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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: Nick on October 31, 2014, 12:45:54 PM
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Old one here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=31949.0
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FIRST
I still have to get Z2.
Is it extremely awesome, or only awesome?
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Dammit Nick
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Z2 is amazingly extremely awesome.
On that note, after sufficient listens to all the albums, this may not be my absolute favorite DT album, but it's damn close; especially if you're technical about it and consider Z2 as a whole.
One thing I couldn't hear on previous mixes of the album as opposed to the final is the great line "I have a fight and I have a right of way" in the final chorus of Sky Blue. It's brief and the line is a bit buried, but it's great and gives me the bumps of geese every time. Anyone catch that Silent Militia was inspired by Will.i.am? I thought that was pretty interesting. This is definitely the coolest and most informative lyric booklet I've seen. I really like that they took the time to document and cite every single thing they could. Plus...dat artwork. So nice.
I'm also finally supportive of Devy using the Anneke-voiced-chorus in Fallout. I think it's a much more balanced, nuanced version; the bridge (I think that's what it's called? The lines starting with "You're on your own") pops out a lot more and hits even harder than the Devy-centric version. I feel like I know why he changed it now; all that said, I would absolutely love a better mixed version with Devy on the chorus. Then again I'm not complaining at all, it's cool we have it in some form and at the end of the day it's up to the man on what to use.
I'm sad that I know we probably won't be getting much from him and the gang for quite some time after this, but it is by far and away, ten fold over deserved. I'm sure he's ready to rest.
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I just got Z2 today, and listened to Sky Blue and Dark Matters.
While it's too soon to give a complete opinion, I loved both of them. Sky Blue is definitely one of Devin's more emotional-sounding albums... certain parts of the album like the title track, Before We Die and the two ballads sure gave me a case of the feels.
Dark Matters was much better than I thought it would be. The plot and dialogue is absolutely ridiculous, but damn it, I just had a stupid grin on my face throughout the whole thing. The last part of the album from Earth onwards didn't make as much of an impact on me, but I probably just need to give it some more listens, including the dialogue-less version, which I haven't tried yet.
Devin's one of the few musicians I know who can cram in so much of both quality and quantity, and I think Z2 is the perfect example of that. He sure as hell deserves that break.
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Still patiently awaiting for Z2 to arrive at my doorstep. Getting kinda concerned...
I've gone this far without listening to any leaks or anything. It's hard, but I will survive.
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Z2 is soon arriving to me too. I should have it by wednesday. I listened to both records once or twice just to give it a shot and I'm really impressed :metal :metal
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Really wish I could afford this.
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Also, haha Sky Blue really is DJ got us falling in love.
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I fucking love every single thing about Z2. Sky Blue has so many feels and Dark Matters has so much :metalol:
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I fucking love every single thing about Z2.
That's a shocker. :P
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Still need some more listens for Z2. Also, following.
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I fucking love every single thing about Z2. Sky Blue has so many feels and Dark Matters has so much :metalol:
o/******\o
agreement aw ysissssssss
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Finally having time to listen to this this weekend. Sounds good so far, but with two discs, it will take time. I'll probably focus on just Sky Blue first, instead of trying to tackle both at once.
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I'm glad I listened to the narrated version of Dark Matters, but now that I have, I agree with others the unnarrated disc is like a completely different album and it flows much better as music. I love the creativity of the whole story and performances though, but that doesn't make it something I want to listen to all the time.
Overall though, Sky Blue seems to fall significantly short of Addicted and Epicloud which many seem to be comparing it to.
Dark Matters has its moments, but I'm not sure its good enough to listen to all the way through. More like background music while I'm working.
Disappointed so far. will give it more listens though and see how my opinion changes.
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Haven't gotten to Dark Matters yet, but wearing out Sky Blue. On a side note, I was listening to Casualties the other night and noticed something in Flight that I'd never heard before. About 2:30 in, on the line "feed the pigeons, with my collisions", there is a strange vocal effect on the word collisions. It's sort of a mechanical, jarring sound. Just thought it was cool.
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Overall though, Sky Blue seems to fall significantly short of Addicted and Epicloud which many seem to be comparing it to.
i'm not sure how to relate SB with Addicted (they've got mostly different approaches, though they clearly relate, i realize), but SB absolutely destroys Epicloud for me. there isn't even a comparison.
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Overall though, Sky Blue seems to fall significantly short of Addicted and Epicloud which many seem to be comparing it to.
i'm not sure how to relate SB with Addicted (they've got mostly different approaches, though they clearly relate, i realize), but SB absolutely destroys Epicloud for me. there isn't even a comparison.
Agreed. Epicloud is probably my least favorite DTP.
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God, War Princess and March of the Poozers are the fucking tits. :metal
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Man, I like War Princess, but I'm not nearly as infatuated with it as others who like it seem to be. Poozers, however, is my favorite Devy track in a long, long time; it's a perfect blend of insanity, badassery and overall ridiculousness with a chugging fuckin' beat behind it. It's great.
All that said....
I HAVE A FIIIIIGHT
AND
I HAVE A RIIIGHT OF WAAAAY
:heart :heart :heart I dunno how anyone couldn't love Sky Blue. Then again my opinions are most often in the vast minority so...no surprise there, I suppose. I've had the those two songs on repeat for a while... :lol
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Dark Matters on the whole feels like there is both a sweet rave party, an intergalactic invasion, and a stage show going on in the busy city streets at once, and it's joyous chaos. Album's growing on me. I love the energy. Keep coming back to Deathray and Poozers.
I've been relistening to this album so much that I've barely cracked halfway into Sky Blue. Hopefully sometime tomorrow when I have the day off.
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Perfect description of Dark Matters. Love it and I completely concur. It's really great stuff and I think it's a perfect evolution to the original. Which, by the way, DM has inspired me to re-listen to ZTO; I still don't love it nearly as much as other DT records, but it's got a new perspective and spin on it now that the story is complete, more or less.
You should commit to listening to Sky Blue as a whole one night, it's a beautiful record, I think. Also, again, I'm in the minority so maybe you'll think it's shit. :lol
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DM is basically my new go-to Halloween album. :lol
I expect to love Sky Blue, but I just got into the guy's music in May and I've already listened to Addicted and Epicloud so much (evenright before Z2 came out) that I only got about three songs in the other night before I figured "oh, it's a continuation of that album style, I don't want to burn out on it already". I think I like Epicloud a bit more than some others here, but I don't want to overload. It needs... space to breathe and be noticed. I need to get Dark Matters out of my system first, I guess.
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DM is basically my new go-to Halloween album. :lol
Hahaha, my roommate commented that the chorus to March Of The Poozers sounded like "heavy metal Nightmare Before Christmas" :lol
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Gave Sky Blue a listen today. Honestly,not much stuck with the exception of Fallout. Hopefully the rest will grow on me. Dark Matters,i have yet to listen to.
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After listening to both, I'll probably get way more mileage out of Sky Blue than Dark Matters. The Ziltoid thing gets kind of old pretty quickly (and I only liked the first one), while Sky Blue is in the vein of Addicted and Epicloud, two records I loved to death.
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I was much more accepting and liking of the theatrics of DM than I initially thought I'd be, but you might be another that would benefit greatly from the dialog-less version of DM. It really changes things and while there's still some zaniness to it, it's much more musically cohesive and acts more like a zany badass metal album than a straight-up metal-opera. That said, I still enjoy SB a bit more even if Poozers is my favorite song from Z2 overall. But I think both are a massive success.
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Gave Sky Blue a listen today. Honestly,not much stuck with the exception of Fallout. Hopefully the rest will grow on me. Dark Matters,i have yet to listen to.
That's where I was at after 2 listens as well. Even after a third listen, maybe only 2 more tracks are sticking. Before We Die is definitely one of the best.
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I tend to like Sky Blue a lot more if I listen to it on shuffle.
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Also, is there any chance that someone could PM me the link to an early mix of Silent Militia? I don't like the vocals he added to the intro in the CD version and the guitars were way louder and beefier from what i can remember.
I deleted the early mix of Sky Blue when my CDs came in and I kinda wish I kept a few of the tracks :/
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I was much more accepting and liking of the theatrics of DM than I initially thought I'd be, but you might be another that would benefit greatly from the dialog-less version of DM. It really changes things and while there's still some zaniness to it, it's much more musically cohesive and acts more like a zany badass metal album than a straight-up metal-opera. That said, I still enjoy SB a bit more even if Poozers is my favorite song from Z2 overall. But I think both are a massive success.
I feel the same way. The whole presentation of the album is surprising appealing.
Nevertheless, the raw version is still the definitive one for me.
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I've got mixed feelings on Sky Blue. There's not a song on it I dislike, but a lot of the songs sit in that awkward range of "good but not great". One song I see getting a ton of praise but hasn't really clicked with me is A New Reign. It's a good song, but currently it's probably in the bottom tier of the album for me. Overall, I think Epicloud is a bit better, and Addicted is still the undeniable champion of poppy Devin.
Universal Flame and Sky Blue are both fantastic, though.
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I think that universal flame is an instant classic.
...
FLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME
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I think that universal flame is an instant classic.
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FLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME
This is one of my favourite from the entire album. Simple, but damn catchy and effective.
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Holy shit, the Sky Blue/DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love comparison was dead-on. I heard that and was just like "wtf I know I've heard this before". :lol
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Holy shit, the Sky Blue/DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love comparison was dead-on. I heard that and was just like "wtf I know I've heard this before". :lol
I listened to DJ Got Us Fallin In Love then to Sky Blue and laughed. Now I want to hear a mashup, akin to the Save Our Now/The Island pt. 1 mashup.
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I like Dark Matters a lot (prefer the version without the narrative, though), not sure about Sky Blue yet. I'm hearing moments of brilliance all over, but it seems like a grower so far... which is fine! Dark Matters is just much more immediate.
That said, Before We Die and Universal Flame are probably my favourites from the whole double album, and they are both fantastic all around.
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It's here :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
The artwork and T-Shirt are beautiful. And the frisbee thing is neat I guess.
Gonna give it a full listen tonight after class.
Also, anyone here going to the show with Animals as Leaders in Atlanta on December 8th?
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So I took a week off from Z2 to give myself some space from the album before reassessing it.
Nope, still super awesome.
For real though, the chorus to Warrior is one of the best he's ever done. The melody soars above everything in one hell of a soundscape.
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So yeah. Dark Matters got old pretty damn fast, but Sky Blue is just getting better. Not sure where I'd put it on Addicted/Epicloud/Sky Blue spectrum (which I also call "Devy pop"), but it's definitely a worthy spiritual successor of those two.
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Scrop, do you listen to Dark Matters with the dialogue? I only listened to it once that way, and while it was quite enjoyable, I know that won't have any staying power, so now I'm just listening to the "raw" version. Which is pretty damn good. I'm a little bit obsessed with March of the Poozers.
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I listened to the raw version once, but tbh I have been quite obsessed with Sky Blue so I haven't actually tested that one for staying power yet. :P
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I still need some more listens on both albums, but I will say that for now Sky Blue is definitely my favourite. I like a lot of the stuff on Dark Matters, and I almost exclusively listen to the raw version, but for some reason it just doesn't stick with me yet.
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i now love almost everything about Dark Matters, but unfortunately the second half of "Earth" really grates on me — it's about the only example where the Z1-style repeated buildup just fails imo (the "coming to earth" vocal going ad nauseam), so i edited those parts to about half their length, and it's much more enjoyable.
FSA, WP, "Deathray" and MOTP are absolute highlights in the Dev discography!
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Ok, here are my thoughts on Z2.
Wow.
Both albums are extremely solid, but out of the two, in terms of consistency and beauty, I prefer Sky Blue. Every song in there is plain amazing and everything is bathed in this ethereal atmosphere.. just awesome.
Dark Matters was really cool. The narration is awesome, and it made me laugh more than just once, and the music is great too. Some songs are too much all over the place IMO (Earth), and some are a bit useless without the commentary (Wandering Eye), but overall, it was awesome.
Another good one Devy, you never fail :metal :tup
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Anybody else getting a Synchestra vibe from Midnight Sun?
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Anybody else getting a Synchestra vibe from Midnight Sun?
Yes, absolutely. It's that keyboard patch
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Anybody else getting a Synchestra vibe from Midnight Sun?
Yes, absolutely. It's that keyboard patch
Yeah, those parts sound very much like the intro to Hypergeek.
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I've always thought it was a massive homage to Storm, but I also definitely get that vibe. Moreover, the production on that song specifically sounds very much like the production on AE, to me anyway; specifically Storm. I really think Sky Blue as an album is a great homage to everything past Devy in parts and pieces and overall is a great evolution of the Epicloud format whilst throwing back to the olden days. There's overt influences of Ocean Machine, Addicted!, and AE as well as direct 'connections' to Deconstruction and the obviously AWESOME 'story connection' to Casualties that make this record extremely close to being my favorite.
Again, I don't really rate albums anymore but if I did, Ocean Machine is almost always at the top and I can see this one being almost always number 2. It's amazing stuff. Dark Matters is awesome in it's own right but I've never been one for the theatrics. I like my music internal, singular and personal with a dollop of emotional disaster. Sky Blue has that in spades to my ears. DM is more of an experience than anything, but March of the Poozers, coming completely out of left field, has overtaken my addiction center. It's like titty fucking a clown while waging a war against an alien race. Holy fuck.
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Guys, I'm sorry but I can't seem to figure out who is the bald and bearded guy in the artwork of Dark Matters. I mean the one where they're against DTP.
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Guys, I'm sorry but I can't seem to figure out who is the bald and bearded guy in the artwork of Dark Matters. I mean the one where they're against DTP.
This. Who the heck is that guy? I thought maybe it was the Beav before he shaved. Maybe its the guy who does the narration?
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Guys, I'm sorry but I can't seem to figure out who is the bald and bearded guy in the artwork of Dark Matters. I mean the one where they're against DTP.
This. Who the heck is that guy? I thought maybe it was the Beav before he shaved. Maybe its the guy who does the narration?
I thought that too, but it makes no sense to me :lol
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I thought it was Captain Spectacular.
The bigger question is, who the hell is that disembodied screaming head in the DTP side?
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I thought it was Captain Spectacular.
The bigger question is, who the hell is that disembodied screaming head in the DTP side?
That's indeed Chris Jericho, who plays Captain Spectacular.
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The screaming head's Chris Jericho?
Why is he on the wrong side? :lol
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Great question, and I was wondering that myself. I thought baldy would be Jericho but yeah...definitely disembodied head wrestler. After about 30 minutes of searching for Dark Matter's beard badly, I can't find shit. What the fuck, is it just some random dude to look badass? Cause he does. :rollin
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The screaming head's Chris Jericho?
Why is he on the wrong side? :lol
Well, I guess that the DTP represents Earth, and as Chris is playing Captain Spectacular, he protects Earth from aliens and Evil Devy and Blattaria and Ziltoid and Unidentified Flying Bald Guy.
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Ah, very true! :tup
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glad to know I'm not the only one who couldn't figure out who beard guy was. I thought I was stupid. maybe the narrator is just a total badass :P
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He definitely is. I'm totally not into wrestling at all in any way, shape or form and was the kid that had friends who were completely taken aback by it and bought into it and I was the asshole who even as a kid was screaming "IT'S ALL FAKE YOU FUCKING IDIOTS! IT'S STUPID!".
I really like his monologues though, they're great and they bring a hilarity to the album that is few and far between (at least that 'type', it's more childish and cheesy). I love 'Ziltoid' (Devy's) monologues, but there's something about Jericho that brings an innocence to the album that I thought was missing until I heard him. It's great, but again, not what I'd like on the norm. Still have my dialog-less album on my 'pod for groovin' in the car but I mostly listen to the original at home on my new sound system. I also really like the announcement of "...THE MARCH OF THE POOZERS" on the dialogue version. Plus farts. I fucking love farting.
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I definitely think Z2 (the song) is better with dialogue, and to a lesser extent From Sleep Awake. For everything else I just listen to the dialogue-less versions.
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Guys, I'm sorry but I can't seem to figure out who is the bald and bearded guy in the artwork of Dark Matters. I mean the one where they're against DTP.
This. Who the heck is that guy? I thought maybe it was the Beav before he shaved. Maybe its the guy who does the narration?
i thought it was Beav pre-shave too, because that is exactly what he and Dev would do!
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Granted, I haven't listened to the "bare" version without the narration, but I honestly can't imagine Dark Matters without it. I mean, it's supposed to be a musical for chrissakes. The dialogue is as much a part of the album as the riffs for me. Earth's ending wouldn't have nearly the same impact if not for everyone gushing over the planet smasher. Same with Wandering Eye and Through the Wormhole, which are pretty much all dialogue.
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I agree with all of you, gentlemen. First I thought that I would love the non-dialogue version of Dark Matters but truth is that the music is constructed in such a way that it needs the spoken sections. That's not a bad thing in any way, because I love Devin's goofy spoken side.
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I agree with all of you, gentlemen. First I thought that I would love the non-dialogue version of Dark Matters but truth is that the music is constructed in such a way that it needs the spoken sections. That's not a bad thing in any way, because I love Devin's goofy spoken side.
All of this. I mean, the album just sounds naked without the narration. Good thing that I bought the deluxe edition just because it was 22 € instead of 20 (standard cd). The artwork is glorious.
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I mean... Devy himself took the time to take the dialogue out and cut/extended what he thought was necessary. So that to me negates any questions of what is necessary on DM or not. Ulti, there are even those tracks that aren't there at all because of those reasons. That may be a negative for some but for those of us who are less inclined to like the musical aspects now have reason to like DM even more; that is a beautiful thing and I think it's awesome that Devy not only realized that but gave us the chance to have something different. It's a rare thing that a man will change his vision and thought on something this precious for the fans.
That said, of course there's something that's taken away from the experience. It's a give and take, and while I do still adore the original, it's not something I'll be playing in the car on the norm like I do with the dialogue-less version. To each their own. But I think it's awesome that Devy even gave us an option. It isn't as if he calls the non-commentary the 'real' version or anything, it's just another way to listen to the music.
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He did it because he knew people won't enjoy it.
I respect that it took a lot out of him to make Dark Matters. I haven't listened to it fully, but since I'm one whom enjoys concept albums I bet I'll enjoy it.
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Of course, I'm not saying that the raw version should die, I think that the dialogue is not something that everybody's gonna like, and I'm glad he gave us the choice. But the original version for me is miles ahead of the raw one.
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I dont understand how youre supposed to understand the story without the dialouge. It serves as a visual representation.
Without the voice acting, the album is largely instrumental aside from a few songs.
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Yeah, but the story is silly and not all that engaging, I feel. I mean, I'm in it for the music, not the story, so I understand the point of the raw version, and I actually prefer it to the narrated version.
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It's just not a Ziltoid album without that nonsensical, silly story I feel. Couldn't listen to the album without it.
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I prefer to not view it as a Ziltoid album anyway - to me, it's just a great collection of songs demonstrating Devin's heavier side, really - so I think that we actually agree there.
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Guys, I'm sorry but I can't seem to figure out who is the bald and bearded guy in the artwork of Dark Matters. I mean the one where they're against DTP.
This. Who the heck is that guy? I thought maybe it was the Beav before he shaved. Maybe its the guy who does the narration?
i thought it was Beav pre-shave too, because that is exactly what he and Dev would do!
I think its one of the actors. Either the poozer, planet smasher, or Sheldon.
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My ranking of Sky Blue, based off of first listen
Rain City
The Ones Who Love
Before We Die
Forever
Sky Blue
Silent Militia
Warrior
Midnight Sun
A New Reign
Fallout
Universal Flame
Rejoice
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Yeah, but the story is silly and not all that engaging, I feel.
I love it. I was totally engaged from start to finish, rushed exposition climax and all. :lol
Guys, I'm sorry but I can't seem to figure out who is the bald and bearded guy in the artwork of Dark Matters. I mean the one where they're against DTP.
This. Who the heck is that guy? I thought maybe it was the Beav before he shaved. Maybe its the guy who does the narration?
i thought it was Beav pre-shave too, because that is exactly what he and Dev would do!
I think its one of the actors. Either the poozer, planet smasher, or Sheldon.
Sheldon?
Sky Blue ranking:
A New Reign
Midnight Sun
Forever
Rain City
Universal Flame
Before We Die
Sky Blue
Rejoice
Warrior
Fallout
Silent Militia
The Ones Who Love
The album has definitely grown on me. I had to adjust the EQ mix on it for it's glory to shine on me though. Cut the Mids down to -12, mid-highs and mid-lows to -4.2 each, left the highs and lows alone. Makes the album sound absolutely glorious to my ears with a pair of Skullcandy headphones. The music really benefits.
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You guys are weird. Dark Matters is awesome. It really is Ziltoid^2
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Ranking:
Before We Die
Universal Flame
Fallout
Warrior
Sky Blue
A New Reign
Forever
Rejoice
Rain City
Midnight Sun
Silent Militia
The Ones Who Love
All of them are really good though, and have I mentioned yet that the cover art is GORGEOUS.
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Let's do this.
Sky Blue:
1: Universal Flame
2: Sky Blue
3: Before We Die
4: Warrior
5: Midnight Sun
6: Rain City
7: Rejoice
8: Fallout
9: A New Reign
10: Silent Militia
11: Forever
12: The Ones Who Love
Dark Matters:
1: War Princess
2: March Of The Poozers
3: Ziltoidian Empire
4: Ziltoid Goes Home
5: Dimension Z
6: Z2
7: Earth
8: From Sleep Awake
9: Deathray
10: Wandering Eye
11: Through The Wormhole
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Dark Matters ranking:
1. Dark Matters
That disc is great. It'd be funny uf he sold Poozer hats.
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Dark Matters ranking:
War Princess
Z2/From Sleep Awake
Ziltoidian Empire
Ziltoid Goes Home
Earth
Deathray
March of the Poozers
Dimension Z
the other ones
Now, lets rank every track on Z2 together! :biggrin:
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I was listening to Mighty Masturbator just now, and I noticed that the riff starting at 11:23(WE PRAISE OURSELVES...) is the same riff as the outro to By Your Command(Pound pound pound ye pushy push pound pound..) just slowed down a bit.
3 years later, I'm still noticing more little details in this album. Devy is truly a musical god.
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Now, lets rank every track on Z2 together! :biggrin:
1. Sky Blue/Dark Matters
:biggrin:
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Sky Blue ranking:
1.Universal Flame
2.A New Reign
3.Before We Die
4.Midnight Sun
5.Fallout
6.Silent Militia
7.Sky Blue
8.Rejoice
9.Rain City
10.Warrior
11.Forever
12.The Ones Who Love
this one is very consistent though. Every song is killer :metal
Dark Matters ranking:
1.Ziltoid Goes Home
2.Deathray
3.March Of The Poozers
4.Ziltoidian Empire
5.War Princess
6.Dimension Z
7.Z2
8.From Sleep Awake
9.Wandering Eye
10.Earth
Not even ranking through the wormhole, I mean, how do you do that? :lol - Anyways the top three songs are really close. Like REALLY close.
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Sky Blue:
Silent Militia
Before We Die
Sky Blue
Rain City
Rejoice
Universal Flame
A New Reign
Warrior
The Ones Who Love
Forever
Fallout
Midnight Sun
still not that accurate tbh.
Dark Matters:
Deathray
From Sleep Awake
March of the Poozers
Ziltoidian Empire
War Princess
Dimension Z
Z2
Earth
Ziltoid Goes Home
Wandering Eye
noticing this, the album really kind of loses me after March doesn't it, haha... more certain on these rankings though.
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I was listening to Mighty Masturbator just now, and I noticed that the riff starting at 11:23(WE PRAISE OURSELVES...) is the same riff as the outro to By Your Command(Pound pound pound ye pushy push pound pound..) just slowed down a bit.
... whoa. i'd been wondering where that riff was coming from in the grand scheme of the connective tissue between sections. now it makes more sense! (sorta!)
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wow, you're absolutely right, jesus christ.
also, I'm being insanely dumb not being able to remember this, what's the horn section at the start of Through The Wormhole from? (At around :10)
I know I recognize it and I'd guess it's from somewhere on Ziltoid 1 but I can't place it at all ???
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wow, you're absolutely right, jesus christ.
also, I'm being insanely dumb not being able to remember this, what's the horn section at the start of Through The Wormhole from? (At around :10)
I know I recognize it and I'd guess it's from somewhere on Ziltoid 1 but I can't place it at all ???
Sounds to me like it's from Sumeria around :24
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If any of you guys are on Tumblr, I've started a new blog dedicated to discussing Devin's discography album by album. From Grey Skies to Sky Blue(hehe)
Already finished one writeup on Grey Skies. I'm hoping to update it at least 2 or 3 times a week.
https://devy-through-the-ages.tumblr.com/
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Sky Blue ranking:
Warrior (DAT CHORUS)
A New Reign
Midnight Sun
Before We Die
Rejoice
Silent Militia
Fallout
Sky Blue
Universal Flame
Rain City
The Ones Who Love
Forever
Dark Matters ranking:
Ziltoid Goes Home (Best song on the album)
March of the Poozers
War Princess
....
The rest is a jumble, honestly. Those 3 are the only ones that really stick out as awesome.
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wow, you're absolutely right, jesus christ.
also, I'm being insanely dumb not being able to remember this, what's the horn section at the start of Through The Wormhole from? (At around :10)
I know I recognize it and I'd guess it's from somewhere on Ziltoid 1 but I can't place it at all ???
Sounds to me like it's from Sumeria around :24
Yes, that's it. So ZTO is connected to Deconstruction, and Deconstruction is connected to Dark Matters. It's officially a chain now.
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wow, you're absolutely right, jesus christ.
also, I'm being insanely dumb not being able to remember this, what's the horn section at the start of Through The Wormhole from? (At around :10)
I know I recognize it and I'd guess it's from somewhere on Ziltoid 1 but I can't place it at all ???
Sounds to me like it's from Sumeria around :24
Could be. Based on my memory of that section, I think it might actually be from the last part of Poltergeist. There's one huge horn flourish and then the STAAAAAAAAAAAAND. It sounds kind of like that.
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nah, it's Sumeria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvCwvfGJq_k&t=0m22s
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how is "Rain City" not everyone's #1?! dat callback to "Funeral!" aaagh!
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Sometimes when im listening to Sky Blue, I cant help but feel like ive heard some if these lyrics before on Casualties.
Am I crazy? Especially the part of the title track that goes "I have a fight and I have a right of way". I'm not sure where but I know I've heard that phrase before. I swear theres lots of links to Casualties on SB but i could just totally be wrong.
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Unveiling of Devin's new Framus Ziltoid V :metal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-XhYBOthSw
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how is "Rain City" not everyone's #1?! dat callback to "Funeral!" aaagh!
That's probably why it's my favorite off Sky Blue.
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Completely is, but to me that part is nothing more than a homage; the rest is a bit too similar for me but without the 'drowning' production. It's a bit too open and free for me to be that similar to Ocean Machine. Plus any comparison to OM is gonna lose, in my ears; there's just no comparison to that album and there never fucking will be. It's too singular, too personal and hurtful and hopeful and helpful and 234958U234ROKAJDSFL;. It's perfection incarnate to me. Rain City is awesome but it's lower-tier on SB for me precisely because of the many callbacks and homages to OM; it seems to try a bit too hard in that regard, to me anyway. I like SB as a fusion of the song itself and The New Reign. TNR has this oddly beautiful melancholy while still being so wide open and hopeful and yet gets so dark in very small bits and pieces...while SB is just perfectly hopefully and poppy in all the right ways without being shallow. SB as an album is all of that to me with a few drawbacks here and there that keep it from being my consistent favorite. Well, overall...right now it's still all I'm listening to but even now as I'm listening to Regulator, I can see why OM will always be my favorite and why SB will just fall a tad bit short.
Just me, though. ALWAYS. WHO'S THE WEAKEST NOW? CAUGHT UP IN THE WIRE. I'M ALREADY GONE. WHO'S THE WEAKEST MEEEEEOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!?
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how is "Rain City" not everyone's #1?! dat callback to "Funeral!" aaagh!
You mean Bastard, right?
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how is "Rain City" not everyone's #1?! dat callback to "Funeral!" aaagh!
You mean Bastard, right?
:tup
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I'm lost here, when does Rain City callback to Ocean Machine?
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I'm lost here, when does Rain City callback to Ocean Machine?
5:52
Gone now, in a field of green. Gone where feelings go
Last line of Bastard @ 9:05
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I heard there is a version of Fallout sung by devin, is that true? I would love it
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how is "Rain City" not everyone's #1?! dat callback to "Funeral!" aaagh!
You mean Bastard, right?
typo :facepalm:
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I think I've figured out why I'm disappointed by Sky Blue after many listens.
I think the choruses to most of the songs are great and really catchy. But the verses are not melodic. They have these weird non-standard melodic "lines" if you can even call them that. Take the second verse of the title track ("Do what you want to...."). Ugh, that is just so painful to listen to. That one's not even a melody because it's just sitting on the same note over and over. (I love the chorus to that song though.) But even the better songs on the disc, it just feels like Devin didn't take the time to construct good verses. So I can't really sit down and enjoy any of the songs all the way through because it's painful to get through the verses.
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I think I've figured out why I'm disappointed by Sky Blue after many listens.
I think the choruses to most of the songs are great and really catchy. But the verses are not melodic. They have these weird non-standard melodic "lines" if you can even call them that. Take the second verse of the title track ("Do what you want to...."). Ugh, that is just so painful to listen to. That one's not even a melody because it's just sitting on the same note over and over. (I love the chorus to that song though.) But even the better songs on the disc, it just feels like Devin didn't take the time to construct good verses. So I can't really sit down and enjoy any of the songs all the way through because it's painful to get through the verses.
Can't say I really agree with you there. Yeah, the choruses are usually a lot more melodic than the verses, but that doesn't mean there aren't some great verses on the album (Midnight Sun, Rain City, the previously mentioned Sky Blue...)
The only song where the vocal melodies really bother me is A New Reign, which is why that song is one of my least favorites on the album. I don't know, they just seem too loose and awkwardly phrased, with no special melody to them.
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I think I've figured out why I'm disappointed by Sky Blue after many listens.
I think the choruses to most of the songs are great and really catchy. But the verses are not melodic. They have these weird non-standard melodic "lines" if you can even call them that. Take the second verse of the title track ("Do what you want to...."). Ugh, that is just so painful to listen to. That one's not even a melody because it's just sitting on the same note over and over. (I love the chorus to that song though.) But even the better songs on the disc, it just feels like Devin didn't take the time to construct good verses. So I can't really sit down and enjoy any of the songs all the way through because it's painful to get through the verses.
Can't say I really agree with you there. Yeah, the choruses are usually a lot more melodic than the verses, but that doesn't mean there aren't some great verses on the album (Midnight Sun, Rain City, the previously mentioned Sky Blue...)
The only song where the vocal melodies really bother me is A New Reign, which is why that song is one of my least favorites on the album. I don't know, they just seem too loose and awkwardly phrased, with no special melody to them.
The wierd thing about A New Reign is that its almost like there is no verse.
The structure is like: Intro-PreChorus-Chorus-PreChorus-Chorus-Intro Revisited-Bridge-Intro Melody again-Chorus/End.
Like, where are the verses? :lol
Even so, its a very powerful song, lyrically and musically, and my personal favorite on Z2.
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The wierd thing about A New Reign is that its almost like there is no verse.
The structure is like: Intro-PreChorus-Chorus-PreChorus-Chorus-Intro Revisited-Bridge-Intro Melody again-Chorus/End.
Like, where are the verses? :lol
Even so, its a very powerful song, lyrically and musically, and my personal favorite on Z2.
Yeah, I noticed that too. :lol I don't know, I just don't like the vocals on that song much, and since they're focused on so much it hurts the track pretty badly for me.
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I thought the same at first, it's an odd sounding song given the structure. I really love it now and it's top-tier for me, to be sure. I especially love the lines of "Yet here we are again" (Or just "Yet here we are", at the end of the song). I'm finding that this record, for me, is much less of a 'chore' (for a horrible lack of words) to get through than other albums of his. It's very accessible, I'd say more so than even Addicted! or Epicloud (at least Sky Blue, not so much for Dark Matters). That said, I still find a considerable amount of depth to the lyrics and the music itself without it being overwhelming. Then again, I'm apparently much more open to Devy's sound and production than most, so the whole 'wall of sound' or 'dominating choir' doesn't affect me in the slightest and I simply view it as part of the album's personality, so for me that takes away a lot of the problems many people have right there.
I think I'm at a point where it'll stick, and it's still at the same 'not the best Devy album, but still awesomely awesome'.
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The only thing about A New Reign that I dont get is the end, during the ambience when he says "peppermint gum, peppermint gum, peppermint gum, all-brown flag".
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I hope he plays Before We Die.
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As a casual Devin fan, I'm really liking Sky Blue. The title track is amazing.
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Also I got Casualties of Cool recently and I'd say I'm enjoying it more than Z2 as of now.
Flight and The Bridge are both amazing, I enjoy practically every song though. Expected to like it but didn't expect to like it quite this much, haha.
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WHEEEEEREEE IS MY POOZER?
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WHY AM I TALKING TO MYSELF!?!?
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WHY AM I TALKING TO MYSELF!?!?
That was one of the best dialogue moments on DM :rollin
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WHY AM I TALKING TO MYSELF!?!?
That was one of the best dialogue moments on DM :rollin
that's actually one of the ones i found really forced, like most of the narrator's attempts at comedy (there aren't many, of course, and that's great).
my highlight will forever be Ziltoid in TTW: "oh, so lame!" - then hilariously and horribly singing the song they knew as kids!
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I fucking love Silent Militia. That is all.
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WHY AM I TALKING TO MYSELF!?!?
That was one of the best dialogue moments on DM :rollin
I think it's made slightly funnier by the fact that it's not even written in the lyric booklet. Maybe it's something the narrator ad-libbed on the spot. :lol
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My highlights are
"mememememememe me! *fart"
"you see (with vibrato) you shall follow, FOR I'M YOUR QUEEN" (Dominique is incredibly awesome, and incredibly good looking too.)
"My brothaaa"
and
"Do you mind if I use 'bathroom' for a moment"
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Perfect. All my favorites as well, especially the first two. The "you SEEEE" part kind of gives me a chubby every time. Such a sexy voice that woman has.
She can be my queen any day. *bvvrrt*
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Mark Cimino(Second guitarist on Addicted) voices the Poozers.
Poozah!
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Has anybody here commented on the top notch drum work by RVP in Z2, yet?
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i would comment on RVP's drumming if i could make out any of his cymbal work (i guess that's headphones-only)!
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I would comment on it, but I havent had the time to write up an elaborate in-depth fangasm explanation on just how awesome RVP's drumming is. Definite highlight for drums would be Zildoidian Empire and Earth. And also Z2 has some awesome parts. Sick fills all over.
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i would comment on RVP's drumming if i could make out any of his cymbal work (i guess that's headphones-only)!
You could try the leaked promo version, it's an "unfinished" master with less dynamics compression. Sounds way better than the CD IMO.
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So yeah, Sky Blue is definitely in the top half of Devin's discog - it keeps improving with every listen. The only songs that I'm still not really sold on are The Ones Who Love (though it does work as an outro, just not as an individual song, but then I suppose it's not supposed to?) and Rain City.
Dark Matters, however, has left me cold. March of the Poozers is awesome, Deathray and War Princess are great, the rest I can take or leave. It's better than the original Ziltoid, but not by much, and the good songs on Ziltoid absolutely destroy everything on this album that isn't March of the Poozers.
Also, Justin, can we look forward to another write-up in the Devin discography thread?
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Listened to Z2 a bunch of times.
It's fun Pop music (Sky Blue), but I just don't care anymore for that overproduced, safe production. Nothing stands out.. it's all just one big gooey mess to my ears.
Addicted somehow managed to have a smashing sound, even with its heavy compressed sound.
As for Dark Matters.. I'll hold off on judgement. Too much going on.
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I fucking love Silent Militia. That is all.
Absolutely, best song on either disc by a good margin.
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Also, Justin, can we look forward to another write-up in the Devin discography thread?
100% yes. I wouldn't expect anything until the end of this semester though. School is fucking me with even less lube than normal at the moment.
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I'm loving Sky Blue so far. Just one great song after another. :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
I'll give Dark Matters more attention eventually, but given that they are basically two separate studio albums, trying to get into both at once is not something I am gonna do, especially since I have other new stuff I am digging and not as much music listening time as I normally do lately.
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Some live footage of "Midnight Sun" and "Rejoice" being played live for the first time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWdMkDM5Okw#t=173
:metal
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Some live footage of "Midnight Sun" and "Rejoice" being played live for the first time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWdMkDM5Okw#t=173
:metal
Thanks for this! Great to see them played live.
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War Princess just clicked with me. Such a powerful song.
The female vocals are ridiculous.
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right now Moon is ruling my life, I just wish it had a proper ending though 'cause Pier kind of meanders
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Seeing him tomorrow. Super psyched.
I have a quick question.
Unfortunately, because of being busy at school, I haven't had a ton of time to listen to the new album and was wondering about a difference between the leak and the actual version.
I vaguely remember the leak having some sort of preface that discussed how Ziltoid—who was apparently a figment of the imagination of a coffee house worker—was somehow real/alive/whatever. The new version does not have that. Was I dreaming? Am I missing something?
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I went back and checked, and you're right. It's around the 3 minute mark in the opening track on the leaked version, but not on the official version.
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What does it say? I don't have access to the leak right now. Is it too long to type up?
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Hrm? Damn, maybe I got a 'pre-final' leak (mine even has the Devy-centric Fallout so I know it's not the final version, it also has the different mastering to the final version). I've got both the leak and the official digipak but my leak doesn't have anything about that on Z2. Now, on From Sleep Awake, on both of my versions, coincidentally around 2:50-ish the narrator mentions that there's a revelation that Ziltoid is from another planet, but nothing about a 'dream from a coffee house worker' or anything of the sort on either version. Anyone care to be more specific and give precise times and/or a direct quote? This is intriguing.
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It says:
"Z2. Zed Squared. Episode 2. When we last met Ziltoid, it was thought he was merely a figment of our fertile imaginations. As it turns out, he is VERY real. Welcome."
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Oh, that's it? That's boring. I thought it was an actual describing how it was the case. I only listened to the leak once and I was close to falling asleep because I'd gotten like no sleep the night before.
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Oh SHIT, I DO remember that... Damn it, that's right, I deleted that one and got a better quality leak and totally forgot about that. That's exactly what he says. INTERESTING!
Maybe Devy figured it's obvious at this point that he's real. I mean...they turn all the humans into buttheads and fight for Earth so, it's kinda self-explanatory at this point. But I did like that part.
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I kept the leaked version because of all the differences.
So I have:
2 versions of Sky Blue(Leaked and Official)
and 3 Versions of Dark Matters(Leaked, Official, and Raw)
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I do as well but apparently I have a leaked version that was in between the original and the final. There's some differences in the mastering, and the obvious Fallout difference, but my Dark Matters, while sonically different, is mostly the same. Perhaps only my DM is the 'leaked official'. Anyway, I previously had that one and remember that very clearly, and now I kinda wish I had it again. I'm not so keen on audio differences and I love both SB and DM in their final master versions but it'd be cool to have that extra bit of audio.
I also remember thinking how weird it was that he actually says 'zed squared'. Is that like...'a thing'? Saying 'Z' as 'zed'? The 'squared' part isn't too weird, although I would have just said 'two', but 'zed'? Hrm.
Have you noticed anything else different? I obviously can't recall very well unless I'm reminded of it. One of those things.
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Another big one is on Silent Militia.
The leaked version goes synth->guitar chugging->"SILENT MILITIA!"
The official version has an a capella version of the chorus at the start followed by guitar chugging then "SILENT MIILITIA!"
Can't really think of any others at the moment. I've kinda overplayed both discs to death so I need a break
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I reached that point recently as well. Still love 'em to death but I'm on the verge of becoming Devy'd-out. Man, I need to search for that leak for when I get the urge to listen again. *runs off*
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Just got back from seeing Dev and Co. in Minneapolis. Amazing show, the new songs sound so tight live and the classics are as awesome as ever.
The best part of the night for me was after the whole show was done and getting to hang out with RVP for a while and catch up on old times. He really is one of the greatest guys in music:
(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10348294_10154821979840459_5923604342093888013_n.jpg?oh=da7a9ddb069a01adf74d720e664f5248&oe=551C79FA)
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I also remember thinking how weird it was that he actually says 'zed squared'. Is that like...'a thing'? Saying 'Z' as 'zed'? The 'squared' part isn't too weird, although I would have just said 'two', but 'zed'? Hrm.
Have you noticed anything else different? I obviously can't recall very well unless I'm reminded of it. One of those things.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zed
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Nice! :tup
I don't know why this just randomly occurred to me but I also remember in Men In Black, they did the same thing with 'Zed'...'Z'. Grool.
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I'm sure this is way too early to be asking this, but do you guys think we'll ever get a Z3?
The end of Dark Matters certainly sets it up, but do you think Devin has another album like this in him?
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If anyone's interested, Devin Townsend and Animals As Leaders streaming live concert available for viewing FREE now at https://www.toontrack.com/live-streaming-concert/
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If anyone's interested, Devin Townsend and Animals As Leaders streaming live concert available for viewing FREE now at https://www.toontrack.com/live-streaming-concert/
NIIIIIIIICEEE!!!! :metal
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This is gold! I've always loved his banter. And the band is in tip top shape as well! Sunday in Toronto can't come fast enough.
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wtf they just played the intro to YYZ - Rush
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wtf they just played the intro to YYZ - Rush
Completely at random :lol
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wtf they just played the intro to YYZ - Rush
Completely at random :lol
CANUCK METAL :metal
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wtf they just played the intro to YYZ - Rush
Completely at random :lol
CANUCK METAL :metal
Can you imagine YYZ done on an 8-string? That would be so
(https://boulevardbrutal.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/meshuggah041.jpg)
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I mean, he wouldn't have set it up if he didn't have a plan to do SOMETHING, Metro. Maybe not a Z3, but I'm pretty positive that he's gonna do a follow up to Casualties with Ziltoid at least related to it. There's a reason that he obviously (and then announced) had Ziltoid and Blattaria end up on the Casualties 'Moon' at the end and then have the narrator blatantly set up a sequel of some sort, whether it be Z3 or Casualties 2 in some fashion. Maybe years down the line we'll get a 'Ziltoid Vs. Blattaria', but I'm pretty sure the Ziltoid line is done. If the next 'Ziltoid' album is going to exist, I'd put my money on it being a 'Z vs. B' album. But my first choice would be a follow-up to Casualties considering that he's even mentioned in interviews (no, not gonna link, fuckin' google it) that after Z2, he'd like to focus on more laid-back, Casualties-esque music. I'm pretty positive that he's even mentioned that he'd like to do a follow up to it after he's taken a break.
I'm cool with anything he does, but I'm also down for him taking a year-plus break considering that the man has all but run out of steam.
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Devin actually said in an interview that he's not taking a break anymore. And regarding the ending of the album, I think it's just a joke. A clichè thing.
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Yeah I think he said in an interview that the ending was meant to just parody cheesey sci-fi stories. The Casualties/Ziltoid vs. Blattaria theory sounds interesting though...
Honestly, I'm more curious about this "Obviouser" project he's been hinting at for years than another Ziltoid record.
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Honestly, I'm more curious about this "Obviouser" project he's been hinting at for years than another Ziltoid record.
This is the first I've heard of that. What has he said about it?
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I was at that livestreamed concert in Chicago last night. Really excellent show all around. I'm really glad to have heard Grace; I wasn't expecting it!
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Devin actually said in an interview that he's not taking a break anymore. And regarding the ending of the album, I think it's just a joke. A clichè thing.
Metropolis Pt 1 was just a joke that inevitably got forced to be made into a full album. Z3 will happen at some point. Maybe not for a while, but it'll happen.
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I was at that livestreamed concert in Chicago last night. Really excellent show all around. I'm really glad to have heard Grace; I wasn't expecting it!
I was there too and still didn't hear him say that.
The show was pretty cool. Bad Devil and March of the Poozers were the huge highlights. I don't like Grace as much without the Anneke.
Also the Animals as Leaders fans were douchebags, djent sucks, and people stank of bad weed.
Other than that, it was awesome. :lol
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Devin actually said in an interview that he's not taking a break anymore. And regarding the ending of the album, I think it's just a joke. A clichè thing.
Metropolis Pt 1 was just a joke that inevitably got forced to be made into a full album. Z3 will happen at some point. Maybe not for a while, but it'll happen.
Good point. I'm not denying that it won't happen, but that the ending is just a joke, and nothing is planned yet. I think so at least. Knowing Devin he's probably writing material that'll come out five years by now :lol
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:lol Wouldn't be surprised in the least. I took it completely serious though, but still more as a "this is a joke, but I'm putting this here to both continue the story, but also if I so please, to continue the story down the line". Kind of like how whenever there's a standalone movie and then the Hollywood big-wigs see an opportunity and force the ending to be ambiguous so that they can continue it...except Devy's way was done right and with the right intent and execution.
I still love that it's linked to Casualties. SO. MUCH. It's awesome. Marvel Cinematic Universe? Fuuuuuuck that. Devy Musical Universe. BOOM.
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I still love that it's linked to Casualties. SO. MUCH. It's awesome. Marvel Cinematic Universe? Fuuuuuuck that. Devy Musical Universe. BOOM.
When the narrator said "A moon made of bones and dust", I first was like "wait" and then I jumped off my chair crying to the sky THAT'S CASUALTIES OF COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-
very cool connection. Done really well.
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I was at that livestreamed concert in Chicago last night. Really excellent show all around. I'm really glad to have heard Grace; I wasn't expecting it!
I was there too and still didn't hear him say that.
The show was pretty cool. Bad Devil and March of the Poozers were the huge highlights. I don't like Grace as much without the Anneke.
Also the Animals as Leaders fans were douchebags, djent sucks, and people stank of bad weed.
Other than that, it was awesome. :lol
I saw so many people getting kicked out smoking weed. At least the staff was on top of it. I hate being short. I managed to get stuck behind like 4 of the tallest people in the world for most of the night.
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Mike: :lol Agreed, and almost the same...except I was in bed and, with my headphones on, yelled "OOOOOOOH SHIIIIIIIT!" and accidentally woke my niece. Worth it. It was immediate. :lol I'm pretty sure almost every Devy fan here caught on instantaneously but I wonder how many didn't catch that until Devy mentioned it?
Man, even in my heaviest days of being a complete, proud stoner, I still wouldn't risk getting kicked out of a concert and/or legal issues just to get stoned.
OR, I should say, the few times I did, was actually smart about it and used my pea brain to, y'know, DO IT BEFORE THE GOD DAMN CONCERT. What a bunch of soggy tampons.
I am however sad that most djent fans and/or AAL fans are complete and utter twats because I am a huge fan of the new album. I'm not even a djent fan, in any way, but what AAL did on Motion is fucking gorgeous and I would've loved to see them. Alas, my job does not allow for any pleasure at all. Except for when I get to fire moronic little cunts. Coincidentally, I just fired one for getting high at work. Sometimes I wonder how the human race made it this far.
< *Is secretly a really smart squirrel*
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I was at that livestreamed concert in Chicago last night. Really excellent show all around. I'm really glad to have heard Grace; I wasn't expecting it!
I was there too and still didn't hear him say that.
The show was pretty cool. Bad Devil and March of the Poozers were the huge highlights. I don't like Grace as much without the Anneke.
Also the Animals as Leaders fans were douchebags, djent sucks, and people stank of bad weed.
Other than that, it was awesome. :lol
I saw so many people getting kicked out smoking weed. At least the staff was on top of it. I hate being short. I managed to get stuck behind like 4 of the tallest people in the world for most of the night.
I might have seen you depending on where you were. (For Devy) I was with my girlfriend close to dead center about 5ish people back. There was a really tall dude in front of me. Obviously this isn't helping so I don't know what I'm continuing to type...
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Because you're you, and we love you for it. You crazy-haired bastard, you.
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Honestly, I'm more curious about this "Obviouser" project he's been hinting at for years than another Ziltoid record.
This is the first I've heard of that. What has he said about it?
He's mentioned it in passing in several interviews over the past couple years. I believe he said it's supposed to be creepy bass-oriented music with an Icelandic choir. With that description I'd expect it to sound like the songs Drench and Mend off of the Casualties bonus disc.
He's recently said that he wants to play more bass after he's done with all this touring for Z2, so maybe this is the next project in line.
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I might have seen you depending on where you were. (For Devy) I was with my girlfriend close to dead center about 5ish people back. There was a really tall dude in front of me. Obviously this isn't helping so I don't know what I'm continuing to type...
Did your girlfriend have a handpuppet? Right after some guys got kicked out in front of us, a couple stood near us, and we joked about height things. I was up against the wall in front of the sound booth.
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Nah, she did not. We were a few rows of people in front of you if your back was against the sound board. We were kind of right where the "front" ended and the pit started, which was hellish for Animals as Leaders and much more chill for Devy.
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That Live stream gote really excited for our show.
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I woke up at 5AM to see that livestream. It was absolutely worth it.
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Anyone want to go to the Animals as Leaders + Devin concert in NYC at Webster Hall on Saturday night 12/6?
I was going with a friend and he dropped out, but we haven't been able to find someone else to take his place. Instead of selling it, I figured I'd give it to one of you guys. Cause y'all are cool n stuff.
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I would've gladly accepted it, except I already have a ticket to tomorrow's show and I don't know anyone personally who'd be interested in going.
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Tonight's show was awesome.
They played a ton of new songs, which was awesome, because one of my main problems with Devin's live shows was that he tends to play the same songs over and over again. The addition of a keyboardist was pretty nice, too.
They removed the pre-show funny internet videos though, which made me sad.
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Remember the ToonTrack livestream of the DTP's show in Chicago? Well, they've put it up on Youtube! :metal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHRjP0KMkao
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I still have that free ticket to tonight's Webster Hall show if anyone wants it!
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I was bored (https://gifsound.com/?gif=i.imgur.com/SEQ0jQA.gif&v=yE2ulYKK56U&s=532)
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Devin Townsend slayed last night! Glad to finally say I saw him live. At the end of his set he shook hands with the people at the front of the barrier and fortunately for me, I was one of those people! :metal
I listened to Dark Matters again (with the dialogue) on the way to the show, and it's really grown on me a lot. Not that I didn't like it to begin with, it's just that I needed a couple of listens for it to really sink in for me. The new songs were awesome live, and I'm glad I got to hear songs like Grace. I was a tiny bit sad that they didn't play anything off Addicted but there's always a next time.
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I STILL HAVE A FIGHT
I STILL HAVE A RIGHT OF WAY
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I was bored (https://gifsound.com/?gif=i.imgur.com/SEQ0jQA.gif&v=yE2ulYKK56U&s=532)
https://gifsound.com/?gif=i.imgur.com/SEQ0jQA.gif&v=d3vLMBmdQNk&s=144
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Failure. You will be raped to death by a coffee bean; this is the correct answer (https://gifsound.com/?gif=i.imgur.com/SEQ0jQA.gif&v=TgbTMQFkEfc&s=318), you fetid fools.
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:rollin
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Anybody here going to the Atlanta show tonight?
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Whew, thought I deleted the vip confirmation email. Got scared a bit.
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Anybody here going to the Atlanta show tonight?
I wish. That's the closest show to me, but it's still a 3 hour drive one-way. Wouldn't do that without spending the night. Especially hard now with an infant at home.
If you're going, enjoy the show, I'm jealous!
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Whew, thought I deleted the vip confirmation email. Got scared a bit.
Were you at the meet and greet tonight? I was.
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Nah, I'm seeing him in Albuquerque next week. How was the experience though.
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Amazing. First time seeing Devin and Animals as Leaders. Absolutely amazing show. I'd never listened to Monuments before, but they kicked major ass.
Meet and greet was fun. Got signed setlists from DTP and AAL, and got my copies of Epicloud and Z2 signed by the DTP. Talked a bit with everyone from the DTP. Beave is the coolest guy you will ever meet. I talked with Tosin a lot.
Devin was chill as always. I tried to control myself but I went total fanboy when I finally spoke to him. I told him how much of an impact his music has had on his life and I got him to sign my Ziltoid puppet. Also got him to prank call a friend of mine as Ziltoid :lol
Overall, the best fuckin night of my life.
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That's awesome. How long was the meet and greet? I'm thinking about getting my DTP teddy bear I got from the Epicloud preorder signed.
It'll be my first time seeing DTP and Monuments.
And Haha that's awesome you got him to prank call your friend.
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Meet and greet only lasts about 30 minutes.
Act quickly, because some people(myself included) don't know when to shut up.
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Even though I rarely listen to the original Ziltoid, I still love By Your Command so damn much.
Anyway, this is to say, I'm doing my first listen of Z and Dark Matters in one go. I figure it's a good way to start a boring day off.
YEEEEEESSS MY LORRRRRD!
POWPOWPOW SHEBLOWS SHEBLOWBLOWS
POWPOWPOW SHEBLOWS SHEBLOWBLOWS
...I'll bet she does. :metal :metal :metal :metal :corn
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Pretty sure it's "Pound pound pound ye pushy push pound" but whatever maintains the buoyancy of your aquatic vessel there, champ.
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Oh... Yeah I'll stick with mine. I was listening to the live version of the Wacken 2014 version, and the audio is less than stellar but for some reason I love this version. Live Devy is always best to me.
Anyway that's good to know the real lyrics. But for as horny as I am after being teased to hell by my not-girlfriend-girlfriend last night, I'll find sexuality in a god damn jesus statue. Fuck.
Makes more sense that at the end Devy says "FUCKING POUND!" Good stuff.
"NO WAIT. THERE'S A FEMALE IN THE AUDIENCE... WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" Still one of my favorite lines of a concert. Holy shit. :lol
I dunno, it made sense in the context of my vehemently raped mind. I was thinking like...planet smasher...'she' being some kind of ship...'blowing' being an explosion... Ziltoid fucks you up, man. Drugs ain't got SHIT. What's sad is I am SO MUCH MORE FUCKED when I'm sober than I am drunk/high. Jesus fuck.
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:lol
I must say, after a lot of listens (20+) to both Sky Blue and Dark Matters I've decided that Z2 is probably my second least favourite Devin album. Personally I think that Sky Blue is decent and that the raw version of Dark Matters is better than the normal version. Other than the fact that the music does not feel as original or innovative as previous Devin albums to me, I also don't really like the fact that a few songs are based upon other, non-Devin songs (Silent Militia, March of the Poozers) or have parts of other songs in them or are heavily inspired by them (Sky Blue, Ziltoid Goes Home). I'm probably the only one though. It's not really a big deal to me; I didn't have a problem with Save Our Now either. However, it just feels like Devin didn't have as much inspiration for this album, and in my opinion, that manifests itself in the music.
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The first set you listed are my favorite songs off each respective disc, and I like Sky Blue a lot too.
But yeah I'm not hugely feeling the album as a whole, Sky Blue isn't distinct enough from Epicloud for me and Dark Matters doesn't have much interesting in general, the story overtook the album far too much.
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In way, DT went way overboard with Dark Matters to the point of overloaded. I enjoy the story and the "Captain Spectacular" sound. Plus, knowing Mark did the poozer meeps makes it funny as I could see him doing them in the studio.
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Honestly, I'm more curious about this "Obviouser" project he's been hinting at for years than another Ziltoid record.
This is the first I've heard of that. What has he said about it?
He's mentioned it in passing in several interviews over the past couple years. I believe he said it's supposed to be creepy bass-oriented music with an Icelandic choir. With that description I'd expect it to sound like the songs Drench and Mend off of the Casualties bonus disc.
He's recently said that he wants to play more bass after he's done with all this touring for Z2, so maybe this is the next project in line.
I actually asked him about this at the meet and greet. He said he's trying not to commit himself to too many projects at once, and to not expect it anytime soon, but that it would be pretty heavy.
Beave mentioned that there was a track that they cut from Sky Blue that had Anneke on lead vocals. I asked if it would ever see the light of day, and he said it will definitely be on the next DTP album, which Dev is currently writing.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NGQjRMXg28
So, March of the Poozers lyric video
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I want a Poozer
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I want coffee.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NGQjRMXg28
So, March of the Poozers lyric video
the Poozer starchild is pretty hilarious :)
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Just started listening to Devin, been bored at work and wanted to try something new. I found his Retinal Circus concert and holy crap. Its insane and yet really good and intriguing. I ended up purchasing the Blu Ray immediately. I havent listened to any of his albums so this is all new to me.
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:tup :tup
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IIIIIIIIIIIII
I WONDEEEEERRR
WHYYYYYY
I WONDEEEERRRR
WHYYYYYY
I COME UN-
DOOOOONNNNNE
I COOOOME UNDOOONNNNE
:heart :heart :heart :heart :heart :millahhhh :yarr :coolio
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Kingdom kicks so much ass live.
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Kingdom kicks so much ass live always.
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Kingdom kicks so much ass live.
Yes, yes it does
Super crush debt singing is the best live
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I actually thought that Grace would've been the final song in the set when I saw him live last week tbh, but nevertheless Kingdom was such an awesome end to Dev's set IMO.
I don't think I'll ever get over the fact he shook my hand at the end of his set. :heart
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I don't think I'll ever get over the fact he shook my hand at the end of his set. :heart
Same here. He almost remembered my name from the meet and greet when he shook my hand(He called me Joshua instead of Jacob)
Doesn't matter, met Dev.
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:rollin :lol :heart :millahhhh :|
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I don't think I'll ever get over the fact he shook my hand at the end of his set. :heart
Same here. He almost remembered my name from the meet and greet when he shook my hand(He called me Joshua instead of Jacob)
Doesn't matter, met Dev.
Hey it starts with a J.
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Kingdom kicks so much ass live.
Tomorrow, hopefully I'll experience its majesticness.
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The Meet and Greet was awesome. Talked mainly to Ryan and Mike though. Got my Teddy signed.
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Mark me down as someone who hopes Devin puts the whole Ziltoid thing to rest now. I never thought the first one was that great - it's good, but nearly every Devin solo/DTP/DTB album is better (except Physicist) - and Dark Matters isn't that great either. It's unreal how much better Sky Blue is than Dark Matters. Even the supposed best song on it, War Princess, is generally a freaking mess, but is somewhat saved by Anneke's recurring "You're part of me" line, which is pretty gorgeous. If I separated Dark Matters and Sky Blue when ranking albums, which I'll probably do anyway, Dark Matters and Ziltoid would both rank above Physicist, but Ocean Machine, Infinity, Terria, AE, Synchestra, Ki, Addicted, Deconstruction, Ghost, Epicloud, Casualties of Cool and Sky Blue are all much, much better. I'll even take Epiclouder and the CoC bonus disc over them. Good night, Ziltoid. Please sleep tight and for a long time. :biggrin:
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I'm not a huge fan of the first Ziltoid album either, but Dark Matters is the tits. Easily better than Sky Blue, and probably a top 5 solo album of his.
Also, I'm pretty sure all of the vocals on War Princess are Dominique, not Anneke.
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The first Ziltoid has a great few songs, but yeah, it's not that awesome overall, but Dark Matters is GNNNNNNH :metal
For me SB and DM are pretty balanced in ranking, I like Sky Blue more, but they're incredibly close.
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^ That's how I feel. At first SB was leagues beyond DM with the massive exception of Poozers, but I've grown to like it a lot as a whole. The whole Z2 project is awesome in my earholes. It really gets my earwax flowing.
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the original Ziltoid is one of my favorites from Devin, but Dark Matters isn't that great to me, just got completely overtaken by the not-that-funny-or-interesting story
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I, for one, welcome our Poozonian overlords!
Personally I like Dark Matters a lot more Sky Blue. I can listen to DM multiple times in a row without getting bored. SB doesn't get that much replay value for me.
I've noticed there's essentially no musical reprises of anything from the original Ziltoid album. The only thing that comes close is the intro to Deathray. "Attention people of earth, we are your Poozonian overlords. Resistance is futile." It calls back to the intro to Ziltoidia Attaxx. Other than that, nothing.
Hell, it even sounds like Z2 totally retcons the first album.
Ignore me
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I kinda like that. Too many bands from my past (and consequently, to me, it seems, "a lot of bands") seem to have this masturbatory way of referencing their past albums and it's gotten to a point where it kind of skeevs me out and I'm pretty much over it. It's unnecessary...and I completely do not get how Z2 'retcons' the original... There's nothing indicating that in the album, to my knowledge.
Anyway, Ultimate Guitar had a small interview of Devy in which he says (and I'm pretty sure he's said it in the past and has been posted on here) that the next project will be "much less produced, more organic" and I really liked hearing that. For as much as I love Z2, I'd LOVE something just off-the-wall.
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I kinda like that. Too many bands from my past (and consequently, to me, it seems, "a lot of bands") seem to have this masturbatory way of referencing their past albums and it's gotten to a point where it kind of skeevs me out and I'm pretty much over it.
Interestingly enough, Devin is one of the artists who does this the most. Usually on each album there's a handful of callbacks hidden in the songs. I.E. Lucky Animals calling back to Monument, Radial Highway calling back to Bad Devil, and like three different songs that contain the "sooner or later the night..." line.
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WELL GOD DAMN IT I'M NEVER LISTENING TO DEVIN AGAIN
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I kinda like that. Too many bands from my past (and consequently, to me, it seems, "a lot of bands") seem to have this masturbatory way of referencing their past albums and it's gotten to a point where it kind of skeevs me out and I'm pretty much over it.
Interestingly enough, Devin is one of the artists who does this the most. Usually on each album there's a handful of callbacks hidden in the songs. I.E. Lucky Animals calling back to Monument, Radial Highway calling back to Bad Devil, and like three different songs that contain the "sooner or later the night..." line.
Yea, I'm surprised to see this complaint when Devin does this a ton. Even musically he's been known to recycle ideas. Which is also I find it odd that Z2 features almost no references to the original Ziltoid. Of all albums, that's the one where it'd be most appropriate to do that. :lol
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I suppose I simply didn't notice. All the songs mentioned are not so coincidentally songs in Devys repertoire that I never listen to, with the slight exception of Bad Devil once in a blue moon. My main thought was with another band I love, BTBAM. Doesn't mean I don't like the music but more of the self-referencing overload in itself. I could do without it, that's all I'm saying.
I appreciate Z2 more because it's more original and doesn't feel the need to latch onto the first to be what it is.
HOLY FUCK OPINIONS ERRYWHERE
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It's definitely good that it stands on its own, but it's still a sequel. There should be at least some connection to the original beyond just using the same character again. That's why it feels like retconning too. The Ziltoid in Z2 might as well be a completely different character, and maybe that was the intention. But it makes the story of ZTO seem irrelevant almost.
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Today I was thinking that SYL's All Hail the New Flesh sounded like a heavier version of the Accelerated Evolution album. Even when th last one was written like 6 years later than City :lol .
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It's unnecessary...and I completely do not get how Z2 'retcons' the original... There's nothing indicating that in the album, to my knowledge.
Well, pretty early in the album the narrator says something about "when we last saw Ziltoid, it was thought that he existed in the mind of a coffeehouse worker, but it turns out, Ziltoid is VERY real." There's no way that's the exact quote, but it's in there somewhere. Then again, that might be another relic of the pre-release leak.
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Yeah, it is; I had a conversation with someone (I think in this thread?) about that. It's nowhere to be found in the final release.
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Interesting. Very interesting indeed. I wonder if there's a Z3 if the pre-release leak will be different to the final as well. It's almost a tradition at this point. Ziltoid 1 had a few dialogue differences as well.
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It says:
"Z2. Zed Squared. Episode 2. When we last met Ziltoid, it was thought he was merely a figment of our fertile imaginations. As it turns out, he is VERY real. Welcome."
That's the quote you're thinking of. It's on the leaked version but absent on the official.
But I'm 99% sure I heard the sample played when he played Z2(the song) live.
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It says:
"Z2. Zed Squared. Episode 2. When we last met Ziltoid, it was thought he was merely a figment of our fertile imaginations. As it turns out, he is VERY real. Welcome."
That's the quote you're thinking of. It's on the leaked version but absent on the official.
But I'm 99% sure I heard the sample played when he played Z2(the song) live.
Yes yes yes. That's the one. Odd that he took it out. Also odd that he took out his (fucking awesome) vocals on Fallout. Also also odd that he added a goofy "I'ma WARRIOR!" dialogue to Warrior. Also also also odd that he added an a capella section to Silent Militia.
Hell, I don't get it. The leaked version is better in every way if you ask me.
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I heard the original version of Fallout with the Dev vocals a while ago and I'll be honest, I can see why he dropped them. Not only does having Anneke do the verses make the choruses hit a lot harder, but his vocals during the verses sound pretty strained. Not his worst vocal performance, but not that great either.
As for the other differences in the leaks, aside from the different mixes, who cares? The additions in Warrior and Silent Militia are so miniscule that they don't add or detract in any way.
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Personally, I don't mind the Warrior thing, but I think Silent Militia takes way too long to get going. I also think Devin's vocals on Fallout are fantastic, but hey. Opinions and shit.
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After a while, I can SEE why he used Anneke, but I too prefer the Devy version. At first I was flip flopping, but I just love his vocals too much, even if I can hear a slight bit of strain, it's not obvious enough to take away my boner. I LOVE the "I'm a WARRIOR!" part, even if I don't get it at all.
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I remember Devin saying that he wrote the heaviest song he's ever written for this album. Any guesses on what song that could be?(Assuming it made it on to the album. Probably on DM if it did make it.) While the album certainly is heavy, nothing really stands out as the heaviest thing he's ever done. War Princess maybe?
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I got my Retinal Circus Blu Ray last week. Still havent watched it all, but Im loving it so far about half way through.
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I remember Devin saying that he wrote the heaviest song he's ever written for this album. Any guesses on what song that could be?(Assuming it made it on to the album. Probably on DM if it did make it.) While the album certainly is heavy, nothing really stands out as the heaviest thing he's ever done. War Princess maybe?
I'd say Ziltoid Goes Home. But I think that it's hard to top how heavy he was in SYL and Deconstruction. It's hard to top that heaviness.
I got my Retinal Circus Blu Ray last week. Still havent watched it all, but Im loving it so far about half way through.
Mine is coming soon too. I can't fucking wait.
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I remember Devin saying that he wrote the heaviest song he's ever written for this album. Any guesses on what song that could be?(Assuming it made it on to the album. Probably on DM if it did make it.) While the album certainly is heavy, nothing really stands out as the heaviest thing he's ever done. War Princess maybe?
I'd say Ziltoid Goes Home. But I think that it's hard to top how heavy he was in SYL and Deconstruction. It's hard to top that heaviness.
That's what I'm thinking too, it's gotta be ZGH. I can see what he means, but yeah I'd say anything on Decon is heavier. Then again I also thought Thing was one of the heaviest things he's written till it sunk in a bit more; so I suppose it comes down to how you feel about the song itself and the general vibe, not the crushing guitars, bass and drums.
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Sounds like a similar thing to Mikael from Opeth. They have a different definition of "heavy" now.
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I remember Devin saying that he wrote the heaviest song he's ever written for this album. Any guesses on what song that could be?(Assuming it made it on to the album. Probably on DM if it did make it.) While the album certainly is heavy, nothing really stands out as the heaviest thing he's ever done. War Princess maybe?
He recently said on Twitter that the "heaviest thing he ever wrote" was left off of Z2.
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Oh daaayyum! I wanna hear that shit. NAO.
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:metal :metal Happy Addicted Friday! :metal :metal
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So I watched all of The Retinal Circus DVD and I really enjoyed the Epicloud and Addicted tracks so I got those albums. I know his music is kind of diverse. Any recomendations being that I enjoy tracks from those albums? It seemed they were featured the most on the DVD as well, but I liked a lot of the other songs too like War, Juular, Life, Vampira, and Colonial Boy.
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I'd recommend you check out Accelerated Evolution next. It's kinda in the same "Progressive Pop Metal" vein as Addicted and Epicloud, though a little bit more on the metal side in some places.
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I'd recommend you check out Accelerated Evolution next. It's kinda in the same "Progressive Pop Metal" vein as Addicted and Epicloud, though a little bit more on the metal side in some places.
This. Also his new album Sky Blue (which is part of Z2) is pretty much a continuation of the Epicloud sound, so if you liked that album you'd probably like it too.
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I'd recommend you check out Accelerated Evolution next. It's kinda in the same "Progressive Pop Metal" vein as Addicted and Epicloud, though a little bit more on the metal side in some places.
This. Also his new album Sky Blue (which is part of Z2) is pretty much a continuation of the Epicloud sound, so if you liked that album you'd probably like it too.
Cool thanks, and I dont mind more metal. The other heavy songs from Retinal Circus are good too, just the ones I listed really stick out to me. I like the more poppy influences stuff I guess.
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Accelerated Evolution is one of my least favourites so I'm not sure I'd recommend it necessarily.
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Accelerated Evolution is one of my least favourites so I'm not sure I'd recommend it necessarily.
On the contrary, it's my favorite solo album of his prior to the DTP.
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Accelerated Evolution is one of my least favourites so I'm not sure I'd recommend it necessarily.
This. Also, it really isn't that much like Addicted or Epicloud. The classic Devin wall of sound is mostly non-existent, and it has that big almost-mainstream sound to it, mostly in the drums, which are more in your face than normal on a Devin record.
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(https://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd382/Metropolaris/DTI_zpsae49fabf.jpg) (https://s1217.photobucket.com/user/Metropolaris/media/DTI_zpsae49fabf.jpg.html)
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...That's not coffee in that mug, is it? :|
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Just Dirk doing some relaxed triplets in Juular:
https://youtu.be/an66Ddp4Bks
I get cramps just by watching this!
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So here's something I've been wondering about. I don't know if this is common knowledge or not but I've recently come across some Devy interviews where he says that Sky Blue came about because the record company asked him to make that kind of album because they wanted something that would sell to make up for "an album about farting aliens". I don't really understand this though. Wasn't Ziltoid 2 highly anticipated by fans? I remember there being hype for it all the way back before Epicloud even came out. Plus Insideout is a prog label, shouldn't bloated rock operas be their bread and butter? And beyond that, at this point anything by Devin is going to sell pretty well for their standards right? I dunno, I get that Sky Blue is more accessible and those types of poppy albums from Devin have been really popular, but it just seems really odd that there was a worry about the Ziltoid thing not selling as well. :lol
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Given Devin's entire work ethic, I find it highly doubtful that he would make an album because a record company asked him to.
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Found the interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GIc5MwMeEw Check out 5:40
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So I listened to Z2 on my walk to work today and it's nowhere near as good as the first Ziltoid album.
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Given Devin's entire work ethic, I find it highly doubtful that he would make an album because a record company asked him to.
he did indeed. it's in most interviews he's done about the albums. apparently they asked, he tried, and he ended up having something to say, so he went through with finishing it.
So here's something I've been wondering about. I don't know if this is common knowledge or not but I've recently come across some Devy interviews where he says that Sky Blue came about because the record company asked him to make that kind of album because they wanted something that would sell to make up for "an album about farting aliens". I don't really understand this though. Wasn't Ziltoid 2 highly anticipated by fans? I remember there being hype for it all the way back before Epicloud even came out. Plus Insideout is a prog label, shouldn't bloated rock operas be their bread and butter? And beyond that, at this point anything by Devin is going to sell pretty well for their standards right? I dunno, I get that Sky Blue is more accessible and those types of poppy albums from Devin have been really popular, but it just seems really odd that there was a worry about the Ziltoid thing not selling as well. :lol
i think the issue is their ability to sell the Devin Townsend Project name. they were probably worried he was going to release Z2 as Devin Townsend or whatever and so all the branding and marketing that's built since 2009 would be dead and gone. (i can't justify their concern when his name alone is already 2/3 of the band name, though!)
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Given Devin's entire work ethic, I find it highly doubtful that he would make an album because a record company asked him to.
he did indeed. it's in most interviews he's done about the albums. apparently they asked, he tried, and he ended up having something to say, so he went through with finishing it.
This is a good thing to point out. I'm sure he wouldn't release the album if it wasn't an honest effort.
So here's something I've been wondering about. I don't know if this is common knowledge or not but I've recently come across some Devy interviews where he says that Sky Blue came about because the record company asked him to make that kind of album because they wanted something that would sell to make up for "an album about farting aliens". I don't really understand this though. Wasn't Ziltoid 2 highly anticipated by fans? I remember there being hype for it all the way back before Epicloud even came out. Plus Insideout is a prog label, shouldn't bloated rock operas be their bread and butter? And beyond that, at this point anything by Devin is going to sell pretty well for their standards right? I dunno, I get that Sky Blue is more accessible and those types of poppy albums from Devin have been really popular, but it just seems really odd that there was a worry about the Ziltoid thing not selling as well. :lol
i think the issue is their ability to sell the Devin Townsend Project name. they were probably worried he was going to release Z2 as Devin Townsend or whatever and so all the branding and marketing that's built since 2009 would be dead and gone. (i can't justify their concern when his name alone is already 2/3 of the band name, though!)
[/quote] Yea that could be. Still a bit odd. :lol
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So what's the actual difference between TD vs TDP from a newb?
By the way I took the recomondations from this thread and got Accelerated Evolution which I don't find similar to Epicloud or Addicted, but I'm enjoying it after a couple listens.
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So what's the actual difference between TD vs TDP from a newb?
well, i dunno. DTP was initially just the quadrology of Ki/Addicted/Deconstruction/Ghost, but it was extended moving forward, and i think that was mostly at the suggestion of Inside Out/Century Media.
there are always going to be similarities because Devin is singing and writing the music. it's sorta like asking what's the difference between DT solo and the Devin Townsend Band (who made AE/Synchestra) — basically it just entails the same lineup of musicians are continuing to back Dev until the name gets dropped or changed.
remember: Ocean Machine was the band name!
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Like I said, from a newb I didn't even know there was a DT vs DTB vs DTP... Seems confusing since its all DT buy I was wondering if one band has a specific sound over another. Like how Epiccloud and Addicted have a similar sound but AE is a bit different .
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Nope, no difference really. Devy writes all of the music, and there's no connection in terms of genre/style/whatever. Epicloud and Addicted might sound vaguely similar, but Ghost, Ki and Deconstruction are all as different as Devy's music gets.
Like seasons said, the DTP was originally going to be those first four albums, and it was literally a project focussing on Devin Townsend, it was meant to exhibit separately four quite distinct styles/moods that make up Devy's music. Sounds like the label pushed for that name to be retained.
I've no idea about the use of the Devin Townsend Band moniker.
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I've no idea about the use of the Devin Townsend Band moniker.
That was just for AE and Synchestra. They both have the same line-up; it was supposed to be a real band that Devin put together to record and tour his solo work. It was disbanded at the same time as SYL I believe, though several of the members are now part of his solo band (the DTP) now.
Also, apparently there's going to be a poll for a fan-request part of the upcoming Royal Albert Hall setlist in the next few days.
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Also, apparently there's going to be a poll for a fan-request part of the upcoming Royal Albert Hall setlist in the next few days.
hopefully "Bastard" will get a lot of votes besides the usual "Earth Day" etc., but i gotta say, if he could bring back the album arrangement of "Funeral..." that would be it. i'd be satisfied. the one damn song.
the unfortunate part about fan voting is the material that gets tossed by the wayside: think anyone's gonna vote for something off Ghost? there's no way!
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Funeral would be badass.
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I'd love to hear Seventh Wave and Depth Charge :metal .
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Maybe it's too much for the band (especially Ryan), but I would love to see Pandemic. If not, Suicide.
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Devin, Beav, Mike, and Dave could definitely handle it.
Ryan has to simplify Juular when he plays it live and that's only the second hardest song on Deconstruction.
Pandemic would kill the poor guy.
On a somewhat related note, who played bass on the Deconstruction night of By a Thread?
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On a somewhat related note, who played bass on the Deconstruction night of By a Thread?
the inimitable Mike Young! brother of Dave! (ex-DTB!)
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So I listened to Z2 on my walk to work today and it's nowhere near as good as the first Ziltoid album.
Agreed. And the first one isn't even that great! Especially when compared to his other studio albums.
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Like seasons said, the DTP was originally going to be those first four albums, and it was literally a project focussing on Devin Townsend, it was meant to exhibit separately four quite distinct styles/moods that make up Devy's music. Sounds like the label pushed for that name to be retained.
I remember when Epicloud came out he said that he kept DTP because he really liked the logo. But with the whole Sky Blue thing and all I wouldn't be surprised if the label had some influence on that. It sounds like they have more of a say in Devin's career than it seemed before. Not necessarily in a bad way either, Devin seems to like that "team" aspect they've had in the recent years as opposed to him being a completely solo act.
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In the commentary of The Retinal Circus Devin says that at the end of Juular Ryan's head explodes at each show :rollin
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i still can't get over how good Moon is
am I the only one or is it the general consensus that Moon is the best Casualties of Cool song
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I read in another site that it's one of the most beautiful a guy had listened in a long time. So yeah.
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Like I said, from a newb I didn't even know there was a DT vs DTB vs DTP... Seems confusing since its all DT buy I was wondering if one band has a specific sound over another. Like how Epiccloud and Addicted have a similar sound but AE is a bit different .
Screw all that. I save everything into my Media Player Library as "Devin Townsend". Though Strapping Young Lad of course remains as "Strapping Young Lad"
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Like I said, from a newb I didn't even know there was a DT vs DTB vs DTP... Seems confusing since its all DT buy I was wondering if one band has a specific sound over another. Like how Epiccloud and Addicted have a similar sound but AE is a bit different .
Screw all that. I save everything into my Media Player Library as "Devin Townsend". Though Strapping Young Lad of course remains as "Strapping Young Lad"
That's what I do too.
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Like I said, from a newb I didn't even know there was a DT vs DTB vs DTP... Seems confusing since its all DT buy I was wondering if one band has a specific sound over another. Like how Epiccloud and Addicted have a similar sound but AE is a bit different .
Screw all that. I save everything into my Media Player Library as "Devin Townsend". Though Strapping Young Lad of course remains as "Strapping Young Lad"
That's what I do too.
I started doing that as well after reading the responses from you guys. I guess just take each album as its own piece of work and the band name doesnt matter much. I like the song Love? but havent listened to much SYL.
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Yeah, I prefer to have all the Devin releases in strict chronological order on my media player, so I just labeled them all Devin Townsend.
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Yeah me too - even the CoC album.
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i still can't get over how good Moon is
am I the only one or is it the general consensus that Moon is the best Casualties of Cool song
I would say it's my favourite, so you're definitely not alone.
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i still can't get over how good Moon is
am I the only one or is it the general consensus that Moon is the best Casualties of Cool song
I would say it's my favourite, so you're definitely not alone.
Ditto.
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whew good awesome :tup
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Like I said, from a newb I didn't even know there was a DT vs DTB vs DTP... Seems confusing since its all DT buy I was wondering if one band has a specific sound over another. Like how Epiccloud and Addicted have a similar sound but AE is a bit different .
Screw all that. I save everything into my Media Player Library as "Devin Townsend". Though Strapping Young Lad of course remains as "Strapping Young Lad"
most media players let you effectively group by album artist, so you can label them all DT for that, and leave the regular artist field as DTB/DTP/etc. (obviously you can do the opposite as well, depending on how you sort your music... and i suppose the actual names of the tags suggest doing it the other way around!)
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That's what I'm doing.
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Call me crazy, but does Deathray sound kinda similar to More!?
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i still can't get over how good Moon is
am I the only one or is it the general consensus that Moon is the best Casualties of Cool song
I would say it's my favourite, so you're definitely not alone.
Ditto.
Bones tho
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i still can't get over how good Moon is
am I the only one or is it the general consensus that Moon is the best Casualties of Cool song
I would say it's my favourite, so you're definitely not alone.
Ditto.
Bones tho
This guy knows what's up.
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bones is pretty great too
but it's not moon
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bones is pretty great too
but it's not moon
true
because its vastly superior amirite
ps and so is the field
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moon is the best them
but bones is also cool yo
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Much talk about Moon and Bones...
Why no love for Flight :sadpanda:
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I'm still waiting for my Boxset from the Pledge....No updates about it since Nov. and i'm getting kinda worried if it'll happen.
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Much talk about Moon and Bones...
Why no love for Flight :sadpanda:
i like flight a lot
it was the first song that really clicked for me
so i'm kinda burned out on it now haha
though i'm sure i've listened to moon more and i'm not sick of moon yet so yeah it's best them
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Cool, he messaged me back on Facebook, it'll be shipped in 5-6 weeks. I don't know why I never got an update.
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I don't know if anybody agrees but I think Devin suffers from mixing phenomenon which is too many instruments at the same time. The sound is comes muddy and I can't hear all the instruments clearly myself. This is a problem at least in Z2. Too many guitars, strings and other instruments.
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Most people would call it a feature rather than a bug. It's Devin's patented Wall-Of-Sound™ system.
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Some of his albums have a "lighter" wall of sound like Addicted and AE, while others have this huge brickwall, like Deconstruction, Terria and City (SYL), which need a HiFi system to be better appreciated. And a high quality source. Of course you can listen to them on a Chinese mp3 player/cheap smartphone, using 128 kbps files and a pair of overpriced headphones (aka Beats by Dr. Dre), but I wouldn't recommend Devin's music in that cas :lol .
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Ran across this on YouTube. Not sure if it is already up on DTF, but here it is anyway.
Mesa Tone Sessions – Devin Townsend – ‘Willy Wanka’ – Dual Rectifier & Lone Star (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nu1U0nhEIU)
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City is an un-fucking-believably perfect album.
Carry on.
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The Addicted cd on By A Thread sounds really bad to me.
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Dev redid guitars and drums for "By Your Command" as a Toontrack playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFqUmJY5x28
the background layers are all way forward, but not always for the better...
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So my learning of his catalog needs to move on. Of the albums I have heard, here is how I rate them:
Addicted
Epicloud
Accelerated Evolution
...
Sky Blue
I dont think Sky Blue is bad, has a few amazing songs such as the title track, but overall as an album falls a little flat. I have listened to some of the ziltoid stuff as well as some of deconstruction on youtube. Some I like,but that music is way more dense and needs a lot more time to listen to and digest. I also have the Retinal Circus DVD which is amazing and the two SYL songs are really good too. Any suggestions on where to go now? You guys helped me with Accelerated Evolution which I love!
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If you liked the SYL song, check their album City. About Devin, I'd check Ocean Machine and get through the rest of his discography chronologically - just skip Physicist. Ultimetal's thread is quite complete adn there's lots of interesing discussion there.
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Apparently Dev posted on his FB saying the HevyDevy store won't be selling cd's anymore, but later...I guess.
You can still buy the cds while you can and ask for them to be signed.
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hey whaddup i noticed that the polls/survivors subforum is kinda dead
WHO'S UP FOR A DEVIN TOWNSEND SURVIVOR?
1. Would you be interested?
2. Should Sky Blue and Dark Matters be separate polls? (I say yes)
3. Should Devlab and The Hummer be included? (I say no)
4. Anything aside from main album stuff that you think should be included?
5. 1-day or 2-day rounds? 1-day makes sense with how much there is to get through.
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I don't know his full catalogue enough to fully participate but I would for albums I know well enough. I cant answer the rest of the questions.
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for what it's worth
I've only listened to Physicist like twice so I might end up skipping those rounds myself :lol
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hey whaddup i noticed that the polls/survivors subforum is kinda dead
WHO'S UP FOR A DEVIN TOWNSEND SURVIVOR?
1. Would you be interested?
2. Should Sky Blue and Dark Matters be separate polls? (I say yes)
3. Should Devlab and The Hummer be included? (I say no)
4. Anything aside from main album stuff that you think should be included?
5. 1-day or 2-day rounds? 1-day makes sense with how much there is to get through.
1. Fuck yes
2. Yes.
3. As much as I like The Hummer, I'd say no to both. I've never even listened to Devlab all the way,
3. If other people are interested, then I think the bonus stuff from Contain Us, Epiclouder(Plus Take My Ego, Cry Forever, Epicloud, and Buddha Bidet), the 2 Ass-Sordid Demos, and Casualties of Cool Disc 2(Plus Cold Feet and Thing) should be included. If not, cool beans.
5. Doesn't matter to me
Also, would SYL be included with this?
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1. HELL YES :metal
2. Yeah
3. Nop.
4. Not only Devin's main discog is huge, so is the amount of bonus tracks, demos and the like. For the sake of this not taking an eternity, NO.
5. 1-day rounds will be fine.
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I'd vote on the albums I know (which is most of them), no to Devlab and Hummer, no to bonus songs.
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1. HELL YES :metal
2. Yeah
3. Nop.
4. Not only Devin's main discog is huge, so is the amount of bonus tracks, demos and the like. For the sake of this not taking an eternity, NO.
5. 1-day rounds will be fine.
Basically, this.
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What Onno and Sacul said.
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hey whaddup i noticed that the polls/survivors subforum is kinda dead
WHO'S UP FOR A DEVIN TOWNSEND SURVIVOR?
1. Would you be interested?
2. Should Sky Blue and Dark Matters be separate polls? (I say yes)
3. Should Devlab and The Hummer be included? (I say no)
4. Anything aside from main album stuff that you think should be included?
5. 1-day or 2-day rounds? 1-day makes sense with how much there is to get through.
1: Yup.
2: Mmhmm.
3: Nope.
4: Maybe Project EKO and Epiclouder?
5: Don't care.
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I'm not gonna selectively choose the non-main album stuff, either a general yes or general no to it and the consensus seems to be the latter (which I'm fine with tbh)
Will probably get this going before the end of the week then. 1 day rounds, no Devlab/Hummer.
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How about we do the non-main album stuff after the discography
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Also, would SYL be included with this?
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No SYL. Literally never heard any SYL, this is just Devin Townsend/Devin Townsend Band/Devin Townsend Project/Casualties of Cool all that stuff
(+Ocean Machine if we're being really technical)
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No SYL. Literally never heard any SYL, this is just Devin Townsend/Devin Townsend Band/Devin Townsend Project/Casualties of Cool all that stuff
(+Ocean Machine if we're being really technical)
Why does Casualties of Cool get included if SYL doesnt?
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you can run a SYL survivor if you want to
personally I tend to just group Casualties with the Devin Townsend solo stuff since all the solo records are practically unique anyways
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A SYL survivor would be great. Hell, I'd host it.
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Why does Casualties of Cool get included if SYL doesnt?
Because us prog-fans are a complicated people.
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1. because i have Casualties and have not listened to any SYL
2. because it's one album as opposed to 5
3. because strapping young lad isn't really a devin solo thing and casualties pretty much is
4. because i say so
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I'd like a separate SYL survivor. In my opinion, SYL is much different from the rest of Devin's work (including CoC) because it's really a whole band, with almost a separate history, which basically made Devin 'famous'. If CoC were to have a few more albums, I'd run a separate survivor for that, but for now I'd like to include it in Devin's solo album repertoire.
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You're not a Dev fan untill you've listened to SYL.
FACT
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BTW, since his online store is shutting down, and I've never been able to find The Hummer and Devlab anywhere else, I've orderen those two.
I've been flamed before, so here we go again, but I listened to both this week and I really feel that those albums are among his best, if not the best he has ever made. Both are totally different from anything I've ever heard, and very creative in their composition, both have great surprises and wonderful long lines in building up tension.
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devlab = best ever
:| :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :| :|
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So I'm going watching Devin for the first time on the 31st and I've had a look at the set list and its only just over 1hr long? is that right, also has anyone seen him this tour?
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So I'm going watching Devin for the first time on the 31st and I've had a look at the set list and its only just over 1hr long? is that right, also has anyone seen him this tour?
That sounds about right. Thats how much time he got last tour with AAL
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAf_55kUUAEJhIn.jpg:large)
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whoops I never started this up did I
I'll get on it tomorrow sometime
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OKAY one last thing, what songs are considered "bonus tracks" and should I include them anyways
fact-checking it seems like Things Beyond Things is considered a bonus track which makes no sense because the album doesn't properly end without it, but then so are Noisy Pink Bubbles and Humble which I both think feel tacked on at the end of the album (barely listen to either) and there's on on Physicist too I think I dunno
thoughts? tho I'm probably going to just include them anyways whatever it's only a few more songs
EDIT: also with how long this survivor is going to be already would anyone at all complain if I skipped the dialogue-only tracks on the Ziltoid albums
because seriously now
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by my count, with 1-day rounds and excluding the Ziltoid dialogue tracks, with 3 songs from the consolation going on to the finals, this survivor will take 203 rounds and have 33 songs in the finals.
PREPARE YOURSELVES.
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Most of those songs are just going to get voted out early anyway so it doesnt really matter in the grand scheme of things.
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ehh I'm gonna include the bonus songs 'cause, hey, at least they're songs :lol
Anyways HERE WE GO https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=43459.0
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I just got back from seeing Devin with Elite. What an amazing show. Dev's voice was quite fucked up because he had the flu, but Anneke came out to sing a few songs with him and the atmosphere was brilliant. Plus, the setlist was just... wow. Way better than I expected.
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Here's an interesting interview with Devin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN126IymeO4
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So, ummmm....
https://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/devin-townsend-is-writing-a-symphony
:caffeine:
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This. I don't know what to expect honestly :lol
I hope in some Deconstruction-style stuff.
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Should be amazing :hefdaddy
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Giving Z2 a chance again. Now, I'm not a dynamic range fascist like Steven Wilson, but does it sound 'dead' or what? That snare is muffled underneath everything else the entire time. What a shame.
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Giving Z2 a chance again. Now, I'm not a dynamic range fascist like Steven Wilson, but does it sound 'dead' or what? That snare is muffled underneath everything else the entire time. What a shame.
yeah, the mix comes across pretty compromised a lot of the time. you can tell Dev was just gone by the time he finished it.
