The Controversial Rise of Polyphia (The Truth behind Polyphia's Come-up)
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- Опубліковано 26 тра 2022
- From the early hustle and bustle in the early stages of their career, Polyphia has illustrated an exponential growth to stardom taking over the instrumental guitar space and reimagining what is possible on the guitar. Tim Henson has undoubtedly become one of the world's most distinct guitarists and has been appraised by numerous media outlets as well as Steve Vai. How did Polyphia grow to get where they are? How did Tim Henson along with Polyphia become THE biggest name in modern guitar and instrumental music. As the faces of Ibanez guitars, Polyphia has a unique image and are sitting on a throne that will not be taken from them anytime soon.
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This video took me weeks of editing and dozens of hours to make. I appreciate all of you guys’ feedback and appreciation of the video! While the band is far from perfect, they’ve tackled numerous hurdles to be as big as they are. You don’t have to fit a mold to be a successful artist
PS: Polyphia is NOT a Christian band, it was a joke they ran with for a few years. And it does sound like I said "Joel Satriani" but I'm aware his name his Joe. The controversy surrounding Polyphia was based off of their perception. They made a few remarks during their come-up and people on the internet really hated them due to their "outlandish" sound and arrogant image. Type in "Polyphia controversy" and you'll find it but I couldn't address it all in the video
Thank you for putting this together.
fantastic work x have to disagree with you on one point though x they are perfect xx
it's a great video, thank you for the hard work
Great video for a new fan. I subbed
Thank you man. You ever debated checking out a few crossroads? These guys are either got hell hounds or there dads a rockafella x
I opened for Polyphia, Intervals, and The Contortionist back in 2014. I talked to Aaron, Anup, and everyone in The Contortionist quite a bit before and after the show. Out of everyone at the show, Polyphia legitimately seemed like the only ones who just wanted to play and be done with it, and they didn't really care for chit chat after the show either. They played great, but it was a bit of a downer to feel that awkwardness with musicians that you look up to, and even share the same age with. About 8ish months after that, I met them again at NAMM, and they were way more talkative and upbeat. I even mentioned the show we played, and how they seemed pretty out of it off-stage. They ended up expressing how they were feeling crappy during that string of the tour, and that things were just not going the way they wanted. It made me realize that, despite their booming popularity and status as "guitar gods", they were not in the best space or position in their careers for touring. I feel like that served as a good experience for me, because it broadened my view of how start-up Progressive bands really live on the road, and what they have to sacrifice physically/mentally to just get out there.
Yooo that's amazing. I feel like hearing that from them really helped to humanize them and, like you said, understand what they sacrifice to get there. Are you still making music? Would love to check out your stuff
A friend of mine and I got to speak with Scott after a show in London a few years back, he was super open and talkative with us as well which was nice. It was like a year after NLND came out or something like that. They even went and did an interview with the company my friend worked for lol.
They're more than likely a bunch of introverts. Dont judge em.
How cool that one of my favorite RE speed runners opened for all these kick ass bands.
Clay told me that in their early days they drove themselves to all their gigs in a van and barely, if ever, stayed in a hotel. He stated that made them all groggy and took a toll on their bodies.
Tim is nice as fuck, I used to have lessons from him.
I showed him these maple board J. Customs that just came out (he bought a blue one) and before he did, he asked me which colour I wanted to get in order to make sure I didn’t miss out on it (there was like one of each for sale).
Great teacher too. Best advice for guitar I’ve ever heard came from him - focus on nothing other that what you’re HEARING. Don’t determine whether you’ve nailed something based on where your fingers are. Sounds obvious but it works wonders when you truly focus on it
Genuinely glad to hear that, because I love the dude's talent and technical ability.
@@Vodagraph yeah man he’s a real cool guy.
He did push for high standards too - I was 16 at the time and hadn’t started recording yet and he said “what’s taking you so long?” which was honestly something I needed to hear
So F'n cool to hear. Keep 'em humble 'n grateful. Once an artist's ego gets so big it can't fit through the door, they lose their allurement .
Wait how did u get lessons from Tim Henson??
@Lucas Chow he offered them through his website/socials (can’t remember which one as it was 8 years ago) at one point!
You could just reach out to him and book them at the time
I regret not continuing… I didn’t have much money at the time but it was so stupid of me not to just get an extra job to keep it going. At the time I didn’t know I wanted to do music as a career
I don't see any controversy with Polyphia. They're all exceptionally good musicians creating music that's a joy to listen to.
Clickbait
The dude fell for the classic “christian band joke” he didnt do 30 seconds research lmao
@@YazzPott Christians have a sense of humor!
