Misha Mansoor (Periphery): Six Songs To Die With
Periphery mastermind Misha Mansoor chooses Six Songs To Die With.
We have neither the budget nor the imagination of BBC Radio, so we've borrowed from their Desert Island Discs program to bring you our own scaled down version, dubbed Six Songs To Die With. We ask a noteworthy musical guest to select the six songs they'd be stranded with on an obligatory desert island. Hypothetically, said guest will be dying on this island, so they've been advised to choose wisely. Selections appear in no particular order.
Nearly ten years ago, Periphery was born when guitarist Misha Mansoor started posting his home-produced technical metal songs online. It didn't take long for people to start paying attention. Fast forward to 2014 and Periphery is one of the biggest names in the progressive metal scene. The band's last album debuted in the Top 50 on the Billboard 200 chart, and they're widely respected for pushing the boundaries of metal.
Jon Hopkins
"Abandon Window"
Misha Mansoor: I don't know if I am ending up on an island because of a plane crash, but this is what I would be listening to as the plane is going down, just imagine it as you listen, no other sound. This song is so haunting and beautiful, so simple yet effective and substantial, I don't think I would ever get sick of this song. Jon Hopkins is a master of melody and sound design, and this song showcases his talent in the most minimalistic and efficient way. This is off his Immunity album.
Telefon Tel Aviv
"Map of What's Effortless"
Misha Mansoor: This song is from the album of the same name. I pick this song for pretty much the exact same reason as Abandon Window. It's not at all alike other than perhaps in general vibe, but this is another one of my favorite songs of all time, simple and haunting melodies, this time more dark and ominous, but again I just can't see myself wearing this one out.
BT
"Good Morning Kaia"
Misha Mansoor: This song is just beautiful and is off of one of my favorite albums of all time: This Binary Universe. I would probably listen to this song when I was feeling sad or lonely. It would probably make me feel more lonely, but it's amazing so I would listen anyways. The build up and melodies in this song give me goosebumps; not many things will on this island so I will definitely need this one.
Allan Holdsworth
"The Sixteen Men Of Tain"
Misha Mansoor: I can't be stranded without some Holdsworth, and this song is one of my favorites. This song is also off of his album by the same name. Good vibes, and some of my absolute favorite lead playing over some absolutely awesome chord changes. It would have been this one or Tullio honestly, but I think this song has a slight edge. Tones are top notch too, won't wear my ears out!
Trifonic
"Baalbek"
Misha Mansoor: So at this point it's pretty clear that I want my desert island playlist to have mostly electronic music, and it obviously has to have some Trifonic as a result. It's tough to pick a song, but this one off of their Ninth Wave album kinda has everything, good vibes and melodies, and good grooves. I would listen to this if I needed to get pumped up about something, though I can't imagine what situation that would be on this island...
Jaga Jazzist
"Swedenborgske Rom"
Misha Mansoor: Gotta have some Jaga on here too. This song is off of their What We Must album. It is beautiful and builds up to a cool vocal part which eventually transitions to this awesome and seemingly odd piano build up which just explodes with melody. I want to see this song live someday, but if I was on an island I would have to resign to listening to it constantly and imagining it in my head. I feel like this song would make me sad, but who cares! Worth it!
101 comments
Post Commenthipster djent bitch posts songs no one has ever heard of to prove he's more prog than everyone else. f*ck off periphery.
I didn't know I had that opinion until I read that comment ^^
It took so much will power for him to not list a Meshuggah song.
Oh I must have read this wrong, I thought it said six song to die with, no six of the worst songs that should die. Fuucking awful selection
No one is never happy. Someone just has to complain even about this... Pathetic
wow guys..it's almost as thought music is subjective or something? and his favourite songs might not be yours? weird.
Lol, go back to listening some of your djent stuff bunch of "metalheads"(Yah, I am saying it in a condescending manner because the term makes y'all look so stupid), this was a great list imo.
SOMEBODY LISTENS TO MUSIC DIFFERENT THAN ME! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! !!
Jon hopkins is f*king awesome!! glad to see one of the most talented men in metal has a good ear for music!! Metalheads do yourselves a favour and open your minds(and ears) to other styles.
You mean... Misha has a different taste in music to me..?! How could this have happened. I'll never sleep again, instead I'll resort to acting like a 5 year old writing YouTube-grade comments.
this site's comments section seems to be among the edgiest, fedora-tippingest around!
Don't really see why everyone is upset by this... I mean take Devin Townsend for example. He plays heavy music for a living, but he has stated in interviews he doesn't really play heavy stuff by himself for fun. Why isn't it ok for great musicians to love a wide variety of music?
I think this is why I enjoyed soooo much Periphery's first album
What I learned from the comments was that if Misha's personal preference doesn't fit to anyone else's standard, it sucks and makes him some form of douche.
Guys, whats your problem? "Wow, a Metal Guitarist listens to other stuff than Metal? KILL HIM!!!" Thats just pathetic, he likes other style of muic, so what?
you guys are so f*cking stupid for bashing him for choosing these songs. I love metal and even "djent" but some of my favorite artists are folk and acoustic bands. He is a master musician and if you actually read what he is saying, you'll see that he has a deeper appreciation for the songs because of how they sound and how well they are composed. You guys are stupid f*cks. All music is made of the same notes whether they are made electronically or on a guitar.