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Whenever I see people complaining about production, I am glad once again that I apparently just don't hear it. Nothing against those who do, but I'm happy that I find myself able to enjoy music regardless of its production value, unless they are COMPLETE shit.
Not that that helped much with Z2, sadly. March of the Poozers is the only song on that album that I come back to nowadays.
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BTW, since his online store is shutting down, and I've never been able to find The Hummer and Devlab anywhere else, I've orderen those two.
I've been flamed before, so here we go again, but I listened to both this week and I really feel that those albums are among his best, if not the best he has ever made. Both are totally different from anything I've ever heard, and very creative in their composition, both have great surprises and wonderful long lines in building up tension.
I don't know about Devlab since I haven't heard it, but I really enjoyed The Hummer (bought a signed copy from his soon to close web store as well). Nice to see Devin have his try at ambient/drone stuff which is the kind of stuff I've been gravitating towards as of recent.
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i should prob check both of them out at some point, doubt I'll be a huge fan but hey whatever
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BTW, since his online store is shutting down, and I've never been able to find The Hummer and Devlab anywhere else, I've orderen those two.
I've been flamed before, so here we go again, but I listened to both this week and I really feel that those albums are among his best, if not the best he has ever made. Both are totally different from anything I've ever heard, and very creative in their composition, both have great surprises and wonderful long lines in building up tension.
I don't know about Devlab since I haven't heard it, but I really enjoyed The Hummer (bought a signed copy from his soon to close web store as well). Nice to see Devin have his try at ambient/drone stuff which is the kind of stuff I've been gravitating towards as of recent.
Devlab is a little tough to get through at first, but once you listen past the fake drums and the weird vocal samples it's a wonderful piece really. It takes you places.
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Devlab is basically horrible. The Hummer is better, very atmospheric, but it doesn't really interest me. Completely appreciate the albums as part of Devy's hugely diverse music portfolio (which still to this day blows my mind), but they're not really for me.
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Devlab is basically horrible. The Hummer is better, very atmospheric, but it doesn't really interest me. Completely appreciate the albums as part of Devy's hugely diverse music portfolio (which still to this day blows my mind), but they're not really for me.
I don't think there's much of a difference between Devlab and The Hummer. I mean, the first 5 minutes of Devlab are obviously provoking, maybe even meant to filter out those who are just looking for a normal Devin record, but after that there are as much soundscapes as there are in The Hummer. The only main difference, for me, is that in The Hummer there's never really any tension, it just exists, whereas in Devlab it builds, and all that tension is released every now and then.
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Went watching Devin last night in Manchester, Anneke wasn't there :( But the pit was awesome! Good choice of songs too :tup
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Alright. The CoC pledge Boxsets are gonna be shipping on wednesday. I'm gonna be waiting like a dog wants a bone.
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So Devin played both Bastard and The Death of Music live last night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql1JETN0uao
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srSOma43Fgs
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Holy crap :eek - I think it's the first time ever he performs it live, right?
On a side note, I was on Bournemouth during January, but nobody played there :( . I'm incredibly jelly.
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WHAAAAAAAAT
-
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
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If he plays them during the London show (which is going to be filmed) as well, I'll go crazy. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
I'm in extreme fanboy mode right now.
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:|
:caffeine:
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Official live versions of Bastard, Death of Music, Earth Day, Deadhead, March of the Poozers?.....I'll buy it twice.
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So Devin played both Bastard and The Death of Music live last night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql1JETN0uao
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srSOma43Fgs
:caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine: :metal :caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine:
Halfway through Bastard and it's sooooo beautiful! Tears... Tears...
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Official live versions of Bastard, Death of Music, Earth Day, Deadhead, March of the Poozers?.....I'll buy it twice.
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Setlist has been posted online.... https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/devin-townsend-project/2015/royal-albert-hall-london-england-1bc89de8.html
:hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
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Now that's a show.
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The Death of Music played live? WOW! That's amazing.
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Cool...
The CoC boxset arrived in the mail. It's a wooden box that's really nice, smells good, and folds open.
The contents are:
The 2cd album
A wooden comb
The bone usb
A certificate of authenticity, numbered (mine wasn't numbered)
wooden sunglasses
And the lyric book
I'll post pics when I get the chance. It is really nice and worth the year long wait.
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I just noticed today that there's a butterfly in Devin's shadow on the Infinity cover.
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Have you guys heard Man, the demo bonus track from Infinity? Because I just listened to it for the first time, and it's awesome. :metal
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Have you guys heard Man, the demo bonus track from Infinity? Because I just listened to it for the first time, and it's awesome. :metal
it's one of many gems on Ass-Sordid Demos I! totally worthy listen. the second one doesn't hold up nearly as well but has some diamonds in the rough for sure ("Cold" in particular, as well as another version of "Man" with an intro that became "Velvet Kevorkian!")!
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Dark Matters and Sky Blue are getting released as standalone albums this summer... for some reason. Inside Out has preorders up. I guess if you prefer jewel cases?
https://prog.teamrock.com/news/2015-06-03/devin-townsend-z2-split-sky-blue-dark-matters
https://www.insideoutshop.de/Artist/Devin_Townsend_Project/20911?Page=1&PageSize=25&Sort=13
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In other news, I've finally gotten into SYL. :metal
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I feel this is a controversial opinion:
Sky Blue is better than Z^2
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sky blue is part of Z² so it can't be better than itself
it is better than dark matters though
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I feel this is a controversial opinion:
Sky Blue is better than Z^2
Assuming by Z2 you mean Dark Matters, then I don't imagine that's in any way controversial.
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I haven't listened to Dark Matters so I can't say, but Sky Blue is pretty good, especialy the title track. That songs is really awesome. Im going to have to start listening to Dark Matters though cause I thought the first Ziltoid album was pretty good.
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Does anybody know if this Sky Blue release is being remixed/remastered? I was listening to Sky Blue on the headphones and it sounded a bit smashed (compressed), especially the drums, very squished...
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You know looking back, I think Dark Matters should have been released by itself. The double album thing seems cool, but when half of Z2 doesn't actually have anything to do with Ziltoid, it doesn't make sense to release them together.
Sky Blue should have been held off until I think sometime this Summer. If only just to hold us over until the next big Devin project comes out. Whenever/whatever that is.
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Guys. GUYS.
GUYS.
Devin already wrote another DTP album: https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/624469585480261632
I've written a dtp record during this last year that will probably come out first though. Next step from Sky Blue kind of deal...
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:hefdaddy :hefdaddy
Although him saying 'next step from Sky Blue' kind of makes me fear it's going to another album with the sound of Addicted, Epicloud and Sky Blue. I was hoping for something different this time. I like that sound, but for me, basically Addicted did it best and Epicloud and Sky Blue did it pretty well. Another album in that style would have to be done really well to still interest me.
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I loved the first Ziltoid album but the second didn't do anything for me. Disappointed.
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Z2 is... decent, but it's just not interesting enough for me. It's actually one of my least favourite Devy albums. I like Sky Blue a bit more than Dark Matters, and I do sometimes still listen to the former. My next listen to Dark Matters will probably be the live version on the upcoming RAH DVD.
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the problem I have with Dark Matters is that it took the "wacky" humor from Deconstruction (my least favorite part of that album), turned it up, and made the story more important than the music, unlike in Ziltoid and Deconstruction. the result is that I'm sick of the dumb story so I never want to listen to the album anymore. the songs weren't especially great either, everything after March of the Poozers is pretty forgettable honestly
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Got the two single releases in the mail today, along with a shit-ton of Devin Townsend albums a few days ago. I always thought that only Sky Blue was considered DTP, but in the single releases, Dark Matters is too. Sorry for the shit picture quality, but I took them for any curious person who already bought the single pack last year.
(https://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/NelStoneXI/zzz_zps9ae8e1iu.png)
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Fucking crazy awesome news about a new DTP record and the idea that it's a progression from Sky Blue is even better. I really love the album but the title track is one of my favorite songs OF ALL THE TIMELINES. I cannot believe he's back at it already but I'm sure as hell not complaining; truthfully I halfheartedly hoped he'd not really slow the pace much, despite deserving however long a break he chose.
I love me some Dark Matters but I do like Sky Blue much more. Although in comparison to the first Ziltoid, for me they're about the same; DM would probably take it considering March of The Poozers is one of the greatest musical achievements mankind will ever have the immense pleasure of experiencing.
P.S. Thanks for sharing, Nel! I love the artwork of the albums and it's one of the main reasons I got the super deluxe whatever edition and it's one of the few (along with SW's Raven) that I'm truly happy with.
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Of course! I double-dipped because individual releases of these two are what I wanted to begin with. I'm weird like that.
Welcome back, btw!
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Not surprised by Devin. That dude can write two albums in two days :metal
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the problem I have with Dark Matters is that it took the "wacky" humor from Deconstruction (my least favorite part of that album), turned it up, and made the story more important than the music, unlike in Ziltoid and Deconstruction.
Agreed. In those two albums there is a story and it's funny, but there are also a lot of serious undertones going on which can be heard in the music. Dark Matters is just one big musical. And like Herman, I hate musicals.
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I was telling a friend recently about Sky Blue, since he hasn't heard it yet. He is a fan, but not hardcore like me; he tends to like the more catchy stuff like Addicted and Epicloud. Anyway, he asked me where I'd rank it among his better albums and I had no idea. I was like, "Well, it's not as awesome as Terria or Addicted (my favorites), but definitely better than Physicist, Ziltoid and Dark Matters." Ranking the rest is always difficult because they are all so damn strong (not counting Devlab and The Hummer).
I think I am about ready to put Casualties of Cool near the top, though, especially when factoring in the bonus disc. Lately, I cannot get enough of it. :coolio
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So am I the only one who ranks Synchestra near the top. I never see any of you guys bring it up.
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Synchestra is great when I'm in the mood for it. It has some of his(IMO) best songs such as Pixillate, Gaia, and Let it Roll->Hypergeek->Triumph. But half of the songs on the album don't seem to go anywhere(Judgement, Mental Tan) and Notes From Africa goes on a bit too long and doesn't need all that empty space at the end. Sunshine and Happines and Vampolka/Vampira never did much for me.
Overall it's very much a Middle-Tier album for me.
On a side note, the album sounds fucking great production wise, and I think it has some of RVP's best drum work.
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I like Synchestra a great lot. +1 for the production and RVP's drumming too. It just sounds awesome. Especially love his performances on Gaia and Triumph. It's an album I really need to take the time for and immerse myself in, just like Terria, CoC and basically a lot of Devin's other albums. It hasn't grabbed me as some as the others do, which is why I might rank it near the bottom. Still, it's a really good album.
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I absolutely love Synchestra, even though I do think the latter half is a big ponderous (Judgement, A Simply Lullaby and Sunset are all good, but that whole sequence seems to go on too long). In fact, for quite a while, I always ranked Synchestra higher than most did (I always had it higher than Ocean Machine, for example), but it has been surpassed by so many records he has done in the last 5-6 years that I cannot put it top 5 anymore. I still love it to pieces, though. :metal
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I love how Z2 has been received here. The hype and all, and the release was what I knew would happen.
..upset with it. As sadly, I've noticed most new albums are received.
I, for one, enjoy it a lot. It's fun, and the Narrative parts add to it. It does make me feel how an invasion would be, not serious yet apocalyptic.
If you know Devins humor then I'm in awe how one can't understand these two records.
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Huh? It has nothing to do with understanding his humor; I get and love his sense of humor. Dark Matters just isn't that great musically, in the opinion of some of us. That shouldn't be hard to understand. :biggrin:
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his humor on Ziltoid was spot on; it was hit-and-miss, mostly miss on Deconstruction, and completely off on Dark Matters for me
Deconstruction has a ton of great songs to make up for the humor though, whereas even the best Dark Matters songs aren't exceptional, and a lot of it's just plain forgettable
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Why is that though?
It's the same humor and musical as his past efforts. It just makes me wonder. Did he just go in giving in to fan pressure wanting another Ziltoid? Which, ironically, most fans didn't enjoy. As I have suspected would/always happens.
It boggles my mind...Although I enjoy the lesser favorites of most bands here.
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ziltoid's humor was wacky but in a more non-sequitur kind of way
deconstruction was a little immature at some points and non-sequitur at other points
dark matters' humor is either all stolen from ziltoid or more immature humor
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Like the Poozers, at least the fart noises have a concept and make sense.
I get a double entendre with The concept. Mainly making fun of the Ziltoid fans wanting more. It does feel he didn't want to do it, just he said fuck it and had fun with it taking jabs as well.
Now, Sky Blue is where it shines.
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It's the same humor and musical as his past efforts.
It sounds like you are assuming that all musical efforts of his are created equal, so long as they are in the same style. They are not.
For example, I think most of us would agree that Addicted, Epicloud and Sky Blue are all in the same style, but the musical quality is not the same across all three.
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According to Dev's Twitter, the Blu Ray of the Royal Albert Hall show comes out November 19th(Europe) and the 27th(North America).
Also, Casualties of Cool is being re-released next year with a DVD of the show they did at Union Chapel, but no bonus disc.
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According to Dev's Twitter, the Blu Ray of the Royal Albert Hall show comes out November 19th(Europe) and the 27th(North America).
Also, Casualties of Cool is being re-released next year with a DVD of the show they did at Union Chapel, but no bonus disc.
Nice, I am going to have to pick that up. I really like the Retinal Circus blu-ray, I still watch it or songs from it often. I don't know much about that show, but I'd imagine its a great performance and I have an obsession with concert blu rays.
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According to Dev's Twitter, the Blu Ray of the Royal Albert Hall show comes out November 19th(Europe) and the 27th(North America).
Also, Casualties of Cool is being re-released next year with a DVD of the show they did at Union Chapel, but no bonus disc.
Nice, I am going to have to pick that up. I really like the Retinal Circus blu-ray, I still watch it or songs from it often. I don't know much about that show, but I'd imagine its a great performance and I have an obsession with concert blu rays.
He played Funeral, Bastard, and The Death of Music at the RAH gig. It's worth buying for those 3 songs alone.
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^What he said.
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From Devin's Twitter:
Good morning. :) ok, I think the next dtp record will be called 'Transcendence'. It will be out before the symphony.
I'm just hoping it doesn't sound like yet another Epicloud or Sky Blue.
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I wouldn't mind another that sounds like Ghost, though
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Fucking amazing news all around! I cannot wait for those concerts to release, and even more so for the next record!! I loved and still love the new sound from the past couple albums and I'd not mind that at all; it does sound it like it might with that name. But I'm up for anything from the man. STOAKED!!!!
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Ill take another Epicloud or Sky Blue style album, but what does "before the symphony" mean?
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Ill take another Epicloud or Sky Blue style album, but what does "before the symphony" mean?
He's been writing an actual symphony for months now. Longer than Transcendence.
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From Devin's Twitter:
Good morning. :) ok, I think the next dtp record will be called 'Transcendence'. It will be out before the symphony.
I'm just hoping it doesn't sound like yet another Epicloud or Sky Blue.
Or like another Dark Matters.
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is it time for devin's djent album then :neverusethis:
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I could go for another album like Ki, personally. I don't expect that, but I really liked the mood of that album.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv9vnQ-bJyc&feature=youtu.be
Trailer for the upcoming live album/DVD Ziltoid Live at the Royal Albert Hall
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv9vnQ-bJyc&feature=youtu.be
Trailer for the upcoming live album/DVD Ziltoid Live at the Royal Albert Hall
Happy it sounds so much livelier and better than Z2. This may be the definitive version of "Namaste."
Everybody hating on the piped-in vocals and other multitracks from past live releases will still be disappointed, though.
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Holy fucking hell I want that right this second!! That sounds and looks absolutely incredible. So many bumps of geese just from that trailer. That's a day one for me. I'd order now if I could.
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Not gonna watch the trailer, I don't want spoilers. Just gonna preorder it ASAP.
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Will be buying this :metal
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I love how Z2 has been received here. The hype and all, and the release was what I knew would happen.
..upset with it. As sadly, I've noticed most new albums are received.
I, for one, enjoy it a lot. It's fun, and the Narrative parts add to it. It does make me feel how an invasion would be, not serious yet apocalyptic.
If you know Devins humor then I'm in awe how one can't understand these two records.
A bit late on this, but honestly Z2 met my expectations for better or worse. I didn't think Ziltoid needed a sequel in the first place. Dark Matters is enjoyable but it seems kinda unecessary to me. It doesn't have the magic of ZTO.
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I don't get why so many people hate on Dark Matters. Along with Sky Blue I prefer it to all the pre-DTP albums.
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I'm don't understand the hate either. It's not my favorite, but it's up there rotating in the top 5 for me. There are a few songs that are either clearly meant for the theatrics or that I'm not quite as into, but all in all I think it's a fantastic album. Sky Blue is my favorite out of the two, but other than OM, that might be my favorite album. Again though...my tastes and favorites change all the time but that one is one of the more consistent ones. I can't wait to hear and see it live!! Everyone participating in those types of live shows is always so into it and it doesn't look or feel forced at all, everyone is so entranced, I love it.
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People hate DM because it isn't a Ziltoid album. ZTO was a complex album that combined many of Devin's facettes, DM is poppy and one-sided. The songwriting approach on DM isn't different from Addicted, Epicloud and Sky Blue. I want a new Devin album with complex songwriting and DM was an opportunity to break out of the Devin Townsend Project cycle of one-sided albums.
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Interesting take. You use the idea that because it has a similar approach to other albums of the same 'era', it absolutely cannot be a Ziltoid album. Clearly you're slighted/offended by the albums and they're not for you...but to outright say that DM is not a Ziltoid album because you think that a Ziltoid album should be/sound a certain way is kind of ridiculous. It's definitely a Ziltoid album through and through, given that the guy that created it made it as such. Now, if Devy came out and created a St. Anger-esque album and slapped the name of Ziltoid on it without the character's name being so much as mentioned, I'd be right there with you.
Perhaps I'm taking the comment the wrong way. It's pretty clear you don't like what direction the band headed in. Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing either way; I couldn't care less whether the album is universally flamed ( ;) ) or not... Still a Ziltoid album. (https://www.city-data.com/forum/members/jill61-603505-albums-emoticons-pic62805-shrug.gif) Hell, while I wouldn't mind Transience sounding like the last string of albums, I'd prefer something different and out of left field. I suppose we'll find out soon enough.
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It's been like a year since the last new Dev album... I'm going through withdrawls.
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Z2 is already a year old? That was freaking quick.
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Yes, Z2 got old quickly ;)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyPfrbJKMpg
March Of The Poozers @ RAH Pro-Shot. DVD cut.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyPfrbJKMpg
March Of The Poozers @ RAH Pro-Shot. DVD cut.
The drums sound so fucking good considering it's a live release. Vocals are on point oo, just wish the guitars were a little more prominent.
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I know it's a baritone 7 string but does Dev's guitar look huge to anyone else ?
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Pikachu's rockin out.
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how do I get a job as one of those plush dancing Poozers? :lol
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Why in the world is so hard to find a decently priced copy of his blu-rays in the states?
The poozer video was great!
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Why in the world is so hard to find a decently priced copy of his blu-rays in the states?
this
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I know it's a baritone 7 string but does Dev's guitar look huge to anyone else ?
It is huge. It's this one, I think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-XhYBOthSw
I think he said in an interview that it's too big to be shipped during normal tours so he'd only use it on special occasions, or something along those lines.
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Ha. I wondered who would want to buy all that and how much it must be and how many Framus made then I realised it's Dev's actual video.
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:lol
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So since the survivor had finished and I got into work today thinking I need to listen to something new, I figured let me spin a Devin album I have not yet heard, I pretty much started from his newer stuff and worked back, but decided based on the poll results to go with Ocean Machine today. Having never heard the songs besides Life, I am really surprised by how good this album is. I guess I shouldn't of been, but so far I have found most of his albums to often have at least a few songs that I find uninteresting or I find the album is inconsistent in terms of what I like. I am on my 4th listen of this album so far am really liking it. I will say this, why is The Death of Music so well liked? This song just has not sunk in with me and its really the only track (its too new for me to pick out individual tracks just yet) that stuck out in a negative way. Im thinking maybe I just don't get it and need more listens, but I am surprised this forum thinks its one of his best.
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The Death of Music is just immensely evocative and emotional. If not for the kinda wimpy ending it'd be a perfect song.
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The Death of Music is just immensely evocative and emotional. If not for the kinda wimpy ending it'd be a perfect song.
Maybe I need to read the lyrics to get a better understanding, I figure there is more depth to this song that I am just not getting on first listens, but the music and mood itself is very different.
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I love The Death of Music, but it's different than anything else that Dev has done and I totally understand why some people don't love it as much as I do.
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Well between the two of you (Scorpion and Parama) I think our music tastes are very different judging by this and the Nightwish survivor so I imagine that plays a role, but I understand The Death of Music is liked by more than just you too. It was on his "by request" set list so there must be a large liking of that song.
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For what it's worth, it's nowhere near one of my favorites. I like it in the concept of the album and it's a cool track, but I never listen to the song unless I just so happen to be listening to the album in full. Thing Beyond Things, even though it's a bonus track, will always be the 'real' ending to the album for me. That one is one of the rotating favorites for me. But Death is nothing more than a conceptual nod to the album in my eyes, I don't get it either. It's always like that for me though, I rarely have the same favorites as others even on this site.
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Things Beyond Things is great too, aside from the scream. Really the last four tracks are probably the best run of Devin's entire discography.
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I love The Death of Music because the chorus is fucking epic.
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I've said this before, but The Death Of Music is pretty much the only Devin song I can think of where the mixing significantly hurts my enjoyment of the song. It's such a vocals-centered song, yet the vocals are so damn quiet. The mixing of the strings and synths during the climactic parts is also really hazy and smothered-sounding, which really takes away from the power and intensity that those sections should have. I don't know, it just really bothers me. I love the melodies, the atmosphere, and the the emotional intensity that the song is going for, but the mixing ruins it for me, unfortunately. I'm kind of curious to hear what the version on the upcoming RAH DVD sounds like.
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^ So much this.
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Huh. As someone who is generally somewhat picky about mixing (see my roulette comments ahah) I don't have any problem with how it's mixed, never did either.
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I've said this before, but The Death Of Music is pretty much the only Devin song I can think of where the mixing significantly hurts my enjoyment of the song. It's such a vocals-centered song, yet the vocals are so damn quiet. The mixing of the strings and synths during the climactic parts is also really hazy and smothered-sounding, which really takes away from the power and intensity that those sections should have. I don't know, it just really bothers me. I love the melodies, the atmosphere, and the the emotional intensity that the song is going for, but the mixing ruins it for me, unfortunately. I'm kind of curious to hear what the version on the upcoming RAH DVD sounds like.
I think the course of the album is pretty clearly ending up below the waves at this point, and a lot of the vocals are whispered. By the time he starts singing, he's just as far forward (or not) as on the rest of the record. Every word is clearly audible. Obviously he has an amazing voice but the sound of the record is partially from his vocals being on equal footing with the music. Change that on the last (non-bonus demo) song and it wouldn't make sense. Also, I'd argue this is built to be a headphones song, and that's where you hear him clearest.
Either way, I suspect the RAH bluray brings his vocals further forward!
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By the time he starts singing, he's just as far forward (or not) as on the rest of the record.
I don't really agree with that at all. But hey, whatever.
My ear for mixing has changed many times throughout the years, maybe I'll listen to the song ten years down the line and it'll sound perfectly fine to me. :lol
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is Things Beyond Things supposed to be considered a bonus track, i was never sure
i hope not bcuz it's a great album closer
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By the time he starts singing, he's just as far forward (or not) as on the rest of the record.
I don't really agree with that at all. But hey, whatever.
My ear for mixing has changed many times throughout the years, maybe I'll listen to the song ten years down the line and it'll sound perfectly fine to me. :lol
I hear it differently now than I did when I first heard it in 2002, that's for sure. Also depends on what you're listening through, the format it's in, etc. etc. I don't mean to imply that you "hear it wrong" – that's not possible! – but that I hear consistency you don't, and the reasons for that are likely on both of us rather than just one. Different ears, y'know?
is Things Beyond Things supposed to be considered a bonus track, i was never sure
i hope not bcuz it's a great album closer
It's like "Noisy Pink Bubbles," "Forgotten," and "Humble," a sort of 'universal bonus track' on every version. It's a demo from his band Grey Skies, which is pre-OM (and pre-SYL). That's why he sounds noticeably younger.
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The Death of Music took a long time to click with me. I'm not a big fan of OM as a whole, but whenever I listened to the album I just skipped the track until a few months back. Things Beyond Things is the real highlight of the album still, I find it incredibly emotional and it's a perfect album closer.
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/664235764490764288
Dev is doing a live stream on the 19th where he'll write and record a song from a scratch live.
Should be interesting
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Anyone got their bluray yet?
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Anyone got their bluray yet?
I thought it comes out next week?
If someone knows where this is priced normally in the US, please direct me
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Release date in Europe is today, a local store had in in sale two days ago - but just the DVD, no bluray.
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Anyone got their bluray yet?
I thought it comes out next week?
If someone knows where this is priced normally in the US, please direct me
I got mine here: https://www.cmdistro.com/item/37376
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Anyone got their bluray yet?
I thought it comes out next week?
If someone knows where this is priced normally in the US, please direct me
I got mine here: https://www.cmdistro.com/item/37376
Thanks and thats a fine price, but thats for the DVD. I am looking for the blu ray, I see no point in buying a dvd if a blu ray exists.
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Anyone got their bluray yet?
I thought it comes out next week?
If someone knows where this is priced normally in the US, please direct me
I got mine here: https://www.cmdistro.com/item/37376
Thanks and thats a fine price, but thats for the DVD. I am looking for the blu ray, I see no point in buying a dvd if a blu ray exists.
All the BRs are currently European pressings. I heard somewhere that the US pressing will be in Dec. Best to follow Dev on twitter, as you'd hear it there first.
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Not a twitter user, but thanks and that makes sense now. I will wait.
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Watched the DVD today. What a performance, stunning. The mix is very good as well. I still can't believe he played Funeral, Bastard and The Death of Music live. That's my favourite three-song-run in Devin's discography by far.
One thing I have to mention: I deliberately hadn't listened to Dark Matters since... February? March? until I watched the DVD. And although the album has a few songs I find really cool, overall it's probably my least favourite Devin album apart from Punky Brüster, Devlab and The Hummer. In my opinion the album is just so much more superficial than his other albums. Contrary to ZTO for example, there isn't a 'serious' emotional meaning behind it and for some reason that's what it lacks for me.
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Not a twitter user, but thanks and that makes sense now. I will wait.
Understood, it has a pretty limited appeal. Still, Dev is active enough that it's at least worth checking his feed once or twice a week; obviously the big news trickles down to other places fast, but some informative stuff gets left unrepeated.
You could also make a fake account to follow him, just so you get updates through app popups (on mobile/whatever) or through email.
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/664235764490764288
Dev is doing a live stream on the 19th where he'll write and record a song from a scratch live.
Should be interesting
I'm going to watch the living shit out of this
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The link for the live stream tonight
https://www.toontrack.com/metal-month-live-stream/
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oh yeah that's today
totally gonna catch this if i remember :lol
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Id like to catch that because thats a really cool idea, I however am not a musician so I do wonder if some of this will be over my head. Also I just need to remember to watch. It would be awesome if it was recorded so I can catch if I miss.
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hyped
Devin's answering questions right now before the stream proper begins
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This is awesome. Really cool thing they're doing here and it's awesome for Dev to do this. Pretty fucking stressful, I imagine; despite loving what he does and being motivated/inspired...two hours? Yeesh! Awesome stuff though. Nice way to spend the night. :metal :millahhhh
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this song is very Terria/AE-sounding
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"Lost in love and lime"
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d a m n those screams
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Only caught the second half but Devin is awesome. And his commentary was hilarious as always!
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ahh, you caught the "Connection Lost" half of the stream
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someone got on uploading this pretty quickly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_okOqKNUUIg
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So great to watch. Devin's personality just oozes through the entire process, especially when he has to restart a vocal recording because he had to belch a few times.
Loved it, and an excellent track to boot!
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Totally forgot when I got home, sort of expected that though. So did he make this song completely from scratch last night or was it sort of laid out already? Song is pretty good after one listen.
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It was literally from scratch. I'm in awe of the man, despite knowing that he's a brilliant man already, that shit is just crazy. He said he had a few lyrics thought out and a couple standalone riffs that he had brainstormed but obviously that's always there when actually creating something...otherwise he'd just be sitting there in the video for two hours just thinking of shit. Otherwise, nothing else was done, he made the song itself from scratch laying down every instrument, vocals, modifying it, switching stuff out in program, editing things, etc.
I really like the song a lot, even when forgetting it was done in front of our eyes in less than two hours. That is just mind boggling to me. I mean I can play fucking Smoke On The Water and the beginning to White Zombie's I Am Legend. That's it. So it's natural that I don't even get how he can do this, but the fact that it wasn't just...playing the shit and then he's done. He had the program up and was tinkering with it all the while and getting irked at the keyboard constantly disconnecting and the bass was apparently a relative POS and he had to hold back on laying down certain vocals and changing certain lyrics he didn't love due to time constraints, etc. It was a real eye opener for someone like me who knows jack shit about music in general, let alone making a song.
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I really like the song a lot, even when forgetting it was done in front of our eyes in less than two hours. That is just mind boggling to me. I mean I can play fucking Smoke On The Water and the beginning to White Zombie's I Am Legend. That's it. So it's natural that I don't even get how he can do this, but the fact that it wasn't just...playing the shit and then he's done. He had the program up and was tinkering with it all the while and getting irked at the keyboard constantly disconnecting and the bass was apparently a relative POS and he had to hold back on laying down certain vocals and changing certain lyrics he didn't love due to time constraints, etc. It was a real eye opener for someone like me who knows jack shit about music in general, let alone making a song.
Thats exactly why I wanted to see this, because I have no idea what goes into making a song besides creativeness and musical abilities. That's amazing that it only took 2 hours to make a song, and a good song too!
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Really not into the song. Does not bode well for my reaction to the new DTP album. It's all good, though – he'll do something entirely different that I'll be into instead, I'm sure!
And RAH bluray is amazing. Did surprising justice to the OM trinity at the end... Wasn't sure if he'd go completely serious, but he did, and it's beyond words.
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okay, so, no, it wasn't 100% from scratch actually
he had a few of the tracks pre-done, i think (keys mainly), and he'd worked out a few of the riffs in advance, but it was like, 90% from scratch still :lol
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It proves that amazing music can be made quickly. Time spent =/= quality. Good ideas matter, not time. If your ideas are meh, the music will be meh.
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I hope DT are aware of that :lol
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nah i've been ready for The Astonishing to be awful ever since it was officially revealed
but it's following up an also pretty terrible album so that's probably part of my expectations
when devin lets us down it's not as big of a letdown, either, z2 wasn't awful or anything, just kinda meh
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Just got, and seen Ziltoid At Royal Albert, and it's fucking nice. I was expecting a fully-blown rock opera and costumes from what Dev said in interviews about it earlier but it was still very satisfying.
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I didn't know where else to quote it so here it is hippies:
Eat a bag of dick!
:biggrin:
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Beav posted a snippet of what the DTP has been working on in their rehearsals for the next album.
Judging by this snippet, this may Dev's best album yet.
https://www.facebook.com/1513011042266976/videos/1709026822665396/?permPage=1
Wow :eek
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My interest is peeked.
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That's gotta be some of Ryan's most complex drum work to date.
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the vocal part was really emotional and powerful too
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sopowersoenergy
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Beav posted a snippet of what the DTP has been working on in their rehearsals for the next album.
Judging by this snippet, this may Dev's best album yet.
https://www.facebook.com/1513011042266976/videos/1709026822665396/?permPage=1
Wow :eek
Balls
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:rollin :rollin You got me there
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Son of a... :D
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Got me too, I was like uhhh what and then just started cracking up. :rollin
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Poop, poop and more poop
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Devin Townsend ✔ @dvntownsend
Recording vocals for a song by @stevevai today. Its a good experience.
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Okay so, The Death Of Music live at RAH is one of the greatest musical and emotional experiences a human being can have.
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DEVIN TOWNSEND: The ULTIMATE Review-Trospective:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR8oRc1ouWc&feature=youtu.be
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DEVIN TOWNSEND: The ULTIMATE Review-Trospective:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR8oRc1ouWc&feature=youtu.be
I saw this recently, really well written, shows his genius.
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Devin Townsend ✔ @dvntownsend
Recording vocals for a song by @stevevai today. Its a good experience.
That is cool to hear. I don't really know anything about Vai's music but this should be interesting.
Okay so, The Death Of Music live at RAH is one of the greatest musical and emotional experiences a human being can have.
Fully agreed. I think it's maybe my favourite Devin song and probably in my top 5 favourite songs ever.
DEVIN TOWNSEND: The ULTIMATE Review-Trospective:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR8oRc1ouWc&feature=youtu.be
That looks great. Will watch when I have the time.
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How would you guys rank his main discography?
(Meaning his solo albums, DTP, DTB, and Casualties of Cool. Excluding SYL, Live Albums, Demos, Contain Us, Etc.)
For me:
1. Ocean Machine: Biomech
2. Ghost
3. Ki
4. Terria
5. Accelerated Evolution
6. Casualties of Cool
7. Sky Blue
8. Addicted
9. Infinity
10. Epicloud
11. Ziltoid the Omniscient
12. Synchestra
13. Deconstruction
14. Dark Matters
15. Physicist
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Ugh that's really hard actually.
1. Deconstruction
2. Ziltoid the Omniscient
3. Addicted
4. Ghost
5. Epicloud
6. Sky Blue
7. Ocean Machine
8. Terria
9. Dark Matters
10. Ki
11. Accelerated Evolution
12. Terria
13. Infinity
14. Synchestra
15. Physicist
The second and third groups are pretty interchangeable.
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Yeah I love Ziltoid but I didn't think Dark Matters was anywhere near as good.
Addicted! Is really good too.
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:hefdaddy
1. Addicted
:metal
2. Infinity
3. Epicloud
:tup
4. Ocean Machine: Biomech
5. Accelerated Evolution
6. Ghost
:smiley:
7. Deconstruction
8. Casualties of Cool
9. Terria
10. Sky Blue
:|
11. Ziltoid the Omniscient
12. Dark Matters
13. Physicist
14. Ki
15. Synchestra
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RAH was an amazing spectacle and holy shit it fucking rocketed my appreciation for TDOM so fucking much; dramatically. That was really powerful and it was really nice to be able to actually understand the lyrics. I really don't like the production on that song, weirdly enough; even less so now that I've heard this and know that the lyrics can be said in a powerful way.
Dark Matters was also epic as all hell and I really enjoyed that a lot more than the album itself. I haven't jumped on the bandwagon hate/dislike/indifference yet (mostly lolhate it seems, which is fine) but it's lower-tier Townsend for me, then again so is the original Ziltoid. But the concert version is infinitely better, I think and again made my appreciation for it jump immensely.
Truly a legendary performance all around.
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Despite me being an obvious Hevydevy worshiper, it's really hard to make an accurate list without having a good long think about it.
I'd say though, his masterpieces (in no specific order) are:
Ocean Machine
ZTO
Casualties
Deconstruction
Infinity
Ghost/Ki
But then Dark Matters is really enjoyable....
I'll give my list a think ???
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Yeah I love Ziltoid but I didn't think Dark Matters was anywhere near as good.
But then it was written from a completely different perspective from the first one. Also, the first was obviously more complex musically and dynamically but I thoroughly enjoy both.
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1. Ocean Machine
2. Casualties of Cool
3. Ki
4. Terria
5. Deconstruction
6. Accelerated Evolution
7. Infinity
8. Ghost
9. Addicted
10. Synchestra
11. Ziltoid the Omniscient
12. Epicloud
13. Sky Blue
14. Physicist
15. Dark Matters
I think this is basically my ranking. I find it very hard though.
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hmmm
1. Casualties of Cool
2. Ocean Machine
3. Terria
4. Deconstruction
5. Ziltoid
6. Infinity
7. Ghost
8. Addicted!
9. Epicloud
10. Accelerated Evolution
11. Sky Blue
12. Synchestra
13. Ki
14. Dark Matters
15. Physicist
i guess? :lol
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Casual reminder that Casualties of Cool is fuckin' cool
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Casual reminder that Casualties of Cool is fuckin' cool
We need another album in that style already.
I made a mix of my favourites in this vein:
01. Trainfire
02. Feather (first part)
03. Fly
04. Flight
05. Blackberry
06. Winter
07. Mountaintop
08. Kawaii
09. Watch You
10. Ain't Never Gonna Win
11. Radial Highway
12. Heatwave
13. Ghost
14. The Code
15. Daddy
16. Ki (first part)
17. Moon (w/short Pier)
18. Drench
19. Forgive Me
20. A Monday / Feather (coda)
Runs really smoothly, especially where the Flight/Code and Ghost/Blackberry transitions use the same frog ambience.
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chopping feather in half and cutting off the better half of ki is a bit silly tho
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That looks like an awesome playlist, Season. I did something similar when Casualties first came out but not as smooth as that. I'll hafta try it out sometime. The only thing I might add is Where You've Been; that might be my favorite off the bonus disc...it's quite calming and still hauntingly beautiful.
I love Casualties so damn much, and with the extras that came with the pledge stuff and the 'real' version, it plays even better with a few simple tweaks. Surprisingly so, to my ears.
I still listen to Thing and wonder how the fuck that came out of these sessions. Such an awesomely broo0ootal song. But I love the mellow stuff a lot more.
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chopping feather in half and cutting off the better half of ki is a bit silly tho
The back half of Ki would stick out like a sore thumb in this mix, so I didn't see much choice there. And I suppose the decision about Feather was that I find the song horribly bloated unless I'm not sober :lol
That looks like an awesome playlist, Season. I did something similar when Casualties first came out but not as smooth as that. I'll hafta try it out sometime. The only thing I might add is Where You've Been; that might be my favorite off the bonus disc...it's quite calming and still hauntingly beautiful.
I love Casualties so damn much, and with the extras that came with the pledge stuff and the 'real' version, it plays even better with a few simple tweaks. Surprisingly so, to my ears.
Definitely need to make a pt. 2. Besides all the great stuff on the Casualties bonus disc, there's other material from Ki and Ghost I love a lot that didn't fit. Plus little bits from other places, like Noisy Pink Bubbles and Sister, the rest of Ghost 2, et al.
Did you try the "extended" Casualties disc 1 that came on the USB stick? Kinda wish he'd used that and left off some of the excessive sonic buggery in stuff like The Field, Deathscope, and Pure. Not knocking them, just saying they go on forever without needing to.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v7uApe0fBA&app=desktop
Live video of Daddy from the upcoming Casualties of Cool DVD
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v7uApe0fBA&app=desktop
Live video of Daddy from the upcoming Casualties of Cool DVD
Amazing performance :hefdaddy
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Didn't even know such a DVD was planned. Looking forward to it more than I did for Ziltoid live.
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1. Accelerated Evolution
2. Addicted
3. Epicloud
4. Z2
5. Ocean Machine
6. Synchestra
7. Ki
8. Terria
9. Ziltoid
10. Infinity
11. Physicist
12. Deconstruction
13. Casualties of Cool
14. Ghost
I imagine I like Devin a little differently than most of you...
I want his overwhelming Wall of sound Pop-Metal ultra massive catchy grooves in every song he writes. AE gives me the most of it while Ghost the least.
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Interesting! Cool stuff. I don't ever rate albums and this thought/trend started with Devy because on some days, Ocean Machine will be my absolute favorite and last for a week, then Casualties of Cool will by my end-all favorite and love it more than anything for a month, and then I'll listen to Sky Blue and think that nothing will ever top it and that'll last for four days after which Deconstruction will be my tip-top uber fav and so on and so forth. :lol
But I love that, literally all his albums are my favorite at some point in time and that is pretty much how it is with all my 'too addicted for my own good' favorite bands.
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So this may be an odd question and maybe not even a good question to ask, but I am curious so here it goes.
So Devin is bipolar right? I was watching some of the new DVD on youtube (I am waiting for the blu ray to purchase) and he kind of just talks to himself. He is talking about something and then stops and tells himself to get on with the show. Kind of an odd moment. He did something similar on the Retinal Circus DVD and didn't think too much of it, but this instance was a bit more. Was wondering if that was his bipolar? I don't know anyone who is bipolar so I don't have a good understanding of it and I really do not want to come off as offensive in the quesion, I am just curious. I read about him on wikipedia, that's how I know he is bipolar.
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From a Reddit AMA that he did a while back:
https://www.reddit.com/r/progmetal/comments/2ghf55/hi_this_is_devin_welcome_to_my_ama/ckj4pkx
I havent been on medication for years. My Bipolar symptoms seems to evaporate when I stopped drinking and doing drugs. I dont deny its still there, but without all that shit in my system, I get by...you know?
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That's just Dev's quirkiness and still-somewhat-the-awkward-high-school-kid-at-heart-ness. I love that about the dude. Totally confident one moment and then talking about his own habitual idiosyncrasies that he's a bit uncomfortable with to a crowd of thousands that worships the ground he walks on.
Bipolar disorder more than likely has nothing to do with that, although I suppose you could stretch it to relate in some way. An affect of bipolar disorder would be that he's happy-go-lucky, talking about good times one moment and then the next he says "Fuck this shit, this gig sucks!". I mean...of course there are any number of examples and any number of ways it can affect one's personality but I don't think that is one of them. This coming from a bipolar psychotic in case anyone thinks I'm talking out my ass but with my posts throughout the years...I don't think that's going to happen... :millahhhh
Ed after Metro ninja'd me: Hilariously and yet amazingly relatable is that once I got sober, even though I'm still fairly young in my sobriety, my symptoms have pretty much been nil as well. It was almost immediate.
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Cool, thanks for explaining. He seems like an awesome guy from watching his videos and comes off very genuine and since he seemed so genuinely to be talking to himself I was wondering what that was about. I have no problems with it or anything, just as I listen to more of his music and get more interested I start to wonder more about how all that works. It's amazing to me. I have a lot of respect for the guy and the more I get to know, the more I respect.
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Honestly, I think switching into Performance Mode is completely heightened by his bipolar disorder, and potentially that is how it manifests now. If you do a meet and greet or see his interview videos or whatever, you'll see how grounded, mellow, and quiet he is normally, but it's the total opposite when he is on stage. I met him for a VIP thing on tour and it was seriously like he had just hit the bong (no, I am aware he didn't for real!) he was so nerdy and mellow.
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Honestly, I like switching into Performance Mode is completely heightened by his bipolar disorder, and potentially that is how it manifests now. If you do a meet and greet or see his interview videos or whatever, you'll see how grounded, mellow, and quiet he is normally, but it's the total opposite when he is on stage. I met him for a VIP thing on tour and it was seriously like he had just hit the bong (no, I am aware he didn't for real!) he was so nerdy and mellow.
He is mellow and laid back. Isnt a snob either and is down to talk aboit whatever. He signed my Epicloud bear. and was glad, i dont think hes seen one of them at all. Thats why i appreciate him as a person, which shows in his music.
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Yea after reading through some of that reddit and I've seen interviews on youtube, plus watched some concerts on youtube, the guy seems like one of the most sincere and down to earth musicians out there. Definitely appreciate him as a person and artist.
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He also dresses like a Canadian grandpa offstage, which adds to the appeal :lol
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Cum on people, we seriously need a 'Ziltoid Tells The Christmas Story' either on Santa or a religious parody. Please Hevydevy!
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Has this video been posted yet? It's a well-produced, entertaining analysis of Devin Townsend as a musician and focuses on a few albums in particular. 15 minutes well spent if you're a fan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=LR8oRc1ouWc&app=desktop
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Has this video been posted yet? It's a well-produced, entertaining analysis of Devin Townsend as a musician and focuses on a few albums in particular. 15 minutes well spent if you're a fan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=LR8oRc1ouWc&app=desktop
I have never seen that before, awesome video!
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Come on hippies, what are your thoughts on this 'Symphony' Hevydevy has been composing. Do you think it will be good?
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Come on hippies, what are your thoughts on this 'Symphony' Hevydevy has been composing. Do you think it will be good?
There's nothing to be said about it really. He hasn't given any insight. We don't even know if it's an actual symphony (four movements, very specific requirements for each) or just one orchestral piece.
I predict a callback to some melodies from Deconstruction, though.
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Come on hippies, what are your thoughts on this 'Symphony' Hevydevy has been composing. Do you think it will be good?
I'm very much looking forward to it even though we haven't heard a single note.
The only thing we know about it is the title: "Moth". Which makes me think of Infinity.
It's Dev. It good will be.
It will be my Album of the Year for 2016/2017
I predict a callback to some melodies from Deconstruction, though.
Definitely. Probably some callbacks to other albums too.
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I think that Dev said that he will be releasing Transcendence first, then the symphony, so probably 2017.
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The only thing we know about it is the title: "Moth". Which makes me think of Infinity.
Didn't know he said that. Guess he can't escape Maute Dingas, eh? (One of my favourite things about Infinity!)
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So he has a new DTP album planned and a little known symphony for the future? Sounds cool to me, definitely anticipating these releases when the time comes.
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gonna be expecting the livestream track on the next DTP album, then :lol
it's stupidly catchy and i haven't been able to keep it out of my head bcuz of course
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gonna be expecting the livestream track on the next DTP album, then :lol
it's stupidly catchy and i haven't been able to keep it out of my head bcuz of course
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/680997191918342145
He says he's thinking about putting it on the bonus disc for the new album.
I guess it'll be a bunch of B-Sides/Demos similar to the bonus discs from Epicloud and Casualties.
So next year we have:
Casualties of Cool re-release
His Autobiography + the Acoustic EP("Iceland") + Cassette tape of bonus material + whatever else he includes
Transcendence + Bonus disc
and hopefully the Symphony("Moth")
2016 will surely be the year of Devy
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Holy shit... that's awesome. I didn't know about the CoC rerelease, what's different about it?
And I'm glad to hear that Stars is going to be officially released in some capacity, it's a super catchy tune and I really it despite it's simplicity (or perhaps because of it...not everything needs to be so 'deep', constructed and a mindfuck of complexities).
I'm ready for it!
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Holy shit... that's awesome. I didn't know about the CoC rerelease, what's different about it?
It's the album + the bonus disc(Casualties of Cooler) + a live DVD filmed at Union Chapel
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Come on hippies, what are your thoughts on this 'Symphony' Hevydevy has been composing. Do you think it will be good?
There's nothing to be said about it really. He hasn't given any insight. We don't even know if it's an actual symphony (four movements, very specific requirements for each) or just one orchestral piece.
I predict a callback to some melodies from Deconstruction, though.
The only thing that I've read besides Dev vaguely talking about it, is that he "finished the outline for it and that its now in the hands of his orchestrator"
Do you hippies think that he'll pull it off considering that hes not experienced in this field?
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Someone discovered an SYL reference in Fallout 3
https://twitter.com/TheIronMiller/status/682387843436654592
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Last I heard he was supposed to be taking a break. Now he has another solo album in addition to a fucking symphony lined up? So typical. :lol
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His Autobiography + the Acoustic EP("Iceland") + Cassette tape of bonus material + whatever else he includes
Preorders aren't up yet for this, eh? The Opeth one was just up recently and I recall Dev tweeting about finishing it a couple months ago, so I doubt it's ready yet (at least need recording time). That's gonna be an instabuy for me – I can resist the DT and Opeth bios, but not Dev.
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His Autobiography + the Acoustic EP("Iceland") + Cassette tape of bonus material + whatever else he includes
Preorders aren't up yet for this, eh? The Opeth one was just up recently and I recall Dev tweeting about finishing it a couple months ago, so I doubt it's ready yet (at least need recording time). That's gonna be an instabuy for me – I can resist the DT and Opeth bios, but not Dev.
To my knowledge, the book is finished and sent to the publisher, and the Iceland EP was recorded months ago and has hopefully gone through mixing/mastering by now. I'd expect at least a release date by the end of January
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Last I heard he was supposed to be taking a break. Now he has another solo album in addition to a fucking symphony lined up? So typical. :lol
He considered taking a break after the Royal Albert Hall gig but decided against it because the rest of his band/crew rely on recording/touring with him for most of their income. At least that's how I understand it.
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Sounds like a healthy combination of a stand-up guy + being a workhorse.
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Someone discovered an SYL reference in Fallout 3
https://twitter.com/TheIronMiller/status/682387843436654592
That is awesome.
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Call me a noob, but what SYL reference is that?
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Call me a noob, but what SYL reference is that?
Detox, maybe something else as well.
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Yeah, just Detox lyrics at the end. And the mechanic's name is D.T.
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and "new SYL-02"
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So Devin did a short stream on Periscope yesterday during DTP rehearsal. On Twitter he said he's gonna start doing this weekly. :metal
You can watch the stream here: https://www.periscope.tv/w/1BRJjDevjkwKw
And at one point in the stream he shows a list of songs they're working on
(https://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd382/Metropolaris/Screenshot%202016-01-06%2014.05.33_zps58bhvvjq.png) (https://s1217.photobucket.com/user/Metropolaris/media/Screenshot%202016-01-06%2014.05.33_zps58bhvvjq.png.html)
Truth
Higher
Blowdozer
Failure
Starchasm
Gump
Knuckledragger
Transcendence
Stars
Time
Offer Your Light
Total Collapse
Ween
The Occupation
They hit the studio in March, so I'd expect the album out by Fall.
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:eek :metal
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STARS!
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A redo of Truth?
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A redo of Truth?
Yeah. He recorded and released it a while back. You didn't hear?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve5XernuXRo
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A redo of Truth?
Yeah. He recorded and released it a while back. You didn't hear?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve5XernuXRo
He looks completely stoned :lol
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Oh, he is. On LIFE! :metal
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A redo of Truth?
Yeah. He recorded and released it a while back. You didn't hear?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve5XernuXRo
:rollin
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So Devin did a short stream on Periscope yesterday during DTP rehearsal. On Twitter he said he's gonna start doing this weekly. :metal
You can watch the stream here: https://www.periscope.tv/w/1BRJjDevjkwKw
And at one point in the stream he shows a list of songs they're working on
(https://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd382/Metropolaris/Screenshot%202016-01-06%2014.05.33_zps58bhvvjq.png) (https://s1217.photobucket.com/user/Metropolaris/media/Screenshot%202016-01-06%2014.05.33_zps58bhvvjq.png.html)
They hit the studio in March, so I'd expect the album out by Fall.
Awesome, thanks for that!
Redoing truth? interesting...
And Offer Your Light was written with Sky Blue so it will be interesting to hear it!
and Stars from the songwriting stream, he said it will probably be a bonus track, I personally hope so.
ultimately I hope he does something new again with this album, considering its more collaborative this time! :metal
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What is the song at the bottom? I cant read it properly :-\
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*snip*
And Offer Your Light was written with Sky Blue so it will be interesting to hear it!
and Stars from the songwriting stream, he said it will probably be a bonus track, I personally hope so.
ultimately I hope he does something new again with this album, considering its more collaborative this time! :metal
That's the first I've heard about that. When I spoke to to Beav at the meet in greet back in December 2014, he mentioned they recorded another song with Anneke but didn't include it on Sky Blue. I wonder if that was it. I hope that means Anneke will be on the album.
Imagine her singing the "Hallelujah" part of Truth
I'd like for Stars to be on the main album, and then have the original Demo from the stream as a bonus track.
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What is the song at the bottom? I cant read it properly :-\
"The Occupation"
Most of them are demo titles so I'd take it with a grain of salt.
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That's what I was going to say. Looking at letters written on words I can read that'd be my best guess too, even though it's still really messily written, that's the only word that fits after the clearly written 'Occupa'
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That's the first I've heard about that. When I spoke to to Beav at the meet in greet back in December 2014, he mentioned they recorded another song with Anneke but didn't include it on Sky Blue. I wonder if that was it. I hope that means Anneke will be on the album.
Imagine her singing the "Hallelujah" part of Truth
You don't have to, its on the Retinal Circus. Kind of makes the redo of Truth pointless unless its a much different version of the song. But I would really love her to be on the album.
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A remake of truth would be okay, but I'd honestly rather have that spot on the album taken up by something new. Judging from recent live performances of the song it wouldn't really be much different than the original, just slower (unfortunately) and with better mixing (hopefully).
Also, I heard the Royal Albert Hall version of The Death of Music for the first time a little while ago, and it's fantastic. The mixing is a heck of a lot better than the original version, and Devin's vocal performance was really great despite him being almost 20 years older. He messed up a few of the lyrics and I wish he went more operatic and less harsh for the final chorus, but that's just me being knit-picky. I'm just happy I've finally got a version of the song I can really enjoy listening to.
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I noticed he messed up lyrics as well, I actually really like how he left that stuff on the live album. You never see that, bands always fix up their mistakes in the studio before a live release, he let them go. Makes the concert seem more genuine, I like it. It's live music, it's not always perfect.
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The past 2 songs he's re-recorded(Hyperdrive and Kingdom) we're both better than the originals(IMO), so I have faith that it'll be good. Any Dev is good Dev.
But aside from better production and Anneke I can't imagine it being very different.
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I'm pretty sure it was a slight mistake but I wouldn't immediately count that as what happened either. I've seen bands randomly change lyrics all the time and subsequent viewings of different concerts confirmed it wasn't a mistake. Sadly in this case there is no way for us to double check this. Not that it's a big deal, I just always found it interesting. Steven Wilson does this quite a bit I've noticed, and it's definitely not mistakes but more of just "hey, I'll use this word instead of this one". Very odd but cool at the same time. Sometimes I'm guessing it's a choice out of phonetics and other times emphasis...and maybe sometimes it was initially a mistake and then they were all "fuck, now I gotta say that for the rest of the tour" :lol (which I actually doubt ever happens but it'd be awesomely prideful).
Anyway, I agree with Metro in that I love the remakes, especially in Kingdom's case. Hyperdrive I actually prefer the original most of the time; not to say I dislike the remake in any way at all, but the original to me has much more personality in it's production (god I've been saying this a lot today but it's true) and it sounds a lot more space-oriented and isolated. But I'm excited for the Truth remake. Verily!
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The past 2 songs he's re-recorded(Hyperdrive and Kingdom) we're both better than the originals(IMO), so I have faith that it'll be good. Any Dev is good Dev.
But aside from better production and Anneke I can't imagine it being very different.
I have no doubt that will be awesome but I was expecting him to redo something else from Physicist though as he has mentioned quite a few times, especially Planet Rain! :metal
"Im soooooooooorrrryyyy, I'm sooooooorrrryyyyyy" :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal
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I really hope he learned a lot from his mix on the latest Intronaut album and applies it to his own music. If the remake of Truth sounds like Z2, there's no point in doing so – it'll sound worse than the original.
Personally, I really like the production on Infinity. It sounds like City. They both need more bass but that's about it.
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I'm pretty sure it was a slight mistake but I wouldn't immediately count that as what happened either. I've seen bands randomly change lyrics all the time and subsequent viewings of different concerts confirmed it wasn't a mistake. Sadly in this case there is no way for us to double check this. Not that it's a big deal, I just always found it interesting.
The case I was referring to was him saying the "my friends and I, there were no others" line a second time, instead of "it's you and I, there are no others". I doubt that was intentional, as it kinda goes against the progression and meaning of the song. :lol
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I hope that with the inclusion of Truth into the new DTP album, that he does something different with it. I love the original but it would be interesting if he included new sections or something, he could.
I realised, listening to Infinity a few times in the past few days. That this album will be different from Epicloud and Sky Blue, a break from his pop metal direction? Hopefully we can expect more epic heavy spacey stuff this time.
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I love epicloud and sky blue, I'd be fine with an album in the pop/metal direction personally. But of course his epic heavy stuff would also be awesome.
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Indeed, anything is good with me. I still don't get the mostly popular opinion on the production of Z2 in its entirety being poorly produced. I love the sound, especially on Sky Blue. I get that it's different, but I'm not sure how it's bad; it sounds fine to my ears. Erbody be hearin shit durrfrent.
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If anything, he needs to play Planet Rain, Tiny Tears, Nobodys Home, Believe, Quietus, Socialisation and The Mighty Masturbator live on the next tour!!!!!!!!! :metal :metal :metal
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I just want him to bring Funeral/Bastard/The Death of Music here to the U.S.
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I just want him to bring Funeral/Bastard/The Death of Music here to the U.S.
It was a thing of beauty to see him do that live, I hope he leaves it in for a little while longer!
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Ok, my dream set for the possibility titled "Transcendence" tour (out of what we know) is:
(Set 1)
1 Truth
2 March of the poozers
3 Quietus
4 Fallout
5 Offer your light
6 Socialisation
7 Tiny Tears
8 The Mighty Masturbator
9 Stars
(set 2)
10 Kingdom
11 Midnight Sun
12 Believe
13 Nobodys Home
14 Funeral
15 Bastard
16 The Death of Music
Encore:
17 Planet rain
Or if you want to make it more 'rock n roll', switch Planet Rain and Kingdom around to end on a high note!
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Are any of you farting hippy puppets on Hevydevy forums too? I joined it a few years ago but it's members aren't as active :'(
Still a great place for the Devheads to over analyse Mr Townsend!
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I'm a member there, but have rarely posted. For one, the traffic there is very low, and for two, there are way too many subforums (every freaking album does not need a subforum).
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Same here, but I might become more active in the near future.
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I've been there for years and years as well (longer than here!), but it's tough to get much discussion going. It was easier when there were less subforums and Dev posted.
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I've been meaning to ask this question but I keep forgetting. I'll ask it before I forget (yet, again) :rollin
What would be the full Ghost tracklisting (including Ghost 2)?
We have the full Ghost album, then we have some tracks on Z2, right? And some of the tracks off Casualties of Cool (mainly the 2nd disc) had some Ghost tracks well, correct?
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I've been meaning to ask this question but I keep forgetting. I'll ask it before I forget (yet, again) :rollin
What would be the full Ghost tracklisting (including Ghost 2)?
We have the full Ghost album, then we have some tracks on Z2, right? And some of the tracks off Casualties of Cool (mainly the 2nd disc) had some Ghost tracks well, correct?
The full, supposed, tracklisting. This may not be all the songs, and they may not have been in this order, but these are the songs I know exist and were meant for Ghost 2
1. Radial Highway
2. Drench
3. Mend
4. Fall
5. Watch You
6. Moonshine
7. Perspective
8. Coming Home
9. Saloon
Radial Highway was released as an iTunes bonus track for Ghost, and also appeared on Contain Us and the Unplugged EP
Drench and Mend both ended up on the Casualties of Cool bonus disc
Fall was released on Soundcloud, and is on the Unplugged EP
Watch You is on Contain Us
Moonshine and Perspective are on the Casualties of Cool bonus disc
Coming Home, to my knowledge has never been released. It may have been reworked into a Casualties song or a song on Z2. I believe Dev said on Twitter that he was still working on it.
Saloon was played at the Ghost night of By a Thread, as well as pretty much every other acoustic show he's played. An actual studio version has never been released though, aside from the Unplugged EP
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Thanks Metropolaris for the info.
So that would be the complete list of Ghost related songs, correct?
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Thanks Metropolaris for the info.
So that would be the complete list of Ghost related songs, correct?
He meant "Perspective" in the first instance he said "Coming Home," though I think you understood – just clarifying.
That is indeed all the Ghost material that we know about.
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Thanks Metropolaris for the info.
So that would be the complete list of Ghost related songs, correct?
He meant "Perspective" in the first instance he said "Coming Home," though I think you understood – just clarifying.
That is indeed all the Ghost material that we know about.
:facepalm: My bad, thanks
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I'm a member there, but have rarely posted. For one, the traffic there is very low, and for two, there are way too many subforums (every freaking album does not need a subforum).
The low traffic saddens me but the subforums allows a lot for indepth album discussions. I've been through so many old threads on that site that I know that it was busy at one time (years ago), Dev and Tracy even participated in conversation at one point (but I guess he has twitter now)
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Dev is doing another live stream on Periscope
tomorrow today at 11:30. No idea what time zone he's in but it'll be free to watch on Periscope once he finishes.
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Noooiiiise!!
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Stream starts in about 2 minutes
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He posted a pic of his signature Framus on twitter and it looks almost exactly like the Music Man Majesty.
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The Stream is Live!
The Stream is done!
You can watch the whole stream here:
https://www.periscope.tv/w/aWVP7DF6WUtiWUFubmRRZXh8MWxQSnFRQkFMb2xKYuzxXUXQsJOO8MYlnsXk7jJ9-mAD_DgYNpYQHGJ8KaYP
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The Stream is Live!
The Stream is done!
You can watch the whole stream here:
https://www.periscope.tv/w/aWVP7DF6WUtiWUFubmRRZXh8MWxQSnFRQkFMb2xKYuzxXUXQsJOO8MYlnsXk7jJ9-mAD_DgYNpYQHGJ8KaYP
What happened, I missed it :censored
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When do you think Transcendence will be out?
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Dev said they're going into the studio in March so I'd expect it out by Fall
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Anyone repurchased Casualties of Cool for the DVD? How is the performance.
I'd love to get that DVD, but buying the album again feels weird.
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Ordered it, still waiting for it to arrive.
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Ordered it, still waiting for it to arrive.
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Dev said they're going into the studio in March so I'd expect it out by Fall
Yep
https://prog.teamrock.com/news/2016-01-22/devin-townsend-project-record-due-in-september
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I got out my copy of Terria over the last few days and honestly I am enjoying it more than the Astonishing. From Olives to Stagnant, I am reminded why I love Hevydevy so much :heart :hefdaddy
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I just wish the ending of Mountain was a bit louder.
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Casualties DVD is totally mesmerizing. I wish they'd played some other stuff like "Radial Highway" but obviously they kept to stuff made with Che and it's great. She's the best part of the gig, really.
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After hearing Three Days again, I had the sudden urge to listen to Anti-product from SYL and fuck I love this!! One of my favourite Strapping songs, I love the brass/flute induction, love Devy! :lol :hefdaddy
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I listened to The New Black for the first time in a while a few days ago. Really good album apart from a few tracks. I don't really care for Antiproduct that much but it's decent. Monument is probably my least favourite song on that album, with standout tracks being Far Beyond Metal, Wrong Side, Almost Again and Polyphony/The New Black.
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I listened to The New Black for the first time in a while a few days ago. Really good album apart from a few tracks. I don't really care for Antiproduct that much but it's decent. Monument is probably my least favourite song on that album, with standout tracks being Far Beyond Metal, Wrong Side, Almost Again and Polyphony/The New Black.
I love Anti-product and the ending trilogy of songs.
Good lead up to ZTO also!
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After listening to The Astonishing 4 times now, I pulled out my copy of Sky Blue :hefdaddy
Midnight Sun :heart :heart :hefdaddy
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It's almost like Sky Blue is growing on me still with every listen. Granted, there's a few tracks that I think are only decent and nothing more (probably not a coincidence, but these are the tracks that have been inspired by/are almost covers of other songs, namely Silent Militia and Sky Blue. For some reason I tend to dislike songs if they're just 'reworks' of songs by other artists). But songs like Midnight Sun, A New Reign, Rain City and Forever have all grown on me a lot.
Wow, that must have been the largest piece of text between brackets I've ever written on this forum.
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For some reason I tend to dislike songs if they're just 'reworks' of songs by other artists).
What about Quiet Riot off Ki, do you like that?
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Weirdly, yes, I do. I love that song. It's a cover but it sounds way different than the original, maybe that's the key. Or maybe it's the fact that the whole of Z2 has quite a few songs which are 'covers' or which are influenced heavily by other artists.
Or maybe I just have to get over it and enjoy the music :lol I don't know, for some reason it just bugs me. If I don't know it's a cover it usually doesn't bug me, but once I learn about it, the song in question starts to feel out of place. Weird, isn't it?
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That's interesting. I find the Z2 ones fit just right, but "Quiet Riot" sticks out like a sore thumb on Ki. He'd have been better off using "Synchronicity Freaks" in its place (or just going straight into "Demon League").
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I love Quiet Riot on Ki, it's the perfect song after the climax of Ki.
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I think it's because his acoustic sounds like he's playing a bag of change. :lol His guitars sound so lush and then this Wal-Mart acoustic pseudo-cover comes on. Sounds like a demo, so it doesn't fit.
"Juno" should have been on Addicted, though.
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Looks like Transcendence will be a transition into heavier music again! Just read his recent twitter posts, it's exciting!!!!
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Just saying guys, as someone who owns a huge music collection.
Casualties, Ziltoid and Ocean Machine are three of the greatest albums ever made
My work here is done :metal
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I still don't get what's so good about Casualties. It's incredibly boring to me, and that's coming from a guy who loves Ghost. :justjen
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dat atmosphere mang
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dat atmosphere mang
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Atmosphere has a lot to do with it but I genuinely enjoy the melodies and the actual sound to the songs as well, as in the production and instruments on them. Then again I am really into ambient music and really enjoy the more minimalistic side to music at times. I think CoC does that in spades and has the added bonus of having some really fantastic vocals and messages to the songs. I can totally see it being boring and I myself do find it to be boring at times, but I get that way with everything in my life if I play/watch/read/listen enough. But sometimes I just want to chill out and get away from the visceral, loud, heavy music I love and this is a perfect remedy for that. It's absolutely even more niche than his music already is though.
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it's absolutely beautiful music
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Speaking of CoC, I recently got the Live at the Union Chapel DVD. Can't wait to check it out!
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I still don't get what's so good about Casualties. It's incredibly boring to me, and that's coming from a guy who loves Ghost. :justjen
I think Ghost is mostly boring too and I never understood the praise for Casualties. I decided to give it another spin recently and I kinda see where the appeal could be, it was better than I remembered and it's all about the atmosphere. But I think the album is far too long. And for me it's still near the bottom of my Devin ranking.
Would you listen to country if it was from another artist?
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Speaking of CoC, I recently got the Live at the Union Chapel DVD. Can't wait to check it out!
Do check it out. It's incredible, really.
I still don't get what's so good about Casualties. It's incredibly boring to me, and that's coming from a guy who loves Ghost. :justjen
I don't know why you don't get it either :lol Just a difference in taste I guess. I think Casualties if one of the best albums ever made.
Just saying guys, as someone who owns a huge music collection.
Casualties, Ziltoid and Ocean Machine are three of the greatest albums ever made
Ziltoid is great, but replace it with Ki here and you're the man.
By the way, I recently started listening to Epicloud a lot again. It's a great album!
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I vehemently abhor country and I love Casualties. I played it for a friend of mind who is a fucking country addict and she said that while she liked it, it certainly isn't country and is far more akin to blues and even then isn't pure blues but something different mixed in. (She has no idea what kind of music Dev is and probably doesn't even know what 'prog' is to give you an idea) I couldn't agree more though and funny enough have heard that description of it before.
CoC has slight hints of country but it is nowhere near pure country; not even close. You haven't been subjected to the horrors of true blue pure country if you think that. Bless you child. Don't find out. (Okay sorry to anyone who likes country :lol ) It's absolutely the embodiment of "Progressive Blues". I'm normally one who really hates the super ridiculous and insanely specific genre creating but this is one album that fits the name to a fucking T. I love it for that reason alone.
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Not to split hairs but this is much more country than it is blues. It's not pure country but for lack of a better description it is closer to country than to any other music style, at least for me.
And I've heard a ton of country, most of it is absolutely not my cup of tea but as in almost every other genre there are gems hidden here and there.
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I live in Alabama.
Casualties is not country.
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Why is it that people hate country? I like a bit of it :lol
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Why is it that people hate country? I like a bit of it :lol
Country seems to be either loved or hated. I feel like there is no middle ground with that genre. Country isn't my thing, but I certainly can respect the genre and have heard songs that I can enjoy. I don't understand the hatred either.
Just to add, I don't have the CoC album, but from what I heard on youtube, it's not music for me.
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Why is it that people hate to admit that CoC is country/has a strong country influence? Is it not cool enough if it's country?
From his pledgemusic site: Country rock, Blues rock, Country blues (https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/casualties-of-cool (https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/casualties-of-cool))
From facebook: ... he revisited the rootsy country and North American folk music of his youth ... (https://www.facebook.com/notes/devin-townsend/casualties-of-cool-to-see-full-release-including-live-at-union-chapel-dvd/967846509954335/ (https://www.facebook.com/notes/devin-townsend/casualties-of-cool-to-see-full-release-including-live-at-union-chapel-dvd/967846509954335/))
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Why is it that people hate country? I like a bit of it :lol
I don't hate country, at least not universally. Some of it is good. Some of it is not. But Casualties really sounds nothing like country either way.
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Certainly not modern "Country", but it definitely has elements of classic country like Johnny Cash.
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well it's not about beer or trucks so it can't be modern country
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Kwy, notice the parts you didn't conveniently highlight, the parts that are infused with something else, like rock and blues. I didn't say there was zero, I said there were hints of it. Seems like that's exactly what Dev said... Also, I hate country because I don't like what 99% of the songs are about, I hate the way it's sung 99% of the time and I hate the instruments. I don't like how the music sounds, it's pretty simple. It is literally the same as me hating this shit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAnGxfJi4kQ). I'm sure most people will find that's preposterous but hey, that's okay because they don't need to understand and quite frankly I don't care if they do. It's like being weirdly misunderstanding about someone not liking a certain food. Why does anyone care if I hate it or my reasons? Beats me. *Shrug* I don't not want to think that country is in CoC. I simply don't hear it for the most part. Emphasis on those last two words. Of course it's in there in splashes and bits. But I did say 'it isn't pure country' for a reason. I hear it, just very little of it; otherwise I don't think it's there as much as the other genres listed. Not a big deal. It's not like it's something I'll be argued out of or that I'll just randomly change my opinion. Even if it was...seems Dev's description of it fits my own pretty perfectly. *double shrug double rainbow*
:millahhhh Moving on...
I love CoC. So thick. So long.
THING is still fucking amazing despite it being the antithesis of anything else in the project.
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I just call it space country. Cuz it is!
The bonus disc gets into Ghostier territory, though.
I wish they'd played "Radial Highway" at the Union Chapel show. Perfect fit.
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Ditto to that. Radial Highway is the bee's knees.
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Casualties is nothing else other than Atmospheric Progressive Country
Also "Bones" is seriously the best song ever.
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Finally a sane person to grace this thread.
Bones-lover high-five: :hifive:
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You mispelled Moon :P
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Bones is insanely good.
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After months and months of intentionally staying away from Devin's music, I'm finally prepared to delve into this insane amount of music. I listened to Casualties quite a while ago, but I specifically wanted to explore DT on my own, no recommendations, nothing. Just basing my 'route' on descriptions of the albums and comparing them to my tastes (also some flowcharts), this will take some time, but I think I'm going to enjoy it!
Starting with Ocean Machine :metal
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Have fun! Listening to quite a lot of Devin today as well while learning for an exam.
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:metal
I'll say as much as I can after just one listen.
Seventh Wave was an amazing opener, was hooked right from the beginning because that chorus was just awesome. I actually felt the need to relisten the song right after the album, doesn't happen too often.
I noticed especially with Bastard and The Death of Music that because I was writing an essay while listening to them I didn't get the full 100% out of them, as soon as I realized that and gave them my full attention, they both became fantastic. I feel like those are going to be huge growers aswell.
Apart from these 3 songs it was solid all the way through, Funeral and Life are right behind those 3, and not by much. So I'm pretty impressed, next album is probably going to be Ziltoid.
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Ocean Machine is far from my favourite Devin album, but it has some incredibly good songs. :tup
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OM is in its own category. There's nothing like it. Not by Dev, not by anyone. Obviously it has ripples that roll through his catalog, but he never does what he does on OM again.
Listening to it for something like 14 years, I realized last year that the album is structured like a dive into the ocean. I think I posted about it here before. Brilliant, immaculate pacing. Dev threw everything he had into this and City, and it's very clear. After he exercised it, he never went back.
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The guy from the video I watched described it as "the closest music ever comes to translating the feeling of skydiving into music" and I thought that was pretty damn accurate at times.
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Pay more attention to Regulator the next time :metal
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next album is probably going to be Ziltoid.
Be careful. Ziltoid really rubbed me the wrong way when I first heard it. It does not carry the same level of Ocean Machine majesty at all. It's probably bottom 3 for me. I like nearly every other album of his (barring Physicist) much more.
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next album is probably going to be Ziltoid.
Be careful. Ziltoid really rubbed me the wrong way when I first heard it. It does not carry the same level of Ocean Machine majesty at all. It's probably bottom 3 for me. I like nearly every other album of his (barring Physicist) much more.
Ziltoid is Dev's top 3 album. :metal
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You mispelled Moon :P
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Ziltoid has a couple of standout tracks, but I'm not a big fan of the album as a whole.
Honestly, I'd recommend just going in chronological order through his releases, and skipping his weirder stuff like Devlab - at least for now.
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I tried listening to Devlab the other day but gosh I'm not hipster enough to stand a single song from it.
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I remember it having like one song that I liked but I don't remember what it was and it wasn't good enough to endure listening to the whole thing again to find it.
The Hummer, on the other hand, is not bad. Certainly not something that I'm in the mood for very often, but I still quite like it.
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next album is probably going to be Ziltoid.
Be careful. Ziltoid really rubbed me the wrong way when I first heard it. It does not carry the same level of Ocean Machine majesty at all. It's probably bottom 3 for me. I like nearly every other album of his (barring Physicist) much more.
You know what, I saw you have gone through the discography on this subforum so I'm going to take a look at the write-ups, currently everything points to me really liking Ziltoid though, we'll see.
Honestly, I'd recommend just going in chronological order through his releases, and skipping his weirder stuff like Devlab - at least for now.
I thought of that, but my curiosity always gets the best of me. ;D
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For me Ocean Machine is still the best. Devin came close a couple of times but he never quite reached that level again.
I quite like Ziltoid. If you take it not that serious it's quite an experience.
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Yeah I'm not in a very serious mood as of recently, musically. I've been listening to a lot of weird, crazy stuff. That's actually the reason I finally thought I would be ready for Devin, and I'll embrace the hell out of the whacky Ziltoid.
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I tried listening to Devlab the other day but gosh I'm not hipster enough to stand a single song from it.
I'm not a hipster, but I do like it. I like how raw and dense it is. It really builds up in tension and suspense. There's some wonderful stuff on there. Although I must admit that I've only listen to the album from start to finish a couple of times, maybe 5.
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Apart from these 3 songs it was solid all the way through, Funeral and Life are right behind those 3, and not by much. So I'm pretty impressed, next album is probably going to be Ziltoid.
You should really listen to Ziltoid after you've listened to everything that preceded it (specifically SYL). The album has an auto-biographical quality to it, specifically regarding his time with SYL, that will get lost if you don't listen to it appreciating the context of the album's release... which is that it was released in the time between winding up SYL and quitting the music industry altogether, albeit for only a year.
...and I'll embrace the hell out of the whacky Ziltoid.
...and this is why. The first Ziltoid album really isn't that whacky, overall. I'd say it's only the first three songs that embrace the silliness, then it segues into an unusual blend of wistful and slightly downbeat mixed with SYL aggression (largely in the backing tracks) and a tinge of otherworldliness...
...and I absolute love it for it. It's a really unique album, I just get a bit frustrated at it being labelled a comedy album as it's only that on a superficial level.
Z² is a more consistently silly album, though.
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You should really listen to Ziltoid after you've listened to everything that preceded it (specifically SYL). The album has an auto-biographical quality to it, specifically regarding his time with SYL, that will get lost if you don't listen to it appreciating the context of the album's release... which is that it was released in the time between winding up SYL and quitting the music industry altogether, albeit for only a year.
I've never listened to SYL apart from a few songs and I love Ziltoid.
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I like Ziltoid. Still haven't finished going through his entire discography myself. Last album I introduced myself to was Ocean Machine which is really great.
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Apart from these 3 songs it was solid all the way through, Funeral and Life are right behind those 3, and not by much. So I'm pretty impressed, next album is probably going to be Ziltoid.
You should really listen to Ziltoid after you've listened to everything that preceded it (specifically SYL). The album has an auto-biographical quality to it, specifically regarding his time with SYL, that will get lost if you don't listen to it appreciating the context of the album's release... which is that it was released in the time between winding up SYL and quitting the music industry altogether, albeit for only a year.
...and I'll embrace the hell out of the whacky Ziltoid.
...and this is why. The first Ziltoid album really isn't that whacky, overall. I'd say it's only the first three songs that embrace the silliness, then it segues into an unusual blend of wistful and slightly downbeat mixed with SYL aggression (largely in the backing tracks) and a tinge of otherworldliness...
...and I absolute love it for it. It's a really unique album, I just get a bit frustrated at it being labelled a comedy album as it's only that on a superficial level.
Z² is a more consistently silly album, though.
You were right in that it's not really all that quirky of an album musically, the story is a bit off-putting in that sense, but I still liked the album. I guess I had March of the Poozers (I think that's what it was called) in my head when thinking of this, which is Z², thought it would be kinda similar.
I want to listen to SYL's City, overall I don't think I'll like the musical direction of that band as much (they did thrash stuff or something right?), but City has definitely gotten me interested.
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Ziltoid is Dev's top 3 album. :metal
If Terria, Infinity, Ocean Machine, Ki, Addicted, Synchestra, Deconstruction, Ghost, Epicloud, Casualties of Cool and Sky Blue didn't exist, then yeah, I could see that. :biggrin:
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Am I the only one who really doesn't care much for Terria?
Earth Day is great, as is Deep Peace, but I never cared for much else. The production also really turns me off. The newer live versions of some of those songs are much easier to listen to.
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The production is the best part of Terria IMO.
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The production is the best part of Terria IMO.
That's cool. I'm glad when people can love things I don't like. I have given it a ton of chances, but the drums just bug me to no end. I'm also just not into a lot of the songs.
But I'm glad people dig it. Anytime anyone likes anything Dev, it's a win-win, even if it's not my kind of thing.
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Am I the only one who really doesn't care much for Terria?
Earth Day is great, as is Deep Peace, but I never cared for much else. The production also really turns me off. The newer live versions of some of those songs are much easier to listen to.
I can't get into that album either, and I've been trying for years. The two songs you mentioned are among his best, but I don't care for the rest. The production is a bit weird, the bass drum just sounds awful.
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The production is the best part of Terria IMO.
That's cool. I'm glad when people can love things I don't like. I have given it a ton of chances, but the drums just bug me to no end. I'm also just not into a lot of the songs.
But I'm glad people dig it. Anytime anyone likes anything Dev, it's a win-win, even if it's not my kind of thing.
That was his first attempt at digging out of the Physicist mix-hole. He did pretty well, comparably.
I love Terria. The only song I find pretty meh is "Mountain," but I don't mind it.
The real problem, imo, is the sequencing. Try moving "Mountain" later in the album, like after "Down & Under" (or delete it altogether and put "Universal"* in this spot).
*"Universal" is not the hidden track. That is called "Humble."
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Devin got his wall of sound signature sound right until DTP, I think. I love Terria, but that's not his best sounding record in a million years. Adding tens of layers to your recording is not easy, but Devin got it right after some time.
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I think Devin's most layered albums are better appreciated with a good sound system, otherwise they sound like shit.
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I think Devin's most layered albums are better appreciated with a good sound system, otherwise they sound like shit.
Agree. They are so full of shit that they easily sound muffled.
That being said, Deconstruction sounds amazing even with 1500 things going on at the same time.
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Yea deconstruction might be the pinnacle for the wall of sound. Z2 was a step up from Epicloud which I think suffered from almost no cymbals. Huge kick, snare and toms but virtually no cymbals. Ended up sounded way too robotic. Z2 still suffers from this but is better.
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Terria's non-perfect production helps make it even more awesome, if that makes sense. The rawness of it, in the writing and sound, is why it is is so amazing.
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Am I the only one who really doesn't care much for Terria?
Earth Day is great, as is Deep Peace, but I never cared for much else. The production also really turns me off. The newer live versions of some of those songs are much easier to listen to.
I can't get into that album either, and I've been trying for years. The two songs you mentioned are among his best, but I don't care for the rest. The production is a bit weird, the bass drum just sounds awful.
I love most all of Dev's stuff but I probably have Terria lower than most as well. Its not bad but definitely lower tier for me.
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Apart from these 3 songs it was solid all the way through, Funeral and Life are right behind those 3, and not by much. So I'm pretty impressed, next album is probably going to be Ziltoid.
You should really listen to Ziltoid after you've listened to everything that preceded it (specifically SYL). The album has an auto-biographical quality to it, specifically regarding his time with SYL, that will get lost if you don't listen to it appreciating the context of the album's release... which is that it was released in the time between winding up SYL and quitting the music industry altogether, albeit for only a year.
...and I'll embrace the hell out of the whacky Ziltoid.
...and this is why. The first Ziltoid album really isn't that whacky, overall. I'd say it's only the first three songs that embrace the silliness, then it segues into an unusual blend of wistful and slightly downbeat mixed with SYL aggression (largely in the backing tracks) and a tinge of otherworldliness...
...and I absolute love it for it. It's a really unique album, I just get a bit frustrated at it being labelled a comedy album as it's only that on a superficial level.
Z² is a more consistently silly album, though.
You were right in that it's not really all that quirky of an album musically, the story is a bit off-putting in that sense, but I still liked the album. I guess I had March of the Poozers (I think that's what it was called) in my head when thinking of this, which is Z², thought it would be kinda similar.
I want to listen to SYL's City, overall I don't think I'll like the musical direction of that band as much (they did thrash stuff or something right?), but City has definitely gotten me interested.
If you're worried about the thrashy aspect I dunno If I'd go with City... Alien is another good one IMO by them but maybe slightly less in that vein. I like most of the SYL material but I think I prefer Alien.
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I think Devin's most layered albums are better appreciated with a good sound system, otherwise they sound like shit.
Agree. They are so full of shit that they easily sound muffled.
That being said, Deconstruction sounds amazing even with 1500 things going on at the same time.
Was Deconstruction remastered in the Contain Us boxset?
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train, if you want wacky devy, go for Deconstruction
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I think Devin's most layered albums are better appreciated with a good sound system, otherwise they sound like shit.
Agree. They are so full of shit that they easily sound muffled.
That being said, Deconstruction sounds amazing even with 1500 things going on at the same time.
Was Deconstruction remastered in the Contain Us boxset?
Yes
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Am I the only one who really doesn't care much for Terria?
Earth Day is great, as is Deep Peace, but I never cared for much else. The production also really turns me off. The newer live versions of some of those songs are much easier to listen to.
You're not alone. I can't get through Terria in one sitting. Kind of in the same vein as Synchestra.
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I don't want anything except going through the discography, it's just a matter of what order it'll be in. Will check out City and Alien either way, I mean I don't like a shit ton of thrash but I still heard a lot of Overkill Megadeth and Metallica growing up so I like some of it.
As for Deconstruction, I'll consider it.
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So what's going to be your next Devin album, Train of Naught?
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So what's going to be your next Devin album, Train of Naught?
Ups, I didn't update it here but I listened to Deconstruction yesterday, I was shockingly impressed after the first listen. Apparently The Might Masturbator is one of the fan favorites and rightfully so, I thought it was fucking genius. Other standouts were Stand, Planet of the Apes and title-track to a lesser extent.
It was pretty hard to get through the end though, 'twas pretty overwhelming, and probably for that reason I wasn't at all interested in Poltergeist.
Haven't had time for the next album but I'll continue this weekend, I think the next will be Epicloud or Ki, I sampled some of the SYL albums and I didn't really like it, at some point I'll try to listen to them in full though.
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Decon is pretty taxing a listen, and I like most of the songs individually (except for Pandemic, that one never really resonated with me), but it's not an album that I seek out to listen to beginning to end very often.
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Well, that's the end of my first time hearing Epicloud, I like it.
Heard Kingdom twice before, once when I never heard anything by Devin before, and I thought it was boring, the second time I was a bit more familiar with his music and I had heard CoC and a couple of separate songs at the time, I thought it was way better but still not special.
Now, hearing the whole album, it's easily one of the standout songs. I really like the whole 'wall of sound' concept and with the multi-layered vocals on this album it's really great. I think it's my favorite album so far, even against the likes of Ocean Machine and Deconstruction, still after only one listen though.
Other standouts besides Kingdom include Lucky Animals, Save Our Now and Angel. But really the whole album was consistent as hell.
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Save Our Now :heart
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Both Save Our Now and Angel seem really underappreciated to me. They are my two favourite songs off Epicloud, followed closely by Hold On and More!.
What album are you going for next?
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Currently thinking Synchestra or Accelerated Evolution, I'm open to suggestions at this point though.
Also, Terria is up right after whatever album I choose to listen to next, I figured it's probably something I would like a lot (I heard Deep Peace when Genowyn tried to explain his tastes for chill music in his roulette) but I want to wait with it for just one more album.
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Accelerated Evolution is my favorite Devin Townsend album...so go with that one :D
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Accelerated Evolution is pretty :metal, so go for it.
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Accelerated Evolution is pretty :metal, so go for it.
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Accelerated Evolution is pretty :metal, so go for it.
He's right you know.
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Fourth'd.
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Deadhead - Suicide might be my favourite one-two-punch from Devin's career.
Though Bastard - The Death of Music might come close. But still, AE is absolutely necessary listening for those two songs alone.
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Deadhead - Suicide might be my favourite one-two-punch from Devin's career.
I feel that Suicide is the most underrated Devin Townsend song. It's incredibly emotional, one of the few with a passionate guitar solo, and holy balls does it hit like a ton of bricks.
So good.
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Accelerated Evolution is pretty :metal, so go for it.
Went for it.
This is probably my least favorite album so far honestly, I really didn't like the almost poppy vocals near the end. First half was pretty :metal and I especially liked Depth Charge and Deadhead, also Suicide was pretty good. But from Traveller onwards it got less interesting.
Can't like 'em all :-\ here's to more luck with my next one (Terria).
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Terria is the best them.
Also I felt similar to you on first listens of AE, but after a couple of listens I really got into Away (which I found too meandering on first listen), Sunday Afternoon and Slow Me Down. Traveller is now the only song on the album that I'm not a huge fan of.
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I wish I could hear Earth Day for the first time again. Such a magnificent song. :metal
The rest of Terria is pretty meh though.
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Yeah I know nothing will be perfect after just one listen, I'm thrilled to go back to this page a year from now to see how different my first reactions were from then.
I don't want to set the bar too high for Terria but from what I've heard it sounds pretty awesome and up my alley.
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Earth Day isn't even top half of Terria for me.
Still an amazing song, but that album is #2 of all time for me, so "amazing" doesn't quite cut it.
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Terria is mindblowing.
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Terria is my favorite by him
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Terria is the best them.
Also I felt similar to you on first listens of AE, but after a couple of listens I really got into Away (which I found too meandering on first listen), Sunday Afternoon and Slow Me Down. Traveller is now the only song on the album that I'm not a huge fan of.
Love Sunday Afternoon, I also love Traveller too but thats because I like traveling.
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Been listening to Devin properly for about a year an a half now so going to try and rate all the albums that I've heard up until this point, this should be interesting as I rate quite a few of his albums at about the same level.
1. Ocean Machine
2. Infinity
3. Accelerated Evolution
4. Epicloud
5. Sky Blue
6. Terria
7. Addicted
8. Synchestra
9. Deconstruction
10. Dark Matters
11. Ziltoid the Omniscient
12. Physicist
13. Ghost
14. Casualties of Cool
That was a lot harder than I thought. Ghost and CoC are my most recent purchases and I'm sure they will go up in my rankings once they get as many listens as the others but at the moment I don't find anything sinking in when I listen. It's just good background music to my ears at the moment.
Just need to get Ki now :loser:
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Dark Matters above ZTO is blasphemy.
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the only two songs i ever find myself caring about off AE these days are Deadhead and Slow Me Down, tbh, Slow Me Down is too much fun to not enjoy
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Dark Matters above ZTO is blasphemy.
I just feel that Dark Matters is more fleshed out and I like how theatrical it is. You can kinda tell that ZTO is just Devin being a one man band (Which I respect) and I understand the importance of ZTO and what it represents to Devin but I just enjoy Dark Matters more. Even though some of the dialogue is ridiculous ;)
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Just need to get Ki now :loser:
You ain't missing much tbh :P
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Just need to get Ki now :loser:
You ain't missing much tbh :P
Yea, that's kind of why I have left Ki, Ghost and CoC until my last purchases as from what I have read up on them they seemed least likely to be my favourites.
Then again, I liked Synchestra and Physicist much more than I thought I would based on others opinions.
That's the wonder of Devin I guess :heart
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I think Ki is wonderful.
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ki has a good title track, and
well, the rest i don't care about
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Fucking crazy ass opinions all over this page already. Except Adami's, whose opinion is articulated perfectly and is clearly the deepest thought on the page.
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Ki is still my favorite Devin album. It took a while to grow on me though; when I first listened to it nothing really stuck out to me at all.
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when I listened to it for the 10th time nothing really stuck out to me at all.
FTFM.
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i may not have even listened to Ki 10 times in total tbh
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Ki is perfect. Anybody who says otherwise is objectively wrong.
If you don't like Ki, you're not a man. Be a god damn man, boy.
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Ki is perfect. Anybody who says otherwise is objectively wrong.
If you don't like Ki, you're not a man. Be a god damn man, boy.
Maybe the best post I've ever read.
Now let's go down to the beach.
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If you don't like Ki, you're not a man.
Walk on home, boy.
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Ki is middle ranking Dev material. Some great songs, some not so great songs.
And as I said some pages ago, Casualties Of Cool is really growing on me. When I first heard it, I was shocked how boring it was, but now that I've given it another chance I really start to like it. It's all about the atmosphere and you have to be in the right mood to appreciate it.