@@lucasharris5727 I uh.. didnt say anything about christians im confused
@@YazzPott Don't be, I was just making a joke, I don't comment often
Not only the guitar riffs are good, they also have an absolutely incredible drummer
That's the rare special ingredient.
With that I agree. They're all gifted players, but somehow the sum is less than the parts,
Yes! He does get enough credit
Drummer is my personal favorite part of the band. Their music would sound so wacky and shitty without a monster like that on the drums to sync it all up.
Of course nobody mentions the bass ☠️
I wouldn't go as far as to say they're a household name. Every time I mention the band polyphia to somebody, whether they are friends, family, coworkers, classmates, peers, or strangers, it is rare anyone will say "yeah I know them."
They are still a very niche band in the broad scheme of things, tho they have become popular in modern metal and the progressive guitar scene. They're probably only a household name to people familiar with those genres/groups of musicians.
This is well said. Let me give them a few more years before I toss that term around. They must just be a household name in my house
I’ll disagree here anecdotally as I was walking into Target in my admittedly retiree-aged town and heard a random person blasting Playing God from their car. I couldn’t believe it.
Whenever I go to shows and talk to people in the crowd, I tend to ask them if they like polyphia. More often than not, I get “Can you spell that? Oh polythia, nah I never heard of them”.
With that being said they’ve been my favorite band for 3 years now, and I make sure to let everyone I know become aware of their existence. Seeing them for the 2nd time next month!
I definitely think polyphia is a household name in Metal and guitar world......and I'm from india, so that should put things into prespective.
@@stephenrabha2446 the problem is the use of the term “household name”. As soon as you need to qualify it… limiting it to metal/guitar fans for example, you’ve already negated the actual meaning of “household name”.
I'm 73 yrs old and have to say 'Polyphia' has woken musical joy where I thought it no longer exists. great band all the way through!
Check out "billy strings" and "greensky bluegrass" for more new joy in another genera!
I've read that Tim comes up with all of the guitar content but I feel like Scott doesn't get nearly enough praise for his playing ability. Regardless of who writes it there's no doubt that just being able to perform the material alone is worth a lot of recognition. Same goes for the rest of the band.
Tim is an amazing writer/composer but it’s Scottie’s improv & phrasing, soul, even; that stands out to me most especially in album IV, & don’t even get me started on Clay A.
It’s as if Tim lays the foundation of songs beat wise, chord structure wise, but the rest just riff out & work with the melody. I swear they were put here by aliens. Lmao
Out of this world talent amidst the entire band.
Given, they did have help from that other drummer Luke Holland who is just phenomenal as well.
@@ComaMage_6793 I love how they have explained writing certain songs they just toss stuff back and fourth up until it releases improving on it constantly and not even in any particular order they will rework the reworks to make them even better. Truthfully I really enjoy them and am now starting my journey on learning guitar because of how impressed I was with them
I only discovered Polyphia yesterday and, to me, they are the greatest band I've heard in a couple of decades. This is IT. How did I miss this until now?
John, I think a lot of us older players just get stuck on the music that we listened to in our prime. I love Randy Rhoads, Jake E Lee, both guys from Stryper, Matthias Jabs and all those other players, but that style was going to get old at some point. It bothers me a little bit when older folks say "the best music was from the 80s" (or whatever decade you spent your late teens/early twenties).
It shows very narrow thinking and an unwillingness to respect artistic evolution.
My point - I LOVE Polyphia and have done so since the first time I heard them, a few years ago, when I accidentally came upon Tim Henson's Instagram account. Good to see others appreciating new music!
John, I just discovered them about 2 weeks ago and I can't stop listening. Some of their songs make me genuinely stop what I'm doing to listen to the absolute magic flowing into my ears. Also not sure how I'd never heard of them before, but it seems like they are only now getting more commercial popularity.
I'm 60 and I'm tomato this sound. Went to a show that featured Circa Survive and Animals as leaders nearly 13 years ago and love the technical sound of Toison's playing. Now I can't get "Playing God" out of my head.
I discovered them yesterday and by the second song I heard of them, I was like : "Is that it?"
I get that people like them, but saying they're the greatest band you've heard in couple of decades makes me think you haven't heard that many bands in those decades.
@@Qlicky How many bands should he have listened to before you would be ok with his comment? What is a good band if this is so unimpressive? Are you really basing your entire judgment of a band on two songs?
