Brandon Semenuk comes with his intelligence, his creativity, his pure style signature and his Spirit of Freerider.
With Rupert Walker, all their's video are like diamonds. Like your's Scott.
@KevinMeinhardt: haha I think this tops the Raw 100! So inspiring to see two artists at the peak of their creative powers working together. They've done my two favourite bike videos of 2016.
Some lament being born too late to explore the Earth and too early to explore the universe, but we mountain bikers have no complaints. We were born at the right time to witness Brandon Semenuk.
Looks like someone done sold his sold to the devil to be able to ride like that. This video gives us glimpse into what his crankworks run would have been like. This is the future kids, not quad bar spins!
In the words of the great Eminem, " Nowadays everybody wanna talk like they got something to say / But nothing comes out when they move their lips / Just a bunch of gibberish / And motherf*ckers act like they forgot about MacAskill".
But really though Revel is killing it. That was sick.
@Bluefire: Guys like Brandon are the inspiration for the rest of us to get out and explore the possibilities on a bike. Too late to explore the Earth, too early to explore the universe, but perfect timing to do something on these bicycle machines.
In the big scheme of time, mtb may just be a little blip on the radar, but all of us here have found it and use it to push boundaries and explore that our forefathers used ships and horses for and our offspring may use spaceships. We are definitely in an interesting time, and I'm sure glad I have my bike
@Thinnumor: He's clearly very bmx inspired. In fact, I think I read an interview with him where he says he really only watches bmx videos, because that's where all the creative tricks happen. Coulda been another freerider though
@trialsracer: That's not entirely surprising as BMX bikes are easier to throw around, that's where riders are going to innovate. But there's a trickle down to that innovation. I remember Matt Hoffman saying that he thought a backflip tailwhip would be possible, and now they're seen often enough on MTBs.
Most talent in the game, and video quality was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING but, I personally dont think it is VOY. Maybe I just don't like dj videos. If there was some Foggy and loamy squamish dh riding in there with Semenuk style THEN we're talking.
Awesome riding and filming but a cringeworthy, lame and irrelevant narrative IMO. Just because it's weird and different it doesn't make it clever and certainly doesn't make it video of the year.
Brandon push forward the riding one more time. Still BMX riders have done many off these tricks. But he does that with such a bike handling, amplitude and his unique classy style that it knocks me done. Plus, Rupert do the same in his field. Together, that's the hell of a cocktail!
@NWuntilirest: Both were incredible. Good comparison with Stranger Things. But the magic bullet is to be able to make the riding work within the context of the rest of the story.
The shots of the actual riding were original and top notch.I didn't really understand the weird cutaways to the people chasing him. It was like they were trying to be artsy for the sake of being artsy. I don't know what that added to the video. I guess it's one way to separate this from every other video out there of a guy just riding. But I think Brandon takes care of that with his talent alone, which is why the "One Take" video and that raw video of him on the BMX track are so good.
@TheR: Ya, the riding was incredible, but all of the other stuff felt like a couple of film school flunkies sitting around going "you know what would be super rad? Like what if we showed bloody hands and like some kind of a car accident/murder mashup." This feels like just the thing to get team robot out of hiding...
I think the filler shots were a little "serious" for a bike movie, but I think that they did add to the gravity of the edit with the stuff that was being thrown down. Plus, who knows, those black figures could be representative of his anxiety around some of the progression and people's expectations. I still am on the fence about whether I like that flavor personally, but it is unique and in the end makes for a pretty cool video!
@Hyperx: nah it was last summer though. we weren't allowed to film them while they were riding but apparently he did it off the drop on the slope course too
@thenotoriousmic: they neg propped you but you're kinda right... Reynolds was on a wave of unreal progression way before everyone else. Semenuk is taking it to the mtb, but Reynolds put it on two wheels to begin with
its not really a fair comparison though deadline was like five years worth of footage from the greatest rider ever. This semenuk edit was good but it's not at the level of deadline.