But I still think it's a bit too long and I still think it sounds like country. :biggrin:
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I think Ki is wonderful.
I agree with that.
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Dark Matters above ZTO is blasphemy.
Indeed!
And yes, Ki is absolutely wonderful Adami. Top 3 Devin for me.
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I'm through 7 full albums now for the first time and I want to write down how I would rank them right now, should be fun to look back at this when I'm more familiar with them and see how different I would've done it.
Really can't rank any of the songs yet apart from a couple of definite standouts but I'm not gonna bother with it just yet.
1. Ocean Machine
2. Deconstruction
3. Epicloud
4. Terria
5. Ki
6. Ziltoid
7. Accelerated Evolution
Honestly the only one I didn't really like was AE but that might change.
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Now Addicted :metal
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Now Addicted :metal
Would definitely go for that. Such a good album.
I'm surprised you rank Ki above Ziltoid. Middle ranking vs top 3 album for me.
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Now Addicted :metal
Great album :metal
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Honestly, most of Devin's albums are huge growers IMO. AE is definitely one of them.
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Honestly, most of Devin's albums are huge growers IMO. AE is definitely one of them.
I completely agree. If I only listened to each album one time and made my ultimate judgement, I wouldn't even be a fan. Some of these albums took many listens to click, and now he's one of my favorite musicians.
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Finally got Ki today, I really like it on first impression. Now I finally have the original 4 DTP releases, I need to listen to them in the order Devin intended. Probably how I will spend my Thursday night.
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Finally got Ki today, I really like it on first impression. Now I finally have the original 4 DTP releases, I need to listen to them in the order Devin intended. Probably how I will spend my Thursday night.
Inside Out should do a vinyl box. Re-cut Ki and Addicted properly (the Back on Black pressings have some... worrying issues), have Troy Glessner master the whole thing... it'd be epic. Was kinda surprised he didn't bother doing it for Contain Us: would've cost twice as much, but a 'super deluxe' with all 4 on vinyl would've been the shit.
And the Z2 vinyl box sold fast, so there's precedence now.
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I think Ki may grow to be one of my favourites. Quite a lot that I am liking after only 2 listens. Some of it reminds of stuff from Epiclouder and I really like that album a lot.
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:hifive: for liking Epiclouder. So many great songs on that, and I love how varied in sound it is - you have Ki-esque stuff like Quietus right next to SYL-like stuff like Socialization, and it works amazingly.
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Yeah, Epiclouder is great!
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Ranking time! (Saw this list on top of this page, added some stuff)
1. Ki
2. Casualties Of Cool
3. Devlab
4. The Hummer
5. Deconstruction
6. Ziltoid
7. Addicted
8. Ghost
9. Ocean Machine
10. Epicloud
11. Terria
12. Z2
I've just started with Ocean Machine and I think that will grow on me, haven't checked out other stuff yet. The Hummer and Devlab were the first two albums that I really loved, after I checked out the Contain Us box set. Casualties didn't grab my interest at first, but it's one of my most played albums for a month now, really love it.
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And now I shall run and hide :D
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And now I shall run and hide :D
For putting OM:B and Terria so low, yes, you should. For putting Z2 at the bottom, you shouldn't. As for putting Devlab and The Hummer that high... well, it's just a matter of taste entertainment folks!
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And now I shall run and hide :D
For putting OM:B and Terria so low, yes, you should. For putting Z2 at the bottom, you shouldn't. As for putting Devlab and The Hummer that high... well, it's just a matter of taste entertainment folks!
I feel like I should like Terria better, and the first 10 minutes or so are awesome, but then it sorta stops. And I think Ocean Machine will climb a lot, I keep watching the Royal Albert Hall show for Funeral, Basterd and The Death of Music (well and Deadhead, so I guess Accelerated Evolution's next)
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Just curious, how many times have you listened to Terria?
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I thought I had seen anything.
Then I saw Devlab above Terria.
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loldevlab
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Dev wiki is currently being built! Stay tuned (if you give a shit about such a thing).
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Just curious, how many times have you listened to Terria?
About 5 or 6 I guess.
I thought I had seen anything.
Then I saw Devlab above Terria.
The first stuff that clicked was the ambient stuff, and I get the fact that the first couple of minutes of Devlab is difficult to get through, but especially the second half is just wonderful.
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Are the demos and bonus tracks on Contain Us worth getting?
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Are the demos and bonus tracks on Contain Us worth getting?
The bonus tracks, absolutely. Juno, Ho Krll, Radial Highway, Watch You and Traestorz are all major keepers.
The demos, meh.
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Are the demos and bonus tracks on Contain Us worth getting?
The bonus tracks, absolutely. Juno, Ho Krll, Radial Highway, Watch You and Traestorz are all major keepers.
The demos, meh.
Agreed, but even further – I love that whole disc. The only one that is "meh" for me is the "Fucker" rework.
I love the Decon "demos" (they were recorded in the album sessions with Dirk Verbeuren, just left off) like "Madd at My Dadd" and "Brownman" but mostly because they're hilarious.
Also check out "Dinosaurs" from the 7" that came with it. Interesting Addicted outtake with Anneke and sax.
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Dinosaurs is so great, but other than that decent-sounding rip on YouTube, good luck finding it. Still annoys me that I cannot find a high-quality rip of it. :censored :censored
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From Dev's Twitter:
ok, I got the go ahead to do a second 'bonus disk' of material for Transcendence! Sweet..plus anothr 6 tracks for itunes etc. Great to purge
...The main disk was whittled down to 11 really really good songs.
theres a total of 33 songs this time around I think, then I can get on to touring and doing the symphony...
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Fuuuuuuck yus. :metal
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:metal NEW SONG :metal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQG6ycUhyns
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Devlab II confirmed.
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Immediately thought of Adam02.
P.S. You bastard. I was ready to rock.
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We got a release date for September.
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/706661611243606016
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Transcendence is to start recording within a week!!! (insert appropriate meme) :yarr
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I'm a little worried it'll be another Epicloud/Skyblue album.
It's a fine sound, but Devy seems a little too comfortable with it, and it's lacking that.....I don't know...internal conflict that made his work so great. Devy needs to be challenged, and as demonstrated by his live stream song writing (really cool by the way) he just isn't terribly challenged by this new sound and it comes super natural to him. I dunno, just doesn't seem as exciting.
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Maybe because I am a new fan so I listened to Sky Blue and Epicloud before listening to some of the back catalogue, but I prefer the sound of those two albums versus some of the older stuff.
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It's a fine sound, but Devy seems a little too comfortable with it, and it's lacking that.....I don't know...internal conflict that made his work so great. Devy needs to be challenged, and as demonstrated by his live stream song writing (really cool by the way) he just isn't terribly challenged by this new sound and it comes super natural to him. I dunno, just doesn't seem as exciting.
I love both Epicloud and Sky Blue, but I agree that it's getting a little bit too safe. The "Stars" or whatever song he wrote during the livestream was incredibly bad imo. He seems to be going for that commercial sound right now and that's okay, but I would love another album in the veins of Ghost or Deconstruction.
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Part of what makes me a DT fan is that everything he does is different, but lately he has been sort of going in one direction. I really hope he doesn't get stuck in a rut with one sound.
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I think the DTP has become his main outlet for his typical Pop/Metal kind of stuff, and any other experimental projects like Casualties will be done under a different project/name. For Dave, RVP, Mike, and Beav, the DTP is their main job so it has to be Dev's main focus as well. That's why he didn't take that hiatus he was talking about last year, because he's got 4 other guys in the band plus a live crew to pay.
I'm sure Transcendence will be my AOTY, but I do wish he'd do something different soon, like another Casualties record or maybe resurrect Ghost 2.
He's mentioned several other projects over the years like Obviouser, an Electronic album and of course the Symphony(Moth) which he says will be his main focus after Transcendence.
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Devin is so good at random, funny tweets...
Devin Townsend @dvntownsend 2h2 hours ago
Shovelled a yard of manure today. Currently smell like a yaks balls.
6 retweets 50 likes
Reply Retweet 6
Like 50
:lol :lol :lol :lol
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Recording for Transcendence starts tomorrow. Considering how long they've been practicing this material ahead of time, I don't expect them to take very long.
And according to his Twitter, Nolly from Periphery is helping them out in the studio.
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Recording for Transcendence starts tomorrow. Considering how long they've been practicing this material ahead of time, I don't expect them to take very long.
And according to his Twitter, Nolly from Periphery is helping them out in the studio.
Oh man if they get Periphery-level production on the album it's gonna sound awesome.
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Recording for Transcendence starts tomorrow. Considering how long they've been practicing this material ahead of time, I don't expect them to take very long.
And according to his Twitter, Nolly from Periphery is helping them out in the studio.
Oh man if they get Periphery-level production on the album it's gonna sound awesome.
Agreed, but the only way it'll make a difference in the end is if Dev spends way longer mixing and probably with someone else (or letting someone else mix it... like, say, Jens Bogren!). I doubt that will happen.
Then again, he mixed the lion's share of Infinity, which is great minus the weird bass end (all kick, no bass guitar). He learned the bass lesson when doing Z2 so perhaps he would indeed be capable with engineering assistance.
The winning team on Infinity was Dev with Matteo Caratozzolo and Pete Wonsiak, who he hasn't worked much with since.
(And I've seen lots of people complain about the Infinity mix, so I hardly mean to call it definitive. It's definitely one of his clearest mixing jobs, though.)
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I thought the recent Devin Townsend albums were really well produced though. I don't see a noticable difference in the production quality between P1 / Juggernaut and Addicted / Z2
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Addicted sounds awesome (it's also not a recent album by any means btw), but Epicloud suffes from a lack of cymbals and Sky Blue/Z2 just sound weird to my ears.
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I don't think I've ever had a problem with the production of a Devin album, but then I've been known to have ridiculously low standards in that area (something that I'm actually grateful for, to be honest). I mean, I do notice differences, but the albums - not just Devin, speaking about all the albums that I know - that have been negatively impacted for me because of production, I can count on two hands.
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Devin's production got too bubblegum-y over the years.
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They're recording at the same studio where Synchestra and Alien were recorded. Both of those album had pretty great sounding production, especially the drums.
So that along with Nolly being there assures me that this album will be pretty great production-wise.
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Addicted sounds awesome (it's also not a recent album by any means btw), but Epicloud suffes from a lack of cymbals and Sky Blue/Z2 just sound weird to my ears.
I think Addicted sounds good apart from the cymbals, which get a bit lost in the mix. Agreed on the rest, although Dark Matters sounds a bit better than the rest.
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https://www.metalsucks.net/2016/04/04/haunted-shores-featuring-devin-townsend/
Devin did guest vocals on a song from the recent Haunted Shores EP :eek
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Norway Jose is my least favourite song off the EP and the vocals didn't add much for me to enjoy I feel. Devy should have done Harrison Fjord (though I guess that song already has too much going on, the chorus could have been amazing though).
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Never heard of Haunted Shores before that, but that was a cool song. Great performance from Dev as always.
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Never heard of Haunted Shores before that, but that was a cool song. Great performance from Dev as always.
Definitely check out the Viscera EP. It's pretty damn good.
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I'll check it sometime. The instrumental part of Feed the Wolf (so basically Norway Jose) seemed quite interesting and creative.
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RVP recording drums for Transcendence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x-vI1de-qc
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RVP recording drums for Transcendence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x-vI1de-qc
*Thinks "oh cool, an update. Probably just a rough little clip to show us that things are progressing."*
*HOLY CRAP, 12 MIN HD VIDEO*
Really cool beats there from Ryan. Seems more high energy than usual compared to something like Epicloud or Sky Blue.
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Also found this old video of Devin from 2010 prior to recording Ghost and Deconstruction.
It's just him noodling around playing some acoustic stuff and rambling but theres some cool stuff in there.
Apparently the story told in Casualties of Cool was originally meant for Ghost. Interesting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AbfBebaGsI
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I was really hoping he would play Seams. I really want to learn how to play that song.
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RVP recording drums for Transcendence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x-vI1de-qc
*Thinks "oh cool, an update. Probably just a rough little clip to show us that things are progressing."*
*HOLY CRAP, 12 MIN HD VIDEO*
Really cool beats there from Ryan. Seems more high energy than usual compared to something like Epicloud or Sky Blue.
A bit depressing to hear some cool cymbal work, knowing it'll be super buried in the final mix :(
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/717207612639600641
Biography Presale starts tomorrow
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Which was posted 17 hours ago from Canada, so that's basically today right?
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RVP recording drums for Transcendence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x-vI1de-qc
*Thinks "oh cool, an update. Probably just a rough little clip to show us that things are progressing."*
*HOLY CRAP, 12 MIN HD VIDEO*
Really cool beats there from Ryan. Seems more high energy than usual compared to something like Epicloud or Sky Blue.
A bit depressing to hear some cool cymbal work, knowing it'll be super buried in the final mix :(
We have Nolly producing. Don't lose hope!
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No idea who Nolly is, but YAY!
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No idea who Nolly is, but YAY!
Bassist/Occasional guitarist/Occasional producer of the band Periphery. Also a freelance badass.
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This may please you.
Hey guys,
As always I like to create drum cams with my awesome Zoom Q8 recorder, for the people who follow me. Creating a drum cam for an album is a little more special... It gives people an insight to what kind of drumming i'm doing on the new album, as well as a sneak peek to the vibe of the album about to be released. This video gives you a sneak peak into almost every song the new DTP album 'Transcendence'. The drums were recorded at the amazing Armoury Studios in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada from March 25th -27th, 2016. Adam Nolly Getgood, bassist from the band Periphery engineered this album and the drum sound. I'm stoked on the sounds we got from my Pearl Drums and Sabian Cymbals. I used a combo Pearl SSC Birch drums and Pearl Reference Series Drums. They sound absolutely amazing!! I did on average 3 to 4 takes per song, a few songs were only one or two takes. I didn't have time to video of every take i did but I did manage to get a bit of almost every song. So the drumming you'll hear and see in this drum cam will be close to what the album will sound like for drums. Some of the playing in this video will be actual drumming that you will hear on the actual album release:) Things change in the studio, sometimes you get inspired and improvise or write a new part on the spot. Some of those things were caught in this drum cam. I really hope you enjoy it and that you get a good vibe, through my drumming, for the vibe this album has. I'm VERY proud of this particular record and think you guys are in for a treat musically!!
Lastly, I get asked a lot about my cymbal playing. I have so many cymbals to compliment all the different styles of music we have to play for Dev. I use cymbals to colour and match riffs and vocal melodies. I don't have them for show and you will really hear the cool cymbal matchings with vocals and riffs on this album in particular. My cymbals are like a Symphony to me, different tones and sounds to compliment the progressive music we play :))
This is my 8th studio album for the mighty Devin Townsend. The new album is coming out in Fall 2016. It is called 'Transcendence'. I feel it's the most diverse album that the DTP has recorded, there is a little bit of everything on this album. It can go from very heavy to rock to light and almost jazzy at one point. Stoked for you guys to hear it..... for now, here's a little sneak peak of the energy this album has via my drum tracks ;) Enjoy!
Best,
RVP
*From the video description.
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The book is already available for pre-order...
35 pounds for a book? As much as I love Devin, I can't afford it. 50€ with shipping... seriously? I was waiting for the book and wanted to buy it, but this is a rip-off.
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The book is already available for pre-order...
35 pounds for a book? As much as I love Devin, I can't afford it. 50€ with shipping... seriously? I was waiting for the book and wanted to buy it, but this is a rip-off.
It also comes with a CD of new music called Iceland, no idea what sort of sound this album will have or how much music we will get but it totally sold it for me, just preordered :hat
I think a book written by any other artist would probably get a 'meh' from me, but you just know Devin's book will be funny, honest, insightful and weird/crazy/f**ked up!!
Can't wait, just hope it's a big chunky book that will keep me going a while.
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I preordered immediately because I want that damn special edition.
There's also a sample of songs from the Acoustic EP(Iceland) on the page, which includes:
Let it Roll
Solar Winds
Ih-Ah
Funeral
2 Repeats from the original Acoustic EP. I hope we get a bit more variety.
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It also comes with a CD of new music called Iceland, no idea what sort of sound this album will have or how much music we will get but it totally sold it for me, just preordered :hat
I think a book written by any other artist would probably get a 'meh' from me, but you just know Devin's book will be funny, honest, insightful and weird/crazy/f**ked up!!
Can't wait, just hope it's a big chunky book that will keep me going a while.
Yes, I know, but I couldn't care less for the CD. Acoustic songs that he played thousands and thousands of times. For most of the songs on the sample you can find Youtube videos of him playing live. And I don't mean bootlegs, I mean official videos. You can also find the same songs played also acoustically on the official CD "Unplugged". Maybe there are a couple of songs that are new, but meh... not worth it in my opinion.
I agree with you that the book will probably be funny, intelligent, etc, but still.. it is too much for me. If there was a "Book edition" only including the book itself for like 20€, then maybe I would buy it. I guess I will have to wait for a reprint (if they do a reprint), like they did with Lifting Shadows or I will borrow from a friend. I paid around 10€ for the DT reprint and was happy with it. No extras, no toys, no fancy things, just the book.
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I'm far more interested in the Ancient demo and the book itself than the Iceland CD. Not sure if I'm willing to blow $200 CAD on it, though.
If you just want the book, the publishing date is August, so you can get it from Amazon then.
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Was watching some clips on youtube from the newest DVD at Albert Hall... did DT steal this idea of the split large screens in the background? Looks very similar
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Was watching some clips on youtube from the newest DVD at Albert Hall... did DT steal this idea of the split large screens in the background? Looks very similar
I don't think that's a new idea.
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umm..yeeaaahhh...
<.<
>.>
That's kind of like saying "Did *so-and-so* steal the idea of standing in 'that' formation on stage?"...it's kinda...nuts. Course it looks similar. I'm sure plenty of peeps have done it before and I'm sure the first peeps to do it didn't copyright it. What? :lol Cram? Hello? Buddy? *poke* *poke*
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Yeah, synced split screens have been around a long while, certainly since 2000-2001 when Nine Inch Nails was using them. (They were cooler, though, since they were rigged to motors that changed their angles throughout the show, and they had light arrays all around the edges to use when there were no videos!)
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I mean, it looks almost exactly like the same set up though, small screens on the botton, the five big parallel ones on top. DT's marketing made it seem like it was going to be something special, yet DT on probably a smaller budget did the same thing for a one off show.
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I mean, it looks almost exactly like the same set up though, small screens on the botton, the five big parallel ones on top. DT's marketing made it seem like it was going to be something special, yet DT on probably a smaller budget did the same thing for a one off show.
Not the best time to use band acronyms.
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https://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend/photos/a.175020189189978.40890.134347786590552/1228032973888689/?type=3&theater
We're pleased to present to you the front cover of the upcoming 'Transcendence' record by the DTP! The last few months the band have been hard at work recording and the tracks are now sent off to be mastered. The worldwide release date is set for September 2nd in various formats on which we'll soon post more news. Another big announcement will be made here in just a few hours... Hope you dig!
(https://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd382/Metropolaris/trtrans_zpszll4rydf.jpg) (https://s1217.photobucket.com/user/Metropolaris/media/trtrans_zpszll4rydf.jpg.html)
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:metal :tup
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Devin Townsend ft. Meshuggah? :lol I like the cover but I can't help thinking of the Obzen dude.
According to some people, the announcement will be regarding the upcoming tour, Devin Townsend + BTBAM and Fallujah :metal
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Devin Townsend ft. Meshuggah? :lol I like the cover but I can't help thinking of the Obzen dude.
According to some people, the announcement will be regarding the upcoming tour, Devin Townsend + BTBAM and Fallujah :metal
I would hate the shit out of that tour by virtue of there being no chance that they would come to this side of the pond. :(
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That would be an awesome tour :metal
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Fallujah just started posting the tour events on their Facebook
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Nice, I'd like to catch him this tour now that I am a fan (was only just starting to listen during his last US tour).
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I hope this one will be a lot better than Z2.
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Well, Europe won't get any DTP + BTBAM + Fallujah goodness, so :sadpanda:
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https://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend/posts/1228107440547909
DTP/BTBAM + Fallujah North American Tour confirmed
BTBAM will be playing Coma Machine in it's entirety
Sept. 2 - Kelowna, BC, Level Night Club - Hell Raiser Festival (DTP only)
Sept. 3 - Calgary, AB, SAIT (DTP only)
Sept. 4 - Edmonton, AB, Starlite Roon (DTP only)
Sept. 6 - Winnipeg, MB, Pyramid Cabaret (DTP only)
Sept. 7 - Minneapolis, MN, Mill City Nights (DTP only)
Sept. 9 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works
Sept. 10 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm
Sept. 11 - Orlando, FL - The Plaza
Sept. 12 - Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend
Sept. 13 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore Silver Spring
Sept. 15 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre Of Living Arts
Sept. 16 - New York, NY - Playstation Theater
Sept. 17 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium +Sabaton
Sept. 21 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
Sept. 22 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall
Sept. 23 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
Sept. 24 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
Sept. 25 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom
Sept. 27 - New Orleans, LA - The Joy Theater
Sept. 29 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live
Oct. 5 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency Ballroom
Oct. 6 - Los Angeles, CA - The Novo
Oct. 7 - Tempe, AZ - The Marquee
Oct. 8 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl * no DTP
Oct. 9 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
Oct. 11 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory * no DTP
Oct. 12 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory
Oct. 13 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
Oct. 14 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
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I hate the United States. Devin, Fallujah and BTBAM playing their best album in its entirety? fml
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yes!!!!!!!!!!! Orlando and NYC :metal
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Urgh that cover is almost Dance of Death levels of internship photoshop work. I sat out the last two albums because I didn't like Epicloud and wasn't excited about the idea of Z2 (or the other album) so I'll be awaiting the first reviews to see if this new one is for me.
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yes!!!!!!!!!!! Orlando and NYC :metal
Friday night in NYC! I'll be there, also the Playstation theater is an awesome venue. Just recently saw Avantasia there.
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yes!!!!!!!!!!! Orlando and NYC :metal
Friday night in NYC! I'll be there, also the Playstation theater is an awesome venue. Just recently saw Avantasia there.
Me 2.Playstation is a great venue.
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I hope this one will be a lot better than Z2.
I hope so as well. Even though I like Sky Blue a lot and Z2 has a few really good moments, overall it's easily one of my least favourite Devin records.
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Awesome album cover! Can't wait for this :metal
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damn, seattle venue is way too far for me to walk to and i'm too lazy to take a bus :lol
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Looks like I'm gonna have to try and head to AZ for this.
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I did get really excited for a split second yesterday when I saw this until I realised it was only an America/Canada tour :sadpanda:
I'll go back to crossing my fingers and waiting for the UK tour to be announced. Hope the support bands will be as good in the UK though.
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As co-headliners, does that mean they will rotate who plays last or are they both just going having 1.5 hour setlists or something but with DT playing second? Just curious how the co-headline works in this situation.
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As co-headliners, does that mean they will rotate who plays last or are they both just going having 1.5 hour setlists or something but with DT playing second? Just curious how the co-headline works in this situation.
On the co-headliner tour with Animals as Leaders, they chose whoever had the biggest draw in the market they were playing that night.
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As co-headliners, does that mean they will rotate who plays last or are they both just going having 1.5 hour setlists or something but with DT playing second? Just curious how the co-headline works in this situation.
On the co-headliner tour with Animals as Leaders, they chose whoever had the biggest draw in the market they were playing that night.
Did they let you know before hand who that was?
I saw a tour once of Lynard Skynard and Sammy Hagar as coheadliners and I think they rotated every other night who headlined and I recall a lot of pissed off people at my concert because Sammy was the headliner that night which didn't seem like it was announced until the day of the show, and that was back before social media so I'd imagine letting things be known is easier now.
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As co-headliners, does that mean they will rotate who plays last or are they both just going having 1.5 hour setlists or something but with DT playing second? Just curious how the co-headline works in this situation.
On the co-headliner tour with Animals as Leaders, they chose whoever had the biggest draw in the market they were playing that night.
Did they let you know before hand who that was?
I saw a tour once of Lynard Skynard and Sammy Hagar as coheadliners and I think they rotated every other night who headlined and I recall a lot of pissed off people at my concert because Sammy was the headliner that night which didn't seem like it was announced until the day of the show, and that was back before social media so I'd imagine letting things be known is easier now.
I didn't see anything posted officially. I only found out because someone asked during the VIP session before the gig.
Also, other co-headlining tours have done the rotating – Marilyn Manson/Smashing Pumpkins comes to mind. It was the first one night, then they'd play first the next night, and just go back and forth every night. So it's not set in stone that they'll do it like they did on the last tour.
The big thing: Both bands play the same set regardless of who goes on first.
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Hmmm, just noticed this.
DT has been posting the show events on facebook. Noticed the NYC show was just added so I clicked the link and found it said this:
PlayStation Theatre
West 44th Street
New York, NY
Co-headline show with Between The Buried & Me, DTP closes. Fallujah as official support.
https://www.bandsintown.com/event/12104237?artist=Devin+Townsend&came_from=127&fb_ref=Default (https://www.bandsintown.com/event/12104237?artist=Devin+Townsend&came_from=127&fb_ref=Default)
So I guess that answers my question.
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I'm not digging the cover art at all. I really like simple covers (I loved the Sky Blue one) and this one just seems overfilled with stuff.
Doesn't really make a difference anyhow. The music is what matters. :lol
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Awesooooommmme~! Date and cover. Love it. It's zany and wacky yet badass. It's just a Devy cover through and through. With the last couple covers being fairly simplistic and srsbznss, I like this one. Decon has one of my favorite covers and I think right off the bat I still like that one more but if the music fits this as well as Decon fit its cover, that might change.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUOly907u18
New video of Devin fooling around with his pedalboard
There were 3 others he posted earlier but he took them down for some reason. ???
One showed him recording a solo, and the other 2 showed ProTools sessions for the Truth re-record and one other new song.
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Maybe the record company didn't want that stuff up.
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I can't imagine why. The update videos for Z2 were much more revealing than the new ones and those are still up.
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OK folks, the basics of the Devin Townsend Wiki are now up and public. Take a gander at https://hevydevy.wikia.com (https://hevydevy.wikia.com) and see my exhaustive articling for every goddamn album and song the dude's ever made along with some other basics we've thrown up (Dev's Wikipedia bio, etc.). It's really the brainchild of mon ami sesameseedbun (on the Dev forum), I just came on to help get the content on the go.
Now it's time for y'all to contribute as you please. There are definitely mistakes and inconsistencies to be fixed. In general, we need to make it customized away from the Wikipedia content and into the Dev world. If you would like to add stuff and use Wikipedia as the starting block, do it, but please go through and edit out the formatting code Wikia doesn't understand (references need to be simplified, etc.). We're using the NIN wiki (https://www.nin.wiki (https://www.nin.wiki)) for the inspiration so if you're wondering how to format Tour pages or something, do it the way they do (or use another page on the Dev wiki to use as base).
And ffs if anyone knows how to add Reference Templates and other stuff into Wikia that'd be great. Tons of room to add and grow here.
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That is awesome man.
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Anyone got a guess for how long Devy's set will be for the non-BTBAM shows? I'm hoping if it's just him and Fallujah that we get a bit of a longer set.
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Anyone got a guess for how long Devy's set will be for the non-BTBAM shows? I'm hoping if it's just him and Fallujah that we get a bit of a longer set.
Dev tours with a pretty rehearsed setlist so it works with the lighting, video and backing track programming. I dunno how easily he'd be able to add more material on the road (but you never know...).
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Well considering his one gig at Progpower USA is with Anneka, I'd really hope he'd be doing a special setlist for that night. Also I am going to that so I am selfish and want an awesome special show.
However, I think I may go see him when he comes to NYC as well. If it's truly the same setlist than I may not go.
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I'm too lazy to update this with all the information but I can't believe no one has mentioned the European tour that's just been announced!!
DTP are touring with Between the Buried and Me and Leprous around Europe!!!! Holy effing shit. They've also announced UK dates but not announced the support yet. I'd be happy with Leprous and BTBAM, more than happy actually.
This was announced about 8 hours ago!! Can't believe it's not been mentioned in either this, the BTBAM or the Leprous threads!?!
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I saw that. It's amazing, probably the best touring line-up I've seen thusfar (for me, at least). Devin is my favourite artist, Leprous are in my top 3 and I've really been getting into BTBAM lately. Definitely going to one of the shows.
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I saw that. It's amazing, probably the best touring line-up I've seen thusfar (for me, at least). Devin is my favourite artist, Leprous are in my top 3 and I've really been getting into BTBAM lately. Definitely going to one of the shows.
I like BTBAM but I'm not too fussed if they were to replace them with another band for the UK dates. I just hope they keep Leprous!!
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I'm definitely going. Leprous is okay and even though I cant stand BTBAM at all, I'll just have to suffer through it somehow.
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I really really should go to this show, for this line-up it's a damn cheap one (assuming it's like 30 euros tops because thats about as high as prices go at the venue they're playing in Amsterdam).
Also glad it's after the USA tour because I'm already seeing BTBAM just over a week from now, this way theres a good amount of space between em.
Anyone know if BTBAM will do the Coma in full set on this Europe tour aswell like they're doing in the US? That would be awesome.
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OMG they are coming to my country :metal
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So I am actually seeing Devin and BTBAM in February.
WE WE WE SO EXCITED
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Transcendence is available for Pre-Order
https://www.jsrdirect.com/bands/devintownsendproject
And we finally have the tracklisting:
Disc 1:
1. Truth
2. Stormbending
3. Failure
4. Secret Sciences
5. Higher
6. Stars
7. Transcendence
8. Offer Your Light
9. From The Heart
10. Transdermal Celebration
Disc 2:
CD 2
1. Gump
2. Celestial Signals
3. Support The Cause
4. Into The Sun
5. Time Overload
6. Lexus
7. Farther On
8. Victim
9. MonkeyMind
10. Canucklehead
11. Loud
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Excited for this, my first new release from Devin since I've become a fan. I also really enjoy Stars from the toontrack video on youtube.
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Is the second CD supposed to be a part of the album or is it a compilation of demos/bonus songs?
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It's a collection of demos, like the second Disc of Epicloud. He also mentioned a while back that there would be a couple iTunes-exclusive songs.
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digipak version is the two-disc and cd is the one-disc? not clear
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Got my email today from Omerch and the hype is on. I can't wait to hear this. I didn't know about the second disc at all so now I'm really revved. Woot wooooot! Pre-ordering ASAP.
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digipak version is the two-disc and cd is the one-disc? not clear
https://www.jsrdirect.com/bands/devintownsendproject/devin-townsend-project-transcendence-digipack
Digipack is 2 discs
https://www.jsrdirect.com/bands/devintownsendproject/devin-townsend-project-transcendence-jewelcase-cd
CD version is only the first disc
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that's what I thought, ok
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Didn't know that 'Stars' would be on there. Thought that it might be a bonus track.
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Bonus disc has two bonus tracks. The rest of them are demos
https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/products/transcendence-cd---digipack/
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Preordered, couldn't help myself :lol
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I may pre-order for the shirt if the shipping doesn't kill me
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Is Stars the song he wrote "live" on camera?
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Is Stars the song he wrote "live" on camera?
Yes.
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Eh. This had dampened my hopes a bit then. I was hoping for a break form the almost factory like production of Epicloud style songs. I miss the days when he showed quite a bit of diversity. It seems he's becoming more and more into a specific style.
I hope I'm wrong. I'll buy this day of release, but if it's just more of the same, I doubt it'll get much play from me.
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Yeah I'm hoping this isn't Addicted version 4.0
I like the Pop-Metal thing he's been doing for a while but I miss the days when every Devin album sounded different.
I guess the DTP is mainly for his Pop-Metal stuff and any other experimental projects like Casualties will just be done under a different project name.
I'm much more excited for "Moth"(the symphony he's been talking about forever) than Transcendence, tbh
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If Epicloud is anything to go by, even the demos can stand pretty well as their own tracks. And once again, with Devin it appears that I must get the digipack to get all the songs.
I do so prefer jewel case.
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Stars is a song I'll probably be skipping unless it's vastly different from the one he wrote on the livestream. It might be his most mediocre song and I found no redeeming qualities in it. :-\
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I remember him saying Stars would be on the bonus disc. I assume that he did some major reworking to it to make it main album worthy.
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So the autobiography has been delayed..... :\
Rocket 88 sent out this email
As you know Devin Townsend's book Only Half There is due to publish in the UK in August and we planned to have preorder copies out to everyone in the UK and Europe this month.
Unfortunately though, problems with the production have delayed the book and it will now be published later than we had hoped. Devin has worked his butt off on this project and has written a phenomenal book, so our apologies go out to him and to you for the disappointment. Rest assured, it's printing right now and is going to be a truly original package that you'll love.
We now expect to publish in October and we will work our hardest to have pre-order copies out to everyone in the UK and Europe during September. Delivery to North America and the rest of the world will be slightly later.
Please let us know if you need any more information or if you want to update your order.
All the best,
Rocket 88
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Disc 2:
CD 2
1. Gump
2. Celestial Signals
3. Support The Cause
4. Into The Sun
5. Time Overload
6. Lexus
7. Farther On
8. Victim
9. MonkeyMind
10. Canucklehead
11. Loud
Just occured to me, I wonder if this is a re-record of Victim from Physicist?
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What can people tell me about Heavy Devy?
I'm going to see him with BTBAM in October, but I'm not familiar with his material. (I heard Sex and Religion and liked it, and I remember hearing the first SYL album when it came out and thought it was really good for the genre it was)
On my last 8 CD haul, I picked up Z2 because it looked cool and was the only DT album the CD shop had. Because there was SO MUCH in that haul (Gentle Giant re-release, new Fates Warning, a new Zappa disc) I haven't even put it in the player yet, but people are telling me it's not that great. What's a good place to go from here?
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I suggest checking out the first Devin Townsend Project tetralogy (Addicted, Ki, Ghost, Deconstruction) if you have time. It contains all of the elements of his variable body of work.
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What can people tell me about Heavy Devy?
I'm going to see him with BTBAM in October, but I'm not familiar with his material. (I heard Sex and Religion and liked it, and I remember hearing the first SYL album when it came out and thought it was really good for the genre it was)
On my last 8 CD haul, I picked up Z2 because it looked cool and was the only DT album the CD shop had. Because there was SO MUCH in that haul (Gentle Giant re-release, new Fates Warning, a new Zappa disc) I haven't even put it in the player yet, but people are telling me it's not that great. What's a good place to go from here?
Addicted is a great place to start. It's like catchy metal, but retains the Devin wall of sound craziness.
The Sky Blue disc of Z2 is very good, but the Dark Matters disc of it was a total flop. Go elsewhere before digging into that.
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The Sky Blue disc of Z2 is very good, but the Dark Matters disc of it was a total flop. Go elsewhere before digging into that.
I think the Dark Matters disc is pretty good actually, but the no-dialogue version. The narration is incredibly bad.
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just listen to terria lol
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just listen to terria lol
To prep for a live show? Why? Maybe Earth Day will be played and maaaaaybe Deep Peace, but that's it.
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just listen to terria lol
And never listen to Devy again after that because it's not very good :neverusethis:
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Either way, Dark Matters is not a good place for someone to start with Devin. He has too much great material for someone to start off with a disc most thought was one of his least best ever.
Terria is the best, yes, but it might be a big mountain for a newbie to climb.
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Either way, Dark Matters is not a good place for someone to start with Devin. He has too much great material for someone to start off with a disc most thought was one of his least best ever.
Terria is the best, yes, but it might be a big mountain for a newbie to climb.
As long as they eat an olive first.
Since I'm apparently the only dude on earth who really doesn't like most of Terria, I'll second the suggestion to check out the Addicted/Ghost/Deconstruction/Ki run.
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the first ziltoid is great and ocean machine is great, also
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And Synchestra, minus the last 4-5 tracks.
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Man...I never, ever got the love for Devy's seemingly diverse production other than on Ocean Machine. I think that was a perfect storm of events, emotions, mind set and production that lead to what it is but other than that, I've never had anything other than a few issues with his production (Physicist) or massive love (again, barring the aforementioned OM) for any of his albums' productions. Casualties might be another exception in the love department but even then, it works but...it's not like I was salivating at how it sounded.
It's always worked to my ears and done it's job. I get what people are saying with the recent bout of relative sameness in sound but again, I don't see it as a negative or a positive, it's just kind of there. Now if he made another album that was as somber, melancholic, encompassing and soothing all at once as OM, I'd be singing a different tune. None of his other albums sound even remotely close to what that album pulled off. If he stays with what he's been doing though, I'm fine.
I may not be right there with you on Terria, Adami, but it's certainly not anywhere near my favorite and I'm a long way off from thinking it's mindblowingly incredible like a lot of others, production or otherwise. It's got some great moments on there that I like but that's about it and I can't remember the last time I played it.
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Ocean Machine and Infinity would be good albums to listen to fairly early on as well, I'd say.
Regarding the new album, I'm really excited! Getting the 2CD version I think, because I can't miss out on those bonus tracks.
Just occured to me, I wonder if this is a re-record of Victim from Physicist?
I was wondering that as well! That would be awesome.
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So the autobiography has been delayed..... :\
Rocket 88 sent out this email
As you know Devin Townsend's book Only Half There is due to publish in the UK in August and we planned to have preorder copies out to everyone in the UK and Europe this month.
Unfortunately though, problems with the production have delayed the book and it will now be published later than we had hoped. Devin has worked his butt off on this project and has written a phenomenal book, so our apologies go out to him and to you for the disappointment. Rest assured, it's printing right now and is going to be a truly original package that you'll love.
We now expect to publish in October and we will work our hardest to have pre-order copies out to everyone in the UK and Europe during September. Delivery to North America and the rest of the world will be slightly later.
Please let us know if you need any more information or if you want to update your order.
All the best,
Rocket 88
Yea, I'd emailed Rocket 88 about this last week and got this reply as it was originally supposed to be sent out at the end of this month :tdwn
I know it will be worth the wait but damn I was looking forward to reading that soon.
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It's funny how there is rarely going to be a consensus about where to start with Devin. My personal favourites are Ocean Machine, Terria, Infinity, Accelerated Evolution and Epicloud.
I mean, I think it's just best to listen to both discs of Z2 and if you really think you will become a fan of Devin's work after those, just throw yourself in the deep end and get a load of his albums and immerse yourself.
The alternative is to give all the pop metal albums a listen first, or watch either the Retinal Circus DVD or the Royal Albert Hall gig from last year. That will get you familiarised with the sort of stuff he generally plays live :biggrin:
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Either way, Dark Matters is not a good place for someone to start with Devin. He has too much great material for someone to start off with a disc most thought was one of his least best ever.
Terria is the best, yes, but it might be a big mountain for a newbie to climb.
As long as they eat an olive first.
:tup :tup
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I wanna say Epicloud is the new Dev intro album. Little of all his styles present without being too "progressive" to digest.
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Terria is a horrible album to start with. I did and it put me off Devin for a long time, it's my favorite now but it took Addicted for me to want to give him another chance. It's accessible but not off the deep end on that poppy metal sound. It's still heavy and there's a bit of Devin's quirkiness. The thing with Devin is that he has a very particular sound that you might need to get used to first. So if you start with an album of denser, less accessible songs (Terria) it's going to be even more difficult for a newcomer to appreciate.
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I wanna say Epicloud is the new Dev intro album. Little of all his styles present without being too "progressive" to digest.
Besides being my first dev album, I kind of think this is true especially for someone who's going to see them as he might play a few songs from this and it has a full range of his music on one album.
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I started with Ocean Machine. I thought it was terrible. It's still not in my top 3 but I can say it's really good now atleast. I definitely wouldn't start with his earlier albums.
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I'm preeeeetty sure I started with Ocean Machine.
It was great
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Ocean Machine is a bit more of a tossup. Is has a pretty distinct late 90s metal style to the song writing, so if you like that sort of thing you'll probably enjoy it no problem.
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I started with Ocean Machine back when it was released and while Devin has put out some great stuff (and a ltlle bit of not so great) since then, he nver was able to surpass OM, at least imo.
So I would recommend starting with Ocean Machine. But I don't know how much of it will be played live nowadays.
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Honestly, I wouldn't put much thought into what he plays live when deciding what to listen to first and whatnot, considering a lot of his great stuff never gets played live (because he has so much material).
Ultimately, I think the easiest Devin records to digest for a new listener are Addicted, Epicloud, Synchestra and Ocean Machine. This doesn't include two of my favorites, Terria (THE best) and Infinity.
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Question: what is the deal with amazon saying the DVD and Blu-rays of Retinal Circus won't play in most players in the U.S.? I, to my shame, had never gotten around to getting this, but I want to make sure what I buy will actually play (I use a PS3 to play everything).
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Question: what is the deal with amazon saying the DVD and Blu-rays of Retinal Circus won't play in most players in the U.S.? I, to my shame, had never gotten around to getting this, but I want to make sure what I buy will actually play (I use a PS3 to play everything).
I have the blu ray and have no issues playing it. As far as I know, there are region codes for DVDs so your European DVDs might not play in the US and vice versa, but I was not aware of blu rays having the same thing.
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For the Retinal Circus Blu-ray on amazon, it says:
Playback Region B/2 :This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications here
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Question: what is the deal with amazon saying the DVD and Blu-rays of Retinal Circus won't play in most players in the U.S.? I, to my shame, had never gotten around to getting this, but I want to make sure what I buy will actually play (I use a PS3 to play everything).
I have the blu ray and have no issues playing it. As far as I know, there are region codes for DVDs so your European DVDs might not play in the US and vice versa, but I was not aware of blu rays having the same thing.
They certainly do! (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray#Region_codes) Amazon is probably stocking the Omerch version. I'd recommend Discogs, eBay, or a US merch spot instead.
You could also try messaging another Amazon seller.
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To reiterate, I use a PS3, so not sure how that factors into the whole regions thing.
Honestly, I find the whole thing really annoying. Shouldn't be this difficult in this day and age to buy a freaking DVD or Blu-ray of a live concert. :facepalm:
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To reiterate, I use a PS3, so not sure how that factors into the whole regions thing.
Honestly, I find the whole thing really annoying. Shouldn't be this difficult in this day and age to buy a freaking DVD or Blu-ray of a live concert. :facepalm:
From what I know, the PS3 will play any region. So you should be fine. If it doesn't work, I will personally.......say sorry.
But yea, pretty sure you're good.
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don't underestimate Amazon's ability to mislabel merchandise. I've purchased multiple blue rays with that exact note and they played just fine in my Oppo.
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If I remember, Ill have to check my blu ray when I get home to see what it says. I could have sworn I bought it on Amazon, but could be wrong. I think it might even have one of the european stickers on it (so does my Sabaton and my Epica Blu-Rays, which play fine).
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I'm very late to the party with Devin Townsend. I remember his brief stint with Steve Vai, but never checked out anything he did after that.
I finally checked out some of his work earlier this year, and I'm a big fan now. He has some downright silly stuff I don't care for, but a lot of it is simply amazing and unique. I also
like the fact that a lot of his live performances of songs are even better than the studio versions. The studio version of "Deadhead", for example, is great, but the live version on the Royal Albert Hall DVD....holy shit.
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To reiterate, I use a PS3, so not sure how that factors into the whole regions thing.
Honestly, I find the whole thing really annoying. Shouldn't be this difficult in this day and age to buy a freaking DVD or Blu-ray of a live concert. :facepalm:
OK, I finally got a chance to try it at home. I have: Ziltoid RAH book (BD & DVD discs labelled FSK 6, the German content rating system) and PS3 Superslim and it plays just fine – I'm in Canada, so it's a US region PS3.
With that said, I can't guarantee it'll work on any other type of PS3 beyond superslim, so if you have an older one, I dunno if the result will be the same.
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Thanks for the advice, peeps. I will see what I can do about ordering the right one that works. :lol
I'm very late to the party with Devin Townsend. I remember his brief stint with Steve Vai, but never checked out anything he did after that.
I finally checked out some of his work earlier this year, and I'm a big fan now. He has some downright silly stuff I don't care for, but a lot of it is simply amazing and unique. I also
like the fact that a lot of his live performances of songs are even better than the studio versions. The studio version of "Deadhead", for example, is great, but the live version on the Royal Albert Hall DVD....holy shit.
:tup :tup
New fans are always a good thing!
What CDs are you liking the most? Songs?
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Like I said man, your PS3 should play anything.
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Like I said man, your PS3 should play anything.
I hope you are right. :)
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You know what song doesn't get talked about nearly enough?
True North
Amazing tune. It's one of those songs that I can never not turn up as loud as possible. The intro with Anneke singing is amazing, and then when Devin and the heaviness comes in, that is godly, not only because of the dynamic shift, but the fact that Anneke is belting it out in the background during the entire section when Devin first sings. One of the most :hefdaddy :hefdaddy moments of Devin's entire catalogue (which is overflowing with :hefdaddy :hefdaddy moments!!).
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Am I dreaming, or was there a posted Transcendence tracklist that had song lengths?
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True North
That's because as good as the first half is, the second is kinda meh at best.
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True North
That's because as good as the first half is, the second is kinda meh at best.
Yea, I just went and relistened to it and I was like "yea this song rocks!" then the bridge or whatever came and I lost interest. But the first half really is glorious.
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True North
That's because as good as the first half is, the second is kinda meh at best.
This.
It starts off great but the second half doesn't fit in at all. It feels like an entirely different song that he tacked on just to make the song sound disjointed and proggy when in reality it ruins what could have been a great song.
Honestly, whenever I listen to Epicloud I skip True North and Lucky Animals entirely and go right into Liberation after Effervescent. IMO it flows much nicer and Liberation is a much better opening song.
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This.
It starts off great but the second half doesn't fit in at all. It feels like an entirely different song that he tacked on just to make the song sound disjointed and proggy when in reality it ruins what could have been a great song.
Honestly, whenever I listen to Epicloud I skip True North and Lucky Animals entirely and go right into Liberation after Effervescent. IMO it flows much nicer and Liberation is a much better opening song.
Ugh. Liberation is the worst song on Epicloud, and one of Devin's worst overall. :tdwn
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This.
It starts off great but the second half doesn't fit in at all. It feels like an entirely different song that he tacked on just to make the song sound disjointed and proggy when in reality it ruins what could have been a great song.
Honestly, whenever I listen to Epicloud I skip True North and Lucky Animals entirely and go right into Liberation after Effervescent. IMO it flows much nicer and Liberation is a much better opening song.
Ugh. Liberation is the worst song on Epicloud, and one of Devin's worst overall. :tdwn
I respectfully disagree :tup
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I agree that the first half of True North is better than the second half, but the second half is still good, not to mention having that amazing ending, and the beginning is so awesome that I can deal with the rest of the song overall being merely really good. :metal
As for Liberation, it's not one of my favorites from Epicloud, but it's still pretty great.
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Epicloud sounds like a good album to listen to after I finish Falling Satellites.
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Ugh. Liberation is the worst song on Epicloud, and one of Devin's worst overall. :tdwn
Whaaaaaa I LOVE Liberation. That chorus is so good!
ROCK, LET'S ROCK! THE TIME HAS COME TO FORGET ALL THE BULLSHIT AND ROCK!
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This.
It starts off great but the second half doesn't fit in at all. It feels like an entirely different song that he tacked on just to make the song sound disjointed and proggy when in reality it ruins what could have been a great song.
Honestly, whenever I listen to Epicloud I skip True North and Lucky Animals entirely and go right into Liberation after Effervescent. IMO it flows much nicer and Liberation is a much better opening song.
Ugh. Liberation is the worst song on Epicloud, and one of Devin's worst overall. :tdwn
I respectfully disagree :tup
I agree with the disagree. Liberation is a very solid song :metal :metal
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Epicloud is his second best album imo.
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I'm kinda surprised it's so well enjoyed here – it's a blur of suck, imo, except for a great EP starting at "Where We Belong" and ending with "Grace." I like most of the bonus disc way more because it's... I dunno, 'more Dev?' It's weirder and "Socialization" is an epic monster. I like it more than most of the main record.
I also thought both Z2 and Sky Blue made a barely great single album because they were so loaded with mehhhhh. So I really do hope the rest of Transcendence avoids "Stars" and gets weird and memorable like the quadrology and earlier.
Maybe it's because he wrote so strangely when he used to get high. I got into Dev via OM, Infinity, Terria and AE, so now that he's sorta moved into a different feel and approach I don't connect like I did. Yet I'd say the initial quadrology is his second peak after OM/I/Terria (and City + Alien). It's up and down, idk. Hard to qualify the massive discography.
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Save Our Now is the best pop song I've ever heard.
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Save Our Now is the best pop song I've ever heard.
Save Our Now is great, but I prefer Sky Blue out of the two very poppy songs on the last two records.
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Epicloud is his second best album imo.
I can't go that high with it, but I think it's in the upper half. And I do think it's a great starter CD for a new listener since you get a little bit of everything combined with great songwriting.
I'm kinda surprised it's so well enjoyed here – it's a blur of suck, imo, except for a great EP starting at "Where We Belong" and ending with "Grace." I like most of the bonus disc way more because it's... I dunno, 'more Dev?' It's weirder and "Socialization" is an epic monster. I like it more than most of the main record.
I disagree about Epicloud, but I'm with you in regards to the bonus disc (Epiclouder) being really good. Heatwave is just pure joy to listen to, and I am a big fan of Little Pig, Happy Birthday, Woah No! and Socialization.
I also thought both Z2 and Sky Blue made a barely great single album because they were so loaded with mehhhhh.
I honestly think Z2 might be as forgettable and blah as Physicist (really, the only two CDs of his I don't really care for).
A recent listen of Sky Blue gave me a new perspective about it. I still like it a lot, and every song is good, with many being quite good, but nothing on it is amazing or anything. My favorites from it like Universal Flame, the title track and Rain City would have a tough time making my Devin top 50.
I will go with this for an updated album ranking:
1. Terria
2. Addicted
3. Infinity
4. Ocean Machine
5. Casualties of Cool
6. Epicloud
7. Ghost
8. Synchestra
9. Accelerated Evolution
10. Deconstruction
11. Ki (amazing that his 11th best record is THIS good)
12. Sky Blue
13. Ziltoid the Omniscient
14. Physicist
15. Z2
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My list has changed slightly from last time.
1. Ocean Machine: Biomech
2. Ghost
3. Ki
4. Terria
5. Accelerated Evolution
6. Casualties of Cool
7. Sky Blue
8. Infinity
9. Addicted
10. Epicloud
11. Deconstruction
12. Synchestra
13. Ziltoid the Omniscient
14. Dark Matters
15. Physicist
And just for the hell of it, how do you guys rank the SYL albums?
1. City
2. Alien
3. SYL
4. The New Black
5. Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing
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1. Terria
2. Ocean Machine: Biomech
3. Casualties of Cool
4. Ki
5. Deconstruction
6. Addicted
7. Accelerated Evolution
8. Infinity
9. Ghost
10. Epicloud
11. Sky Blue
12. Synchestra
13. Ziltoid the Omniscient
14. Physicist
15. Dark Matters
SYL:
1. City
2. Alien
3. SYL
4. The New Black
5. Heavy As A Really Heavy Thing
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Oh boy..
1. Terria
2. Ki
3. Deconstruction
4. Ocean Machine: Biomech
5. Ghost
6. Ziltoid the Omniscient
7. Physicist
8. Addicted
9. Accelerated Evolution
10. Infinity
11. Epicloud
12. Dark Matters
13. Sky Blue
14. Synchestra
(Casualties is left off because I don't know it well enough)
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1. Ocean Machine: Biomech
End of List
ok, the rest isn’t shabby either:
2. Accelerated Evolution
3. Ziltoid The Omniscient
4. Synchestra
5. Terria
6. Addicted
7. Ki
8. Infinity
9. Deconstruction
10. Physicist
11. Casualties Of Cool
12. Ghost
So far I gave Epicloud and Sky Blue/Dark Matter only casual listens, so I really can't rank them.
Epicloud could end up somewhere in the middle, as could Sky Blue, and Dark Matter more at the bottom. But this could (and probably will) change once I give those discs some more spins.
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Save Our Now is the best pop song I've ever heard.
Save Our Now is great, but I prefer Sky Blue out of the two very poppy songs on the last two records.
Both great songs if you ask me
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Thanks for the advice, peeps. I will see what I can do about ordering the right one that works. :lol
I'm very late to the party with Devin Townsend. I remember his brief stint with Steve Vai, but never checked out anything he did after that.
I finally checked out some of his work earlier this year, and I'm a big fan now. He has some downright silly stuff I don't care for, but a lot of it is simply amazing and unique. I also
like the fact that a lot of his live performances of songs are even better than the studio versions. The studio version of "Deadhead", for example, is great, but the live version on the Royal Albert Hall DVD....holy shit.
:tup :tup
New fans are always a good thing!
What CDs are you liking the most? Songs?
Epicloud, Ocean Machine, and Accelerated Evolution so far.
As for songs..
Deadhead, Where We Belong, Supercrush, Grace, Bastard, Kingdom, The Death of Music (another case of where the Royal Albert Hall version is even better than the studio version) I also became infatuated with two of the female singers he's worked with. Anneke van Giersbergen and Che' Aimee. Both are fantastic singers and pretty damn easy on the eyes.
Devin will be here in town on September 11th. I am pissing my pants in anticipation.
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12. Ghost
:'(
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What CDs are you liking the most? Songs?
Epicloud, Ocean Machine, and Accelerated Evolution so far.
As for songs..
Deadhead, Where We Belong, Supercrush, Grace, Bastard, Kingdom, The Death of Music (another case of where the Royal Albert Hall version is even better than the studio version) I also became infatuated with two of the female singers he's worked with. Anneke van Giersbergen and Che' Aimee. Both are fantastic singers and pretty damn easy on the eyes.
Devin will be here in town on September 11th. I am pissing my pants in anticipation.
Good choices, almost all of them. Do you have all of the studio albums yet?
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Physicist is such a painfully underrated album, I honestly don't understand why everyone dislikes it so much. It was one of the first Dev albums I listened to (which might explain some of my fondness), and I instantly loved it, it played in my car for a solid month straight.
The first 2 Dev songs I ever heard were Namaste live from Royal Albert Hall and Kingdom from EMGtv, both off of Youtube. I was absolutely amazed by the catchy choruses of both songs. Both were perfect introductions to Devy. I vastly prefer the Physicist version of Kingdom over the Epicloud version. Material was the next song from this album that I fell in love with, I don't know why more people don't discuss this song, it has one of his catchiest choruses ever. "All life, it never goes away," "now I've seen the way it's headed" and "ah, these are the days" inspire chills every time I hear those sections. Namaste, Kingdom and Material are a classic trifecta I'd take against any 3 songs out of Devin's discography. Catchy choruses out the wazoo. I don't see how an album with these 3 songs is so disliked.
Complex is probably my 4th favorite song from the album, it's catchy right from the first second. Love the melody in Dev's voice in the verse. Love it. Verses are great, choruses are great. Amazing song. Other than that, Victim isn't a "classic" but is a very enjoyable song. Very excited for the potential remake on Transcendence. Devoid is only 2 minutes, which is a shame because I love the few melodic ideas it presents. Irish Maiden and Jupiter are very, very catchy as well. Planet Rain is Planet Rain. People talk about how bad Physicist is, the only bad song is Death.
Maybe the presence of SYL-esque metal turns people off of it? I think it's an amazing album. It's almost as good as Systematic Chaos.
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I can't listen to it because the production is shit. No nicer word to describe it.
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I can't listen to it because the production is shit. No nicer word to describe it.
Well, that's valid.
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Yep, that's a major hangup for me as well. It's like listening to music on an old transistor radio.
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The version of Namaste from the Royal Albert Hall DVD is killer. That whole album could benefit from a re-record with some nicer production. It'll never happen of course, but I'd rather see that album redone than a new version of Truth.
I wish he'd play Planet Rain live. Such an underrated song.
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I don't think most of the songs are strong enough to be worthy of a re-recording, but it would be nice to at least get a newer live version of Planet Rain, which is a good song, although one I still rarely revisit, again, because of how awful the sound of that record is.
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I like Physicist a lot. Yes, the production is really shit, but the songs are good.
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I would love Physicist if not for the production but it's one of the few albums not just by Townsend but by any artist or band that I listen to that I hate how it actually sounds so much that I rarely listen to it despite liking the music itself. But Planet Rain is beautiful enough to warrant a listen now and again. But yeah, if it was ever remastered...I'd jump on that shit REAL quick.
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Physicist is a great EP, even with the crappy mix.
01. "Kingdom"
02. "Death"
03. "Devoid"
04. "Namaste"
05. "Planet Rain"
After listening to it for the past 14(!) years trying to find what to enjoy, what annoys me most these days is the fact that "Jupiter" has a great ending in the same key as "Planet Rain" and it DOESN'T SEGUE DIRECTLY INTO IT. I could strangle Dev-circa-2000 just for that decision alone!
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Seeing the RHA performance of Universal Flame has reignited my love for that song. :metal
I need to get that live DVD, too (despite the first hour being Dark Matters).
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Seeing the RHA performance of Universal Flame has reignited my love for that song. :metal
I need to get that live DVD, too (despite the first hour being Dark Matters).
I was holding back waiting for a blu-ray, but I may be waiting for no reason. Been thinking about just getting the DVD. I watched the by request setlist on youtube and love it, held off watching the Z2 set since I'm not too familiar with that album, but might as well just get the DVD and dive into that album even if it's not that popular.
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The good news is, the set list from Night till the end is ridiculously awesome.
Those performances of Deadhead and The Death of Music are beyond absurd. :metal
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Ok, so out of curiosity, I went and listened to "Physicist" on Youtube (not the best way to form an opinion with audio, but you can still get a general idea) and I have to agree with those who complained about the production. That was excruciating to listen to.
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A recent listen of Sky Blue gave me a new perspective about it. I still like it a lot, and every song is good, with many being quite good, but nothing on it is amazing or anything. My favorites from it like Universal Flame, the title track and Rain City would have a tough time making my Devin top 50.
Despite saying the above just two days ago, I found myself listening to Sky Blue in the car today and enjoyed the hell out of it. :lol
Let's face it, the voices of Devin and Anneke together are just a perfect blend. He could include her on every album he does till the day he retires, and I'd just fine with it.
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Sky Blue was good for what it was. I liked the more melancholy moments on it the most but more uplifting things like Universal Flame were also enjoyable. I'd rather Devin not continue to keep doing these types of albums, but he does them well so it's hard to complain that much. And yes Anneke/Devin is one of the best blends.
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These type of albums tend to stick with me more over time than ones like, say, Deconstruction, which I listened to a lot when it first came out (except for Pandemic and Poltergeist, both of which I have always skipped), but nowadays I almost never listen to it, and the only songs from it that I ever go back to regularly are The Mighty Masturbator and Juular. Sumeria I will bust out once in a while still. I still like Stand and Planet of the Apes, but neither are appealing enough for me to revisit them much at all anymore. The title track is still good, but that's one of those songs now that has some killer parts and some parts I can do without (not even counting the silly fart noises, which are a good example of something silly he did that aged very poorly).
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I'm actually the opposite about Decon – I like it more over time, as I do Ghost. However, I rarely listen to any of the quadrology except Ki and the Contain Us rarities because I overlistened to the rest when they came out. I know them by heart. Not as great listening unless they're in a new rearrangement or something (e.g. I'm sure in the future I'll be much more interested to listen to the promo mixes of Z2 and Sky Blue).
For the purposes of discussion, here's my Z2 smushing:
01. "Z2"
02. "March of the Poozers"
03. "Rejoice"
04. "Fallout"
05. "Midnight Sun"
06. "War Princess" (no opening dialog)
07. "Universal Flame"
08. "From Sleep Awake"
09. "Sky Blue"
10. "Rain City" (extended ending from promo)
Some of them segue REALLY well with some editing, particularly Z2/Poozers and Universal/From Sleep.
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The only two songs from Dark Matters that stuck with me at all were War Princess and March of the Poozers, and even those are like lower-tier Devin songs at best. I could probably name close to 100 songs by him I like more.
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A recent listen of Sky Blue gave me a new perspective about it. I still like it a lot, and every song is good, with many being quite good, but nothing on it is amazing or anything. My favorites from it like Universal Flame, the title track and Rain City would have a tough time making my Devin top 50.
Despite saying the above just two days ago, I found myself listening to Sky Blue in the car today and enjoyed the hell out of it. :lol
Let's face it, the voices of Devin and Anneke together are just a perfect blend. He could include her on every album he does till the day he retires, and I'd just fine with it.
There would be no complaints from me, either. They both have such distinct voices in a world filled with singers emulating someone else.
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Hell yeah. :coolio
BTW, Retinal Circus update: ordered it from CM Distro on Wednesday, and it arrived in the mail a bit ago. Popped it in and it works just fine. Woohoo!! :metal :metal
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Hell yeah. :coolio
BTW, Retinal Circus update: ordered it from CM Distro on Wednesday, and it arrived in the mail a bit ago. Popped it in and it works just fine. Woohoo!! :metal :metal
Haha, I did the exact same thing, ordered it off Amazon, popped it in today and was relieved to find it works perfectly in my Blu-ray player. Amazon's geography warnings are often wrong. Same thing happened with a Steven Wilson Blu-Ray I picked up.
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That's pretty goofy. I'm just the glad the copy I got works fine. I will be watching the whole thing from start to finish this week (flipped through a little of it already).
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So, when I did my Devin top 50 back in 2012, just prior to the release of Epicloud, my top 20 was this:
20. Traestorz
19. Gaia
18. Disruptr
17. Supercrush
16. Blackberry
15. Nobody's Here
14. Pixillate
13. Awake
12. Bastard
11. Deep Peace
10. The Death of Music
9. Stagnant
8. Addicted
7. The Fluke
6. The Mighty Masturbator
5. Ghost
4. Earth Day
3. Truth
2. Bend It Like Bender
1. Tiny Tears
If I did it again now:
-Top 4 would remain the same (probably in the same order); Addicted and Deep Peace would probably be 5 and 6
-Songs that wouldn't be in the top 20 now: The Mighty Masturbator, Traestorz, Disruptr, Gaia and Blackberry
-Songs that would be in the top 20 now that weren't before: Deadhead, War, Grace, Bones and Take My Ego or Universal Flame
-Deep Peace and Supercrush would both move up quite a few spots
-Ghost and The Fluke would both drop a few spots
I still love The Fluke to death, but I think I overrated it a tad because of the "writing and eating..." section, which is one of my favorite Devin moments ever.
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Seeing the RHA performance of Universal Flame has reignited my love for that song. :metal
I need to get that live DVD, too (despite the first hour being Dark Matters).
I was holding back waiting for a blu-ray, but I may be waiting for no reason. Been thinking about just getting the DVD. I watched the by request setlist on youtube and love it, held off watching the Z2 set since I'm not too familiar with that album, but might as well just get the DVD and dive into that album even if it's not that popular.
Hell yeah. :coolio
BTW, Retinal Circus update: ordered it from CM Distro on Wednesday, and it arrived in the mail a bit ago. Popped it in and it works just fine. Woohoo!! :metal :metal
Haha, I did the exact same thing, ordered it off Amazon, popped it in today and was relieved to find it works perfectly in my Blu-ray player. Amazon's geography warnings are often wrong. Same thing happened with a Steven Wilson Blu-Ray I picked up.
:rollin
So was just going to go ahead and buy the DVD but amazon says they do have a blu-ray, didnt realize it was ever released! And yet...
https://www.amazon.com/Devin-Townsend-Presents-Ziltoid-Blu-ray/dp/B015S12VUM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469455568&sr=8-1&keywords=devin+townsend+royal (https://www.amazon.com/Devin-Townsend-Presents-Ziltoid-Blu-ray/dp/B015S12VUM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469455568&sr=8-1&keywords=devin+townsend+royal)
Playback Region B/2 :This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications here
and from the first review:
Note: This Blu-Ray is Region 0, which means it can play anywhere in the world. Ignore Amazon's note below that states it is region b/2.
Purchased. :metal
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Nice. I ordered the Royal Albert Hall CD from the same place last night, so here's hoping for the same good luck!
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RAH DVD arrived yesterday and works just fine, too!! :metal :metal
I will get a lot of mileage out of the 2nd set, while getting probably none out of the 1st. :lol :lol
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RAH DVD arrived yesterday and works just fine, too!! :metal :metal
I will get a lot of mileage out of the 2nd set, while getting probably none out of the 1st. :lol :lol
My RAH blu ray just arrived, a few days earlier than Amazon expected! On the contrary though, I'm excited to watch set 1 since it's mostly all new to me. Set 2 is however amazing though from watching it on youtube and I'm looking forward to that as well.
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I find it funny how much people were over-expecting of the Z2 album.
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I sure wasn't. Then again, I didn't genuflect to the original Ziltoid like many do, so I wasn't too excited when I heard a sequel was coming. Fortunately, we got the Sky Blue disc along with it.
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I find it funny how much people were over-expecting of the Z2 album.
Definitely was not overexpecting since I read this forum :lol and regardless, I watched the entire first set and honestly though maybe half of it was good and ever awesome at some parts, but the other half was not very good IMO. The performance and presentation were amazing regardless though.
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I didn't want a sequel. I liked the original Ziltoid but it clearly reflected a point in Devin's life and a sequel seemed really unnecessary. I still went into the album optimistic and was disappointed anyway. It's not just that it doesn't deliver as a sequel to an already mid tier Devin album, but it isn't up to the quality of at least 3/4's of his discography.
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Agreed.
Fortunately, I have faith that he will rebound in a big way with Transcendence, which is only a little over a month away now!! :hat
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I too didn't need a sequel to Ziltoid, and I love the original album. I had very low expectations for Sky Blue and Dark Matters and was still pretty let down.
However, unlike Kev, I don't have high hopes for Transcendence, just based on his musical trend as of late. I sure do hope I'm wrong though.
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Well, Epicloud and Casualties of Cool were both pretty great, IMO, and while Dark Matters was largely disappointing, Sky Blue was still quite good, even if was a "by the numbers Devin and Anneke" record. Plus, I remember him saying that the record company kind of pressured him to release something in the vein of Addicted and Epicloud again since they wanted more than just the Ziltoid sequel, making me think Sky Blue wasn't that inspired in general, but something he felt like he had to do to make others happy, and artists are always happier, and more inspired, when writing stuff for themselves, and I get the impression that the forthcoming album was like that again, so I think good thing are a-coming. :coolio
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It's ironic because Sky Blue felt way more natural and inspired to me than Dark Matters. Overall it was a really good album.
My expectations for Transcendence are low because I feel that the Addicted/Epicloud sort of sound is genuinely what Devin wants to do right now. I think it's just an added benefit that it happens to be financially lucrative (at least as lucrative as someone like Devin can be). I'm sure it's something I'll enjoy because I've enjoyed every album in that style, but it probably won't reach the heights of his best albums either.
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I doubt he will ever equal or top Terria, and for me, it will be very difficult to top Addicted as well, but a mid-tier Devin album is still pretty freaking awesome, and given the style of music he has written on the previous albums with Anneke, I am sure this new one will be right in my wheelhouse. :biggrin:
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https://teamrock.com/news/2016-08-03/devin-townsend-opens-up-on-new-album-transcendence
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Less than a month to go and still no single :(
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Less than a month to go and still no single :(
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/760475550775324672
Decided on the first track we release, it'll be the song 'Failure' It's slower and fairly basic, then we'll follow up with something complex
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/760475897673551873
Then we release a video. I'd say this week there should be something? Or early next week... I'll be doing a Facebook live q&a as well
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:tup
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Failure is out tomorrow, live Q&A on the 10th.
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Awesome. :metal
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90 second sample is up on itunes Australia.
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New Song: Failure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPjHUFe4AKk&feature=youtu.be
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Meh.
Not feeling it.
:metal
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sounds pretty good to me. I think (hope) it will sound better in the context of the album. this is way more up my alley than Dark Matters.
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A couple of commenters have suggested a similarity to the vibe/style of Synchestra, and I can kind of see that. It's really nice stuff - much more delicate than a lot of his most recent output. I wonder if that represents the album.
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It's alright, but I'm not sure it was the best choice for a first single. I'm sure it'll sound better within the context of the album.
I am getting kind of a Synchestra vibe, and the main 7-String riff reminds me of Planet of the Apes.
I think that might be Devin's best Solo since Deep Peace.
One highlight is the production. We can finally hear Ryan's cymbals :metal
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I also immediately identified the Planet of the Apes riff similarity. The production is very good. In most albums I think Devin vocals are too low and get kind of lost in the instrumentation.
I liked the song.
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I find the song's name pretty apt :P
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well, according to his own tweets, this should be one of the slower and more basic songs on the album. that's promising that he thinks the other stuff is more upbeat and complex.
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Finally a nice change of vibe. And Nolly's doing production is just what this music needs. Listen to that snare :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
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I also heard the Planet of the Apes similarities. It's cool though, it's different from anything on Z2. It sounds fresh.
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I liked the vibe of that on first listen. Quite reserved and not too in your face. My faith in Dev is unwavering :biggrin:
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Really cool, and doesn't feel reminiscent of Sky Blue or Epicloud.
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I am getting kind of a Synchestra vibe, and the main 7-String riff reminds me of Planet of the Apes.
I think that might be Devin's best Solo since Deep Peace.
Anytime Dev ever uses a djent riff ever again, it will always recall Planet of the Apes. He's just kinda cursed by having it introduced to his style in that song first – if it were used in Stand instead, we'd say Failure reminds us of Stand.
And are you forgetting the solo in Suicide?!
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How are you people not liking this? This is probably the best Devin track since Deconstruction.
Also, the production makes me wet.
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It's a fantastic song and the chorus is the most beautiful chorus I've ever heard from Devin, wow. Hyped for this album.
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Not too shabby. Good simple song to show off the vibes and tones of the album. Or course that Riff is gonna sound like Planet of The Apes because that's the djent meshuggah rip-off tone.
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I thought it was pretty awesome and a nice change of pace. It's definitely not anything like he's done the past couple albums. I was actually kind of reminded of Joe Satriani during that solo, which I love. Also loving the production; while I haven't had a problem with it in the past, it's not so much as it was the past few albums while still having that "big" sound Devy is so fond of. Overall I really, really liked it and it was a nice fire starter for the coming of the album.
ED: Completely forgot about Nolly producing the album. Yeah, he needs to keep him if this is any indication of the rest of the album. Nolly retainer.
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For those that didn't care for this one, maybe the next song will be more to your liking.
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/761615866861539329
Next track we'll release is a bit more neurotic and proggy...
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Pretty good song, not one of his best though.
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I like it a lot, and the production is outstanding.
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I like it a lot, and the production is outstanding.
Yea, nice to hear drums instead of a collection of overly processed drum samples.
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Sounded really good to me. I will echo the sentiments about the sound being excellent and it being cool to hear Devin solo again. Can't wait for the whole record. :coolio
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I read this thread before listening so maybe it had an influence, but immediately noticed the Planet of the Apes and the Synchestra moments of this song. Solid song, needs more listenings before I can judge.
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Based on my first listen, I like this quite a bit. Very refreshing to hear him not make another album in the Addicted/Epicloud/Sky Blue vein, and the solo is killer. I'm really pumped for Transcendence now.
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Based on my first listen, I like this quite a bit. Very refreshing to hear him not make another album in the Addicted/Epicloud/Sky Blue vein, and the solo is killer. I'm really pumped for Transcendence now.
I'm really digging it. Interesting some saying its similar to a Synchestra style and I'm like probably the biggest fan of that album here. Although Addicted is one of my favorite albums ever and I liked Epicloud and Sky Blue (to a lesser degree), I'm a big fan of artists switching things up and at the very least I like the change of pace here. Very cool song; Excited to see where the rest of the album goes!
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I really like the "breathing room" in the mix. It's nice and spacious.
My only criticism is rather minor. I do like the solo, however, I really wish he would stray from the Vai and Satriani-esque tone and phrasing. Yes, I know his history, but it just strikes me as odd that someone who's such a visionary in many other aspects wouldn't be more eager to set himself apart in this regard.
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I agree many of his solos sound very........similar. I think one reason it's not a huge deal to me is simply because he rarely solos.
If every record had 5 typical Dev solos, I'd be quite annoyed after a while.
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Every other aspect of his repertoire is so amazing that I am fine with Devin's solos a) being rare, and b) always being in a similar style.
Oh, and having listened to Devin like crazy the last few weeks, some more updated opinions:
-While I still think Ki is pretty great, it is not a CD I reach for much at all, and not only that, it is hard to listen to much of it out of context of the album, so very little of it makes it on to my master Devin mp3 CD-R for the car.
-Terria and Addicted are still far and away my two favorite albums of his.
-Infinity is in 3rd, with everything else fighting for a distant 4th place.
-Perspective, from the Casualties of Cool bonus disc, is outstanding.
-I've finally come around to acknowledging that Deadhead is one of his best songs.
-Juular and The Mighty Masturbator are the only songs from Deconstruction I ever listen to anymore.
-Ocean Machine is a great record, but one I rarely want to listen to, outside of a couple select songs, namely Bastard and Things Beyond Things. The Death of Music is too powerful and intense to listen to a lot, but is still amazing.
-Pixillate never fails to kick my ass.
That's all I got for now. :metal
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Every other aspect of his repertoire is so amazing that I am fine with Devin's solos a) being rare, and b) always being in a similar style.
-I've finally come around to acknowledging that Deadhead is one of his best songs.
-I've finally come around to acknowledging that Deadhead is one of his best songs.
-Ocean Machine is a great record, but one I rarely want to listen to, outside of a couple select songs, namely Bastard and Things Beyond Things. The Death of Music is too powerful and intense to listen to a lot, but is still amazing.
It's rare that I go as far as picking an absolute favorite with songs from bands and artists, but I probably would venture to say "Deadhead" might be my favorite from him. I have listened to it literally every day since I became aware of it.
Speaking of "The Death of Music", admittedly, I am shit when it comes to lyric interpretation, and find myself a bit lost as to what it's all about. I know it's not about the state of music as an art form like the title might suggest. Anyone want to take a stab at it?
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One guess: it talks about the life and friends he had to leave behind in order to become a full time musician, hence the death of his previous life being musical because of where his new life was going. I am probably off a bit, but that's not a bad guess. :lol
As for Deadhead, I can't put in my top tier of songs, but it is probably in the second tier.
Top tier:
Tiny Tears
Bend It Like Bender
Truth
Addicted
Earth Day
Second tier would included stuff like Deep Peace, Pixillate, Deadhead, Supercrush, Bastard, Grace, The Fluke, Stagnant, War, Ghost, etc.
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I like Kev's interpretation of TDOM. Definitely makes sense out of the "my friends and I" lines, which otherwise seemed out of place to me.
OM and City are sister records, both inspired by Dev's time in LA post-Vai. If it's not exactly what Kev said, it's definitely about what the city does to you if you leave everything behind. Perhaps the city itself is the "death becoming musical." It would explain the voice recording at the end where he's walking around, uh, Tokyo? I think, and just kinda noting the ridiculous stuff in the city like the beer and cigarette machines.
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I am not familiar with much SYL (the little I have heard I did not care for, as speed metal is generally not my thing, especially when it's back to back to back...), so I can't speak to that.
Regarding me not listening to OM that much, the difference in sound between that and Infinity is probably a big reason. Infinity has a very lush, warm sound, while OM has a more hard, cold sound, and the warm sound of Infinity as a whole is simply much more appealing to me than the cold sound of Ocean Machine. I would probably even concede that the songwriting on OM is probably a little better, but I simply enjoy Infinity more.
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Top tier:
Bend It Like Bender
That's got to be my least favourite Devin song. :lol
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Well, there's no accounting for taste...or lack thereof. :lol :biggrin:
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This is easily my favorite Devin track since the awesome Ki/Decon/Ghost/Addicted days. In fact, I'd say it goes back to the Accelerated Evolution / Synchestra style. For me it feels as if the 'real' emotion is back again. Fantastic huge production a la AE albeit a bit cleaner. The spacey outro with the talking dude gives me a huge Devlab / The Death of Music vibe. I haven't been this psyched for his music in a long time. I also can't understand people who say this is a simple song. The structure is more experimental and building than a lot of the DTP stuff aside from Decon, and there's odd meters everywhere.
Favorite moments include the way he sings the first verse (beautiful falsetto) and ofcourse the chorus and guitar solo. Man, I really dig this.
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I really love the falsetto part as well. It might be my favorite part of the song and goes perfect with the music. I wish there was a return towards the end.
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Top tier:
Bend It Like Bender
That's got to be my least favourite Devin song. :lol
Absolutely awful, imo. There's actually nothing about it I like. Definitely not as bad as some Physicist songs, though, or some Epicloud stuff.
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Bend It Like Bender is one of the songs that got me into Devin. Love that one.
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Bend It Like Bender is a very happy, "party" song. Usually I don't like such songs, but that one is an exception. Even Devin's poppy side is good.
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I liked the new single. Sounds fresh and tight. Looking forward to the album.
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Dev will be doing a Q&A live on Facebook tomorrow at 10am PST / 1:30pm EST / 6:30pm BST / 7:30pm CET
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HEY GUYS SHOULD I BUY TERRIA NOW? IT'S THE ONLY ONE BESIDES TRANSCENDENCE I DON'T OWN!
(https://atcymy5wag90b2j1y2tldc5jb200.g00.photobucket.com/g00/TU9SRVBIRVVTMCRodHRwOi8vaTcyMy5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL3d3MjM0L05lbFN0b25lWEkvREVWSU5fenBzaGdncjB3dTYucG5n/$/$/$/$)
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Yes.
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$3.99 shipping? Go for it. Great deal.
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Bought Live at Royal Albert Hall DVD version at FYE while I was browsing the mall. The CD sounds great, way way better than Retinal Circus and By A Thread.
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https://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend/videos/1296457010379618/
Video of the Q&A
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Very nice. :hat
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https://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend/videos/1296457010379618/
Video of the Q&A
Cool, I've got it on while I have my morning cup of coffee in the office.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdpg62tE_A0
A pretty neat documentary Dev's got going on.
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Failure keeps getting better every time I listen to it. It's a great track! I would already say it's better than anything on Dark Matters.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdpg62tE_A0
A pretty neat documentary Dev's got going on.
Always love these kinds of videos. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the next one!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdpg62tE_A0
A pretty neat documentary Dev's got going on.
Always love these kinds of videos. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the next one!
Ditto, that was cool!
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I liked the ending...
"Yeah, you say that then mother fucker"
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Amazon UK Transcendence vinyl preorder dropped to £8.33 today. I suggest grabbing it before they realize the mistake! You won't find it cheaper anywhere.
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Just watched the documentary, really cool, I have one burning question that someone may be able to answer. Guitarist Dave Young (I think that's his name right?) looks really familiar and it took me a while to place it. If anyone has ever seen Slayer's DVD War at the Warfield, there are sections where hardcore Slayer fans are being interviewed. They interview one kid (and he looks about 16) which I SWEAR is Dave. Anyone ever seen this? Anyone confirm it's him?
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Just watched the documentary, really cool, I have one burning question that someone may be able to answer. Guitarist Dave Young (I think that's his name right?) looks really familiar and it took me a while to place it. If anyone has ever seen Slayer's DVD War at the Warfield, there are sections where hardcore Slayer fans are being interviewed. They interview one kid (and he looks about 16) which I SWEAR is Dave. Anyone ever seen this? Anyone confirm it's him?
I haven't, but I just want to appreciate the immense creativity that went into naming that particular live DVD.
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Just watched the documentary, really cool, I have one burning question that someone may be able to answer. Guitarist Dave Young (I think that's his name right?) looks really familiar and it took me a while to place it. If anyone has ever seen Slayer's DVD War at the Warfield, there are sections where hardcore Slayer fans are being interviewed. They interview one kid (and he looks about 16) which I SWEAR is Dave. Anyone ever seen this? Anyone confirm it's him?
I haven't, but I just want to appreciate the immense creativity that went into naming that particular live DVD.
I love Slayer but the DVD is ridiculous :lol it's obviously a live DVD but they also have all these interviews with the most fanatical fans. It is hilarious, I swear they picked the most ridiculous ones to feature on the DVD. It's impossible to take any of them seriously.
Sorry to side track the thread but check this out, if this isn't the funniest thing you see today I'll be surprised!! Please watch, it's only short:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uLfvDG3B79s (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uLfvDG3B79s)
I'll try to find the clip that I think is Dave as well. Don't really want to watch through the whole DVD to find it as it's only a short clip.
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Just watched the documentary, really cool, I have one burning question that someone may be able to answer. Guitarist Dave Young (I think that's his name right?) looks really familiar and it took me a while to place it. If anyone has ever seen Slayer's DVD War at the Warfield, there are sections where hardcore Slayer fans are being interviewed. They interview one kid (and he looks about 16) which I SWEAR is Dave. Anyone ever seen this? Anyone confirm it's him?
I just skimmed through the DVD on Youtube. I think I found the kid you're looking for:
https://youtu.be/wyFeQGXytb8?t=635 at the 10:35 mark.
He does look a little like Dave, though I doubt it's him.
Dave's a pretty chill and quiet dude. This kid looks and sounds like a young Adam Sandler.
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Just watched the documentary, really cool, I have one burning question that someone may be able to answer. Guitarist Dave Young (I think that's his name right?) looks really familiar and it took me a while to place it. If anyone has ever seen Slayer's DVD War at the Warfield, there are sections where hardcore Slayer fans are being interviewed. They interview one kid (and he looks about 16) which I SWEAR is Dave. Anyone ever seen this? Anyone confirm it's him?
I just skimmed through the DVD on Youtube. I think I found the kid you're looking for:
https://youtu.be/wyFeQGXytb8?t=635 at the 10:35 mark.
He does look a little like Dave, though I doubt it's him.
Dave's a pretty chill and quiet dude. This kid looks and sounds like a young Adam Sandler.
Yea that's the kid. Stick a beard on him and it could be Dave. I agree that Dave does seem to be a quiet kinda guy but that could totally be him. We don't know him at all so that could have been exactly how he acted at that age, plus who knows if he was under the influence of something when he was interviewed, pre gig or post gig. I seriously think it could be him. Dave's probably about my age as well which would fit.
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According to Wikipedia(However reliable that is..) Dave's from Vancouver and would have been 19 when Warfield was filmed(Which was in San Francisco.). I suppose it's possible, but I don't really buy your logic of "It looks kinda like him therefore it must be him." :lol
I tweeted him that link to the video and asked if it was him. :corn
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Yea, fair enough. I'm not saying it's definitely him but I've always been good at recognising actors when they were younger in films/TV etc. It's obviously more likely that I'm wrong but I always thought he looked familiar from something I've seen and then it clicked that it was that DVD that I was thinking of :lol
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I find it really interesting how many of Devin's amazing tracks are bonus tracks or not on official releases. Off the top of my head, I'm thinking Cry Forever, Take My Ego, Thing, Ho Krll, Quietus, Socialization, Where You've Been, Aquarius and Perspective - among those is some of Devn's best material, but they are released in a way that the average Devin listener might never know about them.
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Watch You :hefdaddy
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Oh yeah. And Drench, Mend, Fall, Cold Feet, ... So many awesome non-album tracks.
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Heatwave.
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Dinosaurs
Radial Highway
Take My Ego (needed to be mentioned again!!)
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MAD AT MY FUCKING DAD
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Brown Man
/thread
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Brown Man
/thread
Just listened to this for the first time...
And the world no longer makes sense.
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THING. :metal :metal :heart :heart :millahhhh
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Still wish he released Ghost 2 properly. Every tiny bit of music I've heard is just amazing. Even the snippet of "Coming Home" (still unreleased whatsoever) in his riffwork preview video from 2013 is amazing.
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Part 2 of the Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUW67u0bf6M&feature=youtu.be
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That new music from part 2 of the documentary sounds good too! I'm definitely hyped about the new album now. Sounds like DTP is back on track!
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Part 2 was great, good look at the drum process.
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I haven't heard Failure yet, since I'm confident Devin will deliver a great album and am therefore waiting for the whole thing. I did, however, watch both of the documentary parts, and they are really awesome! RVP is such a great person.
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Still wish he released Ghost 2 properly. Every tiny bit of music I've heard is just amazing. Even the snippet of "Coming Home" (still unreleased whatsoever) in his riffwork preview video from 2013 is amazing.
I can't wait until Dev records that song. Someone in the comments section of that vid claims he performed the song at a Perth guitar clinic, anyone happen to know of the video he's referring to?
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The song playing in part 2 sounds awesome. Really looking forward to this album.
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"Hearing my voice. I'm all...erhemdhdh."
"I thought that too."
These guys are hilarious. I enjoy the last parts with them watching the vids.
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I'm a casual Devin fan but I really like Failure. I just love it when he solos, he doesn't do it anywhere near enough and he plays fucking well. Will pick this one up.
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I agree. His solo in Deep Peace, for example, is amazing.
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I agree. His solo in Deep Peace, for example, is amazing.
+1 it makes that song for me!! It's like, the perfect solo
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Yup. My favourite guitar solo of all time, it's just magical.
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Yup. My favourite guitar solo of all time, it's just magical.
Not sure about favourite ever but it's well up there.
Also, you just hit 8888 posts :biggrin:
NUMBERS!
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So it only just hit me that the end of Colour My World "You are a puppet! I am a puppet! We are all puppets!" was probably meant to be taken literally. Ziltoid is a puppet show. hence the Ziltoid sock puppet. :facepalm:
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Yup. My favourite guitar solo of all time, it's just magical.
Same here.
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So it only just hit me that the end of Colour My World "You are a puppet! I am a puppet! We are all puppets!" was probably meant to be taken literally. Ziltoid is a puppet show. hence the Ziltoid sock puppet. :facepalm:
You know what else? The rhythm of that section is the same as the little electronic morse code bit at the end of Strapping Young Lad's Alien album. Starting at 11:18 in the track Info Dump. :)
Get it? ;D
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Secret Sciences: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1l7levWwBg
It's also on Spotify in case that video goes bust (will probably get an official video later).
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Don't dig this one as much as Failure based on first listen. Vocal melodies are very weak here.
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That's a good one. It's soft but heavy at the same time.
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Really great song. Maybe a bit too long but overall I like it better than Failure.
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This song is SO Terria. Feeling more confident about preordering sometime soon.
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This song is SO Terria.
This is factually incorrect, the proof being that I actually like this song. :biggrin:
Yea, this ain't bad. Very classic dev for sure, which is nice. And I'm really digging the new production. Hopefully the days where all vocals are essentially done by choirs of Dev, leaving no discernible lead vocals are over.
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Anyone here doing the US meet and greet? I'm considering it. Is the included CD going to be the two disc version?
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy7uQ4evb8g&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy7uQ4evb8g&feature=youtu.be)
New track Secret Sciences... got this from his FB
Wellwhaddayaknow... Here's "Secret Sciences" which is track 4 on the new 'Transcendence' album!
Secret Sciences is also featured on Apple Music on their 'Best Of The Week' playlist! Go check it out here: playlist https://apple.co/1Qk8JrD
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Fuck, that chorus is massive and the drumming is superb. I like how the song goes through different moods but yet feels very cohesive, and the guitar solo, while short, is really cool. If all tracks on this album are of the quality of Failure and Secret Sciences, then the only thing that will bring down this album for me is the cover, and if that's the case, then I'll be a very happy camper indeed.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy7uQ4evb8g&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy7uQ4evb8g&feature=youtu.be)
New track Secret Sciences... got this from his FB
Wellwhaddayaknow... Here's "Secret Sciences" which is track 4 on the new 'Transcendence' album!
Secret Sciences is also featured on Apple Music on their 'Best Of The Week' playlist! Go check it out here: playlist https://apple.co/1Qk8JrD
Very nice. This album is gonna be really great, you can just tell. :metal
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Well, the first two songs are very solid, and the production is excellent. I think we're on to something good here.
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I kind of wish the cover for the "Failure" single was the album cover.
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Not sure if it's been posted yet, but you can see the tracklist + track lengths on the iTunes store page, including the bonus disk. Looks like the bonus disk getting a re-recording for Victim as well.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/transcendence-deluxe-edition/id1138087195?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
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Still wish he released Ghost 2 properly. Every tiny bit of music I've heard is just amazing. Even the snippet of "Coming Home" (still unreleased whatsoever) in his riffwork preview video from 2013 is amazing.
Speaking of this video, it looks like the song "Into the Sun" from the upcoming bonus disc is a full version this lovely little snippet: https://youtu.be/d3vLMBmdQNk?t=83 :metal
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Not sure if it's been posted yet, but you can see the tracklist + track lengths on the iTunes store page, including the bonus disk. Looks like the bonus disk getting a re-recording for Victim as well.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/transcendence-deluxe-edition/id1138087195?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Happy to see that "Stars" made the track list. Watched the replay of the live stream of Dev recording this song and thought it was awesome. Looking forward to hearing a more polished and final version of it. Those other two tracks that have been released are great as well. Going to have to pick this one up...
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Higher :hefdaddy
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This album certainly looks like it's going to be great, really excited for it and also to see him at Progpower and also very likely in NYC :metal :metal
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It is great. Another Dev classic.
Was there any doubt.
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Haven't heard Higher yet but Stormbending is fantastic, wow.
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Listening/fapping now. Will report back with early impressions. It is a little weird to hear Truth and not have it immediately jump to Christeen or Processional but hey. Truth is such a great song.
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you dirty leakers
i'mma just wait for an official release, i have hype but not that much hype
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Okay this album kicks the living shit out of Z2
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Okay this album kicks the living shit out of Z2
I'm so relieved, man. This was mindblowing. Buyin' dat wax.
