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GMC Forum _ CHILL OUT _ What Is Djent?
Posted by: Mertay Jan 17 2014, 01:05 AM
Probably I'm getting old for this music but always curious to learn 
I'm more curious on the elements of creativity or approach (or simply "why" you like?) rather than how to play or perform. Like it or not seems its getting more popular everyday, I could even see that by just looking at the new ibanez catalog
I found this video and seems it sort of gives the basics well;
Anyone else would like to add info? I'm also curious as in these music transformations usually the more interesting comments comes from the younger 
Posted by: Taka Perry Jan 17 2014, 01:15 AM
I think djent is more of a sound than a genre. Its literally an onomatopoeia of the palm muted low string. It commonly seems to have really technical playing, as well as use of polyrhythms and odd meters. I believe that Meshuggah is one of the pioneers of the djent sound, but more recent bands like Periphery and TessracT have brought it to the masses. I'm on phone so I can't embed YouTube, but I'd suggest you search up two songs that are very different but still have a djent sound in them.
Meshuggah - Bleed
TesseracT - Exile
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 17 2014, 10:13 AM
Meshuggah - Bleed
TesseracT - Exile
Taka you are right! The thing is this subgenre of metal has started with Meshuggah, BUT the melodic/ orchestration side was the merit of Devin Townsend
Layered and spacy melodies are his specialty. You can observe the beautiful clash between the brutality of low end mean riffs, polyrhythms and layered melodies - I think this would be a good definition
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jan 17 2014, 10:33 AM
Certainly I'm not a fan of djent. But I always try to listen any style and find some interesting things.
About djent I like the idea of syncopated guitar riffs. IMO must have a good rhythmic skills to play this. Is not as easy as it looks.
What I don't like at all is that distinctive high-gain Too unpleasant for my taste
Posted by: Taka Perry Jan 17 2014, 11:04 AM
About djent I like the idea of syncopated guitar riffs. IMO must have a good rhythmic skills to play this. Is not as easy as it looks.
What I don't like at all is that distinctive high-gain
Too unpleasant for my taste I definitely see what you mean. Bands like Meshuggah are am acquired taste. You might like TeseracT though, they're a fair bit mellover, especially on their new album. If you can find their song Exile on YouTube, you might like it
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jan 17 2014, 11:42 AM
Yes, you understand very well what I wanted to mean
Even if djent it's not my style for sure it's a style that I want learn to play, actually more than play, to understand it. If I will be able to play all that syncopated riffs, I will not have problems with rhythmic part or some timming issues. Everything has to sound like a clock
To make a song how I have in mind, it must be a combination between more styles and this djent riffs must be there (but just for a piece from the song)
TesseracT -Exile sounds really great and I like very much the vocal voice
Posted by: Darius Wave Jan 17 2014, 11:54 AM
I like to listen to a few of djent bands but djent is not something that naturally comes out of my head. I like some bands for messing a lot with the harmony and giving all this space with pads or guitars + delay while at the same moment having rhythmically advanced backing guitars.
Posted by: thefireball Jan 17 2014, 04:22 PM
You guys should check out http://store.moderndaybabylon.net/. They have the Djent elements but have interesting atmospheric things going on in the background.
Posted by: Mertay Jan 17 2014, 08:22 PM
Hey guys (and girls ) sorry for the late response as today was a bit busy. Thanks to all great responses by the way!
So as far as I understand what we used to call progressive (not rock) metal is now called as djent? 
Though not very much, I do like and listen Tesseract, Devin townsend but can't really compare them (or find enough similarities) with meshuggah or periphery...or maybe I shouldn't think of djent as a genre?
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 17 2014, 09:42 PM
The term "DJENT" is widely credited to MISHA MANSOOR of the band PERIPHERY. He has said many times that he never intended it to be used as a genre description. It was simply the way he described the palm muted, chunk sound that he likes to use when writing music. It has since taken on a life of it's own. It's often used to describe bands who use really heavy, low tuned, high gain, palm muted guitar rythms paired with complex/polyrythmic drum/bass.
It covers a LOT of ground to be honest Generally, if it's deep and crunchy/muted, and you could not dance to it, it might be DJENT
Todd
) sorry for the late response as today was a bit busy. Thanks to all great responses by the way! So as far as I understand what we used to call progressive (not rock) metal is now called as djent?
