Tosin Abasi Interview

[trogdor125]

he knows what the fuck he is talking about

[SilhouetteJudas]

He's like the metal version of Robert Johnson.

[limewirevampire]

I mainly watched this because I kept wondering what his voice sounds like

[SuperGaleford]

He's quite good...but Victor Wootin called and he wants his style of play back.

[gir1258]

@SuperGaleford Too bad he taught the technique to Tosin himself...Shouldn't matter if he's using his style of play anyway; on that logic, people wouldn't be using any technique/playing styles at all.

[Boywykkyde]

@SuperGaleford WOW. Get it right. Stanley Clarke invented popping and slapping way before Victor Wooten was even conceived.

[Fantasydude14]

Dear Tosin... Learn the Contrabassoon.

[TheVintageyear]

We need more innovative guitarist like Tosin Abasi in this planet, wait a few years later and he'll be up there with virtuosos like Allan Holdsworth, Greg Howe, Brett Garsed, Shawn Lane, Guthrie Govan, John McLaughlin, Ron Jarzombek, Fredrik Thordendal, etc.

i'm tired listening to generic-technical-shreddings with no character that sound the same with repetitive and monotonous scales

[The12daughertye]

What's the gauge of his 8th string?

[SynVenganceShadows]

i dont think he realizes that he is a "shredder" like petrucci and vai

[MrSatanochio]

This guy is my new favorite guitar player. Master.

[lschatz1]

How can anyone dislike Tosin?!

[SuperGaleford]

@lschatz1 Um...perhaps they have a problem with people who are packing VFW halls.

[MrTakmil]

i like how he can't rest his hands and keeps strumming :D

[HeavyMetalVagabond]

very articulate guy, fantastic player too

[XxJoe1792xX]

well spoken guy. beast at guitar

[HeavyMetalVagabond]

@XxJoe1792xX just realized i pretty much copied your comment hahaha

[XxJoe1792xX]

@HeavyMetalVagabond lol its all good!

[uchihaitachi888]

This guy is amazing. Shut your shucking mouths, when you can play better than him I'll let you diss him.

[DeafSprungoffical]

you know i listen to his music and being a musician my self it saddens me not because i dont like it but because this man is so intellectually ahead of the music of this time. not to mention my hands burst into flames everytime i play his music xD

[LilReaper608]

he is such a fucking G

[MlKEPORNTOY]

Check out MIKE ORLANDO. He utterly annihilates this pug.

[greenbeaner69]

@MlKEPORNTOY no

[NO11YOU]

@MlKEPORNTOY Like this world really needs another cheesy uncreative guitar wanker.

[TheFunkInfection]

RIP 14:59

[DazandCona]

stretching your ear? is that a pun?

[Degslon]

when he listed his influences it immediately made sense why i love his style so much

[MoneyBagsMartinez]

Looks like a smaller version of the baseball player Ryan Howard

[SmileyMcGee900]

@unediteable ATTENTION YOUTUBE:

We must keep this mans post as the Top Comment

His song is absolutely fantastic, and if Tosin has seen it I'm sure it's exciting for him to see such incredible inspiration from his work.

If you haven't heard it, do yourself a favor and watch it.

The song is absolutely superb, not your typical boring you tuber.

SO PLEASE, this man deserves to be heard. Favorite it, share it, like it, and keep his comment the top rated

[unediteable]

@SmileyMcGee900 You have no idea how much this comment means to me, thank you so much for your support.

[LeapingDodo]

Meanwhile, i am sitting back doing muscle memory exorcises.

Trying to get my skill up to conservatory level before june (i have a acceptance performance and exam)

[thevgman]

You can tell he has the mind of a guitarist because even when he is talking, his hands are moving like he is playing notes, but not actually playing them. Its just a thing to point out

[WatchFTH]

dat thumb.....omg

[overlex]

0:00 to 0:48 Earth Departure :) great song

[letsmeltyourface]

i get it now... he challenges himself so intensely .. his skill years from now, ...holy shit

[letsmeltyourface]

tosin i knew once i heard my first AAL song, I just knew who you were, such solid legitimate answers

[KingJamesNBK187]

Hes style is as smart as he is..