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Not amazing, but an ok album. I like the remake of Truth, Stormbending, Secret Sciences and From the Heart.
Transdermal Celebration is 3 minutes music and 5 minutes filler...
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Transdermal Celebration is a cover (Ween), I personally didn't even bother listening to it. Not that I dislike the original song (never heard it), I just don't care for covers and pretty much consider them bonus tracks.
Good album overall.
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Gave a full listen while cleaning the house late yesterday... WOW, I love it on first listen. Sounds a lot more like one of his older albums than his more recent DTP output (which I loved too).
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I'm going to hold out until the album is actually released. Got plenty to keep me going, looking forward to it immensely though. Comes out the same week as Act V by The Dear Hunter so I will only be listening to these two albums that week :metal
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I'm all, did the album get released already. But I'll wait until the album is released. I used to be the early leak must listen now type, but I found it to be much more satisfying waiting patiently until the day of release, unless the artist releases songs on their own merit.
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This is the first time in a while that I'll wait for the official release if only to hear Nolly's work in all its glory. Also I've got zero time on my hands and would rather wait for a few hours of nothingness to soak in all the supposed awesomeness this album is bringing. Good to hear the great reactions though.
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I have to listen to this amazing album now because I have to see the man live before the album releases. First world problems. :)
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I have to listen to this amazing album now because I have to see the man live before the album releases. First world problems. :)
Kind of my problem, I see him first on the day after release so I did the bad deed so I'd be familiar with the music on time to see him perform songs from it.
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I haven't been here in ages, it's really weird now...I haven't listened to Dream Theater at all in 7 months.... :\
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Wow. This album is great, start to finish. I even kinda like Stars now (used to REALLY dislike it when he recorded it during the livestream). Might be a contender for my top 3 Devin. Album of the year is still Affinity though.
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I'm blown away by this album.
Higher is so out there yet still not the randomness of Deconstruction and I absolutely adore it.
Secret Sciences has such a great chorus, Failure is fantastic, Truth and Stars sound better then ever, and so on.
The best moment of the album for me has to be the transition from the bridge into the final chorus in Stormbending though with a big yell from Devin. So much emotion as that chord hits.
Also, for you Pineapple Thief fans, Failure has a motif that sounds exactly like "So We Row" in it and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
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Even though I wish there were a few more heavier moments on the album, it is very solid overall. Most of the songs are instantly likable.
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Failure is still the top track of this album for me. The djenty riffs, the vocals, the solo. Everything is perfect and definitely some of Devin's best work ever.
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Even though I wish there were a few more heavier moments on the album, it is very solid overall. Most of the songs are instantly likable.
Me too. I miss the heaviness and the screams of Accelerated Evolution or Terria.
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Awesome album! Can't wait to hear the bonus disc!
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Higher is easily the best song on there. Only song I don't like is From the Heart.
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Higher is easily the best song on there. Only song I don't like is From the Heart.
I like "From the Heart", but yeah, "Higher" definitely left me saying to myself "holy shit".
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q99OZDrOLc
Part 3 of the Documentary. Today's topic: Dave Young :metal
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Funny is I was watching the recent Docs. and a video I saw of the funniest dev. Moments....
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Hahaha....
OMG. I'm laughing my ass off at the first minute. They are such awesome dudes.
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For anyone who didn't really like Failure as a song: It definitely works better in context with the album, coming down dynamically after the HUGE opening statement that is Truth+Stormbending.
Holy FUCK what an intro O_O
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For anyone who didn't really like Failure as a song: It definitely works better in context with the album, coming down dynamically after the HUGE opening statement that is Truth+Stormbending.
Holy FUCK what an intro O_O
I didn't think I could be any more pumped for this album but now I am!
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For anyone who didn't really like Failure as a song: It definitely works better in context with the album, coming down dynamically after the HUGE opening statement that is Truth+Stormbending.
Holy FUCK what an intro O_O
I'm one of those who doesn't understand this concept. I either like a song on its own or I don't. I liked "Failure" from the very first listen. I gave the album another listen last night, and it's just amazing from start to finish.
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For anyone who didn't really like Failure as a song: It definitely works better in context with the album, coming down dynamically after the HUGE opening statement that is Truth+Stormbending.
Holy FUCK what an intro O_O
I'm one of those who doesn't understand this concept. I either like a song on its own or I don't. I liked "Failure" from the very first listen. I gave the album another listen last night, and it's just amazing from start to finish.
I agree about "Failure," but you really don't think album context can totally change a song? I mean, maybe you like listening to "Sister" on its own, but I'd say the Ocean Machine context completely and irrevocably alters the impression it leaves. I do agree to the extent that if it's a full, 'proper' song (like "Sister" is not), it shouldn't make a huge difference, but a difference should exist nonetheless. It can be an issue of masterful pacing – like the fact that "Bastard," a piece of brilliance alone, is surrounded by "Funeral" and "The Death of Music," and connected to them with perfect transitions to create a deep and engaging half hour of unforgettable context – or simply that an otherwise 'meh' piece of music is better when related to a song next to it in a sort of 'moon reflecting the sun's glow' way, like the underrated "Down and Under" following the majestic mountain "Canada." When we're talking about a guy who sequences albums to flow in specific ways that tell (what he sees as) a narrative, the context sometimes makes or breaks single songs (see "Divine").
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For anyone who didn't really like Failure as a song: It definitely works better in context with the album, coming down dynamically after the HUGE opening statement that is Truth+Stormbending.
Holy FUCK what an intro O_O
I'm one of those who doesn't understand this concept. I either like a song on its own or I don't. I liked "Failure" from the very first listen. I gave the album another listen last night, and it's just amazing from start to finish.
I agree about "Failure," but you really don't think album context can totally change a song? I mean, maybe you like listening to "Sister" on its own, but I'd say the Ocean Machine context completely and irrevocably alters the impression it leaves. I do agree to the extent that if it's a full, 'proper' song (like "Sister" is not), it shouldn't make a huge difference, but a difference should exist nonetheless. It can be an issue of masterful pacing – like the fact that "Bastard," a piece of brilliance alone, is surrounded by "Funeral" and "The Death of Music," and connected to them with perfect transitions to create a deep and engaging half hour of unforgettable context – or simply that an otherwise 'meh' piece of music is better when related to a song next to it in a sort of 'moon reflecting the sun's glow' way, like the underrated "Down and Under" following the majestic mountain "Canada." When we're talking about a guy who sequences albums to flow in specific ways that tell (what he sees as) a narrative, the context sometimes makes or breaks single songs (see "Divine").
Welp, you explained that WAY better than I ever could have. :lol
But to put it a little simpler in regards to how I feel about Failure specifically:
That intro riff just sounds more pleasing to the ear when it's coming off of the ending to Stormbending, and that cool dynamic instrumental section, in my opinion, is way better when heard 12 minutes and 28 seconds into the album as opposed to 2 minutes and 15 seconds into the song. In that context, the flow of the music and the dynamics are just more satisfying to listen to.
I know that's kind of a silly way to look at music, but some of us are just wired differently. :P
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Seems like life is all dynamics.
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So I caved in and listened to the leak. I'm gonna listen to it a few more times before I give any kind of review.
I will say that the Truth redo does nothing for me. It's a great song but I don't think the few changes they made(production aside) warrant a rerecord. I think a new instrumental piece would have been a better choice to open the album. It also doesn't need that ending verse (May you learn to live without fear etc.). It kills the momentum and instead should go right into the intro of Stormbending.
The drums do sound fantastic though all through the album. I think this album may be my favorite RVP performance.
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I've only listened to it twice (will still buy the version with the extra disc when it comes out), but I have to agree regarding Truth; that doesn't come close to the awesomeness of the original, which, IMO, is a top 5 Devin tune. I thought the Hallelujah section was going to be bananas with Anneke singing it, but while the original sounded like Devin screaming it while total chaos was going on around him, he toned down the intensity about 10 notches during that section this time, and it lost a lot of punch. I also agree that the long fadeout seemed kind of weird. Basically, I will stick with the original version, and for me, Transcendence will begin with Stormbearing, which seems like a pretty great song so far. :coolio
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I liked the remake of Truth. I prefer it to the original.
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So according to https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/282141566286 (https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/282141566286) <- this product posting on eBay, the second disc of the special edition is called "Pulsing Patterns"? I think that's what it says. I can't quite make out the text, but if so then that's pretty cool. Another Epiclouder situation it seems. Hopefully the tracks are of similar production quality to the main album :)
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Yea, I hope the tracks are as good as they are on Epiclouder.
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I liked the remake of Truth. I prefer it to the original.
The original has shit production so this one is obviously better to me.
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So according to https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/282141566286 (https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/282141566286) <- this product posting on eBay, the second disc of the special edition is called "Pulsing Patterns"? I think that's what it says. I can't quite make out the text, but if so then that's pretty cool. Another Epiclouder situation it seems. Hopefully the tracks are of similar production quality to the main album :)
It's "Holding Patterns", although, funny enough, I think I like the sound of "Pulsing Patterns" better.
I gave the album another listen today, and it continues to get better. One minor gripe is the lyrics to "From the Heart". You absolutely can NOT use the line
"have I told you lately?...." without having a Van Morrison (or Rod Stewart, I suppose) flashback.
This last time listening to it, I noticed it's mostly a I-IV progression in C, so I started singing Modern English's "Melt With You" (which utilizes the same progression, but much faster tempo) over it. Kinda neat. :P
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The original has shit production so this one is obviously better to me.
Dunno, I've always felt all of Infinity songs sounded great.
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okay i love infinity but the production is a really blatant weak point on the album
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Yea Infinity sounds really bad.
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It's one of the reasons I don't like Infinity. I feel that the songs are ranging from pretty good to great but it's just such a chore to listen to. I never spin it anymore.
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I think you guys are crazy. :biggrin:
Infinity sounds great. Okay, I get that it might be too much for some, but it's supposed to sound the way it does. I always say that it sounds like Broadway metal on crack. Those piles and piles of layers are necessary.
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Those piles and piles of layers are necessary.
If you want to make the record sound like a muddy mess then definitely.
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You know....he's basically RE-releasing Infinity, but slowly.
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Those piles and piles of layers are necessary.
If you want to make the record sound like a muddy mess then definitely.
Agreed. I like most of the songs on Infinity, but the production is a definite low-point.
I think you guys are crazy. :biggrin:
Infinity sounds great. Okay, I get that it might be too much for some, but it's supposed to sound the way it does. I always say that it sounds like Broadway metal on crack. Those piles and piles of layers are necessary.
Just because something is supposed to sound some way, does not mean that it ultimately ends up sounding good. Devin may have been going for a wall of sound type thing but he ended up with a sloppy wall of mud.
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I get why it bothers some, and I probably wouldn't like that type of sound most of the time, but in the case of Infinity, I think it just works. The wall of sound with a thousand layers is part of the charm of it. Plus, it still manages to have a warm and organic sound, despite the many layers. To each his own. :coolio
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Add me to the group that doesn't understand the remake of Truth, sure it's pretty good and sounds better on this album... but why not a new tune? I guess better than nothing at all. Anyway, it doesn't take away from my enjoyment of this album.
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That bass drop though is pretty killer.
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I'm not sure I'm convinced that Infinity was meant to sound that way. It sounds like an amateur producing job from Devin and he was probably aiming for more than what he was capable of doing at the time, given his more limited knowledge.
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I think Accelerated Evolution is the first Dev album that actually sounds good. All the albums before that sound extremely muddy to me.
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I think in general all Dev's records sound muddy, the vocals sound unclear as if he is in singing in the closet or from 1km distance. No wonder that his voice sounds really pure and fresh live. A shame, really, he's probably my favorite vocalist. He has an amazing voice.
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I've never had a problem with the production on any of Dev's albums. Then again, I'm not really picky with regards to production, anyway, but still - I'm actually quite happy about the fact that I can often still enjoy albums that other people can't.
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I've never had a problem with the production on any of Dev's albums. Then again, I'm not really picky with regards to production, anyway, but still - I'm actually quite happy about the fact that I can often still enjoy albums that other people can't.
One can still get enjoyment out of something whilst admitting it's not perfect.
I think in general all Dev's records sound muddy, the vocals sound unclear as if he is in singing in the closet or from 1km distance. No wonder that his voice sounds really pure and fresh live. A shame, really, he's probably my favorite vocalist. He has an amazing voice.
I'm about 50/50 on Devy's production style. I think the weird production/sound on Ocean Machine kinda lends to its charm a bit while the muddy wall of sound on Infinity is a detractor. Ki, Accelerated Evolution, Ghost, and Alien all sound pretty great while the production on Physicist (of course), Infinity, Addicted, and Sky Blue just don't work for me.
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Ocean Machine sounds fine, Terria sounds fine. Infinity sounds kinda bleh and Physicist sounds awful :lol
No real complaints about any Devy production job other than those two honestly.
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I've never had a problem with the production on any of Dev's albums. Then again, I'm not really picky with regards to production, anyway, but still - I'm actually quite happy about the fact that I can often still enjoy albums that other people can't.
One can still get enjoyment out of something whilst admitting it's not perfect.
True. I should have said that I'm glad that what other people perceive as lacking in production doesn't lessen my enjoyment in the way that it does so for other people.
Anyway. I finally got around to listening to Transcendence and it's pretty awesome. The first and the last track don't really add much in my opinion, but the middle of the album is just super cool. Highlights for me include Stormbending, Secret Sciences, Higher and Offer Your Light. I'll have to give the album a couple more spins to say it for sure, but first impressions have been very positive.
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Ocean Machine sounds fine, Terria sounds fine. Infinity sounds kinda bleh and Physicist sounds awful :lol
No real complaints about any Devy production job other than those two honestly.
I honestly have a hard time with Terria because of the production. I also have major issues with Z2 and Epicloud, but mostly due to the drums sounding like bad drum machines (which oddly I don't have an issue with on Ziltoid).
However the two songs I've heard from the new one sound incredible, so I'm not worried.
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I've never had a problem with the production on any of Dev's albums. Then again, I'm not really picky with regards to production, anyway, but still - I'm actually quite happy about the fact that I can often still enjoy albums that other people can't.
One can still get enjoyment out of something whilst admitting it's not perfect.
True. I should have said that I'm glad that what other people perceive as lacking in production doesn't lessen my enjoyment in the way that it does so for other people.
Anyway. I finally got around to listening to Transcendence and it's pretty awesome. The first and the last track don't really add much in my opinion, but the middle of the album is just super cool. Highlights for me include Stormbending, Secret Sciences, Higher and Offer Your Light. I'll have to give the album a couple more spins to say it for sure, but first impressions have been very positive.
Offer Your Light has kind of a power metal and More! sound to it and I love it.
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I didn't dig Higher. I don't like that repetitive chorus "I am, I aaaaam". It has some good parts though.
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I also have major issues with Z2 and Epicloud, but mostly due to the drums sounding like bad drum machines (which oddly I don't have an issue with on Ziltoid).
The drums on Ziltoid sound better than quite a few other Devin albums unfortunately.
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I think Nolly should be a permanent part of the DTP recording and production process from here on out.
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I am waiting to hear a good version of these songs, but I am a little worried by the major absence of bass (the instrument) on the songs. I feel like Devin has always been about turning the bass guitar down as low as possible or just giving it as weak of a tone, but it was a bit more noticeable here since, in the past, the drums have added tons of bass frequencues (too many) and now they are more balanced.
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I'm going to go ahead and say "Stormbender" is an instant classic. Hopefully, they'll play it when I see them September 11th.
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I am waiting to hear a good version of these songs, but I am a little worried by the major absence of bass (the instrument) on the songs. I feel like Devin has always been about turning the bass guitar down as low as possible or just giving it as weak of a tone, but it was a bit more noticeable here since, in the past, the drums have added tons of bass frequencues (too many) and now they are more balanced.
It won't bother me, probably because I am so used to the bass guitar rarely standing out at all in his music (notable exceptions being Pixillate and Drench).
I'm going to go ahead and say "Stormbender" is an instant classic. Hopefully, they'll play it when I see them September 11th.
I like that one a lot, too.
I suspect it will get written off by some as one of his "pop" songs, but I think Offer Your Light is pretty killer.
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Offer Your Light and Transcendence are killer tracks. Honestly think the whole album is very good from start to finish. This year of music just keeps adding up.
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Speaking of Bass, here's part Four of the Documentary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awQihX8gtAw
Also I just bought my tickets for DTP/BTBAM in Maryland September 13th :metal
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I'd love to see a chorus of men (nah, I am not gay) singing the first part of the song Transcendence. It would be amazing to see live.
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I'd love to see a chorus of men (nah, I am not gay) singing the first part of the song Transcendence. It would be amazing to see live.
Well, as long as you're not gay. That's the important part.
Total change of subject, does anyone else wish Dev would try to perform songs live a bit differently? As it stands (at least based on the DVDs) he tries to make the live versions sound as close to identical to the studio as humanly possible (with the addition of Dev berating himself between verses and joking), including every single backing track from the record. Sometimes I wish he would do a stripped down version. Get rid of the click/backing tracks, whatever your band can play, play that, if it's missing layers, cool! Sometimes hearing a different version of the song is really cool.
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Yes. I'm seeing Devin Townsend live for the first time this year because he's with BTBAM. I haven't bothered seeing him on his own because of how overproduced his live performances are.
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Yes. I'm seeing Devin Townsend live for the first time this year because he's with BTBAM. I haven't bothered seeing him on his own because of how overproduced his live performances are.
I can't remember which DVD it was (maybe even all of them) but there were plenty of songs where I honestly had no idea what was being played/sung by Dev and the band and what was backing tracks because it was just soooooo much backing tracks going on. There were times when Dev just stopped singing and let the backing tracks take over. That's basically the reason I've never seen him live. As fun as it would be and as cool as he is, I already know what the studio versions sound like and don't need to hear them perfectly replicated live.
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I know in the Addicted performance there's a moment where one of the guitar solos is used as a backing track, despite the fact that there were 3 guitarists in the band capable of playing it. That was enough to completely turn me off from seeing him live.
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Eh, to me, those are silly reasons to not go to the concert, but I go to rock out and have fun, not worry about everything being played the way I think it should be. :biggrin:
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Eh, to me, those are silly reasons to not go to the concert, but I go to rock out and have fun, not worry about everything being played the way I think it should be. :biggrin:
I also don't like going to concerts haha, social anxiety and all. I just think it would be more of a pull for me if it had less of a duplicate the album vibe.
By the way, it's totally cool to not like something Dev does and still be a big fan of his. We don't have to like all of it. :)
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Hey now, I have no problem saying what I don't like when it comes to Devin (Dark Matters, the sound of Physicist, the speed metal tunes on Deconstruction, etc.). I do think he goes a bit overboard with the backing tracks live, but if I ever saw him, I doubt that would interfere at all with my enjoyment. Take a song like Universal Flame; there is simply no way to do that song live, even if he did have Anneke there (too many Devin voices in the chorus). And a different arrangement wouldn't be as good, since the one it already has is pure joy and made to be killer live. :metal
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Hey now, I have no problem saying what I don't like when it comes to Devin (Dark Matters, the sound of Physicist, the speed metal tunes on Deconstruction, etc.). I do think he goes a bit overboard with the backing tracks live, but if I ever saw him, I doubt that would interfere at all with my enjoyment. Take a song like Universal Flame; there is simply no way to do that song live, even if he did have Anneke there (too many Devin voices in the chorus). And a different arrangement wouldn't be as good, since the one it already has is pure joy and made to be killer live. :metal
And that's totally cool, but it does affect my enjoyment and I am happy I'm not in the majority on this one. I'd prefer everyone enjoy Devin and I would love it if it didn't bug me, but it does sadly.
I'd also point out that most of the bands I love do this, which is the reason I also have little desire to see Dream Theater or so forth live either.
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Eh, to me, those are silly reasons to not go to the concert, but I go to rock out and have fun, not worry about everything being played the way I think it should be. :biggrin:
It's not so much that I wouldn't have fun, I'm looking forward to finally seeing him. But I also don't go to concerts very often so I'm picky about who I decide to see. A lot of footage of Devin live has honestly bored me. Obviously it'll be different in person but it took a bit more to motivate me to check him out live.
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I'm always in favour of playing things a little different in live settings. Completely reproducing the studio record with all its parts and sounds can be nice, but is not what I want to hear in a live setting, especially if the parts are taped backing tracks and not actually played live.
For example Queen sounded a lot more rough in a live setting, because they couldn't reproduce what they did in the studio and they rarely used backing tracks (with the exception of Bohemian Rhapsody). And they were killer live.
There was a bonus DVD with Synchestra I believe, basically Devin and his band playing live in a rehearsal room. The setting was very intimate and lacked the live crowd, but I believe it was just the band with no backing tracks, and the versions of the songs they played were good.
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There was a bonus DVD with Synchestra I believe, basically Devin and his band playing live in a rehearsal room. The setting was very intimate and lacked the live crowd, but I believe it was just the band with no backing tracks, and the versions of the songs they played were good.
That's a great example of what would get me more excited.
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Yea that DVD is awesome. Honestly Devin's music would sound fine stripped down to 2 guitars, bass, drums, and no backing tracks. It would probably end up having more energy than on the studio albums too. Not that his albums lack that.
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I'd love to see a chorus of men (nah, I am not gay) singing the first part of the song Transcendence. It would be amazing to see live.
Well, as long as you're not gay. That's the important part.
Total change of subject, does anyone else wish Dev would try to perform songs live a bit differently? As it stands (at least based on the DVDs) he tries to make the live versions sound as close to identical to the studio as humanly possible (with the addition of Dev berating himself between verses and joking), including every single backing track from the record. Sometimes I wish he would do a stripped down version. Get rid of the click/backing tracks, whatever your band can play, play that, if it's missing layers, cool! Sometimes hearing a different version of the song is really cool.
I've always found it a little odd as well, as he clearly has no difficulty in adapting songs (new versions of old songs on recent albums, and acoustic versions of a hell of a load of songs that he does live).
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I can understand the backing track issue from some of you, but for me, it's such a small part of the equation to let it be a deciding factor in
whether I go to his live show or not. It's not like he's pulling a Milli Vanilli on us or anything.
Plus, for $20.00, there's not a chance in hell I'm missing it.
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I'm with Adami in that I would rather a more "live" sound than trying to reproduce the studio albums. But I am also with Kev in that it wouldn't have an effect on me in choosing to go or my overall enjoyment of a concert.
Also, doesn't Dev now have a touring keyboardist? I feel like that alone is a nice step towards creating a more live sound in concert. I say this because on Retinal Circus there isn't a keyboardist, but there is on the Ziltoid DVD and more of the recent video's I've seen on youtube.
A lot of footage of Devin live has honestly bored me. Obviously it'll be different in person but it took a bit more to motivate me to check him out live.
Him talking between or during songs alone could be entertaining :lol
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I'm always in favour of playing things a little different in live settings. Completely reproducing the studio record with all its parts and sounds can be nice, but is not what I want to hear in a live setting, especially if the parts are taped backing tracks and not actually played live.
For example Queen sounded a lot more rough in a live setting, because they couldn't reproduce what they did in the studio and they rarely used backing tracks (with the exception of Bohemian Rhapsody). And they were killer live.
There was a bonus DVD with Synchestra I believe, basically Devin and his band playing live in a rehearsal room. The setting was very intimate and lacked the live crowd, but I believe it was just the band with no backing tracks, and the versions of the songs they played were good.
Agreed, I much prefer when the songs change live. If I wanna listen to the album, I put on the album. Even Tool can change up their stuff!
Safe Zone, the in-studio DVD with Synchestra, still has backing tracks (they're the first ones he made post-flood, so they sound different in spots, like the vocal layers in "Deadhead"). And while it is more interesting situationally, it's extremely, extremely, extremely boring, so much that he dropped in Windows Media visual effects to make it more interesting to watch. And the audio mix is absolutely godawful.
TL;DR: If he did something like Safe Zone again but properly this time, it could be just as engaging – especially if he can get a better mix, like those performances of "Kingdom" etc. he did for EMG (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nubJjB95VdY).
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I never cared for the in-studio live stuff from the Synchestra live DVD. In fact, seeing that make me think for years that Devin wasn't a good live singer because his vocals weren't that good on that. Turns out I was wrong.
But think of it this way, if Devin went all out in every song live like he does on the CDs, he would have no voice left. I am fine with him cheating a little live if it means he has a long career and his voice holds up longer. :tup :tup
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I think Devin's voice has improved overall recently. He can't hit those crazy high notes anymore but he has better live control and consistency.
Being supported by backing tracks also helps. :xbones
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He can't hit those crazy high notes anymore but he has better live control and consistency.
Oh man, when I saw him live Fallout was a total mess. He didn't hit a single note in the first verse. I understand it's a hard song vocally, but why play it if he has so much trouble singing it live?
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Devin Townsend is like the Mahler of metal. He bathes in the massive, endless sound he creates
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new track out today
Stormbending
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s9qh77gj6Y (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s9qh77gj6Y)
this one isn't quite catching me like the other two, but seems like a grower.
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I love this so much. Definitely has an AE sound going on.
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He can't hit those crazy high notes anymore but he has better live control and consistency.
Oh man, when I saw him live Fallout was a total mess. He didn't hit a single note in the first verse. I understand it's a hard song vocally, but why play it if he has so much trouble singing it live?
The same when he sings "Storm". He doesn't reach one high note in the end of the song.
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Like an idiot, I thought it was out today. Still found some cool stuff at the record store though.
The 9th is going to be a nightmare. There are so many albums coming out that I want.
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Just listened to the "Bonus" album. I'll put it this way. Disc 1 from here on out in my opinion is the bonus album and Disc 2 is the main album.
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Just listened to the "Bonus" album. I'll put it this way. Disc 1 from here on out in my opinion is the bonus album and Disc 2 is the main album.
How is the production? All I have seen in the tracklist is that the bonus disc is Demos. Are they recorded properly?
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Listened to about 3 minutes of that Stormbending song.
This might end up being my favorite Dev album since that four album run (Ki, Addicted etc.). So far it sounds very classic Dev with much better production.
Really excited for the rest of it!
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Just listened to the "Bonus" album. I'll put it this way. Disc 1 from here on out in my opinion is the bonus album and Disc 2 is the main album.
How is the production? All I have seen in the tracklist is that the bonus disc is Demos. Are they recorded properly?
I've only listened to the bonus disc 2 times so here's my initial thoughts.
Gump sounds like it was recorded with the rest of the main album so that has similar production(in other words, pretty great). I could be wrong but I believe the rest are just demos using drum machines. This is Dev though, so the production is still great even for demos.
Victim is a redo of the song from Physicist. It's an improvement from Physicist's shit production but the song is still just OK.
Into the Sun and Loud were both featured in the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3vLMBmdQNk
Loud and Gump would fit in nicely in the main album, the others are pretty hit or miss.
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Celestial Signals is absolutely terrific. That chorus is huge. :hefdaddy
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anybody wanna fill me in on where I can hear this bonus disk? :-X
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anybody wanna fill me in on where I can hear this bonus disk? :-X
Lots of places. On September 9th. :police:
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anybody wanna fill me in on where I can hear this bonus disk? :-X
Lots of places. On September 9th. :police:
I was weak and got it now (although I have pre-ordered it) because I'll be out of town so I won't be able to get it on my ipod to listen to. The reason I'm out of town is I'll be at the DTP show that day. So that's the lame not good enough reasoning for me.
The production sounds like a proper album. While I do like the main disc. I wish he would have stopped on the production of the other songs in the same place he did the "demos". They sound like a 4 piece band not the huge epic layeredness of the main disc, Epicloud, Sky Blue, etc. It the same reason I prefer the bonus disc on Epiclouder. Again I like both but prefer the more stripped down stuff.
My standout tracks were Gump, Celestial Signs, Support The Cause. My favorites being TIIIIIIIIIME OVERLOAD, Lexus, and very fun Canucklehead.
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The DTP are releasing tour videos, one for each show. Here's the second one, just got uploaded on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlD5H91hkno .
At 3:30, you can see some of the tour shirts they have. Love the one with 'Lower mid tier prog metal' on the back :rollin
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anybody wanna fill me in on where I can hear this bonus disk? :-X
Lots of places. On September 9th. :police:
I was weak and got it now (although I have pre-ordered it) because I'll be out of town so I won't be able to get it on my ipod to listen to. The reason I'm out of town is I'll be at the DTP show that day. So that's the lame not good enough reasoning for me.
The production sounds like a proper album. While I do like the main disc. I wish he would have stopped on the production of the other songs in the same place he did the "demos". They sound like a 4 piece band not the huge epic layeredness of the main disc, Epicloud, Sky Blue, etc. It the same reason I prefer the bonus disc on Epiclouder. Again I like both but prefer the more stripped down stuff.
My standout tracks were Gump, Celestial Signs, Support The Cause. My favorites being TIIIIIIIIIME OVERLOAD, Lexus, and very fun Canucklehead.
:lol I'm just salty because I was so stoked on getting to download this album from iTunes at 11 PM on my birthday and ending my day with a full sit-down listen of Transendence, buuuuutttttt then it got delayed a week... :censored :censored :censored
I'm going to end up owning like 4 versions of this album anyway seeing as how I'm getting it off iTunes, plus the copy that's being shipped to me with my VIP tour package, and even then I wanted to own physical copies of the Deluxe and vinyl versions. I can cheat if I want to, dammit. :biggrin:
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So the VIP tour CD is definitely the standard edition?
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So the VIP tour CD is definitely the standard edition?
Tbh, I don't really know. But's that's what I'm expecting.
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anybody wanna fill me in on where I can hear this bonus disk? :-X
Lots of places. On September 9th. :police:
I was weak and got it now (although I have pre-ordered it) because I'll be out of town so I won't be able to get it on my ipod to listen to. The reason I'm out of town is I'll be at the DTP show that day. So that's the lame not good enough reasoning for me.
The production sounds like a proper album. While I do like the main disc. I wish he would have stopped on the production of the other songs in the same place he did the "demos". They sound like a 4 piece band not the huge epic layeredness of the main disc, Epicloud, Sky Blue, etc. It the same reason I prefer the bonus disc on Epiclouder. Again I like both but prefer the more stripped down stuff.
My standout tracks were Gump, Celestial Signs, Support The Cause. My favorites being TIIIIIIIIIME OVERLOAD, Lexus, and very fun Canucklehead.
:lol I'm just salty because I was so stoked on getting to download this album from iTunes at 11 PM on my birthday and ending my day with a full sit-down listen of Transendence, buuuuutttttt then it got delayed a week... :censored :censored :censored
I'm going to end up owning like 4 versions of this album anyway seeing as how I'm getting it off iTunes, plus the copy that's being shipped to me with my VIP tour package, and even then I wanted to own physical copies of the Deluxe and vinyl versions. I can cheat if I want to, dammit. :biggrin:
So it was supposed to be released 9/2?! That's what i thought. Got excited the morning of and saw it said released 9/9 and was confused.
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So I bought my tickets for the show in Maryland next week on the 13th. I just decided to today to buy the VIP package instead.
Unfortunately I can't get a refund for the 2 tickets I already bought, so I was wondering if anybody here would be interested in buying them?
PM me if you're interested or have any questions
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So it was supposed to be released 9/2?! That's what i thought. Got excited the morning of and saw it said released 9/9 and was confused.
eeeeyyuuppp.
Gump is an awesome track btw. Really heavy track. Almost a Dio vibe in the second verse kinda? Idk, I can just picture Ronnie James shouting those words and pointing to the listener for some reason. :metal Totally "main disc" worthy, but I can understand why it was cut. It doesnt really fit on the album anywhere without messing with the flow. Loud is okay, typical Dev campfire song. Other songs range from weird to very weird for me, lol. Kinda like listening to Infinity.
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Episdoe Five of the Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o5GHljtucI
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBFhgNa9NoY
Such a shame that this version didn't go as the official version. :/
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Higher is quite the beastly tune. :metal
Can't wait for the official release so I can get the bonus disc, too. :coolio
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I checked out his setlist. Not bad but I'm hoping they swap a few songs for Saturday to make use of anneke with him.
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I'm hoping for a similar setlist for the European tour. I would love to see By Your Command live.
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He needs to chuck from the live sets any and all songs from Dark Matters. He has way too many great songs to waste two spots on songs from that record.
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He needs to chuck from the live sets any and all songs from Dark Matters. He has way too many great songs to waste two spots on songs from that record.
I think Ziltoid Goes Home can stay, it probably makes for a good live performance. March of the Poozers fucking sucks though, I dont understand why Devin likes it so much as opposed to a song like War Princess or Deathray instead.
When BTBAM joins the tour they better start pulling Tommy on stage and add Planet of the Apes to the set or so help me.
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I would be so excited if he did Planet of the Apes. Love that song.
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He needs to chuck from the live sets any and all songs from Dark Matters. He has way too many great songs to waste two spots on songs from that record.
I think Ziltoid Goes Home can stay, it probably makes for a good live performance. March of the Poozers fucking sucks though, I dont understand why Devin likes it so much as opposed to a song like War Princess or Deathray instead.
When BTBAM joins the tour they better start pulling Tommy on stage and add Planet of the Apes to the set or so help me.
I saw Poozers and I respectfully disagree. That song completely destroys and the crowd gets beyond nuts. That's probably why he kept it in the set. ZGH overstays its welcome very quickly in comparison. I agree about "Deathray" but it'd be a lot better if Dev did the actual Ziltoid parts live instead of using the samples.
Personally, I'm missing the Addicted stuff the most. This is a great time to use "Awake" (with the end modified, obviously) as the opener it was meant to be!
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Looking at the new setlist, there's 5 repeats from the last time I saw him back in December 2014.
The set last time was:
Regulator
Rejoice
Midnight Sun
War
A New Reign
Z²
March of the Poozers
Ziltoidian Empire
Bad Devil
Ziltoid Goes Home
Grace
Kingdom
I'm seeing him again next week and I'd like to see a totally different set aside from staples like Kingdom and Grace, but I don't mind hearingPoozers and ZGH again because they are really fun songs in a live setting. I'd prefer Bad Devil and War, but hey, any Dev is good Dev.
I could go without seeing Rejoice live again though. It was cool the first time but it's not even the best song from Sky Blue and the majority of that album hasn't been played live. I'd take Universal Flame, Silent Militia, the title track, or Before We Die over Rejoice any day.
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He needs to chuck from the live sets any and all songs from Dark Matters. He has way too many great songs to waste two spots on songs from that record.
I think Ziltoid Goes Home can stay, it probably makes for a good live performance. March of the Poozers fucking sucks though, I dont understand why Devin likes it so much as opposed to a song like War Princess or Deathray instead.
When BTBAM joins the tour they better start pulling Tommy on stage and add Planet of the Apes to the set or so help me.
I saw Poozers and I respectfully disagree. That song completely destroys and the crowd gets beyond nuts. That's probably why he kept it in the set. ZGH overstays its welcome very quickly in comparison. I agree about "Deathray" but it'd be a lot better if Dev did the actual Ziltoid parts live instead of using the samples.
Personally, I'm missing the Addicted stuff the most. This is a great time to use "Awake" (with the end modified, obviously) as the opener it was meant to be!
The Ziltoid part in Deathray is meant for the audience to sing.
I would've preferred that setlist over the one I got, it's the same as Metropolaris'.
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Rejoice was fucking terrible live. Don't know why he insists on playing it. It's like the weakest song off Sky Blue anyway.
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Can we chill with the setlist spoilers, please? Small text exists for a reason.
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Can we chill with the setlist spoilers, please? Small text exists for a reason.
I dont think that is a standard for most non DT bands on this forum although I traditionally support the idea, just saying since you might not get your wish. In the past I avoided band threads that I didn't want to be spoiled by their setlists.
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Can't believe I have managed to resist listening to the new album in any form. CANNOT WAIT to blast this shit tomorrow (along with the new Dear Hunter of course). I pre-ordered with Music Glue (I think) and I'm not actually sure I get an mp3 download or if it's just the physical album I get? I don't think I will be able to wait until the actual album is delivered as it will likely be late.
I can't find any confirmation email from them. Anyone pre-ordered from them before? Any idea if I'll get an mp3 download at midnight American time?
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I received my copy in the mail on Tuesday, and now I've finally listened to it a few times.
Seems like it's better than Blue Sky, but not as good as Addicted or Epicloud.
And the bonus disc has a bunch of great tunes. I still think Failure is the best track overall. Higher is like DT trying to do DT. That is, Devin doing a Dream Theater impression. Still can't decide what I think of it, even though it has some great parts to it.
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For me Higher is definitely the low point on the album, and unfortunately, the longest track.
The 5 minute silence and mumbo jumbo on From the Heart and Transdermal Celebratrion would leave 10 minutes free to put some songs...
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Higher starts poorly but ends awesomely
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I love all of "Higher" and "From the Heart," but I agree the end of "Transdermal" should at least be its own track, if not wholly excised from the album. It's there for a reason, I guess. Whatever that is.
I understand not liking the end of FTH if you don't love Ghost and Casualties, though. If you do, it's pretty amazing to hear a Ghost-style jam on an otherwise 'typical' (big epic metal) DTP album.
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I think the ending of From The Heart segues nicely into the intro of Transdermal Celebration. It also probably could have transitioned into "Loud" also.
The ending of Transdermal Celebration is pretty much pointless but eh. It doesnt really hurt the rest of the album. Alien ends with over 11 minutes of static white noise but the 40 something minutes that came before it are still perfect.
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Listening to the album for the first time now... Couple tracks in and loving what I am hearing so far...
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So what songs do you guys would like to see live? I am tired of him playing the same songs over and over again, like Grace, Kingdom, Ih-Ah, Rejoice, March of the Poozers, Truth, Christeen, War, Life, etc.
Some songs that I would love to see:
Funeral and Bastard (He played Funeral only once and Bastard a few times, but only quite recently)
The Death of Music (Also only quite recently)
Bad Devil
Noisy Pink Bubbles
Canada, Down and Under, The Fluker, Nobody's here, Tiny Tears, Stagnant (Yea, pretty much the whole side 2 of Terria)
Depth Charge, Random Analysis, Away, Sunday Afternoon, Slow Me Down
Let It Roll, Hypergeek, Triumph, Gaia
Resolve!, The Way Home!, Awake!!
Coast, Gato, Praise the Lowered, The Mighty Masturbator, Deconstruction
Liberation, Happy Birthday, Quietus, The Mind Wasp
Rain City, Before We Die
So many songs he's never played live or almost never played live.
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So what songs do you guys would like to see live? I am tired of him playing the same songs over and over again, like Grace, Kingdom, Ih-Ah, Rejoice, March of the Poozers, Truth, Christeen, War, Life, etc.
Some songs that I would love to see:
Funeral and Bastard (He played Funeral only once and Bastard a few times, but only quite recently)
The Death of Music (Also only quite recently)
Bad Devil
Noisy Pink Bubbles
Canada, Down and Under, The Fluker, Nobody's here, Tiny Tears, Stagnant (Yea, pretty much the whole side 2 of Terria)
Depth Charge, Random Analysis, Away, Sunday Afternoon, Slow Me Down
Let It Roll, Hypergeek, Triumph, Gaia
Resolve!, The Way Home!, Awake!!
Coast, Gato, Praise the Lowered, The Mighty Masturbator, Deconstruction
Liberation, Happy Birthday, Quietus, The Mind Wasp
Rain City, Before We Die
So many songs he's never played live or almost never played live.
I'm dying to hear Suicide live as it's my favorite song of his by far. Maybe one day.
I think an ideal set from me would have these lesser played songs:
Suicide
Liberation
Tiny Tears
Depth Charge
Storm
Triumph
Pixilate
Bastard
Funeral
Take My Ego
Just had my first spin of the bonus disc. Some real interesting stuff here, but didn't blow me away like the main CD. It's apparent to me that he didn't take as much time on these songs as the others. Also, it seems to be mixed a lot worse than the Disc 1, but that could just be me.
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I think it's kind of odd that songs from his last couple albums (not counting Casualties) are considered overplayed already. March of the Poozers and Rejoice are still new tunes to me.
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I think it's kind of odd that songs from his last couple albums (not counting Casualties) are considered overplayed already. March of the Poozers and Rejoice are still new tunes to me.
I think its more an issue of these songs already having had a place in the setlist on the last tour cycle he did while promoting Z2. Poozers and Rejoice have kinda been played to death since 2014 already.
I'd love to see Rain City live instead as ChuckSteak mentioned, or War Princess. Just bring out the other songs on the album besides the singles and the ones they've already played. When the next DTP album comes out we'll probably see Failure still on the setlist again and again and again instead of From The Heart or Gump.
I really wish he'd make Poltergeist a regular part of his set, that song slays and would probably be great in a live setting. Or literally anything from Synchestra besides Vampira.
Triumph and Notes From Africa would both be swell. Anything from Accelerated Evolution also would be cool, Suicide and Sunday Afternoon in particular.
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I think it's kind of odd that songs from his last couple albums (not counting Casualties) are considered overplayed already. March of the Poozers and Rejoice are still new tunes to me.
I may be wrong, but I think he played March of the Poozers and Rejoice everywhere, USA and Europe. I think he could vary the songs a little bit. I don't consider Casualties a Devin record, it is more of a side-project. I don't think he will play Casulties songs live while he is touring with DTP.
I don't know why he keeps playing the same songs when there is so much else he could play live. A lot of songs he's never played.
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Finally got Transcendence (with the Holding Patterns bonus disk) through the post this morning. First listen is underway. So hoping this will blow my socks off after the wait :metal
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Yeah the second disc is great as well.
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Bought the deluxe edition online this morning. A lot going on this weekend (wedding tonight, football tomorrow), but I will find time to get to it all. :hat
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I don't know why he keeps playing the same songs when there is so much else he could play live. A lot of songs he's never played.
In the case of Accelerated Evolution I'd argue that most of it is just not good live music. Deadhead is his most played song off it for a pretty good reason.
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Time Overload on the bonus disc is awesome.
Canucklehead pretty blatantly rips off/borrows from CCR's Travelin' Band.
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Pumped to see him in a few hours, Anneke was amazing in the Gentle Storm last night! This is going to be orgasmic. :metal :metal
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very jealous. Atlanta's a 3 hour drive for me which is the closest he'll get. but it's still too far to drive back after the concert for me, and with 2 small kids it's just not doable. have fun and rock out for me! let me know the setlist.
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Yea enjoying the bonus disk a lot, just like I enjoyed Epiclouder :biggrin:
So jealous of all you guys seeing Devy, I've got to wait until March :tdwn
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Yea enjoying the bonus disk a lot, just like I enjoyed Epiclouder :biggrin:
So jealous of all you guys seeing Devy, I've got to wait until March :tdwn
Yea but maybe the setlist he plays in Europe will be better. ;)
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Yea enjoying the bonus disk a lot, just like I enjoyed Epiclouder :biggrin:
So jealous of all you guys seeing Devy, I've got to wait until March :tdwn
Yea but maybe the setlist he plays in Europe will be better. ;)
Good point. All good things come to those wait........or live in Europe :lol
To be honest though it will be my first time seeing him live so I'm not too fussed on the set as it will all be a first for me.
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I'm seeing him for the first time in Orlando tomorrow night. I hope there's some decent looking women there to
keep me occupied during the first two bands, for I don't see myself paying too much attention to them.
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Canucklehead pretty blatantly rips off/borrows from CCR's Travelin' Band.
I mean, it's Devin's one time to have fun in your standard 12 bar blues that's similar to a ton of songs from the 60s.
Long Tall Sally by the Beatles is another off the top of my head.
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He just finished at ProgPower and played a fairly different set and was amazingoing with anneke. He got real pissed at the guitar Tech for messing up the acoustic guitar. Also he he recorded the show. :metal
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He just finished at ProgPower and played a fairly different set and was amazingoing with anneke. He got real pissed at the guitar Tech for messing up the acoustic guitar. Also he he recorded the show. :metal
Good. I hope he releases it sometime.
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The ProgPower set is awesome, I hope I get to see Angel and Numbered! as well when I see him in February.
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Whenever Anneke is touring with him, I think certain songs should almost be a given to play, and Numbered is one of those songs. :metal
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Pretty sure that's the debut of "Angel" and "Offer Your Light", which is awesome.
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Yea, they played most of Addicted which was amazing, also got Offer Your Light which was really fun live. A new song I really like.
Setlist.fm doesn't note either that he actually opened with a cover of the song Summer of 69. He only played the beginning and then went into Angel, but he did actually perform it (not from the PA).
That was an amazing experience, one of the best shows ever. Well the whole festival really, but his performance was the one I looked forward to the most and the band delivered. I love how he pulled out different songs and Anneke was soooooo amazing. She adds so much to the live experience.
They did have a bunch of technical issues though, with Dev's guitar and also with Anneke's mic during Grace. He mentioned he paid $1300 for the recording of the show, but makes me wonder with the issues if he would still release it. I certainly hope so. I actually felt bad for the guitar tech since Dev actually was calling him out on the mistake before Ih-Ah.
Anyway, I got a video of Angel and shared it with a girl I've been seeing and she was amazed at Anneke's voice. It really shines in this song. https://youtu.be/qe3zszfuyUw (https://youtu.be/qe3zszfuyUw)
Edit to also add that the curtain also fucked up opening for him. He was right behind it cracking jokes which was hilarious acting like he was trying to get out.
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The ProgPower set is awesome, I hope I get to see Angel and Numbered! as well when I see him in February.
I am also seeing him in February. German?
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Pretty sure that's the debut of "Angel" and "Offer Your Light", which is awesome.
I think that first song was played on the Progressive Nation at Sea cruise but im not sure
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The ProgPower set is awesome, I hope I get to see Angel and Numbered! as well when I see him in February.
I am also seeing him in February. German?
Yup. Where are you seeing him?
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The ProgPower set is awesome, I hope I get to see Angel and Numbered! as well when I see him in February.
I am also seeing him in February. German?
Yup. Where are you seeing him?
Stuttgart. You?
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The ProgPower set is awesome, I hope I get to see Angel and Numbered! as well when I see him in February.
I am also seeing him in February. German?
Yup. Where are you seeing him?
Stuttgart. You?
Leipzig.
In other news, I just listened to the bonus disc for the first time. First impressions are pretty damn positive, though I do think that it kind of runs together in the middle, with the run of Lexus - Farther On - Victim being the least interesting part of the album. However, Gump through Time Overload is awesome and the closing three songs in particular are just a really good run of music. I especially enjoy the breather that Loud provides at the end, allowing the listener to come down from the insanity of Monkeymind and the exuberance of Canucklehead.
Like the main album, this needs more listens, but I'd give it a tentative 8/10 at this point (I'd give the main album a 8.5/10 at this point, but I'm pretty sure that both of those scores will change as I listen to both the main album and the bonus disc more in the coming weeks).
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As far as I'm concerned Dev can keep churning out these 'bonus disks' with his albums forever. They are often full of so many great songs, he chucks in some goofy ones and songs that didn't fit the feel of the main album. Let's be honest a lot of the tracks are as good as main album tracks anyway. It still surprises me how quickly he pumps this stuff out, especially as it's such high quality :metal
I still haven't touched some of Devy's less popular albums. The Hummer, Ass Sordid Demos or whatever it's called etc...
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I still haven't touched some of Devy's less popular albums. The Hummer, Ass Sordid Demos or whatever it's called etc...
Me neither and I have been listening to Dev for years. I think it is time to get them.
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I actually kinda like The Hummer. I have to be in the right mood for it. Devlab, on the other hand, is just annoying and I have no desire to ever listen to it again. I haven't checked out The Ass-Sordid Demos.
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Canucklehead is great, its like Sunshine and Happiness all over again. I love these songs as they are just fun. I'd actually love an album of songs like this, pretty sure Dev could knock up a whole album of this stuff in a day :lol
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Well I stayed away from Physicist for quite a while because it seemed to have a bad reputation. I haven't got a problem with it though, it's not his best but it's still good. I'm not the sort of person whose ear picks up bad production or whatever so the production never bothered me.
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Too much Dev? Not enough Dev?
(https://i.imgur.com/VpIKxsA.png)
That's almost 2.5 days of Devin's music. That's including SYL, Casualties, DTP and DTB.
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Did anyone else who bought DTP/BTBAM VIP tickets not receive the BTBAM ep in their email yet?
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Did anyone else who bought DTP/BTBAM VIP tickets not receive the BTBAM ep in their email yet?
Haven't gotten mine either
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Did anyone else who bought DTP/BTBAM VIP tickets not receive the BTBAM ep in their email yet?
Haven't gotten mine either
:-\
Too much Dev? Not enough Dev?
(https://i.imgur.com/VpIKxsA.png)
That's almost 2.5 days of Devin's music. That's including SYL, Casualties, DTP and DTB.
Is it possible that Devin Townsend has the most recorded studio material out of any musician, ever? Like, seriously though. I wouldn't be surprised if that was a fact. Maybe he's rivaled by Mike Portnoy at this point but since Devin actually writes all of his material as opposed to just recording an instrument track for his projects.... who else has a back catalog that big?
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Did anyone else who bought DTP/BTBAM VIP tickets not receive the BTBAM ep in their email yet?
Haven't gotten mine either
:-\
Too much Dev? Not enough Dev?
(https://i.imgur.com/VpIKxsA.png)
That's almost 2.5 days of Devin's music. That's including SYL, Casualties, DTP and DTB.
Is it possible that Devin Townsend has the most recorded studio material out of any musician, ever? Like, seriously though. I wouldn't be surprised if that was a fact. Maybe he's rivaled by Mike Portnoy at this point but since Devin actually writes all of his material as opposed to just recording an instrument track for his projects.... who else has a back catalog that big?
Not even close. Frank Zappa and Buckethead immediately come to mind. Could probably think of many more.
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Definitely Buckethead. He's probably released double that amount of music in the past 2 years alone.
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He had something insane like 50 albums last year alone.
You also have to take into account musicians who do a lot of session work and Jazz musicians who appeared on tons of albums.
Original material narrows it down a bit, but even then I don't think Dev comes close.
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Oh yeah yeah I forgot about Buckethead lol. He's just ridiculous.
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Plus, didn't Tangerine Dream release a million albums or something?
Terria finally went from $2000 to $5.60 so I scooped that up. :lol
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Just got in from the Orlando show. Holy shit, that was a religious experience.
I also got to hang out with each member of the band individually for about a total of an hour. Devin was
the last. He was able to stand the whole show, but was on crutches when I talked to him.
I have to say, I have seen just about every band and their brother in my time, and met quite a few of them, but these guys were by far
the classiest and most gracious group of guys I've ever met. Every band out there could learn a thing or two about fan interaction from
them. I will also say Ryan just might be the most underrated drummer on the planet. Incredible chops.
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Just got in from the Orlando show. Holy shit, that was a religious experience.
I also got to hang out with each member of the band individually for about a total of an hour. Devin was
the last. He was able to stand the whole show, but was on crutches when I talked to him.
I have to say, I have seen just about every band and their brother in my time, and met quite a few of them, but these guys were by far
the classiest and most gracious group of guys I've ever met. Every band out there could learn a thing or two about fan interaction from
them. I will also say Ryan just might be the most underrated drummer on the planet. Incredible chops.
That sounds amazing. March can't come quickly enough!!
I love the fact you described that as a religious experience. I've had a couple of experiences, whilst seeing bands live, that I can only describe as coming close to an out of body experience. It's only happened a couple of times but it's literally like the music and the atmosphere takes you to another place.
That is the live experience I crave.
I can totally imagine them being the nicest guys as well, I've been watching all the videos they've been posting recently. 0% rock star bullshit :biggrin:
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Just got in from the Orlando show. Holy shit, that was a religious experience.
I also got to hang out with each member of the band individually for about a total of an hour. Devin was
the last. He was able to stand the whole show, but was on crutches when I talked to him.
I have to say, I have seen just about every band and their brother in my time, and met quite a few of them, but these guys were by far
the classiest and most gracious group of guys I've ever met. Every band out there could learn a thing or two about fan interaction from
them. I will also say Ryan just might be the most underrated drummer on the planet. Incredible chops.
That sounds amazing. March can't come quickly enough!!
I love the fact you described that as a religious experience. I've had a couple of experiences, whilst seeing bands live, that I can only describe as coming close to an out of body experience. It's only happened a couple of times but it's literally like the music and the atmosphere takes you to another place.
That is the live experience I crave.
I can totally imagine them being the nicest guys as well, I've been watching all the videos they've been posting recently. 0% rock star bullshit :biggrin:
Absolutely no egos whatsoever. It felt like I was hanging out with fellow music nerds. They all went beyond what could anyone could hope in terms of making sure *every* fan was taken care of in what they wanted, and Devin had a huge smile on his face with everyone he interacted with. He talked about how he liked our weather (which funny enough, I hate) and one of our restaurants they ate at when they arrived in town. It all just seemed so genuine.
As much as I liked "Failure" the first time I heard, hearing it live made me love the song even more. By the time he got through the first chorus, my eyes welled up a bit. It was that glorious.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmXgl9nLG4s
Part 6 of the Documentary
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I also got to hang out with each member of the band individually for about a total of an hour. Devin was
the last. He was able to stand the whole show, but was on crutches when I talked to him.
Wait, what??
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Yeah, when I first saw him, I didn't even recognize him at first glance because he had a sweater cap on (even though it was damn near 80 degrees and humid as hell at that time of night) and was on aluminum crutches. I knew he had injured his foot, but didn't think he would be on crutches after doing an entire show standing.
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This was covered in the tour documentary episodes. He sprained his foot lifting a 500lb tire at a gym. (Seriously!) He saw a physiotherapist, who obviously suggested keeping off the foot, so he's trying that as often as possible.
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There's so many good songs on Transcendence, but Gump is one of the best songs on either disc. I am so into that song right now, it's tight, it's catchy, it's complex. I can only assume it didn't make disc 1 because it didn't fit the theme somehow. Let's hear it for Gump!
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I've just completed my first listen of the Contain Us bonus disc, Stuff That Was Almost Stuff, and I have to say, it's pretty damn awesome. Traestorz isn't my thing, but many of the other songs (of which I previously only knew Synchronicity Freaks, Radial Highway and Watch You) are a really enjoyable listen, especially Juno, Ho Krll, Sticks and Stones and Dinosaurs.
I've been on a serious Devin kick lately. I might start doing a full discog listen sometime this week, that's something that I really want to do some time or another.
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Concert last night was awesome :metal I got Dev to sign my copies of Casualties, the Royal Albert Hall album, Addicted, the 2 Ass-Sordid demos, and the album he did with Steve Vai. The guys in BTBAM are cool guys too.
Dev played a shortened version of the setlist from earlier this tour No Supercrush or Grace and no encore. Rejoice was fun but I would have preferred a song from Sky Blue that hasn't been played to death. The new songs are great live but I could barely hear Dev's solo in in Failure.
BTBAM sounded great. They played Coma Ecliptic in full with no encore. It was my first time listening to Coma all the way through and my god it is a killer album.
Fallujah sucked. Sorry, just not my cup of tea.
During Ih-Ah some jackass yelled out "Detox!", so in the middle of the song Dev did an impromptu acoustic version of it which was amazing :hefdaddy
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On this co-headline tour, who has been the second band playing? Has it been rotating, does anyone know?
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Last night it was
Fallujah
BTBAM
DTP
I would assume that's order for every night.
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Concert last night was awesome :metal I got Dev to sign my copies of Casualties, the Royal Albert Hall album, Addicted, the 2 Ass-Sordid demos, and the album he did with Steve Vai. The guys in BTBAM are cool guys too.
Dev played a shortened version of the setlist from earlier this tour No Supercrush or Grace and no encore. Rejoice was fun but I would have preferred a song from Sky Blue that hasn't been played to death. The new songs are great live but I could barely hear Dev's solo in in Failure.
BTBAM sounded great. They played Coma Ecliptic in full with no encore. It was my first time listening to Coma all the way through and my god it is a killer album.
Fallujah sucked. Sorry, just not my cup of tea.
During Ih-Ah some jackass yelled out "Detox!", so in the middle of the song Dev did an impromptu acoustic version of it which was amazing :hefdaddy
Fallujah didn't impress me, either. However, their drummer was amazing. No "Supercrush" or "Grace"? They did both here in Orlando. This was my first time seeing them live, so I'm glad they were included.
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When DTP was setting up their stuff onstage Dave Young played the riff from Planet of the Apes. They didn't play it unfortunately but since they have BTBAM with them, it'd be a stupid missed opportunity if they didn't play that at least once on this tour.
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I've just completed my first listen of the Contain Us bonus disc, Stuff That Was Almost Stuff, and I have to say, it's pretty damn awesome. Traestorz isn't my thing, but many of the other songs (of which I previously only knew Synchronicity Freaks, Radial Highway and Watch You) are a really enjoyable listen, especially Juno, Ho Krll, Sticks and Stones and Dinosaurs.
I've been on a serious Devin kick lately. I might start doing a full discog listen sometime this week, that's something that I really want to do some time or another.
Yea, I've actually just downloaded that today as well. I'm slowly filling in the blanks in his back catalogue. I also got the Live at the Royal Albert Hall album as well as it was cheap on iTunes. I've watched it on youtube before but listening through my stereo was amazing. It's really one of the best live albums I've ever heard. Dev's banter is on point, the drums sound huge and it's a cracking setlist. I think I prefer the live version of the Z2 album over the studio as it just sounds so huge. It's awesome.
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I've just completed my first listen of the Contain Us bonus disc, Stuff That Was Almost Stuff, and I have to say, it's pretty damn awesome. Traestorz isn't my thing, but many of the other songs (of which I previously only knew Synchronicity Freaks, Radial Highway and Watch You) are a really enjoyable listen, especially Juno, Ho Krll, Sticks and Stones and Dinosaurs.
I've been on a serious Devin kick lately. I might start doing a full discog listen sometime this week, that's something that I really want to do some time or another.
Yea, I've actually just downloaded that today as well. I'm slowly filling in the blanks in his back catalogue. I also got the Live at the Royal Albert Hall album as well as it was cheap on iTunes. I've watched it on youtube before but listening through my stereo was amazing. It's really one of the best live albums I've ever heard. Dev's banter is on point, the drums sound huge and it's a cracking setlist. I think I prefer the live version of the Z2 album over the studio as it just sounds so huge. It's awesome.
Totes agreed about STWAS. Despite being half finished and so on, it's a really great listen until "Traestorz" starts to drag out too long. I like the whole song, just need to be in the right frame of mind to get through it. Also, if you want more "Sticks and Stones," it's an excerpt from the "Oodles of Noodles/Ki Jam" that Dev released online for free, and it runs like 15 minutes.
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Listened to some of Transcendence today, surprised it was quite good. Feels quite closer to the classic sound of Devin while mixing a bit of the DTP era.
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Did one listen through of Transcendence, so I need a lot more listens before I make any final judgments.
But the music is just god damn inspired. Really loved it. The playing by everyone, the mix, just fantastic. The only thing I felt lacking was the vocals. They were fine, never bad and sometimes good, but never really great. Dev is one of the most talented singers I've ever heard, but he really just seems to do the choir thing now a days way too much and it all blurs together. He also felt pretty low in the mix.
The bonus disk, however, was just insane. Some of those songs had great vocals. No idea why he didn't take that kind of approach to the main disk.
Over all, I really like this and will listen to it a lot more to get a better feel for it.
Oh, except Higher. Didn't like that one as much.
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Cover of Accept's "Fast as a Shark" for Metal Hammer magazine featuring Dev on lead vocals
https://soundcloud.com/user-732842048/fast-as-a-shark-accept-cover
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Did one listen through of Transcendence, so I need a lot more listens before I make any final judgments.
But the music is just god damn inspired. Really loved it. The playing by everyone, the mix, just fantastic. The only thing I felt lacking was the vocals. They were fine, never bad and sometimes good, but never really great. Dev is one of the most talented singers I've ever heard, but he really just seems to do the choir thing now a days way too much and it all blurs together. He also felt pretty low in the mix.
The bonus disk, however, was just insane. Some of those songs had great vocals. No idea why he didn't take that kind of approach to the main disk.
Over all, I really like this and will listen to it a lot more to get a better feel for it.
Oh, except Higher. Didn't like that one as much.
Hmmm, well, I love Higher, but I agree that some of the songs on the bonus disc are fantastic. I already cannot get enough of Celestial Signals and Time Overload.
I see what you mean about the vocals, but as long as the songs are great, it doesn't bother me if he doesn't go for the stratosphere with the vocals a lot. I was a bit surprised that Anneke wasn't used in a lead vocal role more, but I would rather he use her where she fits rather than forcing songs just for her sake. The combination of their two voices together is still magic, regardless. :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
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First I want to say that I think Transcendence is absolutely great, probably my favorite from Dev and company since at least Deconstruction and maybe even Addicted!. Having said that.....
Dev is one of the most talented singers I've ever heard, but he really just seems to do the choir thing now a days way too much and it all blurs together.
I've been meaning to come here and post this exact thought. I get what Devin is going for with the use of the choir/choral thing but he's sort of leaning on it at the moment. It sounds -fine- but he doesn't need it and its really just distracting in a lot of the songs now for me.
We know how Devin is and I wonder if for some reason he's not confident in his vocals at this time for some reason? For me he doesn't need all that additional on top of his vocals. His range from growls to operatic and just his midway-regular voice is perfect for his music. I wish he'd strip it back some and just do something like Ocean Machine again personally.
And Higher is a great song IMO... you just have to get past that choir stuff.
...........................
Also got to see the DTP in concert in Charlotte on 9/12!!! He (along with Dream Theater) seem averse to coming even this far south so I am so thrilled to have finally caught him live. They sold out and had an awesome crowd. It was Between the Buried and Me's -hometown show- so along with DTP it was hugely successful.
Even though Devin is struggling with his injury he didn't show it once on stage all night. He was a beast and the band was great. Have to agree with Metropolis; I was blown away by BTBM's show as well... With so much going on in their music I was curious how they would perform live and they were absolutely fantastic. (I happened to enjoy Fallujah as well and thought they were tight too). Excellent show all around for me!
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Im with both of you guys on the choir usage. It's a large reason why Higher and Grace are rated much lower for me than the general DT fans. Neither are bad songs, but the choir parts really bring them down for me.
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Higher is probably my least favourite from the album. Don't get what all the fuss is about.
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Higher is probably my least favourite from the album. Don't get what all the fuss is about.
+1.
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It's got some great sections but as a whole it's an unorganized jumble of riffs and it goes on too long.
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The build up and scream are amazing, definitely a highlight of the album for me, but the song as a whole just has good parts but not a great song IMO.
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I remember reading that it wasn't well regarded before I heard it. Then it came on, with the acoustic or whatever intro and I was like "The hell are those guys on? This is awesome!" then the rest of the song continued, and I understood the criticism. Calling it a jumbled collection of good and bad ideas is spot on.
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I did notice that the vocal melody for the intro to Higher is very similar to the verses for Canada from Terria.
Probably not intentional, but you never know with Dev.
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Ok, since Transcendence came out I have been in full Devin Townsend mode. I can't stop listening to all his albums and I've picked up some other demos and things that I hadn't heard before.
I really love the majority of his albums but no matter how many times I listen to Ghost and Casualties of Cool they just don't do it for me like his other albums.
I don't mind his more mellow, restrained side ( I really like Ki for instance) but a whole album in the style of Ghost/CoC I just find boring. If I'm in the mood to listen to chilled music then Devin isn't exactly what springs to mind. Those albums wash over me or just fade into the background, which is fine I guess, but compare it to how I feel when I listen to Ocean Machine or Epicloud then it's really no contest.
Maybe one day I'll come to appreciate them more but at this point they just move me the least out of all the albums I've heard by him.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSfPZ9JmNzw
Dev's a fucking nice guy. :)
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I did not like the setlist at all on this tour.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSfPZ9JmNzw
Dev's a fucking nice guy. :)
Hi Nate! :lol Pretty cool of him.
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I did not like the setlist at all on this tour.
Overall, I was rather pleased with it. I was disappointed "Deadhead" didn't make it on the list, but the live experience
was just too awesome for that to detract from anything.
I just got around to diving deeper into the bonus disc a few days ago. Fucking wow. It's every bit as solid as disc 1 in a totally different
way. Devin knocked it out of the fucking park this time around. "Transcendence" is easily album of the year for me.
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Back from Atlanta and in NYC for work today but spending the night here and going to see DTF again tonight. Super pumped because the setli st is fairly different than the progpower one so between the two shows I'll have gotten a good dose of DTF music. Anyone else going to the show tonight? Also I LOVE the Playstation theater in times square. :metal
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Back from Atlanta and in NYC for work today but spending the night here and going to see DTF again tonight. Super pumped because the setli st is fairly different than the progpower one so between the two shows I'll have gotten a good dose of DTF music. Anyone else going to the show tonight? Also I LOVE the Playstation theater in times square. :metal
I'll be there too! Can't wait for it, a little sad it's not Devin headlining but still going to be a blast!
Sorry if I slightly block your view as I'm 6'4" :(
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Back from Atlanta and in NYC for work today but spending the night here and going to see DTF again tonight. Super pumped because the setli st is fairly different than the progpower one so between the two shows I'll have gotten a good dose of DTF music. Anyone else going to the show tonight? Also I LOVE the Playstation theater in times square. :metal
I'll be there too! Can't wait for it, a little sad it's not Devin headlining but still going to be a blast!
Sorry if I slightly block your view as I'm 6'4" :(
How do you know he isn't headlining? That's very dissapointing for me.
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How do you know he isn't headlining? That's very dissapointing for me.
Well, I'm not sure exactly, but moreso that I expected it be like it was Animals As Leaders where he doesn't get a massive full set like he would in the past and splits it with the other band.
I hope I'm wrong though!
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Yeah since BTBAM joined them this tour, his setlist was cut by a few songs. With 3 bands playing, 1 of which is playing an entire album, they're kind of strapped for time.
And Spoiler alert:
Don't expect an encore. For BTBAM or Devin.
I wish they'd drop Fallujah. That shit was horrible. Take them out and everybody could get a longer set + an encore.
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How do you know he isn't headlining? That's very dissapointing for me.
Well, I'm not sure exactly, but moreso that I expected it be like it was Animals As Leaders where he doesn't get a massive full set like he would in the past and splits it with the other band.
I hope I'm wrong though!
I called the Playstation Theater, they didn't know set times yet but did confirm DTP is playing last.
Also I think an encore or not depends on the timing of the show. If it's going longer then no encore. From setlist.fm it seems some shows did get an encore and some did not.
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I wish they'd drop Fallujah. That shit was horrible. Take them out and everybody could get a longer set + an encore.[/size]
Their last album was fucking amazing. :(
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I wish they'd drop Fallujah. That shit was horrible. Take them out and everybody could get a longer set + an encore.[/size]
Their last album was fucking amazing. :(
If you like it good for you :tup I was bored out of my mind hearing them live.
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I wish they'd drop Fallujah. That shit was horrible. Take them out and everybody could get a longer set + an encore.[/size]
Their last album was fucking amazing. :(
Agreed! Fallujah are great and I'm kinda sad I'm not seeing this tour.
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I wish they'd drop Fallujah. That shit was horrible. Take them out and everybody could get a longer set + an encore.[/size]
Their last album was fucking amazing. :(
If you like it good for you :tup I was bored out of my mind hearing them live.
They seemed out of place from my experience at the gig.
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As I mentioned in a previous post, their drummer was really good, but the unintelligible grizzly bear vocals killed it for me.
So, I headed out to the lobby after about two or three songs in.
After Devin's set was over, two members of Fallujah walked out of the plaza front door, and tried to walk back in about a minute later. They have a very strict
no re-entry policy there, and security was all over them like stink on shit. One of the band members yelled out "we're Fallujah, we're Fallujah!!". One of the security
guys said "you're WHAT?!?!", then a few fans came over to explain that they were the opening band. The security guy scolded them, and said "shit, why didn't
you just use the fucking back door!!"
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Sick show last night! When I was walking towards the venue there was an outdoor smoking area and I immediately noticed Beavis chilling. I yelled at him, he acknowledged, but after I got inside, he also just walked in and we ended up riding the escalator together down into the main lobby. We chatted about how awesome ProgPower was. The band and crowd were pretty awesome. I knew what to expect and they delivered. After the show I went back to my hotel room which was one block away for a bit. I went back out to grab some food and noticed the tour van had pulled in front of the venue so I walked over and saw a couple people who I met in the pit and they told me everyone has come out except Dev. So I waited a couple minutes with them and there he came.
So here's the awesome part. I got to tell told him a story. When I saw him play last week in Atlanta, he said something to the crowd before Grace. He said everyone do something nice for someone. It didn't mean much at all when I heard it, but two nights later I drove up to Chattanooga for fun and stopped at a fried chicken spot in maybe not the greatest area of town. After dinner I sat in my car and was setting my GPS when someone started screaming at me. It was a homeless guy asking me to roll down my window. He scared the crap out of me, but I rolled down the window slightly and he asked for some money for fried chicken. I typically don't hand out, but the music was on in my car and it was the song Stars. I remembered what Devin said. I told the homeless guy to thank Devin and gave him 10 bucks. Devin was so happy when I told him this story. So we had to do thumbs up together.
(https://scontent.fewr1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14264978_10111635377826454_3347136736779013994_n.jpg?oh=458748eabd33dc5d62e7d1948af8ede0&oe=58389BBB)
(https://scontent.fewr1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14316980_10111635378305494_986211236347245146_n.jpg?oh=b8068c02ffdbfff15bf2fade60bf87ba&oe=5879C8C6)
Ziltoid Goes Home https://youtu.be/MhwMql4Ss5A (https://youtu.be/MhwMql4Ss5A)
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Very cool! :metal
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Devin on a Friday night. In New York City.
Fuckin' aye, man. Fuckin' aye.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQTlvovdaEs&feature=youtu.be
Final part of the documentary
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I did not like the setlist at all on this tour.
As my first Dev concert, it's not really what I would have wanted going in. I'm also not a fan of Z2, and maybe really like about half of Transcendence, but other than the Z2 songs I had a freaking blast.
As far as Fallujah goes, I remember liking their last album, but like most opening bands, they were way too loud, which produced a lot of unpleasant, unnecessary distortion where you couldn't make out much of what was going on.
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I'm honestly going for Coma Ecliptic, Devin is more of a bonus so any setlist he plays is fine by me.
Not looking forward to Fallujah, I'm really over that style of metal now.
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I'm loving the new album a lot (big shock, I know :lol), but it's hard deciding which songs I like the best so far. That's a good thing, as the whole thing sounds so good.
One minor quibble: the long fadeout/ambient ending of Transdermal Celebration. Not sure why Devin feels the need so much nowadays to do that sort of thing (like with Awake and Before We Die, as well).
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I'm loving the new album a lot (big shock, I know :lol), but it's hard deciding which songs I like the best so far. That's a good thing, as the whole thing sounds so good.
One minor quibble: the long fadeout/ambient ending of Transdermal Celebration. Not sure why Devin feels the need so much nowadays to do that sort of thing (like with Awake and Before We Die, as well).
I love when he does that. He does good ambient music, Project EKO. That ending is beautiful and is the real ending to the album.
But, how can you not like the ending.
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You know what I take it back I really like Higher
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I'm loving the new album a lot (big shock, I know :lol), but it's hard deciding which songs I like the best so far. That's a good thing, as the whole thing sounds so good.
One minor quibble: the long fadeout/ambient ending of Transdermal Celebration. Not sure why Devin feels the need so much nowadays to do that sort of thing (like with Awake and Before We Die, as well).
I love when he does that. He does good ambient music, Project EKO. That ending is beautiful and is the real ending to the album.
But, how can you not like the ending.
I don't not like the ending; I just think it feels a bit tacked on. Devin does do ambient stuff well, but when it's stuck as the latter half of a song that is otherwise very different, it sometimes feels a bit odd. Being a prog fan, I should be used to that, but when Devin does it, it doesn't always work, IMO. The endings of The Fluke and Notes from Africa are two other good examples of "tacked on" endings that felt a bit unnecessary.
That all aside, Devin is still one of my musical gods whom I bow to without regret or shame. :biggrin: :metal
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"Transdermal Celebration", for me, is very listenable, but is certainly not a favorite. Speaking of endings, I've seen a few reviews
with complaints about the ending of "From the Heart", which I don't understand at all. I like it a lot.
But overall, I can't praise this album enough. It exceeded my expectations big time, and I think "Stars" might be the somewhat overlooked gem
of the album.
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I'm loving the 1, 2 punch of Monkey Mind/Canucklehead at the moment. The bonus disk is great.
I can't even decide if I like the main album or bonus disk more ???
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Saw the concert in Columbus last night.
Fallujah were awesome, great performance.
BTBAM were disappointing live. WAY too fuckin loud. Also not the biggest fan of Coma Ecliptic anyway. They weren't very friendly at the meet and greet either. Overall, not a good appearence. Sorry guys :/
Devin and the band however more than made up for it with a perfect mix, awesome setlist, and stellar performance. Its amazing how Dev takes the time to give everyone in the first two rows and hug and a handshake after the last song. I'm sure if it was possible he'd make his way through the entire crowd and make sure that everyone there got at least 30 seconds of his time.
One of the best shows I've been to in a while.
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One thing about BTBAM live that irked me is that Tommy Rogers does not know how to hold a goddamn microphone. He would put his whole hand over it when he screamed or sang, which cuts out a lot of bass frequencies that would have been picked up otherwise, so the screams didn't sound powerful, and you could barely make him out in the mix. Compared to Devin, who is playing guitar while he sings, and he comes through crystal clear because he's not obstructing the thing that's supposed to make him heard.
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I'm loving the 1, 2 punch of Monkey Mind/Canucklehead at the moment. The bonus disk is great.
I can't even decide if I like the main album or bonus disk more ???
For me, it would be tough to pick one over the other, too. I guess I just consider them two different pieces of work with their own purposes.
Disc 1 is the more deep and emotive side, and disc 2 is more the fun side.
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One thing about BTBAM live that irked me is that Tommy Rogers does not know how to hold a goddamn microphone. He would put his whole hand over it when he screamed or sang, which cuts out a lot of bass frequencies that would have been picked up otherwise, so the screams didn't sound powerful, and you could barely make him out in the mix. Compared to Devin, who is playing guitar while he sings, and he comes through crystal clear because he's not obstructing the thing that's supposed to make him heard.
So many vocals who use guttural techniques do that and I'll never understand why. It doesn't take a degree in acoustics to know that doing that is going to muffle your sound.
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The biography is now pushed back to December for North America -_-
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He'll be 3/4 of the way there by the time the book comes out
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If anyone's curious, the Japanese bonus tracks for Transcendence have surfaced:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqMs_zMJwksLyyFwXbPhSAxNsN-Kd0RsM
I also have a dropbox link if anyone wants them
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If anyone's curious, the Japanese bonus tracks for Transcendence have surfaced:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqMs_zMJwksLyyFwXbPhSAxNsN-Kd0RsM
Awesome, thanks!
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If anyone's curious, the Japanese bonus tracks for Transcendence have surfaced:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqMs_zMJwksLyyFwXbPhSAxNsN-Kd0RsM
Thanks! Wolves is awesome.
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Man, I came to love this record! As usual Devin delivers what I need in my life at this specific moment, I don't know how he does that. Any of you guys following the online tour documentary? It's so fun.
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Yea the tour docs are great. I have only seen a couple, but its really well done.
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Stupid question, but the scream at the end of Intronaut's Habitual Levitations album is for sure a callback to Devin right?
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Anybody catching the Vegas show next saturday?
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Headliner in Austin tonight :metal
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Anybody catching the Vegas show next saturday?
Shit, I may be heading to Vegas sometime before the end of the year. I've already seen him, but Devin and Vegas sounds like the ultimate
combination.
Also, I'm totally digging "Farther On" from the bonus disc. I've always been a sucker for Lydian mode based songs.
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Anybody catching the Vegas show next saturday?
Devin and Vegas sounds like the ultimate
combination.
That it does.
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Got my copy of Dev's book today, anyone else got theirs?
Definitely diving into this bad boy asap. Can't find the track list for the album, Iceland, that came with it. Anyone know what's on it? I think it's just acoustic recordings of old songs.
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Wikipedia Fact or Fiction with Dev
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9ZdpLSUrTU
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Got my copy of Dev's book today, anyone else got theirs?
Definitely diving into this bad boy asap. Can't find the track list for the album, Iceland, that came with it. Anyone know what's on it? I think it's just acoustic recordings of old songs.
Can't wait! I really just want to find out if I'm in the book. :)
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Wikipedia Fact or Fiction with Dev
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9ZdpLSUrTU
This was pretty cool
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Will his book be available on any other website? I am just interested in the book, nothing else. Don't want to pay 35 pounds + delivery for a book.
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Wikipedia Fact or Fiction with Dev
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9ZdpLSUrTU
:tup
Oh, and unless I am mistaken, wasn't there supposed to be an official video released for one of the songs from the new album by now?
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Wikipedia Fact or Fiction with Dev
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9ZdpLSUrTU
:tup
Oh, and unless I am mistaken, wasn't there supposed to be an official video released for one of the songs from the new album by now?
"Stormbending" was filmed against green screens a few weeks ago, so it's gonna be a while until the post-production is finished.
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Devin in Vegas was awesome. His set was so much fun. Great choice of songs and by the time it ended I felt like he was just getting started. I'm very rarely left wanting more at concerts, usually an hour or 90 minutes per band is enough for me unless it's an evening with deal. The guy is an excellent entertainer too. He's funny but also you can sense a genuine appreciation toward the audience. A top class performer. He also took the time to shake everyone's hands in the front as well as chat a little. Really gracious guy.
He didn't rely on the backing tracks nearly as much as he does on the DVDs. Either that or I didn't notice it, the backing tracks that were there were mixed pretty low. It was also reasonable stuff too, like Anneke's vocals. I get more annoyed when a lead guitar part is played by a track or one of the lead vocals. But there was none of that. If you're like me and you've been reluctant to see him live for this reason, I recommend checking it out anyway. It's no secret around here that his live shows are a lot of fun, but it still exceeded my expectations. Definitely going to keep seeing him whenever he's in town.
BTBAM were awesome too btw. Their show gave me chills. BTBAM+DTP was the perfect package too. The former were very visceral. No audience interaction, it was all intensely focused on the music. Very DT-esque in that regard. But with DTP there was a lot more entertainment value. Even if you weren't a fan you could go to the show and have a great time. It was a cool contrast and I enjoyed getting a taste of both worlds last night.
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I've been catching up with the DTP tour videos on YouTube and they are GREAT! I love Devin, his band, his crew (Lisa :heart). They are just the whole package, humble, gratuitous, talented, no egos, no bullshit. I respect the hell out of Devin and his approach to playing metal. There's no bravado or macho bullshit. It's ok to play insanely heavy music then still act like a goof, dance like a Dad and make fart jokes. There are a lot of bands that could learn a lot. Also a lot of people in life in general.
I've always had a similar view to Devin in that to be "metal" you don't have to have dress a certain way or act a certain way. If you want to go to a metal gig dressed in casual clothes and dance like you are at a pop concert then that's fine. You shouldn't be made to feel any less a part of it, or like you shouldn't be there. Dev gets that and that's why he appeals to so many.
I guess people just associate themselves with a scene/culture and anything that makes them feel it less "hardcore" than it should be, in their head, scares them.
I guess I'm going off on a tangent. I just love Devin, I'm reading his autobiography at the moment and he's gaining more respect and love from me every day right now. I actually hope I can get to meet him in March. I'm not usually bothered about meeting band members but I'd love to discuss loads of world issues and views on characteristics of human behavior with him. Anyway, I digress again.
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I've been catching up with the DTP tour videos on YouTube and they are GREAT! I love Devin, his band, his crew (Lisa :heart). They are just the whole package, humble, gratuitous, talented, no egos, no bullshit. I respect the hell out of Devin and his approach to playing metal. There's no bravado or macho bullshit. It's ok to play insanely heavy music then still act like a goof, dance like a Dad and make fart jokes. There are a lot of bands that could learn a lot. Also a lot of people in life in general.
I've always had a similar view to Devin in that to be "metal" you don't have to have dress a certain way or act a certain way. If you want to go to a metal gig dressed in casual clothes and dance like you are at a pop concert then that's fine. You shouldn't be made to feel any less a part of it, or like you shouldn't be there. Dev gets that and that's why he appeals to so many.
I guess people just associate themselves with a scene/culture and anything that makes them feel it less "hardcore" than it should be, in their head, scares them.
I guess I'm going off on a tangent. I just love Devin, I'm reading his autobiography at the moment and he's gaining more respect and love from me every day right now. I actually hope I can get to meet him in March. I'm not usually bothered about meeting band members but I'd love to discuss loads of world issues and views on characteristics of human behavior with him. Anyway, I digress again.
The one thing that struck me about him when I met him last month was the fact that he went way beyond just a handshake, signing an autograph, and giving a quick "thank you" to any praise that was given. He actually conversed with everyone and asked them questions about themselves. I'm not gonna lie, I did also enjoy watching Lisa help load up the gear in her tiny shorts. I love her voice, too.
I've seen damn near everyone and their brothers in concert over the years, but this show stood out the most. The crowd was one of the liveliest and happiest I've ever seen. It was more than a concert. It was a party.
I just watched the "Walls of Jericho" vlog, too. Devin stopped the show for a frame of bowling. Fucking hilarious.
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I've been catching up with the DTP tour videos on YouTube and they are GREAT! I love Devin, his band, his crew (Lisa :heart). They are just the whole package, humble, gratuitous, talented, no egos, no bullshit. I respect the hell out of Devin and his approach to playing metal. There's no bravado or macho bullshit. It's ok to play insanely heavy music then still act like a goof, dance like a Dad and make fart jokes. There are a lot of bands that could learn a lot. Also a lot of people in life in general.
I've always had a similar view to Devin in that to be "metal" you don't have to have dress a certain way or act a certain way. If you want to go to a metal gig dressed in casual clothes and dance like you are at a pop concert then that's fine. You shouldn't be made to feel any less a part of it, or like you shouldn't be there. Dev gets that and that's why he appeals to so many.
I guess people just associate themselves with a scene/culture and anything that makes them feel it less "hardcore" than it should be, in their head, scares them.
I guess I'm going off on a tangent. I just love Devin, I'm reading his autobiography at the moment and he's gaining more respect and love from me every day right now. I actually hope I can get to meet him in March. I'm not usually bothered about meeting band members but I'd love to discuss loads of world issues and views on characteristics of human behavior with him. Anyway, I digress again.
I agree with all of this. Can't wait to get the autobiography, I just got an email saying it's being shipped :)
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To add to the above, one thing I noticed when I saw DTP in NYC was before they came on, the band themselves were on stage setting up their instruments. With the help of the crew, but I saw everyone but Devin himself on stage before they performed. You don't see that with bands. I think that helps make them humble and much more down to earth, because they are doing it all themselves.
Also with regards to the youtube videos. It amazes me what a low budget band can produce. The youtube videos are great and very well done. Devin's last two blu-rays (Retinal Circus and RAH) are amazing. The guy has some serious love for the music and it shows.
And having met him, he is 100% genuine and seems very interested in what you have to say.
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Never seems to amaze me how a fucking cool guy Devin is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-iLIozUrHs
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I think you guys will get a laugh out of this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQIu0KIDZR8
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I still haven't listened to Transcendence. Is it worth it?
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Yeah. It's not as good as Terria or OM, but it's miles ahead of Z², both sides. I'd definitely get the two-disc edition though, I like both the main album and the bonus disc pretty equally.
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I still haven't listened to Transcendence. Is it worth it?
Is this even a question? :omg: But seriously, yea, I really dig it. Haven't listened to any bonus songs myself so no comment on that from me.
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I still haven't listened to Transcendence. Is it worth it?
It's really great. Vocals are a bit weak, but I think it's his best since Ghost.
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Really good album, still growing on me but I could see it being the best since Ghost for me as well. Feels like a return to form after Z2.
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I'm loving Transcendence, but I'll say that it's taken some time to really sink in and for me to actually start to love some songs. The only thing that hit me right off the bat was the production and some melodies here and there. Also +1 for the bonus disc love; another album where I've listened more to the bonus disc than the main part of the album. Which is fine, more than fine, it's awesome.
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The only Dev album that didn't need to grow on me was Addicted. Even at his most accessible, I need a few listens to start to love it. Right now I'm really digging Secret Sciences.
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Transcendence is my overall favorite since Deconstruction and I've enjoyed pretty much all of his work.
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Transcendence is to start recording within a week!!! (insert appropriate meme) :yarr
It's been a while since I was last here. Now the symphony is upon us.
As described by Devin himself, it's a "cock symphony" :corn
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I'm loving Transcendence, but I'll say that it's taken some time to really sink in and for me to actually start to love some songs. The only thing that hit me right off the bat was the production and some melodies here and there. Also +1 for the bonus disc love; another album where I've listened more to the bonus disc than the main part of the album. Which is fine, more than fine, it's awesome.
At this point I feel like I actually like the bonus disk more than the main album!! It's so bloody good.
And, I've said it before on this thread but I'll say it again, the one-two punch of Monkey Mind/Canucklehead is just brilliant. Listening to it as I type :metal
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I'm loving Transcendence, but I'll say that it's taken some time to really sink in and for me to actually start to love some songs. The only thing that hit me right off the bat was the production and some melodies here and there. Also +1 for the bonus disc love; another album where I've listened more to the bonus disc than the main part of the album. Which is fine, more than fine, it's awesome.
At this point I feel like I actually like the bonus disk more than the main album!! It's so bloody good.
And, I've said it before on this thread but I'll say it again, the one-two punch of Monkey Mind/Canucklehead is just brilliant. Listening to it as I type :metal
I love the 2nd disk more than the main album too (same thing with Epiclouder)
Though the main album has started growing on me a bit. :tup
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Music Video for Stormbending
https://www.vevo.com/watch/devin-townsend-project/Stormbending/CA1TB1600054
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I must admit I've not seen a massive amount of Dev's music videos but that is easily the best I've seen. Really cool actually. Can't wait to hear my friends tepid reactions when I show them this :loser:
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Music Video for Stormbending
https://www.vevo.com/watch/devin-townsend-project/Stormbending/CA1TB1600054
Love it!
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That is fucking BAD ASS!!
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Stunning video. One of the best I've seen in a while.
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Very cool video. Devin is the man. :hat
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gonna be at studio seven shortly getting HYPE
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I'm on the front rail of the balcony in my dude sweater!!!
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never went up to the balcony tbh but
show was good
devin is so good
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxzvs3xgSg0
I wish he played it more often. Amazing song and voice.
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Oh yes. That song is the perfect ending to Infinity for me.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g98Cth553Js
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https://m.facebook.com/dvntownsend/photos/a.175020189189978.40890.134347786590552/1373787185979933/?type=3&fs=5 (https://m.facebook.com/dvntownsend/photos/a.175020189189978.40890.134347786590552/1373787185979933/?type=3&fs=5)
Anyone else seen this?? :omg: :omg: :omg:
Playing Ocean Machine in it's entirety possibly???
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I wouldn't be surprised, the fans are loud about their appreciation for the album and Devin seems to enjoy playing stuff from it.
Not that big of a deal though, he already played the deep cuts from that album recently.
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I'd pay good money to see Ocean Machine in its entirety live
I mean. Funeral AND The Death of Music (among all the other great stuff) ???? yeah
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He's been vocal about this symphonic project but I doubt it will be about Ocean Machine. That amphitheater is in Plovdiv, Bulgaria btw.
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At the Meet and Greet last month, I asked him if he any plans for the 20th Anniversary of Ocean Machine and he said(I'm paraphrasing here), "Cake. And maybe a one-off show in Spain. Probably not a full tour for it though."
Glad it's becoming reality. I expect this will be filmed for a Live Album/Blu-Ray later on. It'll probably be with the DTP but if it's possible, I'd like to see him reunite the old Ocean Machine band from the early 90's.
And as much as I love Devin's goofiness and banter between song, I'd like to see this album done like the Ghost night of By Thread; all the way through with little to no audience interaction.
Ocean Machine has an amazing atmosphere to it and it'll be interesting to see how they pull it off live. Especially the middle section of the album: Sister/3 A.M./Voices in the Fan/Greetings. We know they can pull off the the holy trinity live(Funeral/Bastard/The Death of Music) and the rest of the album(Seventh Wave/Life/Night/Regulator) has been played live regularly except for Hide Nowhere and Thing Beyond Things.
He's been vocal about this symphonic project but I doubt it will be about Ocean Machine. That amphitheater is in Plovdiv, Bulgaria btw.
Then explain the Ocean Machine logo on the picture :P
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What's more interesting than the album live (to me at least since a lot of OM was covered from the previous tours) is that venue. Looks amazing.
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Then explain the Ocean Machine logo on the picture :P
My bad, didn't realize it until now! It still seems weird he's doing it in Plovdiv, of all places. He's not that popular in Bulgaria, from what I've gathered.
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The Iceland EP from the autobiography
https://soundcloud.com/monolithzeroband/iceland-ep-devin-townsend
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Then explain the Ocean Machine logo on the picture :P
My bad, didn't realize it until now! It still seems weird he's doing it in Plovdiv, of all places. He's not that popular in Bulgaria, from what I've gathered.
The odds it seems like a concert film then? It wouldn't make sense otherwise, would it?
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If it's gonna be a concert film of Ocean Machine live with an Orchestra in Plovdiv I'm gonna be over the moon. That would be insane.
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If it's gonna be a concert film of Ocean Machine live with an Orchestra in Plovdiv I'm gonna be over the moon. That would be insane.
The official FB posted a followup today. It's OM live, plus by request set, in this venue, backed by an orchestra. No word on filming but they'd be stupid not to.
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I guess I should finally become familiar with Ocean Machine.
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Meh. This metal band + orchestra thing is incredibly overrated.
