r/progmetal • u/iambulb Misha Mansoor | Periphery • Jan 19 '14
[AMAs] Misha "Bulb" Mansoor here. I produce bands and play guitar in Periphery. Ask me anything!
Hey guys, this is my first Reddit AMA! Ask me anything! Proof: https://www.facebook.com/misha.mansoor
Edit: Jesus there are a lot of questions, trying to get as many as I can guys, thanks for your patience!!
Edit 2: Okay guys, it's been awesome chatting with you, but I have to run to practice, I'll get to more questions later/tomorrow. Thanks so much everyone!!
Edit 3: Back for a little bit!
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u/COOL_STORY_BRATAN Jan 19 '14
Do you plan to do anything with Not Enough Mana? The ending to that song is seriously one of the best things you've ever written.
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
If it doesn't make it onto the next Periphery album I will likely put it on the Solo album!
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u/alexatgd Jan 19 '14
Why not an EP? I always thought that if any songs you liked didn't fit in an album, you could always do an EP, kinda like how you released Frak the Gods! and Captain On on the Icarus Lives! EP. I guess it's easier said than done, maybe?
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u/twistednipples Jan 19 '14 edited Jan 19 '14
Yeah seriously. I am really happy that they at least remade froggin bullfish because, well, its a really awesome song.
edit: link so people can see how awesome it is http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=6088412&q=hi&newref=1
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u/Gwaibo Jan 19 '14
Misha, I've been wondering, is there some connection between Matt's drumming and his V necks? Are they the source of his power?
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u/Infini-tea Jan 19 '14
Hey Bulb. Not really a question. But I got a chance to come see you guys when you were on your mini tour with Norma Jean before the summer slaughter tour this past year at the Lawrence KS date.
I was in a really dark place in my life and was incredibly depressed at the time. The show and the little hang out session after the show with all you guys really helped me to get my life back on track and really just helped me actually enjoy my life again. Its just the little things, but most bands aren't as good to their fans as you guys are. So I wanted to say thank you since I never got the chance. It meant more than you think.
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
Hey dude, I am sorry to hear that, but I am happy if we were able to help in any way! Keep your head up dude!
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Jan 19 '14
Hey Misha! Why does Periphery use weird, outlandish song titles (like Buttersnips, Make Total Destroy, Jetpacks Was Yes!, etc.)?
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
Why not?
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u/Psilocynical Jan 20 '14
If I ever get a cat I'm naming him/her Zyglrox.
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u/Attheveryend Feb 05 '14
I gotta know how the fuck that's pronounced.
Ziggle-rox?
Zy-glorox?
Zeegle-rox?
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u/hesgotabicycle Jan 19 '14
i heard you say that song names were pulled completely randomly off the top of your head at that moment in time when you were saving a file to your computer
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u/pavelmok Jan 19 '14
Mr. Mansoor, firstly, how are you doing today? Secondly, out of all of Periphery's work, do you have any tracks that are your personal favorites or ones that make you go "wow I can't believe I wrote that!"
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
I am doing well thanks!! I wish I could feel surprised by my own music, but I think the nature of writing stuff that is in your head means that it is rarely surprising. The only exception would be when I stumble upon something, or do something by accident that sounds cool. I guess Racecar might qualify, but Jake wrote a lot of that which might explain the feeling.
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u/leperaffinity56 Jan 19 '14
My friends and I always joke "What's your favorite Periphery song? You can't choose 'Racecar' though, that's not fair.
Can confirm, that song is seriously something else. Imagine if you had extended it into it's own EP? Christ.
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u/AnthropomorphicPenis Jan 19 '14
I would have thought it was Have A Blast. One of the best songs I've ever heard.
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u/Geirkrak Jan 19 '14
Misha, what metal band is out there right now that people are sleeping on? Who should people be listening?
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
I wish I was better versed with metal, I don't really listen to a lot of it these days. That said, Soreption is sick and so is what I have heard of Fallujah. Also 12 foot ninja and Chimp Spanner always need love.
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Jan 19 '14
I just got into 12 foot ninja after binging on Karnivool after seeing them live.