Those are more rhetorical than anything, I won't answer any response, but understand that you come off as an arrogant hipster to me. You're being rude because someone likes a band a lot? Someone's favorite is 100% their opinion, so to come in and say "yOu HavEN't HeArD tHaT ManY BaNdS" is childish and narcistic because you're implying you know better. Kindly don't respond.
Not too sure what’s controversial to their rise but they really did well and definitely mastered their niche which pushed their pop status.
Yeah, clickbaity title for sure. But it was a lot of great information. Love this band.
They were kinda sneered upon by progmetal elitists, as fas as I recall
@@777malkavian so are mainstream country artists. So what?
well the video did say the controversy was their shift in sound, their old fans didn't like it, nothing special, many bands go through that
@@drilkus1312
Not really a clickbaity title, the point was the genre fluidity, after the release of Lit is what made it controversial, it divided the fans of their own genre, and a portion hated it, thus why the next album was named "The Most Hated"
With bands like this still putting out music, there's never been a better time to be a guitarist, especially if you like instrumental music, it's got a fanbase that's been steadily growing and growing.
I completely agree! The audience for instrumental music is steady growing and is also inspiring many to start playing guitar
As someone that grew up during the Shrapnell period I have to disagree. There was just so much amazing instrumental music at that time. Totally revolutionizing music. Ynwei, Vai, Satriai, Vinnie Moore, Lynch, Petrucci, Bouillet, Blues Saraceno, MacAlpine, Kotzen, Paul Gilbert, Vito Bratta, I could go on all day.
@@russellward4624 well many of those people are still alive today too. And in order to find new and exciting artists, all you have to do is look!
It's apparently far too easy to dedicate corny lyrics and vocals to a song. Often times i dislike a track because despite the incredible musicians, the lyrics and vocals turn me off completely.
Unless you're a Bradley Nowell, a Maynard, a Zack De La Rocha, a Kurt Cobain, or on that level, i don't wanna hear what you gotta say in song
"there's never been a better time to be a guitarist" HAHAHA good joke kid
I'm a much more recent Polyphia fan, but I have to say. All it took was the first 90 seconds of Playing God to make me fall in love. I'm also a native Texan so when I heard that a local band was gonna be playing near me, I rounded up some friends and went and OH. MY. GOD. It was like nothing I've ever heard. The entire crowd was LOVING every second of it. Everyone was so into it that they came out for THREE ENCORE SONGS. As I crowdsurfed during G.O.A.T, I knew that I struck gold with them and I'm not planning on leaving this fanbase anytime soon.
The absolute talent of all four of them is incredible and Clay Aeschliman is probably the best drummer of all time at this point (yeah, that's right. I said Clay's better than John Bonham and Neil Peart)
He is good. He’s not Danny Carey good, but still really good.
Bro you're high about being best drummer. Don't get me wrong, he's amazing, But you didn't even name the best drummers in your comment for me to take you seriously ha
I’m 73 and when I heard playing God it blew me away me and my wife love that song going from classical to rock to bossa nova and one song is amazing listening to He also plays and sounds like Al DiMeola from the 80s. I hope he does more songs like play God style, me myself took up guitar 66 I could never play like them , we enjoy making Covers here on UA-cam with my Guitar Teacher if you press my picture here, you can see we just have fun at our ages.age just dig it man !!
I discovered them with Playing God and it's been the biggest slap to the face I've ever had. I never heard something remotely close to this and the fact that there's no singer and you get to enjoy just the melody is awesome too.
Also, heavy guitar riffs have been done and done again and having that "acoustic" sounding guitar play is something really fresh
I agree! I'm a huge fan of the technical nylon acoustic sound
Not to assume you haven't heard them, and definitely different, but you may also enjoy Chon and Plini. Have a good one 🤘
@@drewsmith3673 Never heard of Chon, I'll look it up :P and I know Plini it's awesome. Thanks for the suggestion my guy :)
It's just Paco de Lucía with production tricks. Nothing too original.
@@kevgamble I get where you're coming from, but I try and appreciate what production could add. I often wonder what Sly Stone would be making if he had access to tools that kids today have.
As a guitarist/ multi-instrumentalist, I get bored easily about what I listen to. To me, Poliphia is a breath of fresh air and becoming essential listening very fast
I've been listening to Polyphia since 2013 when Scott followed me on Twitter and asked me to hear their latest work (Inspire, back then). I remember I even asked "oh, the band doesn't even have a vocalist?" And that's how I was ignored by one of the greatest guitarists of today. 😅
Even so, Polyphia has become one of my favorite artists of all time. It's amazing to see their popularity growing like this.