I would like to address some of the people who seem to be downplaying just how progressive the riding is. What it comes down to is some people simply not understanding how hard half-cabbing is. I am no Pro but I have been riding BMX for a decade and mountain bikes for another 5 on top of that and would consider myself very experienced in both types of riding. I use a freecoaster on my BMX and can tell you from experience that half cabbing off a 5 set is extremely intimidating and difficult let alone a massive drop with a tranistioned landing. This is also where the comparison to BMX comes in, the influence is obvious. However, I can tell you that there are maybe only 3 pro BMXers capable of doing a half cab that large, not to mention throwing in a bar or tailwhip. For example, in a recent Nike edit Garret Reynolds does a half cab bar off a stair set maybe three quarters the size of the drop in the video. I never seen a BMX rider do a half cab on something so large.
The bottom line is that the riding is progressive no matter how you look at it. Yes its influenced from BMX but slopestyle would obviously be nowhere without the BMX influence in the first place. He is still pushing the envelope by bringing in tricks that are new to MTB and doing them in an environment where a BMX could not.
Amazing riding & film. Looking back, a freecoaster wasn't really needed for these tricks... But it def makes it smoother. So if someone out there really wants to pull a snub move... just land em without the coaster.
This is a vision, this is art, this is absolutely the best visual piece depicting a sport I've ever seen.
Everything about it from the concept to the cinematography to the soundtrack makes this an absolute visual masterpiece.
Brandon's Riding, lines, and combos is also so far out of anyone's creativity or technicality, it just transcends the video and it's concept and makes it so much more than just another biking video.
Like I said, this is art. Moving art on a bicycle made into so much more.
I'm really mind blown by this, well done Revel, you guys are the best out there.
Somehow Brandon is always constantly improving... incredible focus. A full length movie of these various mind blowing short videos he has done would be like the slopestyle bible.
What I saw the title of the movie "Lapse" was that a reference to Joyride where he suffered a mishap by disappearing into the woods? therefore the 'lapse' shows what kind of breathtaking shit could have went down if the didn't happen on his run!! All those progressive tricks would have won him the triple crown... hands down 100%.
Its amazing how something as simple as riding a bike, let alone landing a trick can change you. It's even more amazing when someone progresses to a point where Brandon is at. His imagination and creativity towards the progression of riding leaves me at a loss for words. Plus adding Alan Watts into it only makes it more mind blowing.
I could be out on a ride, or asleep, or dead, but if a video is posted and the title says Revel and Semenuk, I will click. These videos change me; they change how I think and feel about mountain biking and sometimes even about life. Who needs drugs?
@Gobble-de-Goop1: Perhaps it's illustrative of my personality - I actually do prefer pound cake, with no icing or adornment at all. Icing and frosting in my mouth are like nails on a chalkboard for some reason.
So... I must have watched from 1:15 to 1:18 about twenty times... What an incredible way to film that shot. The straight down angle takes all elevation out of the shot and leaves you wondering how in the hell he had enough air time to pull that off.
YESSS fakie half-cab tailwhip is one of my favorite BMX tricks and now it's in slopestyle! That, the 360 downside windshield wiper, and the alley-oop 540 tailwhip were the gnar gnar.
This article has only been up for a few hours and the amount of views already shits on Reynold's "why I dropped out article" which has been up for about a week or so! Mad. (check out 'most read this week' at the top of the comments section)
The man is a genius ! Watts wasn't too bad either!
"This is the real secret of life – to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play"
If they left out the crashes I would be left seriously wondering if Brendon was some sort of bike wizard or God....but knowing he is human and still able to pull this shit off means he gets even more repect.
yeah, i always figured the dude to be a human-vulcan cross, like spock.
think about it, he has those same vulcan like facial expressions in pics.
probly has an elevated skill in understanding the logic of steeze.
good stuff but to me not as mind blowing as others seem to find it. using alan watts voice overs is not the most original thing these days. been in countless videos. was even the whole theme of days of my youth ski movie. however very impressive riding nonetheless.
