Tag Archive: Devin Townsend


Let’s do away with all the needless buildup of trying to wax eloquent and get to the point: Devin Townsend took to Twitter earlier this week to give us all an update on his new pop metal record, Epicloud:

Drums for Epicloud DONE! The bionic RVP strikes again!!!! 14 songs for this monster! An epic selection of songs, really inspired and pure. Epicloud is the ‘in-between’ DTP and Z2, While writing Z2, I purged 20 epic, poppy, [proggy], ‘Dev Leppard’ type things…I love it. Been holding in my love of melody in lieu of being ‘metal’, but decided to ‘let ‘er rip’ before the next Ziltoid… so liberating.

Excellent! Perhaps we’ll be able to hear it later this year if things are already coming along so quickly. The group took promotional photos recently as well, so perhaps Epicloud is just around the corner. The super poppy sound of Epicloud as Devin described are exactly how I expected it to go, and with Anneke van Giersbergen on board again, it should be a nice follow-up of Addicted!

But the most exciting part for me is that Epicloud will be a Devin Townsend Project release! DTP was thought (and intended) to be concluded with the four already released albums, but…

oh yeah, fwiw… it’s still under the DTP moniker. The logo is way too cool to ditch :)

I’m so beyond excited for this that it can’t be healthy. :3

As always, we’ll keep a sharp eye on our favorite Canuck and pass on any news that comes out.

- JR

Meshuggah – Koloss

Meshuggah

Koloss

01. I Am Colossus
02. The Demon’s Name Is Surveillance
03. Do Not Look Down
04. Behind The Sun
05. The Hurt That Finds You First
06. Marrow
07. Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion
08. Swarm
09. Demiurge
10. The Last Vigil

[03/26/12]
[Nuclear Blast Records]

“I’m the great leviathan; the insatiable colossus.”

A more fitting opening could not have been found for the year’s most highly anticipated record. Few bands are as important to the current state of extreme metal as Meshuggah. Their influence has exploded since 2008′s ObZen, with legions of bands catching onto their elastic guitar tone and complex syncopated rhythms. Devin Townsend said it best during ‘Planet of the Apes’ from Deconstruction: ”While we all have lots of bands who influence still, we all rip off Meshuggah!” This has unfortunately lead some to question the band’s relevancy; how can Meshuggah stay interesting when the sound they pioneered is being done by everyone with Pod Farm and a 7-string? Are they forced to adapt and change their sound, or do they stick to their guns and refuse to give a shit either way?

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I find it a bit disconcerting that very few people are as excited about Arjen Lucassen‘s newest release as much as I am. So in order to help drum up a bit more enthusiasm, I thought I would discuss the first album I heard from the mind of Mr. Lucassen. For those unaware Ayreon is the epic saga of rock-operas penned by Arjen Lucassen. Each album in the discography, with the exception of Actual Fantasy, follows a loose narrative that is interconnected to the previous albums. It’s very tenuous at times, and not always that well fleshed out, but these discs hold a special place in my heart, especially The Human Equation. Not only was this the first release from Lucassen that I had heard, it was also my first foray into progressive music. It’s a sprawling, epic, evolving sort of musical landscape that spans the course of nearly two hours, across twenty tracks. Each song represents an individual day in a consecutive narrative that all builds and culminates into a beautiful story of struggle and emotional perseverance.

The variety on display here is something that has and will continually amaze me as I keep coming back to this record. Each and every song feels distinct, with layers of beautiful and exotic instrumental arrangements and vocal melodies that soar and rip through any given song. It’s a masterpiece that features 10 various instrumentalists, and 12 vocalists, each one unique, honest, and epic. I will be using that word quite a bit with this record. Epic.  From cellos and violins all the way to didgeridoos, panpipes, and flutes, the music on here runs the gamut of folk, and progressive styles, and nothing feels bloated or pretentious. It feels lighthearted and purposeful, and it’s all so well done. Almost every instance is memorable and distinctly recognizable, no matter how small or fleeting it may seem.