And I don't like OM that much except for the last few songs. Plus all the good songs off the album were on the last DVD.
I'd be happier if he played Transcendence front-to-back + a by request set that didn't have any songs from the Royal Albert Hall DVD.
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I'm so tempted to try and get tickets for this. Looks like I could get return flights pretty cheap. I've always wanted to go to Bulgaria and this is as good a reason as any :metal
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Meh. This metal band + orchestra thing is incredibly overrated.
And I don't like OM that much except for the last few songs. Plus all the good songs off the album were on the last DVD.
I'd be happier if he played Transcendence front-to-back + a by request set that didn't have any songs from the Royal Albert Hall DVD.
I dunno, when it's done right the band+orchestra thing works perfectly. OM is my favourite album by Dev and I wasn't at The Royal Albert Hall (I've seen the show of course but it's nowhere near the same as actually being there) so this would be worth all the money for me.
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I will hate him if he doesn't film it for a DVD. ;D
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I want it to be set 1: Ocean Machine
Set 2: The orchestra playing The Moth, DTP not involved (like Zappa)
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Meh. This metal band + orchestra thing is incredibly overrated.
And I don't like OM that much except for the last few songs. Plus all the good songs off the album were on the last DVD.
I'd be happier if he played Transcendence front-to-back + a by request set that didn't have any songs from the Royal Albert Hall DVD.
It's music. So why should it matter.
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Meh. This metal band + orchestra thing is incredibly overrated.
And I don't like OM that much except for the last few songs. Plus all the good songs off the album were on the last DVD.
I'd be happier if he played Transcendence front-to-back + a by request set that didn't have any songs from the Royal Albert Hall DVD.
I dunno, when it's done right the band+orchestra thing works perfectly. OM is my favourite album by Dev and I wasn't at The Royal Albert Hall (I've seen the show of course but it's nowhere near the same as actually being there) so this would be worth all the money for me.
I personally don't think orchestra + rock/metal band has ever been pulled off well. I honestly think it's a waste of an orchestras time to simply be playing chords behind a band. I know people will hate this opinion, but I feel strongly about that.
The times Dream Theater have used a backing orchestra is no exception for me either, sorry to say
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Orchestra can be hit or miss, I actually think the bands with lower budgets end up pulling it off better. I was very impressed with the orchestrations on the live tracks Opeth included on their latest album.
Ocean Machine with an orchestra was a bit of a head scratcher for me though. Why not Deconstruction? Regardless, as long as some care is put into the arrangements I'm sure it will be cool. Looking forward to it!
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I'm so tempted to try and get tickets for this. Looks like I could get return flights pretty cheap. I've always wanted to go to Bulgaria and this is as good a reason as any :metal
Go for it, dude. This is very likely a once in a lifetime event, and if you've got the means to pull it off, why not?
Nothing sucks more than looking back on things in life and saying "I wish I had".
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This whole concert sounds pretty awesome.
Orchestra + metal = awesomeness IMO. I haven't heard any concert like this that I didn't like. Sure some are better than others, but I'd rather take the orchestral spin than just the album itself since we have live versions of a lot of that album anymore.
Besides hoping for a blu-ray (which is just stupid if they didn't record this) I really hope the by request setlist is very different than RAH, not because those song choices were bad, but because we already have them on video now.
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Yeah, I think it will be cool to have different takes on the songs, as well. I do agree with the others who have said the concept has been hit or miss,
but I think Devy will be one of those who gets it right. I envision him being so "involved" with it that it just can't fail.
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The "By Request Set" wasn't really 100% by request. He had been playing Night, Namaste and Heatwave during the tour and I don't think fans really wanted to see those songs rather than others.
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Meh. This metal band + orchestra thing is incredibly overrated.
And I don't like OM that much except for the last few songs. Plus all the good songs off the album were on the last DVD.
I'd be happier if he played Transcendence front-to-back + a by request set that didn't have any songs from the Royal Albert Hall DVD.
I dunno, when it's done right the band+orchestra thing works perfectly. OM is my favourite album by Dev and I wasn't at The Royal Albert Hall (I've seen the show of course but it's nowhere near the same as actually being there) so this would be worth all the money for me.
I personally don't think orchestra + rock/metal band has ever been pulled off well. I honestly think it's a waste of an orchestras time to simply be playing chords behind a band. I know people will hate this opinion, but I feel strongly about that.
The times Dream Theater have used a backing orchestra is no exception for me either, sorry to say
Why would it be an orchestras waste of time? Music is music and an orchestra helps.
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I've always loved metal accompanied by an orchestra ever since I first heard Metallica's S&M. Not every song on that album works perfectly but the ones that do, by god, they add something magical to music which is already incredible!!
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The Signature Edition of the Autiobiography is still delayed until the end of November, but they just sent out Download links for the Iceland EP and the bonus Cassette entitled "Ancient", as well as an eBook version of the book. :metal
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In which format is the eBook?
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In which format is the eBook?
The filename say .epub if that's what you mean.
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Meh. This metal band + orchestra thing is incredibly overrated.
And I don't like OM that much except for the last few songs. Plus all the good songs off the album were on the last DVD.
I'd be happier if he played Transcendence front-to-back + a by request set that didn't have any songs from the Royal Albert Hall DVD.
I dunno, when it's done right the band+orchestra thing works perfectly. OM is my favourite album by Dev and I wasn't at The Royal Albert Hall (I've seen the show of course but it's nowhere near the same as actually being there) so this would be worth all the money for me.
I personally don't think orchestra + rock/metal band has ever been pulled off well. I honestly think it's a waste of an orchestras time to simply be playing chords behind a band. I know people will hate this opinion, but I feel strongly about that.
The times Dream Theater have used a backing orchestra is no exception for me either, sorry to say
Earthside - Mob Mentality, check it :P
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In which format is the eBook?
The filename say .epub if that's what you mean.
I wish I had it to read on my eBook reader. :(
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Meh. This metal band + orchestra thing is incredibly overrated.
And I don't like OM that much except for the last few songs. Plus all the good songs off the album were on the last DVD.
I'd be happier if he played Transcendence front-to-back + a by request set that didn't have any songs from the Royal Albert Hall DVD.
I dunno, when it's done right the band+orchestra thing works perfectly. OM is my favourite album by Dev and I wasn't at The Royal Albert Hall (I've seen the show of course but it's nowhere near the same as actually being there) so this would be worth all the money for me.
I personally don't think orchestra + rock/metal band has ever been pulled off well. I honestly think it's a waste of an orchestras time to simply be playing chords behind a band. I know people will hate this opinion, but I feel strongly about that.
The times Dream Theater have used a backing orchestra is no exception for me either, sorry to say
Earthside - Mob Mentality, check it :P
I like them. The song (''Crater") they did with the singer from Soilwork is great. The vocals are phenomenal.
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https://www.bandsintown.com/event/13223197?artist=Devin+Townsend&came_from=127
The Death of Music + orchestra. Sign me up!
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When Devin's FB page announced tickets were available for the OM show, there were about 70 comments at the time I was reading them. At least 60 of them were people saying they ordered tickets, and I identified only one or two as Bulgarian. Who cares if he isn't locally popular :lol
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Well, give them time :D Also, the show is a year off so people here will probably not get tickets so soon since the prices are a bit higher compared to some other shows. Cheapest ones are 45BGN (25$) and the most expensive is 80BGN (45$). For instance, Katatonia's show there was only in 2 sets of prices 22$ and 36$. I'm seeing Mike Stern and Dave Weckl in a different venue later this week at 28$. Average monthly salary being ~300USD.
But I don't really care, the most important thing is for the venue to be full :)
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I meant it's not that big of a deal if he isn't popular in Bulgaria, other nationalities will apparently have their back :)
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Yeah, I know :) People flying from Australia for this show - that sounds crazy to me. Awesome, but crazy!
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Yeah, I know :) People flying from Australia for this show - that sounds crazy to me. Awesome, but crazy!
Dayamm!! That's some determination, I wish I had the money to travel that far :eek
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It's here! :hefdaddy
(https://i.imgur.com/KR5KHyv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cd40Qui.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BPQr55q.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PvOplld.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/65DqKqb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PtNVwHb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5Pblaee.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/X6MAvgq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sz4uGHH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qTseEw5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EkxzrQS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VsjaLQV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/B0xdW0R.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Tta26ic.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/x4PMpMw.jpg)
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It's an interesting read for sure. Enjoy it :biggrin: I know I did.
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Are those drawings from DT himself? That's an interesting and cool looking bundle.
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Devin and Che from the Dunlop Sessions, which was uploaded yesterday. I'm loving this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTW0Uf-34BA
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Hi ThlackAttack. :)
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Hi ThlackAttack. :)
:tup
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So Deep Purple have a new album coming out, and the cover art looks a little familiar..
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/deep-purple-unveils-infinite-album-artwork-releases-time-for-bedlam-single/
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Haha how could that have passed?
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Haha how could that have passed?
Probably because Deep Purple are immensely famous and most people have no idea who Devin Townsend is.
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From Devin's twitter:
Re- deep purple logo: not a big deal to me. Not sure it should be...plus it's Steve morse and he can do whatever he wants :)
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I think it's just a shame that Devin Townsend is potentially so under the radar that no one even realised how similar it was! :tdwn
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Yup I wouldn't either. It's just funny. It's a cool logo too.
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I think it's just a shame that Devin Townsend is potentially so under the radar that no one even realised how similar it was! :tdwn
True, but he did win Loudwire's metal album of the year https://loudwire.com/best-metal-albums-2016/#photogallery-1=1 (https://loudwire.com/best-metal-albums-2016/#photogallery-1=1)
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I think it's just a shame that Devin Townsend is potentially so under the radar that no one even realised how similar it was! :tdwn
True, but he did win Loudwire's metal album of the year https://loudwire.com/best-metal-albums-2016/#photogallery-1=1 (https://loudwire.com/best-metal-albums-2016/#photogallery-1=1)
Yea, that is really cool. But on the grand scale of worldwide musical notoriety that doesn't mean that much I guess. Do Deep Purple (as a band and their management) know who Devin is? Possibly not, that's a shame. I think it is likely coincidence and not a blatant rip off, but who knows :huh:
btw, that's a pretty cool top 20. Don't agree with all of it but there's some cool albums in there.
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Yea, he certainly isn't a big name in the music industry overall, but I was suprised to see his album top that list with much bigger known bands. Was thinking maybe that helps him with publicity.
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Just announced DTP will be opening for Opeth and Gojira tour in the US.
May 7th in NJ! :metal :metal
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Wow. That's very close to his logo, and I don't think it's completely coincidence, either. Someone involved may not recall seeing Devin's logo before,
but I would bet anything they did and were inspired by it.
I'm not at all surprised by Devin's reaction to it, and honestly, it only adds to his coolness. I believe he could have had a legitimate claim.
Devin and Gojira on the same bill. Fuck. Gojira is another band I am totally late to the party on. I had never really listened to them, but gave the "Magma" album
a listen in September and was blown away. (even though a lot of long time fans seem to be shitting all over it)
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Just bumping this to say that I've been listening to Transcendence the last few days, and am really loving it! I know I enjoyed it when it first came out, but I guess I was busy with other stuff and didn't give it too many listens, and it didn't really sink in.
I wasn't super thrilled with most of Z2/Sky Blue, and I guess I wondered if Devin's stuff going to continue be something that I'd think was good, but not incredible, but I am pleased to say that is not the case! Transcendence (song) and Offer Your Light are particularly great, but the whole album is really fantastic. :metal
edit: managed to misspell 'transcendence' twice, lol
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Yea I listened to it the other day as well and it is still really good IMO. I'm so glad to have been able to see Offer Your Light live, that was an amazing experience.
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I'll echo and agree; still spinning it a lot and it's an album I can listen to all the way through and love the whole thing, though some more than others. The bonus disc is awesome as well.
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I really need to listen to that bonus disc. Got lots of praise here but I never even attempted to listen.
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It's by far my favorite out of all the bonus discs in his collection. "Gump" is the first track, and just kicks ass right out of the gate.
"Farther On" is really good, too.
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This 'bonus' disk is better than most releases I've heard this year!!
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For real.
Also I'd like to reiterate how much I fucking adore Feather. Such a feelsy and beautiful song. I mean all of Ghost is but this one especially.
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Also I'd like to reiterate how much I fucking adore Feather. Such a feelsy and beautiful song. I mean all of Ghost is but this one especially.
Feather is one of the weakest tracks on Ghost for me. The second half drags on for way too long.
Still, being a weak track on Ghost makes it a pretty good song because the album is that amazing.
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Also I'd like to reiterate how much I fucking adore Feather. Such a feelsy and beautiful song. I mean all of Ghost is but this one especially.
Feather is one of the weakest tracks on Ghost for me. The second half drags on for way too long.
Still, being a weak track on Ghost makes it a pretty good song because the album is that amazing.
Feather is my absolutely favorite Devin track out of his whole discography.
Shitstorm comes in at second :D
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Transcendence is definitely a solid effort and a step in the right direction for Dev.
Don't really see the hype with the bonus disc. It's good but definitely bonus material quality to my ears.
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Don't really see the hype with the bonus disc. It's good but definitely bonus material quality to my ears.
Same here. I like it, but the main disc is way better.
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Don't really see the hype with the bonus disc. It's good but definitely bonus material quality to my ears.
Same here. I like it, but the main disc is way better.
I agree that the main album is better, that doesn't stop the bonus disk being full of win!!
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One thing I'll give him credit for is you can always expect more experimental stuff on the bonus disc. Usually one or two songs that are unlike anything else he's done. Also your best bet if you're interested in anything more raw sounding from him.
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In the record store yesterday. Metal section in the back. Some big dude's looking around the T-section. Metallica is playing. All of a sudden, I can faintly hear "Praise The Lowered" playing. Thinking I'm going crazy, I look around. The guy has been eyeing Deconstruction, and brought the album up on his phone to sample it. "Praise The Lowered" is just about to hit *that* moment (you know the one), and the guy turns it off. "Shit's not even metal." he says. I... can't... help myself. "But it's Devin fucking Townsend!" I interject. "You were just about to hit the best part! That whole album's great!" "No, that's stupid," he dully responds. "That wasn't metal. It's stupid." and continues looking. I suggest listening to some of the other tracks when he gets a chance and he just angrily tells me "NO!" :lol
Don't know why I even bothered with someone who can't think of anything to say other than calling something "stupid" over and over.
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His loss.
Deconstruction is a bad place for a non-fan to start anyway.
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It's actually really hard to know where a non-fan should start. I know most will say Terria, but I'm pretty sure if I started with that album, I'd have just moved on.
Luckily I started with songs from Ziltoid and Synchestra and have been hooked since. :-D
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It's actually really hard to know where a non-fan should start. I know most will say Terria, but I'm pretty sure if I started with that album, I'd have just moved on.
This was me a few years ago. Heard Earth Day, tried the whole album and I hated it. Luckily I gave Dev another chance with Addicted and became a fan (now Terria is my favorite) but it was a rough start. Would not recommend Terria or Deconstruction for newcomers. I think Addicted is probably the best one to start with.
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In the record store yesterday. Metal section in the back. Some big dude's looking around the T-section. Metallica is playing. All of a sudden, I can faintly hear "Praise The Lowered" playing. Thinking I'm going crazy, I look around. The guy has been eyeing Deconstruction, and brought the album up on his phone to sample it. "Praise The Lowered" is just about to hit *that* moment (you know the one), and the guy turns it off. "Shit's not even metal." he says. I... can't... help myself. "But it's Devin fucking Townsend!" I interject. "You were just about to hit the best part! That whole album's great!" "No, that's stupid," he dully responds. "That wasn't metal. It's stupid." and continues looking. I suggest listening to some of the other tracks when he gets a chance and he just angrily tells me "NO!" :lol
Don't know why I even bothered with someone who can't think of anything to say other than calling something "stupid" over and over.
To facilitate his listening processes you should have GAVE HIM THAT WINE, GAVE HIM THAT ACID!!!
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:lol
"That wasn't metal. It's stupid."
- "SMOKE THE FUCKING WEEEEEEEED!"
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I really hate people who just choose not to give music a fair listen. If theyre not impressed by the first 60 or even 30 seconds of one song, they write off the artist in question forever. So frustrating.
My very first exposure to Devin was stumbling upon his original video for Lucky Animals. The one where it's just him in his backyard dancing like an idiot and nothing else. I laughed so hard, but the music was actually decent with a cool riff in the bridge. This was before the Epicloud album had been released so the first thing I checked out was Deconstruction+Ghost (they were bundled together on iTunes for like $9.99 so I couldnt pass it up just to try it.
Deconstruction really turned me off at first, the run from Praise The Lowered through Sumeria just baffled me. For whatever reason I really liked the second half of the album immediately though, the 1-2-3 punch of Pandemic-Decon-Poltergeist really made my jaw drop.
Ghost had the opposite effect on me. My first listen I immediately loved everything I was hearing up until Dark Matter ("wtf is going on here?" :lol)
You literally just have to give art a chance, especially complex art and especially complex music. People just dont understand that theyre not guaranteed to love everything right away. If it doesnt sparkle in 2 seconds, people get bored and look away.
/rant
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I really hate people who just choose not to give music a fair listen. If theyre not impressed by the first 60 or even 30 seconds of one song, they write off the artist in question forever. So frustrating.
Yep. I used to be like that as a teen (and I'm sure many around that age as well, outside of their comfort zone) and hated a couple artists that are now some of my absolute favorites, Dev included (a couple others that come to mind are AFI and BTBAM, both of whom I really detested because of a song or two, and not even the whole thing, and now I purposely the whole thing all the time). :metal
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I really hate people who just choose not to give music a fair listen. If theyre not impressed by the first 60 or even 30 seconds of one song, they write off the artist in question forever. So frustrating.
Yep. I used to be like that as a teen (and I'm sure many around that age as well, outside of their comfort zone) and hated a couple artists that are now some of my absolute favorites, Dev included (a couple others that come to mind are AFI and BTBAM, both of whom I really detested because of a song or two, and not even the whole thing, and now I purposely the whole thing all the time). :metal
I could understand sampling an album of someone you haven't purchased from and not buying it off of the dislike. The guy's reaction was pretty douche overall though.
However, I feel like Devy is certainly a musician who's music can not be described in one song since his range is so broad. Having said that, Deconstruction is an album I've listened to only maybe once or so (besides the couple Retinal Circus tracks) and it really didn't intrigue me so I haven't gone back.
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I suppose the problem with sampling an album rather than a single is, if the album's opening is a short one, or it's meant to be a massive mood swing, that person's going to be much more likely to drop it before really giving the artist a chance.
This guy just seemed like the type who, to him, metal begins with Maiden and ends at Metallica and Megadeth. Which is fine, I guess, but if he was just going to talk to me in a really meatheaded way, then I'm not going to bother trying to suggest things to him.
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I tried to get a buddy of mine, who likes some metal, into Devin a few years ago by burning a copy of Addicted for him, but his reply was basically (slight paraphrasing here), "I didn't like it once I heard the female singer; metal shouldn't have a female singer." :facepalm: :facepalm:
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I tried to get a buddy of mine, who likes some metal, into Devin a few years ago by burning a copy of Addicted for him, but his reply was basically (slight paraphrasing here), "I didn't like it once I heard the female singer; metal shouldn't have a female singer." :facepalm: :facepalm:
People should have the right to dislike whatever they dislike without people shaming them. If they don't like metal, or Dev, or his songwriting, that's their right.
However........NO ONE disrespects my Anneke! Kill your friend.
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Haha, exactly.
I didn't shame him or anything, although a part of me was like, "Really, man?" He's not a big music guy, so it was a long shot anyway.
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I really hate people who just choose not to give music a fair listen. If theyre not impressed by the first 60 or even 30 seconds of one song, they write off the artist in question forever. So frustrating.
Yep. I used to be like that as a teen (and I'm sure many around that age as well, outside of their comfort zone) and hated a couple artists that are now some of my absolute favorites, Dev included (a couple others that come to mind are AFI and BTBAM, both of whom I really detested because of a song or two, and not even the whole thing, and now I purposely the whole thing all the time). :metal
Future Sequence actually gave me a massive headache the first time I heard it but I still gave it another spin :lol
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Tweet from Devin. Possible new project on the horizon, "Empath"
Seems like a bunch of ideas want to be together... I think I'll call whatever this ends up being 'Empath'
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/815745344755511296
Add it to the list of Devin projects waiting to happen. I'm still waiting for "Garden Music" and "Obviouser" and that electronic EP he mentioned years ago. When/if this project becomes a reality, I wouldn't expect it 2018 since his focus this year seems to be Moth(the symphony) and the Ocean Machine show in September.
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https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/devin-townsend-and-the-dollar10-million-cock-symphony (https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/devin-townsend-and-the-dollar10-million-cock-symphony)
Really interesting interview with info about the orchestra project The Moth as well as the Ocean Machine concert. Also, never knew Dev was offered to sing for Judas Priest. I like how he knows how he would have ruined JP if he had sung for them.
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I knew he was under consideration but I didn't know he was actually offered the job. Good for everyone that he didn't take it, obviously.
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Is he really joking about the 10 million dollars for the symphony?
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Is he really joking about the 10 million dollars for the symphony?
it's hard to tell through text. My guess is that it's an exaggeration, but he does need a lot of money for it, but then again, I don't know the exact details, but sounded like he wanted to tour with the symphony and choir, which would be very expensive.
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Nightwish makes a lot of albums with huge orchestras and choirs. Huge.
I remember they once said that an album with all of that plus videos and so forth cost one million. So yes, 10 million is a joke.
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Might be an exaggeration but I think he factors in all the personnel, decor, props, costumes, actors (since it's a musical-type thing) so maybe it's not that far off.
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Devin did an online lecture recently on his creative process
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsUet12ZTXg
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finally got around to listening to Transcendence. Great album love the atmospheric interludes he includes.
my rankings so far are:
From The Heart
Transcendence
Secret Sceinces
Higher
Failure
Offer Your Light
Transdermal Celebration
Stormbending
Stars
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Devin did an online lecture recently on his creative process
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsUet12ZTXg
Thanks for the link, I missed the lecture!
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Is Anneke touring with DTP?
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Is Anneke touring with DTP?
Don't believe so. She has a new band debuting soon
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Yeah I was disappointed to see her form a new band. After that TG reunion show I was kind of expecting her to go back with them to do that type of music parallel to her more mellow solo stuff.
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Yeah I was disappointed to see her form a new band. After that TG reunion show I was kind of expecting her to go back with them to do that type of music parallel to her more mellow solo stuff.
Why? It was a huge reunion show. I don't know why you think she'd be more likely to return than the dude singer, their background singer, their old bassists or guitarists.
Also, if you want more mellow stuff from her, I really suggest checking out her album Verloren Verleden, with Árstíðir. Amazing beautiful mellow folksy stuff.
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Because of the way she talked about the experience after, and these things tend to happen like Halford and JP, was hoping it would rekindle something between them and given how TG has toured far less since she left it might have been a good time for a full reunion.
That and as cool as most of her stuff has been since, nothing comes quite close to the awesomeness of TG's albums. Not only in terms of music but her singing too, it was far more unique then as opposed to somewhat generic now.
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Because of the way she talked about the experience after, and these things tend to happen like Halford and JP, was hoping it would rekindle something between them and given how TG has toured far less since she left it might have been a good time for a full reunion.
That and as cool as most of her stuff has been since, nothing comes quite close to the awesomeness of TG's albums. Not only in terms of music but her singing too, it was far more unique then as opposed to somewhat generic now.
Yea, I definitely put her The Gathering stuff above her solo stuff. I personally hope she explores a sound similar to Souvenirs, though it's unlikely.
However, I'm really happy with the direction The Gathering are taking with their new singer, so I'm cool with the band being as is (though I wish their bassist hadn't left).
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In addition to the Bulgaria show later this year, Devin will be playing Ocean Machine in its entirety in London on March 17th.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/devin-townsend/devin-townsend-project-to-play-ocean-machine-in-full-at-londons-hammersmith-apol/1368868316518817
Awesome for European fans, but when is he gonna bring this show to the US?
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Quick thought: Colonial Boy is a really underrated song. Easily the best song on Infinity, love everything about it, memorable and beautiful melodies.
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I've been waiting for this to be released since some of it was filmed by Zim on Dev's tour....
2 nerdy Canadians ramping themselves up... Dev on Talk is Jericho podcast. Pretty hilarious! :lol
https://www.podcastone.com/embed?progID=593&pid=1706184
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Worth a listen indeed.
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How many of you guys have read Devin's book and what did you think about it?
I'll admit I was a little disappointed, I think Dev is a fascinating, intelligent bloke with a really good outlook on life (I mean, I think it's quite similar to mine). The book was good but I had hoped for more. I have watched loads of interviews and I love how he goes off on tangents and talks about what he is thinking and his view on certain things. I was hoping for more of that, I must say. I mean, I'm sure a lot of people liked the approach he took, I know it's an autobiography and it is expected that he will cover his life story, up to this point. I was hoping that would be like the first half of the book and then we would get the rambling musings of the man. I know that when he gives interviews he may ramble on and actually end up saying things he regrets, or could be taken out of context maybe, and that with a book he can edit out all that sort of thing. But that to me is where all the best bits are, for me, I like his unfiltered, stream of consciousness kind of interviews. All in all that is a difficult thing to put into a book, I liked him explaining where his head was at through certain stages of his life but there was a bit too much of just explaining what was happening at the time (and not enough of his thoughts at the time, or after). With all the drug use there is a good chance that he doesn't remember a great deal of certain periods in his life :lol but that's just my two cents.
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The book was good but I had hoped for more.
This is exactly my reaction. I love the background about the disastrous Ocean Machine mixing and his concept behind Infinity, but he stops short of going through every album song by song in depth, which is exactly what I was hoping he'd get into. I know he's done production commentaries so maybe he'd rather just talk that stuff out rather than write it into coherent sentences. So I guess that's really what I want is the full hour per album of Dev sitting in his car and recording into his little Zoom doohickey, reminiscing as each song goes. He's done super short Physicist (all lyrics though) and Terria commentaries, so hopefully at some point he does 'real' ones like he did for the DTP albums.
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The Strapping Young Lad album City turned 20 yesterday :metal :metal
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As much as I love Devy I absolutely can't stand Strapping Young Lad. I never even got through one entire song.
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As much as I love Devy I absolutely can't stand Strapping Young Lad. I never even got through one entire song.
You might like the later stuff. The New Black is pretty similar to the typical Devin sound.
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Dates announced today.
Devin is coming to St Louis in May.
I will finally get to see him.
It's a good day.
:metal :metal
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Can't wait to see Devy today. The fact that Planet of the Apes is in the setlist makes me giddy like a little girl.
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I'm so excited for that Red Rocks show. I bought tickets for Opeth before DTP was even announced. Didn't think I could be more excited before that. :metal
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Dates announced today.
Devin is coming to St Louis in May.
I will finally get to see him.
It's a good day.
:metal :metal
maybe i'll schedule an excuse to go home that week & catch him, heh
doesn't look like he's coming to WA this year unfortunately
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I'm so excited for that Red Rocks show. I bought tickets for Opeth before DTP was even announced. Didn't think I could be more excited before that. :metal
Crazy how this tour is playing Red Rocks and then playing a small venue here in NJ. I plan on going.
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Is Red Rocks his biggest show to date with DTP?
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Is Red Rocks his biggest show to date with DTP?
Nah, he's the opener, but Red Rocks is a solid venue good sized venue (and I meant that compared to the Starland ballroom where that same tour is playing for me, a 2.5k capactity vs 9.5k capacity). I don't know the answer, but I'd think maybe the Royal Albert Hall show (little over 5k)? I mean if we are just talking any show then probably a festival, but when people talk about biggest show, they typically mean biggest headlining show.
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Oops I meant to say biggest show in the USA, regardless of whether he's the opener or not. I'm sure he has played a lot of much bigger shows in Europe.
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Fuck me hard in the poophole guys. I'm so happy he's coming here again.
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Looking at his current set lists, damn, he is playing Suicide? Nice. I hope he chucks the Z2 songs and Planet of the Apes by the time he tours in May, but I'm thrilled just to finally be seeing him. :metal
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Looking at his current set lists, damn, he is playing Suicide? Nice. I hope he chucks the Z2 songs and Planet of the Apes by the time he tours in May, but I'm thrilled just to finally be seeing him. :metal
Agreed. Give me more of his older stuff and not Z2. I was cool with that last tour leg since I hadn't seen him before, but now I want some more variety.
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Poozers, Ziltoid Goes Home, and Rejoice have been played to death. Both times I've seen him he's played all 3 of those songs.
Poozers and ZGH are kinda fun in a live setting, but Rejoice is very boring. Most of Sky Blue hasn't been played live, I don't know why he insists on playing the worst song from that album constantly.
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Yea, I really wish he would perform the song Sky Blue personally. Im obsessed with it, but I'm guessing that album is Anneke heavy and maybe it doesn't make sense to perform those songs without her?
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Yea, I really wish he would perform the song Sky Blue personally. Im obsessed with it, but I'm guessing that album is Anneke heavy and maybe it doesn't make sense to perform those songs without her?
Well so is most of Addicted and Epicloud and that hasn't stopped him
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Yea, I really wish he would perform the song Sky Blue personally. Im obsessed with it, but I'm guessing that album is Anneke heavy and maybe it doesn't make sense to perform those songs without her?
Well so is most of Addicted and Epicloud and that hasn't stopped him
True, but those albums seem to be held in higher regards than Sky Blue by both the fans and probably himself too so he may not want to overload his set with Anneke songs. I'm just guessing here honestly, I want more sky blue live personally.
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I want less Rejoice live honestly. Saw it live two times now even though I can't stand the song. :lol
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I'm hoping for a more varied set as well. He played 5 songs that weren't Z2 songs.
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I'm hoping for a more varied set as well. He played 5 songs that weren't Z2 songs.
I'd also like more of the new stuff. Transcendence is great, it would be cool if he played some of the other songs off it.
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Yup...just bought my ticket. Hooray for love...
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Looking at his current set lists, damn, he is playing Suicide? Nice. I hope he chucks the Z2 songs and Planet of the Apes by the time he tours in May, but I'm thrilled just to finally be seeing him. :metal
Agreed. Give me more of his older stuff and not Z2. I was cool with that last tour leg since I hadn't seen him before, but now I want some more variety.
To clarify, when I said chuck the Z2 songs, I meant the Dark Matters ones, not the ones from Sky Blue. I'd be fine with Rejoice, even if I like many songs from it more. I can see the appeal of March of the Poozers live, but Ziltoid Goes Home is such a generic, bland metal tune; that's a waste of six minutes. If nothing else, it might give me a piss break. :lol :biggrin:
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Ziltoid Goes Home was amazing live honestly. Really enjoyed that one. It's fun to see the entire crowd sing the chorus along with Devy.
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Ziltoid Goes Home was amazing live honestly. Really enjoyed that one. It's fun to see the entire crowd sing the chorus along with Devy.
I enjoyed it as well, it's a pretty hardcore song with a sing along chorus, but Dev's catalogue is so deep that I'd rather see something else.
Also Kev, I'm with you, I'm down for more Sky Blue. Rejoice is a cool song IMO, but saw it twice, like the above, the catalogue is too good to keep playing these songs. It's not like they are commercial hits to appease his fan base.
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Universal Flame seems like a natural live beast; I am stunned that is not a live mainstay. Yeah, it would need backing tracks for Anneke and the chorus, but so what?
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Universal Flame seems like a natural live beast; I am stunned that is not a live mainstay. Yeah, it would need backing tracks for Anneke and the chorus, but so what?
Just like the blu ray from RAH. That's a fantastic song and I agree.
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Universal Flame seems like a natural live beast; I am stunned that is not a live mainstay. Yeah, it would need backing tracks for Anneke and the chorus, but so what?
It's also a very simple song to play (guitar-wise) and engages the audience a lot. He uses backing tracks for like half of the vocals on Planet Of The Apes so I don't see the problem in that either. I'd really prefer this song to be a live staple instead of a few others. I'd love to see it!
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We can only hope. It is impossible for me to watch the RAH performance of it without smiling. Same goes for Little Pig from the Retinal Circus.
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Ziltoid Goes Home was the only song that I would've taken off the set last year. Rejoice is a great song, so I didn't mind it live. I'd like to hear other songs from Sky Blue too though. March of the Poozers is awesome live, I don't mind that staying.
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I saw him a week ago and it was so fun, I was smiling the whole time because his smile is so addicting :biggrin: (You could say I was... Addicted! :lhk:)
The only song that was kinda boring to me was Planet of the Apes but I never got into Deconstruction so what do I know. I would happily trade it for one or two more songs off the latest.
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Planet of the Apes makes sense because they're touring with BTBAM, and Tommy(the singer for BTBAM) sings guest vocals on the track. But from what I hear they're just using backing tracks for that section. What a wasted opportunity. :facepalm:
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I was fully prepared to see DTP because TYS is opening, but the Philly show on Saturday and NJ show on Sunday overlap with the dates I'll be in Gettysburg for RoSfest. Sad panda.
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Planet of the Apes makes sense because they're touring with BTBAM, and Tommy(the singer for BTBAM) sings guest vocals on the track. But from what I hear they're just using backing tracks for that section. What a wasted opportunity. :facepalm:
Actually it's really good because Tommy was terrible live tbh. Couldn't hear him well and when I did it sounded pretty bad.
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I don't dislike Planet of the Apes by any means, but it's not even close to being a favorite of mine. I can probably name 100 Devin songs I prefer. :lol :lol
Tickets have been purchased for the St Louis show. :metal :metal
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My tickets for Devin came today :metal
Getting psyched for this now, I will be mainly listening to Hevy Devy and Leprous for the next few weeks :metal :metal :metal
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I've listening to a lot of Devin in the last week.
I have a whole new appreciation for Acceleration Evolution, which I've always liked a lot, but never considered it that great. And I was reminded that Sky Blue really is pretty fantastic.
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I've listening to a lot of Devin in the last week.
I have a whole new appreciation for Acceleration Evolution, which I've always liked a lot, but never considered it that great. And I was reminded that Sky Blue really is pretty fantastic.
I love Accelerated Evolution, but Sky Blue is a bit meh to me. Not bad by any means, with some great songs, but just feels very phoned in at times (which he admitted it kind of was).
I hope to develop some deeper appreciation for Teria though one day. Still can't stand that album outside of Earth Day and Deep Peace.
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I hope to develop some deeper appreciation for Teria though one day. Still can't stand that album outside of Earth Day and Deep Peace.
Thank you.
Accelerated Evolution is a mixed bag for me. I used to love the album, but I kinda overplayed it and find the songs really boring nowadays, even Deadhead.
Sky Blue on the other hand I adore. Would definitely make my top 5 Devin albums. Rejoice is the only song on the entire album I'm not really keen on.
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I listened to Universal Flame through Rain City the other night in the car when it was just getting dark out and it was kinda ugly out (not quite rainy, but not a sunny day at all)...and it was most awesome.
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Accelerated Evolution is just great, probably top 3 Devin record for me. :metal
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I listened to Universal Flame through Rain City the other night in the car when it was just getting dark out and it was kinda ugly out (not quite rainy, but not a sunny day at all)...and it was most awesome.
The first time I heard Rain City, I was listening to Sky Blue for the first time on my headphones walking through a cloudy and damp Amsterdam. The song is forever engrained in my mind of that walk through the city that day. Crazy how that works.
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When I first heard it, I couldn't get into Rain City at all, but over time, it's become my favourite on the album. Something about the atmosphere that that song creates is so unlike everything else that Devin has done that I really enjoy it. However, overall, Sky Blue is an album that I rarely come back to - there's a few really great songs here (Universal Flame, Rain City, Before We Die), but there's also a couple of songs that I don't care for at all (Rejoice, Sky Blue) so it often falls to the wayside when I'm in a Devin mood.
In other Devin news, Transcendence has held up really well. Still not a huge fan of Transdermal Celebration and Stars, but the rest of the album is top notch. Offer Your Light, Secret Sciences and Higher are some of my favourite Devin songs at the moment. The bonus disc is also really good and definitely something that I'd recommend to anyone - Gump and Monkeymind I probably prefer to anything on the main album aside from the three songs that I named earlier. If you switch them in for Stars and Transdermal Celebration, then the main album might even make my Top 5 Devin albums or at least come mightily close, and that's no small thing.
Terria is still the best them though, and I highly doubt that that will ever change (though I'd of course love to be proven wrong on that one).
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I would say Secret Sciences has slowly been creeping up as my favorite song on Transcendence. I liked it initially, but every time I go back to that album I feel like that may be the song I want to listen to the most. And I am still glad to be one of the few to witness Offer Your Light live. That song should be getting more live play because it's so fun and energetic.
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Secret Sciences is probably my least favourite on the album. I find the main riff pretty annoying to listen to unfortunately.
Higher is definitely getting better with each listen though, it's very slowly growing on me.
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I love Secret Sciences. Would love to see it on the upcoming tour.
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My opinion on Transcendence has stayed about the same. I like it a lot, bonus songs and all, but I don't love it. It never really owned my CD player like new Devin CDs often do. Whenever I listen to it, it sounds great, but it's just not something I reach for much at all, for whatever reason. Ocean Machine is similar in that regard.
The first time I heard Rain City, I was listening to Sky Blue for the first time on my headphones walking through a cloudy and damp Amsterdam. The song is forever engrained in my mind of that walk through the city that day. Crazy how that works.
That sounds pretty awesome. :hat
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I feel similarly about Transcendence.
The only thing that drags it down for me are (a large amount of) Devy's vocals. Musically it's just amazing, but a good amount of the vocals just don't feel inspired anymore.
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I am utterly baffled at the lack of usage of Anneke on it. What was the point of having her on an album again if she was going to do mostly background stuff? The lead stuff like Offer Your Light is pretty sparse. I know, it's the Devin Townsend Project, not the Devin & Anneke Project, but not utilizing her fully seemed like a lost opportunity. Fortunately, we have Addicted, Epicloud and Sky Blue for plenty of Devin/Anneke shared goodness already, but the lack of Anneke in a lead role on this record was just a bit disappointing.
But yeah, I hadn't really thought of it, but Devin's vocals don't seem as awesome as this record as usual. I can usually point to a thousand awesome Devin vocal moments on every CD, but off the top of my head, none are coming to mind from this one. Weird.
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I've listening to a lot of Devin in the last week.
I have a whole new appreciation for Acceleration Evolution, which I've always liked a lot, but never considered it that great. And I was reminded that Sky Blue really is pretty fantastic.
I remember when it first came out, I thought Sky Blue was really good, but not great. I listened to it for the first time in while just recently and I was struck by how... boring the album was. A couple of good songs, but it just lacked any sort of energy. In hindsight, I think I was just comparing it too much to Z2 at the time, which is an album that I'm not that fond of.
I am utterly baffled at the lack of usage of Anneke on it. What was the point of having her on an album again if she was going to do mostly background stuff? The lead stuff like Offer Your Light is pretty sparse. I know, it's the Devin Townsend Project, not the Devin & Anneke Project, but not utilizing her fully seemed like a lost opportunity. Fortunately, we have Addicted, Epicloud and Sky Blue for plenty of Devin/Anneke shared goodness already, but the lack of Anneke in a lead role on this record was just a bit disappointing.
I thought it was a nice change actually. I know lots of people love Anneke, but I didn't want yet another Addicted/Epicloud clone in the vein of Sky Blue. I'm glad Transcendence is just a little bit different and I'm not sure it would've been if Anneke had a more prominent role.
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I think Sky Blue is definitely his least intense metal record, but I don't think it's boring or lacking in energy; it just seems a bit more streamlined and accessible, which I don't think it is a bad thing. I think it's an album you could give to a non-fan and convert them pretty easily, if they dig metal. As incredible as Addicted is, and somewhat accessible, too, that one would be a tougher sell at first to a new fan, simply because his vocals in the first two songs, by and large, are all screaming ones. Sky Blue, by Devin's metal standards, is an easy and effortless listen.
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Stormbending and Failure have amazing vocals. The rest of the songs are kinda eh in the vocal department, I'll give you that.
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What can I say? Devin has spoiled us. :metal
Celestial Signals and Time Overload are both about as good as anything from the main disc.
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What can I say? Devin has spoiled us. :metal
Celestial Signals and Time Overload are both about as good as anything from the main disc.
Oh man, Time Overlord is an awesome song.
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I love it.
I think MonkeyMind might be the wankiest song he's ever done...and I love it.
And even though the chorus is a blatant ripoff of CCR's Travelin' Band, Canucklehead is tons of fun.
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I think Sky Blue is definitely his least intense metal record, but I don't think it's boring or lacking in energy; it just seems a bit more streamlined and accessible, which I don't think it is a bad thing. I think it's an album you could give to a non-fan and convert them pretty easily, if they dig metal. As incredible as Addicted is, and somewhat accessible, too, that one would be a tougher sell at first to a new fan, simply because his vocals in the first two songs, by and large, are all screaming ones. Sky Blue, by Devin's metal standards, is an easy and effortless listen.
That's fair. I don't agree, but that's a fair assessment. :)
By boring I mean that, aside from a few standout songs, it just kinda runs together for me.
What can I say? Devin has spoiled us. :metal
Celestial Signals and Time Overload are both about as good as anything from the main disc.
Oh man, Time Overlord is an awesome song.
Time Overload is easily my favorite song on the bonus disc.
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I know what you mean about much of it running together, but I think in this case, that works in its favor. It has a nice flow and some of the songs are just nice, catchy metal tunes that might not stand out, but make for a nice flow when listening from start to finish. But I get why others might not see it that way. :)
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Yea I was happy with Anneke's involvement on this album. Love her voice but it didn't seem like any of the music required her in more of a lead role. Having her for background stuff as texture worked great. And the few lead parts she has (namely Secret Sciences) are awesome.
I've listening to a lot of Devin in the last week.
I have a whole new appreciation for Acceleration Evolution, which I've always liked a lot, but never considered it that great. And I was reminded that Sky Blue really is pretty fantastic.
I remember when it first came out, I thought Sky Blue was really good, but not great. I listened to it for the first time in while just recently and I was struck by how... boring the album was. A couple of good songs, but it just lacked any sort of energy. In hindsight, I think I was just comparing it too much to Z2 at the time, which is an album that I'm not that fond of.
I'm with you on this one. They really are two different albums. Once I finally realized that and stopped forcing myself to listen to Sky Blue and Dark Matters together, I found myself going back to Sky Blue a lot more. I haven't revisited Dark Matters in a very long time.
At first I was kinda meh on Transcendence, but something about it kept me coming back. A grower but a really solid album IMO.
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I also with for more Anneke, but I think Devin's vocals in Higher are pretty awesome.
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The songs I am getting the most mileage out of it from Transcendence are:
Stormbending
Failure
Secret Sciences
Higher
Offer Your Light
Gump
Celestial Signals
Support the Cause
Time Overload
Victim
Monkeymind
Canucklehead
Loud
I need to condense that into a good running order. It always sound weird kicking off my listen to of the album when Stormbending and that intro that is already going (since I never listen to that vastly inferior version of Truth).
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I'd just switch Stormbending and Failure. If Truth wasn't on the album I'd want that to be the opener.
Also am I the only one who prefers this version of Truth? I can't stand Infinity's production. It's the main reason why I don't like the album.
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I love Infinity's production. Yeah, it's loud and noisy, but it's also airy, allowing the music to breathe, and it has a very warm feeling overall. The many layers it has just adds to the vibe. For example, that giant riff in War sounds like 1,000 guitars all crushing you at once. :metal :metal
That is my beef with the newer version of Truth; he sucked a lot of the life out of it. The original has this kind of frantic intensity that is completely lost in the "cleaner" Transcendence mix.
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I enjoy both. Transcendence has much fuller bass response, so the song has a different 'big' feeling compared to Infinity, where most of the bass information is just the kick drum. I think a lot of the bass phased out when Dev combined the 'red' and 'blue' mixes (check out the explanation in his book). Plus he did the thing with the intro riff that is awesome and wasn't on the original version. I dunno, there are a lot of positives to both.
I do miss the crazy mono summing part during the climax, though. It sounds so cool the way it folds in and then back out with musical timing.
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For my money, Infinity is still his 3rd best studio album to date, behind Terria and Addicted. My order after that is ever-changing, but I suddenly have a whole new appreciation and love for Accelerated Evolution, which I now rank higher than I used to. Ghost and Casualties of Cool are both freaking awesome, although I kind of have to be in the right mood for both, and I still love Epicloud to pieces. Ki and Synchesta are also sneaky underrated. And of course Sky Blue. So much great stuff. :hat
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Devin and Che from the Dunlop Sessions, which was uploaded yesterday. I'm loving this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTW0Uf-34BA
I stumbled across that the other day by accident. Pretty awesome. I want more Casualties of Cool and/or more Devin working with Ché Aimee Dorval, please.
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Updated Devin album rankings (which are ever-changing):
1. Terria
2. Addicted
3. Casualties of Cool
4. Infinity
5. Epicloud
6. Accelerated Evolution
7. Ghost
8. Sky Blue
9. Ki
10. Transcendence
11. Ocean Machine
12. Synchestra
13. Deconstruction
14. Ziltoid the Omniscient
15. Dark Matters
16. Physicist
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1. Ocean Machine
2. Ghost
3. Ki
4. Terria
5. Transcendence
6. Casualties of Cool
7. Infinity
8. Epicloud
9. Addicted
10. Deconstruction
11. Accelerated Evolution
12. Sky Blue
13. Synchestra
14. Ziltoid the Omniscient
15. Dark Matters
16. Physicist
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I've stopped trying to make myself love Ocean Machine. I like it, but I don't love it. Its just a difficult listen from start to finish, for some reason.
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For me Ocean Machine is the best them. I just love, love, love that record. And Devin was never able to reach that high again.
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First time seeing Devin Townsend tonight. I'm so looking forward to this, I'm going with a friend who is only a casual fan and I've not managed to get anyone to cover my shift at work tomorrow but it'll still be awesome!!
Really looking forward to Leprous as well as it's my first time seeing them!! All in all tonight will be banging :metal
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I've stopped trying to make myself love Ocean Machine. I like it, but I don't love it. Its just a difficult listen from start to finish, for some reason.
I like the last few songs, but I can't stand Life, Sister and Funeral. It's just a tedious album to get through for me.
Deconstruction I love, but it's hard to listen to for other reasons, it's not a case of me not liking the music, but the fact that it's really long and there's a lot going on instrumentally and vocally in each song.
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1. Terria
2. Ki
3. Deconstruction
4. Ocean Machine
5. Ziltoid the Omniscient
6. Ghost
7. Addicted
8. Physicist
9. Infinity
10. Dark Matters
11. Accelerated Evolution
12. Epicloud
13. Sky Blue
14. Transcendence
15. Synchestra
--
Something like that. I haven't heard Casualties of Cool enough to rank it. The bottom 6 are quite interchangable as well.
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I'd probably rank something like:
1. Ocean Machine
2. Addicted!
3. Terria
4. Infinity
5. Epicloud
6. Accelerated Evolution
7. Transcendence
8. Deconstruction
9. Ki
10. Synchestra
11. Sky Blue
12. Dark Matters
13. Ziltoid the Omniscient
14. Casualties of Cool
15. Physicist
16. Ghost
Ocean Machine is really great and just a perfect example of a body of work being greater than the sum of it's parts.
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I've stopped trying to make myself love Ocean Machine. I like it, but I don't love it. Its just a difficult listen from start to finish, for some reason.
I like the last few songs, but I can't stand Life, Sister and Funeral. It's just a tedious album to get through for me.
It's a weird album for me. I like every song on it quite a bit, on their own, but if I try listening to the whole thing from start to finish, it doesn't keep my interest. So many of his albums are effortless to get through; Ocean Machine feels like difficult work to get through.
Deconstruction I love, but it's hard to listen to for other reasons, it's not a case of me not liking the music, but the fact that it's really long and there's a lot going on instrumentally and vocally in each song.
The only songs I ever listen to anymore from that record are Juular and The Mighty Masturbator. I would still say I like the majority of the rest, but with Devin having so much music, they just aren't good enough to work their way into my rotations ever.
First time seeing Devin Townsend tonight. I'm so looking forward to this, I'm going with a friend who is only a casual fan and I've not managed to get anyone to cover my shift at work tomorrow but it'll still be awesome!!
Enjoy! :metal :metal
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Managed to get cover for my shift tomorrow so I can go and have a few drinks at the gig tonight :metal
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1. Terria
2. Ocean Machine - OM and Terria are pretty much perfect, with Terria edging it out for having slightly better songs.
3. Accelerated Evolution - AE has really climbed up the ranks over time. Used to be more in the middle a couple of years ago but it's such a solid album
4. Infinity - I'm not fond of the production but it has some really good songs on it. Kinda scattershot in quality, though that describes pretty much every album from here till the end
5. Ki - I'm not a fan of all of the songs on this album. Many of the quieter ones don't really stand out all that well to me, they sound very similar and just run together. However, when listened to as a whole, it's a very neat listening experience. Also, "Disruptr" is so awesome.
6. Transcendence - Solid Devin is solid. Doesn't stand out as much as Ki and is arguably a standard Devin Townsend album, but it's way more consistent and I'd be hard-pressed to say any of the songs are bad.
7. Addicted - Good, fun, but kinda one dimensional. Also, I hate the production.
8. Epicloud - Addicted v 2.0. See above.
9. Synchestra - Way too varied in quality to be great. This is an album where I much prefer to pluck out and listen to my favorites in isolation rather than listen to the whole thing. That said, the good songs are glorious.
10. Ziltoid - A fun album but I just don't connect with many of the songs here. I don't hate anything but I don't really love anything either.
11. Decontruction - TMM is almost a masterpiece but the rest of the album is... okay? The production, the length, and the density of the music just make it a hard album to enjoy. Once TMM ios over, I check out but there's still three songs remaining (two of which I don't like all that much).
12. Sky Blue - Decent, standard-issue Devin with some good songs but none that really matches up with his best material.
13. Casualties of Cool - Very nice and pretty but not really something I enjoy all that much. Just not my type of music.
14. Ghost - Nice and pretty, but I usually just zone out when listening to it so individual moments don't stand out to me. I still honestly have no idea how many of these songs sound on their own.
15. Z2 - Ugh. A couple of decent songs but overall marred by some weak songwriting and a story that intrudes on the music too damn much. A perfect example of how not to do a concept album.
16. Physicist - Terrible production mixed with substandard songwriting. The "Victim" rerecording on Transcendence proves that even when cleaned up, the "good" songs on this album don't measure up. "Kingdom" was good, though. Everything else? Bleh.
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Ocean Machine is really great and just a perfect example of a body of work being greater than the sum of it's parts.
That's how I feel about Terria :tup
Have fun tonight! :D
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1. Terria
2. Ocean Machine - OM and Terria are pretty much perfect, with Terria edging it out for having slightly better songs.
3. Accelerated Evolution - AE has really climbed up the ranks over time. Used to be more in the middle a couple of years ago but it's such a solid album
4. Infinity - I'm not fond of the production but it has some really good songs on it. Kinda scattershot in quality, though that describes pretty much every album from here till the end
5. Ki - I'm not a fan of all of the songs on this album. Many of the quieter ones don't really stand out all that well to me, they sound very similar and just run together. However, when listened to as a whole, it's a very neat listening experience. Also, "Disruptr" is so awesome.
6. Transcendence - Solid Devin is solid. Doesn't stand out as much as Ki and is arguably a standard Devin Townsend album, but it's way more consistent and I'd be hard-pressed to say any of the songs are bad.
7. Addicted - Good, fun, but kinda one dimensional. Also, I hate the production.
8. Epicloud - Addicted v 2.0. See above.
9. Synchestra - Way too varied in quality to be great. This is an album where I much prefer to pluck out and listen to my favorites in isolation rather than listen to the whole thing. That said, the good songs are glorious.
10. Ziltoid - A fun album but I just don't connect with many of the songs here. I don't hate anything but I don't really love anything either.
11. Decontruction - TMM is almost a masterpiece but the rest of the album is... okay? The production, the length, and the density of the music just make it a hard album to enjoy. Once TMM ios over, I check out but there's still three songs remaining (two of which I don't like all that much).
12. Sky Blue - Decent, standard-issue Devin with some good songs but none that really matches up with his best material.
13. Casualties of Cool - Very nice and pretty but not really something I enjoy all that much. Just not my type of music.
14. Ghost - Nice and pretty, but I usually just zone out when listening to it so individual moments don't stand out to me. I still honestly have no idea how many of these songs sound on their own.
15. Z2 - Ugh. A couple of decent songs but overall marred by some weak songwriting and a story that intrudes on the music too damn much. A perfect example of how not to do a concept album.
16. Physicist - Terrible production mixed with substandard songwriting. The "Victim" rerecording on Transcendence proves that even when cleaned up, the "good" songs on this album don't measure up. "Kingdom" was good, though. Everything else? Bleh.
I am surprised you're a fan to the point of knowing every album if your 3rd favorite is merely "solid" and your 4th favorite is "scattershot" in quality. :P
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Infinity has some great songs, but a couple I don't care for. The good songs pretty much make up for the ones I don't care so it's more than a wash.
And AE is just really, really consistent. I have nothing to complain about on it, but it wouldn't make my list of Favorite Albums Evar(!) list, whereas Terria and OM would.
One can be a fan of an artist without being overly or excessively effusive about it.
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Haha, I know, I was just messing with ya a little. :biggrin:
To me, Devin has two all-time greats (Terria and Addicted), and then a crap load of CDs I would rank 4 or 4.5 stars. Of the 16 we ranked, I think only the last two are ones I would give below 4 (and both would get probably only a 2.0).
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11. Decontruction - TMM is almost a masterpiece but the rest of the album is... okay? The production, the length, and the density of the music just make it a hard album to enjoy. Once TMM ios over, I check out but there's still three songs remaining (two of which I don't like all that much).
Hmm, I disagree. TMM is very good, but not even the best song. I can understand that it's difficult to get through, because it's loud, heavy and just a TON of music. I just listened to the album again in full, for the first time in a couple of years and by the time the album gets to that minute of softer music at the end of Sumeria, you're glad that it's a little toned down :lol
I think the album gets better towards the end actually. Poltergeist, the closer, is my favourite track, because it's so ridiculously over the top. The title-track before that is also really nice in capturing the completely insanity from all the previous tracks, turning it upside down and mashing it out again into a not-so-very-cohesive-but-very-well-executed track.
My favourites, in order, from this album are:
1. Poltergeist
2. Planet of the Apes
3. Stand
4. Deconstruction
5. The Mighty Masturbator
6. Sumeria
7. Pandemic
8. Praise the Lowered
9. Juular
^ which really doesn't say much about Juular, I enjoy that track a lot as well.
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Bit of a Devin fanboy here. I don't think any album apart from Dark Matters and Physicist would score lower than a 7.5/10 for me :lol The most important part of Devin's music to me is that almost every album is a very good representation of his emotional state and views of life during the time it was made. In my opinion, this is very audible in the music and is also the main reason why Devin's music sounds so authentic. This very much influences my rankings of his albums, of course.
1. Ocean Machine
2. Terria - These two are perfect.
3. Ki
4. Deconstruction - Both masterpieces, but not quite as good as #1 and #2. These two swap places in my rankings constantly.
5. Casualties of Cool- Brilliant album, though it used to be higher in my rankings.
6. Accelerated Evolution - Had Away and Random Analysis been better songs, this album would probably have been #3 for me.
7. Ghost - One of the most peaceful albums I've ever heard, love it.
8. Infinity - Ants pulls this one down quite a lot; a few songs here are among Devin's best for me.
9. Addicted - Definitely the best of the "DTP style albums" (the other three Epicloud, Z2 and Transcendence), but it doesn't have the same emotional depth as some other Devy albums for me.
10. Synchestra - Only has a few individual songs that really stand out (Gaia, Pixilate, Judgment),but as a whole, it works extremely well.
11. Transcendence - It's a bit too early for me to really rank this still, but I think it's a really good album, even though it has the same sound as Epicloud, Z2 etc. The title track is not that good, but the rest is really good stuff.
12. Epicloud - My first Devin album; I like it even though it sounds very alike to Addicted.
13. Sky Blue - Sounds very similar to Addicted as well, but I just like it less than Epicloud. The slight melancholic vibe saves it from being lower.
14. Ziltoid the Omniscient - Has a few flaws, but I love the concept. Story-wise, I like how there's only a rough overlying 'idea' of a story, and how there are a lot of serious undertones even though the story is so silly.
15. Physicist - Bad production is my main problem with this one; apart from that, it has a few songs which are forgettable for Devin's standards, but Namaste, Jupiter, Kingdom and Planet Rain are definitely among Devin's better songs.
16. Dark Matters - I only really like a few songs on here, and the direct storytelling makes it really feel like a musical with (to me) very little underlying emotional depth.
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Just posted this in the 'Your Concerts for 2017' thread but thought I'd post here too:
So last night seeing DTP, Tesseract and Leprous was great. I learnt something and confirmed two other things.
First off I learnt that Leprous have one beast of a drummer. Baard was just on fire last night, he plays with such energy and really bashes the shit out of his kit. I think I realised that part of what I love so much about The Congregation, especially, is the drumming. I'm not much of an air drummer, but I am when listening to these guys. Einar was also great last night and I really love his voice. I don't know how well they went over last night, not a lot of people seemed to know them and the people I spoke to after weren't hugely into it. I'm not sure what my impression would have been if that was my first exposure to them (other than "This drummer kicks ass").
Last night also confirmed that Tesseract do nothing for me. I've tried with these guys, the music is ok, if a bit samey, but I just don't connect with them.
Finally, last night confirmed that Devin has the best crowd to artist banter between songs. He just comes across really genuine, doesn't take himself seriously and has fun. I already knew this, obviously, it just confirmed he is my favourite for this sort of thing. The atmosphere was really different from any other metal gig I've been to. I mean, for music that is, for the most part, metal, there were no circle pits and very little crowd movement. There was lots of headbanging, which I was fully involved with, but other than that it was quite reserved. That's fine and it fits Devin's music but it was just different to most gigs I go to. Either way, it was great, the set was pretty good (even though they just played the exact same set they have been playing recently, so no surprises there). I did find myself wishing Anneke had been there, for some of the songs. As my first time seeing Devin though I had a big, shit eating grin on my face throughout. There were a few nice surprises in the crowd last night as well. Turns out Paul and Craig (my step uncle and cousin I guess) were there. They don't even really now Devin's music but they are huge metal heads so gave it a go anyway :metal. I need to find out what they thought of it. Also, a few other friends (and friends of friends) were actually there so was good to see some familiar faces.
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Devin has some badass shows...and is really cool. My first gig was a meet a greet. He was a bit sick at the time, but was cool enough and a bit surprised to sign my Epicloud Bear. He actually never saw one before that. I told him its soft.
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Yea I caught Dev twice last fall on his US tour and plan on seeing him soon when he comes here. He's great to hear speak between songs as he calls things as they are. Very down to earth. I met him at one of those concerts and he seemed genuinely interested in the story I told him. He really liked it and had the biggest smile. It also doesnt hurt that the band is pretty solid live. There were mosh pits at my concerts though.
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Yes, his concert was much different than any other metal concert I attended. I love how "against" stereotypical metalheads he is, talking about love on the stage, smiling all the time, telling jokes etc. He even kissed some guy in the head. I didn't see it clearly, maybe it was security guard he kissed :lol After the song he said he's not sorry because the guy has awesome hairstyle (bald) :lol
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Yes, his concert was much different than any other metal concert I attended. I love how "against" stereotypical metalheads he is, talking about love on the stage, smiling all the time, telling jokes etc. He even kissed some guy in the head. I didn't see it clearly, maybe it was security guard he kissed :lol After the song he said he's not sorry because the guy has awesome hairstyle (bald) :lol
Yea, I like that too. I must admit I'm pretty in touch with my feminine side and hate overtly male stereotypes. That kind of applies to stereotypes of what 'metal is'. It's all bullshit, if you want to turn up to a metal show in sportswear, that's fine. You don't have to have a metal wardrobe or act a certain way to be considered 'metal'. Everyone is welcome at a Devin Townsend show and he promotes that with his persona and attitude. I love the guy. Basically, down with all stereotypes, it fuels hatred and prejudice so lets all just embrace each other as individual human beings.
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Exactly....he loved our love at our show.
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Yea I caught Dev twice last fall on his US tour and plan on seeing him soon when he comes here. He's great to hear speak between songs as he calls things as they are. Very down to earth. I met him at one of those concerts and he seemed genuinely interested in the story I told him. He really liked it and had the biggest smile. It also doesnt hurt that the band is pretty solid live. There were mosh pits at my concerts though.
Yeah, that's what stood out about him to me, too. When I met him, there was a guy next to me talking about his band to Devin, and instead of just giving him short answers like "oh, wow....cool", Devin asked him a series of questions about his band.
There was moshing at the show here, too. Nothing too extreme, though. The funny thing was, it was mostly girls. When 'Kingdom" started they went apeshit.
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Yea I caught Dev twice last fall on his US tour and plan on seeing him soon when he comes here. He's great to hear speak between songs as he calls things as they are. Very down to earth. I met him at one of those concerts and he seemed genuinely interested in the story I told him. He really liked it and had the biggest smile. It also doesnt hurt that the band is pretty solid live. There were mosh pits at my concerts though.
Yeah, that's what stood out about him to me, too. When I met him, there was a guy next to me talking about his band to Devin, and instead of just giving him short answers like "oh, wow....cool", Devin asked him a series of questions about his band.
There was moshing at the show here, too. Nothing too extreme, though. The funny thing was, it was mostly girls. When 'Kingdom" started they went apeshit.
Fuck, that show was a blast. It would re-live it 100 times if I could.
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In Amsterdam the moshpit started with Ziltoid Goes Home and went on until the end basically (apart ftom
Ih-Ah). I hadn't done that in ages, it was fun!
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Yea, Kingdom led to the place exploding when otherwise the pit was pretty small and tame. That song brings out the energy. :metal
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This is my list....
1. Ocean Machine
2. Addicted!
------------------
3. Infinity
4. Transcendence
5. Deconstruction
6. Accelerated Evolution
7. Terria
8. Casualties of Cool
9. Synchestra
10. Ki
11. Ziltoid the Omniscient
---------------------
12. Epicloud
13. Sky Blue
14. Physicist
15. Ghost
16. Dark Matters
Ocean Machine and Addicted! are just classics for me. Everything from Infinity to Ziltoid change positions often but this is where they would likely stand at the moment. The bottom 5 are still quite good just don't usually move beyond where they are in my Dev list.
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The Hummer and Devlab not getting a lot of love from you guys. I love those two, even have a signed Devlab cd.
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The Hummer and Devlab not getting a lot of love from you guys. I love those two, even have a signed Devlab cd.
I must admit, I've still not listened to either. Surely when Dev is not at his best (which seems to be general consensus about these two albums) it's still worth a listen. Maybe I'll give them a try tonight.
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I'll give the rankings a go, I haven't heard a few of his albums and there's a few that I've listened to once or twice, but weren't into so haven't gone back to them so I can't properly rank them.
Albums I know well enough to rank:
Addicted!
Epicloud
Ocean Machine
Accelerated Evolution
Transcendence
Sky Blue
Ziltoid the Omniscient
Infinity
Synchestra
Dark Matters
Listened to but haven't gone back:
Deconstruction
Ki
Ghost
Haven't listened to:
Casualties of Cool
Terria
Physicist
Devlab/Hummer/Bonus tracks
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I can never get past track 1 of Devlab. I like some weird, noisy, experimental music from time to time but I just can't get into Devlab.
The Hummer is decent background music.
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In Amsterdam the moshpit started with Ziltoid Goes Home and went on until the end basically (apart ftom
Ih-Ah). I hadn't done that in ages, it was fun!
Yeah, that was awesome!
The Hummer and Devlab not getting a lot of love from you guys. I love those two, even have a signed Devlab cd.
Never could get into those albums. Maybe I should try again though.
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Haven't listened to:
Terria
Fix that
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Haven't listened to:
Terria
Fix that
I second that.
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I can never get past track 1 of Devlab. I like some weird, noisy, experimental music from time to time but I just can't get into Devlab.
The Hummer is decent background music.
Yeah the first couple of minutes actually seems to be there to throw people off. After that the crazy manipulated drums return maybe once or twice, but the album is full of great soundscapes, some drones and great buildups of tension with amazing releases of wonderful ambience. I like it better than most of his regular albums.
Maybe so you guys will have some guidance I'll write down my thoughts:
The album basically starts after 1:30 of crazy stuff, and gets pretty right away. Mostly electronic stuff, some layered vocals, with a hint of processed (sometimes with a very beautiful envelope filter) piano every now and then.
After minute 6 the song quiets down, and starts building up with some organ and just random noise (including stuff sounding like the intro, but way more processed, slowed down, down-pitched etc.) every now and then. When the track again seems to get ugly (intro-like), around 10:30, you get a couple of extremely low hits, slamming you back into the (again quieting down) trip.
After around 14 minutes you even get a short dance like section, swiftly swallowed by a lot of reverb and delay, only to be punched down by a incredibly heavy drone, but that quickly gets taken over by some over the top screaming, and directly back into the void.
The next 10 minutes is a buildup to some trance-like electronics. Dev seems to have experimented with this more often, but this sort of electronics rarely made it onto his albums.
From 30 minutes onward stuff gets darker. It really slows down, with some no-tempo ambient, and a sample of reversed vocals, at 35-36 minutes you slowly wake up again. Once more a deep punchy synth, and a nonsense Devin vocal should make you pay attention to the next section. The next bit is more vocal-laden, layered stuff with a lot of reverb.
From 40 minutes on one of the most beautiful parts of the album takes off. A big major chord, with sometimes shifting bass notes, with something that sounds like a movie dialogue on top of it.
Around 45 minutes one of the only clean cuts of the album happens. Although this is supposed to be one long track, this seems to be something new starting off. From 40 minutes on this has become more beautiful step by step, but this is really one of the highlights. Although it's just IV-I over and over again, played by some sequenced or arpeggiated synth, the way everything finally reaches a musical resting place is amazing. I even dare say that the beat coming in afterwards makes it too much of a song. But it is possible that that piece (around 53 minutes) will suit the regular music fan the most.
The last couple of minutes fits the 'fever dream' concept, up until the very (pretty disturbing) end.
PS. I loved reading reviews online 'there are not real keyboard or guitars on this record', 'this is not actual music', 'meaningless loud noises compiled together'
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDaRhp1zMEc
He played the whole Ocean Machine yesterday in London. All the videos are there. Amazing.
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Bump
The eBook version of his autobiography, "Only Half There", is now available.
https://us.rocket88books.com/products/only-half-there-ebook
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Bump
The eBook version of his autobiography, "Only Half There", is now available.
https://us.rocket88books.com/products/only-half-there-ebook
It's also available through Amazon Kindle
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Devin on Twitter last night...
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8xrM9MXYAAb6Mm.jpg)
:rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin
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:lol :heart :millahhhh
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Three days till I see Devin for the first time. :metal
Looks like the set last night was:
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/devin-townsend-project/2017/the-glass-house-pomona-ca-3be60048.html
I'd be totally cool with that set list on Tuesday. :hat
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I'm seeing him tomorrow night. I'm tempted to look at the setlist but don't want to be disappointed if its close to the set he played last time he was here
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Im seeing him next Sunday but he's the opener. I hope he keeps Deadhead in the set, it's the only song changed from the fall tour it seems, but I also expect like a 30 minute set so who knows. It may just be a few new songs and a couple old so might not see much variety at all.
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I've been reading Devin's bio. I have read about a third of the book. Love his sincerity.
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I was at the Pomona show since I won tickets, ''twas a great night as expected :metal
Met Devy and the whole band after the show and got them to sign my Transcendence vinyl, they were all super nice :tup
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On my way there to the show. Don't think I'll make it in time for ONI
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Fantastic show tonight! Only a couple hundred people there, yet Devin acted all night as if he were performing to 20,000. He's such a talent, and an even greater person; he is as genuine as it gets and is totally appreciative of every fan he has. He's one of those guys you just love to be a fan of, and tonight the proof was in the pudding. :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
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I forgot to mention how Devin started the show:
"Hey everybody, we're nerdy, but we're gonna play some metal for you because...BUTT SEX!" And then bam, the first song starts. :lol :lol :lol
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:lol typical Devin, I'm pumped for him Sunday night. Just wish he was the closer, not Opeth.
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As much as I love Opeth, I cannot imagine them playing after such a high energy show as the one Devin puts on.
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As much as I love Opeth, I cannot imagine them playing after such a high energy show as the one Devin puts on.
Well there is also Gojira between them :lol It's one hell of a line up. I'm actually not much of an Opeth fan. Seen them twice with DT on prognation and really never interested me (even though everyone says they are a band I would like, they just haven't clicked for me). Gojira I just started listening to and Magma is a sick album so I think by the time Opeth comes on, I may be dead already.
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LOL, never know. I am pretty wiped out after last night (which is why I took the morning off). Then again, I am 43 now, so I tire out quicker now. :P :lol
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He stated at our show how he took 4 shits that day and said " I guess we'll be going with that."
Was a blast but he didn't play Grace.
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Ditto. I am trying to avoid spoilers for those who do not want them, but the set list was basically the same as in the link I posted the other day (still on this page), minus Grace. And the 2nd to last song in that posted set list was moved to the first encore spot.
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It was better that way.
Also, we sang the Fuck out of Supercrush!, which he forgot the lyrics to some parts which he was glad we knew...
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Yep, same thing last night. There were parts of the chorus where he walked to the front of the stage and let us all sing the lines, which we did. :metal
And the Anneke parts in that song...I honestly could not tell if I was hearing them in my head or if they were being triggered and actually audible. :lol :lol
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They were audible at times. But I mostly heard the audience for the "Save My Soul" lines.
Also, I was a bit upset at not many of us singing along to Ih-Ah!...plus he did a quiet moment and one guy yelled something and fucked up the moment.
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Part of me is still slightly miffed at Devin for not bringing back Universal Flame (that is such an obvious live beast and should be a natural to play often), but the show was so dang good and he was so fun to watch that I can't stay mad at him. :metal :lol
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I almost forgot! Their after show music, while they were waving to and high giving the crowd, was from the Police Academy movies. The music from the gay bar The Blue Oyster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdbt-sx5MDc
I was nearly in tears laughing. :lol :lol :lol
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:lol
I tweeted this last night in prep for the concert this weekend (a short clip I took of Grace from ProgPower last fall)
https://twitter.com/Cramx3/status/859911896035713024 (https://twitter.com/Cramx3/status/859911896035713024)
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.
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I would say Secret Sciences has slowly been creeping up as my favorite song on Transcendence. I liked it initially, but every time I go back to that album I feel like that may be the song I want to listen to the most. And I am still glad to be one of the few to witness Offer Your Light live. That song should be getting more live play because it's so fun and energetic.
I might be there with ya now. I've always liked it a lot, but a few recent listens made that one really stand out as my favorite from this record.
I still like Higher a lot, but while I thought it was clearly the best song at first, the shine is off a tad. I think the chorus being so incredible is what grabbed me so hard, and I still think that chorus is bananas, but the rest of the song around it is merely good, to me that is.
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Saw Devy at Red Rocks (with Opeth and Gojira) the other night. Was pretty amazing.
His solo on Failure has improved a ton. He was clearly a little rusty when I saw him on the initial Transcendence tour, but he nailed it this time around.
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That concert must have been amazing (line up + venue), I actually had to sell my ticket the day of the concert last weekend due to illness. I was so pissed, but there was no way I could attend in my condition.
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That's a major bummer, man. Have you at least seen him before, cramx3?
Mosh, he really does nail the Failure solo well. He rarely solos, but when he does, it is always quite good. I love the fact that he doesn't feel the need to throw solos into his songs just because it is what many expect.
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Yea, caught DTP twice last year so I didn't really miss much overall.
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I think Devin is my favorite musician on social media.
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/18588666_1663417837016865_3494410081441117140_o.jpg?oh=461161c991315bf2ac5ac3acaa1691b8&oe=59B2170E)
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:lol :lol :lol
I think Devin is my favorite musician on social media.
By far. He is engaging, funny, informative and manages to post a ton without ever being one of those musicians who is needing acceptance or praise of everything he says or does. More than any musician out there right now, he totally gets it. :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
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Would anyone be able to point me towards a bigger, higher quality version of this image? I keep finding ones that are just the suit, but I want the logo too that says "Epiclouder". Multiple Google image searches are turning up nothing, and I am giving up and going to bed.
(https://lastfm-img2.akamaized.net/i/u/ar0/1a874bc15bc1444195f479e14ee274d8)
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Would anyone be able to point me towards a bigger, higher quality version of this image? I keep finding ones that are just the suit, but I want the logo too that says "Epiclouder". Multiple Google image searches are turning up nothing, and I am giving up and going to bed.
(https://lastfm-img2.akamaized.net/i/u/ar0/1a874bc15bc1444195f479e14ee274d8)
That's because the actual artwork on the CD/vinyl is just the suit. There's no titling, so any images like this one that have titles are fanmade. If the fan didn't make it larger than 300x300, you're not going to find it!
There's one at 600x600 but it says Epicloud, no -er.
Personally, I prefer cover art without titles, so it looks mighty fine that way to me!
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Well dang. Guess I'll just have to leave it as is then. I did find a cool cover for the Holding Patterns bonus cd that I assume is fanmade, so I'm using that.
And apparently Hevy Devy's eBay has copies of Devlab and The Hummer, so I'm going to scoop those up.
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Huh, Devin just announced a bunch of shows in August/September, and there's actually a gig in Moscow on 29th September. I'm not a big fan, but I suppose I may as well attend.
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The Soundtrack Of My Life: Devin Townsend :tup
https://www.mixcloud.com/TeamRockRadio/the-soundtrack-of-my-life-devon-townsend/
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Just watched this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AnDfqYlSzNs (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AnDfqYlSzNs)
Holy fucking shit...
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I wish he would hurry up and hammer into the Moth Symphony already >:(
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Just watched this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AnDfqYlSzNs (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AnDfqYlSzNs)
Holy fucking shit...
A very fitting reaction. It's an absolutely incredible performance. Much better than the album version, in my opinion.
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God damn it, it is so fucking good.
Also that first comment. :rollin :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal
So awesome that he's that into it as well. So many motherfuckers these days just dredge through the performance and clearly aren't even into their own music or what they're doing and there's Devy with a god damn hard dick.
I love it.
And yes, fifteen million fold better than the album version both for the comradery and the performance. Also the fact I can understand the lyrics and hear his voice. :P
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I still think the best version of The Death Of Music is the one from London this year. I don't know what it is, but it really seems to hit in on that performance and it's mesmerizing to watch.
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Cool video of Dev and Steve Vai playing Truth with an Orchestra
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVh5eW6lwir/
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I'm going to orchestrate the ZTO theme...just in case :biggrin:
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Anyone else thinks the chorus of Failure sounds really familiar? If so, do you know songs with choruses that sound like it? Just wondering where I might've heard a similar chorus before.
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Anyone else thinks the chorus of Failure sounds really familiar? If so, do you know songs with choruses that sound like it? Just wondering where I might've heard a similar chorus before.
Maybe ask reddit? I know what you mean, certain things in that song sounded so familiar when I first heard it (even more than when I heard Dream Theater's selftitled, those dejavu moments :justjen )
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Anyone else thinks the chorus of Failure sounds really familiar? If so, do you know songs with choruses that sound like it? Just wondering where I might've heard a similar chorus before.
So We Row - Pineapple Thief (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1dOEPJ4c6c)
I thought the same thing when I heard it.
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Just saw on Devin's twitter that the show in the Ancient Roman Theatre in Plovdiv will be recorded and later released on BluRay. The show will have a By Request portion and the full Ocean Machine album with an orchestra.
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Just saw on Devin's twitter that the show in the Ancient Roman Theatre in Plovdiv will be recorded and later released on BluRay. The show will have a By Request portion and the full Ocean Machine album with an orchestra.
That's fantastic, I kind of figured that would be likely, but good to have the confirmation. Do we have any details about how to put in the requests? I was only just a newb fan when he did the by request setlist for the last blu-ray so I didn't participate, but I'd hope the fan base can pick some different songs than last time.
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I have no idea as well, I've asked him twice on twitter but so far I haven't gotten an answer.
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Last time people just commented on a Facebook post. It'll probably be the same this time.
My ideal setlist: (About 1.5 hours)
Let It Roll
Hypergeek
Triumph
Storm
Stormbending (Gotta have something to represent the new album.)
Kingdom (I'd like something different, but we all know it'll be on the setlist)
Juno
Gaia
Sky Blue
Nobody's Here
Tiny Tears
Stagnant
From the Heart
Encore:
Higher
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Last time people just commented on a Facebook post. It'll probably be the same this time.
And I just went over to twitter and saw this:
We're just getting the by request thing figured out, should start on the Facebook page in the next day or two
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/885801148678123520 (https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/885801148678123520)
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https://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend/posts/1737730122918969
Got my tickets and voted for Deadhead, Earth Day, By Your Command, Bad Devil, and Numbered.
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https://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend/posts/1737730122918969
Got my tickets and voted for Deadhead, Earth Day, By Your Command, Bad Devil, and Numbered.
I voted for Deadhead, Failure, Numbered, Deep Peace and Higher. I thought about Earth Day as well, but Deep Peace could be more interesting with an orchestra off that album.
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I already forgot what I vote :lol But I did make sure to vote for songs that weren't already on DVD and I did vote for Numbered. That song rocks. :metal
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https://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend/posts/1737730122918969
Got my tickets and voted for Deadhead, Earth Day, By Your Command, Bad Devil, and Numbered.
I voted for Deadhead, Failure, Numbered, Deep Peace and Higher. I thought about Earth Day as well, but Deep Peace could be more interesting with an orchestra off that album.
The By Request setlist is without the orchestra, it is only for Ocean Machine.
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I voted Canada, Sunday Afternoon, Noisy Pink Bubbles, Stagnant and Deep Peace.
The amount of tracks to choose from is ridiculous.
I hope he doesn't play Kingdom nor Grace nor Rejoice nor The March of the Poozers nor anything that he plays constantly and was in almost every live album.
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https://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend/posts/1737730122918969
Got my tickets and voted for Deadhead, Earth Day, By Your Command, Bad Devil, and Numbered.
I voted for Deadhead, Failure, Numbered, Deep Peace and Higher. I thought about Earth Day as well, but Deep Peace could be more interesting with an orchestra off that album.
The By Request setlist is without the orchestra, it is only for Ocean Machine.
I thought that originally, but not according to that facebook post:
As you may know the upcoming show in Plovdiv, Bulgaria this Sept 22nd will have a "By Request" set that will be played together with the Orchestra of Plovdiv State Opera. Devin has now compiled a list of tracks from which you can pick your top five favourites so please cast your votes that will determine the set list!
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Oh, nice. IIRC initially it was stated that it was only going to be the first set as this has always been the case for the shows with the orchestra here, but this is great news. I don't know how much time they will have to properly incorporate the orchestra with the requested songs, though.
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Yea, I am curious how much the orchestra is going to add to the by request set list since it's not finalized yet. Also, the vote does have a note at the bottom essentially saying that the vote may be meaningless :lol I'm going to guess he already knows for the most part what he is going to play then.
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I'm not going and I want Suicide to be played so badly.
Make it so.
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Dude is cutting it close. When does the voting end?
I feel like it takes some real time to not only get the orchestra to practice, but also...you know....write the orchestra parts. That, I feel, takes a while.
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Dude is cutting it close. When does the voting end?
I feel like it takes some real time to not only get the orchestra to practice, but also...you know....write the orchestra parts. That, I feel, takes a while.
Yea I totally agree. I really think he already knows most of the songs he's playing because of this, his limited selection of choices, and the * note at the bottom.
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NOT MIGHTY MASTURBATOR?? I REPEAT NO MIGHTY MASTURBATOR??????????
What the hell Dev :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored
Let me get this straight, you're playing this show with an ORCHESTRA and you don't do The Mighty Masturbator or even Deconstruction???????? and that one even has deliberate Stravinsky-esque moments in it :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
I love you Dev, but: :tdwn :tdwn :tdwn :tdwn
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Dude is cutting it close. When does the voting end?
I feel like it takes some real time to not only get the orchestra to practice, but also...you know....write the orchestra parts. That, I feel, takes a while.
If he asked me, I would do it. I AM a classical composer after all, I know how to orchestrate a fucking four voiced work into a 12 even 20 staved large orchestra, piece of cake :'(
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Still, What the hell Dev?????
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Interesting choice of songs he gave us. Great to see Stagnant in there; I hope that one makes it!
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NOT MIGHTY MASTURBATOR?? I REPEAT NO MIGHTY MASTURBATOR??????????
What the hell Dev :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored
Let me get this straight, you're playing this show with an ORCHESTRA and you don't do The Mighty Masturbator or even Deconstruction???????? and that one even has deliberate Stravinsky-esque moments in it :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
I love you Dev, but: :tdwn :tdwn :tdwn :tdwn
TMM is too hard and too long and we have a decent live version of it already. Let's hear something new.
Deconstruction is just too hard, not only for Dev but for Ryan as well.
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I forgot what else I voted for. But Numbered better be on that setlist. It'll be so epic with the orchestra.
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Numbered would be awesome but hopefully with Anneke Joining him to perform it
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NOT MIGHTY MASTURBATOR?? I REPEAT NO MIGHTY MASTURBATOR??????????
What the hell Dev :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored
Let me get this straight, you're playing this show with an ORCHESTRA and you don't do The Mighty Masturbator or even Deconstruction???????? and that one even has deliberate Stravinsky-esque moments in it :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
I love you Dev, but: :tdwn :tdwn :tdwn :tdwn
TMM is too hard and too long and we have a decent live version of it already. Let's hear something new.
Deconstruction is just too hard, not only for Dev but for Ryan as well.
But this is a special show with an orchestra, it doesn't come by often.......
besides Masturbator and Deconstruction won't be as much of a challenge on the actual orchestra as you may think. Combined it's only 25 minutes of music for the orchestra will play?
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Eh, I used to like Deconstruction a ton, but not as much anymore. I'd hate to see him waste 10 minutes of the set on that.
The Mighty Masturbator is awesome, but like Metropolaris said, it'd be a nightmare for the band to get it right on their own, much less having an orchestra synch up to it. Too much potential for a trainwreck.
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I was figuring that the Ocean Machine part was with Orchestra and the By Request was band only.
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I wish there was a chance to hear Bones from Casualties at that show.
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I was figuring that the Ocean Machine part was with Orchestra and the By Request was band only.
I think from reading Dev's post the whole thing is with an orchestra as mentions only a select few songs to choose from so the orchestra has time to learn them.
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Looks like Devy is updating his facebook with new shows, seems a small tour of the US with Clutch.
I see December 28th in NJ. I will try to make that show since I was too sick to attend his last NJ show earlier this year.
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Looks like Devy is updating his facebook with new shows, seems a small tour of the US with Clutch.
I see December 28th in NJ. I will try to make that show since I was too sick to attend his last NJ show earlier this year.
I wouldn't have put those two together on a lineup, they are pretty different. I love both bands though so I'd definitely go if I had the chance, I'd want to see Devin headlining though.
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My first exposure to Devin Townsend was with Vai, and it was not positive in any sense. I have stuck the toe in the water on a couple occasions, and it burned. :) Having said that, I like the guy. I like reading the background on the various albums, and his honesty and (musical) integrity is pretty evident. I want, so badly, to like the music, but...
Having said that, I listened to the snippets on his website of three songs from Transcendence (Failure, Secret Sciences, Stormbending) and was pretty impressed. Are they indicative of the rest of the album?
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Nov. 29 Cone Denim Entertainment Center Greensboro, NC
Dec 1 House Of Blues Myrtle Beach, SC
Dec 2 Jannus Live St Petersburg, FL
Dec 3 Revolution Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dec 5 Backyard Stage @ St Augustine Ampthr St.Augustine, FL
Dec 6 Vinyl Music Hall Pensacola, FL
Dec 8 Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LA
Dec 9 The Aztec Theatre San Antonio, TX
Dec 10 House Of Blues Houston, TX
Dec 11 Gillioz Theatre Springfield, MO
Dec 13 Bourbon Theatre Lincoln, NE
Dec 15 Limelight Eventplex Peoria, IL
Dec 16 Marathon Music Works Nashville, TN
Dec 27 Upstate Concert Hall Clifton Park, NY
Dec 28 Starland Ballroom Sayreville, NJ
Dec 29 The National Richmond, VA
Dec 30 The International Knoxville, TN
Dec 31 Express Live Columbus, OH
For those who can't find it/don't have FB.
Also Devin is opening for Clutch.
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Having said that, I listened to the snippets on his website of three songs from Transcendence (Failure, Secret Sciences, Stormbending) and was pretty impressed. Are they indicative of the rest of the album?
There's the occasional grunt and extreme metal section in Higher but other than that, yes :)
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Having said that, I listened to the snippets on his website of three songs from Transcendence (Failure, Secret Sciences, Stormbending) and was pretty impressed. Are they indicative of the rest of the album?
There's the occasional grunt and extreme metal section in Higher but other than that, yes :)
Yea, that album is pretty stellar and consistent in terms of musical direction. I totally understand how someone could listen to some Devin clips and be turned off though.
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Failure might be one of the best songs he's ever written. The drums are so damn tasty in that one.
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Failure might be one of the best songs he's ever written. The drums are so damn tasty in that one.
My favourite off the album as well, and it was mainly written by the other guys - not Devin.
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Failure might be one of the best songs he's ever written. The drums are so damn tasty in that one.
I don't know, I like Transcendence a lot but I don't particularly think Failure stands out anymore than anything else. Stormbending is my favourite track and everything else is pretty much at the same level, just below Stormbending. Such a great album.
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Failure might be one of the best songs he's ever written. The drums are so damn tasty in that one.
I don't know, I like Transcendence a lot but I don't particularly think Failure stands out anymore than anything else. Stormbending is my favourite track and everything else is pretty much at the same level, just below Stormbending. Such a great album.
Failure isn't my favorite either, I think Secret Sciences may be or Offer Your Light. The album is strong overall though, not a bad track.
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Failure might be one of the best songs he's ever written. The drums are so damn tasty in that one.
My favourite off the album as well, and it was mainly written by the other guys - not Devin.
I didn't know that. That's a mighty feat to pull off! Hats off to them. I love that song because it sounds HUGE. The chorus, man. Feels like Devy should be commanding the clouds to move around him atop a mountain. Epic. As. Hell.
I do *love* Offer Your Light though... Man, I just might have to play this record tonight at the gym. Good stuff!!
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So atm Devin and company are rattling the earth in Plovdiv..... :metal :hefdaddy
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21751823_1823072721051375_1469236163862883116_n.jpg?oh=e13448e2b49943a223bd618b7c6e1f42&oe=5A86EF70)
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/21950018_1824760890882558_3016435601945929316_o.jpg?oh=bf1639b625c31c65317e04c63bda5a97&oe=5A3C4637)
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:metal curious what the final set list ends up being
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I can't wait for this blu ray to be released. Ocean Machine is amazing (A desert island disc for me) and it's the album that got me into this Devin crazyness.
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I wish I could've been there :(
The setlist (https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/devin-townsend-project/2017/roman-amphitheatre-plovdiv-bulgaria-3be27460.html) was amazing! Gaia, Om, Canada, A Simple Lullaby, Deep Peace, Stormbending... Can't wait for this blu-ray!
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:metal curious what the final set list ends up being
Here's what Setlist.fm says.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/devin-townsend-project/2017/roman-amphitheatre-plovdiv-bulgaria-3be27460.html
Set 1 (By Request):
Truth
Stormbending
OM
Failure
By Your Command
Gaia
Deadhead
Canada
Bad Devil
Higher
A Simple Lullaby
Deep Peace
Set 2: Ocean Machine
Killer set :metal
Surprised he left out Kingdom. It's been on every other live album/DVD and he plays it at every show, but I would have loved to hear it with the Orchestra.
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Gaia and A Simple Lullabye. Fuck yes.
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Gaia?! fuck yea! :metal
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Killer set. :metal
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FYI, the show's still going on. Someone on the Devin FB group is livestreaming it. They're in the middle of Bastard right now. So maybe there will be a surprise encore.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2213209287/
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watching now...awesome
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Where's the orchestra?
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Where's the orchestra?
The orchestra only played during the By Request set
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Where's the orchestra?
The orchestra only played during the By Request set
lol why? Weren't we all speculating all along they were playing along with OM and not sure if it would include the By Request? Seems odd
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Where's the orchestra?
The orchestra only played during the By Request set
lol why? Weren't we all speculating all along they were playing along with OM and not sure if it would include the By Request? Seems odd
Yea, that seems odd. I was assuming the orchestra would be accompanying all music played this evening. I understand it may have been a difficult thing to pull off but that was what was making this show so special.
Anyway, wish I'd been there regardless. Looking forward to checking this out.
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Yea, this is definitely a day 1 blu-ray purchase for me and I'm glad that By Request set was solid, not getting repeats from the past DVDs
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From the videos that are already released on youtube it is clear to see that he didn't put a vocal performance as good as he did in the Royal Albert Hall. At least on The Death of Music. He's slowly losing his voice. I think around 2010 he was at his top form. Since then he has been slowly getting worse, which is understandable with age.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6cwmcNBM4M
He couldn't sing the best part on "Funeral"
"The day's gone, and the year's gone..............."
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Can't comment on the live stuff, but his studio stuff has shown a decline in his voice as well. He used to sing these insane vocals, and for the most part now he does the huge choir vocals to save his strength. If it works, it works. Glad he's finding ways to compensate.