Though not very much, I do like and listen Tesseract, Devin townsend but can't really compare them (or find enough similarities) with meshuggah or periphery...or maybe I shouldn't think of djent as a genre?
Posted by: Mertay Jan 17 2014, 09:45 PM
Todd
Lol!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 18 2014, 04:47 AM
heheh. Good one eh?
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 18 2014, 07:02 AM
BTW here is a DJENT"ish" little guitar bit just for reference I was working on a guitar rythm that would work as a quick and dirty djent example. Serendipity
The tone is done simply by using the GUITAR GODS expansion preset pack for EZ MIX 2 from TOON TRACK. The guys from Meshuggah and Periphery did some of the presets and they are spot on! Or you can buy an axe fx/kemper or a Randall Satan/Mesa etc. for quite a bit more
https://soundcloud.com/techniqueswithtodd/djentmuch-tone-test-pro-tone
) sorry for the late response as today was a bit busy. Thanks to all great responses by the way! So as far as I understand what we used to call progressive (not rock) metal is now called as djent?
Though not very much, I do like and listen Tesseract, Devin townsend but can't really compare them (or find enough similarities) with meshuggah or periphery...or maybe I shouldn't think of djent as a genre?
Posted by: Darius Wave Jan 18 2014, 11:43 AM
Modern Day Babylon - guitar player is very cool and kind guy We found each other via YT few years back I like his compositions
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 19 2014, 09:32 AM
) sorry for the late response as today was a bit busy. Thanks to all great responses by the way! So as far as I understand what we used to call progressive (not rock) metal is now called as djent?
Though not very much, I do like and listen Tesseract, Devin townsend but can't really compare them (or find enough similarities) with meshuggah or periphery...or maybe I shouldn't think of djent as a genre?
Devin has created the layered style of orchestrations and vocals, a long time before the idea of 'djent' was ever mentioned. He is practically the one responsible with the melodic part that inspired bands such as Tesseract or Periphery - out of what I know.
Posted by: Taka Perry Jan 19 2014, 02:39 PM
There's too many subgenres! maybe soon we will have post-djentcore or something rediculous like that. Music is music, and if you're trying to write only in a particular genre, you are severely limiting your creativity
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 19 2014, 04:29 PM
maybe soon we will have post-djentcore or something rediculous like that. Music is music, and if you're trying to write only in a particular genre, you are severely limiting your creativity Good point here
I have the same opinion on the matter - there's two types of music: the one that managed to move you and the one who didn't..
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 19 2014, 07:36 PM
Hey! Nice thread. That first video is very clarifying and give some basic tips to get into the guitar Djent style. I'm always open to new styles and this style attacks me because of the sound, guitar tones, technical playing, clean atmospheres, but for any reason I get bored soon. I haven't found great songs yet, just great riffs, rhytms and guitar tones... this could be the main reason why I just listen to some songs and then get bored. The last days I have been listening a bit more to periphery and I could listen more than 3 songs, so maybe my ear is starting to enjoy it more.
Posted by: Mertay Jan 19 2014, 08:46 PM
Personally I'm not all negative to genre logic;
Incase someone missed to read about it, genre was created by record companies to simply catalog and sell their records easier. As in the past (pre-casette) its was very hard to record/duplicate a vinyl for the ordinary customer so this helped them to find music when they were shopping.
What I like about it is the transformation as it became a culture, there is a lot of research on this and they're fun to read or watch. This is slowly dieing today but as an example, if I tell someone I listen to x music and specially like Y bands in that genre I'm giving away a lot of analysis of my personality or even the fashion of what I wear daily
But this djent term isn't giving this and I'm not sure how this word can be used in musical communication (when used alone). Like, if one says he likes playing djent and wants to jam with me I'll pretty much have no idea what to expect from him seems this term is currently either too full or too empty atleast today.
Posted by: Azzaboi Jan 20 2014, 03:28 AM
What is Djent? ... Chugga chugga chugga!!!
Best to start slowly.