Fuck me they're great, it's like the new Faith No More I needed.
Chimp Spanner are amazing too, you guys, Chimp Spanner, TesseracT, Meshuggah and Animals as Leaders were my first forays into tech metal.
It was a good place to start haha.
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u/MemeticUsername Jan 19 '14
I saw you guys in Ottawa with Twelve Foot Ninja and Dead Lettuce Circle. Such an awesome show!
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Jan 19 '14
Holy shit Soreption is amazing, it is nice to see them finally starting to get some recognition.
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u/succhialce Jan 20 '14
I LOVE FALLUJAH. I just stumbled upon them randomly but they're an awesome technical death metal act that could use some attention. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjyCb43f7tc that is their most recent EP
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u/schrotestthehero Jan 20 '14
My friend was one the founding members of Fallujah. New best friends?.......Love Clear man! -Periphery lifer
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u/cobthedrummer Jan 19 '14
Hello Misha! I was wondering, looking at Periphery, was there ever a moment where you foresaw the band becoming as popular as it is? A turning point perhaps? Thanks!
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
Honestly no. It's all still kinda surreal and surprising, I try not to think about it too much because it hurts my brain. I got very lucky, I am just a kid who started in his bedroom, and things really don't feel that different when I am home which is kinda nice haha.
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u/GehenaLand Jan 19 '14
Hi Misha huge fan of your music!. Just a few questions i know you and the other guys in periphery have been influenced by Nobuo Uematsu. So my question is what is your all time fave song composed by him? How do you as a group come up with ideas for songs do you jam and work from that, or just write on your own.? And would just like to say without you guys i would not have found the greatness that is vestacension. And Keep up the good work making sweet music
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
It's tough to pick just one, but Aeris's theme, Fisherman's Horizon, The FF7 main theme, Cid's theme and...jeez I could keep going. How about we just say music from 7 and 8...and 10 also...
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Jan 19 '14
Fisherman's Horizon is the best song from any FF game and no one will fucking believe me.
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Jan 19 '14
I think you were hit on the head and forgot all the songs from FF6 (3).
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u/SDFprowler Jan 19 '14
The entire soundtrack of FF6 is brilliant. I grew up on that game, so the music evokes such a strong emotional attachment.
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u/moebaca Jan 20 '14
This is why I love your music Misha. Nobuo Uematsu is one of my favorite composers and his style holds massive nostalgia in my heart.. big points for FF7-9 and 6. Anyways I get a lot of nostalgic pangs while listening to your work, including your sound cloud stuff.
Speaking of which, I would really love to see Epic Phail make it on the next album!.. or Breeze.
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u/Tony_Sacrimoni Jan 19 '14
On teh subject of FFVII, Make Total Destroy's video reminds me of a lot of FFVII's cinematics. Coincidence, or was the video influenced by it?
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u/birfudgees Jan 19 '14
We know you're a gamer - have you ever played Super Smash Bros Melee?
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
I never got into Smash Bros unfortunately...
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u/RudyChicken Jan 19 '14
On one of your earlier tours I remember you guys Melee set up at your merch booth. Bring that back!
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u/SonOfALich Jan 19 '14
Hey Misha! I have a 1 string hockey stick made of maple. Would the Juggernauts sound good in it?
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u/ohHaiMark22 Jan 19 '14
Are you this guy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhOYflyfOPM
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Jan 19 '14 edited Jan 19 '14
or, in early years (when he was older) He might have been one of these dudes
Edit: made it work.
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u/COOL_STORY_BRATAN Jan 19 '14
You mentioned recording a solo album not too long ago. Is that still on the cards?
I may be mistaken, but in the video interview with you and Wes Hauch, it sounded like some re-recordings of your old demos were playing in the background. Did they have anything to do with the album?
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
I would like to work on that, but the combination of not having enough downtime to really dig in between tours as well as wanting to let Periphery have right of first refusal with my material means that I am going to hold off until I know what is going towards the next full-length.
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u/idixxon Jan 19 '14
As long as it is going to happen, I'm happy. Your solo work is just amazing, kinda got me into liking more instrumental music on occasion. Love your work, keep making amazing music! <3
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u/twistednipples Jan 19 '14
I am going to hold off until I know what is going towards the next full-length.
