough to have seen them in concert many times. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for covering Rush's music. There's no band quite like them.
lol, the voice over before The Weapon was comedian Joe Flaherty doing his Count Floyd character from SCTV.
Rush would often use a video backdrop on stage during their concerts and show little featurettes.
This is easily Rush's most creative period. I saw them at least 12 times between moving pictures and power windows and the grace under pressure and moving picture tours were highlights of my life.
Enemy Within is my favorite song on the Grace Under Pressure live album.
My sister was inspired by this lyric to take a new job abroad which led to positions in France, Egypt and Hong Kong.
Geddy's bass work at the end was primo stuff... Doug talked over it and missed out
Intro to "The Weapon" is Joe Flaherty as Count Floyd.
Yep, Count Floyd was a character from SCTV
I saw this tour in the Astrodome! Texas jam headliner 1984, I was sitting on 2nd base. It was a laser light show on the roof of the Astrodome, absolute fire🔥🤘✌
Yes!! it was awesome!!! to see this live on that tour, it was one of the best, and i have seen them 8 times, and yes, the fear is very present today.
Enemy Within is one of my favorites. All three songs are outstanding!
The first and only time RUSH performed the Fear Trilogy in sequence. Absolutely brilliant!
Always awesome forever ... thanks and RIP Neil ... your loss will never be forgotten!
Love all three, especially Witch Hunt.
Genuinely laughed out loud when you said it was a pep talk from Neil. I've lost count of the no. of times I've used this lyric as a reminder to not quit. I can't imagine what my life would have been without this song. Also coupled with a Steve Hackett song - Walking through Walls. These 2 songs have inspired me to do struggle for many things I might otherwise have given up on.
Same here - its dug me out of some deep holes. I have a Rush playlist called "Motivation" that plays in this order:
Caravan
Prime Mover
Chain Lightning
Cut to the Chase
Grand Designs
Face Up
One Little VIctory
The Enemy WIthin
Marathon
Mission
Bravado
The Garden
That's a great list
@@justincamp5716Thanks for the awesome motivational playlist, I'm going to give it a spin this week. Anything can happen!
This was the first Rush tour I ever saw. I went on to see them 18 times over the years
Witch Hunt is one of my many favs from Rush. I first heard it when Moving Pictures was released. I had just turned 14 and was introduced to hard rock a few years before, but that album brought it to another level. After reading the lyrics to Witch Hunt, I knew exactly what they were saying. My parents immigrated to the US in the mid '60s from Ireland. But it was my dad telling me the history of the Irish being ruled by England for centuries of back and forth. After learning about Geddy and Alex's families, it really made an impact. It can relate to a lot of human nature, but also control and an easy target for certain political figures here in the US. It's still happening around the world.
Damn that Enemy Within is good. And that sound! I thought it was the studio recording for a minute.
I saw them several times over the years from around 1988 to the R30 tour and the final R40 tour. They NEVER disappointed in a live setting.
They were not capable of a disappointing performance....
Doug, you did indeed miss out, I was fortunate to see them many times. words can't do them justice on their live performances.
I don't know how old you are, but i turned 50 last year and ive seen Rush 14 times! It was this awsome or better every damn time i saw them. They NEVER disappointed me. Not once!
Good one, Daily Doug. Thank you.
Others have said it, but I'll say it again. Part 4, "Freeze," is soooooooo good. One of my favorite songs of theirs!
I love how this trilogy has such a dark narrative when played in order. There's a feeling of equilibrium in The Enemy Within, that fear is always there but we can overcome it. Then The Weapon adds the social dynamic of fear. People who will undermine you with fear, pushing you down that they might rise. Then people who will seek to control you, weaponize you with fear. That duality is so great, Neil showing you that fear is a weapon being used to push you away from your goals, but then reversing it to be fear used to make YOU the weapon. Enemy Within feels like equilibrium, but now The Weapon has pushed that balance off, fear gaining strength. And then the transition into Witch Hunt, where the bright feel drops like a stone. I have always loved Witch Hunt, perhaps because the song appropriately just feels unpleasant, dissonant and full of anxiety and fear. It conveys that so well, before you've heard even a single lyric. All that fear being pushed and manipulated, and then the fear goes wild.
What an arc, from the hopefulness and encouragement of
"Is it living, or just existence?
Yeah, you - it takes a little more persistence
To get up and go the distance…"
all the way down to
"The righteous rise
With burning eyes
Of hatred and ill-will
Madmen fed on fear and lies
To beat, and burn, and kill"
RIP Neil, The Professor. I was lucky to grow up at a time where Rush's music was a core of the soundtrack of my life. It certainly was an education in itself.
Very enjoyable, thanks Doug! I forgot how great Alex's solo is in The Weapon. Great stuff!
Any of these 3 songs are worthy of Rush's top 10 as are 40 other songs, but The Weapon is a special deep half-instrumental that can equal anything deep from Zep or Floyd and many others. The Weapon is a classic unrecognized.