Lmao. Atleast you have the story to tell
For me, the thing that turns me off of rock is the vocals. I don't like words being out in my head. It's music, not poetry. Vocals are not necessarily unless their timbre serves a purpose.
Great video! Really like that you included Chon to compare the personality of both bands. I agree 100% that Polyphia's personality has a lot to do with their success today. When it comes to music, I feel like Polyphia started writing their songs differently right after their first tour with Chon. I'm sure they hung out during both tours
Yes I HAD to. I love Chon but their interviews really have no depth at all. In a sense Polyphia created an image where guitarists live like mainstream rappers -- designer clothes and rockstar lifestyle
@@monfloral I was kind of introduced to Polyphia through Chon and I really didn't like the image Polyphia started to create for themselves back in 2016 when they were touring together. But from today's perspective kind of make sense and I guess it paid off
Yea dude. They're so good and smooth with their playing. There's so much good music coming from metal that it honestly blows my mind. In a good way tho lol.
@@monfloral Much respect bro. Glad I found this channel and with someone who appreciates the same music I love playing.
@@monfloral LMAO didn't Rappers get that style from Rock Stars? Guess they went full circle
As a 50 year old, I grew up listening to instrumental music like Joe Sastriani, Steve Morse and Tony MacAlpine so im definitely loving this
That kinda surprised me. It seems like a lot of older people who listened to the OGs like Vai and Morse don't seem to take too much of a liking to Polyphia
@@monfloral as someone who can't play guitar( I've tried but just cant) , it blows my mind away to see how the new generation is shredding at such young ages
@@monfloral That's odd. I'm an OG drummer myself, what good musician doesn't like an instrumental? That's how you really know if the musicians have chops or not. If they are hating, they're intimidated and feel some type of way because they know they can't hold their own with what they're hearing from the youth. Great job on your vid by the way. ✌🏾
I am 62 and I have just got tickets to the UK tour next year. I will be taking my son to the gig. I have always been very open to 'good' new music and must put Polyphia at the top of the list. It's funny, if you play some tracks to people who kinda like it - they say the guitars are superb. If you play it to a more knowledgeable musicians they say the bass and drums are amazing.
@@monfloral The first time I heard Satriani changed the trajectory of my life, as it inspired me to buy my first electric guitar. I'm a -huge- fan of Polyphia (and every other instrumental band you mentioned) and cannot imagine how anyone who has any appreciation for music generally or who plays any instrument at all couldn't be blown away by the blending of techniques and styles along with their next-level arrangements. All four of these guys are incredible technically, and I love where they're taking instrumental guitar-driven composition.
Nice work on this vid, thank you for putting it together, I learned a few more things about them! :)
The title of the video says "Controversial", and I was expecting drama, but you went above my expectations and delivered an amazing overview of their career. I really enjoyed this, and really appreciate the commentary on their music over the years. Great video!
The "controversy" in the title resulted in a well pressed dislike button, at least from my part.
What is wankery? They've been accessed if wankery.
As an ancient rock guy If you told young me id consider a band who barely uses distortion, dont have a lead singer, play hiphop on guitars and one of my favorite songs would be a Rap song called abc id have said youre insane
Polyphia makes me want to close my eyes and imagine pulling the notes out of my guitar
Every time they release a song I'm always like "how can they one up this one" and then they release G.O.A.T. and then Playing God. Legit just insane musicians with an infinite level of talent at this point. Their Album "Muse" was my in with the band back in 2014 with Sweet Tea being my favourite song to to show people. My parents loved that album. Polyphia will always have a special place in my heart.
I used to bump Sweet Tea heavy. But they really are something else. Most bands eventually flatline after a decade but they are still pushing and raising the ceiling
Muse is incredible. Inspire is still my favorite album. I was kinda sad when the double bass left their sound. But I think Clay has filled this void with something so much better.
Playing god is great but I wouldn’t go as far as saying it’s better than GOAT though, personally
They absolute me every time they drop another song. Playing god was just 🤯
@@SmokedHam444 for technicality playing god is superior but i too prefer goat as listening music. Playing god is more watching and study lol
I've only recently discovered Polyphia, but they have fast become one of my favourite bands to listen to. Usually, while I respect really technical playing, it's not something I'm often in the mood to sit and listen too, but I think Polyphia's secret (as you elude to in the video) is that the super technical playing and skill on show is underpinned by really accessible melodies and pop chord structures that are easy on the ear.