Ignorant arseholes. He was asked this question, not you guys, he can pick what he wants.
The comments make me laugh, how can you not hear some of the influences here in his writing? Oh and the guy who said "hipster djent must list songs no one has heard of bla bla bla" you are a c*nt.
So the article is called Six Songs "To Die With" guys. It doesn't mean that if they don't sound like Periphery it's bullshit lol. Angry kids with fancy keyboards strikes again
Awesome list! Got alot of new artists to check out now ;)
Ignore the gays, Misha. (but you probably know that already) Metal is not the be all, end all, and I'm a metal head. Every song here is fantastic.
All instrumental tracks, yet he gives the finger to actual fans that can't stand his singer an would rather just hear the music.
Fantastic selection. It's great when an artist in a genre can open up and share his personal favorite songs. I really enjoyed this
This is some good shit. You guys are retarded. Hell yeah Misha, it's about the music. Great song choices
Hey ya ugly! Periphery and djent itself are hipster metal, so it seems were all hipsters. BUT still i see a straight connection between these songs and music made by periphery. Really cool and relaxing stuff!!
u truly have a good taste of music! you obviously like atmosperic music, so i really can recommend you this one: http://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=0BSHAXpNey0
"hipster djent bitch posts songs no one has ever heard of to prove he's more prog than everyone else. f*ck off periphery." Hipster? Songs no one has ever heard of? Prog? Do you need a cat scan?
what's up with all these elevator music? f*cking boring
The man is a genius on guitar, and really knows how to make a solid and heavy tune! But seeing this list really shows he's got more to his musical genius than just polyrythmic riffs and wicked solos. And that really shows a lot of quality in a musician imo!
Of course all you guys would bitch about the songs he chooses because it isn't Djent. Stop being wieners, musicians listens to what inspires them.
god really guys? you young bucks are so ignorant. alan holdsworth for example? where the f*ck do you think some of fredrik thordendals tones were influenced by? just because its soft and has piano and is something you havent heard before doesnt make it gay. the shit you all listen to now is gay. it sounds like two gays banging each other in an odd time signature. ignorant is as ignorant does as what ignorant listens too. grow up kids, its not your generation yet, you stil got a long ways to go.
I am really surprised by Misha's choices. I am also surprised that I don't like a single one of them. And that's the end of it. If you can't stand and need to bitch about the fact that your favorite artist doesn't like the same music that you do, f*ck you.
Holy f*ck people wouldn't want to hurt yourself with that edgy
Fantastic list! Trifonic and BT would probably be on my list too.
Good stuff Misha! I like hearing new styles and this is all new to me! Very inspiring!
What many people really don't understand is that this is one of the reasons Misha is such a talented musician. Listening to only one style or genre would inevitably limit your creativity. The ability to fry an egg does not make you a great cook. I love metal, I also love this list!
Periphery fans getting so butt hurt haha. Keep pretending djent is good you f*ckin pussies.
I"m a massive periphery fan, But Hot Damn!! I'd pick differant songs, but almost the same artists!.. Telefon Tel Aviv, Bt's only good album "THis binary Universe", Trifonic!!.. Jaja Jazzist! Sploogh!... All he needed was a little venetian snares/squarepusher/aphex twin and boom best list ever.
What the hell is wrong with liking electronic artists, or artists in general for that matter that 'noone has heard of'? And to even say that proves how much of a naiive idiot you are. Just because he hasn't mentioned artists YOU like or have heard of makes him a hipster? What? I think this is an excellent list. Some awesome music choices!
Wow, I can't believe I read what I've just read. What the f*ck is wrong with you guys? Have you never listened to anything other than metal? You sadden me. I can't tell if those stupid ignorants are just 11 year old kids or just old creepy metal-heads that have never listened to anything else in their entire pathetic life.
Has no one actually been paying attention to Misha's writing? He does more than Periphery. Look all over his soundcloud account. It's riddled with electronic music and things he's written after these songs' influences. Don't waste your time bashing him for being a hipster douchef*ck if you can't see what's in plain sight.
I think people are being really thrown off by the fact that this is a metal site, so clearly this interview is not meant for this forum. I think it's nice that Misha would like to die a little more pleasantly than most metal heads, but this just really doesn't belong here.
Seriously, some of you may consider learning respect. This guy doesn't owe you anything. Either you like it or not. But just respect it. I didn't like most of the song, but really enjoyed the fact it wasn't metal based. Messugah ? Seriously ? Who doesn't expect to see some Messugah on the list ? It would just have been boring.
Those of you hating on this list: it is truly a beautiful list. You see, what makes Misha such a great musician is he isn't saying, "Djent, or die" he is welcoming all types of music into his writing. Music is a way to feel, a way to express emotions. If you don't like these pieces of music; that is fine. You don't have to. You need to respect that Misha does, though and that these are some of his favorite songs... or at least songs that he finds something worth while in.
hipster elitist metal gays are mad that successful metal artist doesn't ONLY listen to mettle. Hipster elitist metal gays are going nowhere fast.