Here's the full tab:
E String) 0 0 0 1 00 0 0 (repeat, plus add totally awesomeness)
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 20 2014, 08:52 AM
Incase someone missed to read about it, genre was created by record companies to simply catalog and sell their records easier. As in the past (pre-casette) its was very hard to record/duplicate a vinyl for the ordinary customer so this helped them to find music when they were shopping.
What I like about it is the transformation as it became a culture, there is a lot of research on this and they're fun to read or watch. This is slowly dieing today but as an example, if I tell someone I listen to x music and specially like Y bands in that genre I'm giving away a lot of analysis of my personality or even the fashion of what I wear daily
But this djent term isn't giving this and I'm not sure how this word can be used in musical communication (when used alone). Like, if one says he likes playing djent and wants to jam with me I'll pretty much have no idea what to expect from him
seems this term is currently either too full or too empty atleast today.You are right as well
Classifications have appeared for a good reason, but in respect to communicating with other folks about music, I think it's easier to relate to a state of mind rather then a genre. If one tells me that he likes aggressive music, I will have a general idea about what he likes in respect to what that music transmits. Be aware that I did not state aggressive metal - aggressive means aggressive - it can be hip-hop or even electronic music. That's why I think that it's best to understand a certain spirit and try to lean into it if you wish to communicate well with other folks in terms of music, jamming or even more aspects.
Posted by: Mertay Jan 20 2014, 12:36 PM
Ah yes then I think in time it will be used as a musical term like we use "texture" or "coloration"
Reason I find these important is when I first started college, we had a teacher giving great importance to being able to speak music. We listened a song and she asked each person if he/she liked or disliked it. That was the easy part, next was why it was liked or disliked and we realized the answers didn't have much depth to them (as an answering musician)
This really helped me later on, besides better communication one can standout in a crowd when needed for his/her career or needed momentarily attention.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 21 2014, 09:32 AM
Reason I find these important is when I first started college, we had a teacher giving great importance to being able to speak music. We listened a song and she asked each person if he/she liked or disliked it. That was the easy part, next was why it was liked or disliked and we realized the answers didn't have much depth to them (as an answering musician)
This really helped me later on, besides better communication one can standout in a crowd when needed for his/her career or needed momentarily attention.
Wow, you can study these things in college?
To me, it seems amazing because no one I heard coming from a music college here had to deal with such important aspects in music studies.What exactly did you study mate?
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 21 2014, 10:31 AM
Reason I find these important is when I first started college, we had a teacher giving great importance to being able to speak music. We listened a song and she asked each person if he/she liked or disliked it. That was the easy part, next was why it was liked or disliked and we realized the answers didn't have much depth to them (as an answering musician)
This really helped me later on, besides better communication one can standout in a crowd when needed for his/her career or needed momentarily attention.
This is very interesting mate. I had something close to this at the University but not related with taste. We had to analyze music from Gregorian chant, to classical and contemporary. We analyzed texture, structures, arrangements, rhythm, harmony and every relevant aspect. This made me appreciate music that I wasn't used to hear in a very deep way. I also have seen the evolution on music related to rhythm, harmony, genres and arrangements. Very interesting stuff.
Posted by: Mertay Jan 21 2014, 12:40 PM
To me, it seems amazing because no one I heard coming from a music college here had to deal with such important aspects in music studies.What exactly did you study mate?
Well, I first studied on classical music theory+composition but quit that school on 2.nd year, later I transfered here; http://music.bilgi.edu.tr/
The year I entered its jazz department for musicians stopped accepting new students and there was only 1 program which had lots of selectable classes (similar to todays program). I focused composition and soundtech there but also took some fun stuff
We had a teacher there which was into music philosophy and her lessons were very deep but cool
she's one of the smartest person I've ever met, I remember once went to speak to her about a lesson and during that 20 minute argument I started to feel dizzy I agree they are very important, a musician can't succeed without creating a personal understanding what he plays in depth otherwise it won't sound original.
To be honest today I forgot many of the things I learned but all those lessons heavily affected the way I think about music, I guess that was the point anyway
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 22 2014, 09:36 AM
Amazing! I think that regardless of the school you go to, if you have the great chance to meet with this sort of people, it's most definitely a great way to learn. The fun part is that they can be found anywhere It's important to recognize them and to build a strong bond if possible!
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