Suggesting you guys haven't nailed down juggernaut then?
p.s thanks for doing an AMA. I saw you in summer slaugher last year and you walked through the crowd in NJ, right in front of me. Was tits.
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u/akoper Jan 19 '14
Misha. Please play the Walk live.
Sincerely
Every Periphery fan ever
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
We played it live forever and just got kinda burnt out on it, it's taking some time off but it will be back, worry not!
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u/amishrefugee Jan 19 '14
Is that why you gave us a choice to hear The Walk or Racecar as an encore? You knew
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u/ohHaiMark22 Jan 19 '14
Hi Bulb! I am a huge fan of yours and I really think you have done a lot to inspire people, myself included by making really original music.
I wanted to ask you:
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Where do you think the heavy/hardcore scene is going? In my metro area venues keep closing down and it keeps getting harder to find places to play.
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Where do you draw your inspiration from? Not just from music but from other things?
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What is the difference between a talented band that nobody knows about and one that has gained a lot of recognition? How has promotion of bands changed recently?
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
It's hard to say, this is a rather tumultuous time for bands, especially niche/underground bands as they don't have the market value they once could have had. This obviously is trickling down to all aspects of the industry be it studios or venues etc. Things are going to change, but as long as you remain adaptable, you will survive!
Sometimes I just feel like I have to spend time away from music and thinking about it to "refill" my inspiration. Maybe that is an indirect way of saying that other things in general tend to get me inspired. I moved recently and haven't touched a guitar in a while as a result, and now music is starting to leak into my dreams. I had a good idea last night, can't for the life of me remember it, though...
Three things in my opinion: Business Sense, a good team and luck. The bands that don't treat their bands like a business won't reap the financial benefits and potential the band has as a small business. A good team can look out for all aspects for the band with the band's best interest in mind and allow for the band to focus on what it does well which is to create and perform their music. If there is a weak link in your team it will likely be working against ALL aspects. And luck is important, but only if your opportunities are not squandered. You have no control over luck, but what you do with your luck makes all the difference, and that is where the team can shine.
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u/schrotestthehero Jan 20 '14
You may not read this, but when I think through all of the bands I pay close attention to, Periphery really is one of the strongest teams in metal. You can all write, produce, and obviously play your respective instruments better than most. Plus you all have strong personalities and solid ideas on merchandise and how to connect with your fans. Major respect to you and the rest of Periphery. I look forward to listening to you guys for a looong time and seeing how far you go!
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Jan 19 '14
Hey Misha!
What was like working with Tosin? Do you miss Animals as Leaders as they were b4 Javier and Navene? Is there any way you might do something with Tosin on the future?
Thank you!
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
Tosin and I have awesome chemistry. Writing and producing with him on the first album and on the upcoming one was effortless honestly. It just sorta happens and cool music comes out. What more could you ask for!
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Jan 19 '14
Well, Just so you know. You made my day! You, Tosin and Adam Jones (tool) changed my life with your guitar playing! <3
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u/alexkirol Jan 19 '14
Are there any plans in the works to do anything collaborative with the guys over at Veil of Maya? Would you like to?
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
I produced and recorded their third album Eclipse and it was a ton of fun. I love those guys to death and would love to work with them again!
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u/Badoom67 Jan 19 '14
Hey Misha, do you know music theory or do you write the songs based on what sounds and feels good?
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
I don't really know theory, I rely on my ear to write and I just do what sounds good to me! That said theory can be a very useful tool, but I have always had a very hard time grasping it because I end up relying on my ear instead of actually learning the theory, I guess I am dumb like that haha.
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u/_GhostCommando_ Feb 04 '14
It's great to hear a great guitarist say this. I have argued with my other guitar player about this. Since he does now it and I don't
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u/Ramwen Jan 19 '14
Hey Misha!
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What song/album/band got you hooked on metal? And how old were you when that happened?
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Also how old were you when you held a guitar for the first time and decided to start learning?
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What does it feel like to have 10 fingers on your left hand?
