Meeting the Master explained

Meeting the Master
Type:	single
Artist:	Greta Van Fleet
Album:	Starcatcher
Recorded:	2021
Length:	5:12
Label:	Republic
Prev Title:	Built by Nations
Prev Year:	2021
Next Title:	Sacred the Thread
Next Year:	2023

"Meeting the Master" is a song by American rock band Greta Van Fleet. It was released as the first single from their third album, Starcatcher.

Background

The song was written while the band was working on their third album, and was then recorded during the Starcatcher sessions in 2022. They debuted the song on March 24, 2023, during their "Dreams in Gold Tour",^{[1] [2]} and the track was released to the public on April 7, 2023, on digital media.^{[3] [4] [5]}

Composition and themes

Melodic Magazine reviewed the song saying "Liquid-like riffs, powerhouse vocals and billowing percussion make 'Meeting the Master' a proper introduction to Starcatcher and its existential themes."^[6] "'Meeting the Master' peers into an esoteric world heeded by the word of a wise teacher," the band explained in a statement. "Sung in the voice of a devout believer, and eventual group exclamation, the song details the love these fervent followers have for their teacher and their firm belief in his vision. It's an exotic spiritual journey. A dark comedy that inevitably ends in chaos."^{[7] [8]}

Release and reception

The song was released on digital media on April 7, 2023.^[9] The song was met with mixed reviews as some fans liked the new softer rock approach, but some wanted the band to stick to the hard rock style from their original EP Black Smoke Rising.^[10]

Personnel

Greta Van Fleet

• Joshua Kiszka – vocals, background vocals
• Jacob Kiszka – guitar, backing vocals
• Samuel Kiszka – bass guitar, keyboards, background vocals
• Daniel Wagner – drums, background vocals

Technical

• Dave Cobb – production
• Greg Gordon – engineering
• Phillip Smith – additional engineering
• Greg Gordon – mixing
• Dave Cobb – mixing
• Pete Lyman – mastering

Charts

Chart (2023)	Peak position
Poland Airplay (TopHit)^[11]	52
US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)^[12]	4

Notes and References

1. Paul . Larisha . 2022-03-01 . Greta Van Fleet Extend 2022 'Dreams in Gold' Tour With Second North American Leg . 2023-04-24 . . en-US.
2. Web site: Greta Van Fleet - Meeting The Master (Song Debut) – Live @ Honda Center – Anaheim, CA – Mar 24, 23 . . 2023-04-24 . en.
3. Web site: Meeting The Master . . 2023-04-24 . en.
4. Web site: Meeting The Master . . 2023-04-07 . 2023-04-24 . en.
5. Web site: Meeting The Master Digital Single . 2023-04-24 . Greta Van Fleet Official Store . en.
6. Web site: Clarke . Paige . 2023-04-07 . Greta Van Fleet are "Meeting The Master" Ahead of Upcoming Album, Starcatcher . 2023-04-25 . Melodic Magazine . en-US.
7. Web site: B . Sam . 2023-04-11 . Greta Van Fleet is Back with New Single 'Meeting The Master' . 2023-04-25 . Raised Rowdy . en-CA.
8. Web site: Haley . 2023-04-07 . Greta Van Fleet Release New Single "Meeting The Master" . 2023-04-25 . Nerds and Beyond . en.
9. Web site: Lewrypublished . Fraser . 2023-04-07 . Greta Van Fleet launch new album Starcatcher with epic Meeting The Master single . 2023-04-24 . . en.
10. Web site: B . Sam . 2023-04-11 . Greta Van Fleet is Back with New Single 'Meeting The Master' . 2023-04-24 . Raised Rowdy . en-CA.
11. Web site: Meeting The Master – Greta Van Fleet - TopHit - Highway To Airplay. TopHit. May 21, 2024.
12. Greta Van Fleet Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs) . June 21, 2023 . Billboard . en-US.