[grungefano2513]

DC Niggas always got SWAGG, This is my new Hero, He plays Prog Metal, and can dress lol

[htirarith]

He's just aching to play that guitar the whole time.

[Vossajex]

Does anyone here the faint root notes of some 'Weightless' licks in his little doodlings?

[childrenofblackwidow]

"which can be tough sometimes", yeah sometimes....

[wahwahexitwound]

This dude rules!

[shibbyfoo929]

Ahh he's totally playing "To Lead You to an Overwhelming Questing" at the beginning...

[TbroBleet]

GREEN DAY!!!!!!!!

[ConsumingFire39]

@TbroBleet Is terrible.

[arpeggi5150]

Excuse me sir, but does this clarinet come with two extra strings?

[OfConscience]

In a genre that is flooded by mediocrity finally someone innovative enough comes around and changes not only the genre, but the way the genre is described to non metalheads and STILL race is brought up. Accept that this is the new bar to shoot for in guitar playing.

[DarthVrael]

@11:47 victor wooten up in this bitch ! >.<

[Purkinje90]

He mentioned Guthrie Govan! One of the greatest guitarists ever...along with Tosin.

[ConsumingFire39]

@Purkinje90 and Petrucci.

[EliteNoodle249]

I want a Fedora :(

[ImademyselfFast]

i like his style.. and guitarstyle of course

[coolstorybrooooooo]

Whoa 0:17 is the riff 3:20 into To Lead You To an Overwhelming Question. Weeeird how this video is almost 2 years old.

[JDDiizzle]

This man is truly brilliant. The way he describes things is just perfect. It really gets your mind to thinking. He's incredibly inspiring. He's a sage among men.

[uchihaitachi888]

Dangit, now i have to find MacDaddyPooty's comment so I can spam him...

[ArseLoad0fMetal666]

i don't really like his playing style at all as i think it just doesn't sound 'GOOD' but thats my personal preference, i think other than that he is a REALLY nice guy and although i'm not a djent fan i far prefer the PEOPLE in djent to the arrogant hipster fucks in metalcore bands at the moment

[METALdude1195]

I bet Tosin would kick ass on the clarinet

[ddave0822]

he had me convinced up until he said Kurt Cobain was one of his early influences :(

[landonech]

@ddave0822 You're a chode.

[ddave0822]

@landonech sorry that I don't like an overrated guitarist?

[guitarrhythymfool]

@ddave0822 Don't be so quick to rag on Kurt.

True, his music was often simplistic. But he had a good ear for melodies, and his forte was really songwriting anyways, not guitar playing.

But his riffs are catchy as fuck.

[landonech]

@ddave0822 ...Because if that's what you were "convinced of", then him being inspired by Kurt doesn't change any of that and is completely irrelevant.

[ddave0822]

@landonech it was a joke dude, calm down. Tosin is still one of my favorite modern musicians, i just hate how people continually list Cobain as an influence or a good guitarist. because he's not good at all.

[bubsadoozy]

@ddave0822 That's just your opinion man, shut the fuck up. Music is subjective.

[ddave0822]

@bubsadoozy you seem to be getting quite mad over something subjective.

[bubsadoozy]

@ddave0822 At least you understand now :)

[tubamilk1]

this dude is dude is charlie parker with a guitar.

[METALdude1195]

are people seriously concerned with the fact that he's black?

[csl316]

I try doing the same when it comes to practicing, at 3:40. Kind of getting inspired by what I'm listening to at the time.

Granted, I'm still miles behind Mr. Abasi, here.

[rockadelic07]

the future of METAL is here,,,thank you Tosin..

[montes513]

He definitely plays some stuff from the new album in the intro to this video...and this was posted in January of 2010. IT WAS HERE THE WHOLE TIME!

[bernstock]

Dude. Legendary :)

[TheRedKestrel]

I love that even while he's talking his fingers are drawn to the guitar; He can't stop, it feels too good.

[Valkyrjah]

@12:02 sharp. that beginning phrase sounds almost like the intro to the first song, "An Infinite Regression" off their new album: Weightless.

[ultraviolence6655321]

what a wonderful chap.

[DamageIncM]

No he's not, he's from another planet, just like Joe Satriani...

They should jam together, they'd probably call the mothership...