Great list Misha. Jon Hopkins, BT and Trifonic are excellent artists. I'm definitely listening to the other two!
So everyone on this website thinks they're the most amazing artist in the world? Friggin' get a life, you dumb f*cktards. MM is an amazing guitarist and I think Periphery is a collection of some freaking awesome musicians. Also, this list Is made up by Misha and he probably doesn't give a f*ck about your opinions, you f*cknuggets.
Holdsworth gay and bad music?? I know why you guys don't like Periphery now: you don't understand a sh*t about music
There are far too many idiots in this world. Misha Mansoor is not one of them.
Warning: The following comments contain no value whatsoever. Side effects from reading may include, but not limited to, cranial distress, rear leakage, and whiplash from all the SMFH!
i think the correct name of this list is "songs that make u die if listened"
Everyone below this line is either trolling or being trolled. __________________________ __________________________ So is everyone above it too, for that matter.
WHAAA! ITS NOT METAL OMGWTFBBQTHC sometimes diversity/variety is different JEEZZ
wrong website to put this one obviously......great music. narrow audience
telefon tel aviv and jaga jazzist are both excellent choices...you people are dumb.
Let's hear you metalheads who're so pissed off with this "shitty" list have one of your true metal heroes try to nail the Holdsworth solo.
yup, wrong web site to post this awesome playlist... metal kids are so closed mind. they must be post hardcore or metallica/megadeth fans.
Solid playlist... nothing wrong with metal musicians listening to non metal music. Grow up fool
So many try-hard hipsters saying they love "diversity" and other "intellectual types of music". If this dude picked Emmure and Attack Attack you guys would defend him to no end as well.
who the f*ck are all these anonymous comments from? Misha's rear slave? "Six songs that make me want to die."
At first, I was thinking music snob. Then I listened to the songs. They are all very beautiful. Lots of atmosphere. Great on good headphones. Good choices. Love being exposed to new music!
This site needs to disallow anonymous commenting.
MMYYYY DDDOOGGGG IIISSSS VVEERRYYYY NNIIICCEEEE
You guys are absolutely whiny babies. Who gives a f*ck what songs he picked? If you enjoy them, enjoy them. If not, don't be such a taco about it.
I don't think he is trying to show off his progness by picking more obscure songs, I actually recognized 3 of these artists because I myself have loved ambient and soundscape-y music for years. and I think there is a parallel between ambient music and alot of prog metal especially the focus on production and ambiance, that's why I like both, I love the big sounds and sonic fullness
Good to see that this Misha f.aggot got all of his Twitter followers to post here.
"Oh no, someone else has a different taste in music than I do! They must be a gay hipster, and a lesser form of human being than me! How dare people not like the 4 underground death metal bands that I limit my entire taste in music to." -Everyone in the comments
I knew misha was into the ambient kinda thing, but damn it's all ambient electronic or jazz. all great choices. though i thought he would've liked at least one heavy-ish song on the list. meh, to all our own. this also reminded me to finally get the latest Jon Hopkins record. Man's a genious.
1.) meshuggah-rational gaze 2.) meshuggah-concatenation 3.) meshuggah-new millennium cyanide Christ 4.) meshuggah-perpetual black second 5.) meshuggah-straws pulled at random 6.) meshuggah-future breed machine Oh wait this is gonna be posted for people to see...?? *googles obscure artists*
This is an interesting list, but it would have been nice if he had chosen some songs where the drums weren't programmed.
Damn! Way too many haters. You guys do know that these are are songs that he listed for himself, not a list of songs that he thinks you guys would like. It's attack of the Internet trolls! Quick hide your posts!
Nothing better to due but bash a dudes influences? We have a bunch of winners here.
His tastes are so well defined. While my music tastes range from metal to EDM, I believe his selection is strong and meaningful!
It's his list. Not your list, people. Stop getting all butthurt that you've never head of the songs before.
The only problem about this selection is that 90% of metalheads posting in this page are f*cking idiots. Get your heads out of the deep shithole you've stuck them who knows how long ago. I truly hate to see freaking posers.
If the comment section has tought me anything, it's that Metalheads are c*nts.
Douche chills from the song lists and comments.
What are you trying to prove misha that you know about music that no one else in the world listens to are you a hipster now?
only thing gayer than this list is all you faaggots fighting about it above
Damn Misha took quite awhile typing all those comments defending himself, let's get butthurt over some gay
The Sumerian hit squad in full effect trying to sway the comment polarity.
anonymous posted 12 hours ago The Sumerian hit squad in full effect trying to sway the comment polarity. This. And also, surprised there's not at least one Bollywood song in there.
Its not that the list isn't metal, its that these songs suck... I'd rather listen to owls having sex
nice choice, misha! you are open minded. holdsworth is my guitar god...
I don't like the selections, a real snooze fest. But Misha does like these songs and he has every right to like what he has posted. I like many different styles, if all you listen to is metal and obnoxious djent then you are missing a lot of great music.
gay