Yeah, i mean it was still really good, but i didn't need to see the half cab so many times and I didn't really get all the little cut scenes with the guys in black running around etc. Raw 100 was much better I reckon
I'm not sure why semenuk always has clones and people trying to kill him when revelco Is involved......besides thsts it's kind of ironic though because nobody can replicate his level of riding
Same. I respect it but I always think, "well, there's this thing called bmx...." Semenuk is one of the few slopestylers that I can watch and keep interest though. He's an amazing rider who just so happens to have a sick bag of tricks too
Can this be shown to every kid in school here in the uk to try and get the dirt scene inspired! Jees if I had seen this at 14/15 I would wanted to ride pro for ever
That was a downside tailwhip (which is part decade, part tailwhip - where you start the tailwhip in one direction and spin the other) to opposite tailwhip
"it's the most progressive thing you'll ever see"??? It's great, don't get me wrong, but every trick in this video is taken straight from BMX. Nothing new here other than the tire size...
1.Can't wait to see halfcab bar and whip from the real drops on bmx.Show me, if you seen somewhere. 2.Backflip barspin to can-can from something like boner-log (flat kicker).Or flip bar even. 3.360 whip to can from stepdown. Yes, 360 opo ds to whip is bmx inspiring, but it's way harder to do it on a mtb.
Great riding, but the video was pretty boring. Seems like they are trying really hard to be artistic when it just falls flat.
Bar has definitely been raised by Semenuk on the trick department though. Keep pushing those limits!
"trying too hard to be artistic" art is literally the most subjective shit on earth. Curious that you should slate yourself to be an authority on what constitutes art, where are your films? Being a critic isn't bad, but talking out of your ass is talking out of your ass.
yup, and people are going to hate on everyone that says that. Show us awesome riding. We don't need some fake symbols that symbolize nothing and only seem "smart" to morons.
@wibblywobbly: I honestly expect nothing less form this site. If you aren't following the crowd and sucking the videos dick then you are 'wrong'.
I fail to see how, I said the riding was great and it was filmed brilliantly . . . so, did people just object to the comment about the meaningless arty nonsense?
@mgolder: I see where your at.one or two views was great and just right time wise.any longer and I'd need a trip.especially with that old c*nt chuntering on about f*ck all.
356 Comments
But really though Revel is killing it. That was sick.
In the big scheme of time, mtb may just be a little blip on the radar, but all of us here have found it and use it to push boundaries and explore that our forefathers used ships and horses for and our offspring may use spaceships. We are definitely in an interesting time, and I'm sure glad I have my bike
Can we just get a course overview of your yard for every video part? Please?
Anyone know what the voice over is from?
Semenuk, you're a GOAT. Keep going!
That's a f*cking masterpiece. Best movie of the year, period.
Watts wasn't too bad either!
"This is the real secret of life – to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play"
Still to this day Rampage & Crankworx stuff don't hold my interest. I gotta have a bottle full of throttle...and a @scottsecco edit
What do you call that looks impossible trick at 0:49-0:58 where in mid spin he hits the pedal to spin the bike back?
Crazy stuff!
Awesome riding
edit: jk its a 3 downshide whip to whip like @hyperx said
It's great, don't get me wrong, but every trick in this video is taken straight from BMX. Nothing new here other than the tire size...
2.Backflip barspin to can-can from something like boner-log (flat kicker).Or flip bar even.
3.360 whip to can from stepdown.
Yes, 360 opo ds to whip is bmx inspiring, but it's way harder to do it on a mtb.
on Soundcloud also soundcloud.com/luke-atencio/havoc
I fail to see how, I said the riding was great and it was filmed brilliantly . . . so, did people just object to the comment about the meaningless arty nonsense?