[magma3000]

I've been learning, but mostly failing at Sweep and Hybrid Picking.

[blackblurable]

Dude's a musical genius. His new album leaked on here but was taken down after like 12 hours or so. I got to hear like 4-6 songs and it was fucking amazing! He is so unique and different from every other guitarist and his technique is mind blowing. The only thing that makes me cum buckets more than his guitar playing is Odette Yustman <3

[misanthropyeternal]

@FreemanPontifex Is that an Obama joke? I'm serious, where is Tosin from?

[DrumCoalitionWithWar]

This man gives metal a good name. He needs to go down in the books ! He is a class A musician ! BUT WHAT!!! He's a metalhead !!?

[misanthropyeternal]

Where is Tosin from?

[FreemanPontifex]

@misanthropyeternal Definitely Kenya.

[FreemanPontifex]

@misanthropyeternal Actually, I've been checking all over the internet and every source says he's "based" in Washington DC, which makes it pretty clear he doesn't want the world to know. So probably Kenya.

[loki8lelouch7]

@misanthropyeternal hes from Washington, Dc he told me himself

[tinadenfinaNOT]

I love how he keeps playing "silently" during the interview :P 

[maxinator96]

@tinadenfinaNOT He's probably like me, it makes him feel more comfortable when talking :)

[RebeccasMusic93]

The legend of the crossroads has now been altered...you now go to the crossroads and sell your soul to Tosin Abasi haha XD

[fatso1ification]

He comes across pretty humble despite obviously having monster chops. Tosin is the one guy using 8-string in the most creative and expansive way of all the metal stuff that's somewhat big at all.

[drigler]

 Tosin, you classy motherfucker. You make me and all the other black metalheads proud.

[MartyFriedmanRulez66]

@drigler amen to that brother

[rololoo]

Nice playing but I don't really like that tone, he deserves better pickups

[person8132]

@rololoo He uses a custom Ibanez semihollow 8 string sometimes and he uses passives in that guitar.

[tallblackpunk]

now can adults adopt other adults? TOSIN ADOPT ME

[MattPurkis]

tthe best part is how much he loves what he does.

[Runbassskaterock]

amazing musician. great interview too

[Doodooma]

such a unique style. Animals as Leaders is incredible. Made me start seeing as not just music, but an art aswell. my best wishes to this man and his projects.

[taraskovaliv]

I like this dude. - He's veryintelligent, modest, and truly creative. Refreshing - definitely not a stereotype metal head.

[liembk]

his fingers are really long!

[BrokenWingman]

Hell yes! Another musician who just expands on whatever his hands produce: spontaneous playing.

[iSometimesWriteMusic]

A clarinet you say? Tosin could probably make it sound like the Inception horn.

[iSometimesWriteMusic]

A clarinet you say? Tosin could probably make it sound like the Inception horn.

[Holktube]

AAL is definitely amazing, but he's right. It is one of those bands that require you to actively listen to them, until you understand what it is that you're hearing. Only when everything clicks into place does the album really begin to ring out.

[Cakes912]

I think the devil lost a bet and now Tosin has the devil's hands. Just watch them, he doesn't even look like he knows what his hands are doing! Its like they're possessed!

[nate11star]

He should put a couple of strings more.... 8 is not enough

[fingerboy18]

He should play bass.

[tbizhere]

is he sloppy as shit?

[TheDeathangl]

@tbizhere no

[blacklabel67k]

@tbizhere what?!

[toomas65]

I saw you today live in Estonia, and wanted to say that you are überfantastic.

So is your band, good luck:)

[Buttnugglet]

his thumb looks like a big shrimp

[xXDandZXx]

I love how you can see his hand creepin along the fretboard while he's still talking

[devchemist]

that's cool what he says about how no technique should be avoided. 

[CapnPuff69]

what is that strange slap finger picking technique he uses?

[galatonim]

12:17 his thumb looks like a penis lol

[Rockyroopam]

05:50 I love how he doesn't know how to answer the question about what challenges hi has :p

[neversurdender]

@Rockyroopam hes all like Challenges What are these challenges i am the god of the guitar XD

[Guitarmazdur]

haha i remember when i first discovered that the notes get higher going down the neck XD god that feels like it was forever ago

[lifefocus]

I love how he just keeps making chords while he's talking.

