I gotta say, these kids were a FANTASTIC audience. They gave me their full attention for the entire demonstration - no talking, no cell phones, fully engaged. Especially considering they've probably never heard Dream Theater or even Prog Rock, I couldn't have asked for a better crowd. And they were probably also a bit nervous for their own performances to follow 😂 Much thanks to them for being a great audience!!
OMG how did I miss this comment?? First of all, thank you! Secondly, DUDE I love watching you on Twitch. You actually inspired me to start live streaming! So thanks, and keep doing what you're doing 👍💪🙏☕
What I love about this cover is that it was done in front of an audience. No redos, no splicing together different takes. Just raw playing. Well done, Chris. You killed it.
Thanks Chris, I was ridiculously nervous that day! Mostly just hoping the cameras and recording equipment would work correctly haha. Btw I checked out your channel, really good stuff man!
I don't think he flipped his drums around to show them what he was doing, I think he did it to avoid the kids expressionless faces putting him off and killing his vibe 😂
I've played on stage, and I was too busy figuring out what to hit next to look at the audience much. So I never saw the expressions on the audience's faces, and I always had to ask the guitarists lol.
Unlike so many other vid's of this tune, Chris isn't struggling, forcing, or pounding his kit in to submission. Great stick control, and nice to see the kit 'played' instead of just beat to sh*t. The more I hear the tune, the more I feel the need to learn it as well! A job well done!!!
+applejacks971 I agree, unlike many other drummers who attempt this song, you can tell this is well within his ability level and he isn't trying to play something that is just a little too hard for him as it seems to be with many other drummers.
holy fucking hell, i’ve never heard anyone but Portnoy himself play this song any cleaner. even though i’ve been a drummer for well over a decade, i still can’t even comprehend keeping track of every single time change in this whole song. this guy is really something special; the way he makes this look so effortless is absolutely mind-bending. 🤯
I don't think kids need to understand it, it's cool to show them something different is out there. As a child I loved Beethoven. I didn't know what fugue was, I couldn't even tell you if what I listened to was Beethoven but I still liked it. Now is this gonna resonate with every single one of them? No! But I ask you will this resonate with every single adult? Absolutely not. If even one of the kids walked out there to google dream theater this is a huge success.
+bad hair .day You see, when kids get really excited or just hear something really loud, the vibrations tend to make some feel sick, but they still enjoy it, i remember that from when i was at my first concert, that was Iron Maiden, and i was like shaking and feeling really bad but i was so overly excited xD! That's HOPEFULLY the case here aswell :). Cheers
+bad hair .day bro these kids were exposed niki minaj, lil wayne and shit like that all their short lives. no wonder they sit through this as if this i torture.
Those kids will learn one day just how hard it is to play this part. But the fact someone came up with this from the top of there head is what's even more amazing. Mike portnoy is one a of a kind. Hopefully someone of is generation will be the next. Probably not a kid in this crowd but someone.
In all fairness, prog rock and metal isn't really something that you head bang to. When I listen to prog metal I usually relax and feel the music. Maybe the kids aren't as bored as they seem.
LOL, Just went to Dream Theater Astonishing Live last night. I didn't head bang through most of it because they wanted everyone sitting through 3/4s of the show. But they encored with As I Am and Pull Me Under -- you know dang well I was grooving to that!
Man that is a cool thing you do with the kids Chris. Your playing is exceptional and I hope the kids understand just what dedication it takes to play that song! Well done mate!
this is seriously one of the best covers of DOE on UA-cam. I've seen others where they are trying too hard or they replace something for something g that doesnt quite fit. yours just seemed so natural and effortless 👏👏👏
FelixSchlegelMusic I'm using boundary mics (PZM-30D) on the floor to keep clutter down. Check out my setup here: RIG RUNDOWN - Drums by Chris "Twilight Messenger" recording setup
It's unfortunate that this was lost on your audience. But props on this track. One of the hardest tracks to learn right with all the changes. And your technique is great man. Keep up the good work, and keep educating young musicians.
very cool stuff. i wish when i was a kid someone would have preformed drums for me. I started playing drums this year, at 19, and while its better late than never, i wish i started sooner. ...anyway, i appreciate the cover song. if just one kid saw that and got inspired that day that's for sure a job well done
Awesome performance Chris! Best drum cover I've ever seen of this song, and live with no cuts or punches! Well done! The whole thing is exceptional, but I especially loved the left hand snare triplets at 9:04. Keep rockin'! \m/ \m/
Been watching this video for a couple of years now. Soon, I will be doing my first ever "drum clinic" at an elementary school and I'll probably do the same as you, which is placing the drums facing the wall so the kids can see what's going on. It's a sight that people don't see often. I also planned on playing The Dance of Eternity, among other songs as well. I mainly want to show the kids that playing drums is much more than playing a basic 4/4 rock beat. All the songs I picked for this clinic are different examples that show how a song can be a pretty busy one for a drummer, much more than what most listeners could realise.
