MUSIC DIRECTOR REACTS | Polyphia - Playing God (Drum Playthrough) Clay Aeschliman

I loved that little segment of his backstory and introduction to drumkit!

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#polyphia #Reaction #DrumRollTonyReacts

[DrumRollTonyReacts]

⏩Video Question: Which drummer would you compare Clay to for similar playing styles?

[teion.]

This is like the champagne of reaction channels -- genuine emotion immediately followed by informed & well-communicated analysis. Everyone else uploading Bud Light in comparison.

[zackmash]

the drums are locked into EVERY OTHER PLAYER in this band so well. he hits those splash cymbals along with scottie's harmonic accents, pushes the beat on the hi-hat with tim's 16th note onslaught, all while the kick is locked in perfectly with clay's long bass notes. you hear it perfectly in the last part of the song

[lasagnahog]

Clay going 5 years or so without touching the drums is one of the more inspiring things I've read. I usually think of virtuosos as more or less shut ins dedicated to their instrument. I know that isn't totally true but for as good as Clay is I would have guessed he's been at it constantly since his youth.

[justinswartz]

It's his ability to know when not to play that's crazy, often leaving off even at the END of his runs and phrases to make room for the guitars and bass to really cut through. He doesn't just hold the rhythm down he accents the entire piece.

[jordanlarson]

Clay's cymbal work is some of my favorite I've seen from any drummer.

[wellingtonjames]

The fact this his playing can actually pull my focus away from the guitar is crazy!

[TheANDROIDDAB]

OMG, what you said about drummers adding a ton of notes and muddying up a section is EXACTLY how I felt about their previous drummer, Brandon! He’s a great drummer, and very technically proficient, but he never felt like he wanted to be in a band and MIX his playing with the music! Clay is the exact opposite! Everything he writes seems to compliment everything going on around him, with him getting tasty pockets to showcase his skills, making them STANDOUT in such a beautiful way!

Also, you recognizing that just gained you a subscriber, as I appreciate your insight and this reaction as a whole! 😁

[jlogc]

The way this man uses space is just insane.

[sjolson]

I just found Polyphia a few weeks ago and I've been blown away, as so many people are. Clay is my favorite drummer since Mike Portnoy and has captured me just like MP did. Wow.

I found Dream Theater thanks to a guy working in Guitar Center on Oahu in '92 right after Images and Words was released - I was just getting strings and noodling on some ESP and he heard my NY accent and asked if I ever heard of DT. The rest, as they say, is history.

[Nicksizzle]

Finally someone who has musical knowledge (even moreso with drumline) who can react and appreciate the tastiness of Clay.
I recommend checking out Christ Turner. Both "40 Roll" and "Triggered". I guarantee you'll love it.

[ZacharyRodriguez]

Love all the little things you point out, like when the drums and guitar line up. I've watched Clay's play throughs, but I inevitably overlook something. Definitely boosts my appreciation of the music.

[animalach]

You have a great personality and I love the way you break down his playing. Even though a lot of what you're saying is flying right over my head I still love listening to it. Love the vids. Keep it up!

[Keoki]

Thank you so much for your awesome breakdown of this song. I just found Playing God and I'm on the trip down the rabbit hole and now I'm stuck on your reactions and it's so awesome and your comments are so interesting and your going back was so intense. Thanks again for this! New fan my man!🔥🔥🔥

[hazard_]

OD should definitely be your next Polyphia song followed by Clay's drum play through on the Meinl Cymbals YouTube channel.

[adruiddrummer]

Seeing videos like this where the drummer has the kit set up in their house and the other parts are only coming in thru their headphones makes me think of neighbors' perceptions. Some of us have had musicians for neighbors who practice their parts and a drum part has a lot of power so it can come thru walls really easily, and some folks would hear a drum kit being played and just consider it noise.

But...

If this was your neighbor and you got to hear this artist doing what he does? I don't even think that your typical grumpy-ass neighbor would hear something like this and not enjoy it. It's so busy, but intricate and clean, and it's not repetitive or boring. I just don't see how anyone could NOT love this. 🔥🔥🔥❤❤❤

[buzzpsy]

Sir first of all, love your awesome reactions, secondly I followed you on twitch and it's so cool you do a different content there, very few does the same, this band is super killer and really enjoying their music ❣️

[kc_jones_gaming]

He puts all that cool voicing on the symbols. He reserves it on the skins when it will add flavor. It’s all very meticulously written and I think only Clay can perform it solid every time. Good stuff

[sillyredsheep]

I knew the first time I heard him play that he had drumline experience. You can really hear a lot of the influence that drumline has on his kit playing.

[BrianKapellusch]

That series of fills starting at 9:59 is just insane