Allude
I just discovered them a year ago from a comment on UA-cam of someone said they underrated. I typed them in UA-cam and 3 hours later I was a superfan. Going to see them live in April. 🤘🏻
this band is full of spectacular artists. im really digging the change of styles that occur between albums, and how each artist brings a whole bands' worth of sound with them
I've been listening to polyphia since their first album, and while I noticed the shift away from metal, it never bothered me that much because they didn't necessarily "dumb down". They just shifted gears a bit while adding the same passion and technicality that they always had. As a musician who appreciates good musicians, it was never a big deal to me. Interesting to see from this video, I guess it was a big deal among the community. I wouldve guessed they had a more musician following who would still appreciate musicians passionately and intricately playing music.
Polyphia is an amazing band, my 10 year old son has been tackling, or trying to, their music for a few years now (he started at 4) and he prefers listening to Polyphia over stuff like Metallica or even contemporary pop music like Ed Sheeran or Swift. Polyphia's melodies inspire him to practice his guitar. Thanks Tim! You're to my son what James Hetfield was to me.
This is a beautifully genuine comment.
Good luck to your son, man! I'm definitely rooting for him!
This boy is learning guitar with Tim as his model, he's definitely going to be a guitar hero one day
I was able to see them with Unprocessed on the third to last gig on this last tour - I have been playing guitar for longer than the members of this band have been alive and I was thrilled to see and hear them play with such ferocity and joy. I remember moving along those lines of composition and non-linear melody when I was a teen and being told essentially there was 'no future' for that kind of thing. The guys in Polyphia gave me permission to return to my roots with my playing and I am having a ball. Keep going guys!
I've only just discovered them. As a musician and sound engineer myself, I REALLY love their work! Looking forward to anything new from these awesome musicians!!
I love how they've grown and progressed. They've erased the line between genres and just create beautiful intricate music. A lot of bands get stuck in one sound and become stale.
I am new fan to Polyphia, Saw Tim on Rick Beatos interview along with Misha and Tosin. However i got to say as amazing as the guitar work is they really are a sum of their strengths. The Drumming is pretty amazing as well which does not seem to get enough love in many profiles done on them.
Without a doubt their drummer is exceptional. The only reason I feel like
Clay doesn't get too too much attention is because he's often drumming over trap beats in a band that only plays in 4/4. I feel like the electronic aspect of Polyphia's production undermines what Clay is really capable of but I would love to see them utilize him a bit more in a unique way.
@@monfloral agree man. I would like to hear aelishman switch between 2/4, 3/4, 4/4. that would be unique. But I doubt that will be mainstream cup of a tea
Tosin is undoubtedly the greatest of all time
Awesome video! You really did a nice job of capturing the overall vibe of the different stages that the band has gone through thus far. 🙏🤙
Good vid man, i really loved the background on Polyphia. Keep it up!
I think Scale the Summit was also a significant player at the time. I remember back when I first started listening to this new wave of instrumental metal, most people would talk about Animals as Leaders and Scale the Summit.
In all honesty I completely forget about them. I used to listen to a lot of Scale the Summit in middle school but you're right, they did have a good bit of traction around 2010 but they're sound just didn't stick the way some other bands did
As someone who has been with this band since their super early stuff.
This video really nails putting into words their growth as a band. Like all of things I’ve only thought in my mind. All in one video. Well done brotha
Thank you!!! The video definitely makes more sense to people who been following them for a while
Good stuff! I just discovered Tim on the interview with Beato and have been wanting to learn more about their story
Man, what a cool video. Really enjoyed your narration and composition here - very easy to tell you're a big fan with the work you put into this.
Great video great presentation I appreciate the time and work you put in!
I appreciate you watching!
I remember being able to go the first Super Chon Bros tour. Being in my mid teens, seeing that concert changed my life. Strawberry Girls, Polyphia, and CHON all played that night, and if I was able to relive just one day, I would choose that one.
dude what a sick lineup i'd kill for that today
I went to that tour too! I had a chance to talk with Scott. and i yelled out his name before he entered the venue. super chill guy
Went a Texas show of that tour and got a signed tshirt by the band and had a good ten minute convo with Mario from Chon.
@M Tanner Baughman my buddy and I got the vip tickets so we're able to play smash brothers with Mario. Still have my signed flag too :D
I remember finding Polyphia back in late 2013, I fell in love so quickly and they were my favorite band for years and I kind of just expected them to stay in this niche little pocket where so few people knew them. Seeing their growth and them becoming more mainstream damn near makes me want to cry. Shit is just so incredible, they really made it.