[Pactoren]

"i guess people like it"? tosin you have no idea <3

[toolfan298]

@Pactoren He really doesn't. I had a chance to talk to him on the Summer Slaughter tour a few years back in San Diego. He's very humble and after listening to my rant on how incredibly revolutionary he and the rest of AAL are, he looked to Javier and said, "Wow, I can't believe these kids actually like us"... All I can say is, Tosin's given me a whole new perspective on music I couldn't have even dreamed of.

[katiecorrupt]

hes a true genius. he is playing while hes talking. he talks about his practicing. but he practices without even doing so on purpose. just wow. music is runnig through his veins.

[HolyCheezitsDan]

God prays to Tosin Abasi.

[boosted928]

One of my favorite guitar players. My god, he is a genius.

[bsting601]

sik sik sik sik!!!!

[6Lunar6Strain6]

Why cant more musicians be like tosin he wants to do his own shit make his own style. But every other band in the fucking world now is an attack attack wana be or suicide silence wana be

[Jamsessionroom1337]

@6Lunar6Strain6 Because not every player can play like him, like he said creativity is either gonna make or break you in the music industry, he's lucky he found a fan base that like his music.

[TakiCyke]

8:45. I love Tosin's ideas on music.

[TakiCyke]

8:85. I love Tosin's ideas on music.

[DeathPanorama]

I love that he utilizes a technique that Victor Wooten uses for his really fast parts. He's one of the most unique players today and I'm really stoked to hear more from Animals As Leaders.

[MarkAlexanderYoung]

he must be immortal....



[Nimbly0Bimbly]

I swear to god every time he just riffs I can hear it in songs WHY CAN'T I DO THAT

[sameagain]

Animals as Leaders is one of those bands where if someone mentions Tosin or Animals as Leaders or 8 string guitars, I have to stop what I'm doing and listen to their album all the way through.

[UberCoolBen]

What an amazing guy! More metal fans should be like him.

[PRWOLF1212]

did anyone notice that he's constantly changing chords?

[chaos01011001]

@PRWOLF1212 Def the entire time threw, it reminded me a bit of the dudes from metalocalypse with the none stop finger work.

[philifan313]

this guys makes me jizz my pants all the time! i get eargasms everytime i krank up CAFO in my car!!!!

[wolfman109h]

the secret is the hat!

[MrCReagan]

hes only played 15 years. Holy shit.

[TorontoLibertarian]

Fuckin 8 strings.

Damn it, I'm pissed.

That should be me.

[MarkAllen9]

This is one freakin classy guy. So cool!

[doublebass08]

I like how he makes different chords just while talking :)

[ChyronIsChillin]

Tosin Abasi is just about as badass as a name can get.

[Neltheros]

@ChyronIsChillin thats true :P

[Anarnt13]

what is he saying at 8:42 - 8:45 ??? my english is bad

[qwertyize9]

@Anarnt13 he just talks about artists that inspired him

[pdMAGaus]

I would really love to know who dresses him...

[andersdmoney]

@pdMAGaus Probably himself dude!

[pdMAGaus]

@andersdmoney truly a class act...

[adrinhxc]

Lmfao i love how when Abasi starts talkin, at around 8:23 talking about his hands, he starts doing riffs nd shit, hahahhaha

[elasticmachinery]

Metal Yogi Bear

[Lucifer9387]

Inspiring interview. thank you!

[sixstringwizard06]

The very beginning, when the jamplay logo is fading in, the plucking sounds like Don Cab. Is there any style Tosin cant do?

[RIPGLITCH]

victor wooten of the electric guitar?

[AnimalsAsLeadersAAL]

LOVE EM!!

[HauntedFart]

The beginning of this is literally the worst thing I've ever heard someone do to a guitar. It parallels CC deville.

[mitchellminami]

@HauntedFart WHAT?!?!?

[DiscreetDropkick]

@HauntedFart yea gtfo

[MrIKTPQ4life]

@HauntedFart Ass. Hole.

[barneycockburn]

I would follow him into war

[TheZooberman]

@barneycockburn as he plays on impulse bullets flying hahahahahhahhahahahahahah

[barneycockburn]

@TheZooberman Haha he'd take an M16 outfitted with EMG's