Composer/Musician Reacts to Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Mladic (REACTION!!!)
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Bryan reacts to and talks about his thoughts on Mladic
ORIGINAL VIDEO // • Mladic
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The genre is post rock, but don't expect any other post rock bands to even vaguely approach this.
Así es solo el Godspeed puede hacer este tipo de música
Mogwai?
@@arnodk2852 Personally, I'm not a big fan, but many people would agree with you
@@nathanrupley Jesu, Ohgod, Kidofdoom, God Is an Astronaut and Red Sparowes another couple of good ones.
@@arnodk2852 They're amazing bands, but... Godspeed You Black Emperor are on another level.
There comes a time in a young man's life when you just gotta do Storm and get over with it.
The ending of the song was taken from a student protest in Montreal, Quebec where the band are from, they literally recorded people banging on pots and pans and marching.
Godspeed are one of, if not the, best bands I've seen live. They really are incredible. Something I've not noticed anyone mention yet is the visual element of their shows. They have a projectionist, yes a projectionist. Not someone with a laptop, but a person with actual film stock and a few projectors. It really adds to the whole experience. I like to watch them in the `quiet` parts, their manic activity nicely juxtaposes with the calm of the band on stage.
Last time I saw them live was in Hamburg and I just so happened to grab a seat right behind the projectionist.
As a musician myself who isn't very educated when it comes to film technology it was incredibly fascinating to watch him work his 4 projectors and distorting the images using all sorts of stuff.
The visuals are such an integral part of their live performances!
Seeing them live is such an experience. The quiet subdued way they take the stage, forming their semicircle, some with backs to the audience, as if within their own jam session. No talking to audience, no grandstanding. The visual art projection adds so much to the feel and vibe of the music, absolutely integral to the music. It was the sort of thing that both felt like a religious experience, but also filled me with a terrible sense of despair - it was so perfectly encapsulating what my own ideal artistic vision would be. They were incarnate of the primordial concepts of music and art in my mind never yet realized. But there it was, existing already. To experience it was transcendental, but how could I ever endeavour to make art again when the very art I'd want to make already exists? Anything I could ever do would be derivative, palely comparing to what they've done.
I spoke to the projectionist quite a bit when I saw them in Dallas. I was mesmerized. He did this thing where he intentionally melted the film as it was projecting and it made for some extremely wild experiences. I was very happy to speak with him for about 10 minutes and at the end of that conversation I let him know how much I appreciated his work.
He is known as an official member of the band, just for anyone's keepsake information.
Yup. Their live permance are incredible. My best concert so far.
@@Doofkopf12345 that was my experience in 2001. Ended up watching him run film as much as the screen and band.
Love how the guitars sound like an ominous swarm of cawing ravens during in the intro, an omen of what's to come!
They always reminded me of seagulls, to me they sound rather hopeful and invigorating even.
It’s weird to see people react to music you feel like you and three other people listen to, but I’m here for it.
Excellent. That's kind of what we do around these parts of the internet. Music discovery is a cornerstone to my channel and I love hearing that people are hearing some new music for the first time that they absolutely love. You'll find lots of reactions here for bands that are either hidden gems or have mostly flown under most people's radars.
If you do another Godspeed song I'd recommend either Storm or Sleep, off their second album. Both are very melodic and absolutely beautiful songs.
sleep. hands down.
Moya is an amazing track too
Blaise Bailey Finnegan the third is an amazing track as well
This sound is my favorite. It came at a time I needed it. I guess it's the same for every Gy!be songs out there. it came out in 2012. At that time we had here in montreal canada a student strike that was sooo long and harassing and this song makes a lot of references to it. first of all these strikes were happening in spring. The guitar chords in the beginning reminds me of geese coming back in spring giving hope. People weren't shoot like in the opening recording but people were pepper sprayed, and shot rubber bullet. then the drums, it's like a march. students were marching, everynight in the streets, for like 5-6 month it's started in february it ended in september. Every shift in the mood is like: will you really you really continue to march then YES the drums march on and it was like that for so long. Then at the end the percussive part recorded it was recorded on the streets while one of these march. Citizens joined with pots and pans percussing this beat with the student "Manif Casserole" look at it. This song, reminds me of the struggle of this time but also all the struggles we go through that can be resolved if people stands together and have this courage to get together. it gives me hope despite the harshness of life. this song came in my life at the right time to remind me of that, and help me mourn all the events the event of 2012 has brought to my life.
saw them live and it was possibly the single most exhilarating and hypnotic thing I’ve ever seen. They absolutely did play these songs from start to finish with complete and total mastery of the sound for every second and I think when I’m dying I’m going to see them play again in my mind
I was completely fried by the time they started up mladic as the finisher and I was thinking I was going to die
Same. It is nuts to watch.. :)
Mladic: 20mins of war crimes
I believe this is one of nosier GY!BE tracks, if not the noisiest one, at least of their studio releases. It really fits it's grim context.