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I think I’ve sung the praises of Townsend enough for you guys, so instead this time I’m just going to direct your attention to a recent interview the man underwent with Noisecreep.  In it the man discusses the upcoming By A Thread release, Epicloud, Ziltoid, and his current touring plans. For those too lazy to read the full thing, I’ve taken it upon myself to give you all the rundown on the things discussed:

- He’s submitted the audio mixes for By A Thread.
- The cover art for By A Thread is done.
- The shows will be released on 10 discs; 4 DVDs and 4 audio discs (one for each night), a disc of bonus footage, and a disc for the encores.
- The encores will feature songs from Ghost 2, Devin’s back catalog, and songs from Punky Brüster.
- Devin Townsend Project has five dates from February 25th to March 5th in Australia coming up during the Soundwave Festival.
- After the final Australian date, Townsend will began recording drums for the upcoming Epicloud release.
- Describes Epicloud as new agey, jazzy stuff.
- First record he feels comfortable featuring a wide array of emotions on.
- Will feature a gospel choir, string section, and a horn section.
- Townsend’s October 27th concert at the London Roundhouse, The Retinal Circus: The Devil Townsend Project is already sold out.
- The concert will feature a full orchestra and circus performers.
- The DTP are set to headline the sidestage at this years Download festival
- Devin plans to do the Ziltoid musical in London, like the aforementioned Retinal Circus, and By A Thread release.

Welp, that’s all for now. As always, we’ll keep you updated if anything else is announced. Cheers!

- EC

Brendon Small, creator (and pretty much everything else) of Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse and Home Movies, is finally poised to release his side-project this year with Brendon Small’s GALAKTIKON. Described as a “High Stakes Intergalactic Extreme Rock album,” GALAKTIKON seemingly rips a page out of Devin Townsend‘s Ziltoid The Omniscient and will be an over-the-top rock opera of sorts with influences from modern black metal, Queen, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer. Here’s what Brendon said in a statement:

“This album should be thought of as an audio comic book, an over acted chamber drama, a ridiculous premise that takes itself way too seriously all the way to the end,” states Brendon Small.

GALAKTIKON is pretty much Dethklok in a shiny melodic rock package, featuring legendary drummer Gene Hoglan and Dethklok live/studio bassist Bryan Beller, as well as retaining mixer/engineer Ulrich Wild. Obviously, this is quite the departure from Brendon’s work in Dethklok, but should be just as excellent given the roster’s quality!

Brendon Small’s GALAKTIKON is due out this April. We’ll follow up with more information as it becomes available! In the mean time, hit up the project on Facebook for up-to-date information!

- JR

A few weeks ago Seattle progressive metal outfit 7 Horns 7 Eyes finally announced the release date for their new album Throes Of Absolution to be April 23rd – which is a lot sooner than you might think – and now we have the artwork and tracklisting! Peep it:

01. Divine Amnesty
02. Phumis: The Falsehood of Affliction
03. The Hill Difficulty
04. Cycle of Self
05. Delusions
06. A Finite Grasp of Infinite Disillusion
07. Vindicator
08. The Winnowing
09. Regeneration

These guys are pretty hotly tipped for this year, and I’ve got to admit it’s sounding pretty good so far. Ex-Nevermore legend Jeff Loomis is also making an cameo appearance

Protip: the artwork is by none other than Travis Smith, who has done most if not all of Opeth‘s artwork as well as the beautiful cover for Devin Townsend‘s Ghost (as well as Addicted! and Ziltoid, amongst others).

Here’s the teaser we got a few months back to remind you of how awesome this is going to be:

So yeah, keep your eyes peeled on April 23rd from Century Media and Basick Records!