Omg dude that's awesome!! Seriously made my day, thanks for letting me know 🙏 I hope your clinic smashes, and I'm sure the kids will enjoy hearing something out of the ordinary 🤘 Cheers!
I'm a guitarist not a drummer and my philosophy is that there's no such thing as "close enough" when it comes to tuning any instrument and drums are no exception. If I can be honest, it's one thing I miss a lot about Portnoy vs. Mangini. Mangini's tone is too "thin" for me. He's an amazing player I'm not taking anything away from him but it's like the difference between Yngwie Malmsteen using a Strat with single coil and Steve Vai using double humbuckers. Both amazing players, but humbuckers give a better tone. Good on you for taking that into consideration when you play. I could tell if nobody else could.
+Aaron Bachelder Hey, another guitarist here, I am a humbucker (active) supporter and, even i use EMG's however I cannot entirely agree with your statement about how Humbuckers have a better tone than Single coils. Remember, 'to each their own'. Me and you may love Active pups, however, most of the people in this world prefer single coil over active, only because most songs were made from single coil pups. Im guessing you're a metalhead for which you support Humbuckers. right?
That was pretty good dude. That is one of the hardest songs to learn on drums. Reminds me of Blotted Science. I've been playing drums for close to thirty years and It's hard for me to even count along to this mother of all songs!!
Outstanding job Chris! I can't think of many more complex rhythmic compositions of progressive music than DOE. Just the number of time signatures alone makes my brain want to melt.
Thank you, that really means a lot! Here was my take away from months and months (and months) of practicing the song: 1. It all breaks down to groupings of 2 and 3 2. If you listen to anything enough, it will EVENTUALLY stick hahah Cheers
Great Cover man!! Liked how the drums came in the mix sounds great and Beats a lot of other video covers of this song in my opinion! Cheers!! - Bachir R.
I think you inspired a lot of these kids, if not to take up drumming themselves then at least to have respect for the hard work, blood sweat and tears that go into playing an instrument as virtuously as you do it. Thank you for that!
If nothing else, you have a really, really good name! I like how he talks about why he has so many drums and is it really necessary, and I thought he had a great answer, and that answer is because its fun. I mean what more do you need to know than that. Also, he did a better job on this song than many other covers of this that I have heard.
I gotta say, these kids were a FANTASTIC audience. They gave me their full attention for the entire demonstration - no talking, no cell phones, fully engaged. Especially considering they've probably never heard Dream Theater or even Prog Rock, I couldn't have asked for a better crowd. And they were probably also a bit nervous for their own performances to follow 😂 Much thanks to them for being a great audience!!
A good drummer is a drummer who does not turn his back on the audience.
@@FMATheQuiet
Go worship your stone and false prophet and leave him alone. Got it?
Quis fazer o que não tem na música e fez mal
His technique is so smooth! Great to watch and fun to learn from! :D
OMG how did I miss this comment?? First of all, thank you! Secondly, DUDE I love watching you on Twitch. You actually inspired me to start live streaming! So thanks, and keep doing what you're doing 👍💪🙏☕
you played one of the most complex Dream Theater songs for a bunch of booger eaters. Good job!
Brady Graham 😂😂
What I love about this cover is that it was done in front of an audience. No redos, no splicing together different takes. Just raw playing. Well done, Chris. You killed it.
Thanks Chris, I was ridiculously nervous that day! Mostly just hoping the cameras and recording equipment would work correctly haha. Btw I checked out your channel, really good stuff man!
I don't think he flipped his drums around to show them what he was doing, I think he did it to avoid the kids expressionless faces putting him off and killing his vibe 😂
LMAO, best explanation ever, and it's probably true.
Yesss! That's why 😂😂
I've played on stage, and I was too busy figuring out what to hit next to look at the audience much. So I never saw the expressions on the audience's faces, and I always had to ask the guitarists lol.