I've always told people my favorite band of all-time was Pink Floyd. While that is definitely still true, I find myself listening to Rush more often. So, it's hard to say, but it's possible Rush is my real number one, while Pink Floyd is the band I think of first. Is it possible they are tied? Could two prog rock bands that sound completely different occupy the same space in my head at the same time. At this point in my life, i'd have to say yes! Thank you so much for focusing on Rush!!
I'm also a big fan of both but I'd say Rush is my favourite. Like you I listen to their albums more. While Floyd has incredibly intricate harmonies and orchestration, Rush is a bit more complex and challenging. Plus they put out a lot of great albums.
I love that you dive into Neil's lyrics. Rush's songs are poetry put to music. On a side note, when you did 2112 you brought up Neil's use of Ayn Rand's works. A lot of Neil's early work was based on Rand, he was somewhat of a devotee. Later in life he rejected her philosophies. The first half of 2112 is basically a retelling of the novel Anthem. In the book the protagonist discovers the electric light and is rejected by the government.
Great reaction as always Doug, Thank you
The thing that really strikes me about Fear as a whole is, in all three (four) songs, Peart touches on the antidotes: the ability to reflect on (and question) our own thoughts and feelings; the humility in acknowledging we are fallible creatures that make mistakes in judgment; and the will to transcend these ancient instincts that derail the rational thought required to responsibly navigate and maintain modern society. The profound truth here is that we can each decide to change into better versions of ourselves, if only we are brave enough to face and overcome our fears rather than find solace in comfortable delusions.
The guy talking and howling before "The Weapon" was none other than Joe Flaherty from the 70's-80's television show "The 2nd City TV's" caricature "Count Floyd" played by Flaherty. It was re-broadcast here in the USA thru-out the 1980's on PBS right around the time it was cut from production in Canada. It was one of my favorite show's and introduced me to John Candy, Rick Moranis, Eugene Levy and the rest of that wonderful cast that I remember laughing my arse off on every episode.
thanks for that, what a great show... so so funny !
Awesome reaction, Doug. Thanks for that.
Witch Hunt always gives me the chills 🤘
One thing you'll notice about Geddy Lee's playing, late in the signals tour he switched to the Steinberger L2.
Some like it some don't, my cousin plays an XL2 and it's a solid one piece graphite carbon fiber rectangular headless bass.
I was fortunate enough to see the Grace under Pressure concert in Montreal in July, 1984. Rush was incredible to see live. I only wish I could have seen them more often.
I was at this show in Toronto
This tour was my 1st Rush concert (June, 1984, in Pittsburgh, Pa.). I still have the concert t-shirt! I was lucky enough to see them 5 more times through 2012.
Rush is one band I regret not seeing!!
Been a Rush fan for years, I never knew this, Thank you so much.
Witch Hunt was one of the songs they never planned on playing live when they wrote it. It had too may layers and they thought using a lot of backing tracks just to play it live wouldn't do it justice. Most of the time when they recorded they got together and played live in studio for the album. I was very happy to see this song get added to the playlist even though it is stripped back a little compared to the album, still an amazingly powerful and unfortunately timeless song.
Doesn't get any better than Rush Live. I saw them probably 12-13 times, including the opening night on what turned out to be their last tour. Every show was awesome. RIP Neil!!
missed out getting tickets for that show! I heard they did 2112 in its entirety that night. Oh what I would have paid to see that.
Only saw them once, on the R30 tour. Great night. Great show. Won front row tickets from the local rock station.
I only was able to see them on their final tour. Absolutely phenomenal show.
@@geoffreycrooks3165 It was such an amazing feeling seeing the first show of the tour. Not knowing what songs they would play, etc. And then to experience their travel backwards through their entire 40 year history, it was just amazing.
@@OldRod99
My first RUSH concert was this tour, I saw them at Radio City Music Hall. I was in 11th grade and it was truly mind blowing, I've been hooked ever since.
Wonderful analysis Doug. These guys have been my musical heroes for a very long time and its nice to see their body of work dissected and given a serious look. Thanks
Would’ve loved to see them live, their songs are cool on another level
great reaction, as always. May I suggest Natural Science? For me the greatest Rush song from the greatest album. A continuous progression, a continuous series of changes. First the studio version, then the lyrics and then the live.
He has reacted to the whole Permanent Waves album in his Patreon.
@@einarassipavicius1991 thanks
Thank you for sharing more Rush! I got turned on to them when Moving Pictures came out. I was in my early teens and they have been my favorite band since. There are many other beams that were more popular, more mainstream, that had great lyrics, but none with consistently profound lyrics, that make you think, along with the brilliant musicianship of Alex, Geddy, and Neil.
It's hilarious!!! I've watched a few of your Rush Reactions from the beginning, and from seeing you surprised at not knowing who they are to this one, is just PERFECT!!! Every real Rush fan is a professional air drummer!!! Love it!!