- CG

If you remember being envious of the British last fall, it was likely because of Devin Townsend Project‘s 4-night live performance of the project’s complete discography. Chris was lucky enough to have made it for the Deconstruction set, and we lived vicariously through Chris’ write-up of the show. I’m still green with jealous rage over it.

It’s looking like I won’t have to remain bitter for much longer, as a DVD containing the performances of all four sets is set to be available! According to Devin, the box set will go by the title By A Thread, and will be out this summer! I can’t wait!

We’ll have more information as it becomes available.

- JR

 

It may be a bit too early in the year to be claiming favorites, but The Omega Experiment‘s debut album has been captivating me for the past month since I first received the promo from frontman and multi-instrumentalist Dan Wieten. The Omega Experiment combines a progressive and forward thinking attitude with huge choruses and vocal harmonies to tell a deep and meaningful concept surrounding the story of Dan’s life.

Without receiving any label help, the duo (which also features keyboardist Ryan Aldridge) pushed forward to release their debut effort independently. At the time of this posting, The Omega Experiment is currently the #1 top selling album on Bandcamp for Valentine’s Day! Impressive! I recently spoke with Dan about their debut album and to get a look into the concept and the band’s creation.

For those who are not familiar, introduce yourself!

Hello! I’m Dan and I sing, play guitar, bass, and do all the production and drum programming for The Omega Experiment.

Let’s cut right into the meat and potatoes; The Omega Experiment is boasted as an autobiographical concept album. Could you tell us the story and how each track fits?

It loosely chronicles my life from birth to the death of my active addiction, and the start of my recovery. ‘Gift‘ starts it off, which is about being given the gift of music, talent, and life in general…and the confusion that comes with it. I had a lot of attention given to me when I was young because of my gift, which led me to think I was somehow special. When life didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, I didn’t understand why, or how to deal with it. But the elation that came from music lit me up. That theme permeates throughout the album. ‘Stimulus‘ is roughly the teenage years, when you start to develop a semblance of your ideals and begin forming opinions and tastes. Everything felt new during that period. I had a tendency to overreact to everything, and when I heard music I loved, or played it for that matter… it was almost like an addiction.

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Well, I feel a bit ashamed about not catching this bit of news earlier. Just the other day I talked about how — inexplicably — Townsend plans to release at least three albums in the next couple of years. Devin’s statement was filled with all sorts of information mostly in the form of adjectives regarding these projects, but aside from a short demo track playing in the background on one of his random YoutTube videos, we haven’t actually gotten to hear any new music for these projects.

And sadly, that’s still the case. However, we have learned that dear ol’Dev plans to re-record ‘Kingdom’, off of  his 2000 Physicist record. Answering a question on his official formspring account, Townsend said that he was re-recording ‘Kingdom‘ for Epicloud. Well hot damn!

Physicist wasn’t exactly my thing when it comes to Devin’s music, but hands down ‘Kingdom’ is one of his best songs. Dev has had it in his live rotation for quite some time now, so it’ll be interesting to see how the new version comes together. Epicloud is certainly shaping up to be something special, let’s just hope some album art or new music comes tumbling out of the pipes soon. Cheers!

For those that haven’t heard the track (for shame!) here’s ‘Kingdom‘:

- EC

The Omega Experiment

The Omega Experiment

01. Gift
02. Stimulus
03. Motion
04. Tranquility
05. Furor
06. Bliss
07. Karma
08. Terminus
09. Paramount

[02/14/12]
[Self-Released]

Every now and then I come across a band so great that I can’t help but wonder why any label would pass on the opportunity to have the act a part of their roster. In the case of The Omega Experiment, I have never before been so absolutely baffled. I don’t know what’s more shocking; the fact that The Omega Experiment’s self titled debut album wasn’t picked up by a label or that—for a debut album produced and released completely DIY—the quality of every aspect of this release is so top-shelf. Do not take it lightly when I say that The Omega Experiment is the best independent progressive metal album I’ve heard in recent memory.

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