The paint drying on my walls has more enthusiasm than these kids watching
These kids have no idea what they are witnessing
straight sick
Altay Bayraktar the fat black with strip tshirt seemed to enjoy it
I enjoy DT since I was 10 years old. :v
Thats what i thought
Thought the exact thing lol
Unlike so many other vid's of this tune, Chris isn't struggling, forcing, or pounding his kit in to submission. Great stick control, and nice to see the kit 'played' instead of just beat to sh*t. The more I hear the tune, the more I feel the need to learn it as well! A job well done!!!
Thanks man, I really appreciate that! You should definitely learn it. It's really fluid to play cause Portnoy wrote some awesome parts!
+applejacks971 I agree, unlike many other drummers who attempt this song, you can tell this is well within his ability level and he isn't trying to play something that is just a little too hard for him as it seems to be with many other drummers.
applejacks971 you should watch Marco Minnemann play it, he makes it look easy.
@@the6ig6adwolf Marco's video is my favorite! I love his solo at the end, epic!
@@ChrisJohnsonDrums It's been 2 years and I still haven't taken the time to learn this :( I gotta get on the ball!
holy fucking hell, i’ve never heard anyone but Portnoy himself play this song any cleaner. even though i’ve been a drummer for well over a decade, i still can’t even comprehend keeping track of every single time change in this whole song. this guy is really something special; the way he makes this look so effortless is absolutely mind-bending. 🤯
what is this class and how do i get into it.
Sgt.James Doakes Haha I wish it was a class! Just a one time event unfortunately
Chris Johnson ah thats too bad.
+Son of Anarchy
I don't think you ever actually ever see his body do you? It's just kind of assumed. Therefore, I don't believe it.
Showing this song to these kids is like giving dog food to a cat
I agree
I don't think kids need to understand it, it's cool to show them something different is out there. As a child I loved Beethoven. I didn't know what fugue was, I couldn't even tell you if what I listened to was Beethoven but I still liked it. Now is this gonna resonate with every single one of them? No! But I ask you will this resonate with every single adult? Absolutely not. If even one of the kids walked out there to google dream theater this is a huge success.
I'm giving dog food to the Neighborhood cats for soo long and they eat it very well plus that they haven't started barking so far ...lol
some cats love dog food.
Bonetrussle - Meggalovania
Wow these kids don't seem to be impressed by anything ;)
This generation sucks balls. We need some musical revolution like punk to take out the trash now!
+bad hair .day You see, when kids get really excited or just hear something really loud, the vibrations tend to make some feel sick, but they still enjoy it, i remember that from when i was at my first concert, that was Iron Maiden, and i was like shaking and feeling really bad but i was so overly excited xD! That's HOPEFULLY the case here aswell :). Cheers
+bad hair .day bro these kids were exposed niki minaj, lil wayne and shit like that all their short lives. no wonder they sit through this as if this i torture.
its not even that they look sick they look bored.
I really enjoy performances like this... but I never really pay attention to how bored I look sitting there with a straight face all the time xD
This might have been the best DT cover I've seen on UA-cam so far. Apart from Marco Minnemann.
you haven't seen josh steffen played this song
+Sora Uchiha Sorry I forgot him
+Sora Uchiha Josh is an incredible one of a kind drummer very talented dude
Josh steffen does it better than this, but tis is still a great cover
llallwlwlwlelslele
Those kids will learn one day just how hard it is to play this part. But the fact someone came up with this from the top of there head is what's even more amazing. Mike portnoy is one a of a kind. Hopefully someone of is generation will be the next. Probably not a kid in this crowd but someone.
Nope, they will not learn it. Only thing they will learn is lyrics to some crappy gangsta shit rap.
Nailed it. Hilarious to watch the expressions, or lack their of from the kids
In all fairness, prog rock and metal isn't really something that you head bang to. When I listen to prog metal I usually relax and feel the music. Maybe the kids aren't as bored as they seem.
Ive headbanged to Dream Theater plenty of times!
Matt Crouch finger bang next time
LOL, Just went to Dream Theater Astonishing Live last night. I didn't head bang through most of it because they wanted everyone sitting through 3/4s of the show. But they encored with As I Am and Pull Me Under -- you know dang well I was grooving to that!
I did see a yawn at about 6:13
Sir, you just nailed it. Congratulations, wish I had the same technique you demonstrated there.
You killed it Chris!!! Great job!!! Genius is rare that's why few understand it. I get it. Let the masses have there boom bap boom bap.
Really like the toms sound here. Really wish I could do kit stuff like this
it would be funny to play octavarium so the kids would fall asleep
Donald trump lmao
Awesome job.
Absolutely had me watching you like a hawk....phenomenally done...
Very well played Chris!! DT is so cool to play. Congrats
awesome!