This song features an easter european (balkan, specifically) theme, with it's title and content. Ratko Mladic was a war criminal responsible for the siege of Sarejovo and massacre of Srebrnica. He's accountable for what is often called the biggest genocide since WW2. I speculate that the song was called after him, because when they were recording the album back in 2011, Mladic was arrested for his warcrimes that took place from 1992-1995.
Now for the musical content (be aware, I don't have much musical knowledge, so whatever I say from now on may be complete gibberish lmao). The cut around from 8th to 13th minute or so, always gave me this very "apocalyptic folk" vibe, especially the choice of guitar chords. I think it was inspired by some balkan, maybe bosnian folk music to fit the theme of the song. When you pair that with the fast drum beat, it creates this "End of the World Ritual" atmosphere.
In conclusion, amazing idea and execution. It's the only post-reunion song I often come back to.
I hope that we put Godspeed You! Black Emperor on some break though, since we already have 3 reactions with their stuff. If we were to have an Experimental Rock theme I would pick:
Swans - Helpless Child, Feel Happiness or The Glowing Man (the version off of their live album "Deliquescence")
Glenn Branca - The Spectacular Commodity
Slint - Washer or Good Morning, Captain
Great info about the song. It helps a little in understanding this behemoth of a piece. Swans is something that I'd like to return to one day. That one song we did was pretty emotional but I was surprised to find they were a more progressive band and that song wasn't really indicative of their general sound.
I really share your opinion, first Efrick's main guitar riff sounds evil, that Balkan riff is very surprising, the part from min 8 to 13 I always thought it was like a celebration towards the end of the world, after that there is a very melodic part of the song that sounds like defeat, the end sounds like hope. Godspeed's music is very. Pretty
The real name of this song was albanian which make sense due to east europe theme in it. Btw even if this recording is great, i really appreciate it cause it is raw and noisy BUT live it's just another thing / expérience
The noisiest gy!be song is probably piss crowns are trebled.
Do Storm from them its their most Well known song and its amazing.
I've seen them live twice, they rock up on stage with instruments that look like they are about to fall apart, no composer, no audience interaction. No conductor! Amazing experience all around.
Two tracks of note for me are Moya and Behemoth. Moya is a slow build to a final transition, by far my favorite track. Behemoth was a live piece around 40 minutes long which was eventually released on the album Asunder, sweet and other distress. A lot of the members are part of Silver Mt Zion. Lots of good stuff there.
Definitely do the song Sleep if you want to give them another shot. As good as music had ever gotten.
When you ask "what is the instrument on the right" it's just a guitar with a MASSIVE wah effect through other effects. Note that they use sometimes screwdrivers of guitars ^^
And to answer to your questions: They are 9 , they started as 2 or 3 (for unreleased album) then 15 and then reduced as 9. They swap often of drumers but the rest of the line up is the same since they are reduced to 9. There is an other weird band called The Kilimanjaro Dark Jazz Ensemble (the genre is in the title, i guess you noticed it ahah) I think you can check some of there songs :)
And no there is no interview of them (or maybe 3 or 4 but not more and no recently), i still don't understand how they are so famous without making any promotion. Nothing at all. I know them thanks to internet, and they changed my life and my way to make music ahah
Great info, especially the screwdriver bit. I gotta remember that they use unorthodox playing techniques in the future when I'm trying to figure out what instruments I'm hearing.
A dirty song, a dirty man, a dirty war. I love it (the song that is)
Apologies for any repeats:
Mladic was named after Ratko Mladic, the infamous Bosnian Serb colonel who was convicted of war crimes. The piece has existed in earlier live renditions (as in 2003) under the working title of “Albanian”.
The classical comparison is apt as they have had working titles evoking Steve Reich and Henryk Gorecki.
I think your thoughts on the band are great and personally find great appreciation is the gradual nature of the transitions. I can get lost in these songs for hours... I would be really interesting to hear your thoughts on some other post rock tracks that might satisfy your desire for less meandering, but still with a depth of sound that can just blow you away....
Explosions in the Sky - Greet Death (I might be biased as this was sorta my entry point to the genre)
We Lost the Sea - A Gallant Gentleman (watch the Live at 301 Studios recording)... reading the story behind their album Departure Songs adds a whole extra level.
This Will Destroy You - Quiet (just f------g epic.)
and so many more... like the PAINFULLY short track from If These Trees Could Talk, Deus Ex Machina.