FAGDAD tuning ftw.
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
Hmm I guess it depends what would qualify as metal, I grew up on nu-metal and eventually got into heavier and more progressive stuff. I think the first time I thought "wow that sounds heavy" was when I heard Slipknot's first album.
I think I was about 13 or 14 and my sister had this crappy nylon guitar on which I would futz about.
You must have me confused with someone who is actually good at guitar haha... Oh guthrie...
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u/Lucifurnace Jan 19 '14
Yeah... Guthrie is a beast. Any fretless work in your future?
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Jan 19 '14
You've said a few times that your technique sucks. Still many people think you are doing an amazing job. why do you think you're so appreciated?
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u/iamvillainmo Jan 19 '14
On that note (yea, I talk about them a ton;but, they are so good): How do you feel about The Aristocrats and their seemingly unmatched musicianship between the three of them?
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u/Cthulhu__ Jan 19 '14
Relevant Slipknot-related link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H9h4wn63VU. Very close to the original though, not much of a Periphery twist to it.
Also TIL Periphery has more than just those two albums.
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u/sks1024 Jan 19 '14
Hey Misha! Huge fan here. Your most recent visit to Houston was my first metal concert ever, and I have to ask how do you feel about fans jumping on stage while your'e performing? I've never seen it anywhere besides the metal scene and was wondering what the performers think about it.
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
I love it so much, bring it on! The only thing that used to be annoying was that when we used pedalboards fans would accidentally land on or trigger patches/mute guitars, but now that everything is laptop controlled there is no downside!
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u/sks1024 Jan 19 '14
Thanks for the response! The question only occurred to me because I was actually in the front row at that concert and jumped up during Icarus.
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u/SnizzPants Jan 19 '14
Hey Misha. You're rad as fuck.
What was the last movie you watched, and did you like it?
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
I watched Pulp Fiction with my girlfriend because she still hadn't seen it and that was unacceptable. Luckily she loved it so we are still together.
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u/leeroy4576 Jan 19 '14
What's your favorite gig with Periphery been so far? Also, what's Dream Theater like up close and personal? Thanks for this AMA man!
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
Deftones and DT tours were pretty magical and surreal, and the This Tour It's Personal headlining run was incredibly fun and rewarding as well. The DT guys are genuinely good people. That's probably the most important thing I can say. I really believe that their success has to be somewhat tied into that. They aren't putting on airs, and they really love what they do, it's all very genuine and you can tell. They were incredibly kind to us, as was their crew.
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u/schrotestthehero Jan 20 '14
The TTIP Tour was amazing, I got your pick in SF, and I was so close to the stage you almost murked me with your guitar headbanging....and I would've been fine with that.
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u/grandmaballs Jan 19 '14
What don't you like most about the metal scene these days?
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u/iambulb Jan 19 '14
Entitled fans who believe the musical output of their favorite bands has to be written exactly to their tastes and who haven't yet figured out that it's okay to enjoy more than one style of music.
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u/michaelscerealshop Jan 20 '14
As an equally avid fan of metal and jazz, I like this. Come to think of it, with your chops, you should make a fusion esque album...
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Jan 19 '14
Omg guise Periphery has vocals that's the worst fuck vocalists lol I only listen to chugging they should like shoot their vocalist or something.
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u/JaysonnosyaJ Jan 21 '14
On an unrelated note, instrumental Periphery II is coming out soon, right?
/s
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u/navida0 Jan 19 '14
Who is the hottest member of Periphery and why is it Nolly?
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u/SonOfALich Jan 19 '14
Actually I'd say it's Matt because holy shit have you seen that man sweat?
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Jan 19 '14
my band secretly wants to open for you guys so bad.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ra_KuiJdMw
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u/KegGrennelty Jan 19 '14
Will "Breeze" ever make it to being a Periphery song? I absolutely love the main riff from that! Cheers!
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Jan 19 '14
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u/kylepierce11 Jan 19 '14 edited Nov 29 '15
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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '14
Have you ever tried to get Chino Moreno to do guest vocals on a Periphery song? My mind can't even comprehend the awesomeness