I just found out about polyphia recently. Their sound is so unique and mesmerizing. I’ve been going back listening to older songs and definitely like the direction they’ve been going recently. I can’t wait to see how they progress from here
Awesome job with this entire video footage!! I truly enjoyed watching this. Learned info about this group I wasn't aware of. Great research!
Another things which is out of the ordinary is that their shows freaking rock. Went to see them with a friend of mine, we are both guitarists who love the technical aspect of it. We thought it was just gonna be like any other technical band we've seen. Us and a bunch of other guitar nerds just standing around, looking at a very impressive but static band on stage. We couldn't have been more wrong. During the first song 5 people already started crowd surfing, which kept on going the whole gig. The band gave everything and the audience was WILD! Definitely a different experience than other guitar gods I've seen, no disrespect to them though.
They really do bring something different to the table. With there being so many different instrumental bands that makes "similar" music, Polyphia never fails to stand out
This is a good video, man! Its clean, informative, the editing is on point, so watching the video is just as interesting as listening to it
Great video thanks for making it ✨✨
Polyphia actually had a vocalist in the original line-up, Lane Duskin, and Brandon also sang cleans. You can hear Lane on their first EP titled Resurrect, it's probably still up on UA-cam somewhere, which was re-released later as an instrumental EP titled Inspire. Even very early on Tim's writing style just works better without vocals.
They also had a touring singer for a brief stint, Hunter Avant.
@D Micheal Barrett Their style just didn't mesh well for vocals
@@monfloral probably not for the majority of their music, but the cuco collab actually meshed pretty well with their style imho.
@@osamabindiesel3389 i loved their song with cuco! i thought that kind of low-fi? vocals worked really well.
Thanks for mentioning my homies, grew up with both Lane and Hunter. Also I have some of the tracks Lane is on if anyone wants
Tim's new song with Plini and Cory Wong is a dope song too. I've been a Polyphia fan for several years now and nearly everyone I show them to is blown away by their skills. They are truly a sight to behold
This is a great video and you’re a really good narrator. Well done 🤘🏻
What a well done video man. Very informative, clean cut, nice transitions so its easy on the eyes, editing skills are on point too. Very nice job.🤘🏽
Much appreciated!
@@monfloral well deserved✌️
I love Polyphia and, while I'm not the biggest fan in the world of a lot of their songs, there's no doubt in my mind they're going to be the most popular instrumental band if they're not already. It's really cool to see their progression over the years while I continue playing guitar myself. I play some difficult math rock songs from bands like Invalids, but I couldn't begin to play Polyphia's discography. They're an incredible display of talent.
I think it’s hard not to appreciate how far they’ve come. And it’s really crazy how it’s easier to play standard math rock songs compared to Polyphia. I think it’s the fact that their songs are made up of so many technical runs
There's such a wide range of styles throughout their discography, it'd be hard to really "copy" the music when trying to play along. That's what blows me away about them, the ability to switch styles so fluidly.
Really love your content man!! So glad someone took the time and research about Polyphia’s rise to success.
Your channel is awesome keep it up bro.
really great vid broski, that was super fun to watch
My favorite player is Mateus Asato so I heard of them with Drown on New Levels New Devils. Tim and Scott are massively responsible for pushing guitar forward at a time when it was sort of dying. Their chops, creativity, and musicality are absolutely off the charts.
Guitar was definitely going downhill because apart from the super technical artists, there wasn't too much genre blending in instrumental music let alone a band doing it successfully
I've watched Mateus Asato's videos like a hundred or so times, dudes a fucking genius... I wish he'd drop a solo album already >:(
I remember them putting out their call for a vocalist. I was honestly dreading what they'd become if they added vocals to their music. Their last few releases are some of my favorite music, and we might not have that if they went down that path.
Old Guy here, I just learned of this band/group a couple of days ago, and their sound completely blew my mind. I hope they do well, and can keep up being cutting edge.
I like this style of video man! Good stuff
Amazing documentary man. Just found your channel and subbed 🙌
So much appreciated thank you!
as someone who started playing guitar back in 2001 and quickly moved into the heavy metal genre in the early 2000's, i always found myself feeling like i needed to "protect" guitar playing and the rock and metal genre. As i got older and actually started working in the music industry, i found that the entitled nature and protectiveness of the hard rock and metal community, held it back in many ways. The same goes for many parts of the EDM community as well. I love polyphia, and respect the hell out of how they understand exactly how the system and machine works.
so many people used to come up to me and be like "you should check out my friend, he or she is an incredible musician" and i would always tell them, "in all honesty, the better a musician they are, the smaller the chances they have of commercial and financial success" usually for the reason that metal heads are the way they are, pride and integrity. They think that if they give up 1% of their identity or pride, that theyve failed. Polyphia has learned how to be themselves, but also how to work the current market and system to create a technically proficient, while also commercially viable project.