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I don't know. Looking at the setlist, it was a hugely demanding show to sing. But he sounded great at the RAH concert, even though that was a tough setlist as well. I think the vocals in the studio haven't been showing the decline, however. Yes, there aren't as many high notes maybe as 5-10 years ago. But his technique has actually greatly improved since he quit SYL, and the male voice gets lower with age anyway, especially if you scream like Devin does. At recent live shows when I've seen him, his vocals were mostly very good.
I think this is just due to a number of factors. He's mentioned on Twitter that this year has been one of his most demanding so far with all the touring and travelling for interviews and promoting gear and stuff. Moreover, the other two full OM performances that he's done so far didn't have a 1 hour show in advance already. Lastly, he's mentioned that doing OM in full like this is pretty much an emotional rollercoaster, and this time he even had the original bassist come on and play the whole thing with him, and he had the orchestra play the first set with the DTP, which can also be very stressful. Being stressed out a bit can greatly strain your voice when you have to sing.
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He sounded amazing live, imo.
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He's mentioned on Twitter that this year has been one of his most demanding so far with all the touring and travelling for interviews and promoting gear and stuff.
I'm sure his voice is degrading over the years with age, but I think the above is a big reason as well. He tweets a lot about being exhausted from this years touring. I'm sure his vocal cords have taken a beating.
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I don't know. Looking at the setlist, it was a hugely demanding show to sing. But he sounded great at the RAH concert, even though that was a tough setlist as well. I think the vocals in the studio haven't been showing the decline, however. Yes, there aren't as many high notes maybe as 5-10 years ago. But his technique has actually greatly improved since he quit SYL, and the male voice gets lower with age anyway, especially if you scream like Devin does. At recent live shows when I've seen him, his vocals were mostly very good.
I think this is just due to a number of factors. He's mentioned on Twitter that this year has been one of his most demanding so far with all the touring and travelling for interviews and promoting gear and stuff. Moreover, the other two full OM performances that he's done so far didn't have a 1 hour show in advance already. Lastly, he's mentioned that doing OM in full like this is pretty much an emotional rollercoaster, and this time he even had the original bassist come on and play the whole thing with him, and he had the orchestra play the first set with the DTP, which can also be very stressful. Being stressed out a bit can greatly strain your voice when you have to sing.
I wasn't talking about high notes or his career post SYL. I meant mostly for the last few albums. His screams are fine, but his actual clean vocal seem to rely more and more on tons of layers, which are usually made up of much softer vocal tracks. I dunno, to me there's been a decline in vocals for the past 2-3 albums. If you guys don't hear it, awesome. But I do.
Still a die hard fan, just my observation.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BZcIpXwlHTk/
Cool pic Dev just shared from the Ocean Machine days with Rob Halford :metal
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I don't know. Looking at the setlist, it was a hugely demanding show to sing. But he sounded great at the RAH concert, even though that was a tough setlist as well. I think the vocals in the studio haven't been showing the decline, however. Yes, there aren't as many high notes maybe as 5-10 years ago. But his technique has actually greatly improved since he quit SYL, and the male voice gets lower with age anyway, especially if you scream like Devin does. At recent live shows when I've seen him, his vocals were mostly very good.
I think this is just due to a number of factors. He's mentioned on Twitter that this year has been one of his most demanding so far with all the touring and travelling for interviews and promoting gear and stuff. Moreover, the other two full OM performances that he's done so far didn't have a 1 hour show in advance already. Lastly, he's mentioned that doing OM in full like this is pretty much an emotional rollercoaster, and this time he even had the original bassist come on and play the whole thing with him, and he had the orchestra play the first set with the DTP, which can also be very stressful. Being stressed out a bit can greatly strain your voice when you have to sing.
I wasn't talking about high notes or his career post SYL. I meant mostly for the last few albums. His screams are fine, but his actual clean vocal seem to rely more and more on tons of layers, which are usually made up of much softer vocal tracks. I dunno, to me there's been a decline in vocals for the past 2-3 albums. If you guys don't hear it, awesome. But I do.
Still a die hard fan, just my observation.
Yep, same here.
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I prefer Devin's clean vocals. Kind of like Akerfeldt's. Their voice is just perfect to my ears.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QulmWwAbOy0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QulmWwAbOy0)
it's a long video, but i am only a few minutes in and this is amazing.
Devin Townsend is a guest on Slavi's Show in Bulgaria
:rollin :rollin :rollin
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The fact that he's not a global mega star for his comedic prowess baffles me daily.
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I wasn't talking about high notes or his career post SYL. I meant mostly for the last few albums. His screams are fine, but his actual clean vocal seem to rely more and more on tons of layers, which are usually made up of much softer vocal tracks. I dunno, to me there's been a decline in vocals for the past 2-3 albums. If you guys don't hear it, awesome. But I do.
Still a die hard fan, just my observation.
Hmm. I see your point. I've noticed the tons of layers as well, especially on Epicloud, Casualties and Z2. You're right there! But I felt that was toned down a bit on Transcendence, especially on the first few songs. Maybe I don't remember it right, though. Anyway, even though he uses backing tracks live as well, I think he's as strong as ever.
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Alright, I'm seeing the man today! I'm not even his biggest fan (I only like a couple of albums), but I'm really curious and excited to see him live. It's his first Russian tour too, and also the first time he's playing in Moscow, so this was a no-brainer, I just had to get the tickets.
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:metal I'm sure you'll enjoy the show and especially his talks between songs :lol
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Alright, I'm seeing the man today! I'm not even his biggest fan (I only like a couple of albums), but I'm really curious and excited to see him live. It's his first Russian tour too, and also the first time he's playing in Moscow, so this was a no-brainer, I just had to get the tickets.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this gig dude. I've only seen Dev once, earlier this year, but he was awesome! Definitely one of those bands/artists that I could see people falling in love with when seeing them live. So good!
:metal I'm sure you'll enjoy the show and especially his talks between songs :lol
Also, totally this. His shows are part improv, stand up comedy.
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Good gig, definitely was worth it to go. Not sure if I'm going to listen to Devin's music more now, but I enjoyed it. Highlights for me were Failure, Deadhead, March of the Poozers and Ih-Ah.
There wasn't a lot of talking spots between songs, maybe four—not counting Ih-Ah—but from these I could tell he's genuine and hilarious. :lol He came down after the show and spent like ten minutes signing people's stuff—I've got my copy of Transcendence signed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QulmWwAbOy0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QulmWwAbOy0)
it's a long video, but i am only a few minutes in and this is amazing.
Devin Townsend is a guest on Slavi's Show in Bulgaria
:rollin :rollin :rollin
Just watched this. Wow. :rollin
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There's six individual album themes I'm working on now. If you don't like what I do, they won't change your mind, but I think they're killer
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/916125422840029189 (https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/916125422840029189)
:omg:
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There's six individual album themes I'm working on now. If you don't like what I do, they won't change your mind, but I think they're killer
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/916125422840029189 (https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/916125422840029189)
:omg:
Out of those 6, I expect maybe 3 to actually be released :lol
I'm still waiting on Obviouser, Empath, Garden Music, that Electronic EP he mentioned years ago, and the Moth Symphony.
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There's six individual album themes I'm working on now. If you don't like what I do, they won't change your mind, but I think they're killer
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/916125422840029189 (https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/916125422840029189)
:omg:
Out of those 6, I expect maybe 3 to actually be released :lol
I'm still waiting on Obviouser, Empath, Garden Music, that Electronic EP he mentioned years ago, and the Moth Symphony.
Maybe he added one more theme, while he was working on those other ones.
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/921178656294060033
Anyways, we're going to do a really cool vinyl box set of my stuff since Ki...working on ideas now with the label.
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Side note: Anyone who hasn't checked out the bonus disc on Transcendence, do so as its probably up there with his best stuff (Celestial Signals is one of the best songs DT has written IMO)
Also check out the original Ziltoid version of Juular (A Ziltoidian Rapture) - will blow your mind!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEUuIt-jgNc
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I don't know. Looking at the setlist, it was a hugely demanding show to sing. But he sounded great at the RAH concert, even though that was a tough setlist as well. I think the vocals in the studio haven't been showing the decline, however. Yes, there aren't as many high notes maybe as 5-10 years ago. But his technique has actually greatly improved since he quit SYL, and the male voice gets lower with age anyway, especially if you scream like Devin does. At recent live shows when I've seen him, his vocals were mostly very good.
I think this is just due to a number of factors. He's mentioned on Twitter that this year has been one of his most demanding so far with all the touring and travelling for interviews and promoting gear and stuff. Moreover, the other two full OM performances that he's done so far didn't have a 1 hour show in advance already. Lastly, he's mentioned that doing OM in full like this is pretty much an emotional rollercoaster, and this time he even had the original bassist come on and play the whole thing with him, and he had the orchestra play the first set with the DTP, which can also be very stressful. Being stressed out a bit can greatly strain your voice when you have to sing.
I wasn't talking about high notes or his career post SYL. I meant mostly for the last few albums. His screams are fine, but his actual clean vocal seem to rely more and more on tons of layers, which are usually made up of much softer vocal tracks. I dunno, to me there's been a decline in vocals for the past 2-3 albums. If you guys don't hear it, awesome. But I do.
Still a die hard fan, just my observation.
I was never really a huge Devin fan, having only known "Sex and Religion" and not being blown away by it at all. But I've come to like Devin as an artist (saw his video where he writes a song in real time and was really impressed) and tried to give him a second chance. Two songs from Transcendence really hit home, but I (randomly) got "Deep Peace" from the By A Thread set, and was blown away. I mean, socks off, hair in a mess, sweating, blown away. I haven't been moved by a piece of music like that in a while. Then I heard "Kingdom" from the same set and it wasn't quite that, well, transcendent, but it was still good. And the point of this is: I like the mix. I know I'm dealing with only a sliver of his output (but I've heard things in pieces and snippets, so I'm not completely naïve to his catalogue), and for me, more is not more; too much of the screams gets stale, and his "quiet voice" isn't quite distinctive enough to be the only color on the palate. For me, the beauty of the song "Deep Peace" was the build up, the way that he covered so much ground - musically and emotionally - in, what, six minutes? That, to me, is the mark of a really strong artist: use ALL the tools in your tool box.
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/921178656294060033
Anyways, we're going to do a really cool vinyl box set of my stuff since Ki...working on ideas now with the label.
Decon & Ghost on vinyl! Take my money.
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I assume it just the DTP studio stuff. No live stuff, since a Vinyl version of By A Thread is a box set in itself. And IIRC, Casualties has already been released on vinyl.
So it'll probably just be:
Ki
Addicted
Deconstruction
Ghost
Epicloud
Sky Blue
Dark Matters
Transcendence
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Z2 and Transcendence were also released on vinyl.
This looks good, although I wouldn’t mind it just being the core four DTP albums to save money.
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I was never really a huge Devin fan, having only known "Sex and Religion" and not being blown away by it at all. But I've come to like Devin as an artist (saw his video where he writes a song in real time and was really impressed) and tried to give him a second chance. Two songs from Transcendence really hit home, but I (randomly) got "Deep Peace" from the By A Thread set, and was blown away. I mean, socks off, hair in a mess, sweating, blown away. I haven't been moved by a piece of music like that in a while. Then I heard "Kingdom" from the same set and it wasn't quite that, well, transcendent, but it was still good. And the point of this is: I like the mix. I know I'm dealing with only a sliver of his output (but I've heard things in pieces and snippets, so I'm not completely naïve to his catalogue), and for me, more is not more; too much of the screams gets stale, and his "quiet voice" isn't quite distinctive enough to be the only color on the palate. For me, the beauty of the song "Deep Peace" was the build up, the way that he covered so much ground - musically and emotionally - in, what, six minutes? That, to me, is the mark of a really strong artist: use ALL the tools in your tool box.
Deep Peace is a top 10 Devin tune. :tup :tup
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I don't know. Looking at the setlist, it was a hugely demanding show to sing. But he sounded great at the RAH concert, even though that was a tough setlist as well. I think the vocals in the studio haven't been showing the decline, however. Yes, there aren't as many high notes maybe as 5-10 years ago. But his technique has actually greatly improved since he quit SYL, and the male voice gets lower with age anyway, especially if you scream like Devin does. At recent live shows when I've seen him, his vocals were mostly very good.
I think this is just due to a number of factors. He's mentioned on Twitter that this year has been one of his most demanding so far with all the touring and travelling for interviews and promoting gear and stuff. Moreover, the other two full OM performances that he's done so far didn't have a 1 hour show in advance already. Lastly, he's mentioned that doing OM in full like this is pretty much an emotional rollercoaster, and this time he even had the original bassist come on and play the whole thing with him, and he had the orchestra play the first set with the DTP, which can also be very stressful. Being stressed out a bit can greatly strain your voice when you have to sing.
I wasn't talking about high notes or his career post SYL. I meant mostly for the last few albums. His screams are fine, but his actual clean vocal seem to rely more and more on tons of layers, which are usually made up of much softer vocal tracks. I dunno, to me there's been a decline in vocals for the past 2-3 albums. If you guys don't hear it, awesome. But I do.
Still a die hard fan, just my observation.
I was never really a huge Devin fan, having only known "Sex and Religion" and not being blown away by it at all. But I've come to like Devin as an artist (saw his video where he writes a song in real time and was really impressed) and tried to give him a second chance. Two songs from Transcendence really hit home, but I (randomly) got "Deep Peace" from the By A Thread set, and was blown away. I mean, socks off, hair in a mess, sweating, blown away. I haven't been moved by a piece of music like that in a while. Then I heard "Kingdom" from the same set and it wasn't quite that, well, transcendent, but it was still good. And the point of this is: I like the mix. I know I'm dealing with only a sliver of his output (but I've heard things in pieces and snippets, so I'm not completely naïve to his catalogue), and for me, more is not more; too much of the screams gets stale, and his "quiet voice" isn't quite distinctive enough to be the only color on the palate. For me, the beauty of the song "Deep Peace" was the build up, the way that he covered so much ground - musically and emotionally - in, what, six minutes? That, to me, is the mark of a really strong artist: use ALL the tools in your tool box.
Stadler: Please read his bio. It's available at the Kindle store. Pretty deep and honest stuff.
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On the topic of future albums...
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/925209764635688960
Condensing all these ideas, I have themes for 4 albums I think...
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/925213773270364160
Empath, The Moth, a complicated one (untitled), a beautiful one (untitled) though there are some Casualties songs and heavy songs too...
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/925320963373252608
First release will be Empath.
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/925332231442251778
Empath is a dtp album...
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:metal
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I have his book on my Kindle; going to start reading it as soon as I finish Bruce's book.
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:metal
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I have his book on my Kindle; going to start reading it as soon as I finish Bruce's book.
Cool. My next on the list is Bruce's book. Have heard mixed reviews about it.
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I have his book on my Kindle; going to start reading it as soon as I finish Bruce's book.
Cool. My next on the list is Bruce's book. Have heard mixed reviews about it.
Bruce's book should be in my mail on Friday. I should read Dev's next, I bet it's a really good and interesting read.
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It has come to my attention, I never bothered to post pics of the Casualties of Cool box-set. Well, here they are...
Box:
(https://i.imgur.com/EPpQdAg.jpg)
Side View (showing the thickness)
(https://i.imgur.com/JKoZDm4.jpg)
Contents:
(https://i.imgur.com/1UNicDr.jpg)
Sunglasses:
(https://i.imgur.com/CoUCf2c.jpg)
Wooden Comb:
(https://i.imgur.com/bRqamfn.jpg)
Lyric Book:
(https://i.imgur.com/UIaeUyv.jpg)
Non-Numbered Authentication Letter:
(https://i.imgur.com/eWQsRDo.jpg)
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That's pretty cool and unique :metal
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I'm still wondering if I'm the only one who has a Non-Numbered letter, which I find funny as hell. I was in awe at it when it finally arrived.
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I want the comb and glasses pretty badly. Going on holiday on Monday and they would be perfect :coolio
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New Song.....?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D48aDiNt27k&t=0s
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That better be a bonus song. Haha that was fantastic. Love the little bloops, and whole sound texture. Haha.
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:lol wtf
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Definitely his heaviest song so far.
This is amazing and I love this man. This is actually super chill though; I like those little bloops as well.
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Sweet setlist at a headlining gig last night
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/devin-townsend-project/2017/baltimore-sound-stage-baltimore-md-13e00145.html (https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/devin-townsend-project/2017/baltimore-sound-stage-baltimore-md-13e00145.html)
I hope some of those songs get played when he returns to NJ at the end of the year (DTP played the same venue earlier in the year so it would be sweet if they mixed in these new setlist additions)
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Saw Devin and crew the other night in Myrtle Beach (they were of course fantastic!) but earlier in the day this happened.... :lol
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24131151_1916638011694845_8268462520159033747_n.jpg?oh=0cfaefaf1b9f8512624609b204f79e01&oe=5A8AEDD1)
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Just spoke to Dave Young, aka yelled "go get em" as he grabbed his guitar from behind the stage an hour or so before they go on and he stops and asks me what I just yelled so I say it again and he laughs and goes backstage with his guitar.
Also told his tech as he's setting up set lists to change a song to Gaia.
They hit the stage in like 30 minutes maybe
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From Facebook:
Hey guys, Devin here.
So after 8 years of touring with DTP, I've decided to take a break from this band and focus on a number of other projects I've been really wanting to do for some time now. The band have been there with me through thick and thin and we've shared some pretty great moments - I can’t say enough good things about them - And in the future, I'm sure we'll work again.
I have 4 new albums I am currently working on. I am currently in the finishing stages one of the grandest and most overwhelming projects that I have been fortunate to do. It's certainly my favourite DVD release of them all and is a powerful moment, if I can say so myself. Ocean Machine Live In Plovdiv (tentative name) Mixing the orchestras, choirs, the 'by-request' set and the full Ocean Machine album in that magnificent setting has been hugely rewarding. Seeing this spectacle come to life is a testament to this period of work and I can't wait for you to see and hear it.
Life is short and I have a lot I need to say in some new and different avenues. I will certainly continue to play live in several new ways (starting next year) and I'm excited about some collaborative things that have also come up as well.
I salute the band, the team, and the audience for allowing us to do what we have done and the patience to accommodate my persistent morphing. As someone who’s music is connected to his personal growth, I feel an obligation to follow this muse wherever it leads. To not do so would be in direct opposition to what it is I have fundamentally done for all these years.
Peace and respect,
Devin Townsend
DTP is no more..
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Don't matter who he plays with. Devy is Devy. It's sure to be great.
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Don't matter who he plays with. Devy is Devy. It's sure to be great.
Well, it's sure to be entertaining, at least.
And he does leave the door open for working with DTP again, but for now it'll be interesting to see what happens.
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I'm interested in what he has planned. And what he has planned that we don't know about.
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Wow. Didn't see that coming. :'(
I kinda understand though, and the more I think about it, it's not surprising. He did the same thing with SYL and the DTB. Both were his main focus for years until he wanted to move onto the next thing. I'm glad he's not shutting the door completely on DTP though.
Devin has always talked about working on various other projects in addition to DTP like Obviouser, Garden Music, that electronic EP he mentioned years ago, the Moth Symphony, and of course Casualties, but DTP was his day job and that had to be his main focus. So I'm excited to see these projects finally come to fruition and hopefully a second Casualties record.
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Sad news, DTP was my favorite of Devs bands. Totally didn't see this coming. I look forward to what else he will be working on but I'm feeling it might not be up my alley.
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Sad news, DTP was my favorite of Devs bands. Totally didn't see this coming. I look forward to what else he will be working on but I'm feeling it might not be up my alley.
My feelings exactly. I enjoy Ryan's drumming as well as Dave's, Mike, and Bryan's playing a lot. This was a great band. Very sad to hear this news.
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I'm glad I got to see them play for the first time last year :metal
Although it kind of sucks I totally trust Devin and I'll be damn sure I go see him, in whatever way he chooses to perform. I'm really excited to see what he does next. I think he's one of the only artists, that I listen to, that can do so many genres, so successfully.
Sure I prefer DTP more than Casualties of Cool but I know given the chance I would go see him perform, whatever he's doing. I was gutted I missed his solo shows, where he played exclusively in churches (or similar settings), as it sounded amazing. I'd go to a spoken word show with Dev for god's sake!
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Apparently I posted this on another Devin thread, but given the news, I'll share it here too because now I am really glad I caught this show.
I got to see DTP open for Clutch a month or so ago, I chilled along the side of the stage. Got to talk to the whole band before they went on, saw Dev strum the guitar offstage to start Truth, and when they finished Ryan gave me a setlist for which Devin signed when he got off stage. What a tight band that seemed to care for the fans.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSODY2HV4AAPdhv.jpg)
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I LITERALLY bought the By A Thread box about a month ago, and was looking at the Contain Us set on a used site... perfect timing! :)
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I'm sure whatever Devin gets involved into he will deliver the goods. I hope he gets his voice back together, as he said several times he should. I think his vocals have been getting slightly weaker compared to a few years back.
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I'm sure whatever Devin gets involved into he will deliver the goods. I hope he gets his voice back together, as he said several times he should. I think his vocals have been getting slightly weaker compared to a few years back.
Yes. Every word.
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Wow. Didn't see that coming. :'(
I kinda understand though, and the more I think about it, it's not surprising. He did the same thing with SYL and the DTB. Both were his main focus for years until he wanted to move onto the next thing. I'm glad he's not shutting the door completely on DTP though.
Devin has always talked about working on various other projects in addition to DTP like Obviouser, Garden Music, that electronic EP he mentioned years ago, the Moth Symphony, and of course Casualties, but DTP was his day job and that had to be his main focus. So I'm excited to see these projects finally come to fruition and hopefully a second Casualties record.
That's how I see it. He has mentioned all these cool other ideas. You could say, he was getting bored.
I am so excited, though. He is so diverse in his music that I am so excited to see him focusing more, on the many other projects he has been working on.
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God bless artists like Devin Townsend who follow their heart and do whatever they want to do, no matter what anyone else thinks. I trust the process with him, as always. :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
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God bless artists like Devin Townsend who follow their heart and do whatever they want to do, no matter what anyone else thinks. I trust the process with him, as always. :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
Yup!
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The more I think about this, the more I am glad he is going this. I liked Transcendence, but I didn't love it, and I think on some level, it was almost like the DTP was on auto-pilot. Don't get me wrong, they still gave us two discs of mostly really good tunes on it (counting the bonus disc), but the wow factor was absent from most of it, and I have to think that this change will be a really good thing for us hardcore longtime fans.
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Is it safe to admit I’ve never heard one note of his music? :(
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The fact that DTP is an indefinite hiatus doesn't bother me. The fact that Devin is still doing music is all I need to know. Hopefully we get another Casualties of Cool album. Perhaps some more collaborations too.
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Is it safe to admit I’ve never heard one note of his music? :(
Safe, yes, but it sounds like I need to burn some CDs and personally drive them to you. :hat
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The fact that DTP is an indefinite hiatus doesn't bother me. The fact that Devin is still doing music is all I need to know. Hopefully we get another Casualties of Cool album. Perhaps some more collaborations too.
Pretty much. I have DTP listed in my files as "Devin Townsend" like his regular albums (same with tDTB and CoC) so it's just like, still getting DT albums, sound might change, cool.
I never really was able to mentally differentiate music acts like that. Bob Seger, with or without the Silver Bullet Band listed on the album cover, is still just "Bob Seger" to me. Same with Neal Morse's last two albums. It's just "Neal Morse" to me.
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Another Casualties of Cool album would definitely make my man parts jiggle.
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Is it safe to admit I’ve never heard one note of his music? :(
Safe, yes, but it sounds like I need to burn some CDs and personally drive them to you. :hat
What would be some keystone songs to listen to of his?
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"Kingdom"
"Effervescent"
"Juular"
Anything off the Addicted album
You can/should check out anything from his older band, Strapping Young Lad.
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Weird suggestions, let me add:
Kingdom
Deadhead
Planet of the Apes
the entire Ocean Machine album
Supercrush!
Earth Day
Deep Peace
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Is it safe to admit I’ve never heard one note of his music? :(
Listen to Terria, Ocean Machine, Accelerated Evolution, Synchestra, Addicted and Epicloud.
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Just watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_u93cZJGYc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_u93cZJGYc)
The fact that DTP is an indefinite hiatus doesn't bother me. The fact that Devin is still doing music is all I need to know. Hopefully we get another Casualties of Cool album. Perhaps some more collaborations too.
Pretty much. I have DTP listed in my files as "Devin Townsend" like his regular albums (same with tDTB and CoC) so it's just like, still getting DT albums, sound might change, cool.
Yea, I do the same. I'm happy that Devin is able to do what he feels is in is heart for his music. The reason why I am bummed about this is because out of all the other work he's done, DTP has been the work of his that I've enjoyed the most. Addicted, Epicloud, and Transcendence are maybe my three favorite albums of his. Ocean Machine and Accelerated Evolution being next. I certainly will check out the music he makes though.
Also, can't wait for the Plovdiv blu-ray.
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I can't say I'm nearly as disappointed by this as I thought I'd be upon initially starting to read the announcement. I think he's wrung out every ounce of individuality from the band as he could. I liked Transcendence a good bit, and some tracks I really loved, but it's clearly getting to a point where he's got a kind of waxing and waning repetitious sound. I personally don't think it's gotten boring yet, but I think it would have after the next album or two. There's only so much you can do with a certain sound unless you're willing to make a hard left turn at the genre intersection.
A great thing about Devy is that he's already done so many genre twists that him having different projects and avenues for his creative side is that no one is going to do a double-take if he does a project under yet another different band name that is completely different than what he's done before (I mean, I don't think I can be as surprised as when I heard he'd be making a country-esque album, a genre I abhor, and then being blown away again when I loved the shit out of it). If he did that with DTP, it'd be a little different.
So in reality, I don't think this is going to change things all that much aside from the touring side (which actually is kind of disappointing). I'm still really excited to hear what he comes up with next.
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Thanks for the suggestions :tup Looks like that’ll be a good assortment of songs to get me acquainted
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Gary, avoid the Strapping Young Lad recommendation. No need to start off with his speed metal stuff (since I am pretty sure that is not your thing).
The following songs are great starters:
Deep Peace
Bend It Like Bender
Deadhead
Kingdom (Epicloud version)
Awake
Ghost
Universal Flame
Slow Me Down
Truth
Life
Failure
Stagnant
Supercrush
Triumph
Mountaintop
Coast
Bad Devil
Some of those aren't even major favorites of mine, but I think that is good mixture of his songs and styles.
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The reality of the situation is that I cant do both DTP and these other compulsions at the same time. Its simply more than I (or anybody) can afford financially. I appreciate everyones patience during all this as I feel it essential to do these other things. It was a hard choice.
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/959264134515769344
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In the comments below that, he also said:
Of course. If I had an extra 120k per year to keep everybody afloat while I did other things, that would be swell, but its 2018 and the industry doesn't work like it once did.
Reading between the lines, it's clear that he wants to get away from doing the kind of music where he would need those players, and because he can't expect them to just sit around waiting for him and struggling financially, he is basically ending the band so they are free to move on. :tup :tup
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I remember he wasn't planning to do DTP stuff one year but ended up doing it anyway because it was a source of income for the band. I'm guessing that was the point where he was no longer doing it for artistic fulfillment.
Transcendence seems like a logical conclusion for DTP IMO.
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That was a common theme in his book as well, at least as he progressed through to the latter part of the period covered by that book. For him - and I'm not suggesting that he is unique here - there is a financial variable in a lot of what he does. Not saying it drives the decision, but certainly it's a factor with more than a zero input.
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I remember he wasn't planning to do DTP stuff one year but ended up doing it anyway because it was a source of income for the band. I'm guessing that was the point where he was no longer doing it for artistic fulfillment.
Transcendence seems like a logical conclusion for DTP IMO.
That was exactly my thought upon reading that, and yes, Transcendence is a perfect send off and while it's not my favorite DTP album, it's still really great and a good closer to that part of Devy's journey.
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Transcendence was OK but it felt like Devin going through the motions. While I feel bad for the musicians he's parting with, I'm taking this as being good news. I'm really looking forward to what he's got cooking right now and I feel like we're in for a similar surge of creativity that was heard in the original DTP.
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See, I thought Z2 (for the most part) was Dev going through the motions. While Transcendence was exactly transcendent, it felt like the full band had something to say, and that Devin was giving them a platform, if that makes any sense.
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Well I agree that Z2 felt that way too, although Sky Blue was significantly better than Dark Matters.
I get what you mean with Transcendence. I actually prefer it to Z2, although neither would be among his best work. The fact that it feels like a full band effort is definitely one of its strong points. I just feel like it doesn't really take the DTP sound any further, which is somewhat disappointing coming from a constantly evolving artist.
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Definitely didn't take DTP further as far as avenues go. It was a very familiar sound, but I do think that it was DTP refined to the sharpest the band had been in a long while.
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That was a common theme in his book as well, at least as he progressed through to the latter part of the period covered by that book. For him - and I'm not suggesting that he is unique here - there is a financial variable in a lot of what he does. Not saying it drives the decision, but certainly it's a factor with more than a zero input.
You mention the book here. Is that the 'Only Half There' autobiography of his? I'm considering getting that one, if it's a good read. Is it?
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That was a common theme in his book as well, at least as he progressed through to the latter part of the period covered by that book. For him - and I'm not suggesting that he is unique here - there is a financial variable in a lot of what he does. Not saying it drives the decision, but certainly it's a factor with more than a zero input.
You mention the book here. Is that the 'Only Half There' autobiography of his? I'm considering getting that one, if it's a good read. Is it?
I thought so. It's a little scattered, and I can't tell if he's really that deep or pretending (he seems to veer between deep, tortured artist contemplation and raw, fuck-it, frat boy tomfoolery) but it's certainly inciteful. I didn't like him at all after hearing his work with Vai, but then some kind soul sent me "Deep Peace" live in London in a recent roulette and it was (I think) the highest scoring song in the entire roulette. It REALLY struck a chord. I went and listened to a couple songs from the newest album as well. So I've probably heard maybe 10 of his songs? I read it from that frame of reference...
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That was a common theme in his book as well, at least as he progressed through to the latter part of the period covered by that book. For him - and I'm not suggesting that he is unique here - there is a financial variable in a lot of what he does. Not saying it drives the decision, but certainly it's a factor with more than a zero input.
You mention the book here. Is that the 'Only Half There' autobiography of his? I'm considering getting that one, if it's a good read. Is it?
I thought so. It's a little scattered, and I can't tell if he's really that deep or pretending (he seems to veer between deep, tortured artist contemplation and raw, fuck-it, frat boy tomfoolery) but it's certainly inciteful.
I haven't read it, but knowing what I know about him, that description seems like it could be spot on. I'd say there's no pretending.
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I thought so. It's a little scattered, and I can't tell if he's really that deep or pretending (he seems to veer between deep, tortured artist contemplation and raw, fuck-it, frat boy tomfoolery) but it's certainly inciteful.
I haven't read it, but knowing what I know about him, that description seems like it could be spot on. I'd say there's no pretending.
I read it, and it's quite good. There is no pretending.
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I’m considering getting in. The part of me that’s hesitating is the part that’s been trying to read the Pink Floyd buography dor the last half year with a Porcupine Tree biography on the shelf as well.
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My introduction to Devin was the song Storm. Still my favorite song of his. Got it on a free sampler from InsideOut when the EU DT fanclub was still a thing :rollin
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I thought so. It's a little scattered, and I can't tell if he's really that deep or pretending (he seems to veer between deep, tortured artist contemplation and raw, fuck-it, frat boy tomfoolery) but it's certainly inciteful. I didn't like him at all after hearing his work with Vai, but then some kind soul sent me "Deep Peace" live in London in a recent roulette and it was (I think) the highest scoring song in the entire roulette. It REALLY struck a chord. I went and listened to a couple songs from the newest album as well. So I've probably heard maybe 10 of his songs? I read it from that frame of reference...
Bless their heart. :angel: They probably deserve a medal or something. ;D
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I thought so. It's a little scattered, and I can't tell if he's really that deep or pretending (he seems to veer between deep, tortured artist contemplation and raw, fuck-it, frat boy tomfoolery) but it's certainly inciteful. I didn't like him at all after hearing his work with Vai, but then some kind soul sent me "Deep Peace" live in London in a recent roulette and it was (I think) the highest scoring song in the entire roulette. It REALLY struck a chord. I went and listened to a couple songs from the newest album as well. So I've probably heard maybe 10 of his songs? I read it from that frame of reference...
Bless their heart. :angel: They probably deserve a medal or something. ;D
Haha. It is one of about three or four songs from that roulette that really resonated with me. I thank them deeply. :)
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/960661966028075008
The Plovdiv DVD will be called 'ERAS'
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I am actually really happy that the DTP is on hold, Dev shouldn't stay tied to anything and I know he hated the rut that the label was trying to get him in (do Epicloud again! do Epicloud again! do Epicloud again!, and so on)
Plus, Dev is always most creative when in a fresh space - which he appears to be finally getting now.
I've loved most of the post-OG Project albums (when it became a band after Ghost), in addition to the OG four albums but by the release of Transcendence - half of the album felt a bit stale to me (though I loved the second disk more).
Conclusion:
We're hopefully dealing with a situation like back in 2006, before wrote Ziltoid. Meaning, that he might release a few things that sound like nothing he's ever done before? :metal
I'm still impatient for The Moth though... :censored
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I didn't care for most of Z2 and Transcendence, but 'Failure' was my favorite Devin track in a while. I thought the rest of Transcendence didn't live up to that track at all.
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Ki is my favourite Devin Townsend album
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Ki is my favourite Devin Townsend album
Ki is one of those "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" records. None of the songs are ones I randomly listen to on their own (even though there are certainly some great songs here), but whenever I listen to the whole thing, its greatness just shines through. :hat
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Dev mentioned another album he's working on entitled "Thank You"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfoJ1_6lxet/ (Read the comments)
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It seems there will be quite a few releases coming. Looking forward to it. I hope he releases something this year besides the live album.
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It's our biiiiiiirth fuckin' day!
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RVP's got a new project in the works featuring Beav on Guitar and Byron Stroud(from Strapping Young Lad) on Bass.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgHD5Otg6iB/?taken-by=ryanvanpoederooyen
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HYPE!!!
(https://media.giphy.com/media/7bn1rqjrKmM6Y/giphy.gif)
https://www.metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/devin-townsend-to-hit-the-studio-tomorrow-has-100-songs-of-varying-styles-written
Devin Townsend announced earlier this year that he'd be putting The Devin Townsend Project to temporary rest, and would instead be focusing on varying new projects.
While we're still not 100% sure exactly what he'll be putting out musically in the coming months (and maybe years), we now know that we'll be hearing some of it pretty soon! Townsend has taken to Twitter to talk about some of the new stuff he's been working on and how it's pretty all over the board in terms of genres.
All we know for sure is that drummer and Casualties Of Cool collaborator Morgan Ågren is involved with the studio work. He also changed his Twitter profile picture to the artwork for his coming album Empath, which Townsend has been talking about for a while now and seemed to originally want to put out under the Devin Townsend Project name.
Well keep you posted as we know more!
(https://i1.wp.com/www.metalinjection.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/a_jmIT03_400x400.jpg?w=400)
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Always glad to hear more Devin, but damn that cover is ugly, and definitely not how islands work :lol
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yes it is, you heathen
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I think whales are probably a little bigger :corn
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I think it's pretty gorgeous!
Super excited to hear it!
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I think whales are probably a little bigger :corn
ever heard of depth? the whale is just super close and the islands are further away :corn
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Then turtles must be huge :corn
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I mean... if all artwork had to be realistic and proportional then Picasso would be FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKED.
Also fuck Picasso. ;D
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I think it's kind of cool and I can already get an idea of what kind of music that album may be (or maybe I am just making that up). I get a feeling I may not like much of those 100 songs he's working on, but I also know there's a lot in there I will love. Should be interesting to see how this all comes out, but he tweeted something recently that made me think he could be working on something really special:
Been many years since I’ve had complete control over my vision. No label, band, management, anything. It could be a trip up my own ass, but I feel I’ve earned that trip. I think it’s going to be tremendous.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg32CTvFJhT/ (https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg32CTvFJhT/)
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/960661966028075008
The Plovdiv DVD will be called 'ERAS'
According to Dev’s Twitter, he fucked up and now ERAS is the title of the Vinyl Box Set of Ki, Addicted, Deconstruction, and Ghost. :lol
The Ocean Machine DVD will be titled Ocean Machine - Live at the Plovdiv Ancient Theatre
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Devin Townsend's discography as illustrated by clips from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia[url]
You're all welcome :corn (https://www.metalsucks.net/2018/04/11/video-devin-townsends-discography-as-illustrated-by-clips-from-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia//)
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Some of those are perfect. Mainly Dark Matters and Terria.
"It's nature. Shit Happens." :lol
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There's a Spongebob one in the related videos too, and the Physicist bit from that one cracked me up.
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On the 22nd September 2017, Devin Townsend Project played a special show at the Ancient Roman Theatre in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the landmark Ocean Machine album in full, as well as a set of fan-requested tracks alongside the Orchestra of Plovdiv State Opera. This concert was filmed, and on 6th July 2018 it will see the light of day as ‘Ocean Machine – Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv’.
‘Ocean Machine – Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv’ will be available as a limited deluxe 3CD/2DVD/Blu-Ray artbook (with liner notes from Devin and a special documentary dubbed ‘Reflecting The Chaos’ on the second DVD & Blu-Ray), Special Edition 3CD/DVD Digipak, standalone Blu-Ray and as digital audio download. Pre-order now here: https://DevinTownsendProject.lnk.to/OceanMachineLive
Devin comments: “Plovdiv and this live package represents a lot to me, it signifies the end of one era, and the celebration of another. Amidst a gruelling touring year, this show came together with much blood, sweat, and tears, and the result is the culmination of many aspects of my work on one stage.
Ocean machine was released 20 years ago, and though Marty (drums) is no longer with us, I was able to finally perform the album in its entirety with the original bassist John ‘Squid’ Harder on this night. On a cold evening in an old city in the ancient theatre, many lifelong milestones came to a conclusion on this night and I’m exceptionally proud of it.
I am currently writing, writing, and writing some more for the next stage of my life and work, and the team of individuals who contributed to this project, from the musicians in the band and orchestra, to the crews locally and with this, management, artists, filmographers and most importantly, the audience... made this night a powerful and strangely bittersweet moment I am proud to have documented with this work.
This is a very special live recording of a very special night, and I hope you enjoy it as a monument to the things that inspired it all in the first place.
Love and light,
Devin Townsend”
The full track-listing is as follows:
By Request with Orchestra
1. Truth
2. Stormbending
3. Om
4. Failure
5. By Your Command
6. Gaia
7. Deadhead
8. Canada
9. Bad Devil
10. Higher
11. A Simple Lullaby
12. Deep Peace
Ocean Machine
1. Seventh Wave
2. Life
3. Night
4. Hide Nowhere
5. Sister
6. 3 A.M.
7. Voices in the Fan
8. Greetings
9. Regulator
10. Funeral
11. Bastard
12. The Death of Music
13. Things Beyond Things
(https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/31398043_10156402017355439_7790260808522642500_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=4a3c5ed484633e959540879a097f1b0d&oe=5B953957)
With the exception of Gaia, Canada and Deep Peace the setlist is a big MEH.
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Blame the "fan select" votes....
Other than...that's awesome he's releasing it. Especially as the end to the DTP.
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I don't think it was a true fan selection personally. I don't buy that.
But the setlist doesn't look meh to me (could be better, but not terrible and fairly different than his other DVDs). Plus the orchestra and setting, I'm really looking forward to this.
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I don't think it was a true fan selection personally. I don't buy that.
But the setlist doesn't look meh to me (could be better, but not terrible and fairly different than his other DVDs). Plus the orchestra and setting, I'm really looking forward to this.
Hence the quotes....I know darn well when bands say fan set, its just a ruse. I hate That....
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Preordered the limited deluxe edition. I've been looking for an excuse to spend money :biggrin:
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It could be truly fan selected, it's just that fans are shit at picking underplayed and rare songs. I remember that Metallica did a "fan select" tour a few years ago and while a few cities picked out some rarities, most cities chose pretty much the exact same set that the band always plays, including all the radio songs that they've played a million times. I'd choose songs that they never play for the sheer novelty of it because you know the next time they tour it'll be back to the same old shit.
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It could be truly fan selected, it's just that fans are shit at picking underplayed and rare songs. I remember that Metallica did a "fan select" tour a few years ago and while a few cities picked out some rarities, most cities chose pretty much the exact same set that the band always plays, including all the radio songs that they've played a million times. I'd choose songs that they never play for the sheer novelty of it because you know the next time they tour it'll be back to the same old shit.
Yea, but I recall when the vote was out, it was only a certain selection of songs to vote on and it came with a side note that DTP could change whatever was voted. I think only some of the highest voted songs made it, plus you knew he was going to put the new songs on it regardless. So I think the whole thing deserves an * personally, or just say "including fan picked songs" and not "fan picked set"
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Yes, it wasn't much fan selected. I remember Devin chose like 20-30 songs of his catalogue and made it into a vote. I understand he has to play songs from Transcendence to promote it, but he could have played 1 or 2 songs less from it and instead played something he hasn't played before. I really can't believe the fans chose "Om". For me, everything else would have been better.
I love Deadhead, but it is veeeery overplayed and was already played on the Royal Albert Hall. On the live Tuska DVD too. There are thousands of acoustic versions, guitar clinic versions on youtube. Unnecessary. Instead he could have opened the concert with Depth Charge, from the same album, which is a KILLER opener and has never been played before.
Bad Devil and By Your Command are ok choices. I guess it is fine they are on the set.
Higher is almost 10 minutes long and could have been easily left out and substituted for 2 older songs.
A Simple Lullaby was never played live and isn't on any official live release, but............ there are much better songs. Overall, I think it is a kind of forgettable song. Plus, it is 8 minutes long..
Truth is another overplayed song and was already played on The Retinal Circus. If he had played just Failure and Stormbending it would have been fine. All these other songs could have been replaced by better ones. And he could have played more songs, since most of those are long.
I remember the reason he limited the number of songs one could choose from is because the orchestra had to learn the parts too, which, for me, it doesn't make sense. He could have put his entire catalogue for a vote. The songs that win the most votes he could "teach" the orchestra.
Songs he could have played instead:
Noisy Pink Bubbles (It was amongst the ones up for vote, it was only played acoustically and is not in any official live release)
The Fluke or Nobody's Here or Tiny Tears or Stagnant (have never been played before as far as I know)
Depth Charge (Killer opener, never played before)
Storm (It has been played over the years, but it is not in any official live release and it is an amazing song)
Sunday Afternoon or Slow Me Down (Ok, not very popular songs, but it would be interesting)
Triumph or Pixillate (The first one was the first song he ever wrote, at least he says so in his book. MUCH better than A Simple Lullaby. Pixillate was played on By A Thread, but it is almost never played. He could have invited a female singer as guest.)
The Way Home! or Awake!! (Two amazing songs that were played once on By A Thread and then never again. The rest of Addicted was very overplayed, but not these two)
Praise The Lowered (Only played on By A Thread and then never again)
Fallout or A New Reign
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That sucks about the limited fan-selection choices. Megadeth pulled that shit back in the early 00's where all the choices were songs they play constantly anyway. Why not just open up the entire catalog and go nuts? Musicians must hate relearning songs late in their careers which is why I feel like bands' setlists get less adventurous as time goes on (except Rush oddly enough, who started less adventurous and got way more interesting later on). It's easier just to stick to what's ingrained in the muscle memory.
I would love to see the songs you mention ChuckSteak, especially Nobody's Here, Tiny Tears, and Praise The Lowered. Deadhead, By Your Command, Truth, and Bad Devil are SO overplayed and even if they are someone's favorite songs, I don't know why you'd want to see them every time you go to a Devin Townsend show.
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He didn't do the song that got me into DT - Earth Day, so leaving out Deadhead would have been a big no-no for me. Would have loved more stuff from Terria but while at the show I didn't feel disappointed at all, and I still don't. Keep in mind, they might be overplayed in general, but this is also the first time he's done a show there so to most people none of those songs are overplayed. Chances are most of the people there won't see him live again.
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Earth Day sucks live. I prefer the studio version over any other. It has so many details that are impossible to deliver live.
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Imo Earth Day's only good part is the intro riff. The verses and chorus are pretty samey and boring.
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Earth Day sucks live. I prefer the studio version over any other. It has so many details that are impossible to deliver live.
I wouldn't say it sucks live, but it is definitely impossible top or even equal the studio version. It's not just the little details that we don't get live, but Terria as a whole has a particular vibe and feel that it just impossible to recapture. As much great stuff as Devin has done, that album was catching lightning in a bottle, and good luck catching that again.
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Yes please! https://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/devin-townsend-posts-four-teasers-of-new-music-of-varying-styles
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Yes please! https://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/devin-townsend-posts-four-teasers-of-new-music-of-varying-styles
It's amazing how one man can go between a ton of styles and still have his signature touch on all of them. Second one sounds like it's from The Moth, first and fourth sound like their probably going to go on Empath and third sounds like an SYL comeback (it's probably not, but it's pretty intense).
On a different subject, I listened to Transcendence recently and while I liked it, it feels a little disjointed. I think it doesn't help that about twelve minutes of the album are essentially recycled music. 'Truth' didn't need to be re-recorded and the 'Transdermal Celebration' cover ends the album in a sort of anti-climax, especially with that ambience that lasts for half of the song. If the album was 'Stormbending' to 'From the Heart' it'd probably be one of my favourite albums of his.
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The second clip is definitely my favourite. Sounds absolutely glorious.
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Interesting clips. Can't wait to hear what he does with them.
On a different subject, I listened to Transcendence recently and while I liked it, it feels a little disjointed. I think it doesn't help that about twelve minutes of the album are essentially recycled music. 'Truth' didn't need to be re-recorded and the 'Transdermal Celebration' cover ends the album in a sort of anti-climax, especially with that ambience that lasts for half of the song. If the album was 'Stormbending' to 'From the Heart' it'd probably be one of my favourite albums of his.
I am not sure I can go that far, but I agree that having a better opener would have helped the album a ton. I love the original Truth (one of my favorite Devin songs ever), but a) it didn't need to be recorded again, and b) the newer version is vastly inferior. I think the bonus disc has enough great stuff that a great one-disc album that flowed well could have easily been made. I still like the album quite a bit, but it just didn't wow me and never dominated my CD player like his new releases usually do.
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Imo Transcendence is the strongest and most consistent Devin release start to finish. I prefer the new version of Truth (can't stand how Infinity sounds honestly) and every single song is equally strong.
Every other album has atleast two songs I'm not really keen on, that's not the case here.
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Truth from Plovdiv - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhHxvAgjvEo
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Amazing mix and sound. I like that he sang the parts he usually omitted and extended the song. Shitty setlist, but TAKE MA FVCKING MONEY! :metal :metal
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Truth from Plovdiv - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhHxvAgjvEo
That was really good.
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Truth from Plovdiv - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhHxvAgjvEo
Man, this is awesome!
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Amazing mix and sound. I like that he sang the parts he usually omitted and extended the song. Shitty setlist, but TAKE MA FVCKING MONEY! :metal :metal
The mix is actually the only thing that seems to be off for me. The drums are overpowering everything, especially the guitar and the strings.
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Amazing mix and sound. I like that he sang the parts he usually omitted and extended the song. Shitty setlist, but TAKE MA FVCKING MONEY! :metal :metal
The mix is actually the only thing that seems to be off for me. The drums are overpowering everything, especially the guitar and the strings.
Yea, I'd hold off judging the mix from super compressed YouTube videos, but I noticed that too. The kick drum in particular was really loud and the orchestra could have been louder. But once again, a lot of that could end up sounding better if not overly compressed on YouTube.
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Regulator from the upcoming DVD - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlEXMS1DRLQ
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Regulator from the upcoming DVD - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlEXMS1DRLQ
What's up with the dude sitting in a chair?
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Regulator from the upcoming DVD - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlEXMS1DRLQ
What's up with the dude sitting in a chair?
Squid, original bassist on the album, has MS unfortunately.
And now you're going feel bad about yourself for the rest of the day. :p
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:lol
Video is awesome, can't wait for this
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Squid, original bassist on the album, has MS unfortunately.
And now you're going feel bad about yourself for the rest of the day. :p
:facepalm: Sorry, I didn't mean anything negative by it, just curious. I'm used to seeing Beav on bass.
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When did Jesse Pinkman start playing keys for Devin?
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DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT - By Your Command (Live in Plovdiv 2017) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDP6gNR9fAA)
Should have my CD/DVD in the mail today :metal
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DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT - By Your Command (Live in Plovdiv 2017) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDP6gNR9fAA)
Should have my CD/DVD in the mail today :metal
I didn’t watch it in an ideal setting but I heard almost exclusively drums and vocals. Was it just my circumstances? The orchestra seemed largely non existent.
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DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT - By Your Command (Live in Plovdiv 2017) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDP6gNR9fAA)
Should have my CD/DVD in the mail today :metal
I didn’t watch it in an ideal setting but I heard almost exclusively drums and vocals. Was it just my circumstances? The orchestra seemed largely non existent.
No you are pretty much spot on and that matches what other comments are saying too.
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DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT - By Your Command (Live in Plovdiv 2017) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDP6gNR9fAA)
Should have my CD/DVD in the mail today :metal
I didn’t watch it in an ideal setting but I heard almost exclusively drums and vocals. Was it just my circumstances? The orchestra seemed largely non existent.
No you are pretty much spot on and that matches what other comments are saying too.
Yeah that mix is weird, very un-balanced. Lots of drums, that's for sure :lol
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Very weird mix. Snare and kick drums are very high. The orchestra and guitars are very low. The vocals are just right there in the middle, kind of like a Tool vocal mix where they don't standout.
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I liked the mix and have no complaints. It's easily his best live sounding album yet. Even though Devin struggled with some songs, his performance was amazing. Deadhead and Bastard were even better than the RAH show. Well, it was worth every penny.
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the kick/snare mix is really bugging me on this one. I know DT's mixes focus on drowning every instrument into this whole missmash of the whole thing, but here it's really sounding like KICK/SNARE and there's the rest of the song if you're listening close enough.
I'm really wondering what happened during the final stages of people listening to this mix and saying "this is good enough, we want this"
then again, SOA had the drums fucking loud in the mix as well..... might be a sign of the times..
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NVM..
Devin just tweeted that a 5.1 mix got bounced down to a stereomix. He's in the process of fixing the youtubemovie, as it was driving him crazy as well..
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I got my CD/DVD in the mail, but haven't had a chance to check it out yet. Package looks really nice
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NVM..
Devin just tweeted that a 5.1 mix got bounced down to a stereomix. He's in the process of fixing the youtubemovie, as it was driving him crazy as well..
Oh thank Ziltoid.
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NVM..
Devin just tweeted that a 5.1 mix got bounced down to a stereomix. He's in the process of fixing the youtubemovie, as it was driving him crazy as well..
Ah, that makes sense.
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Hide Nowhere was amazing. Devin's singing really made me enjoy this song a lot more than the studio version.
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Gaia is pretty awesome here, the orchestra is pretty crucial to this version of it, where as in By Your Command, it kind of isn't. There are alot of pretty good orchesta moments though.
The drums are still pretty loud here even on my 5.1 headphones watching the dvd on my computer, but I'd say it really sounds good overall and has a live feel to it. I only watched a few select songs and loved the screams in Stormbending, never heard Om before and thought it was aweseome, and as I mentioned, Gaia is pretty kick ass.
So far, very impressed with this DVD. I'd say I already like it more than RAL show, but it'll be hard to top The Retinal Circus for me.
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If he fixes the youtube of By Your Command, it'll satisfy me unitl i can buy the blu-ray. This is a must buy for me, With Cramx saying the Orchestra is vital for Gaia then that makes me excited for hearing the rest of the set.
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I bought the deluxe limited edition set. A very cool package, definitely worth the money. I watched the entire set and I’d say it’s his best concert film yet. Great setlist and performance. I was annoyed by the high level of the drums, but in a way this type of mix makes me feel like I’m actually there. I do remember one moment where Devin has a guitar solo (Deadhead) that’s literally bordering on being inaudible. But all in all, an excellent release.
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It's pretty awesome that they actually performed Om in its entirety instead of just the intro. Such an awesome song that doesn't get much attention due to it getting shoved off onto a demo EP.
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It's pretty awesome that they actually performed Om in its entirety instead of just the intro. Such an awesome song that doesn't get much attention due to it getting shoved off onto a demo EP.
What demo EP is that from? This album is the only time I've heard it and I thought it was pretty awesome.
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It's pretty awesome that they actually performed Om in its entirety instead of just the intro. Such an awesome song that doesn't get much attention due to it getting shoved off onto a demo EP.
What demo EP is that from? This album is the only time I've heard it and I thought it was pretty awesome.
It's originally from the Christeen EP. There's also a version in the Contain Us box set, IIRC he wanted to rerecord it for Addicted but it didn't work out.
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Yup, Christeen EP. There's a "re-recorded" version on the Contain Us box set but it doesn't get past the intro (similarly to how it's usually played live) so don't bother with that one.
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Make sure you check out the rest of the Christeen EP too! Sit in the Mountain and Processional are amazing.
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Sit In The Mountain is SOOOOO good!
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New interview
https://www.metalinjection.net/interviews/deep-peace-and-bad-devils-an-interview-with-devin-townsend
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbxkid3yjfs cool behind the scenes video with tasty music previews. Looks like Dev is really going all out on this one.
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Holy shit it's Sam! I had no idea he was doing drums for Devy on the new stuff, then again I haven't really chatted with him in a while...
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From facebook
Devin Townsend is pleased to announce a very special European ‘An Evening With’ solo acoustic tour, beginning at the end of March 2019 and running through April. The intimate evenings will feature Devin performing tracks from across his catalogue, as well as taking part in a Q&A where fans will get to know more about what Devin is up to at this stage in his career and the forthcoming new album ‘Empath’. This will prove to be a unique & special experience for all in attendance. He comments:
Hello everyone, Devin here. I have been busy making my newest recording, EMPATH over the past year. It has been a complicated and enlightening experience in that I have gone back to my roots in terms of what my motivations are for making music, in hopes that I am able to move forward as a musician being as true as I possibly can to my motivations. The result is an album that I am exceptionally proud of, one that is uncompromised and diverse in ways that accurately represent where I’m at now at the age of 46. The past decade of relentless touring with DTP had been something that caught up with me in a big way, and as a result I felt I needed to step back from that world and analyse myself and make this music before stepping onto a stage again. The time has come however for me to take the next step in my career, and when asked about how I would like to do so, I decided the first thing I would do was a very intimate run of shows that allows me to play my music stripped back to just me and a guitar. The shows are at nice venues, and includes a spoken word element with questions from the audience as well as aspects of my entire career represented in this one show.
Before I tour with a band again, I wanted to have the opportunity to play for you, and meet up with the people who not only have made my work possible, but inspire me to continue. In a world of computers and social media, to be stripped of all the bells and whistles is a very important step for my reintroduction to the live concert world. I truly hope you’ll join me and I look forward to being the most honest I can be with you at these special shows.
Thank you to Andy Farrow and Northern Music, Thomas Waber and Inside Out records, as well as all who have supported me during this period. I have not been as proud of an album as I am of Empath in many years, and I really needed to get this out of my system.
See you at the shows.
Love
Devin Townsend
Sounds pretty cool for those who may be ale to catch this in Europe. Love how he explains is rational for this. Empath should come out in 2019 too so that's something to look forward to :metal
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Yea, I'm already looking at getting tickets for this :tup
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Looks like he listed guests on his new album (from twitter):
Thanks to some further guests, Anneke Van Giersbergen, Che Dorval, Chad Kroeger, Mike Keneally, Steve Vai, Lords Of The sound orchestra... it’s been total catharsis and tied intrinsically to the process of working through this transformation. It’s a lovely, complicated, weird one
Really happy to see Anneke still involved with him, Chad is definitely an interesting guest and got some negativity on the responses to his tweet about him.
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Anneke and Che??
Yes! :metal :metal
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This came up randomly after watching a video from another band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rok8QPT9NO4
Although I'm not a fan, it had kind of a cool beat starting off, so I let it go. Then Anneke came out, and I almost switched it off. Surprisingly, even with her, it wasn't bad. Fun, goofy video. From a video perspective, I kinda wish there were more wide shots of the stage for more than a fraction of a second so that you can really take in what is going on and make sense of all the on-stage chaos. But whatever.
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This came up randomly after watching a video from another band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rok8QPT9NO4
Although I'm not a fan, it had kind of a cool beat starting off, so I let it go. Then Anneke came out, and I almost switched it off. Surprisingly, even with her, it wasn't bad. Fun, goofy video. From a video perspective, I kinda wish there were more wide shots of the stage for more than a fraction of a second so that you can really take in what is going on and make sense of all the on-stage chaos. But whatever.
The Retinal Circus is my favorite concert blu-ray. Every song has some crazy shit going on stage that makes it just so fun to watch, plus it's got a nice long set list that covers his whole career up to that point. Really well done and extremely entertaining. The concert was why I just HAD to go to ProgPower a few years ago to see his only NA appearance with Anneke. Not that they did anything crazy like that show, but I had just come to love watching those two together from my love of that concert.
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Another live video followed that one that also had her onstage with him, and she sounded good on that one too. She has great range and a nice tone. She actually sounds really good as a backup singer (or, I guess more correctly on this one (Awake), a supporting lead vocal). She's just so uninteresting on her own music as the lead vocalist. But there is a nice synergy with her and Devin that makes that combo work well, I guess.
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They really do work well together. From what I know of her other music, I think her best stuff is from the few albums she did with Devin.
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I'm gonna actually agree with bosk for once in saying that Anneke generally doesn't do much for me
The Gentle Storm is kinda dull, that vuur or whatever album was bland as hell, but she generally sounds good on Devin stuff (and that Amadeus Awad album too)
Che is just way better though lol
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One thing an album will never do justice for Anneke though is the way her voice resonates on your body when she sings in person. Just so strong, you can literally feel it. She's got a power in her voice that not many have.
I like VUUR, but their album is a bit bland but when she did those songs live, I felt really captivated.
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Yeah, that makes sense. I've never felt she was a bad singer at all. Just--and I really hate making this sort of criticism at all about ANY artist--not interesting, at least on the album stuff I have heard. Seeing/hearing her live on these tracks, it's a whole different story (YouTube seems to be dialed into Devin/Anneke collaborations because I randomly got 4 videos in a row from 3 different shows with the two of them together).
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I mean, it's fine, I find her original band The Gathering to be uninteresting. That's just taste.
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I was kind of "over" Anneke the moment I heard the final version of Fallout. It might as fucking well be spoken word. I'm also going to guess it was time restraints that kind of hurt her, but good lord there is ZERO emotion in her voice for the majority of the songs I hear her in. She is the definition of having pure raw talent and absolutely no emotional backing or force behind her voice. Devin sounds so fucking good on Fallout because he feels it, and the listener can feel that he feels it. Raw talent aside, he is such a better singer than she is to my ears. Anneke could be singing about the most gut-wrenching, heart stomping subject in the world and you'd think she was singing about algebra. Devin could be singing about algebra (and has) and you'd think he was singing about pure love and hate and everything in between (and again, has done so).
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You're all crazy and I hate you.
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:lol :heart
Hey, I loved Anneke at one point but I just cannot get into her voice as much as her talent and perfection egg me on to. There's just something else that's needed and to my ears, she doesn't have it.
It honest to goodness made me want to cry when I read that Devy said he thought he didn't have the talent or power he thought was needed for the Fallout vocals. He sees something in her that I don't. Or hears. Or whatever. :huh:
I will however say that there is a time and place for her voice. I'm listening to March Of The Poozers and the "MOOOOMMMYS WAAATCHING....WAAIIIITTING" part gives me a big 'ole Toy Story 3 Woody. Also good to "see" you, mister Adami. Been a while.
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Regarding Anneke, Devy definitely brings out the absolute best in her, there is no disputing that. Her solo stuff is a bit lackluster and some of her lyrics are a little.......what's a nice way of putting it.....simple? Anyway, I also enjoy her vocals on the stuff she did in Ayreon and most of Gentle Storm. Vuur was fairly mediocre though.
I really like her in The Gathering too and I still say she has one of the best voices out there.
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Yeah her solo stuff is definitely not for me. At all. It's one of the reasons why I "saw/heard" her voice differently once Fallout released officially. It's so static and predictable. One of the reasons I love Devy is that despite his imperfections, you can actually feel what he's trying to convey through his voice. I don't get that with Anneke. I am sure some do, but to me it's a concrete, blank wall.
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This thread now feels like the bizarro world.
Let's get back to the real world:
Anneke is amazing.
There, that's better. :coolio
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Anneke's performances on Devin's music vary in quality dramatically, which is likely just due to inconsistent direction. She's proven beyond a doubt that she can give some absolutely emotional and stunning performances. Her solo at the end of Numbered? The intro and choruses of Angel? HYPERDRIVE? She absolutely KILLS it on Hyperdrive and elevates that song to a whole other level. Since Addicted she's definitely been less consistently impressive, but I can't say that's a reflection of her talent or anything.
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I can agree with that, Hyperdrive is amazing with her. Yeah, it's very inconsistent...sadly.
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Meanwhile, the new album, Empath, is coming in March. :metal
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From facebook (there's also a video of him explaining things)
DEVIN TOWNSEND announces new album ‘Empath’
In the lead up to the album’s release, Devin will walk fans through how Empath came together with a series of documentary episodes recorded as phone conversations during the course of the records recording.
Over the past few years, the success that Devin has slowly worked for has fortunately come with the power to control his own creative destiny. The recent successes with the DVD from a sold-out Royal Albert hall, or his 2012 ‘Retinal Circus’, or last year’s ‘Ocean Machine’ live DVD with the Orchestra and Choir of State Opera Plovdiv has put him in a position where with the new album ‘EMPATH’, he will once and for all define himself as a musical force outside of any particular genre classification.
On this album Devin has decided to see what would happen if all the styles that make up his current interests were finally represented in one place. To finally shake the fear of expectation, and just do what it is he was meant to do creatively, EMPATH, true to the name, is about allowing the audience a feeling for a variety of musical emotions. The musical dynamics represented on this single album are broad, challenging, and immense. To approach this sort of work with a long history of what makes heavy music ‘heavy’, allows this to be done with a type of power rarely heard.
Joining Devin on this album is Frank Zappa alumni Mike Keneally as music director, as well as Morgan Ågren (Mats And Morgan, Frank Zappa, Fredrik Thordendal), Anup Sastry (Monuments, Periphery), Samus Paulicelli (Decrepit Birth, Abigail Williams), Nathan Navarro, Elliot Desagnes, Steve Vai, Chad Kroeger, Anneke Van Giersbergen, Ché Aimee Dorval, Ryan Dhale and the Elektra Women’s Choir.
A bold statement with massive production values and dynamic, uncompromised musicality. This is a statement about not only pursuing creative freedom in a conservative scene, but also trying to show that heavy music is truly a valid musical tool.
‘EMPATH’ will be released on Limited 2 CD Digipak (including an entire disc of bonus material), Gatefold 180G 2LP Vinyl + CD + LP-booklet & as digital album. The full track-listing is as follows:
1. Castaway
2. Genesis
3. Spirits Will Collide
4. Evermore
5. Sprite
6. Hear Me
7. Why
8. Borderlands
9. Requiem
10. Singularity Part 1 – Adrift
11. Singularity Part 2 – I Am I
12. Singularity Part 3 – There Be Monsters
13. Singularity Part 4 – Curious Gods
14. Singularity Part 5 – Silicon Scientists
15. Singularity Part 6 – Here Comes The Sun
Also in his video he states he will release songs as the documantery is being released so you can listen and understand what's going on better.
I'm going to guess this album will be very musically diverse and as such will have some people, including myself, dislike some of it, but I also think there's got to be something absolutely amazing here. I'm really excited to watch the documentary as we approach the release, seems like a cool way to do things and he clearly has a lot of control over what his vision is here.
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I think it moved...
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Are there any indications what style of music he's going to put on this release? I love how creative he is, but admit I"m not really a fan of Casualties of Cool or his other albums where he dabbles in other styles.
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Are there any indications what style of music he's going to put on this release? I love how creative he is, but admit I"m not really a fan of Casualties of Cool or his other albums where he dabbles in other styles.
Sounds like this album is going to be a bit of everything. I'm intrigued by this release and think it's going to be one of his albums that you either love or hate.
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I'm not sure he said anything specifically, but he does say it encompasses all of his styles so I think we can expect a wide variety and like you, I'm not a huge fan of some of his other styles. I don't think it's bad, but it's not really music that I enjoy listening to so I kind of wonder if I will like the album or not, but if it truly encompasses all his styles, then there's also got to be some really great music for me as well. I just wonder how the album meshes together as a whole. It could be great, or maybe not. I'm really intrigued to find out.
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Ché and Anneke both singing on this is cause for immense excitement.
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Me personally, I think Anneke has added something special to every song she's done with Devy. Che, too, for that matter.
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Yea, her being involved is more reason to look forward to it. I think Chad Kroeger is the most interesting guest though, I'm really curious how he is used and if he can get people to like Chad a bit more than they do currently.
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Yea, her being involved is more reason to look forward to it. I think Chad Kroeger is the most interesting guest though, I'm really curious how he is used and if he can get people to like Chad a bit more than they do currently.
IIRC Dev said on Twitter that he just sings backup vocals on one track.
I’m expecting this album to be abit of everything, not just the typical Poppy Prog Metal thing the last few albums have been, which I dont think he was very excited about. It wouldn’t make sense to break up the DTP only to do another album in that same style immediately afterwards.
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Yea, her being involved is more reason to look forward to it. I think Chad Kroeger is the most interesting guest though, I'm really curious how he is used and if he can get people to like Chad a bit more than they do currently.
IIRC Dev said on Twitter that he just sings backup vocals on one track.
That's actually kind of disappointing, I was kind of wondering if Devin could make people like him, backing vocals seems like it won't be an impactful performance.
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I'm also interested in how Singularity is going to work. Are all of the parts going to form a cohesive epic, or will they be more self-contained?
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I'm also interested in how Singularity is going to work. Are all of the parts going to form a cohesive epic, or will they be more self-contained?
He referred to it as one track when he talked about it on Twitter, so it was definitely written that way; at one point he had renamed it Empath and was going to open the album with it (but now there's an Empath track on the bonus disc, hmmmm). In terms of how Dev would do that, I suspect it will just work like The Mighty Masturbator – that one was recorded in sections too and assembled post-mix/in mastering, but it's all fluid, even if the parts are sorta like 'islands' in it.
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So, SO excited for this. I love juuuust about all his work (couldn't really get into The Hummer and Devlab) and would love to hear more of that Casualties of Cool style. It literally got me to open my mind to a new side of music because before that I really hated all country/folk or remotely twangy music but I love the hell out of that album because it took a style that is sooooo boring and monotonous to me and twist it up and spit it back out completely different.
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Track lengths from iTunes
(https://i.imgur.com/gEDhI9V.png)
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I'm not sure he said anything specifically, but he does say it encompasses all of his styles so I think we can expect a wide variety and like you, I'm not a huge fan of some of his other styles. I don't think it's bad, but it's not really music that I enjoy listening to so I kind of wonder if I will like the album or not, but if it truly encompasses all his styles, then there's also got to be some really great music for me as well. I just wonder how the album meshes together as a whole. It could be great, or maybe not. I'm really intrigued to find out.
Yeah, same with me; that's like Neil Young saying that. Sure, there's a great chance I'll like it, but it's not like, say, Maiden, where I know that even if it's something new it's still going to be "Maidentm" so...
As for Chad Kroeger, I'm also with you. I get - sort of - some of the antipathy to him, but I also saw a very cool interview he did with Sammy Hagar, and I feel like if it wasn't for that sort of "impression" of Nickelback (where did that start? Avril Lavigne?) he'd be regarded a lot higher. He's a pretty cool guy with a really down to earth view of his music, and he did a little acoustic thing with Sam and it was really, really good.
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Always boggles my mind when the title track of the album is left as a b-side. I realize there's no rules to any of this shit and it's ultimately non-important, but why call the album Empath if the song isn't important enough to be on the main thing? Musicians are endlessly annoying to me.
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Always boggles my mind when the title track of the album is left as a b-side. I realize there's no rules to any of this shit and it's ultimately non-important, but why call the album Empath if the song isn't important enough to be on the main thing? Musicians are endlessly annoying to me.
I wonder if he will talk about this in his documentary series, it is a bit odd how that happens with bands sometimes and would be cool to understand the thought process.
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It could simply be a case of him liking the word and thinking it was a cool title for the album, but ultimately either a) not liking the song enough to put it on the proper album, or b) feeling that it didn't fit within the flow and context of the album. I wouldn't read too much into it.
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What Kev said. Sometimes the title resonates with the feeling/intention of the work as a whole, but the song itself may not fit. With Dev especially, he seems to have a really specific intention for each song that has to be in that form with those words.
With that said, though, I find some tracklists have been really not amazing over the years. That seems to be where I lose the plot if I do.
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One of my biggest problems with Transcendence was that while it has a stellar first half, it goes super downhill after that and some of the songs on the second half of the album really should have been replaced with some of the far better songs that ended up getting relegated to the bonus disk. I'm hoping that's not going to be the case again this time around.
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You guys are probably right about the name Empath and the track's lack of inclusion. It's definitely the overanalytical side of me that finds these types of things curious rather than truly bothersome. Remedy Lane for example. The title track is a brief instrumental interlude (same with Stupid Dream but even more brief and pointless).
I'm definitely reading too much into it, but I always feel like the title track should be somewhat of a centerpiece of an album and when it's just "another song" or a meaningless instrumental, I wonder what is the actual point of making it a title track then? Empath is a cool title so you guys may be right in that it may just be as simple as him liking the title more than the song. I don't know.
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It could simply be a case of him liking the word and thinking it was a cool title for the album, but ultimately either a) not liking the song enough to put it on the proper album, or b) feeling that it didn't fit within the flow and context of the album. I wouldn't read too much into it.
This. It also wouldn't fit on the CD version of the album. Disc 1 is at 74 minutes already.
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it would fit actually, just barely (by like, about 40 seconds by my math)
though i mean do CD size limits even mean anything anyways, originally they were like what 74 minutes, then 79 minutes, then 80, and now possibly even longer i really dunno anymore
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You're right actually, for some reason I thought the limit was 75 minutes. :tup
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Even if it fits, I am not a fan of throwing it on the album just because there is space, if it doesn't fit with the rest of the album. That's what the bonus disc is for! :P
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So RVP and Beav have a new band with Byron Stroud from Strapping Young Lad and some guy on vocals. Jed from SYL was originally part of it but he left and was replaced by some other guy.
They've been talking about it for the past year and they finally released their debut single today. It's uh.... :puke:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57tcysG4QgY
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Sounded fine. Well produced.
Would have stood a chance in 2003.
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Generic 2000's metalcore I guess, and not of the memorable sort.
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So RVP and Beav have a new band with Byron Stroud from Strapping Young Lad and some guy on vocals. Jed from SYL was originally part of it but he left and was replaced by some other guy.
They've been talking about it for the past year and they finally released their debut single today. It's uh.... :puke:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57tcysG4QgY
I don't much get in to the other projects of the people that Devy works with. They usually aren't very good. Devy seems to bring out every last bit of potential in just about everyone he has worked with on his albums.
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i suspect devy has really high standards & refuses to accept sub-par performances
so about chad kroeger being on the new album,
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i suspect devy has really high standards & refuses to accept sub-par performances
so about chad kroeger being on the new album,
It's not like he's actually a terrible singer though. He's just an asshole.
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/1069678641569808388
Not a collab. He just sings a harmony on a track. He was in the orbit while I was formulating the theme so it was important to me.
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/1069499382486245377
It’s literally a tiny part in a brutal song. It’s more of a token of the conversations we’ve had than a significant part. It’s just hard to overstate the realizations about what I should be focused on that I gained by hanging out for a few days with him.
I know it's cool to shit on Nickelback but I feel like people are really overreacting to him being on the album.
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Devy seems to bring out every last bit of potential in just about everyone he has worked with on his albums.
so about chad kroeger being on the new album,
He's just an asshole.
I feel like people are really overreacting to him being on the album.
I was kind of wondering if Devin could make people like him, backing vocals seems like it won't be an impactful performance.
I dont follow nickelback and I have no dislike to Chad, but it seems a lot of people dont like him. So I have kind of liked how him and Dev connected and was really looking to see if he contributed in a way to get people to really like him. Probably wont make a difference music wise, but maybe in the documentary he explains Chad's influence which seems to be more about the music business side of things.
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i suspect devy has really high standards & refuses to accept sub-par performances
so about chad kroeger being on the new album,
It's not like he's actually a terrible singer though. He's just an asshole.
You know him?
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I know it's cool to shit on Nickelback but I feel like people are really overreacting to him being on the album.
Agreed.
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i suspect devy has really high standards & refuses to accept sub-par performances
so about chad kroeger being on the new album,
It's not like he's actually a terrible singer though. He's just an asshole.
You know him?
I wish.
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found a leaked bit from empath (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIlNIVXpIns)
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:lol
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I don't like Nickelback or Chad Kroeger's singing. I don't mind that he's on the album. It definitely made me raise an eyebrow and I'm pretty curious to hear how he's used (if I even notice).
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I don't like Nickelback or Chad Kroeger's singing. I don't mind that he's on the album. It definitely made me raise an eyebrow and I'm pretty curious to hear how he's used (if I even notice).
Indeed. News like this doesn't make me go "ew" like it would when I was a teen, but rather "oh!" as it piques my interest. I wanna see what his role is and would love for it to pleasantly surprise me.
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People fucking love drama. There's the odd one out here and there but for the most part, they'll overreact to anything they possibly can. This is no different. Sure, if Chad has some soaring, horrible vocal solo in one of the songs, we'll talk. Otherwise, the ones acting like this is some heinous crime need to wait for their balls (or eggs) to drop before they open their mouths (or move their fingers). :natalieportman: Pretty sure it's more or less confirmed he's nothing more than backing vocals. Now, how that collaboration came to be is much more interesting to me than the fact that the man himself is on the album. I'm just not sure how that connection was made unless Chad and Devy know one another and I have no idea.
I don't like Nickelback or Chad Kroeger's singing. I don't mind that he's on the album. It definitely made me raise an eyebrow and I'm pretty curious to hear how he's used (if I even notice).
This. You can not like the man or his singing or the band in general but having him on the album doesn't make Devy any less great, it doesn't make Chad any better, and it doesn't mean anything at all until we hear the album. I'm fairly certain, like others have said, that the second Devy had his name in connection with Chad's that he knew what was going to happen in some capacity. There's no fucking way he didn't. Zero chance. So I'm going to assume it's a tiny role and/or he uses Chad's voice the way he needs to. Or both. Either way, it's not nearly as big of a deal as the people who clearly are way too bored have made it out to be.
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Now, how that collaboration came to be is much more interesting to me than the fact that the man himself is on the album. I'm just not sure how that connection was made unless Chad and Devy know one another and I have no idea.
Would it be completely shocking if Devin maybe likes some of Chad's music and therefore asked him? Because almost all Devin fans seem to hate Nickelback doesn't mean Devin has to hate them too.
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So, pre-orders when?
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They're available now.
US: https://www.jsrdirect.com/bands/devin-townsend
EU: https://www.omerch.eu/shop/devintownsend
The US bundles are pretty underwhelming. I'll probably buy from the EU store.
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This thread now feels like the bizarro world.
Let's get back to the real world:
Anneke is amazing.
There, that's better. :coolio
This man speaks the truth. Anneke is awesome!
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i suspect devy has really high standards & refuses to accept sub-par performances
so about chad kroeger being on the new album,
It's not like he's actually a terrible singer though. He's just an asshole.
You know him?
I wish.
So...
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They're available now.
US: https://www.jsrdirect.com/bands/devin-townsend
EU: https://www.omerch.eu/shop/devintownsend
The US bundles are pretty underwhelming. I'll probably buy from the EU store.
I found it on the EU Inside Out store and while I was there, I got myself a copy of Riverside's ADHD vinyl reissue and DT's (that's Dream Theater, not Devin Townsend) new album as well.
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They're available now.
US: https://www.jsrdirect.com/bands/devin-townsend
EU: https://www.omerch.eu/shop/devintownsend
The US bundles are pretty underwhelming. I'll probably buy from the EU store.
Wow, the US bundles are trash compared to the EU bundles. You also get more in the EU bundles for less money....
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I know it's cool to shit on Nickelback but I feel like people are really overreacting to him being on the album.
Yup. Count me in as one of the people who are excited about this - I liked Nickelback a bit as a pre-teen and Chad's voice is quite alright in everything I ever heard from him (I had VH1 in the late 2000's so that's a lot of things :lol) and I'm excited to hear him on something I'm guaranteed to like.
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The first part of the Documentary got me pumped for Empath. I have a feeling its going to be polarizing. I'm interested in how loose the creativity will be, like no holds bar on anything. Who knows with Devin how things will sound.
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Empath Documentary Episode 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4sJ8odko2Y
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He's an interesting cat (hehe!). I'm looking forward to what he and the rather awesome cast of players have come up with.
This interview on Empath was a really good one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=059_URRoZ9U&t=14s
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got my tickets for Tilburg! now the wait begins...
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(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/51570620_2665691656789473_7664148206594293760_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&oh=cecdd56780e9b41dbd1dd1046e7b7716&oe=5CFD4F47)
We're pleased to announce that Devin has been added as main support to Avatar's North American 'Country' tour this coming May/June!
Devin will be performing acoustic renditions of select songs from his extensive repertoire and of course we'll have some of those sweet new Empath merch designs and albums on sale at the merch booth.
Looks like hes coming to me locally on a Saturday so I might check this out, no idea who Avatar is though, but I'd like to support Devin
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A tiny audio sample in this vlog by Samus, one of the drummers:
https://youtu.be/-ZtYjWLDxv0?t=671
Sounds sooo mighty!
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No Texas dates :censored
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A tiny audio sample in this vlog by Samus, one of the drummers:
https://youtu.be/-ZtYjWLDxv0?t=671
Sounds sooo mighty!
He slays those drums. :metal
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Episode II Posted
Devin sounds like such a cool dude. Very down to earth discussion about ending DTP.
Also, his other interview regarding becoming friends with Chad from Nickelback is hilarious.
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Episode 2 was solid, episode 1 was a bit boring IMO, I haven't actually finished it though but I kept getting distracted, 2 was an easy listen and really interesting to hear his honest feelings about ending a band and having now done it a couple times.
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I'm loving these. It's great to see inside the mind of a man who is so talented and yet so insecure and vulnerable all at once. He's truly one of the only musicians that I respect as an actual human being as opposed to seeing him as just some amazing "superstar" (as much as a prog star can be) musician.
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Listened to Part 3. I could listen to this man ramble on and on all day.
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Genesis is up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-lazmW--co
it's like, deconstruction by way of sky blue and it's w i l d
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Genesis is up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-lazmW--co
it's like, deconstruction by way of sky blue and it's w i l d
Destroyed!!! Devin wasn't kidding when he said he was going to be bringing everything he had done previously to the table.
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well this is a very crazy song, I'm not sure what to think. It definitely has lots of really amazing parts to it, but it's also just so... crazy and ridiculous and over the top, yet it's still so lovable and fun all around.
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Listened to it once and I am thoroughly amazed and confused. I'm glad weird Dev is back. I love the DTP but I'm kinda relieved this isn't just gonna be another album like Epicloud or Sky Blue or Transcendence. Even with this one song, it really does feel like a culmination of all of Dev's music. I hear Infinity, I hear Synchestra, I hear Strapping Young Lad, I hear Deconstruction, I hear Transcendence, I hear Casualties, even some Ghost in there at some points. It's wonderfully chaotic without being too disjointed to the point where it's a mess.
I'm gonna make an effort to not listen to it or any other singles again until I have the full album. I want to experience this whole albums unspoiled.
I'm really looking forward to this album. :metal
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Well.
That was a song.
I guess?
Like Deconstruction but even more ridiculous. I like it.
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Apparently Devin said himself it's not really a song per se, and it definitely sounds like an overture of sorts. At least it has a refrain ;)
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The official music video is up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n7uvokARQ4&feature=youtu.be
I love this :lol it's just him reacting to his own song with a stupidly random greenscreen that matches the music perfectly. And the song is amazing! The weird side of Devin is the side I like the most.
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That was exciting
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Brilliant video.
And I really love the song. THIS feels like Devin when he is truly inspired. I just didn't get that feeling for much of the last 3-4 albums. It felt like he stretched out a mood or few ideas over a whole album out of obligation. Devin is at his best when he NEEDS to get the music out of him, and this felt just like that.
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Apparently Devin said himself it's not really a song per se, and it definitely sounds like an overture of sorts. At least it has a refrain ;)
Definitely sounds like an overture, I like it if so. It's a bit disjointed to really follow as a single song, but if it's more of like an overture for the album, I am really digging it then. Looks like there's a lot to look forward to with this one.
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Brilliant video.
And I really love the song. THIS feels like Devin when he is truly inspired. I just didn't get that feeling for much of the last 3-4 albums. It felt like he stretched out a mood or few ideas over a whole album out of obligation. Devin is at his best when he NEEDS to get the music out of him, and this felt just like that.
I don't know yet whether I agree with the analysis of the last couple albums (the last time I listened to Transcendence, about a week ago, it totally connected, and I left it feeling physically invigorated) but I don't think I can name an artist I like for whom that feeling of having to "get music out" is so strong. If that makes sense.
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I can't stand Devin Townsend honestly, but Transcendence is really cool.
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Transcendence was fantastic, I was just watching the music video in my office when my coworker came in and was like "what is that?" and watched the last minute or so absolutely amazed. LIke he didn't understand but was kind of enjoying it. It's definitely an interesting watch/listen. There's a lot of good bits in this song too.
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That song Secret Sciences... c'mon. I get it if you don't like the choral vocals, but that song just works for me on every level.
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Yea, it's become one of my favorites from the album and it certainly wasn't when it was released, that song is just so good. Glad I got to see it live (with Anneke, and only played live 12 times) as well as Offer Your Light (with Anneke and only played live 2 times) from that Progpower show a few years ago.
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Awesome video, awesome song (mostly just intro to the album but works amazingly well). I can't wait for this.
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I’ll admit I liked Transcendence more than the 2-3 before that, but haven’t come back to it much. So my comment was largely directed at the stuff before that. Though Transvendence felt like the band was really inspired and Devin was helping out but not 100% into it.
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If Transcendence didn't take a nosedive in quality in the second half it would have been one of his best albums, for sure. As-is, I like it more than Sky Blue, but it doesn't come all that close to the quality to his best "poppy" records (Addicted, Accelerated Evolution and Epicloud)
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If Transcendence didn't take a nosedive in quality in the second half it would have been one of his best albums, for sure. As-is, I like it more than Sky Blue, but it doesn't come all that close to the quality to his best "poppy" records (Addicted, Accelerated Evolution and Epicloud)
True, those three I enjoy more too
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Genesis is top tier, 2nd best song he's ever written IMO.
Today/yesterday has been such a big treat, with "At Wits End" and "Pale Blue Dot", along with "Genesis" - it's all so much to take in, it's so overwhelmingly awesome and epic that I think I've orgasmed into death.
Today/yesterday has been the best present I've had in a fucking long time. Thanks Dev, I feel Empath will likely be his best album to date (which isn't a light statement to say either!)
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In order to be his best it’ll have to top Terria and Ki for me, which is probably ridiculously difficult to do. That first song was awesome though!!
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The official music video is up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n7uvokARQ4&feature=youtu.be
I love this :lol it's just him reacting to his own song with a stupidly random greenscreen that matches the music perfectly. And the song is amazing! The weird side of Devin is the side I like the most.
Wow, that had everything it it, including the kitchen sink. Getting excited for the new record...
If Transcendence didn't take a nosedive in quality in the second half it would have been one of his best albums, for sure. As-is, I like it more than Sky Blue, but it doesn't come all that close to the quality to his best "poppy" records (Addicted, Accelerated Evolution and Epicloud)
Kicking off the record with that new and vastly inferior version of Truth did not help either. I don't dislike the title track or Stars, but neither is notable at all. Considering how strong the bonus disc is, a bunch of those could have replaced Stars and the title track. I feel a great well-flowing album could have been accomplished by doing that, along with shortening the long outros of the last two songs as well.
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Ugh...am I the only one who thinks this song sucked? Deconstruction is my favorite of his albums after Ghost and Ki so I can handle his wackiness, but this just seemed way too much of a mish-mash to even take seriously.
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The disco-ey part that start at about 5:40 is my favourite thing Devin has done since Ghost/Deconstruction for sure.
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Ugh...am I the only one who thinks this song sucked? Deconstruction is my favorite of his albums after Ghost and Ki so I can handle his wackiness, but this just seemed way too much of a mish-mash to even take seriously.
Devin confirms here it's a kind of stylistic overture, so you can expect something not as wacky from the rest of the album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRRfMJn3Wno
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Ugh...am I the only one who thinks this song sucked? Deconstruction is my favorite of his albums after Ghost and Ki so I can handle his wackiness, but this just seemed way too much of a mish-mash to even take seriously.
Devin confirms here it's a kind of stylistic overture, so you can expect something not as wacky from the rest of the album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRRfMJn3Wno
That's a relief. His "quirky/wacky" side is where he generally loses me. I enjoy that side of him in interviews and such, but in the music? Nah.
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https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/status/1105294218858119168
MP calls Empath his favorite album of the year and then tweets about getting in touch with Devin and M. Akerfeldt back in 2010 trying to start a project. And then.... Devin replies in his style :lol :lol
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https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/status/1105294218858119168
MP calls Empath his favorite album of the year and then tweets about getting in touch with Devin and M. Akerfeldt back in 2010 trying to start a project. And then.... Devin replies in his style :lol :lol
wow this is amazing
@BBLLEEIIZZ_
18h18 hours ago
Replying to @dvntownsend @MikePortnoy
If this ever happens it would be the first time I shit my pants since I was 4.
Devin Townsend
@dvntownsend
18h18 hours ago
Last time I shat mine was 4 this afternoon. India is amazing, but I’ve been stationed in the loo for weeks. It’s like wiping an axe wound.
:rollin
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I saw that on Twitter last night. Devin did a great job of being nice while also conveying how little interest he had in that project. Some guys work best when driving the bus, not collaborating, and Devin is definitely one of those guys.
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I saw that on Twitter last night. Devin did a great job of being nice while also conveying how little interest he had in that project. Some guys work best when driving the bus, not collaborating, and Devin is definitely one of those guys.
Yeah, I don't see a collaboration like this ever working. All three of them are "Drive the bus" kind of guys. Although MP seems to be able to take a step back in other collab projects like Neal Morse etc....So you never know.
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I have not been following the thread. When is the new album due out?
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I have not been following the thread. When is the new album due out?
March 29th
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Yeah, I don't see a collaboration like this ever working. All three of them are "Drive the bus" kind of guys. Although MP seems to be able to take a step back in other collab projects like Neal Morse etc....So you never know.
With all due respect, Portnoy cannot "drive the bus" the way Devin and Akerfeldt can. It has to be a collaborative process for Portnoy to excel, while the other two have shown that there can be no one else on the bus and still thrive.
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Don't know enough about Akerfeldt, but I believe Devin when he says things like that just don't work for him because he is the driving force behind his music and everything needs to make sense to him for it to work. I'd imagine MP would be a great drummer for Devin to use and guide to do what he wants, but I'm not sure I can really see a collaborative effort between those, let alone someone else as well. Now we don't know the dynamics, but essentially Devin's response makes perfect sense given the way he operates.
The whole situation feels kind of odd though to see play out on twitter between two well known musicians. Like MP tweeting that in the first place, he even questions if its the right place/time...
I hate to start rumors... ...(being it was almost 10yrs ago, I assume it’s now safe to say!
and then Devin was really responsive and involved only to see MP follow up this morning
Woke up to all these comments about my post...! 😳 Jeez, sorry @dvntownsend for opening up this subject haha! Figured after 10 yrs it was OK to disclose our talks about possibly doing something back then...Let’s get back on track to what started this thread: #EMPATH is out 3/29!!
Just kind of feels like typical MP behavior. Devin's a cool fucking dude though, I'm sure it's all good since he didn't need to respond at all. And for the record, I don't think talking about potential bands from 10 years ago like this is a big deal to reveal, it's more so just how it played out that feels a bit odd. Definitely entertaining though to read, wish I saw it live and got in on the action :lol
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Yeah, I don't see a collaboration like this ever working. All three of them are "Drive the bus" kind of guys. Although MP seems to be able to take a step back in other collab projects like Neal Morse etc....So you never know.
With all due respect, Portnoy cannot "drive the bus" the way Devin and Akerfeldt can. It has to be a collaborative process for Portnoy to excel, while the other two have shown that there can be no one else on the bus and still thrive.
Oh, I definitely agree, but Portnoy does have that personality of feeling like he needs to be the one to drive the bus. He's always thrived in a more collaborative environment.
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Fucking love the new song. I've enjoyed the last few DTP records, but this is really on a different level. Feels like pure Devin.
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Oh, I definitely agree, but Portnoy does have that personality of feeling like he needs to be the one to drive the bus. He's always thrived in a more collaborative environment.
Well sure, I think he wants to feel like he was part of the writing process, not just the drummer who came in to play on the songs the others wrote, and that is pretty natural.