Man that is a cool thing you do with the kids Chris. Your playing is exceptional and I hope the kids understand just what dedication it takes to play that song! Well done mate!
I have this saying, "If you can play Dream theatre .....then you can play anything"....! We love you Chris!!
Haha I like that saying! 🙏🙏
@@ChrisJohnsonDrums
I won't be a stranger!! I'll try my best to watch your live streams and kick it with you and your people!!!
Great job!! You nailed every part of it!
Thanks man, really glad I checked out your drum videos, and I wanna see more!!
That was a fantastic cover. Absolutely beautiful
Chris man, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great job. Good work. Keep doing these covers and I will keep on appreciating man. Respect.
Excellent Job. You made a complex tune look easy.
So awesome and the drums sound perfect!
Awesome job, Chris.
Awesome video Chris! Thank you for working with and recording my students. I will be in touch.
Fantastic playing!
I'm loving your intensity and your skill! Awesome cover Chris! -Daniel
this is seriously one of the best covers of DOE on UA-cam. I've seen others where they are trying too hard or they replace something for something g that doesnt quite fit. yours just seemed so natural and effortless 👏👏👏
Great cover! keep it flowing!
You ROCK dude! Mad skills and keeping it real! Congratz! Cheers from Brazil! =)
Wow excellent man! That little right to left fill always gave me trouble but you blew right through it!
By far the best drum cover I've ever seen from such a hard song by Dream Theater.
Superb playing and sound
Hey thanks Felix, you've got some pretty superb covers yourself!
Thank you, buddy :)
one question besides:
Where are your overheads for the cymbals? I cannot see them but they sound great.
FelixSchlegelMusic I'm using boundary mics (PZM-30D) on the floor to keep clutter down. Check out my setup here: RIG RUNDOWN - Drums by Chris "Twilight Messenger" recording setup
¡
Es realmente bueno!
Great drumming!
It's unfortunate that this was lost on your audience. But props on this track. One of the hardest tracks to learn right with all the changes. And your technique is great man. Keep up the good work, and keep educating young musicians.
Well played man!! cleanest live cover I have seen.
I just found this and I'm blown away! Wow my son! You are AWESOME! What talent you have! So proud, Momma
Rockin'! This is very impressive.
freaken awesome. LOVE dream theater
Fuck if I had been there I would have flipped out and congratulated him for that amazing cover.
Great work, man. With a groove and like a champ.
Even if only one picks up six, you done good. Great playing!
Oh man thats awesome, ive been a Dream Theater fan for a bit now and its always awesome to see such great covers
excelente técnica, excelente cover de una canción extremadamente difícil. felicidades!
Glad you enjoyed it! I checked out your channel, nice bass covers! definitely wanna see more.
impressive! you've nailed it. congratz
Awesome, Chris
Awesome man, I've just got my first kit which is an electronic kit. I feel like sending it back already for an acoustic kit
+Antony Walton DO IT!!! Haha jk electronic kits are great for practice, but they certainly don't feel as satisfying to play.
Very nice. You nailed it!
Aquiles cried watching this
Hey now...Aquiles is a god
Awesome! Congrats from Argentina!
Agreed with "ArmadaMcBrain". Good job bro! Way to go! Loved it and listened with joy.
your drumkit sounds beautiful... great performance, btw!
Absolutely great Chris. That's the kind of demo that should enjoy people to play drums ;-)
Chris, great job man! That song is a beast and you nailed it.
very cool stuff. i wish when i was a kid someone would have preformed drums for me. I started playing drums this year, at 19, and while its better late than never, i wish i started sooner.
...anyway, i appreciate the cover song. if just one kid saw that and got inspired that day that's for sure a job well done
this is awesome! Great cover!!
awesome man!
Great job my man, I love watching other drummers play this stuff, it gives me hope that mike isn’t the only one who can play this haha!
Oke 360 persons disliked this? Great performance and Chris is a very patience and kind with the kids! Super!
Why does this guy look like some kind of Dave Grohl's son?
BTW he's damn good, well done, really!
Awesome performance Chris! Best drum cover I've ever seen of this song, and live with no cuts or punches! Well done! The whole thing is exceptional, but I especially loved the left hand snare triplets at 9:04. Keep rockin'! \m/ \m/
Chris, that was flawless man. Need more videos.\m/
Been watching this video for a couple of years now. Soon, I will be doing my first ever "drum clinic" at an elementary school and I'll probably do the same as you, which is placing the drums facing the wall so the kids can see what's going on. It's a sight that people don't see often. I also planned on playing The Dance of Eternity, among other songs as well. I mainly want to show the kids that playing drums is much more than playing a basic 4/4 rock beat. All the songs I picked for this clinic are different examples that show how a song can be a pretty busy one for a drummer, much more than what most listeners could realise.