Excellent work compiling all of this for us to enjoy. I really appreciate good independent documentaries.
New to the channel and just gotta to say I’m hooked!!! Keep it up dad!!!
Growing up in the 70's my first albums and favorite bands were actually funk and Hip hop acts. But in puberty i switched over to Rock, Metal then Nu Metal (which was actually Cross-Over for us back then) and Grunge getting over to progressive Metal and guitar music. Polyphia actually gives me lot of the genres i love at once.
I discovered Tim Henson and Polyphia 7 months ago in November 2021. I had no idea a guitar can be played like that...they are everything I love about life: guitars, precision, thoughtfulness, art, wine and champagne, designer clothes and expensive cars. I need nothing else.
great vid. thanks for catching me up :)
Good work man! subbed
Been listening to these guys since '14. No idea they had blown up. Good job guys.
I’m only 4 minutes in but wow dude this is an incredibly well done video. As a former music UA-camr, you’re much better than I ever got. You’re gonna go far!
@Lydian Melody thanks so much for the words! This video took a hot minute to put together so I really appreciate that!
Great video man! 😊
great video, super chill and it felt like I was just having a beer with a bud and talking about it. great voice too man, keep it going
Great success story. They are fantastic, they don't just display sterilised virtuosity, they have personal/signature style, attitude and funk. The rhythm section in the third album was incredibly fun to listen too aside from the brilliant guitars.
And Tim Henson, man, the most exciting instrumental guitarist for my taste since Satriani and Vai.
Completely agree with you there. Pretty much everything about them is unique and Tim's writing is a treat for the ears
@@monfloral You made a fine video on them, spread the love!
Love time but Scott is so damn consistent and has a buttery smooth, aesthetically pleasing technique! I love the complimenting sections to their songs he writes. Absolute power house of a band.
@@pjtyra2106 Absolutely, no doubt about it all four of them are amazing!
Great video. Only thing missing was naming Explosions in the Sky, they were the biggest instrumental band for a while. They were on Letterman, Toured festivals, sometimes as headliners
Came looking for someone to say this. To add Mogwai and El Ten Eleven were huge in 2010-2012 years. I think EitS and Mogwai moved more towards movie soundtracks though as they were talking about how they wanted to take life easier and see their families more.
To OP's defence these bands were a different realm of instrumentals, making more sound scapes (hence the move to film). Polyphia definitely have a different genre of instrumentals and have almost reigned in a new generation of rockers that realize music doesn't always need vocals.
Thanks for the content. Very interesting and informative.
Such a nice video man! I hope to see you grow a lot as well
Thanks a ton!
I am 58 years old longtime music fan. I like all kinds of music. I just found out about these guys. One word: WOW
Crazy because I lived in Plano my whole life and heard about these guys because I was in the math rock and prog rock underground scene there. Saw them live when there was like 20 people at the shows. Crazy how far they’ve come.
Good research and editing.
Love the video bro keep it up
I came across them by accident because of their wonderful fanbase. Decided to look up the music that I saw a cover of, and now New Levels New Devils is one of my favorite albums ever
In college I got really into experimental guitar music from Buckethead so I started listening to chon, covet, plini, sithu aye, starsystems, widek, a bunch of shit. But those polyphia eps were always a standout in the instrumental lineup I had. Once renaissance dropped I was blown away. They really pushed that tired out metal sound into a totally new world and while a lot of the other bands I mentioned did as well polyphia chose to blend with the modern zeitgeist of music adopting a much more pop engaging feel to their style. I remember hearing them get so much hate online for just being guitar wankery and when lit dropped all those metal elitist we're shitting on them so hard. But the most hated was completely uncontestable imo. The trap drums from clay under some of the best riffs I've ever heard and fully embracing this kind of hip hop/trap fusion separated them from everyone and cemented themselves as innovators in a difficult progressive market. I bought the tabs for that ep when they first released and I'm still working through some of the songs
I also bought tabs for TMH haha. But bro you literally hit the nail on the head. I remember seeing so many metal heads going for their throats saying they weren’t “real” guitarists. I too was AMAZED when Renaissance dropped. They truly went against the grain and their success is a result of that
I would kill to see Polyphia collab with Buckethead. Or at least tour together
Plini is God.