And to clarify, when I earlier said, "It has to be a collaborative process for Portnoy to excel," I meant in the writing process. Because he is not a songwriter in the sense of being someone who can sit down and write a song from start to finish, music and lyrics and all that goes with it, he needs that collaboration where a true songwriter can drive the bus in that sense (vs. Portnoy's sense, which is more band direction, arranging music others write, etc.).
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Surprised no one posted this yet.
New song, Evermore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2-cKI34bpU
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literally saw it 2 minutes ago and i'm in the middle of one of y'all's EPs right now
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literally saw it 2 minutes ago and i'm in the middle of one of y'all's EPs right now
Slogging your way through yet another of our mediocre EP's! :tup
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i like four of them a fair bit, tbh
from first listen i already have a pretty good idea of which two are getting cut tho
anyways the EP ended so time to check out this bad boy
edit: this sounds like devin intentionally went out of his way to make this a mashup of the styles of the original four DTP albums, i dig it tho
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Surprised no one posted this yet.
New song, Evermore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2-cKI34bpU
Yay, another song that is complete hot garbage. I understand what he was going for but I think the execution is so far beyond poor that there's literally nothing to grasp onto with this and the other song. I might actually avoid getting this album now
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Didn't like the first half as much since it felt like Devin on autopilot, but then it really picked up.
I just hope he cuts back on the long super harmonized vocals that have been ALL over the last few albums. This song had some good dynamic vocals in the 2nd half, so I'm hoping for more of that. Variety.
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Surprised no one posted this yet.
New song, Evermore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2-cKI34bpU
Yay, another song that is complete hot garbage. I understand what he was going for but I think the execution is so far beyond poor that there's literally nothing to grasp onto with this and the other song. I might actually avoid getting this album now
It kills me to say it, but I agree. I just can't relate to this silly side of his music.
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I really don't know what about these songs sounds "silly" tbh
They are all over the place musically but I don't hear the wackiness of the ziltoid albums anywhere here
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I don't get Devin's music. I just don't. It's just too..."out there" for me. But I kind of want to get it. Maybe you guys can help me out.
I will say that I have been listening to this album a bit over the last couple of days (for some reason, Inside Out seems to have put me on their general list rather than just a DT specific list, and sent me a promo of this album a few days ago), and there are some cool things that are grabbing my attention.
But help me figure this guy out because, again, I just don't get it.
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I don't get Devin's music. I just don't. It's just too..."out there" for me. But I kind of want to get it. Maybe you guys can help me out.
I will say that I have been listening to this album a bit over the last couple of days (for some reason, Inside Out seems to have put me on their general list rather than just a DT specific list, and sent me a promo of this album a few days ago), and there are some cool things that are grabbing my attention.
But help me figure this guy out because, again, I just don't get it.
Neither does he.
At his best, Devin's music is a reflection of his own search to understand himself. We're just along for the journey.
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I really don't know what about these songs sounds "silly" tbh
They are all over the place musically but I don't hear the wackiness of the ziltoid albums anywhere here
If I'm comparing it to something like "Bastard" or "Deadhead", it hits me as silly. Not to mention, I first heard the song a little while ago via the official video, which features a cartoon cat. I'm a huge Devin fan, but not this side of him. Give me the darker side any day.
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I don't get Devin's music. I just don't. It's just too..."out there" for me. But I kind of want to get it. Maybe you guys can help me out.
I will say that I have been listening to this album a bit over the last couple of days (for some reason, Inside Out seems to have put me on their general list rather than just a DT specific list, and sent me a promo of this album a few days ago), and there are some cool things that are grabbing my attention.
But help me figure this guy out because, again, I just don't get it.
I don't get some of his albums. But these are the most "accessible" at least for me and the ones I listen to more often:
-Ocean Machine
-Addicted
-Sky Blue
-Epicloud
-Transcendence
If you like a bit more of the spacey chilling side:
-Hummer
-Ghost
-Ki
The super extreme heavy:
-Deconstruction
-Strapping Young Lad
The rest like Synchestra, Terria, etc...are a bit difficult to digest, at least for me.
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I would avoid SYL (unless you like speed metal on steroids), The Hummer and Physicist like the plague.
Addicted, Sky Blue and Epicloud are great starters.
Terria is still his best, but it can be "just another mountain" (!!) to climb.
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I don't get Devin's music. I just don't. It's just too..."out there" for me. But I kind of want to get it. Maybe you guys can help me out.
I will say that I have been listening to this album a bit over the last couple of days (for some reason, Inside Out seems to have put me on their general list rather than just a DT specific list, and sent me a promo of this album a few days ago), and there are some cool things that are grabbing my attention.
But help me figure this guy out because, again, I just don't get it.
I'm not the biggest Devin Townsend fan, but Ki and Ghost are absolutely incredible. Ki has none of the bombast that annoys me so much and is just a moody, dark, eerie, tranquil piece of brilliance. Ghost is very mellow so I wouldn't suggest that outright, but it's my favorite of his albums. Check out Ki and see if that can be your gateway into his stuff. A lot of it is really captivating, but bullshit like these two Empath songs is him at his worst imo.
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Bosk, I'd start with just Epicloud and if you like it, tell us what you liked about it and we can direct you from there. His massive discography can be intimidating and hard to get into, especially if you start with the wrong album.
Like others have said, stay away from SYL, Hummer, and Devlab, and I would also say avoid stuff Deconstruction or the 2 Ziltoid albums and even Empath for now.
Epicloud is probably the best starting point. It's a very accessible record, and it's kind of a sampler of most of his various styles.
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I agree that Ki is amazing, although that is not an album you can "sample." I know it's a cliche, but that really is an album that must be listened to from start to finish in one sitting to really grasp its greatness. And I am honestly not sure if it is the best album to try to convert someone. I think his albums with the catchy rockers, like Addicted and Sky Blue, are better starters, although you never really know.
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I agree that Ki is amazing, although that is not an album you can "sample." I know it's a cliche, but that really is an album that must be listened to from start to finish in one sitting to really grasp its greatness. And I am honestly not sure if it is the best album to try to convert someone. I think his albums with the catchy rockers, like Addicted and Sky Blue, are better starters, although you never really know.
I can only go by my personal experience. I liked some of his other stuff well enough, but it wasn't until I heard Ki that I was truly blown away. It wasn't stuff like Addicted because that pop-metal sound already felt really familiar through other bands, but Ki was really unique and captivating and made me take notice.
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I don't get Devin's music. I just don't. It's just too..."out there" for me. But I kind of want to get it. Maybe you guys can help me out.
I will say that I have been listening to this album a bit over the last couple of days (for some reason, Inside Out seems to have put me on their general list rather than just a DT specific list, and sent me a promo of this album a few days ago), and there are some cool things that are grabbing my attention.
But help me figure this guy out because, again, I just don't get it.
Neither does he.
At his best, Devin's music is a reflection of his own search to understand himself. We're just along for the journey.
There's actually some truth in this. All I knew of DT was his vocals from Steve Vai's record - which I HATED, and one Strapping Young Lad song which I can't possibly name. THEN I read his autobiography, and heard "Deep Peace" from the London live set, which blew me away. Then, listening to Transcendence, and remembering what I read in his book, it made a lot of sense. (I even went back, bought the Vai album used for a $1, and it was a different experience. I still don't like all of it, but a lot of it is better than I remembered.)
Secret Sciences is the song off of Transcendence that I would offer to someone.
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I started with Epicloud and agree, it's a good intro to his music. It contains lots of his styles without being too crazy and also is a really good album.
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I still say either Ki or Casualties of Cool is the best thing he has ever done. Although I like the vast majority of his stuff. And as Stadler mentioned, his autobiography is a great read.
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Well, since I actually have the new album, I'll post what I like about it once I have a chance to digest it more. Since I am liking some things about it and I actually have it, that seems like a logical place to start to me. :lol And once the rest of you have it and have a chance to digest it, we can, essentially be "speaking the same language" in terms of helping me maybe "get" it a little bit more.
And for reference, other stuff I have heard that, while still "out there," I found myself actually liking somewhat, were War, Kingdom, and that Poozer song. Not sure whether or not that is any help in focusing the discussion of helping me "get" his music, but in having random things show up on YouTube that I actually somewhat liked, that's what comes to mind.
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I still say either Ki or Casualties of Cool is the best thing he has ever done. Although I like the vast majority of his stuff. And as Stadler mentioned, his autobiography is a great read.
This is real funny to me because Casualties is my favorite but Ki is one of my least favorites, probably right along Dark Matters and Physicist.
I'd recommend Epicloud as a starting point as well. Sky Blue and Transcendence are for all.intents and purposes just Epicloud 2 and 3 imo
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Bosk, I'd recommend giving Addicted a few listens. It's one of his best albums ever, and pretty low on the weirdness scale.
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Does that have any of the songs that I mentioned liking?
I was actually thinking about getting and watching Retinal Circus, since I think two of the videos for songs I mentioned came from that, and the visual spectacle of it seemed, at minimum, such an entertaining spectacle even aside from the songs themselves.
As an aside, for those making recommendations who may not know if you haven't seen it come up in other threads, I generally do NOT like music where the lyrics are overly and overtly either bashing God or explicitly sexual or use gratuitous profanity. I am under the impression (although I could be misinformed or just mistaken) that Devin can, at times, embrace both categories. So if there are albums where those types of things are pretty overt, those are probably not the best recommendations for me.
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Kingdom is originally on Physicist but the rerecorded version (which is most likely the one you heard) is on Epicloud
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The version I saw was the live version from Retinal Circus.
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Zappa on steroids. I love Ghost. The music on the other albums
is basically insanity with no riffs lasting long enough for me to
sink my teeth in. Always good production though.
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Does that have any of the songs that I mentioned liking?
I was actually thinking about getting and watching Retinal Circus, since I think two of the videos for songs I mentioned came from that, and the visual spectacle of it seemed, at minimum, such an entertaining spectacle even aside from the songs themselves.
As an aside, for those making recommendations who may not know if you haven't seen it come up in other threads, I generally do NOT like music where the lyrics are overly and overtly either bashing God or explicitly sexual or use gratuitous profanity. I am under the impression (although I could be misinformed or just mistaken) that Devin can, at times, embrace both categories. So if there are albums where those types of things are pretty overt, those are probably not the best recommendations for me.
I am not sure you'll like the visuals of Retinal Circus. They are........umm......racy at times, to say the least. At times it feels like Beavis and Butthead directed.
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Hmm...well, I guess I can check it out first on, um...sources, first. :biggrin: If I like it and don't feel it crosses the line, I will definitely buy it.
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Hmmm, I might also be thinking of the Ziltoid live at Albert Hall one. Dammit. Can't remember.
Ah well, one of them has a giant dick/vagina thing. Someone can correct me if it's not Retinal Circus.
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I still say either Ki or Casualties of Cool is the best thing he has ever done. Although I like the vast majority of his stuff. And as Stadler mentioned, his autobiography is a great read.
This is real funny to me because Casualties is my favorite but Ki is one of my least favorites, probably right along Dark Matters and Physicist.
I'd recommend Epicloud as a starting point as well. Sky Blue and Transcendence are for all.intents and purposes just Epicloud 2 and 3 imo
I think I remember you saying somewhere that you didn't like Ki too much. Which I feel is kind of odd because Ki feels like the jumping off point for what made Casualties of Cool possible.
As far as your second point goes, I agree with Sky Blue being Epicloud 2, but Transcendence was way better than either Epicloud or Sky Blue. At least in my opinion.
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I am not sure you'll like the visuals of Retinal Circus. They are........umm......racy at times, to say the least. At times it feels like Beavis and Butthead directed.
Eh, I think that is overstating it. It is kinda silly at times, but I take it as good fun. And we're all adults here. :biggrin:
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The version I saw was the live version from Retinal Circus.
The retinal circus focuses on his entire career but was also after the release of epic loud and has the most songs from that album. If you found his videos more intriguing to watch, since they really are, get the blu ray. Its soooooo good but I think you can still just get epicloud too if youd rather just get an album to start.
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I am not sure you'll like the visuals of Retinal Circus. They are........umm......racy at times, to say the least. At times it feels like Beavis and Butthead directed.
Eh, I think that is overstating it. It is kinda silly at times, but I take it as good fun. And we're all adults here. :biggrin:
Definitely all in fun, but if bosk isnt into it I'm not sure the for fun part changes things. That video does have the huge penis and vagina, some dancers in revealing clothing, and some other visuals that may or may not be too much. It's over the top ridiculousness and it's my favorite all time concert on video, but I can see if someone isnt into that humor and entertainment to be turned off.
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Physicist is his best album by far and the best place to start.
NOT!
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The version I saw was the live version from Retinal Circus.
The retinal circus focuses on his entire career but was also after the release of epic loud and has the most songs from that album. If you found his videos more intriguing to watch, since they really are, get the blu ray. Its soooooo good but I think you can still just get epicloud too if youd rather just get an album to start.
This. If you get Epicloud, make sure its the 2 disc with the bonus disc. Great songs on that as well. I'd also say get Take My Ego and Cry Forever off of iTunes, both fantastic. I don't have a way to get the title track Epicloud as that is vinyl.
Retinal Circus is an overall fun bluray and show.
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What's the general consensus about the album Addicted among fans of Devin Townsend?
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What's the general consensus about the album Addicted among fans of Devin Townsend?
I love it. It's just fun catchy heavy music.
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His second best album if you don't count Strapping Young Lad (and maybe still if you do)
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It's a good album
Probably the best of his poppier DTP albums, though Epicloud is a close second
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What's the general consensus about the album Addicted among fans of Devin Townsend?
Probably my favorite album of his. Has a lot of Anneke on it :yarr
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I'd also say his best use of Anneke as well, with Epicloud as a not terribly close 2nd.
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I'd also say his best use of Anneke as well, with Epicloud as a not terribly close 2nd.
Yup, maybe my two favorite albums of his. It's tough, he's got a bunch of good ones, but I think Devin + Anneke = awesomeness and probably my favorite material he has are the songs with them.
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I'd put Deconstruction right up with Addicted, closely followed by Ki and Ghost, followed less closely by Accelerated Evolution, and then the rest that don't get ranked.
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Accelerate Evolution is pretty high on my list too, just another album that has it's own place in his catalog, nothing else really sounds like it but there's some good more straight forward metal on that. I could say it's a good place to start if you are looking to get into DT since it's much easier to swallow, but it also doesn't really display his full sound to get the idea of what his music really is about.
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What's the general consensus about the album Addicted among fans of Devin Townsend?
The smart fans consider it one of his two or three best.
The rest can be disregarded.
:biggrin: :biggrin:
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I love it, but I have to be in the mood to listen to it specifically. If I want to listen to something Poppy by Dev I typically just listen to Epicloud, as I think it's a better representation of that side of his sound.
I'll rank the DTP albums because why not
1. Ki
2. Epicloud
3. Ghost
4. Deconstruction
5. Addicted
6. Sky Blue
7. Transcendence
8. Dark Matters (I know this is classified as a Dev solo album and not a DTP album, but the DTP guys play on it and it was released the same day as Sky Blue, so I call it a DTP album.)
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just the DTP albums? sure
Decon
Addicted
Epicloud
Ghost
Sky Blue
Transcendence
Ki
Dark Matters
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Here's mine
1. Ghost
2. Addicted
3. Ki
4. Deconstruction
5. Sky Blue
6. Transcendence
7. Epicloud
8. Dark Matters
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I'd also say his best use of Anneke as well, with Epicloud as a not terribly close 2nd.
Yup, maybe my two favorite albums of his. It's tough, he's got a bunch of good ones, but I think Devin + Anneke = awesomeness and probably my favorite material he has are the songs with them.
Addicted and Epicloud are essential later Devy listens for me. Sky Blue and Transcendence are good for people who want a bit of everything, but I haven't connected with them so much so far. Ziltoid stuff is nice, but the concept doesn't amuse me as much as Devin just writing about life. Ki and Ghost in particular are fantastic. And writing this I literally forgot Deconstruction exists :lol
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Thanks fellas, just wanted to make sure I had sampled something that fans recommend.
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Empath has leaked and wow it is a lot to take in.
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Well I look forward to buying it in 3 days.
Would you say it's similar to the last few albums? I surely hope not. But I'm just a tad concerned.
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Well I look forward to buying it in 3 days.
Would you say it's similar to the last few albums? I surely hope not. But I'm just a tad concerned.
After just 1 full listen so far, I'd say it has more in common with the bonus discs of Transcendence and Epicloud than the main albums. There is some more straightforward stuff like the last few DTP albums but the whole album is not in that style.
And just to be clear, I have preordered the album both Physically and Digitally. ;)
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Best since Deconstruction easily.
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I ordered it off Amazon already but it's not gonna ship until next week
Gonna download the digital version whenever it's up tho cause lol @ waiting, not today
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Also, there was a lot of discussion earlier about Chad Kroeger being on this album. He sings backup vocals on Hear Me, but his vocals are so buried with the rest of the choir backup vocals that he's barely noticeable. Those of us who hate Nickelback have nothing to fear. :smiley:
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There is a nice lyrical Transcendence call-back in Requiem. Really enjoyed that when it came up.
Singularity is a lot to take in. Weird is the best word to describe it, but in a good way.
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Devin I guess fired a small tweet storm today about his album being pirated, one is here:
Please support physical product if you can, I don’t care that it leaked, but if my prior actions or words justified that, then I have to retract whatever it is I said. I have a big mouth and I just like making tunes basically
I am typically a digital downloader, amazon has essentially everything I need and usually has the bonus tracks for download too. I think I'm going to buy the physical product this time.
If it doesn't sell well, he can't continue he says, I want him to continue even if I don't like the album. While some might say he is being a salesman, as someone who follows, I know he is not. I feel he is the most genuine person in the music business. I support that, and him. Pre-ordered the CD on amazon.
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Physicist is his best album by far
I know this is a joke and all, but I honestly don’t get why people always trash this album. I think it’s actually quite good and far from the ‘worst’ thing he’s released.
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I really didn't like it the first time I listened to it.
Now that I have let it sink in, it's amazing.
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Physicist is his best album by far
I know this is a joke and all, but I honestly don’t get why people always trash this album. I think it’s actually quite good and far from the ‘worst’ thing he’s released.
It's definitely better than the first SYL album. If you include Punky Bruster and his two ambient albums that also brings Physicist up a few pegs.
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I like Punky Brewster
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Just realized part of the vocal melody in Evermore is a dead ringer for the chorus in Video Killed the Radio Star. :lol
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Music video for Spirits Will Collide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdHJurX0yVA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdHJurX0yVA)
song is pretty awesome
My CD should be at my house when I get home today :metal
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Spirits Will Collide is one of the couple of songs on the album I don’t really like. But most of the rest of the album is excellent.
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I like Spirits Will Collide. It's probably the most straightforward song on this album, and to me it feels like an outtake from Transcendence. Might be the weakest song on the album, but I do really like it. Should have been the second single after Genesis instead of Evermore.
Also, don't ignore the bonus disc for this album(Officially titled "Tests of Manhood"). There's some real gems on that disc.
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Has anyone that ordered the 2LP/CD edition from Laser's Edge got a shipping notification? I was really hoping to have mine delivered today, as the waiting has been brutal. The temptation to listen elsewhere has been strong, but I'd really like to listen to this for the 1st time, lossless, through headphones, as DT himself suggested.
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Well. Uh... that was... an album.
First impressions after one listen: it's a mess. Disjointed, incredibly goofy-sounding, and very lacking in terms of memorable hooks, riffs, or melodies. And this is coming from someone who thinks Deconstruction is his best album. It feels like on each song he just sat down to write it, and never stopped until he literally could not fit in any more weird transitions, silly sound effects, and brief musical detours that come out of nowhere and don't add anything to the song.
Hear Me was pretty good.
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I discovered Devin when he released Deconstruction/Ghost. I enjoyed his back catalog but all of the new stuff he put out since hasn't intrigued me like Terria or Ziltoid...until Empath :metal
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Well. Uh... that was... an album.
First impressions after one listen: it's a mess. Disjointed, incredibly goofy-sounding, and very lacking in terms of memorable hooks, riffs, or melodies. And this is coming from someone who thinks Deconstruction is his best album. It feels like on each song he just sat down to write it, and never stopped until he literally could not fit in any more weird transitions, silly sound effects, and brief musical detours that come out of nowhere and don't add anything to the song.
Hear Me was pretty good.
I thought the same after my first listen. It will grow on you. The album is amazing.
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First two listens today at work and I like it. I only know Ocean Machine, Deconstruction and Addicted of his previous albums, and this can easily be my second favourite behind Ocean Machine.
It's not as too much constantly heavy like Deconstruction, and when it gets full heavy like in some Singularity sections or in Hear Me I really enjoy it.
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on first listen i dug it a lot, though it is kinda incohesive overall, but i feel like that's the point
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Just two listens in and this just has to be his greatest accomplishment yet as far as I'm concerned. Looking forward to his acoustic show at the St. Bavo church in Haarlem.
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If you're like me and you prefer having Devin's bonus track discs as separate albums with separate album art, here's something that should work well for ya. I couldn't find a good quality image of this on the internet so I had to photoshop a couple images together myself.
(https://i.imgur.com/hyYVvV2.jpg)
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I had somebody on the Dev subreddit photoshop the single artwork for Evermore for me to use. It kinda reminds me of a modern version of the Infinity artwork.
(https://i.imgur.com/4wxh1Xy.jpg)
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Thank you both. As soon as I looked at the back of the album and saw the second disc had its own title like Holding Patterns did, I knew I'd be looking for its own artwork. I'm also using an HD-ified version of the island artwork for the main album. I much prefer that to the simple white background.
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Sadly, I'm just not connecting with anything on this album at all. I just saw the new video, and.... bass playing gorilla? Elephants?? Yikes.
I think of Devin as having three sides. 1. The dark and heavy side. 2. The mellow side, which is deep and contemplative. 3. The kooky side where he's trying to show he's "not taking himself too seriously."
Side 3 is the side I can't relate to.
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This is a lot to digest. I've had a couple listens, the first I was just kind of like wtf am I listening to at times, but there's just so much going on and a lot of it is interesting, I just have not been able to "get it" I guess. Having said that, after a couple listens, I do feel like I am starting to enjoy this a lot more. Kind of similar to the Astonishing in that regard, the music is very dense and there's not a lot of hooks that make you come back to or really remember after a listen (besides Genesis, maybe because I've heard that song the most as the first single but that chorus has become very catchy to me) but I'm getting there. I think it's pretty good so far, not my album of the year but maybe after a bunch more listens this thing will blossom even more for me.
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Just bought the album but haven't listened to it yet. DID however listen to that new song he released with the weird video.
Video was VERY cool. No idea why I was so behind things like a Gorilla playing bass or elephants playing drums, but damn did it work. Even tricked me into thinking the song was just as good. However, looking back, the song is just okay. When the choir people are singing it's very cool, but I am very very sick of Dev doing the insanely layered extremely ethereal vocals on his part. I know he doesn't do them ALL the time these days, but he does them so much and they end up sounding so similar. I just am done with them. He used to do interesting vocal rhythms and cool notes, now he's just low register/screams/falsetto layers of longer notes. It's boring. I hope the rest of the album isn't quite as filled with those types of vocals as the last few albums have been.
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I don't know what the concept of this album is, but there's definitely animals involved, and monsters, so these music videos with all the animals kind of just feel part of it now. Harambe playing bass, well yea it's Empath :lol
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Just noticed this wonderful coincidence in my iTunes library
(https://i.imgur.com/OeIWe2d.png)
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'Why?' followed by 'Borderlands' is just great. Not sure where I stand with this album yet, I'm just on my third listen, definitely enjoying it though!
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'Why?' followed by 'Borderlands' is just great.
That's definitely the best part of the album for me. The rest can be hit or miss.
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touch me
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Got the vinyl in the mail yesterday. Haven’t taken the time to spin it, but I will do so tonight. :)
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Got the vinyl in the mail yesterday. Haven’t taken the time to spin it, but I will do so tonight. :)
Same dude. I'm going to properly experience it with the lyrics and all :heart
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Got the vinyl in the mail yesterday. Haven’t taken the time to spin it, but I will do so tonight. :)
Same dude. I'm going to properly experience it with the lyrics and all :heart
Where did you guys order from? I have the regular black version on order from Laser's Edge, but haven't even got a shipping notification.
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After one listen, there are a few songs I like, but overall it sounds like a mess. I am sure it will get better with more listens, but I haven't had this poor of a reaction to a new Devin album after listen 1 in a long time.
I am not even going to try and tackle the bonus disc yet.
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Got the vinyl in the mail yesterday. Haven’t taken the time to spin it, but I will do so tonight. :)
Same dude. I'm going to properly experience it with the lyrics and all :heart
Where did you guys order from? I have the regular black version on order from Laser's Edge, but haven't even got a shipping notification.
Mine was through Music Glue. It arrived on Saturday morning.
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After one listen, there are a few songs I like, but overall it sounds like a mess. I am sure it will get better with more listens, but I haven't had this poor of a reaction to a new Devin album after listen 1 in a long time.
I am not even going to try and tackle the bonus disc yet.
I think Dev is the type of musician (like Neal Morse and Steven Wilson) where is fans honestly don't care about quality and deem every thing he does as a masterpiece just because he's a cool, approachable guy. I ran through the first disc and there is literally nothing that screams masterpiece and most of it sounds like a hot pile of mishmashed garbage. I don't know how anyone can listen to this and feel any kind of emotional connection or affinity towards it. I know it's tough to critique and album after only one listen so maybe I'll rethink it after more listens (if I'm able to even make it through another play-through), but seriously, do the hardcore Devin fans really honestly like this album or does he get leeway because he's an awesome dude?
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After one listen, there are a few songs I like, but overall it sounds like a mess. I am sure it will get better with more listens, but I haven't had this poor of a reaction to a new Devin album after listen 1 in a long time.
I am not even going to try and tackle the bonus disc yet.
I think Dev is the type of musician (like Neal Morse and Steven Wilson) where is fans honestly don't care about quality and deem every thing he does as a masterpiece just because he's a cool, approachable guy. I ran through the first disc and there is literally nothing that screams masterpiece and most of it sounds like a hot pile of mishmashed garbage. I don't know how anyone can listen to this and feel any kind of emotional connection or affinity towards it. I know it's tough to critique and album after only one listen so maybe I'll rethink it after more listens (if I'm able to even make it through another play-through), but seriously, do the hardcore Devin fans really honestly like this album or does he get leeway because he's an awesome dude?
I don't think fans take that "everything they release is a masterpiece" approach with those guys. Devin, Neal and SW all make very high quality albums on a regular basis that get high praise because they really are that good, not simply because fans want to fellate them, but Devin has Ziltoid 2 and Physicist, Neal has Lifeline, and SW (PT) has The Incident. When they make albums that are less than great, the collective fan base is never afraid to say it. Heck, I am not the only who has been a tad underwhelmed by the new Neal Morse Band album, and a lot of SW fans weren't overly wild about To the Bone. That said, you will always have some fans liking everything just because, just like even well-loved albums will always have a few who do not like it that much.
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Yea I'm with Kev. Even in this thread I'm not seeing a whole lot universal praise for the new album.
In fact, the only band I see here where a lot of fans have that mentality is Dream Theater.
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Yea I'm with Kev. Even in this thread I'm not seeing a whole lot universal praise for the new album.
In fact, the only band I see here where a lot of fans have that mentality is Dream Theater.
Agreed; I gave Distance Over Time a positive, but measured, review, and you would have thought I said it was their worst album ever.
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Yea I'm with Kev. Even in this thread I'm not seeing a whole lot universal praise for the new album.
In fact, the only band I see here where a lot of fans have that mentality is Dream Theater.
Agreed; I gave Distance Over Time a positive, but measured, review, and you would have thought I said it was their worst album ever.
Yea, there's a reason I don't post on the DT side anymore.
"I Like the album"
"YAY BROTHER! YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!"
"I didn't really like the album"
"....explain this. Write many paragraphs going into extreme detail going into EXACTLY what about the album you didn't like, and if we can prove that those examples are not 100% consistent across your musical tastes, you better god damn apologize!"
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After one listen, there are a few songs I like, but overall it sounds like a mess. I am sure it will get better with more listens, but I haven't had this poor of a reaction to a new Devin album after listen 1 in a long time.
I am not even going to try and tackle the bonus disc yet.
I think Dev is the type of musician (like Neal Morse and Steven Wilson) where is fans honestly don't care about quality and deem every thing he does as a masterpiece just because he's a cool, approachable guy. I ran through the first disc and there is literally nothing that screams masterpiece and most of it sounds like a hot pile of mishmashed garbage. I don't know how anyone can listen to this and feel any kind of emotional connection or affinity towards it. I know it's tough to critique and album after only one listen so maybe I'll rethink it after more listens (if I'm able to even make it through another play-through), but seriously, do the hardcore Devin fans really honestly like this album or does he get leeway because he's an awesome dude?
That's a bit harsh. Just because you don't like it doesn't everyone else has an ulterior motive for liking it. For the record, I think Transcendence and Sky Blue are mediocre, Epicloud is pretty poor, and Dark Matters sucks. But I love this album. There's some stuff I could take or leave, like Sprite and Hear Me, but the rest is mostly great.
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After repeated listens my opinion has changed from "it's a mess" to "it's decent".
A lot of the problems from my first listen are still there, but there's also a good amount of qualities that were initially overshadowed by the overwhelming goofiness.
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Very dense album...somewhat chaotic. Production is top notch but it's not an easy album to digest. Might take a while to "get it".
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Checked the album out on Spotify. Couldn't sit through 1 song from start to finish. To me, this album is a total mess - it's like each song was composed by 3 different people or something like that. Hope I'm in the minority on this one, but this is not made for me for sure.
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I haven't had the chance to sit down with the full album yet. I did like what I heard but I do find that with Devin I do like some of his stuff, but I tend to find the overall dense/chaotic nature of his material means I can't listen to an album in one go and I do get fatigued by it.
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I think Dev is the type of musician (like Neal Morse and Steven Wilson) where is fans honestly don't care about quality and deem every thing he does as a masterpiece just because he's a cool, approachable guy. I ran through the first disc and there is literally nothing that screams masterpiece and most of it sounds like a hot pile of mishmashed garbage. I don't know how anyone can listen to this and feel any kind of emotional connection or affinity towards it. I know it's tough to critique and album after only one listen so maybe I'll rethink it after more listens (if I'm able to even make it through another play-through), but seriously, do the hardcore Devin fans really honestly like this album or does he get leeway because he's an awesome dude?
I definitely don't fall under this category. I think Devin is a musical genius in every sense of the word, in a genre all his own, in fact, but this "Empath" stuff?? I keep asking myself "he ended DTP for THIS???" I am very disappointed in the album. So far, out of all the releases I was looking forward to this year, the new Dream Theater is the best, and I did not predict that at all.
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I wonder how much of the 'goofiness' some people have mentioned is just Canadian-ness. Personally, I find those elements refreshing. It's certainly subjective though.
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I haven't really cared for a Devin album in quite a while, but this new one here is pretty solid all around. Really dense and maximal with a hundred things going on at once. I can see where some are saying it's a mess, but I really don't see how this is such a huge departure from some of the stuff he's done in the past or that this album is "too weird" as some people are suggesting. Will have to give it more time, but I think my take away with this album is that it's simply Devin at a full 100, throwing everything he's got in the pot. Is it a bit unfocused? Sure. But it's honestly quite a lot of fun.
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I think the problem with people saying they can't sit through the album or even a full song, I think the album almost needs to be digested as a whole. Gave another listen this morning and really enjoy it more and more with each full listen, I know that's asking a lot for people who can't even take a song and sure, at that point the album probably is not for you, but this thing needs a lot of time to digest. Having said all that, it's not like I love it, it's alright. I feel like the parts I enjoy the most are the parts that sound like DTP which then leads me to also ask myself
I keep asking myself "he ended DTP for THIS???"
Yea, I knew this might be a mixed bag for me and I want him to succeed on a personal level, but the feedback has been poor and my own experience is that mixed bag so I am kind of hoping once his tour cycle completes (and I hope to see him when he tours for this with a band, the acoustic date he is doing locally is my gf's graduation so I don't think I can make it) he feels refreshed and maybe comes back to DTP and does what he does best IMO (of course without sacrificing his own art).
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Totally forgot this came out... Heard the two songs for which he's done videos. Not bad, but not anywhere close to 'Failure' on Transcendence, or hell, most of the songs on that album. Epicloud and Transcendence are the two albums that made me a Devy fan, and I'm nervous this new album won't have what made me a fan. I'll check it out tonight.
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I keep asking myself "he ended DTP for THIS???"
Yea, I knew this might be a mixed bag for me and I want him to succeed on a personal level, but the feedback has been poor and my own experience is that mixed bag so I am kind of hoping once his tour cycle completes (and I hope to see him when he tours for this with a band, the acoustic date he is doing locally is my gf's graduation so I don't think I can make it) he feels refreshed and maybe comes back to DTP and does what he does best IMO (of course without sacrificing his own art).
I don't think he will come back or reform DTP after one or two years. I think that was the pressure that was getting to him: that others depended on him to make a living. Maybe something like Steven Wilson, where he changes the lineup every once in a while and just hire "hired guns". I think if DTP reforms, it would be that way where they would be hired on a tour by tour basis and not make them full time members (for financial pressure and creativity reasons). That way he can do whatever he wants and the band plays what Devin says. The DTP sound was already burnt out in my opinion and Devin new/felt that.
I had the same feeling when I heard Empath for the 1st time. It has grown on me, but I believe this music could have been played by the rest of the DTP guys.
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I'm finding Empath way better than Transcendence.
It feels refreshing, energetic and overall passionate. Transcendence felt like Devin being bored and doing something because he has too...
Gonna listen again.
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The first listen was a lot to digest.
I only listened now to Spirit Will Colide, Why and Adrift. I love all three. I will take time to relisten the rest.
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It feels refreshing, energetic and overall passionate. Transcendence felt like Devin being bored and doing something because he has too...
Nah that was Sky Blue.
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It feels refreshing, energetic and overall passionate. Transcendence felt like Devin being bored and doing something because he has too...
Nah that was Sky Blue.
But it was still energetic.
Transcendence is just dull for me.
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Neither Sky Blue nor Transcendence were bad albums, but they felt pretty uninspired and like Devin was just going through the motions. Especially Sky Blue, which was seemingly created solely so that newer fans who only enjoyed his more "straightforward" albums weren't completely turned off by the weirdness of the new Ziltoid album. With that in mind, it makes total sense that he'd feel the need to disband the DTP. He wants to write what he wants to write, limitations be damned, and at that point the expectations of what a DTP album "should" sound like were just creating limitations for him. That's why Empath is so all over the place. He's letting loose after he's broken himself off of those limitations and expectations. How that reflects in the music is clearly a mixed bag from a quality standpoint, but hey, I'm happy that he made the album he wanted to make, and I think the decision to end the DTP will, in the end, be a net positive for his creative output.
So no, I don't think he's going to bring back the DTP. That said, the DTP (after the original four albums) was pretty much a rebranding of the Devin Townsend Band, was it not? So it could totally happen a third time, under a different name. And it's totally a possibility that he'll go back to writing more straightforward albums, when he feels like it. I would be shocked if he kept making albums that sound like Empath going forward. So I don't think anyone should be worried about that, even if they don't like the new album. Unlike the last couple DTP albums, there's no telling where he'll go next now, and that makes me pretty excited.
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Here's a video of Samus doing his playthrough of the drums for Hear Me :metal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQaETtF_dzQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQaETtF_dzQ)
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but the feedback has been poor
Has it? While it's not everyone's cup of tea, I've seen a lot of very positive reactions to the record around.
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Well. Uh... that was... an album.
First impressions after one listen: it's a mess.
After repeated listens my opinion has changed from "it's a mess" to "it's decent".
Okay this album might actually be amazing. I can't stop listening to it.
Devin you fucking madman how the fuck did you do this.
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but the feedback has been poor
Has it? While it's not everyone's cup of tea, I've seen a lot of very positive reactions to the record around.
I saw a lot of positive feedback pre release, like MP loving it, but since then it seemed very mixed at best. Just read this thread.
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Well. Uh... that was... an album.
First impressions after one listen: it's a mess.
After repeated listens my opinion has changed from "it's a mess" to "it's decent".
Okay this album might actually be amazing. I can't stop listening to it.
Devin you fucking madman how the fuck did you do this.
:lol
i didn't "love" it on first listen but i did like it, myself. only two spins deep but i'm gonna have it on regular rotation for the next few weeks so we'll see where i end up. don't think it'll be my absolutely favorite thing from him but it's ambitious in the way i tend to enjoy, which is something that had been missing from his last few releases
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Yeah this album is definitely a grower. as with others, I liked it on first listen but didn't love it, too much to take in and hard to get my head around. It's especially unusual that this time he's not focused on one or two sides of his music but thrown absolutely everything in.
I'm onto I think my 6th listen now, and it gets better with every listen. I don't see it being one of my favourites, but it's hugely ambitious, very enjoyable and really quite impressive and I'm digging it.
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but the feedback has been poor
Has it? While it's not everyone's cup of tea, I've seen a lot of very positive reactions to the record around.
I saw a lot of positive feedback pre release, like MP loving it, but since then it seemed very mixed at best. Just read this thread.
This thread is probably the most mixed reaction I've seen to the album so far. Other places I've seen, whether it's fans or reviewers, the reaction has generally been to some degree on the positive side. Though it really does come down to where one looks.
Time will tell I suppose.
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Okay this album might actually be amazing. I can't stop listening to it.
Devin you fucking madman how the fuck did you do this.
You may be on to something here.
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Yeah this album is definitely a grower. as with others, I liked it on first listen but didn't love it, too much to take in and hard to get my head around. It's especially unusual that this time he's not focused on one or two sides of his music but thrown absolutely everything in.
I'm onto I think my 6th listen now, and it gets better with every listen. I don't see it being one of my favourites, but it's hugely ambitious, very enjoyable and really quite impressive and I'm digging it.
This ^
Managed to give it a full listen this morning, and with each listen you do start to get a handle on things and see the beauty of it through the chaos of the music. It's definitely an album that grows on you and rewards multiple listens.
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Listening to it a few songs at a time. Aside from Genesis, I really liked Sprite, Hear Me, and Why?
Left off on Why? so I'll keep listening later. Spirits Will Collide is okay, and Evermore didn't resonate much with me. Maybe on future listens. But those two, thus far, are the most typical modern Devin that I'm not huge into.
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I am not a big Devin fan. He is a fun guy that seems very creative and awesome, but to me everything sounds pretty much similar even if he does country, pop, atmospheric or whatever. It's Devin's voice and super over the top dense production where no detail can be layered enough. That is usually my issue with it. And it's like everything, maybe you like the sound or maybe you don't. Usually artists have a similar sound no matter what genre they are doing and at least for me that is true with Devin as well. Ziltoid is so far my favorite album as a whole and then some songs here and there. Failure is a fantastic song etc.
Anyway, this album is quite much similar up until Why?. Then suddenly I am actually liking this more than usual! The goofy parts are refreshing and fun. Still the production is a bit too much for me … which is strange since I many times can like that as well. But the "Disney" stuff works well with what Devin is doing imo. It's not just heavy epic with layered stuff, it's nice symphonic with varied epic and soft elements. It doesn't always sound like what I expect from Devin which is fun. Nice!
I need to spin it more and I don't think I will fall in love, but let's see. I am hoping for that of course :D
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I read through the lyrics on my listen up until Singularity and really enjoyed it. Almost feels like a self discovery type of album, kind of makes sense when you think about what Dev has been saying through the making of it. Feels like you are in his head with all the crazy music and reading his words. I gained a lot more appreciation for it by doing that.
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Well. Uh... that was... an album.
First impressions after one listen: it's a mess.
After repeated listens my opinion has changed from "it's a mess" to "it's decent".
Okay this album might actually be amazing. I can't stop listening to it.
Devin you fucking madman how the fuck did you do this.
You've been on quite the journey with this one. :lol
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Left off on Why? so I'll keep listening later. Spirits Will Collide is okay, and Evermore didn't resonate much with me. Maybe on future listens. But those two, thus far, are the most typical modern Devin that I'm not huge into.
Spirits Will Collide is pretty standard Devy but I absolutely love it. A whole album of it would get boring, but it's got such a wonderful warmth to it. I think it might be my favourite of that type of song of his.
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Left off on Why? so I'll keep listening later. Spirits Will Collide is okay, and Evermore didn't resonate much with me. Maybe on future listens. But those two, thus far, are the most typical modern Devin that I'm not huge into.
Spirits Will Collide is pretty standard Devy but I absolutely love it. A whole album of it would get boring, but it's got such a wonderful warmth to it. I think it might be my favourite of that type of song of his.
I enjoyed it, for sure. It just didn't really impress me, but I really loved parts of it. The choir, for instance, REALLY worked. Plus the video is just great.
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Left off on Why? so I'll keep listening later. Spirits Will Collide is okay, and Evermore didn't resonate much with me. Maybe on future listens. But those two, thus far, are the most typical modern Devin that I'm not huge into.
Spirits Will Collide is pretty standard Devy but I absolutely love it. A whole album of it would get boring, but it's got such a wonderful warmth to it. I think it might be my favourite of that type of song of his.
Yea, it's maybe the most standard Devy track and maybe that's why it stands out a bit and I enjoy it. It's not my favorite, but it's a good song. I really enjoy the music video too. I'm really not too sure what song is my favorite yet though.
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Still trying to fully digest this album, but a couple of thoughts.
Hear Me has got to be one of the hardest songs I've ever tried to learn on the drums. Samus really brings it on the drums here. It's also a beast of a track.
The ending of Singularity is possibly one of the most majestic things Devin has ever done....possibly...
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I think I only enjoy the beginning and end of Singularity, that song is a bit too much of all over the place for me. It starts and ends nicely though. I think the rest of the album is pretty strong overall now. Songs like Evermore actually have me coming back "I AM I AM!" because of licks I didn't really get or enjoy the first times listening. Why is an awesome song, so bombastic. Sprite is cool as hell, such awesome music and feel to that song. Borderlands is a but much too, it has awesome parts but feels a bit disjointed. Anyway, since I actually have the CD wiht the bonus disk this time, I am listening to the other CD for the first time now, there's some good stuff here. King is an awesome song :metal
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I agree with the previous post to an uncanny degree. Especially about how Singularity and Borderlands are a bit too unfocused but still great.
I understand but don't agree with the criticism about Spirits. Devin did overuse this blueprint in the past, but it's a single short song on a 75min album and one of his best executions of this formula.
Devin's train-of-thought albums are my favourite side of his and this one is a winner.
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Still trying to fully digest this album, but a couple of thoughts.
Hear Me has got to be one of the hardest songs I've ever tried to learn on the drums. Samus really brings it on the drums here. It's also a beast of a track.
The ending of Singularity is possibly one of the most majestic things Devin has ever done....possibly...
Did you see his playthrough?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQaETtF_dzQ
That gravityblast or one handed roll has to be impossible to do clean in a live context without using triggers. Eitherway it's an insane track!
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Can we all agree that Hear Me is fucking amazing and ridiculously insane at the same time!? This is really one of the best songs he’s ever done. Wow!
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Hear Me is great, I love Anneke in it and the drumming really is just out of this world. Honestly it doesn't even feel real though it's so ridiculous but having the video shows that it's not just some crazy drum machine.
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I'm curious how he does stuff from this album live. A song like Hear Me is pretty much impossible without Samus, so I wonder if he'll be the touring drummer.
I think the DTP will be back eventually, if only just because of monetary reasons. It was bold of Dev to put $170k of his own money towards this, but I can't imagine in the current music industry climate with his style of music that he'd get much of a return on that investment. DTP was a much more solid "Day Job" kind of band, and probably a more steady paycheck. So I think they'll be back by 2021 at the earliest. He's mentioned doing another Casualties record, and I think we'll get that before another DTP record or the "Moth" symphony(If that ever even happens).
The first Casualties record was crowdfunded through PledgeMusic and they surpassed the original goal by a ridiculous amount(The final number was 544%). I see no reason why that can't happen again for Casualties 2 or the Moth symphony or any of his future endeavors. Hell, even a Patreon. I'd happily give him like $10 a month so that he can keep going.
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I remember he said something about the tour for this would have a lot of different interpretations of the music from the album, so maybe songs like Hear Me won't be exact live.
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Still trying to fully digest this album, but a couple of thoughts.
Hear Me has got to be one of the hardest songs I've ever tried to learn on the drums. Samus really brings it on the drums here. It's also a beast of a track.
The ending of Singularity is possibly one of the most majestic things Devin has ever done....possibly...
Did you see his playthrough?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQaETtF_dzQ
That gravityblast or one handed roll has to be impossible to do clean in a live context without using triggers. Eitherway it's an insane track!
Yeah I posted that same link earlier in the thread. I've been watching Samus' Youtube and Twitch channels for years. So awesome that he got the opportunity to play on this album. He is a beast of a drummer for sure.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpjS7m6X4h4
Glad I'm not the only one who immediately thought of this upon hearing the verse for Spirits Will Collide
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I really like this album.
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I think the DTP will be back eventually, if only just because of monetary reasons. It was bold of Dev to put $170k of his own money towards this, but I can't imagine in the current music industry climate with his style of music that he'd get much of a return on that investment. DTP was a much more solid "Day Job" kind of band, and probably a more steady paycheck. So I think they'll be back by 2021 at the earliest.
AFAIK, the problem with DTP was that it took up a day job amount of time for a lot of people that couldn't all earn money from it. Basically they were dependent on being locked into the tour machine to be able to earn anything at all. Now Devy is more flexible - if he loses, he loses, if he wins, he wins, and gets to collaborate with people on a more flexible schedule and basis.
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I think the DTP will be back eventually, if only just because of monetary reasons. It was bold of Dev to put $170k of his own money towards this, but I can't imagine in the current music industry climate with his style of music that he'd get much of a return on that investment. DTP was a much more solid "Day Job" kind of band, and probably a more steady paycheck. So I think they'll be back by 2021 at the earliest.
AFAIK, the problem with DTP was that it took up a day job amount of time for a lot of people that couldn't all earn money from it. Basically they were dependent on being locked into the tour machine to be able to earn anything at all. Now Devy is more flexible - if he loses, he loses, if he wins, he wins, and gets to collaborate with people on a more flexible schedule and basis.
Yea, it certainly sounded like this was the issue. But I think they could make it work for another tour, now to do full albums and the full band thing, maybe it won't work out again. I think it also is because Devin wants to follow his own path, he can't make the music he wants to make that isn't DTP without still paying DTP and therefore it's impossible for him to fully express himself. I wouldn't be surprised though if the record labels push him to make more DTP so that Devin can fund another one of his pet projects down the road.
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I'm curious how he does stuff from this album live. A song like Hear Me is pretty much impossible without Samus, so I wonder if he'll be the touring drummer.
I think the DTP will be back eventually, if only just because of monetary reasons. It was bold of Dev to put $170k of his own money towards this, but I can't imagine in the current music industry climate with his style of music that he'd get much of a return on that investment. DTP was a much more solid "Day Job" kind of band, and probably a more steady paycheck. So I think they'll be back by 2021 at the earliest.
Nah. The problem he had with the DTP was the other guys in the band were salaried and that meant he had a commitment to generating income that took precedence over artistic expression. Sure, he probably spent explicitly more on this than the last few records but he wasn't spending anything on other people's salaries during that time.
Besides, it's his name that's been selling the music all this time. Dropping "project" off the end isn't going to have people have people asking who this "Devin Townsend" newcomer is.
I would guess that he'll end up in around the same economic position he was beforehand when it all shakes out. Albums/tours may cost more to pay individuals but the down time will cost him less with no salaries being paid and Empath will probably sell a decent amount but I would guess slightly less than the likes of Epicloud.
It's a cracking album, btw, but it's full on Dev. If you're inclined towards only certain parts of his output I can imagine it not working very well.
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Initial impressions are that this is not surprisingly a very dense collection of music. He crammed everything into it. I think yet again he's overusing the choral/choir stuff and hiding his vocals (IMO). He's just kind of overdoing that aspect for my taste at this point. He does what he wants but his vocals are incredible and with a good melody its magical, so I don't need all that extra taking his place. It feels like at times he doesn't believe in his own musical ability (vocals/guitars) and he throws all these things into it to kind of hide behind it instead? Dunno. Speaking of melody... the beginning of Singularity vocal melody is so reminiscent of a Nirvana song (I know right?) and I can't think of the song lol.
Finally, "Hear Me" is fucking ACE! :metal
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Speaking of melody... the beginning of Singularity vocal melody is so reminiscent of a Nirvana song (I know right?) and I can't think of the song lol.
The chorus of In Bloom perhaps?
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Finally, "Hear Me" is fucking ACE! :metal
Seriously, 'Hear Me' is up there with his best tracks ever.
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Speaking of melody... the beginning of Singularity vocal melody is so reminiscent of a Nirvana song (I know right?) and I can't think of the song lol.
The chorus of In Bloom perhaps?
A bit that, a bit Something In The Way.
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Speaking of Devin Townsend, in the last 24 hours or so, I saw this:
https://youtu.be/85mmUj771Z8
And this:
https://youtu.be/Z9ZdpLSUrTU
Both very interesting in their own way.
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Speaking of Devin Townsend, in the last 24 hours or so, I saw this:
https://youtu.be/85mmUj771Z8
And this:
https://youtu.be/Z9ZdpLSUrTU
Both very interesting in their own way.
@Stads
You should definitely read his biography. If you enjoyed his openness and sincerity in the Loudwire interview, you will definitely like his bio.
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Good call! Honestly, I already did. It's funny, because my only experience with Devin was the Vai record, which I friggin' HATED when I first heard it. I thought it was noise.
Then I read his book, and was intrigued. Shortly after, I got "Deep Peace" live in London in a roulette, and LOVED it (it was the song of the roulette for me). The next exposure was Transcendence, which I also love. I now have the Live In London set and the Contain Us set, which I haven't made it through yet, but it really is a case of liking the guy, which unlocked a lot of the music for me. I just didn't get it before, but it seems to make an odd sort of sense now. I can't say I like everything - still not down with the Strapping Young Lad, for the very reason he felt he had to make it - but I recently re-bought the Vai record for $0.50 on line, and it was WAY better than I remember it being.
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I remember my first exposure to Dev was a friend of mine showing me some Strapping Young Lad ... and I bounced right off of it. I could recognize that there was some talent there, but it just really wasn't my jam. I've tried to go back to it numerous times over the years, and while I can appreciate it, it just really isn't for me.
It was years later when the same friend showed me Ziltoid that I started to take notice. From there I started exploring his catalog at the time, and when I came across Synchestra I thought, "This guy made all of these? Okay, I should probably stay up on what he's doing".
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Same, my first experience with Dev was Aftermath from SYL. I love that song though, so not much else in common. :lol Granted, I haven't even tried anything else from SYL.
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Same, my first experience with Dev was Aftermath from SYL. I love that song though, so not much else in common. :lol Granted, I haven't even tried anything else from SYL.
Check out Shitstorm and Skeksis
NOW
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I'm late - I played Empath for the first time yesterday. As I said elsewhere, this thing is a beautiful, chaotic, glorious mess, and I think I love it at its best. At its worst, it's a bit tedious and overwhelming. The parts when I got exhausted reminded me of Luca Turilli's Rhapsody's Prometheus album - a genius artist going full bore and leaning heavily into the angle they're coming from, but sometimes maybe it's just too much.
So Genesis is cool, but Spirits Will Collide is forgettable (so is Borderlands), but sandwiched in between is this glorious triple combo of Sprite, Hear Me, and Why? - I didn't think the album could get any better after Sprite, but then Hear Me did just that, and then somehow I think I enjoyed Why? more. Sprite is beautiful, Hear Me is one of the most aggressive metal songs I've heard in a long time (without resorting to tryhard growls and death metal schlock). I deeply admire Devin and how he, again, leans heavily into whatever he's going for.
Requiem was okay but there's not much there. I haven't heard Singularity yet because I was exhausted by the time I got to Borderlands. I hope it's good.
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I found singularity to be the exhausting part of the album. I hardly go back to that song, but from Genesis to Borderlands I find that run to be great Devin music. Borderlands is a bit exhausting too, so maybe I can leave it at Why but there's some good stuff in Borderlands but it's all jsut a bit disjointed for one song.
Also, Sprite is the shit, that song is so cool.
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It’s an overwhelming album for sure, which I believe was kind of the point. Usually not in the mood for it but when I am it’s really good. Genesis and Spirits are in regular rotation, the rest a bit less so. Sprite is cool but I truly cannot stand that narration about a little bird. :lol
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I love the album.
Was looking to get a live DVD. I saw the 4 dvd live from DTP...but is it out of print?
WM
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I love the album.
Was looking to get a live DVD. I saw the 4 dvd live from DTP...but is it out of print?
WM
Get The Retinal Circus. That 4 DVD you mention is expensive and hard to find I believe. I would like it but I'm not paying crazy money for it. Those concerts were all on youtube at one point so I've watched them before and would pay for them, just not going to dish out more than they are worth especially since the quality of them isn't the greatest. But the Retinal Circus is a well done concert DVD/Blu-Ray that features a lot of his music from his career but mostly around his DTP stuff specifically Epicloud. Highly recommended.
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Yeah, By A Thread is great but it's been out of print for years. It's hard to find and pretty expensive if you do find it. All 4 shows used to be on Youtube but now it's just a few individual songs. The full videos are out there though if you know where to look, or who to ask...
I do highly reccomend Retinal Circus. It has a lot more variety in song choice and just looks better all around. You can get a signed copy straight from Devin himself on eBay if you're interested. I actually bought one a few weeks ago.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DEVIN-TOWNSEND-Retinal-Circus-DVD-Signed/352649741778?hash=item521b9005d2:g:WEYAAOSw6CBcwedY
(https://i.imgur.com/MthJV90.jpg)
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Anyone ordered the 2 CD version of Empath from Amazon.ca? If so, I need to know, did you get the limited edition o card version or the jewel case version? I thought the limited edition o card version was the only one that came with 2 CDs but I found out there’s a jewel case version with 2 CDs and I hope I don’t get that.
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I ordered from Amazon and mine came in a jewel case.
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yup, same
was a tiny bit upset about it but eehhh, got both discs, got the booklet, digipak is nice but i dunno if i could even get it anymore (and obviously am not getting it now that i've had the album for over a month)
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Why? Is such a good orchestral sounding song. Showcases his voice a lot, its a neat song actually.
I haven't listened to Empath as much as I would have liked. But man when I do, I'm enjoying every moment.
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Borderlands might be my favorite Devin Townsend song.
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Borderlands might be my favorite Devin Townsend song.
Same here. Its a good mix of all his Genres
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So I just bought the limited edition 3 times to support Devin. He deserves it.
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Well my gf broke up with me so I guess I have no plans anymore for today with her so I think I'm going to go to the Devin acoustic show tonight. This band he is opening for, Avatar.... is interesting. I'll stick around for them after Devin.
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Well my gf broke up with me so I guess I have no plans anymore for today with her so I think I'm going to go to the Devin acoustic show tonight. This band he is opening for, Avatar.... is interesting. I'll stick around for them after Devin.
Sorry to hear that. :(
I hope your enjoy the show, though! :tup :tup
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Devin was sooooo good, I'll have a full review tomorrow but for now
Devin Townsend - Why? Live @ Starland Ballroom NJ 5/18/19 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zd9F3Vx_Vs)
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Devin was sooooo good, I'll have a full review tomorrow but for now
Devin Townsend - Why? Live @ Starland Ballroom NJ 5/18/19 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zd9F3Vx_Vs)
That was great! Everything Devin does live seems to turn in to pure gold.
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Borderlands might be my favorite Devin Townsend song.
Same here. Its a good mix of all his Genres
It hasn't exactly clicked with me yet, and as a result of that it currently sits near the bottom of the album for me, but still above Spirits Will Collide (bah).
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Devin was sooooo good, I'll have a full review tomorrow but for now
Devin Townsend - Why? Live @ Starland Ballroom NJ 5/18/19 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zd9F3Vx_Vs)
That was great! Everything Devin does live seems to turn in to pure gold.
Now I hope i can catch his acoustic set. The first song, oh man.
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He says he plans on playing SYL on his next tour, actually sounds really cool
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/devin-townsend-to-perform-strapping-young-lad-material-on-2020-tour/ (http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/devin-townsend-to-perform-strapping-young-lad-material-on-2020-tour/)
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Did he even do a normal Empath tour? I feel like he just did some acoustic shows and only played Why? from the new album.
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Did he even do a normal Empath tour? I feel like he just did some acoustic shows and only played Why? from the new album.
Yup this fall will be the real Empath tour with a band and Haken opening for him in Europe. Would love for him to bring this tour to the US.
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I think he said he's got plans for a NA tour after this upcoming Europe one, but nothing's been finalized yet. The backing band would also probably be different, too.
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I finally got a chance to listen to Empath; I really like it. Not what I expected at all, but still it had all the elements that I like from Devin, and even the one's I don't are used like spice, sparingly.
I'll need to give it a couple more listens, but it'll get those additional listens.
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I still come back to this album fairly regularly, it's an awesome change of pace to anything else I am listening to at any given time.
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Looks like the DT touring band in this European run is going to be Mike Keneally, Che Aimee Dorval, Markus Reuter, Nathan Navarro, Diego Tejeida and Morgan Agren.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156230546040759&set=gm.1351445511679266&type=3&theater
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Diego doing double duty, that's pretty cool... please bring this tour to the US
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMnxw88SdHE
Here's some Devin "Brain Vomit". Bits of ideas and stuff Post-Empath. I hear some stuff that could be on Casualties 2, and even a snippet of the rare song "Coming Home" that he's been working on for years.
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Devin Townsend kicks ass! I have really been into Empath and Transcendence lately. The only other thing I own is Z2. In any case, wanted to check out something older so I made a random purchase of an older album. Accelerated Evolution. Holy crap, it's insanely good! I like it just as much as the new stuff that I've already been into. There's not a weak song on this album.
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Devin Townsend kicks ass! I have really been into Empath and Transcendence lately. The only other thing I own is Z2. In any case, wanted to check out something older so I made a random purchase of an older album. Accelerated Evolution. Holy crap, it's insanely good! I like it just as much as the new stuff that I've already been into. There's not a weak song on this album.
Now go get Ocean Machine and Terria, then prepare to be blown away again! :metal
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Or screw Terria and get Synchestra, Ziltoid, Addicted! And Deconstructed.
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Addicted seems like another awesome misdirection for your DT discovery, and since you like the ones you say, I can almost guarantee you'll like this one too
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Or screw Terria and get Synchestra, Ziltoid, Addicted! And Deconstructed.
I never was a fan of Synchestra, but you really cant go wrong with any of those others. I'd also add Ki and Ghost for something different, but equally awesome. Or if you want the best Devy album get Casualties of Cool, again very different, but amazing!
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Thanks for the suggestions! I did end up checking Addicted!, Ki, and Epicloud. Liked them all (probably Epicloud the most). Only listened to each once so far yet, mostly because I can't stop listening to Accelerated Evolution. Once that wears down a bit I'll be more open to all the other stuff. There hasn't been anything I didn't like yet though. Oh, and I listened again to the bonus/demos discs from Transcendence and Empath today. Those are good too.
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Devin has released an animated video for the song "Why?" off Empath... the song for me is great (another example of what Devy can do) and the video is pretty awesome. Check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT-uWOVP5q0
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Excellent collective of musicians to accompany Devin Townsend during European tour... Read on!
https://www.facebook.com/SonicPerspectives/posts/2720436117966896
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really cool to see DT for the first time with a band like this!! 17 November baby
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I really hope this same tour comes to the US, with Haken support as well. I guess it helps when Diego is playing with DT.
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dvntownsend
EMPATH VOL. 1 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
Plus guests: HAKEN + The Contortionist
Tickets on sale Friday October 25 at 10am local time via:
hevydevy.com/tourdates
27-Feb Phoenix Concert Theatre - Toronto, ON
28-Feb Corona Theatre - Montreal, QC
29-Feb Warsaw - Brooklyn, NY
01-Mar Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
03-Mar Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
05-Mar The Underground - Charlotte, NC
06-Mar Center Stage - Atlanta, GA
07-Mar The Plaza Live - Orlando, FL
09-Mar Warehouse Live - Houston, TX
10-Mar Granada Theater - Dallas, TX
12-Mar Cannery Ballroom - Nashville, TN
13-Mar The Crofoot Ballroom - Pontiac, MI
14-Mar Metro - Chicago, IL
15-Mar House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
16-Mar Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
19-Mar First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
20-Mar Granada Theater - Lawrence, KS
21-Mar The Oriental - Theater Denver, CO
23-Mar The Van Buren - Phoenix, AZ
24-Mar The Mayan - Los Angeles, CA
25-Mar The Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
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YES YES YES!!! Looks like I'll be going to Brooklyn on a Saturday. Totally not against going to Boston that Sunday either if I can take the Monday off from work. I'd totally check this out multiple times :metal
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YES YES YES!!! Looks like I'll be going to Brooklyn on a Saturday. Totally not against going to Boston that Sunday either if I can take the Monday off from work. I'd totally check this out multiple times :metal
If you like, let's keep in touch on this, Cram, because I'm definitely in on at least one show, and it will likely be one of those two. I really want to see this. Not that thrilled with Haken, don't know much about the Contortionist, but that's what liquor is for, innit?
But in on DT.
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Oh Haken is a big draw for me, but definitely will keep in touch. I've been hoping for a long time Haken would support Devin in the US, and once they announced Diego would take double duty on keys for both bands, it seemed likely.
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That's an amazing lineup. Hopefully it don't sell out. Won't know if I can go until close to the show date next year. Looking at Denver.
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Will definitely try for that Brooklyn show.
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Not coming to St. Louis.
Son of a... >:( >:( :censored :censored
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Not coming to St. Louis.
Son of a... >:( >:( :censored :censored
Come to Brooklyn!
Since it’s clearly the nearest show...
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Not coming to St. Louis.
Son of a... >:( >:( :censored :censored
Come to Brooklyn!
Since it’s clearly the nearest show...
994 miles from home (I just looked)... :lol :lol :facepalm: :facepalm:
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But ....and follow me here.....home is where the heart is, and I’m your heart? So it’s home if I’m there?
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Not a huge DT fan (only from lack of listening... but what I have heard I like), and Never really listened to Contortionist (heard great things), but this is a show I am going to *try* to go see. It's stacked well enough that there's no way I would have a bad time :lol
Now I gotta convince my buddy, who can't stand Haken but is intrigued by DT, to go, as I don't wanna drive all the way out to DTLA solo.
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Not coming to St. Louis.
Son of a... >:( >:( :censored :censored
Come to Brooklyn!
Since it’s clearly the nearest show...
Do it! I can already see the DTF meet up on that saturday now :metal Stadler, Adami, myself and I can't imagine axeman or Nick would miss Haken plus being a Saturday makes it easier. I really do hate going to Brooklyn but if I plan on doing both shows, it does make it slightly closer to getting up to Boston the next day.
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also, seriously for those who's town he isn't coming to, Devin tweeted this:
This is the first of several tours so hopefully we can t near your area (bookings permitted)
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But ....and follow me here.....home is where the heart is, and I’m your heart? So it’s home if I’m there?
:lol :lol
:tup :tup
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dvntownsend
EMPATH VOL. 1 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
Plus guests: HAKEN + The Contortionist
07-Mar The Plaza Live - Orlando, FL
Oh, hell yes. Same venue I saw him back in 2016. I live right behind Plaza Live.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/B4RGRnXgomm/?igshid=q7ld67s533tt
From Dev's Instagram
First show for Volume 2 of the Empath tour cycle. Full metal set. Honoured to be joined for this show by Dirk Verbeuren, Wes Hauch and Kyle Konkiel.
This tour cycle just keeps getting better. :metal :metal
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From The Heart came on shuffle tonight. Haven't heard it in ages. Always associated it with my mom because that's who the song was written for, but the lyrics resonate perfectly with me about my little sister who passed a couple weeks ago. This song is going on the 'can't listen without becoming an emotional wreck' list. The sheer emotional response I get out of this particular song is overwhelming.
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Crazy the way good music can make you feel
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Crazy the way good music can make you feel
It's one of the best feelings ever. Music is magic!
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Crazy the way good music can make you feel
It's one of the best feelings ever. Music is magic!
Indeed! :)
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Devin Townsend - Disco Inferno, Live @ Salle Pleyel, Paris, France 11/15/2019 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L31yb8jjx3E&fbclid=IwAR3gSbbm51pp-unK86iokgN6lRtU-gL4pUtwlXiIAfhawNiRLXPYoel0A44)
So is no one notice the fact that Diego is making cocktails for everyone. :lol
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Devin Townsend - Disco Inferno, Live @ Salle Pleyel, Paris, France 11/15/2019 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L31yb8jjx3E&fbclid=IwAR3gSbbm51pp-unK86iokgN6lRtU-gL4pUtwlXiIAfhawNiRLXPYoel0A44)
So is no one notice the fact that Diego is making cocktails for everyone. :lol
Not until you pointed it out. :lol
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:metal that's awesome, the set as a whole is pretty interesting and cool
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Damn....too bad it wasn't the whole thing. Che is Amazing.
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We so need another Casualites of Cool album with Che singing full time again (rather than the sporadic vocals on Empath).
Anyway, that Disco Inferno clip was great. :tup :tup
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Where do you all put Empath on your list of favorite Devin albums? A few recent listens made me realize that I like most of it, but I don't love much of it. It would probably rank ahead of Physicist and Ziltoid 2, but I can't say it touches the top/upper tier albums like Terria, Addicted, Ki, Infinity, Epicloud and Accelerated Evolution, and even the next tiers albums for me like Ocean Machine, Ghost, Synchestra, Transcendence and Ziltoid are way better. Sky Blue is a poor man's Epicloud and Addicted, but even that is a lot better as well. Empath reminds me a bit of Deconstruction in that it is a bit too chaotic and all over the place, and it just isn't an album that demands much attention in my CD player, although Deconstruction did at first, even though the bulk of it hasn't aged well for me. Bums me out given how much time, money and effort Devin put into this record, but I can't force myself to love something.
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I feel the same, its middle of the road Devin to me. It's not better than my favorite albums of his but its better then my least favorites of his.
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Definitely in the lower tier. Borderlands is a great song but that's honestly the only one that stands out to me. I really haven't loved a Devin album since Ghost unfortunately.
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I forgot to put Casualties of Cool in my top tier in that last post; I love that album like crazy (and the bonus disc is tremendous as well!). I like that and Epicloud more than Ghost, which is fantastic, but an album I have to be in the right mood for, outside of a handful of songs which I can always listen to on their own (title track, Feather, Blackberry, Texada).
Borderlands seems to be the song I like the most as well, but even that wouldn't come close to being one of my favorite Devin tunes.
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Evermore is a song that has grown on me quite a bit. Didn't love it on release and it's usually my goto from the album these days. Singularity is the song I've really struggled with "getting" from day 1 until today. I've given up on listening to it trying to find what a way to like it, it's just too much like:
Empath reminds me a bit of Deconstruction in that it is a bit too chaotic and all over the place
I haven't tried to listen to Deconstruction in awhile, but the that was the way I felt when I first listened and that's the way I feel about Singularity. The rest of the album doesn't really feel like that to me though even though it did when I first listened to it. I think most of the songs I found the rhythm and groove to enjoy with it, just not this one song.
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I am with ya on that; I just don't get Singularity at all.
I have been giving the Tests of Manhood bonus disc more listens lately, as I didn't want to try to get into a second disc while still trying to grasp the first, and there are some good ones there...naturally. Devin's "bonus" discs are always so good to where they would rate well as stand-alone studio albums.
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Setlist from 70,000 Tons of Metal. Mostly Strapping Young Lad songs with some other staples thrown in.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/devin-townsend/2020/independence-of-the-seas-fort-lauderdale-fl-2b9b1c02.html
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Is he performing with old members? I thought I saw on Twitter that he pulled together a different backing band for the cruise. Pretty cool, hes doing another set on the ship so I wonder what else. He also stated on social media recently that the us legs band will be announced soon and that the set will be different than Europe.
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Huh, I could have sworn he said shortly after the dates were announced that the upcoming US tour would have the same band as Vol. 1 in Europe. Did I just imagine that?
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Is he performing with old members? I thought I saw on Twitter that he pulled together a different backing band for the cruise. Pretty cool, hes doing another set on the ship so I wonder what else. He also stated on social media recently that the us legs band will be announced soon and that the set will be different than Europe.
The first set was Dev, Dirk Verbeuren, Wes Hauch and Kyle Konkiel.
Huh, I could have sworn he said shortly after the dates were announced that the upcoming US tour would have the same band as Vol. 1 in Europe. Did I just imagine that?
I believe that was the original plan, but according to one of the backup vocalists, there's not enough money to bring the whole band on the US tour. https://www.reddit.com/r/DevinTownsend/comments/ebyus3/samantha_preis_empath_choir_posted_this_on/
What a shame if that's the case. From all the videos I've seen, this looks like the best band he's ever put together. Dev always delivers though so I'm curious and excited to see what he puts together for this upcoming leg.
According to his Twitter the end of the European leg was the end of Vol.1
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/1205698799571632128
Empath tour Volume 1 is complete (for now) devastatingly beautiful experience for us all. Incredibly grateful. This is something that as a dream and a perfect experience. Cannot say thank you enough. Volume 2 is next, announcements soon
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Yea, I was confused initially, I thought the Euro and US leg were both Volume 1 with the same band then I saw somewhere else that it wouldn't be and was all confused. Sadly, the less money thing makes sense. The US shows are going to be much smaller than in Europe. Sucks, I was looking forward to seeing THAT band. At the same time, if it's going to be different with different songs, I'm excited for the unknown.
I'm going to see him in Brooklyn, but the next night in Boston is already sold out and was debating on doing that too.
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I wonder why he's not using Samus at all on drums. I remember that guy quit his job or something to do music full-time and I wonder if he thought he was going to end up playing with Dev.
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I wonder why he's not using Samus at all on drums. I remember that guy quit his job or something to do music full-time and I wonder if he thought he was going to end up playing with Dev.
He probably quit to be a full time youtuber. I just checked his channel, he may make more money by doing those videos than going on tour with Dev, but I wonder if touring was ever something really for him?
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Over the last couple weeks I've revisited Empath. This is an exhausting record to sit through. I love Devy, but it really is an album that commands your attention and has just so much going on that if I'm not in the right headspace for it I get worn out by the third or fourth song. That said, man, this album is just nuts. There's only one song I don't really like (Spirits Will Collide) and Borderlands is a bit too long imo, but that run of songs from Evermore through Why? - terrific and epic. Not quite an Epicloud level of 'holy f&*%' for me personally, or even Transcendence, but I've warmed up to this one.
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Markus Reuter is not going to be on the Townsend band in the US tour either.
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Over the last couple weeks I've revisited Empath. This is an exhausting record to sit through. I love Devy, but it really is an album that commands your attention and has just so much going on that if I'm not in the right headspace for it I get worn out by the third or fourth song. That said, man, this album is just nuts. There's only one song I don't really like (Spirits Will Collide) and Borderlands is a bit too long imo, but that run of songs from Evermore through Why? - terrific and epic. Not quite an Epicloud level of 'holy f&*%' for me personally, or even Transcendence, but I've warmed up to this one.
By the time Borderlands comes on, I feel the same, a bit exhausted with the album. I just can't make it through Singularity unless it's playing in the background, it's too much for me at that point. However, the album is VERY strong from Genesis to Why? IMO.
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Huh, I could have sworn he said shortly after the dates were announced that the upcoming US tour would have the same band as Vol. 1 in Europe. Did I just imagine that?
I believe that was the original plan, but according to one of the backup vocalists, there's not enough money to bring the whole band on the US tour. https://www.reddit.com/r/DevinTownsend/comments/ebyus3/samantha_preis_empath_choir_posted_this_on/
Damn, that's depressing.
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That is and Samantha just started following me on twitter, so I returned the follow and was hoping to see her and the rest of the backing vocalists. Such a shame Americans don't like this music.
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Perfect timing for me that this thread has resurfaced.
I was entirely not in the mood for Empath when it came out and, tbh, had not clicked with a bunch of Dev albums over the last few years so didn't give it much attention bar a quick view of the Genesis video last year.
Fast forward to this week. After sifting through end of year lists and failing to find much that excited me I thought I'd spin Empath while i worked and - CLICK! Holy underwear! I've been listening all week and it's given me actual goosebumps and made the hair on the back of my neck stand up!
This totally works for me. It flows really well, is really varied (duh), but feels unified, the proggy instrumental stuff feels really well constructed and satisfying. Lyrics, vocals... I bloody love it. Singularity is incredible! (Was very proud of my 15 year old son spotting a few bars of Zappa worship in that whilst we were in the car)
Top Dev works for me:
City/Terria/Accelerated Evolution/Synchestra/Ki/Epicloud/Empath
Non-clickers:
Ziltoid (just an EP would have been awesome)/Ghost/Deconstruction/Casualties/Z2/Sky Blue
I mean to try Ghost and Casualties again at some point but have tried several times.
But in general i feel he's been nearly there but not quite for a while. Hoping that the greatness of Empath will flow through to the next one. Great to be loving Dev music again.
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It's a little concerning that the last few Devin albums are ones I didn't get a lot of mileage out of. Ziltoid 2 and Empath had the shortest shelf life for me out of any major Devin releases since I became a fan around '04-05, and even Sky Blue and Transcendence didn't own my CD player for that long either, although Universal Flame is a Devin song that I will probably always listen to often. I have no doubt that Devin still has plenty of great music in him, but from a purely selfish standpoint, I am more than ready for him to make another record that owned my CD player like Synchestra, Addicted, Ki, Epicloud and Casualties of Cool all did.
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I can't believe how incredible this album sounds. Might be the best sounding record ever. The detail is astonishing, is extremely dynamic yet very consistent, which is impressive considering the amount of different sounds. Still loving it
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You need to be signed into a google account to submit, but just saw this from Devin's facebook and figured, why not. Some cool choices for this potentially.
LAST CALL! Bloodstock Festival 'By Request' setlist voting closes THIS FRIDAY (Jan 24th) at noon GMT. Make it count...
Submit your choices here --> http://bit.ly/2GmY0O9 (http://bit.ly/2GmY0O9)
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Devin just posted the North American tour lineup on instagram... looks like it's the same as the European one except without the backup choir? That's a relief...
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Devin just posted the North American tour lineup on instagram... looks like it's the same as the European one except without the backup choir? That's a relief...
You expected a worse line up or you're glad there's no choir?
His local show is insane on the secondary market. I wish they'd move it to a bigger venue, clearly there is interest in this from the New York City area. I may have to take a day off from work and go to the Philly show.
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Devin just posted the North American tour lineup on instagram... looks like it's the same as the European one except without the backup choir? That's a relief...
You expected a worse line up or you're glad there's no choir?
I was worried about a worse lineup, given this discussion from earlier:
Huh, I could have sworn he said shortly after the dates were announced that the upcoming US tour would have the same band as Vol. 1 in Europe. Did I just imagine that?
I believe that was the original plan, but according to one of the backup vocalists, there's not enough money to bring the whole band on the US tour. https://www.reddit.com/r/DevinTownsend/comments/ebyus3/samantha_preis_empath_choir_posted_this_on/
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Yea, same. Also he's back to calling it Volume 1 since it is pretty much the same line up and says there will be surprises.
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Since the Brooklyn (most local show on a Saturday) and Boston (my back up destination) both sold out and are expensive, I have decided to take time off from work and go to the Philly show since it's not sold out. Ticket purchased and room booked :metal
I will still keep my eyes posted for a decently priced Brooklyn ticket (being a Saturday, I can probably make it a game day decision for a day of ticket if possible) but I am glad I am locked in for a show on this tour.
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Since the Brooklyn (most local show on a Saturday) and Boston (my back up destination) both sold out
What?!
Dammit!!!
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So I'm a recent convert to the Church of Devin.
I bought Vai's Sex and Religion album back when it came out, so I've always been aware of him. I can remember having a mate who was into SYL, but to me at the time they just sounded like a bloody noise.
Over the last few years more and more people have been talking about him, and he seems to be ascending into the mainstream a bit more. I watched some of his stuff on YouTube, and got the impression it's difficult to properly appreciate outside the context of the album. I've been meaning to buy one of his albums for some years now. Last year I finally got round to it, and bought Empath when it came out.
It was a bloody noise and unlistenable. But then I found myself humming this catchy song in my head, something about Spirits Colliding and just remembering that you are loved? The more I listened to the album, the more it unfolded. No wonder there's a lotus flower on the sleeve, it's the perfect analogy for the music. I love it, it's one of the best albums I've heard in many a year.
I bought one of those "5 classic album" sets in the card sleeves - I didn't really like them that much, Infinity and Terria were the best, Physicist, Ocean Machine and Accelerated Evolution less so.
So I tried something more recent. Epicloud is bl00dy brilliant, so is Addicted!, and Transcendence is pretty good too. The Retinal Circus DVD is real fun.
So as a new convert, where should I go next?
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It seems to me you covered almost all of his studio albums, so get the ones you still didn't listen. And if you liked The Retinal Circus, check out the Live At Royal Albert Hall and Ocean Machine Live At Plovdiv (maybe it will help you appreciate his debut more) and By A Thread (5 discs live). Very often his voice gets buried in the wall-of-sound of the studio albums and it helps to listen to it live.
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The Retinal Circus DVD is real fun.
:metal :metal one of the best things ever
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Hopefully Ocean Machine and Accelerated Evolution grow on you more, those are two of his best albums IMO.
You could get Sky Blue (the first disc of Z2) if you want more Epicloud, basically. Or Ki if you're looking for something different. There's also Deconstruction, which is my favorite of his, but know that it's basically the noisiest bits of Empath blown up to an entire album, so it might not be for you. :lol
Synchestra also gets a lot of around here (and if you really liked Terraria it might be one of your favorites too) but I've always found it to be one of his weaker albums.
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Hopefully Ocean Machine and Accelerated Evolution grow on you more, those are two of his best albums IMO.
You could get Sky Blue (the first disc of Z2) if you want more Epicloud, basically. Or Ki if you're looking for something different. There's also Deconstruction, which is my favorite of his, but know that it's basically the noisiest bits of Empath blown up to an entire album, so it might not be for you. :lol
Synchestra also gets a lot of around here (and if you really liked Terraria it might be one of your favorites too) but I've always found it to be one of his weaker albums.
Yeah, I was looking at Sky Blue, the few tracks from Ki I've heard online sound a bit... different. Which might not be a bad thing.
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Hopefully Ocean Machine and Accelerated Evolution grow on you more, those are two of his best albums IMO.
You could get Sky Blue (the first disc of Z2) if you want more Epicloud, basically. Or Ki if you're looking for something different. There's also Deconstruction, which is my favorite of his, but know that it's basically the noisiest bits of Empath blown up to an entire album, so it might not be for you. :lol
Synchestra also gets a lot of around here (and if you really liked Terraria it might be one of your favorites too) but I've always found it to be one of his weaker albums.
Yeah, I was looking at Sky Blue, the few tracks from Ki I've heard online sound a bit... different. Which might not be a bad thing.
Definitely get Casualties of Cool. It's my favorite Devin thing.
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also if you enjoyed The Retinal Circus, then you are alreayd familiar with a bit of Ziltoid the Omniscient so maybe just grab that one, it's really good. The second one isn't very good IMO but you also get that full album live with the Royal Albert Hall concert so that's an option.
Sky Blue is maybe the most like epicloud/transcendance/addicted, but it's also the worst of the bunch. It's still really good IMO so you can just get that or get the package with Sky Blue and Dark Matters (which is Ziltoid 2 that is performed full at Royal Albert Hall concert).
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Another vote for Synchestra here. I'm still hrad over heels worth Empath and S has some variation.
I also loved Ki the most out of that set of 4 albums he did.
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Ugh why does the Brooklyn show have to be so expensive? Now I see this and am even more mad I didn't secure a ticket months ago
Devin Townsend
@dvntownsend
Discovering the nature of this tour now. It needs to be creative and free. I think we’re going to go without a setlist every night and just feel out the vibe. Learning a shitload of songs to pull out of the hat so that we can make something awesome. Volume 1 is a beautiful scene.
11:13 PM · Feb 24, 2020
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Ugh why does the Brooklyn show have to be so expensive? Now I see this and am even more mad I didn't secure a ticket months ago
Devin Townsend
@dvntownsend
Discovering the nature of this tour now. It needs to be creative and free. I think we’re going to go without a setlist every night and just feel out the vibe. Learning a shitload of songs to pull out of the hat so that we can make something awesome. Volume 1 is a beautiful scene.
11:13 PM · Feb 24, 2020
How do you think I feel, knowing I can't go to any of these shows. I bet he'll play one of my favorite Devin songs too, at the Denver show.
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They'll still probably play Supercrush and Kingdom :lol
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Wooo they just released some tickets for the sold out show on Saturday and I must say its the first time I've really got to say thank you to Facebook. Got a notification that the event organizer posted in the event page so I immediately clicked to see what they had to say which lead me to snagging two tickets :metal :metal I'm so happy now. Also been listening to Epicloud, Sky Blue, Transcendance, and Ki this week.
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Good looking out my dude, pumped for the show on Saturday.
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This was pretty cool: The Prog Report doing Devin Townsend's top 5 songs, with Dev himself chiming in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WME37ybIwmM&t=5s
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His set last night wasn't much different at all from the Europe leg other than saying it started with an improvisation, and no Disco Inferno :sad: He's got 5 shows in a row in the northeast. Haken's set is also the same as the European leg it seems.
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He pulled out a Casualties of Cool song out last night apparently. Although a shorter setlist, but some changes. I am digging the setlists changing every day. Never know what you are going to get and maybe get something unique.
Someone on reddit shared a message from management about the VIP:
As you know, we have a printed setlist in the VIP package but during rehearsals, Devin decided to throw the fixed set out the window and play a different set every show so I'm afraid you're now left with 'just' a piece of paper that has some random titles on it and a Devin signature. Hurray!
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Anyone know how long the openers play for? Do Haken and The Contortionist get equal times or does the "main support" get more?
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Anyone know how long the openers play for? Do Haken and The Contortionist get equal times or does the "main support" get more?
I think main support gets more. But according to setlist.fm, Contortionist played the same set each night and Haken played a short set on the second show. I'm not sure if Haken opened or if there were issues since Devin also played a shorter set.
My guess, opener gets 30 minutes, main support gets 45. I can share more after Saturday if I don't see anything more legit to answer that on the web.
Edit: just saw the tour poster which does say Haken was main support for both shows already, so I'm leaning towards something at the venue cutting the sets a bit shorter that didn't take into effect until after Contortionist did their full set. Just my thoughts.
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Just got home.... WOW
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ESAdub7WsAAUpXY?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ESAMJSeWsAAcpDc?format=jpg&name=large)
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Dude! Looks awesome. Man I had a great time seeing Dev on the tour last year :heart
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I didn't think Devin was doing proper set lists here in the States now?
Also, a friend was at last night's show and said Disco Inferno was played (he even sent me a snippet of it he recorded), so that set list is incomplete. :P
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I didn't think Devin was doing proper set lists here in the States now?
Also, a friend was at last night's show and said Disco Inferno was played (he even sent me a snippet of it he recorded), so that set list is incomplete. :P
Here's my issue with the "lack of setlist" approach...he's only going to feel comfortable playing songs that are in his recent memory, so the setlists are going to look pretty much the same as the shit he always plays anyway. If he'd made an actual setlist then there would be a possibility of rare or lesser-played tracks making an appearance because they were specifically rehearsed. I'd rather hear a tight setlist of new album tracks, plus crowd-pleasers and a couple rarities but that's just not gonna happen with this method with a full band.
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I didn't think Devin was doing proper set lists here in the States now?
Also, a friend was at last night's show and said Disco Inferno was played (he even sent me a snippet of it he recorded), so that set list is incomplete. :P
Yea, I was confused why there were official set lists after what he said, but I think DTA kind of nailed it. His set is mostly the same as what he was doing in Europe so he looks to be sticking with what he knows but is adding some wrinkles so it's interesting each night.
On setlist.fm someone put "Jazz Oddyssey" as the first song, and I have no idea if that's what it's called, but it seemed like some really awkward jam before going into Evermore. Also not on the written setlist, but something different.
So while he isn't touring with a the choir he had in Europe, Samantha and Anne were both in Brooklyn last night and performed during the encore and that's why Devin seemed to change it up and throw in Disco Inferno since he had the ladies with him. It was AWESOME. Love getting the special treatment in NYC.
So for the show itself... The Contortionist is not my thing. A bit too mellow for my tastes. Nothing of their set stood out to me. Haken were awesome as usual, sounded really good. We got their normal set (Montreal night 2 they shook things up) which sucks being only 45 minutes, but it was good none the less. Funny hearing people not knowing how to pronounce them. I know I was there once before, but you know these are new fans when they don't know how to pronounce the band. During Devin's set, Ross actually walked right by me (I think he was going to the merch booth) and I gave him a pat on the back and some nice words.
Devin's set was so cool. This band sounds very different than DTP IMO. The whole vibe was a bit different than previous Devin shows. Maybe it had to do with all the stuffed animals on stage :lol Which I actually couldn't see at all until everyone left, but something about the band's performance felt super real. I think it was because of no backing tracks and clicks and just going off feel. Devin screwed up multiple vocal lines and to me, it just felt like a true and real performance. Diego, che, the extra guitars, all added lots of layers to the music. The setlist was really cool and filled with many songs I've never seen live before. I hope he spices things up a bit more when I catch the show again on Tuesday.
Also, while chatting with Che, she asked me to take a photo of her and her father. Really cool. She's like "This is my dad!" to me :lol as if we knew each other or something. Told her I'll see her again Tuesday. Honestly, if it weren't because Brooklyn is a bit of a hike for me, I would have stayed longer after the show to hang out, but I didn't get home until 2:30 as is thanks to a 2 hour subway/uber/train/drive home which was mostly a nightmare and a big reason why I never go out to Brooklyn.
Also was nice grabbing some beers with Axeman again before the show. DUe to our will call tickets, we kind of were able to cut the whole line getting into the venue (they just let us in instead of making us go back in line since there were no actual tickets given out, just a checklist). So we got in and was empty, had a great view, but after going to get some polish beer I never was able to get back to that spot. Someone aso recognized me from youtube (that's a first) so I ended up chilling with that guy a bit in the back. And about that polish beer... the place had some amazing polish food. I had two serving of Peirogies, once during Devin's set and then again after the show.
And of course I had to get this cat t-shirt
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ESCYWh0W4AEJwrk?format=jpg&name=large)
A lot of my videos kind of came out shitty, so Im not putting any of it on youtube just yet. I did get a lot of video but editing it this morning I had to cut a lot out. I will mix it with the Phily show to make something really cool. I do hope I get some better video there.
The Contortionist - Return to Earth @ Warsaw Brooklyn NY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bfKr6GEU9I)
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Now I'm a bit sad I can't attend the Denver date. Oh well, if it's Volume 1, surely there'll be a Volume 2 tour.
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Nice write-up, cramx3. Glad you had fun! :tup :tup
I wish Devin was coming here on this tour, but I will settle for seeing Haken on their own in 17 days.
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Now I'm a bit sad I can't attend the Denver date. Oh well, if it's Volume 1, surely there'll be a Volume 2 tour.
There will definitely be a volume 2 and according to his social media (I think he said it on twitter) Volume 2 will hit both Europe and NA and will go to spots Volume 1 didn't.
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Now I'm a bit sad I can't attend the Denver date. Oh well, if it's Volume 1, surely there'll be a Volume 2 tour.
There will definitely be a volume 2 and according to his social media (I think he said it on twitter) Volume 2 will hit both Europe and NA and will go to spots Volume 1 didn't.
If he hits my neck of the woods. I'll likely do VIP. Here's hoping.
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First and foremost, music aside, Devin is absolutely hilarious as a frontman. While introducing the rest of the band he also introduced a rainbow/tie-dye stuffed animal (a llama I think) that he dubbed 'Hammercock Sludgefucker" :lol :lol Overall I enjoyed the set more than I didn't, though the harsher vocals aren't my bag. It really is amazing, the range he has with his voice though. And the stuff without growls/screams I really enjoyed. Any recommendations for albums of his that are light on that particular front?
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I recommend this to all who want to start listening to Devin, check out Epicloud. I think it has his full range of sound on it, has Anneke, and isn't too harsh. It does have his second recording of Kingdom which is what he ended the show with and maybe is the harshest of the songs. Also Grace is pretty harsh but Anneke really adds a lot to that song, specifically the intro.
If you liked that softer middle part of the setlist, check out Ki. That's what I was playing in the Uber. Although he still manages to scream a bit on that album :lol
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I recommend this to all who want to start listening to Devin, check out Epicloud. I think it has his full range of sound on it, has Anneke, and isn't too harsh. It does have his second recording of Kingdom which is what he ended the show with and maybe is the harshest of the songs. Also Grace is pretty harsh but Anneke really adds a lot to that song, specifically the intro.
If you liked that softer middle part of the setlist, check out Ki. That's what I was playing in the Uber. Although he still manages to scream a bit on that album :lol
I'd say Epicloud is definitely the beginning of the modern Devy era, though I still prefer the stuff that came before it. Mostly the big four, synchestra, and accelerated evolution. Epicloud is nice, but some of the stuff after is really hit or miss for me, with more misses than I care to admit.
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Fair enough, his music is so diverse that actually I kind of feel that way about a lot of his albums. Lots of hits and some misses. Besides Addicted, which is my favorite but is a bit on the heavy side. For me, if you want to check out the older stuff, you start from the beginning, but I find most of those early albums to be very consistent in quality so you can't really go wrong.