Omg dude that's awesome!! Seriously made my day, thanks for letting me know 🙏
I hope your clinic smashes, and I'm sure the kids will enjoy hearing something out of the ordinary 🤘 Cheers!
Loving the cover man! Great job
superb perfection man.
Excellent job, Chris! That was a big bite you took. :-)
Of all the DOE covers posted on UA-cam, he probably has the closest tone to Portnoy's drums. Great job!
Thanks! MP has the best rock/metal drum sound! I use that album as a reference whenever I tune/mix my drums.
I'm a guitarist not a drummer and my philosophy is that there's no such thing as "close enough" when it comes to tuning any instrument and drums are no exception. If I can be honest, it's one thing I miss a lot about Portnoy vs. Mangini. Mangini's tone is too "thin" for me. He's an amazing player I'm not taking anything away from him but it's like the difference between Yngwie Malmsteen using a Strat with single coil and Steve Vai using double humbuckers. Both amazing players, but humbuckers give a better tone. Good on you for taking that into consideration when you play. I could tell if nobody else could.
+Aaron Bachelder Hey, another guitarist here, I am a humbucker (active) supporter and, even i use EMG's however I cannot entirely agree with your statement about how Humbuckers have a better tone than Single coils. Remember, 'to each their own'. Me and you may love Active pups, however, most of the people in this world prefer single coil over active, only because most songs were made from single coil pups. Im guessing you're a metalhead for which you support Humbuckers. right?
+Aaron Bachelder There is no such thing as "the best" pickup. :)
"Single Coil over active" doesn't make sense. You can have passive humbucker pickups.
Not a drummer. Just a fan of DT. Man, youre real solid. Good job.
birdingable I only reply to drummers... damnit! haha jk, thanks man!
Haha. Been listening to you playing this song since i found it. Good job bro. More vids pls.
I genuinely enjoyed watching you play my favorite band. Amazing work man!
Glad to hear it, thanks and cheers 🙏
You're amazing, one of the best Dance of Eternity's cover on youtube!
Awesome dude!!
amazing cover and spot on playing
keep it up buddy! :)
That was pretty good dude. That is one of the hardest songs to learn on drums. Reminds me of Blotted Science. I've been playing drums for close to thirty years and It's hard for me to even count along to this mother of all songs!!
Amazing! You killed it!
Hey, Chris. Love the footwork from 7:31. And all done in one take, splendid!
Thanks man! I saw your cover of Panic Attack, good stuff!
that is the most awesome thing i've ever watched
Amazing job!
Very nice playing, man! Way to go! \o
Outstanding job Chris! I can't think of many more complex rhythmic compositions of progressive music than DOE. Just the number of time signatures alone makes my brain want to melt.
Thank you, that really means a lot! Here was my take away from months and months (and months) of practicing the song:
1. It all breaks down to groupings of 2 and 3
2. If you listen to anything enough, it will EVENTUALLY stick hahah
Cheers
So sick. Loving the Sonic tee, haha
I think you made some new Dream Theater fans that day! great playing!
I hope so!! Thank you much 🙏
Great Cover man!! Liked how the drums came in the mix sounds great and Beats a lot of other video covers of this song in my opinion! Cheers!! - Bachir R.
I think you inspired a lot of these kids, if not to take up drumming themselves then at least to have respect for the hard work, blood sweat and tears that go into playing an instrument as virtuously as you do it.
Thank you for that!
Right on, I hope so! Thank you 🙏🙏
please tell me what that china cymbal is
Zildjian 18" Oriental Trash. Hands down the best china cymbal I've ever played!
If nothing else, you have a really, really good name! I like how he talks about why he has so many drums and is it really necessary, and I thought he had a great answer, and that answer is because its fun. I mean what more do you need to know than that. Also, he did a better job on this song than many other covers of this that I have heard.
This is so cool.. Subbed. Tech the kids rock and roll mate.
Also this reminded me why I once loved DT.
Kids are having a great time :/ Awesome cover bro
Wow so good Sir.
really tight playing man that was sick.
Now I know where I first saw you!!!! This is the video. Dude, you blew me away!!!! Nicely done brother 👏👍👌
Haha right on man, thanks! I was so anxious that day 😅 but all the cameras/recording equipment worked and I didn't make too many mistakes 🙏
awesome bro