Interesting video man! Super well done
Incredibly well put together mini-doc. I'm relatively new to polyphia but a big follower now, so thanks for bringing this all to one space.
amazing video, this band genuinely made me pick up guitar. All I did was wanna learn polyphia songs. I can say I'm good enough to learn them properly now, and they opened a whole new world for me, musically.
i can't play any "classic" riffs cus I don't want to learn them but still trying to learn polyphia g.o.a.t. riff and made some progress in it
(i know i should learn them all... but... i prefer to learn how instrument sounds instead of grinding sheets)
Dam thats crazy! Learning to play guitar by probably the hardest guitar parts to play for a beginner! I would have quit immediately, if thats how I would have learned to play guitar! Lol major props to you!!!
@@samo2336 whatever inspires you to pick up the guitar is what's best for you. in my case, it was polyphia songs! it took me a bit over a year and a half to realize I need to take a step back and learn the fundamentals lol
I'm 58 and they've got me excited about music again.
65 here and never been this excited xx
great vid, very informative!
I just listened to a few of their short vids on UA-cam. They are awesome! I wanted to find out more then. Your vid on them was excellent. I’m now going to find their music and download some! Thanks!
Absolutely loved watching this-insightful, interesting, and fun. I cannot believe that a band from my hometown would have been my favourites in high school.
Saw them live last year and I was blown away. I was a fan already but now they are one of my top bands
I like how Tim is also a prolific youtuber and his tutorials are pretty dope and comprehensive.
Really well done video! Had me engaged all the way through. Keep it up! And long live Polyphia. 👌
To keep my story short on Polyphia, I came to know their work through a random video while scrolling through UA-cam on a guitar instructor reacting to their G.O.A.T. track. I listened to it a few times and my interest was piqued. From there it became a whirlwind, one great musician found, then another and the next etc.... from Aaron Marshall to Andy James, all the way through to Charlie Robbins.
Personally, Polyphia lead a tidal wave of instrumental madness into my life, and I am thankful for their work. Sure, I have listened to instrumentals before like Man Made God from In Flames, and instrumental music only albums were not part of my metal/rock collection until now. I'm happy to have found this form of music, as lyrics, often times to me, do not convey emotion quite like sheer instrumental brilliance does.
I love this new style of music. It shows that bands don't necessarily need vocalists. I've always appreciated progression and instrumental music.
Instant sub lets go bro!
It was around the time they put out muse, got to talk to them briefly before watching them play live, back when they were just kinda giving touring a try. Super dope guys and I love their musical growth. Had great personalities too.
Really fantastic video essay. I feel like it gave me a new perspective on their newest album, and made me appreciate it even more.
Saw them in 2017 headlining with Covet and Jason Richardson. I wasn’t the biggest fan of their sound back then but they’ve taken such giant leaps since then. G.O.A.T. really catalyzed their rise to where they are today. I really want to see them keep growing and expanding their sound, and Playing God is a great sign that they’ll continue to do that!
great documentary thanks for posting your artistry as well ... respect props and God bless
Hey man. This was a great video! Really appreciate your effort and nice to catch up with the full story of Polyphia....Got into them around the 'GOAT' time, but for the last year have just been obsessing. I personally LOVE how they develop and challenge themselves, and to create your own, distinguishable sound is truly an extraordinary achievement! I'm sure they won't get stuck, and could easily see them getting a vocalist at some point :-)) ...just to be controversial and creative
What I really appreciate about polyphia especially since New Levels New Devils is their ability to make very technical instrumental playing accessible.
The songs and melody get stuck in your head despite their complexity.
With a lot of technical music I have "the problem" it is just 1000 notes in a short time, missing catchiness.
It just overwhelms you at times.
Polyphia is always trying something new pushing the envelope further.
The new album "remember that you will die" is distinctly polyphia but with fresh influences.
I am happy to be part of the journey.
The duality of almost inhuman riffing of Tim and the feel and groovy leads of Scoot ( still extremely technical) solos really makes things dynamic. Not to mention the 2 clays that are mind blowing.
i have been following this band since february this year and i love everything about this band i honestly love their music videos the most i have never seen so simple yet beautiful and atmospheric music videos
They aren't perfect by any means but they do a lot of things right especially when it comes to dropping music and videos
@@monfloral i havent seen a perfect band but polyphia is my favorite band so far
wonderful video. You should do more of these i would love to hear your take as this was watched end to end no breaks. Very well paced, great inclusion of relevant videos and sounds just professionally done. i am a fan of metal from my day like killswitch and trivium etc, so learning more about bands like polyphia is wonderful
Great review and kudos to the narrators voice. Great cadence and smooth delivery.