I'm turning on notifications and hoping to see some of these tracks come around! Best wishes!
This track is simply pretty unique. The first thing I see is a nasty old steam locomotive slowly getting into motion but then getting dangerously quick (which is right when the drum beat moves on from simple 4/4 snare hits to a pattern and gets faster). The second movement would probably find place in a movie where someone hunts someone else through a bazaar. The bridge plus the last movement is simply war. All very dense (as if it all happened on the surface of Venus), and filled with a quite sinister energy. Cinematic would probably be the description I would give to GY!BE in general (and also to this track in particular) if I had to reduce it all to one attribute. Their best or maybe most interesting tracks are cinematic in a very surreal sense - but they also have accessible melodic stuff. When I listened to it for the first time, it was all just noise to me, though. Now I think the album where this track is pulled from might be their best, even if this can hardly be justified in lieu of the Antennas to Heaven album.
If you want something like GSYBE but shorter and more centered, I suggest Grails. They’re phenomenal
Mladic is arguably the greatest song ever made in my opinion. Great video
🤨
Masters. I’ve seen them live twice and it is an absolute TREAT for any music enthusiast
"Alright, I'm going to be completely honest, I have no idea what happened in that song."
Oh man Bryan you had me dying laughing at that statement and how you said it.
Haven't listened to this song in a while and forgot how good it is. I'd say it's definitely one of their more accessible sounding songs, not that it's accessible sounding at all lol. I have seen them play this song live and yes it is insane.
Something interesting to note is that even though they're probably in my top 5 favorite bands, I don't listen to them that often myself. It's really intense, serious listening that you have to be in the mood for, even if you love it like I do.
No conductor. They have like 8-10 members. They are truly a unique, transcendent band.
Next Godspeed reaction should be a live one. Who knows of a really good high quality one?
Glad I can be entertaining between my rambling 😂
Live is probably the best next step for me though. I have a pretty strong idea of what GY!BE is by this point but the performative aspect still amazes me. I've gotta see that at one point.
I think you would love "Storm" from them, it's more melodic and less drony than the songs you've listened so far
It's been a while since I listened to this track, so thanks to those who requested because it is a gorgeous song. This track is from GY!BE second run. They went on an extended hiauts after their third album (the first track you checked by them was from the record), I think the second one was also from this period. They are a weird band, but there's definitely a bit more emphasis on melody than on previous albums (even if I still prefer their first two over their later work). There's a lot of groove here, it is very interesting. And yeah, I agree with the avantgarde band, with strong post-rock elements. And I also agree that it's the kind of "cheat" genre lol
There is a LOT of post rock about, its a very crowded field that's been around for over 25 years but for the most part, the bands don't use classical instruments. Godspeed are probably the most ambitious in the number of instruments and musicians they employ, but albums of 10-20 minute songs with no lyrics are not uncommon. Mono are a band from Japan who work in a similar style, thryve been around since the early 2000's and are still releasing albums.
Godspeed! Is one of the greatest bands of all time. They so brilliantly encompassed the circumstance of our modern era with their visionary sound. Godspeed! Is absolutely brilliant and aesthetically satisfying in so many ways. They are a great band for any modern human to listen to at least once in their lives; and hopefully deserve a deeper listen from that first time on.
Going to a GYBE concert is like this:
1) boredom
2) panic attack
3) extasis
As a person who doesn’t enjoy their music much, I thought Static and Sleep were fantastic
I'll have to check them out and see if they work for me.
They have two drummers Bryan alongside one double bass/bass player, one bass player, violinist, three guitarists and on occasions a cellist.....
So glad I found this channel. I’ve been binging all day lol
Glad to hear it!
I've discover that band from the piece East Hasting that play in the movie 28 days later, since then I am a fan, knowing they from my city also MTL, I was happy :) When that album and thay song Mladic came out it quickly became my favorite, all that slow powerful intro just gives me shiver everytime.
I would love to see you react to anything at all off of the album "Rossz Csillag Alatt Született" by Venetian Snares for variety week.
It would also be fun to see you react to "Remote Viewing 5" by Coil, the beginning of this song reminded me of it a little.
My favourite GY!BE song. The pay off is just so sweet, even if the build up starts up pretty rough.
React to Storm, it's an amazing Song🤟🏻
You should def check out Sleep by gybe next, def what I would call their most ‘accessible’ song. That and East Hastings
Guitar/Guitar/Guitar/Drum/Percussionist/Bass/Bass.Double Bass/Violin..8 members on stage.I think the part you thought was triangle was hammered dulcimer.They are also known for playing guitars to sound like strings using a screwdriver as a bow.
This song sounds so heavy live.
Agreed. Do "Storm." Easily their most beautiful and uplifting song.
“With his arms outstretched”
😭😭😭😭😭
I'd recommend the three parts of "Anthem for No State"--but you really do need to see them live. My then-78 year old partner, a Deadhead, who had never listened to them before, volunteered half-way through, "They're _mesmerizing_ ."
Coming in late: the percussion finale are samplings from the Montréal student marches/riots of spring 2012 (you can hear cars honk in the back). There's a whole holographic nugget of meaning in this. Just thought I'd drop it here for the sheer fun and trivia.
The music of Godspeed is not for everyone, not everyone can enjoy a slow transition to a brutal climax, by the way there are not 15, 20 musicians, there are 9, they do not have a director to guide them, each musicians their own director, their music It is in another total level to the other bands and that is unique in them, if you ask me, they can have influences from classical music, progressive rock, jazz by the drums and punk by the fury they present in their music only someone who appreciates different textures and changes in music will appreciate godspeed otherwise it will only seem boring in. My case I enjoy their music as you have no idea how they do that melancholic makes you remember stages, experiences of life and that is satisfactory
I have no idea what just happened but I had fun.
Sometimes that's all that needs to happen with music 😁
Another vote for Mogwai here - Mogwai Fear Satan would be great to see you analyze.
Mogwai is another great post rock band
Thank you for your reaction! When I first heard this song, it was referred to as “Albanian” in concert
(Only 4:30 in right now) If you want slow burn, check out Sovereign by Neurosis. ;)
If nothing else, I have to give you props for your creativity and devotion 😂
@@CriticalReactions That's all I could hope for. 😅
WITH HIS ARMS OUT STRETCHED
Musical Monkey Bars is probably the best and most accurate reviews I have seen for Godspeed You! haha... I love these guys... have you tried the song Moya? I will check out you other GYBE videos. Saw them live in the early 2000s... was epic. Dead Flag Blues blew me away.
Another disciplined group - Nisennenmondai (roughly 'Y2K Bug'). Check out their Boiler Room performance.
This is a great soundtrack for a bizarre road trip through a bizarre landscape. What a rush it is when that theme finally kicks in: whoosh!
Although I adore Godspeed, if you're looking for a band that's often a little less "slow" and little more "burn," you should check out Mogwai. See their Government Commissions: BBC Radio Sessions for their live prowess. It's all live BBC recordings. The song "Like Herod" will melt your face off.
Do the dead flag blues
12:58 the face i make whenever that part comes up. So friggin dirty
Best band in the world.. game over
Great breakdowns at the end of your videos 😁
I enjoy your reactions and I know you have a backlog that would break the spirit of most but I have a request.
Killers by Apologies I Have None.
Done! We'll get to them eventually 😅
@@CriticalReactions You’re doing the lawds work!
This was a fucking cool track oO
This is the track where I finally "got" GY!BE (although I've got to admit that this does kind of sound like them doing Hawkwind).
i need a critical reaction to The Voidz songs
Please review Piss Crowns Are Trebled it’s another Godspeed track. Great video!
Hell yeah man, Godspeed are amazing!
Time and space do not matter...if you are really Mladic. Even for Mario and Yosh!! Godspeed them :-)
You should listen to their piece 'Rockets Fall on Rocket Falls'
try some of Beardfish, maybe the song Sunrise, it's an amazing band, also super eclectic too
Still waiting on VEKTOR Recharging the void!
React to more of Sigur Rós!
I'm liking these new themes... Although it's not a 'what genre is this' type song. I'd recommend listening to Down by Love and Death for future another theme or even if it's just a request
The song title may be a reference to Ratko Mladic Although I don't get the point.
I recommend Moya.....saying that! these are a must see live. I real intense tho captivating experience!
You should check out something like Sleep's Antarcticans Thawed, it has some interesting tempo changes and is a little more conventional.
Incredible band.🤘
Seen them a few times, truly stunning live.
Personally I think the best song to start with is Moya.
You definitely should do Storm
Akphaezya- Utopia is a great eclectic track
post rock buddy
Don't ask him more of Godzipeezi, pervert patrons.
Stop torturing him.
Oh man. This song...
It's funny you say the beginning reminds you of a bagpipe because for the longest time, I actually thought it was a bagpipe.
In their latest albums, they turned away from the long 20 minute slow burns, and they started making shorter 5-10 minute songs that are more "to the point" and are actually pretty heavy. I see a lot of people recommending Sleep and Storm. And while those are both fantastic songs, I recommend one of their "newer" songs: Peasantry Or 'Light! Inside Of Light!' (the name is weird but thats just one song) and its only 10 minutes and like this song, its more melody based.
And I totally got your monkey bar analogy lol