Accelerated Evolution has actually gotten lots of plays by me recently. I really dig it too. Just a good hard rock record. It's not very diverse and mostly straight forward, but it's damn good and has lots of catchy songs. He played Deadhead from it, which is generally considered one of his most popular songs. I really wish he would pull out other songs from that album live.
I've been really liking Sky Blue as well lately. That album isn't too heavy either, but he seems to never play those songs (Sky Blue is one of my favorite Devin songs, and of course Universal Flame)
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Last night's show was amazing. Absolutely loved the more casual, no-backing-tracks performance style. Was basically front row in front of Devin too!
Also, the stuffed animals were A+
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I can't wait to see how many stuffed animals are on stage come the end of the tour :lol
Also, looks like the set got shuffled quite a bit and a bit of a tease thrown in there. He's off today and I'm going back tomorrow in Philly, I hope a day off gives the setlist another shuffle.
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He played a tiny bit of Sprite and Earth Day, but the band didn't know the songs well enough to play them in full
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Oh really for both songs? Setlist.fm only lists one of them as partial... but they played it in Europe too so I don't see why they wouldn't know that song. The other was totally new to the set and makes sense.
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That's a damn good one-two punch of an encore.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ESSLADWWsAYlCbQ?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
What a show, think I enjoyed this one more than Brooklyn, but also since I took work off today (and yesterday) to make something of it. I chilled outside for awhile after the show with some others and pretty much met everyone in Devin's band including the man himself who was sooo nice and talked with everyone. Said Volume 2 will be back and will be a heavier show.
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Damn....So I'm gonna miss all the light, happy, non-heavy, vibe.
Either way, I'm still going to the closest show announced.
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At the show in Atlanta tonight. Just got done with the meet and greet. I gave Dev my old ZILTOID license plate. ;D
Oh wow haha he posted it on Instagram
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At the show in Atlanta tonight. Just got done with the meet and greet. I gave Dev my old ZILTOID license plate. ;D
Oh wow haha he posted it on Instagram
That's awesome, I just liked it and so did Anneke :metal enjoy the show!
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I'm seeing him in Orlando tonight. He's playing a venue (same place Cristina Grimmie was tragically killed in back in 2016) right next to my neighborhood. I am not excited at all to hear the abundance of Empath material, but I'm not about to miss a Devy show if I can help it.
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Looks like the rest of the tour is cancelled, haven't seen anything official but it looks like it from what I'm reading on reddit and twitter.
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Yes, it is. Boy, did I get lucky.
The show Saturday night was awesome.
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Yea, seriously "in before the lock" I feel fortunate to have gotten to see the show twice and meet the guy. Worked out well for me, but boy do I feel bad for the bands and the fans. Just a shit time all around.
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Yes, it is. Boy, did I get lucky.
Same... With things are shaping up that might have been the only show I'll get to see for the first half of the year, at least. Opeth cancelled the show I was going to see (and that wasn't even coronavirus), and I've still got tickets for Deafheaven and BTBAM in the upcoming months but I wouldn't be surprised if those end up falling through as well, especially Deafheaven since that's only in a month. That said, out of all of those shows, I'm really happy Devin was the one I got to see.
Hope this doesn't financially harm anyone involved too much - that's what I'm most worried about honestly.
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He said money is lost and you can support him by buying the tour merch https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/ (https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/) I just bought two more shirts. Looks like I'm going to Progpower this fall (If the world hasn't ended) with 4 Devin Townsend tshirts to wear each day.
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Just occurred to me that we saw the last show of the tour. StL aside, which is a big fucking bummer, we got off kind of lucky. All of our Winter and Spring shows have already happened.
He said money is lost and you can support him by buying the tour merch https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/ (https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/) I just bought two more shirts. Looks like I'm going to Progpower this fall (If the world hasn't ended) with 4 Devin Townsend tshirts to wear each day.
I'll certainly throw the guy a few bucks. Haken, too, if they're selling tour shirts online.
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He said money is lost and you can support him by buying the tour merch https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/ (https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/) I just bought two more shirts. Looks like I'm going to Progpower this fall (If the world hasn't ended) with 4 Devin Townsend tshirts to wear each day.
Strongly considering not going to ProgPower if this is still a big thing in a few months.
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Hopefully the US store is updated so I can get some merch and support Devin.
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Hopefully the US store is updated so I can get some merch and support Devin.
On Facebook, he said it should be up within a week.
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Hopefully the US store is updated so I can get some merch and support Devin.
On Facebook, he said it should be up within a week.
Was looking at the gray Empath hoodie but the store was out of XL sizes. Can anyone share a picture of the merch Devin sold?
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Glad I got to see him when I did. I was originally planning on going to the Baltimore show on the 16th, but I requested that day off at work and got denied.
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He said money is lost and you can support him by buying the tour merch https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/ (https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/) I just bought two more shirts. Looks like I'm going to Progpower this fall (If the world hasn't ended) with 4 Devin Townsend tshirts to wear each day.
Strongly considering not going to ProgPower if this is still a big thing in a few months.
If this is still big in a few months, we've got a lot to worry about since that would go against everyone's expectations of this slowing down once it gets warmer plus all the quarantines and travel bans. Hopefully within 6 months there's a vaccine too. I've heard there's one already made since this corona virus is similar to others, it was easy to figure out but the testing and manufacturing are what will take awhile.
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He said money is lost and you can support him by buying the tour merch https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/ (https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/) I just bought two more shirts. Looks like I'm going to Progpower this fall (If the world hasn't ended) with 4 Devin Townsend tshirts to wear each day.
Strongly considering not going to ProgPower if this is still a big thing in a few months.
If this is still big in a few months, we've got a lot to worry about since that would go against everyone's expectations of this slowing down once it gets warmer plus all the quarantines and travel bans. Hopefully within 6 months there's a vaccine too. I've heard there's one already made since this corona virus is similar to others, it was easy to figure out but the testing and manufacturing are what will take awhile.
I severely doubt you're going to see a vaccine pumped out in 6 months. They can theoretically "make a vaccine" per se overnight, but it takes much, much longer to make sure it's safe and mass produce it (not that you don't know that, just making conversation). You're looking at at the very least a year.
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He said money is lost and you can support him by buying the tour merch https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/ (https://www.musicglue.com/devintownsend/) I just bought two more shirts. Looks like I'm going to Progpower this fall (If the world hasn't ended) with 4 Devin Townsend tshirts to wear each day.
Strongly considering not going to ProgPower if this is still a big thing in a few months.
If this is still big in a few months, we've got a lot to worry about since that would go against everyone's expectations of this slowing down once it gets warmer plus all the quarantines and travel bans. Hopefully within 6 months there's a vaccine too. I've heard there's one already made since this corona virus is similar to others, it was easy to figure out but the testing and manufacturing are what will take awhile.
I severely doubt you're going to see a vaccine pumped out in 6 months. They can theoretically "make a vaccine" per se overnight, but it takes much, much longer to make sure it's safe and mass produce it (not that you don't know that, just making conversation). You're looking at at the very least a year.
CNN stated it last night before Trump's speech. I didn't make that up, it's clearly getting rushed and Trump did say they would do everything to remove any red tape holding it back. My doctor friend said at least a year in his opinion.
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No, I was watching and I heard that too, I never insinuated you were making that up, but I was also listening to Joe Rogan's latest episode with Michael Osterholm, and he flat-out denied the possibility of a vaccine coming within a few months. Every other health official statement I've seen kind of says the same thing, and I just don't ever see vaccines coming out that fast for a new outbreak. Years later we don't even have a finished, proven, safe vaccine for zika.
*"Michael Osterholm is an internationally recognized expert in infectious disease epidemiology. He is Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, a professor in the Technological Leadership Institute, College of Science and Engineering, and an adjunct professor in the Medical School, all at the University of Minnesota." (taken from the JRE episode description)
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I heard this morning that it would probably not be available until this time next year and that's if they're being extremely optimistic.
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https://www.narcity.com/news/ca/sk/coronavirus-vaccine-made-in-saskatchewan-is-now-in-the-testing-stages (https://www.narcity.com/news/ca/sk/coronavirus-vaccine-made-in-saskatchewan-is-now-in-the-testing-stages)
While it could take up to a year to complete, CJWW has confirmed with the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre that the vaccine is now being tested on animals.
As of now, there is no timeline as to when it could be ready for human use.
Since it was talked about here, sharing here since I just saw this but will cross post to the appropriate thread as well so we can discuss there and not clog up this thread.
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GoFundMe for Devin
https://www.gofundme.com/f/DevinTownsendSupportTeam?sharetype=teams&member=3915270&pc=fb_tco_campmgmtbnr_w&rcid=r01-158437735092-f5bd875bed3e4943&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bbanner&fbclid=IwAR0yKjyf65VLd6OMfK1WehJ9Yd8kKHFJhjPa8KCQ3Nd7sID95Vysz_Y-DSo
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Contributed. Nothing I'd hate more than his future prospects getting cut short by this.
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I contributed to that and to Hakens.
Devin just shared a new song Quarantine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4p2g_fYwmg) How cool is that?
From IG:
Hello all, welcome to the first installment of my 'Quarantine Project'
I want to be able to provide some relief during these coming times in the ways that I am able. People have been supportive of me in my time of need when we lost a lot of revenue due to the current and foreseeable touring cycle, and want to make sure I can provide something that in some way begins to say 'thank you'. In the ways Im able, I will provide as much content as I can during this period as its what I feel I can offer.
My company has a lot of people involved, and your support has saved us in so many ways. I know we are all affected by this and yes, I could look for another job during this period like so many others will have to, but I figure that the best thing I can do is focus on my work and hopefully provide some sort of relief doing what Im best at. I want to give back as much as I can over the next while, and I hope that some of the work I can manage here will provide a bit of comfort during these troubled times for those who enjoy what I do.
This first song, (see Youtube link) is just a melancholy sort of thing called ‘Quarantine’ to start the proceedings. The idea with this is that it may be many different styles, Twitch streams, concerts, perhaps a podcast... I have been kept afloat by the audience and wish to help in any way I can. (I am just learning how to do video and I will try to get more proficient at it as the time goes by). I will do everything I can to help in the ways that Im able. On behalf of myself, Northern Music, HevyDevy Records, and the entire team that makes up my professional world, Thanks for supporting (saving) our business during this downturn. We realize the amount of people that are suffering and dont take this lightly. I figure the best way I can express this is to simply get to work. I will make sure I provide for the people who donated especially.
I am working on lots of ideas to provide during this hard period. I truly cant express my gratitude enough.
Thank you. https://youtu.be/k4p2g_fYwmg
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I hope the songs can be downloaded at some point. Very soothing song.
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That's nice and soothing.
I'm really hoping more bands start doing these types of things now. Maybe an album or ep.
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I contributed to that and to Hakens.
Devin just shared a new song Quarantine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4p2g_fYwmg) How cool is that?
From IG:
Hello all, welcome to the first installment of my 'Quarantine Project'
I want to be able to provide some relief during these coming times in the ways that I am able. People have been supportive of me in my time of need when we lost a lot of revenue due to the current and foreseeable touring cycle, and want to make sure I can provide something that in some way begins to say 'thank you'. In the ways Im able, I will provide as much content as I can during this period as its what I feel I can offer.
My company has a lot of people involved, and your support has saved us in so many ways. I know we are all affected by this and yes, I could look for another job during this period like so many others will have to, but I figure that the best thing I can do is focus on my work and hopefully provide some sort of relief doing what Im best at. I want to give back as much as I can over the next while, and I hope that some of the work I can manage here will provide a bit of comfort during these troubled times for those who enjoy what I do.
This first song, (see Youtube link) is just a melancholy sort of thing called ‘Quarantine’ to start the proceedings. The idea with this is that it may be many different styles, Twitch streams, concerts, perhaps a podcast... I have been kept afloat by the audience and wish to help in any way I can. (I am just learning how to do video and I will try to get more proficient at it as the time goes by). I will do everything I can to help in the ways that Im able. On behalf of myself, Northern Music, HevyDevy Records, and the entire team that makes up my professional world, Thanks for supporting (saving) our business during this downturn. We realize the amount of people that are suffering and dont take this lightly. I figure the best way I can express this is to simply get to work. I will make sure I provide for the people who donated especially.
I am working on lots of ideas to provide during this hard period. I truly cant express my gratitude enough.
Thank you. https://youtu.be/k4p2g_fYwmg
Fucking awesome. How can anyone NOT be inspired by this man??
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Donated. Man's a legend.
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It's funny, I have tried for the longest time to turn people on to Devy and have had very little luck, but I posted this "Quarantine" song on my Facebook yesterday and people went NUTS over it.
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New quarantine project song: "Honeybunch"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLmVoiHJcdg&feature=youtu.be
This one's actually pretty great. Wouldn't mind it actually turning up on an album of his at some point.
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New quarantine project song: "Honeybunch"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLmVoiHJcdg&feature=youtu.be
This one's actually pretty great. Wouldn't mind it actually turning up on an album of his at some point.
I was watching his stream two nights ago where he was working on this and really was enjoying what I heard. His live streams are really entertaining. He pulled out a folder of fart samples :rollin he put one in the song but not sure if it made the final cut. I'll have to listen to the full song now.
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QUARANTINE PROJECT Part 9: Heavy Factions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gSLJP17iYo)
well, definitely the most heavy thing he's done during this quarantine project. Samus on drums going wild too.
Heres a heavier demo idea. I recorded the drums with Samus during the Empath sessions. Liam plays bass and Wes does a ripping solo. Its all about balance I guess, sometimes chill, sometimes frantic. This would be ‘frantic’ =)
I hope you have a good weekend. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones. Dont let the stress get you down, try to write some music or make some art maybe this weekend?
...or cookies? They're good too...
Dev
Guitar Solo: Wes Hauch
Bass: Liam Wilson
Drums: 66Samus
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Devin Townsend is pleased to announce the release of ‘Empath – The Ultimate Edition’ on June 5th, 2020. This comprehensive version of 2019’s acclaimed album contains the original record and bonus disc across 2 CD’s, plus 2 Blu-Ray discs. The first blu-ray contains the 5.1 Surround Sound mix by Devin, with visuals for the full record, plus a stereo visualiser. The second blu-ray contains a raft of bonus material, including ‘Acoustically Inclined – Live in Leeds’, a recording from his April 2019 acoustic tour where he performed tracks including ‘Love?’, ‘Deadhead’, ‘Thing Beyond Things’ & more.
It also features the full Empath Documentary, a ‘Genesis 5.1 Mixing Lesson’, a full album commentary & more. The four discs sit inside a beautiful art-book that contains new liner notes and images from the making of the album.
Devin comments of the new 5.1 surround sound mix:
“On a technical level, I guess I have always been dissatisfied with the basic ‘stereo’ format in which the type of music I make gets presented in. Whether its headphones, computer speakers, stereos (or basically anything currently), I have had to figure out ways to get the work to function through TWO speakers. I hear things in a particularly orchestrated way, and with the amount of information that typically gets recorded per song, the result has been the dubious ‘wall of sound’ that I keep ending up with. But my intention has never been to make an oppressive experience, but rather something that is immersive and vast.
Making it work in two speakers just simply doesn't quite work for the vision. Although I’ve managed to get the point across, (to varying degrees), things always have to compromise to make it all fit. Making the drums speak at the same time as orchestra, cymbals, guitars, choirs, synths etc.…all with my voice on top, ends up with every conceivable frequency fighting for breathing space between those two speakers.
Therefore, I asked the powers that be in my business world, to tolerate one more ‘kick at the can’ when it came to Empath. I wanted to attempt a surround mix and follow the original vision of it being an immersive, multimedia experience for people in the ways I could best achieve at this stage. And although it’s still pretty ‘dense’, with four more sources for the sound to come from, I feel its significantly closer to the original vision here.”
Pre-orders are now available here:
https://www.omerch.eu/shop/devintownsend/
https://Devin-Townsend.lnk.to/Empath-TheUltimateEdition
Devin will head out on a Summer festival run mixed with club shows in Europe, which includes a headline appearance at Bloodstock Festival in the UK.
04.06.2020 Sweden Rock Festival - Solvesborg (SE)
05.-07.06.2020 Rock Im Park - Nürnberg (DE)
05.-07.06.2020 Rock Am Ring - Mendig (DE)
10.06.2020 Majestic Music Club - Bratislava (SVK)
10.06.2020 Mystic Festival - Krakow (PL)
11.06.2020 Nova Rock - Nickelsdorf, (AT)
13.06.2020 The Roman Arenas -Bucharest (ROU)
14.06.2020 Mixtape 5 -Sofia (BGR)
15.06.2020 A38 - Budapest (HU)
18.06.2020 Copenhell - Copenhagen (DK)
20.06.2020 Graspop Metal Meeting - Dessel (BE)
21.06.2020 Hellfest - Clisson (FR)
23.06.2020 Rockhal - Esch-sur-alzette (LUX) Co-Headline with Meshuggah
24.06.2020 Xtra - Zurich (CHE) Co-Headline with Meshuggah
26.06.2020 Rock The Night Festival - Rivas-Vaciamadrid (ES) - CANCELLED
28.06.2020 Tuska - Helsinki (FI)
29.07.2020 MetalDays, Tolmin (SLO)
30.07.2020 Wacken Open Air - Wacken (DE)
05.08.2020 Brutal Assault Festival - Jaromer (CZE)
07.08.2020 Bloodstock Open Air – Walton-On-Trent (UK)
09.08.2020 Into The Grave - Leeuwarden (NL)
12.08.2020 Summer Breeze, Dinkelsbuhl (DE)
Find the full list of upcoming dates here: https://www.hevydevy.com/tourdates/
DEVIN TOWNSEND online:
http://www.hevydevy.com
http://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend
http://www.omerch.com
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend
https://www.instagram.com/dvntownsend/
https://www.youtube.com/user/poopynuggeteer/
INSIDEOUT MUSIC online:
www.insideoutmusic.com
www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV
www.facebook.com/InsideOutMusic
www.twitter.com/InsideOutUSA
INSIDEOUTMUSIC Spotify Playlist:
http://spotify.com/progrockessentials
http://spotify.com/progmetalessentials
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New quarantine project song: "Honeybunch"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLmVoiHJcdg&feature=youtu.be
This one's actually pretty great. Wouldn't mind it actually turning up on an album of his at some point.
I was watching his stream two nights ago where he was working on this and really was enjoying what I heard. His live streams are really entertaining. He pulled out a folder of fart samples :rollin he put one in the song but not sure if it made the final cut. I'll have to listen to the full song now.
I have no idea what song it was, or whether it was part of some bigger discussion, but I was not a fan of him for a LONG time, and I saw a YooToob video of him writing/constructing a song, and it was very impressive (and depressing; he made it look so easy). Watching many bands create is boring AF, but I didn't even like the guy's music at that point and it was still a treat to watch.
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He streams on twitch most days now, he changes it up, yesterday was just playing guitar and singing and chatting. But he's recently also been working on new music or remixes, watching him do it is pretty impressive but he's also constantly talking about it and to people in the chatroom. He's got a great natural instinct on being entertaining while also showing off the whole writing and mixing side of things.
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I was watching his stream two nights ago where he was working on this and really was enjoying what I heard. His live streams are really entertaining. He pulled out a folder of fart samples :rollin he put one in the song but not sure if it made the final cut. I'll have to listen to the full song now.
Ugh. I would rather Devin save the toilet humor for outtakes and live streams. When he puts it in real songs, it never ages well. The song Deconstruction is quite good, but the couple of farts he put in the song sound so stupid. I get that it's the Zappa part of his personality, to where anything including the kitchen sink is worth putting in a song, but it just doesn't come off well. And I say that as a huge fan.
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I was watching his stream two nights ago where he was working on this and really was enjoying what I heard. His live streams are really entertaining. He pulled out a folder of fart samples :rollin he put one in the song but not sure if it made the final cut. I'll have to listen to the full song now.
Ugh. I would rather Devin save the toilet humor for outtakes and live streams. When he puts it in real songs, it never ages well. The song Deconstruction is quite good, but the couple of farts he put in the song sound so stupid. I get that it's the Zappa part of his personality, to where anything including the kitchen sink is worth putting in a song, but it just doesn't come off well. And I say that as a huge fan.
I don't think it made the final cut, he only did it because people happened to notice the fart folder in the background on his PC and kept asking about it and asking to put one in the song. And in seriousness, I don't want farts in my music either but there's a time and place. Throwing it around for fun when interacting with people seems like a good way to share some humor and specifically seems right up Devin's alley.
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Not having seen the video, do they show up as fart sounds, though? You could manipulate that into 100 different permutations, many of which could be cool. Eddie VH made a car horn sound cool. And an electric drill.
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Not having seen the video, do they show up as fart sounds, though? You could manipulate that into 100 different permutations, many of which could be cool. Eddie VH made a car horn sound cool. And an electric drill.
It's not in the video and in this case, if I recall, it was a straight up fart sound he inserted at a point in the music to make it "fit" in. It was all in fun. He did motify some things with volume but I don't recall him actually manipulating the sound in any meaningful way.
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Devin's doing some podcasts now where he talks about his past albums in-depth for over an hour, going over the history behind them and giving a track-by-track rundown. He's done Ocean Machine and City so far, and they're fantastic. Dude's an amazing storyteller; I'd recommend listening to them even if you're a casual fan who's not too familiar with those albums.
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I listened to about half of ocean machine and it's really in depth. Gives a real good insight into the music business and Devin is just like a natural with talking about it.
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Devin's doing some podcasts now where he talks about his past albums in-depth for over an hour, going over the history behind them and giving a track-by-track rundown. He's done Ocean Machine and City so far, and they're fantastic. Dude's an amazing storyteller; I'd recommend listening to them even if you're a casual fan who's not too familiar with those albums.
Yeah, these are fantastic. I'm amazed at all the details he goes into for each.
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The podcasts are great. Such a great, frank bloke. Amazed how much stuff he's done and is doing in this lockdown (three online gigs coming up).
Be nice to see Maiden and DT do something. Also saw great stuff by Baroness and Chvrches.
Back to Dev's music, Empath has firmly stayed at the top of my favourites of his after getting it around the start of this year. Incredible simultaneous variation and cohesion.
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Be nice to see Maiden and DT do something.
Kind of surprised some of the bigger bands aren't doing anything but maybe that's because financially they are OK through this, but you see all the smaller bands do anything to get some money. Would be nice to hear from the DT guys though. Haken today did an online Q&A which was cool. DT doing something similar from their homes would be a lot of fun.
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His podcast for Terria is now up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-qR0H9t5I4
I could not click on that fast enough. (listening now)
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was re-listening to Alien today
...is it just me or is Info Dump actually super well put-together?
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Anyone know a good place to get the song Watch You? I had the mp3 back when Ghost 2 was a possibility (I guess that morphed into Casualties?) but I've lost it.
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It's on one of the bonus discs of the Contain Us boxset. But as for legally downloading it individually the only thing I could find is the live version from the Ghost By A Thread performance.
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Yeah it was originally on Contain Us, but I remember it also being available on SoundCloud. If it’s not there I can hook you up with it when I get home from work.
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Yeah it was originally on Contain Us, but I remember it also being available on SoundCloud. If it’s not there I can hook you up with it when I get home from work.
Someone sent me an mp3 of it...thanks for offering though!
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:tup
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Yeah it was originally on Contain Us, but I remember it also being available on SoundCloud. If it’s not there I can hook you up with it when I get home from work.
Someone sent me an mp3 of it...thanks for offering though!
:tup :tup
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Yeah it was originally on Contain Us, but I remember it also being available on SoundCloud. If it’s not there I can hook you up with it when I get home from work.
Someone sent me an mp3 of it...thanks for offering though!
:tup :tup
Such an awesome song...how the hell did it end up as an obscure b-side??
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Yeah it was originally on Contain Us, but I remember it also being available on SoundCloud. If it’s not there I can hook you up with it when I get home from work.
Someone sent me an mp3 of it...thanks for offering though!
:tup :tup
Such an awesome song...how the hell did it end up as an obscure b-side??
Contain Us has some great songs. Been a while since I listened to them. I remember Traestorz being a fun listen (the middle was used for The Mighty Masturbator.
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Devin's got a ton of great B-sides. Radial Highway is fantastic.
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Skeksis is a masterpiece.
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Dev's first Quarantine Concert yesterday apparently has garnered 45k for the Vancouver Hospital foundation. He's doing two more. Next weeks concert will be for the UK's NHS and then the last one on May 2 is for North Shore University Hospital in New York state. Pretty awesome! :tup
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/1251967248824061954?s=20
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...is it just me or is Info Dump actually super well put-together?
Info Dump is fantastic.
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Bought Ocean Machine Live...
By Your Command is epic as fuck on this. I love the orchestras reactions to the ending. And Devin surprising the conductor.
The Orchestra really added a lot to these songs.
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Bought Ocean Machine Live...
By Your Command is epic as fuck on this. I love the orchestras reactions to the ending. And Devin surprising the conductor.
The Orchestra really added a lot to these songs.
Agreed. I wish they played during the second set as well.
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Devin Townsend Project - Bad Devil (live in Frankfurt 2014) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CcbBI4ZPao)
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Gene Hoglan did a livestream last night and played some Devin songs, including some deeper cuts like Ants and Noisy Pink Bubbbles.
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/641555218
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Inspired by the "James Labrie rides a rollercoaster" thread, here's Devin Townsend rides a rollercoaster.
https://youtu.be/WGVp_jDKgHo
https://youtu.be/8zok215iK2Y
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Devin posted a series of tweets this morning about a new album he's writing called "Lightworks". Sounds like it'll be a weird one, which is good news to me!
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Devin posted a series of tweets this morning about a new album he's writing called "Lightworks". Sounds like it'll be a weird one, which is good news to me!
He seems to be working on so many things, but when he describes this:
the next album, unexpectedly, will be called ‘Lightwork’ and though it’s still being discovered, it’s a weird, alien sounding, effervescent , sunny load of oddness...
doesn't really get me excited sadly. More power to him with going with the flow, but I know sometimes his flow does not flow with me. Which is fine.
I am however really interesting in the new live album/dvd he's been working on.
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Yea, that description just sounds like more of the few albums he did before the most recent. Seemed big with the fans, but didn't do much for me.
But with Devin, he always gets the benefit of the doubt and I will at least check out whatever he does.
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Yea, that description just sounds like more of the few albums he did before the most recent. Seemed big with the fans, but didn't do much for me.
If you're talking about Epicloud through Transcendence, I think this tweet here largely suggests that's exactly what he's trying to avoid:
It’s strange, abstract, meandering, and weird. If I try to curb it and write something more disciplined, it would be a dumb rehash of stuff I’m clearly bored of. So I follow this where it wants to go...
Here's the tweet thread for those interested
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/1290504969573945344
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Today sees the launch of the first clip from the release, and you can watch Devin and the Empath Volume 1 live band performing the track ‘Genesis’ here: https://youtu.be/qtgv89oLCOU
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Today sees the launch of the first clip from the release, and you can watch Devin and the Empath Volume 1 live band performing the track ‘Genesis’ here: https://youtu.be/qtgv89oLCOU
I really liked that!
I'm glad this is largely devoid of the wall of sound that he brings with him live. The last few live releases, while fun, have been so dense and thick with backing tracks that it's hard to even know what the band is doing. So this was a breath of fresh air. It's given some space to breathe and the actual band gets more opportunity to shine.
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Today sees the launch of the first clip from the release, and you can watch Devin and the Empath Volume 1 live band performing the track ‘Genesis’ here: https://youtu.be/qtgv89oLCOU
This is awesome :metal :metal
I'm glad this is largely devoid of the wall of sound that he brings with him live.
Yup, he specifically stated he wanted to avoid all backing tracks live and this end result is fantastic. Sounds great. That drum sound is awesome, plus all the backing vocals. Oh, and hey we can hear Diego! :lol
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Pre-orders are now available here:
https://www.omerch.com/shop/devintown...
https://Devin-Townsend.lnk.to/EmpathL...
"Here is the first song we’ve chosen to release from the upcoming DVD concert, ‘Order Of Magnitude’ which was the first volume of my Empath touring band cycle. This particular band consisted of ten people on stage, all without click tracks or backing tracks, with the aim of reproducing my work in a new and creative way. A lot of what I’ve done in the past has been very structured, and the opportunity to interpret the music with high degrees of improvisation and flow was a fantastic experience.
This song, ‘Genesis’ from my latest album ‘Empath’ seemed an appropriate way to introduce this concert to the audience. It’s kind of an example of ‘musical anarchy’ in some ways- as the song is all over the place structurally to begin with. But to have a chaotic piece of music, played by these extraordinary musicians I had the honour of being with, in a no-holds-barred
production was really cathartic. It was about being free to do whatever we wanted in a time where rigid ideas of what is acceptable or not are stronger than ever.
I hope you enjoy it. Volume 2 is next and is in a lot of ways the polar opposite to this, but on my journey of musical exploration, I am grateful for all of it, so thanks again for the support.”
Dev
EMPATH LIVE VOLUME 2 - BY REQUEST SET
Saturday 5th September
1pm PDT / 4pm EDT / 21:00 BST / 22:00 CEST / 06:00 AEST
Tickets on-sale NOW: https://www.stageit.com/Devin_Townsend
Special Event T-shirt available for pre- order now @ www.omerch.com/shop/devintownsend
Watch a teaser here: https://youtu.be/XxVx5x6MXoA and behind the scenes vid here: https://youtu.be/LLpI8XqVKZc
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Hey all, onward into the unknown, it’s time for preparation of the quarantine concert number 5, ‘Rarities By Request’ ...this one will be held on Saturday, October 31st, and will be yet another experiment in trying to bring some live performance into your lives during these times 🙂 for this one, I will be performing in a very interesting way, rare songs from my catalogue. Songs I’ve been asked to play for years but for the most part have never done so. Pick ten of these and I'll play whatever the final results will be!
Make your selection here: https://forms.gle/wpt3rG26mQXe9Hde8
Reserve your ticket here: stageit.com/Devin_Townsend/88531 (http://stageit.com/Devin_Townsend/88531)
Make your pics for rarities :yarr
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That's pretty cool. It's actually crazy how little of his own catalog he actually plays. Why keep releasing shit if you're just going to play the same songs every time?
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Hey all, onward into the unknown, it’s time for preparation of the quarantine concert number 5, ‘Rarities By Request’ ...this one will be held on Saturday, October 31st, and will be yet another experiment in trying to bring some live performance into your lives during these times 🙂 for this one, I will be performing in a very interesting way, rare songs from my catalogue. Songs I’ve been asked to play for years but for the most part have never done so. Pick ten of these and I'll play whatever the final results will be!
Make your selection here: https://forms.gle/wpt3rG26mQXe9Hde8
Reserve your ticket here: stageit.com/Devin_Townsend/88531 (http://stageit.com/Devin_Townsend/88531)
Make your pics for rarities :yarr
Awake
Depth Charge
Planet Rain :o
Suicide
Skeksis :o
Slow Me Down
Triumph
Hear Me
Save Our Now
Sunday Afternoon
I seem to have some favoritism towards Accelerated Evolution. :lol
Also what the hell is Seagulls? That's the only one there I've never heard of.
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I think my pics were exclusively Accelerated Evolution and Sky Blue songs, plus Save Our Now. I think that's a top Devin song for me that I always forget about.
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I think my pics were exclusively Accelerated Evolution and Sky Blue songs, plus Save Our Now. I think that's a top Devin song for me that I always forget about.
Save Our Now (It better be chosen to be played dammit, or else i'll lost hope in the fans... :biggrin:)
Posessions
Sunshine and Happiness
Sunday Afternoon
Slow Me Down
The Fluke
Rain City
Ho Kill
Midnight Sun
Blackberry
The next two would be Planet Rain and Skesis
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I spun Ghost a few days ago. When I'm in the right mood, I love it. Calming, serene and beautiful.
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HAHA....Ooops... :facepalm:
I was looking at the sets from the shows I went to, and glanced at the framed Set-list I got from a Meet and Greet package...
I saw Midnight Sun live already and voted for it... :loser:
It's why I didn't vote for A New Reign either.
Oh well... :lol :lol :lol
Edit: And I also just discovered this little gem.
https://youtu.be/4u3vrKQrngQ
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Hey all, onward into the unknown, it’s time for preparation of the quarantine concert number 5, ‘Rarities By Request’ ...this one will be held on Saturday, October 31st, and will be yet another experiment in trying to bring some live performance into your lives during these times 🙂 for this one, I will be performing in a very interesting way, rare songs from my catalogue. Songs I’ve been asked to play for years but for the most part have never done so. Pick ten of these and I'll play whatever the final results will be!
Make your selection here: https://forms.gle/wpt3rG26mQXe9Hde8
Reserve your ticket here: stageit.com/Devin_Townsend/88531 (http://stageit.com/Devin_Townsend/88531)
Make your pics for rarities :yarr
Awake
Depth Charge
Planet Rain :o
Suicide
Skeksis :o
Slow Me Down
Triumph
Hear Me
Save Our Now
Sunday Afternoon
I seem to have some favoritism towards Accelerated Evolution. :lol
Also what the hell is Seagulls? That's the only one there I've never heard of.
Accelerated Evolution is a grossly underrated album. In my opinion, it's one of the most well-put-together albums of all time.
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Off topic compared to recent posts in this thread, but does anyone else think Dream Theater was inspired by AAA when writing the opening of Paralyzed?
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Off topic compared to recent posts in this thread, but does anyone else think Dream Theater was inspired by AAA when writing the opening of Paralyzed?
I am so confused by this post in this thread..... ???
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Off topic compared to recent posts in this thread, but does anyone else think Dream Theater was inspired by AAA when writing the opening of Paralyzed?
I am so confused by this post in this thread..... ???
:rollin I just googled "devin townsend AAA" because I wasn't sure what the reference was. But apparently that's a Slapping Young Lad song that I'm not familiar with... and I can see where this question comes from. The guitar sounds like the same riff from Paralyzed.
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It's a bit similar, but not really. Just some palm-muted riffing on the lowest string. I highly doubt it isn't a coincidence.
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Yea I'm not really sure Dream Theater get their inspiration from Strapping Young Lad, it sounds similar but I personally wouldn't believe that's where they got the idea from.
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It's a bit similar, but not really. Just some palm-muted riffing on the lowest string. I highly doubt it isn't a coincidence.
I think it’s mostly the tone. Whilst guitar tone playing a generic mid tempo palm mute riff. That’s about it.
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oday sees the launch of the second clip from the release, and you can watch Devin and the Empath Volume 1 live band performing the track ‘War’ here: https://youtu.be/FrB8uyWFhyU
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Super tight playing. Sounds great.
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Sounded awesome!
Also, might be a dumb question, but did he ever release that "live" thing where everyone filmed separately in quarantine but it was edited together? I lost track of it.
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Sorry to return to the previous conversation, but if you want an actual case of a different band "taking inspiration from" a SYL riff, look no further than Machine Head's Beyond The Pale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVdflCH76t4 :rollin
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oday sees the launch of the second clip from the release, and you can watch Devin and the Empath Volume 1 live band performing the track ‘War’ here: https://youtu.be/FrB8uyWFhyU
That was fantastic...I really like how Che' adds to the song with her voice and style thrown in there.
I am now really anticipating this release, as it's a live release with NO BACKING TRACKS :eek This video shows just how powerful playing all the sounds live has. Most bands would be this big if they were to do that. And it's neat seeing groups actually taking that into consideration in their lineups.
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I am now really anticipating this release, as it's a live release with NO BACKING TRACKS :eek This video shows just how powerful playing all the sounds live has. Most bands would be this big if they were to do that. And it's neat seeing groups actually taking that into consideration in their lineups.
Yeah, when I saw Devin back in March (thankfully right before all the shows got cancelled) it was probably the best show of his I've ever been to, and I think the lack of backing tracks was a big part of that.
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I am now really anticipating this release, as it's a live release with NO BACKING TRACKS :eek This video shows just how powerful playing all the sounds live has. Most bands would be this big if they were to do that. And it's neat seeing groups actually taking that into consideration in their lineups.
Yeah, when I saw Devin back in March (thankfully right before all the shows got cancelled) it was probably the best show of his I've ever been to, and I think the lack of backing tracks was a big part of that.
Really unfortunate it got cut short. I didn't know at the time, why Devin got a big band like that together. :facepalm: Or else I would have myself a denver ticket.
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It will be hard to top the progpower show with annexe as my favorite show of his ive attended, but the two I got in before the covid lock were his next best and he didn't even tour the US with the full band you see in this new live album. Im so pumped for it.
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If there is someone in the fence about bying this release, please DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and get it.
I got a promo of it and this is a MUST HAVE release.
EVerything about it is just perfect. I can't wait to get my physical copies.
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I know its months after the release...Just felt the need to say how much I LOVE Devin's version of the Vengaboys "We like to Party (in Isolation)"... It's just like the perfect culmination of ridiculousness of Devin and the craziness of 2020. I never really cared or listened much to the original version of the song but something about having Devin as Ziltoid and Ché and Anneke together doing such a silly/fun song it just makes me happy and smile big.
:metal :biggrin:
https://youtu.be/xLpcsV9OmQ8
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I know its months after the release...Just felt the need to say how much I LOVE Devin's version of the Vengaboys "We like to Party (in Isolation)"... It's just like the perfect culmination of ridiculousness of Devin and the craziness of 2020. I never really cared or listened much to the original version of the song but something about having Devin as Ziltoid and Ché and Anneke together doing such a silly/fun song it just makes me happy and smile big.
:metal :biggrin:
https://youtu.be/xLpcsV9OmQ8
OMG, I missed this somehow. I lost it when the picture of Devin in a penis costume showed up. :rollin
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I know its months after the release...Just felt the need to say how much I LOVE Devin's version of the Vengaboys "We like to Party (in Isolation)"... It's just like the perfect culmination of ridiculousness of Devin and the craziness of 2020. I never really cared or listened much to the original version of the song but something about having Devin as Ziltoid and Ché and Anneke together doing such a silly/fun song it just makes me happy and smile big.
:metal :biggrin:
https://youtu.be/xLpcsV9OmQ8
:rollin :rollin :rollin
I didn't Even know he did this...and didn't know who did this song.
I literally spit out and laughed when the song started.
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Off topic compared to recent posts in this thread, but does anyone else think Dream Theater was inspired by AAA when writing the opening of Paralyzed?
I am so confused by this post in this thread..... ???
My bad, I appeared to have had a stroke while typing this ;D
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Off topic compared to recent posts in this thread, but does anyone else think Dream Theater was inspired by AAA when writing the opening of Paralyzed?
I am so confused by this post in this thread..... ???
My bad, I appeared to have had a stroke while typing this ;D
Haha, it's cool. Cramx3 and Buddy cleared up the confusion I think. :metal :lol
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From Devin's twitter
Happier than I’ve been with a project in a long long time with this ‘Puzzle’ album I’m releasing on Friday... it snuck up on me... it’s great. Super strange...
in response to someone asking to describe it and if its ambient:
Ambient, yes, but also melodic
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Devin Townsend will release ‘Order Of Magnitude – Empath Live Volume 1’ on the 23rd October 2020, a document of his Winter 2019 European tour that saw him taking on possibly his most ambitious live show to date. The blu-ray edition of this forthcoming release features a behind the scenes feature, taking a look at the preparation for this tour & the filming of the live album.
Watch it now here: https://youtu.be/K8HW2WB_BK4
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Devin Townsend will release ‘Order Of Magnitude – Empath Live Volume 1’ on the 23rd October 2020, a document of his Winter 2019 European tour that saw him taking on possibly his most ambitious live show to date. The blu-ray edition of this forthcoming release features a behind the scenes feature, taking a look at the preparation for this tour & the filming of the live album.
Watch it now here: https://youtu.be/K8HW2WB_BK4
Pre-ordered mine this morning along with DT's new live album. I'm very excited for this, more than Dream Theater's live album too.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgrik7HDKQ4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgrik7HDKQ4) Video of Why? from the new live album, this is fantastic. :lol the part with everyone having their hand on their head :rollin
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Watch a new clip of the band performing the track ‘Why?’, taken from his latest album ‘Empath’, here: https://youtu.be/Fgrik7HDKQ4
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgrik7HDKQ4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgrik7HDKQ4) Video of Why? from the new live album, this is fantastic. :lol the part with everyone having their hand on their head :rollin
He got them to Bleep. Now that's funny as fuck. If I was buzzed, I would've done it too.
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On Dev's latest twitch stream he shared a good bit of material that he's working on based on more than 3 projects (Lightwork, The Moth, Casualties of Cool, etc. etc.). My favorites were "Ode To My Eye" where he actually performs the vocal amazingly live on the stream, which is a song he has slated near the beginning of The Moth (He explains the idea and images behind it and will be incredible if he is able to put the show out), "Starchasm" a song he has put together with Steve Vai, "Heartbreaker" (possibly on Lightwork) and "Sour Fruit" (a song he's working on with Che for the next Casualties of Cool album! He was really forthcoming with a lot of his ideas and how much he actually is working on lately... I'd say its insane how much there is but it IS Dev we're talking about here. :metal
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/771301638
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Sadly I realized Century Media is bundling my Order of Magnitude blu-ray with the new Dream Theater blu-ray so it won't ship for another month ugh
Well, I just got my ticket for the live stream today in 4 hours. It's "pay what you want" but it's a minimum of 5 dollars. Even at 5 bucks, that seems solid although it's listed as a 30 minute show so we'll see. All rare songs by request so I really hope we get Save Our Now. He did say he got Anneke to be involved in a couple songs.
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Sadly I realized Century Media is bundling my Order of Magnitude blu-ray with the new Dream Theater blu-ray so it won't ship for another month ugh
Well, I just got my ticket for the live stream today in 4 hours. It's "pay what you want" but it's a minimum of 5 dollars. Even at 5 bucks, that seems solid although it's listed as a 30 minute show so we'll see. All rare songs by request so I really hope we get Save Our Now. He did say he got Anneke to be involved in a couple songs.
When he said he got Anneke, Save Our Now was my first immediate thought.
Hopefully, I don't forget about it, and go run errands like his last live stream...
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Well, He didn't play Save Our Now, so I'm disappointed in the fans... :lol
Nah, Was a fantastic show, I had a feeling those were going to be the ones he played.
Great way to end the Halloween Show with Vampira, and he did the dance...
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Yea, that was a really fun show. I loved watching him as the backing band too. Just really classic Devy and a fun set. The guest spot were awesome too. Steve Vai's solo was really cool. Anneke on Pixelate was maybe my favorite song.
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Yea, that was a really fun show. I loved watching him as the backing band too. Just really classic Devy and a fun set. The guest spot were awesome too. Steve Vai's solo was really cool. Anneke on Pixelate was maybe my favorite song.
I was happy she sounded way more clearer than she did on By A Threads Addicted show.
My personal favorite of the set is Nobody's Here.
Once he said he couldn't get the backing tracks and had to redo them, I bet he couldn't do some songs that made the list.
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Yea, that was a really fun show. I loved watching him as the backing band too. Just really classic Devy and a fun set. The guest spot were awesome too. Steve Vai's solo was really cool. Anneke on Pixelate was maybe my favorite song.
I was happy she sounded way more clearer than she did on By A Threads Addicted show.
My personal favorite of the set is Nobody's Here.
Once he said he couldn't get the backing tracks and had to redo them, I bet he couldn't do some songs that made the list.
Maybe but at the end he did say those were the most voted songs, but who really knows. It certainly was a bit of work on his end to make it happen. He mentioned on twitter that all the live streams will be released in a box set.
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Yea, that was a really fun show. I loved watching him as the backing band too. Just really classic Devy and a fun set. The guest spot were awesome too. Steve Vai's solo was really cool. Anneke on Pixelate was maybe my favorite song.
I was happy she sounded way more clearer than she did on By A Threads Addicted show.
My personal favorite of the set is Nobody's Here.
Once he said he couldn't get the backing tracks and had to redo them, I bet he couldn't do some songs that made the list.
Maybe but at the end he did say those were the most voted songs, but who really knows. It certainly was a bit of work on his end to make it happen. He mentioned on twitter that all the live streams will be released in a box set.
Sounds neat. Don't know if I'll buy it.
Yeah, you could tell he worked as much as he could. I like how he made his backing band, and the keyboardist costume changes. :rollin :rollin
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The "backing band" was what I loved the most maybe, just so Devy
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Just got around to watching the Halloween livestream!
He's just on another level. I have one friend who appreciates Devy, that's it. I just shared the livestream in a group chat with a load of friends, and I bet not a single one of them 'gets' it. His goofiness and 'anti-rockstar' attitude is honestly so refreshing and one of the things I adore about him the most. That's before we even touch on his talent and how prolific he is.
We truly are blessed to be alive at a time to appreciate an artist of this calibre :rollin
I just wish I was in the position to be able to chuck money his way at the moment, as he fully deserves it, for putting such effort into a livestream like that.
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Yea, he's on a totally different level. It's a big reason why I'm such a huge fan, totally original and operates on his own thoughts. I don't love all his music, but I love everything about who he is. That live stream was fun and totally unique.
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Yea, he's on a totally different level. It's a big reason why I'm such a huge fan, totally original and operates on his own thoughts. I don't love all his music, but I love everything about who he is. That live stream was fun and totally unique.
Totally agree, although I'd say I love at least 75% of his output.
I went through a phase, about 5 years ago, of just watching any and every interview I could find of his. I could listen to him talk for hours.
I should get back on YouTube and check out all the interviews I've missed over the last few years :lol
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I've been fortunate enough to meet him three times, but two of those were legit face to face conversations. (the other was him signing my setlist and then walking off without much of a conversation) I actually was able to have him listen to me tell a story about how he influenced me to do something nice and he was so responsive and happy. He is sooo legit. Not fake, no BS, super nice, super cool. He's literally everything you could want from an artist you enjoy. Good person through and through and extremely interesting and entertaining.
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So, Order of Magnitude is out. I snapped about while on Spotify. Sounds great. At Heavens End and loving the live vibe with no backing tracks. Can't wait till my copy arrives to watch it.
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Still waiting for my order too
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Still waiting for my order too
Yup, there's a funny moment I want to see. Someone brought teddy bears and he brought them up on stage. :lol overall This show seemed like a damn fun show.
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Anyone else think Tests of Manhood is about a million times better than the actual Empath album? I have no desire to hear Empath ever again but I am absolutely loving the bonus disc.
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Tests Of Manhood initially seemed more appealing to me as well since my first couple listens of Empath were so negative. That album grew on me like crazy though; I can't think of any other time where I flat-out disliked an album at first, then after repeated listens I ended up thinking it's great. It's a very deliberately-constructed record that works better as a whole than as a collection of individual songs, so while there's a few good songs on Tests Of Manhood, there's nothing I really think should have ended up on the actual album, unlike Transcendence / Holding Patterns.
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Yea, he's on a totally different level. It's a big reason why I'm such a huge fan, totally original and operates on his own thoughts. I don't love all his music, but I love everything about who he is. That live stream was fun and totally unique.
It's wierd; I didn't have a ton of experience with Devin; I had the Vai album - hated it - and got some Strapping Young Lad in a roulette - HATED it - but kept hearing about how great he was. I watched a video of him literally walking us through writing a song, and it was fascinating. So I decided to read his book.
It had NOTHING to do with his music, but I just was really impressed by him and his attitude and his point of view. I then got the live Deep Peace (from London) in a roulette, and shortly after heard Transcendence, and it all clicked. Like you, I don't love all his music, but I like a lot of the recent stuff, and in general, I'm a big fan. I hope to see him live at some point, just to experience the moment.
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Yea, he's on a totally different level. It's a big reason why I'm such a huge fan, totally original and operates on his own thoughts. I don't love all his music, but I love everything about who he is. That live stream was fun and totally unique.
It's wierd; I didn't have a ton of experience with Devin; I had the Vai album - hated it - and got some Strapping Young Lad in a roulette - HATED it - but kept hearing about how great he was. I watched a video of him literally walking us through writing a song, and it was fascinating. So I decided to read his book.
It had NOTHING to do with his music, but I just was really impressed by him and his attitude and his point of view. I then got the live Deep Peace (from London) in a roulette, and shortly after heard Transcendence, and it all clicked. Like you, I don't love all his music, but I like a lot of the recent stuff, and in general, I'm a big fan. I hope to see him live at some point, just to experience the moment.
If you started with Vai and Strapping, I can see why you'd feel a certain way about him after that. That stuff mostly still hasn't clicked with me (there's some good Strapping for sure) but it was really the DTP albums that sold me initally before exploring his other albums. And especially his live show where he kind of just shows his true self. Just watch an interview with him, or be lucky enough to actually talk to him and you'll see how genuine and cool he is. There's something to be said about that in todays world.
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I come from the other end. I learned about Devin through the Vai record, which I love and saw them together on that tour. Then came Ocean Machine which is still one of my alltime favorites by any artist. And I still like Devin's earlier work more. The Physicist and Infinity aren't that good but Terria, Ziltoid, Accelerated Evolution and Synchestra are all great imo. After that he kinda lost me. For sure most of his records are good and there are some great songs throughout, but nothing blew me away like those earlier records did.
With each new release I hope that the magic for me will return, but so far it hasn't.
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So I've been getting into Devin Townsend little by little over the past few weeks, and so far I've heard Addicted and Ocean Machine: Biomech. I think there's one thing I don't exactly like about Devin Townsend's music, and it's that I feel like there tends to just be some nonsense here and there. Usually it comes down to me not really liking some of the lyrics, but I've never heard any outright bad (so far). But there's one example that really frustrates me, that being the end of "Thing Beyond Things" on Ocean Machine: Biomech. For absolutely no reason at all, Devin just screams for about 15 seconds straight... and I can only assume he was trying to be funny, but I don't find it funny at all.
So going forward in my exploration of Devin Townsend's music, which albums are the most "serious"? I'm not looking for amazing poetic lyrics or anything (I still greatly enjoy "Addicted!" despite its weird lyrics), I just don't want anything raunchy or anything that detracts from the album because it's supposed to be funny or something.
I know I sound negative, but I'm not trying to be. I think there's a lot to like about Devin Townsend's music based on what I've heard so far, so I just want to be able to hear what I like without the more nonsensical bits that I'm not liking.
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So I've been getting into Devin Townsend little by little over the past few weeks, and so far I've heard Addicted and Ocean Machine: Biomech. I think there's one thing I don't exactly like about Devin Townsend's music, and it's that I feel like there tends to just be some nonsense here and there. Usually it comes down to me not really liking some of the lyrics, but I've never heard any outright bad (so far). But there's one example that really frustrates me, that being the end of "Thing Beyond Things" on Ocean Machine: Biomech. For absolutely no reason at all, Devin just screams for about 15 seconds straight... and I can only assume he was trying to be funny, but I don't find it funny at all.
So going forward in my exploration of Devin Townsend's music, which albums are the most "serious"? I'm not looking for amazing poetic lyrics or anything (I still greatly enjoy "Addicted!" despite its weird lyrics), I just don't want anything raunchy or anything that detracts from the album because it's supposed to be funny or something.
I know I sound negative, but I'm not trying to be. I think there's a lot to like about Devin Townsend's music based on what I've heard so far, so I just want to be able to hear what I like without the more nonsensical bits that I'm not liking.
What you call the nonsensical bits are hit and miss for me, so I get why they'd be a turnoff for some.
Check out Ghost, Casualties of Cool, Accelerated Evolution and Ki. I don't think any of those albums will have those moments that will turn you off, and all are excellent from start to finish. And all are quite different as well.
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I think there's some thematic reason for the scream at the end of Thing Beyond Things but yeah I don't like it either. You can just edit it out though once you get the mp3 - that's what I did.
I don't know if I'd call them "serious", but I suppose his more "straight-faced" albums would be Accelerated Evolution, Epicloud, Sky Blue and Transcendence. Of those Accelerated Evolution and Epicloud are definitely the best. There's also his quieter, more mellow albums like Ki, Ghost, and Casualties Of Cool, which are naturally more reserved - those would also be good to look into if you're okay with albums with a different sound. If you can't stand goofiness avoid Deconstruction and the Ziltoid albums like the plague, and his latest album (Empath) probably wouldn't be to your liking either. That said, goofiness is key part of Devin's identity and his musical personality. It's more exaggerated in some places than others, but I guess what I'm saying is if you want serious music Devin isn't exactly the artist I'd point you towards.
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So I've been getting into Devin Townsend little by little over the past few weeks, and so far I've heard Addicted and Ocean Machine: Biomech. I think there's one thing I don't exactly like about Devin Townsend's music, and it's that I feel like there tends to just be some nonsense here and there. Usually it comes down to me not really liking some of the lyrics, but I've never heard any outright bad (so far). But there's one example that really frustrates me, that being the end of "Thing Beyond Things" on Ocean Machine: Biomech. For absolutely no reason at all, Devin just screams for about 15 seconds straight... and I can only assume he was trying to be funny, but I don't find it funny at all.
So going forward in my exploration of Devin Townsend's music, which albums are the most "serious"? I'm not looking for amazing poetic lyrics or anything (I still greatly enjoy "Addicted!" despite its weird lyrics), I just don't want anything raunchy or anything that detracts from the album because it's supposed to be funny or something.
I know I sound negative, but I'm not trying to be. I think there's a lot to like about Devin Townsend's music based on what I've heard so far, so I just want to be able to hear what I like without the more nonsensical bits that I'm not liking.
I can understand being off-put by the insane scream at the end of "Thing Beyond Things", but personally I didn't consider it something he was doing to be funny. I viewed it more of a massive -release- of these incredible feelings. I took it to be more serious than funny but I guess it could all be perspective.
That's something you may have to come to grips about Devin. He has mentioned many times he was diagnosed Bi-Polar at some point (while I think he has those issues under control currently) and I think to some degree that is why you get the back and forth nature within his music history. He's pretty genius musically and often he shows that off however he seems to realize he's taking the music or himself too seriously and he goes the complete opposite direction and just lets it hang out so to speak... but again it could just be how I've come to view it.
Regardless welcome to any new explorers of Devin's music. I can only hope you all enjoy it near as much as I have! :tup
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I think there's some thematic reason for the scream at the end of Thing Beyond Things but yeah I don't like it either. You can just edit it out though once you get the mp3 - that's what I did.
I don't know if I'd call them "serious", but I suppose his more "straight-faced" albums would be Accelerated Evolution, Epicloud, Sky Blue and Transcendence. Of those Accelerated Evolution and Epicloud are definitely the best. There's also his quieter, more mellow albums like Ki, Ghost, and Casualties Of Cool, which are naturally more reserved - those would also be good to look into if you're okay with albums with a different sound. If you can't stand goofiness avoid Deconstruction and the Ziltoid albums like the plague, and his latest album (Empath) probably wouldn't be to your liking either. That said, goofiness is key part of Devin's identity and his musical personality. It's more exaggerated in some places than others, but I guess what I'm saying is if you want serious music Devin isn't exactly the artist I'd point you towards.
OMG...Like Devin Townsend coming out on stage in a tutu on Order of Magnitude, and dancing like Ballerina, before playing Why? (https://youtu.be/Fgrik7HDKQ4?t=65) :rollin
Or this... (https://youtu.be/K8HW2WB_BK4) :lol
I am really wanting my copy of it to arrive. Listening to Spotify is making me want to watch it. Especially for the Ki suite, and specifically, Heavens End (my favorite from Ki).
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What you call the nonsensical bits are hit and miss for me, so I get why they'd be a turnoff for some.
Check out Ghost, Casualties of Cool, Accelerated Evolution and Ki. I don't think any of those albums will have those moments that will turn you off, and all are excellent from start to finish. And all are quite different as well.
I think there's some thematic reason for the scream at the end of Thing Beyond Things but yeah I don't like it either. You can just edit it out though once you get the mp3 - that's what I did.
I don't know if I'd call them "serious", but I suppose his more "straight-faced" albums would be Accelerated Evolution, Epicloud, Sky Blue and Transcendence. Of those Accelerated Evolution and Epicloud are definitely the best. There's also his quieter, more mellow albums like Ki, Ghost, and Casualties Of Cool, which are naturally more reserved - those would also be good to look into if you're okay with albums with a different sound. If you can't stand goofiness avoid Deconstruction and the Ziltoid albums like the plague, and his latest album (Empath) probably wouldn't be to your liking either. That said, goofiness is key part of Devin's identity and his musical personality. It's more exaggerated in some places than others, but I guess what I'm saying is if you want serious music Devin isn't exactly the artist I'd point you towards.
Thanks for the recommendations!
I don't find goofiness to be inherently bad, it just seems that I don't seem to really like Devin Townsend's sense of humor, based on what I've listened to so far. Like, I've heard about the Ziltoid albums and the concept of it sounds funny, but if it's like Deconstruction lyrically, then yeah, I'm definitely going to skip out on those. Musically, if it's weird in a BTBAM kind of way, I'd be all for that kind of silliness (for instance, I love that part in Augment of Rebirth where out of nowhere there's an accordion with a bunch of animals making noise). I just don't want to be listening to something that I'm really enjoying only for something annoying (musically or lyrically) to ruin it for me, like with Thing Beyond Things. As another example, I really enjoy Planet of the Apes musically, but there's a few instances where I find the lyrics to be... not good, I'll just say.
I can understand being off-put by the insane scream at the end of "Thing Beyond Things", but personally I didn't consider it something he was doing to be funny. I viewed it more of a massive -release- of these incredible feelings. I took it to be more serious than funny but I guess it could all be perspective.
That's something you may have to come to grips about Devin. He has mentioned many times he was diagnosed Bi-Polar at some point (while I think he has those issues under control currently) and I think to some degree that is why you get the back and forth nature within his music history. He's pretty genius musically and often he shows that off however he seems to realize he's taking the music or himself too seriously and he goes the complete opposite direction and just lets it hang out so to speak... but again it could just be how I've come to view it.
Regardless welcome to any new explorers of Devin's music. I can only hope you all enjoy it near as much as I have! :tup
Interesting... I guess I assumed it to be funny just because it seems like his sense of humor to do something like that. I can't say taking it in a more serious context would make me like its inclusion, but hey, at least there's some reason why it's there.
I hope I find a lot to enjoy with Devin's music, though! I do have some problems that I've been discussing, but there's a lot more about Devin's music that I do like, so I'm optimistic that I'll find that one album that really clicks with me! I should mention that aside from that scream at the very end, I did enjoy Ocean Machine: Biomech quite a bit.
I think there's some thematic reason for the scream at the end of Thing Beyond Things but yeah I don't like it either. You can just edit it out though once you get the mp3 - that's what I did.
I don't know if I'd call them "serious", but I suppose his more "straight-faced" albums would be Accelerated Evolution, Epicloud, Sky Blue and Transcendence. Of those Accelerated Evolution and Epicloud are definitely the best. There's also his quieter, more mellow albums like Ki, Ghost, and Casualties Of Cool, which are naturally more reserved - those would also be good to look into if you're okay with albums with a different sound. If you can't stand goofiness avoid Deconstruction and the Ziltoid albums like the plague, and his latest album (Empath) probably wouldn't be to your liking either. That said, goofiness is key part of Devin's identity and his musical personality. It's more exaggerated in some places than others, but I guess what I'm saying is if you want serious music Devin isn't exactly the artist I'd point you towards.
OMG...Like Devin Townsend coming out on stage in a tutu on Order of Magnitude, and dancing like Ballerina, before playing Why? (https://youtu.be/Fgrik7HDKQ4?t=65) :rollin
Or this... (https://youtu.be/K8HW2WB_BK4) :lol
Okay, I saw that ballerina thing just now, and that was pretty funny. :lol
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Musically, if it's weird in a BTBAM kind of way, I'd be all for that kind of silliness (for instance, I love that part in Augment of Rebirth where out of nowhere there's an accordion with a bunch of animals making noise).
You might like Empath then. Especially Genesis.
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Artists like Devin are hard to get into if you have very specific criteria for what kind of music you enjoy, as opposed to being along for the ride for anything. I'm not saying any of these approaches are superior to the other - both can lead you into having a fantastic music library. Just that he wants people to strap in, say "okay!" and just play the whole thing back to back and take in every element of music, randomness, humor etc as it comes, and if something doesn't work for you, there's always the next thing, always many things. There's so much in there and it's so intertwined that someone who says "I like this kind of instrumentation, and these lyrical themes, and this kind of style" might walk away from a full listen of his catalog feeling as if they wasted their time, because there's very few albums they're going to like start to finish.
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I'd suggest a good starting point for Devy would be Empath. When you first listen to it, it really is an unlistenable noise, but stick with it until the melodies and songs reveal themselves through the layers of production. It really is a stunning piece of work. Both Addicted! and Epicloud have great songs on them, and are probably the next best of his more recent albums.
Actually, scratch that - watch either the Orders of Magnitude or Retinal Circus videos - you get the songs without the layers of often alienating studio noise on top. Either of them would be a good place to start.
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If he’s not into Devys humor, I think Retinal Circus might throw him off.
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I'd suggest a good starting point for Devy would be Empath. When you first listen to it, it really is an unlistenable noise
This is why it's not a good starting point. :lol
I mean yeah, he might warm up to it after a few listens like we did, but Empath is kinda the first album I think of when it comes to:I just don't want to be listening to something that I'm really enjoying only for something annoying (musically or lyrically) to ruin it for me
GOT A LITTLE DOGGIE AND HE'S FULL OF DA WOOF WOOF
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Yeah, but how representative of Devy's work is Ki, for example? Dev is one of those artists that you either have to put the groundwork in as a listener or forget it, and go listen to Coldplay instead.
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I think Accelerated Evolution is a good starting point. It’s more straightforward and I don’t remember a lot of complete silliness.
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Yeah, but how representative of Devy's work is Ki, for example? Dev is one of those artists that you either have to put the groundwork in as a listener or forget it, and go listen to Coldplay instead.
I think of it more as he's got a little something for everyone. No, Ki isn't a good representation of Devin's typical sound (which is why I recommended Accelerated Evolution and Epicloud over it), but it's still a great album and it showcases a different side of his identity that might resonate with people more than the scattershot "everything but the kitchen sink" approach of Empath.
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Actually, scratch that - watch either the Orders of Magnitude or Retinal Circus videos - you get the songs without the layers of often alienating studio noise on top. Either of them would be a good place to start.
Still waiting for my Orders of Magnitude but I kind of think that may not be the best place to start for the reason you stated, that's a raw live performance and those songs (from the clips I saw and live performances I saw) have a different spin to them because of that. It might throw a new person off with that style that isn't really the way his albums are. However, I'm sure it's awesome so without even seeing it I can say I'd probably easily recommend, just maybe not to start.... now Retinal Circus actually does have a lot of that Noise, but this is like my all time favorite live concert from anyone. It's so over the top, it's so Devin but like 10X more :lol Actually it was what got me into him. I got Epicloud after watching the concert on youtube and buying the blu-ray afterwards because I was so obsessed with the show. Epicloud has a real variety of his sound on one album.
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Thanks for the recommendations!
I don't find goofiness to be inherently bad, it just seems that I don't seem to really like Devin Townsend's sense of humor, based on what I've listened to so far. Like, I've heard about the Ziltoid albums and the concept of it sounds funny, but if it's like Deconstruction lyrically, then yeah, I'm definitely going to skip out on those. Musically, if it's weird in a BTBAM kind of way, I'd be all for that kind of silliness (for instance, I love that part in Augment of Rebirth where out of nowhere there's an accordion with a bunch of animals making noise). I just don't want to be listening to something that I'm really enjoying only for something annoying (musically or lyrically) to ruin it for me, like with Thing Beyond Things. As another example, I really enjoy Planet of the Apes musically, but there's a few instances where I find the lyrics to be... not good, I'll just say.
Devin reminds me of Zappa in that he incorporates a lot of sense of humor into his music, and if I am in the right mood, it can be great, but if I am not, it can be a bit oft-putting at the time. Fortunately, both have tons of "serious" music, so there is always something for me no matter what kind of mood I am in. I suspect the more you dig and listen, the more you will feel the same way. If you are already liking his sound and general style, that's 90% of it. :hat :hat
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Artists like Devin are hard to get into if you have very specific criteria for what kind of music you enjoy, as opposed to being along for the ride for anything. I'm not saying any of these approaches are superior to the other - both can lead you into having a fantastic music library. Just that he wants people to strap in, say "okay!" and just play the whole thing back to back and take in every element of music, randomness, humor etc as it comes, and if something doesn't work for you, there's always the next thing, always many things. There's so much in there and it's so intertwined that someone who says "I like this kind of instrumentation, and these lyrical themes, and this kind of style" might walk away from a full listen of his catalog feeling as if they wasted their time, because there's very few albums they're going to like start to finish.
This. Once I got past the hurdle on the guy (my only experience with him was the friggin' wierdo on the Tonight Show or wherever it was with Vai (https://youtu.be/e-ynEpNTcVQ)) the next hurdle - that I'm not completely over, to be honest - was that the music isn't easy. It's kind of like being a Neil Young fan, in that just because you like Harvest, doesn't mean you're going to like Tonight's The Night, or Trans.
Personally, if anyone asked me "what's Devin sound like?" I'd give them this:
https://youtu.be/sKEyot1-SVg
Or, if they wanted an album, I'd give them Transcendence. Totally random, but it's what clicked with me.
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Out of curiosity, has anyone owned or listened to the remixed version of Deconstruction from the Contain Us boxset? Deconstruction is one of my favorite albums but I'm generally just not into Jens Bogren's mixing style so I'm curious if the remixed version is any better. As far as I can tell all of the streaming services only have the original version.
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Out of curiosity, has anyone owned or listened to the remixed version of Deconstruction from the Contain Us boxset? Deconstruction is one of my favorite albums but I'm generally just not into Jens Bogren's mixing style so I'm curious if the remixed version is any better. As far as I can tell all of the streaming services only have the original version.
I have the boxset. But I bought it so I could get the rest of the project cd's, as I only bought Addicted. So I haven't heard the original to tell you the difference. I think the mix sounds great though.
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Out of curiosity, has anyone owned or listened to the remixed version of Deconstruction from the Contain Us boxset? Deconstruction is one of my favorite albums but I'm generally just not into Jens Bogren's mixing style so I'm curious if the remixed version is any better. As far as I can tell all of the streaming services only have the original version.
Haven't listened. I like the original mix, but god damn it seems like a huge project. I'd be terrified if someone asked me to remix that thing.
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You also made me realize that I have never listened to the commentary on the albums. I found this one of The Mighty Masturbator and it's great, I like when talks about the party section, and the women whom are all "AaahhhAAHHH".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRp4Jdqhtk8
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The album commentaries were great - just comparing the one for Ki to the recent podcast on it, the commentary gives you so much more info and trivia. They were on youtube a while back but I think they’ve all been taken down now. :'(
I found a couple threads on Reddit talking about the Deconstruction remix and apparently the differences are extremely subtle, so I guess they wouldn’t really fix my problems. It’s a dense as fuck project, yeah, but my issues are more with the drums and guitars sounding really processed and cushion-y, which is a common complaint I have with basically all Jens Bogren mixes, even on music with way less stuff going on.
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The album commentaries were great - just comparing the one for Ki to the recent podcast on it, the commentary gives you so much more info and trivia. They were on youtube a while back but I think they’ve all been taken down now. :'(
I found a couple threads on Reddit talking about the Deconstruction remix and apparently the differences are extremely subtle, so I guess they wouldn’t really fix my problems. It’s a dense as fuck project, yeah, but my issues are more with the drums and guitars sounding really processed and cushion-y, which is a common complaint I have with basically all Jens Bogren mixes, even on music with way less stuff going on.
I had to dig out my Contain Us boxset and transfer the files onto my computer. I also forgot it has the stems too for Bend It Like Becker and Juular.
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DEVIN TOWNSEND – announces “Devolution Series #1 - Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds”
Launches pre-order and ‘Hyperdrive’ video
(https://i.ibb.co/Jm7KP0S/unnamed-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DzCtnsj)
Devin Townsend is currently working on new material for upcoming albums, and for a current lack of touring possibilities and encounters with fans on the road he decided to do a series of live albums, quarantine albums, and generally interesting projects that keep people entertained while he’s busy on his next larger releases.
Devin comments:
“So we bring to you the ‘Devolution Series’: a grouping of oddities and interesting material that I would like people to hear, but don’t necessarily want to present as a ‘major release’.
The series will include all the quarantine songs and concerts, as well as various live shows from the past few years.
The first release is a remixed and remastered version of the ‘Live in Leeds’ show that was originally on the ‘Empath’ Ultimate Edition. It was a cool acoustic show that deserves to be heard I think, so we can use this as an introduction to the series.
I’m am currently deep in the writing of my new projects and am very excited to be doing so. Thanks for facilitating my ability to do that, and I hope you enjoy the ‘Devolution Series’.”
The ‘Live in Leeds’ show has previously only been released in video format, and “Devolution Series #1 - Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds” now marks the audio release of said show. It will be released on March 19th 2021.
As a warm-up to this release, check out the ‘Hyperdrive (Live in Leeds 2019)’ video here:
https://youtu.be/H45yG8FzpkQ
“Devolution Series #1 - Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds” will be available as Ltd. CD Digipak, 180g Gatefold 2LP (incl. the album on CD) and as Digital Album and as of now it is up for pre-order, so make sure to grab a copy here:
https://devin-townsend.lnk.to/DevolutionSeriesOne-LiveInLeedsQR
DEVIN TOWNSEND “Devolution Series #1 –
Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds” track listing:
1. Intro (06:30)
2. Let it Roll (03:48)
3. Funeral (08:17)
4. Deadhead (07:51)
5. Ih-Ah! (04:44)
6. Love? (08:06)
7. Hyperdrive (04:27)
8. Terminal (04:58)
9. Coast (04:37)
10. Solar Winds (03:25)
11. Thing Beyond Things (04:34)
DEVIN TOWNSEND online:
http://www.hevydevy.com
http://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend
http://www.omerch.com
https://twitter.com/dvntownsend
https://www.instagram.com/dvntownsend/
https://www.youtube.com/user/poopynuggeteer/featured http://twitch.tv/devin_townsend
Keep the music coming with the Devin Townsend Support Team!
Click here: http://gf.me/u/xra8an
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That acoustic tour was pretty cool, didn't expect a live album from it :metal
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I guess this is how he's going to be releasing the quarantine songs? Looking forward to having good quality versions of Honeybunch and Call Of The Void. :)
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That acoustic tour was pretty cool, didn't expect a live album from it :metal
Is that basically the show you saw (I know not the EXACT show, but the basic idea)? If so, I'm going to pick that up, I think.
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That acoustic tour was pretty cool, didn't expect a live album from it :metal
Is that basically the show you saw (I know not the EXACT show, but the basic idea)? If so, I'm going to pick that up, I think.
The euro leg of the acoustic tour Devin headlined so he played a longer set than what I saw, as he was the opener for Avatar on the NA leg:
Let It Roll
Solar Winds
Deadhead
Love?
Ih-Ah!
Why? (here's my video: https://youtu.be/-zd9F3Vx_Vs?t=148 (https://youtu.be/-zd9F3Vx_Vs?t=148))
Life
So not exactly the same, but similar it seems.
But what made this show so damn cool was how he kind of just talked through the songs and did his own thing really, typical Devin. Makes the performances so unique and interesting. Not sure if that will be displayed on the live album or maybe he just kept it more straightforward.
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Sorry if this has been posted here already (I'm just finding this out now) but apparently Duris Maxwell, the drummer who played on Ki, passed away in November. I really liked his drumming on that record, rest in peace.
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Sad news. I never heard of him before Ki came out but that's one of my favourite Dev records and love the drum work on it.
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Just been listening to the last couple of Dev podcasts. The man sounds robo-busy currently.
A pair of new opposing albums, the weirder one having a film, comic, etc, with it. And then he's going to be releasing an album working with a producer for the first time. And he's doing the sound of a children's BBC series.
Been listening to Empath recently (never stopped since getting it, tbh) and am now going back to Deconstruction which I wasn't that into when it was released.
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I've been meaning to write a review of his recent live album, Order of Magniture Empath Volume 1 Live so todays bump has ignited that flame....
It's very good.
I got the artbook which is very nice, physical quality is very good and has some nice pictures in it. I must have watched the blu-ray 15 times now. I absolutely love it. However, I didn't on my first watch. Actually was slightly dissapointed on my first watch. Reason being, I didn't love the set list. It's hardly a metal album, it's actually kind of pure prog. Which I guess I should have expected, but it really didn't hit me until I watched. It might also be because I was never a huge fan of Ki. So let me explain myself further... I'm not a huge fan of starting the show with Borderlands. I think it's a decent song, but it has no real juice or energy as an opener. I still believe this. However, I've come to really enjoy the performance of the song over time. it's quirky, and doesn't come off very heavy, but it's actually really fun in it's own unique way. Then we get Evermore which also doesn't come off as heavy live IMO, but it's pretty damn awesome to see the band play it. It's also a pretty fun and quirky song.
Then we get War and this is a very cool version of the song. This band brings their own flavor, it's not that it's different per say but with different people like Che, it feels very different. It's an awesome addition to his catalog to have this version of one of his older songs that have already been captured live.
Now we get to what I have come to find as maybe the best part of the live album. These chunks of songs:
4. Sprite
5. Gigpig Jam
6. Coast
7. Gato
8. Heavens End
9. Ain’t Never Gonna Win
While Sprite is from Empath, I kind of feel like it belongs with this grouping of songs. Che's vocals are AWESOME on it. The guitar playing is so intricate that you don't always notice while listening, but when you see it, it really sticks out. The jam is one of the most unique drum solos I've ever seen. It's not "the best" but when a drum solo keeps my attention, you know it's good. Then the four Ki songs. This album had never really clicked for me, but these live performances have me coming back to Ki now. It took a few watches before I kept waiting for this part of the set to come up. I'm so happy we got these performances on a live album because they definitely belong in the DT catalog of music that represents him. BURN BURN!! I'm not sure which song I like the most out of this bunch. Also all the backing band solos are really cool.
Maybe the best performance of Dead Head we have. Devin's vocals are perfect on this track.
Why is one weird song and the live version is even more weird. The interaction with the crowd is fantastic.
Lucky Animals may be the least interesting song on the set, but he gets the crowd going and it makes it fun. I'd have to watch the RAH video to compare, but I think the Retinal Circus version is probably my favorite. It doesn't sound as different as War does to make it very unique to me.
Genesis is maybe my favorite song off Empath and the performance is awesome. I love how they are actually able to pull this song off live. I feel this song is everything that Empath is in one song.
Spirits will Collide is beautiful. The female backing vocals really make this song great. It's an acoustic version so not that huge bombastic album track, but a beautiful version here. Show me someone who doesn't like it, they probably don't exist.
Disco Inferno is a fun cover. I've always enjoyed the song as like a stupid song to dance and sing along too so when I saw Devin was covering it, I thought he'd do it justice. He did. It also looks like the band is having a blast with Deigo making and handing out drinks during it. Really cool encore song.
And it ends with Kingdom. Another awesome performance of this song, and maybe the most energetic the audience gets the entire night. It seems the room really comes alive for this one. I think I like the Retinal Circus live version better, but this one is really solid. Can't say anything bad about it.
So to end, I just want to say the sound and picture quality are also fantastic. I love how this sounds more raw than his other live albums. It feels legit. It looks like they are all having fun and it rubs off when you watch it. I highly recommend it. :tup :tup
Right now, I'd say it's not better than the Retinal Circus just because that video is so over the top, but it may be my second favorite over RAH and Provdov.
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So I just found out that Devin has written the soundtrack for a kids TV show here in the UK. It's for really little kids and it's called Colours. It introduces kids to all the different colours and what they are sometimes used to signify in modern life.
I know Devin has been vocal about the condition he has, in which he can effectively see colours through different sounds. He has often talked about how certain songs or albums are linked to colours in his mind. I can only assume that is why he wrote the soundtrack to this show. I'd be interested to know who approached who, to get this off the ground.
Anyway, I have a 14 month old boy, so guess what we were watching this morning. It's classic Devy chill music. My little one seemed to enjoy it and seemed captivated at certain parts. I took great pleasure in telling my wife who wrote the soundtrack, which brought on great eye rolling from her. She wouldn't admit she likes anything by Devin Townsend but this is just one more step in shaping my kiddos musical taste :corn
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Heard about this. Great that you got to enjoy it with your small person. :) Slightly miffed my kids are much too big for this! Would also love to know how it came about.
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So I just found out that Devin has written the soundtrack for a kids TV show here in the UK. It's for really little kids and it's called Colours. It introduces kids to all the different colours and what they are sometimes used to signify in modern life.
I know Devin has been vocal about the condition he has, in which he can effectively see colours through different sounds. He has often talked about how certain songs or albums are linked to colours in his mind. I can only assume that is why he wrote the soundtrack to this show. I'd be interested to know who approached who, to get this off the ground.
Anyway, I have a 14 month old boy, so guess what we were watching this morning. It's classic Devy chill music. My little one seemed to enjoy it and seemed captivated at certain parts. I took great pleasure in telling my wife who wrote the soundtrack, which brought on great eye rolling from her. She wouldn't admit she likes anything by Devin Townsend but this is just one more step in shaping my kiddos musical taste :corn
There's a name for that: it's a form of synethesia.
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Looks like Devin Townsend released a new two song EP on Spotify this morning. Totally him and not someone else who uploaded some generic easy-listening muzak under his name. :neverusethis:
https://open.spotify.com/album/1lOomQtz2zpxtrYrn7zaI2?si=uI0g3mYySh2wHsORP4XfEA
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Devin Townsend announces new quarantine project livestream
Ocean Machine: Biomech in its entirety
We’re very pleased to announce yet another Devin Townsend ‘Quarantine Project’ live stream, this time Dev will perform his icon album ‘Ocean Machine: Biomech’ in its entirety via Single Music’s live stream platform.
The show will be live on May 1st, 12 noon PDT, 3pm EDST, 20:00 GST, 21:00 CEST, 5am AEST. All ticket buyers will have access to replays for up to 48 hours.
Tickets are $20 USD each and can be purchased here along with a limited edition show exclusive t-shirt: www.devintownsendshop.com/pages/performance-of-ocean-machine-biomech
More information explained by Devin in this show trailer: https://youtu.be/BUnS0meXyww
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That is cool that he is doing that, but considering how many albums he has done combined with the fact that he recently released a live Blu-ray of a concert where he played all of Ocean Machine/Biomech already, it would have been a lot better if he had chosen a different album this time.
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Yeah...Like Accelerated Evolution. I'd pay for that.
I also, thought the same exact thing too. How could this version be any better than Ocean Machine live from Plovdiv. I am guessing he's going to have some awesome visuals to go along with the album. That alone should be cool to see, as his Crappy Halloween Show was actually pretty neat visually with backgrounds.
If he does that and adds a bit more movement to the visuals, it could be worth the price and to see the album done again.
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All true. Granted, since he is largely able to make a living off of touring and is likely taking a hit cause of COVID, he probably figures Ocean Machine is the album guaranteed to bring it the most buyers of the stream, so I am sure it was a pragmatic decision. As a selfish music fan :P, I just wish he would embrace the greatness of Terria as a whole and find a way to play all of that. :biggrin:
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I wouldn't mind that album either....
Now that I think about it. You know what album in full would really draw the fans...
ZILTOID...THE OMNISCIENT!!!
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Yeah, I really don't have the desire to spend $20 on this when I have the beautiful blu ray. Now if he announces something special about this to make it more unique I may be intrigued. Also, this is more expensive than his other streams which seems a bit odd as the other ones were way more unique and interesting.
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He explained why he's doing it though in the YouTube Trailer.
He says He's going to go through the whole catalog and see where we end up at by the time Tours can start up again. Especially him, being Canadian.
And so, he is starting with the beginning, that is Ocean Machine.
Makes me more excited now and I will be expecting Accelerated Evolution....
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I'd check out the others, likely will skip this one though. We'll see.
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I'd check out the others, likely will skip this one though. We'll see.
Probably the same for me.
I just wish he would embrace the greatness of Terria as a whole and find a way to play all of that. :biggrin:
Yep, basically this!
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He explained why he's doing it though in the YouTube Trailer.
He says He's going to go through the whole catalog and see where we end up at by the time Tours can start up again. Especially him, being Canadian.
And so, he is starting with the beginning, that is Ocean Machine.
Makes me more excited now and I will be expecting Accelerated Evolution....
Huh, that sounds like it'd be a ton of effort considering he doesn't have any of the stems / backing tracks for his earlier albums and has to recreate them for these livestream concerts. I kinda assumed the reason why he was doing Ocean Machine was that he already had to do that for a good amount of the live in Plovdiv show and could just re-use it.
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He explained why he's doing it though in the YouTube Trailer.
He says He's going to go through the whole catalog and see where we end up at by the time Tours can start up again. Especially him, being Canadian.
And so, he is starting with the beginning, that is Ocean Machine.
Makes me more excited now and I will be expecting Accelerated Evolution....
Okay, that is pretty awesome to hear. Hopefully, enough fans buy them and tune in to keep him rolling until he can hit the road again. :metal :metal
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He explained why he's doing it though in the YouTube Trailer.
He says He's going to go through the whole catalog and see where we end up at by the time Tours can start up again. Especially him, being Canadian.
And so, he is starting with the beginning, that is Ocean Machine.
Makes me more excited now and I will be expecting Accelerated Evolution....
Okay, that is pretty awesome to hear. Hopefully, enough fans buy them and tune in to keep him rolling until he can hit the road again. :metal :metal
Knowing Devin, he'll probably still do them anyway, no matter how many people tune in. I'm sure a lot of people will. I know I will be! :metal
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I want to thank Dream Theater Forums and THIS THREAD, it sent me into the most amazing muscal journey of my life. I legit could not listen to anything but Devin Townsend for a whole year.
Now my own dad is listening to it, the man absolutely loves Deep Peace, Deadhead, the Sky Blue album...
:metal
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I want to thank Dream Theater Forums and THIS THREAD, it sent me into the most amazing muscal journey of my life. I legit could not listen to anything but Devin Townsend for a whole year.
Now my own dad is listening to it, the man absolutely loves Deep Peace, Deadhead, the Sky Blue album...
:metal
God bless DTF!
That is 100% the beauty of Devin. His catalogue is so varied that you literally could listen to his music for a year as there is something for every. single. mood!
When I was deep into my honeymoon period with Devy I also used to watch every interview I could find on YouTube! Not only can I listen to his music all year round, can also listen to him talk for days.
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I discovered DT via a youtube video, but I don't think I would have watched it if I hadn't read positive things about Devin here on DTF.
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When I was deep into my honeymoon period with Devy I also used to watch every interview I could find on YouTube! Not only can I listen to his music all year round, can also listen to him talk for days.
I can 100% relate to that :biggrin:
I discovered DT via a youtube video, but I don't think I would have watched it if I hadn't read positive things about Devin here on DTF.
Was it an EMGtv video?
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I first heard Devin with Steve Vai, and HATED IT. Then I heard Strapping Young Lad and HATED it even more. Then I heard Deep Peace live in London and was blown away. Then I read his autobiography, then Transcendence hit and I loved both of them. I even went back and revisited the Steve Vai stuff and liked it a lot. (I still don't care for Strapping Young Lad, though). I dig his candor, and I dig how ingrained his music is in his life. It's HIM, for better or worse, and that's appealing.
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I've tried a few times over the years to get into his music. Can't remember now which albums I've checked out, but somehow it doesn't do anything for me at all. Perhaps I'm a lost cause.
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I discovered DT via a youtube video, but I don't think I would have watched it if I hadn't read positive things about Devin here on DTF.
Was it an EMGtv video?
No, back then someone had the entire Retinal Circus video on youtube. I watched it so many times and eventually bought it as my first DT purchase. So even though that video got taken down for copyright, it did lead to a sale. Having said that, I did watch the EMGtv videos later and they are great.
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I discovered DT via a youtube video, but I don't think I would have watched it if I hadn't read positive things about Devin here on DTF.
Was it an EMGtv video?
No, back then someone had the entire Retinal Circus video on youtube. I watched it so many times and eventually bought it as my first DT purchase. So even though that video got taken down for copyright, it did lead to a sale. Having said that, I did watch the EMGtv videos later and they are great.
The Retinal Circus Boxset is one of the best Boxsets I have ever bought. The 3-D pop-out parts, the Devin Mask, and all these weird fun things add a lot to the Circus concept part.
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I first heard Devin with Steve Vai, and HATED IT. Then I heard Strapping Young Lad and HATED it even more. Then I heard Deep Peace live in London and was blown away. Then I read his autobiography, then Transcendence hit and I loved both of them. I even went back and revisited the Steve Vai stuff and liked it a lot. (I still don't care for Strapping Young Lad, though). I dig his candor, and I dig how ingrained his music is in his life. It's HIM, for better or worse, and that's appealing.
I've just discovered Vai this year (I know...) and I can't help but feel like how overlooked the album with Devin is. Sure it's not either of their best work but it's a really solid album.
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The only SYL song i genuinelly enjoy and that keeps me coming back is Love.
I've tried a few times over the years to get into his music. Can't remember now which albums I've checked out, but somehow it doesn't do anything for me at all. Perhaps I'm a lost cause.
If i were to introduce Devin's music to someone, i'd tell them to listen to Bastard, Deadhead, Deep Peace and Coast. Those were the ones that hooked me for life.
Ocean Machine is a great "starter" album, imo. Most of the songs are really really great. And i wouldn't recommend someone to start with Deconstruction, lol. That might scare people away.
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I like the song "Love?" and all of the first Ziltoid album and Addicted!
But beyond that not much.
Was disappointed with Ziltoid 2. It didn't have the same charm at all.
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Yeah, Ziltoid 2 is kind of a dud to me, but not all of Devin's work is for me. I know and understand that. But he's got so much to offer that I'd be surprised if someone couldn't find something they did like, but on the same coin, it's totally understandable that someone might also struggle to find what they like.
I've always said Epicloud is the best starter album for Devin. It's one album that has a lot of his different styles on it and overall is really solid from start to finish. I guess it's no surprise I feel that way as that was the main support album for the Retinal Circus.
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All his heavy albums are well produced but have way too much going on.
I dont think i could hum a single riff from Ziltoid or Addicted! as there's so much happening at once.
It would be nice if he made a rock and roll album. Two rhythms one bass . Drums and vocals. one lead guitar.
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All his heavy albums are well produced but have way too much going on.
I dont think i could hum a single riff from Ziltoid or Addicted! as there's so much happening at once.
It would be nice if he made a rock and roll album. Two rhythms one bass . Drums and vocals. one lead guitar.
Ever listen to Accelerated Evolution?
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Nopes. :p
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This is an interesting part of the Z² story...
[Narrator:]
Thus ends our story. This is the end... Or... is it?
Far from the earth in a distant nebula, we now find a lone moon... Barren... Isolated...
Through the wormhole Ziltoid has awoken,
seemingly alone on this trance moon made of bones and dust
Only he is not alone...
The only other thing on that planet is the war princess, and one solitary bag... of coffee.
Because this is where we transition into...
Casualties of Cool, which is a pretty neat transition...
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I got into Devin when he was starting to talk about this new project he is working on that will span 4 albums. Before that, I heard of him from my friend whom is a big Steve Vai fan and he showed me Sex and Religion. I was amazed at Devins High Shreaks.
I could not get into Strapping Young Lad, although I do enjoy The New Black a lot. Alien isn't that bad either, I actually kind of enjoyed the hectic nature of it, but nowadays I do not.
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All his heavy albums are well produced but have way too much going on.
I dont think i could hum a single riff from Ziltoid or Addicted! as there's so much happening at once.
It would be nice if he made a rock and roll album. Two rhythms one bass . Drums and vocals. one lead guitar.
Try Terria - the opener is thick, heavy with a weird rhythm but most of the rest is kinda simple and hypnotic.
Or Epicloud - I've recommended that to people with "regular" music tastes and they've loved it.
Dev said some really interesting things about Addicted and the similar DTP albums. That he basically became interested in how a mainstream popular rock/pop song is constructed and used those patterns for those albums.
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I first heard Devin with Steve Vai, and HATED IT. Then I heard Strapping Young Lad and HATED it even more. Then I heard Deep Peace live in London and was blown away. Then I read his autobiography, then Transcendence hit and I loved both of them. I even went back and revisited the Steve Vai stuff and liked it a lot. (I still don't care for Strapping Young Lad, though). I dig his candor, and I dig how ingrained his music is in his life. It's HIM, for better or worse, and that's appealing.
I have been stuck at that point for over 20 years. :lol
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Exactly. He's so genuine and unique. There are albums I don't enjoy of his but most I do. But I absolutely love the guy as an artist.
I started when AE came out. Empath still blows me away.
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I've been diving a little deeper into the Devin catalogue lately. Specifically, going through the lesser stuff in the By A Thread set and the Contain Us set.
It's worth it to seek out the clips from the guitar clinic (on the BAT DVDs) and there is some gold on the DVDs for Contain Us.
I think right now, Addicted! is my current favorite. I can't seem to get "Bend It Like Bender!" and "Numbered!" out of my head.
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While I think Terria is his best and most ambitious album ever, Addicted is my favorite. Every track is money, and it's such a fun, easy listen. Every song is a major winner.
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Addicted is awesome, and if you like Bend it Like Bender (which I do) you really need to check out the live version from Retinal Circus, it's so over the top and I love it all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1yK_5ApVug (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1yK_5ApVug)
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I've been diving a little deeper into the Devin catalogue lately. Specifically, going through the lesser stuff in the By A Thread set and the Contain Us set.
It's worth it to seek out the clips from the guitar clinic (on the BAT DVDs) and there is some gold on the DVDs for Contain Us.
I think right now, Addicted! is my current favorite. I can't seem to get "Bend It Like Bender!" and "Numbered!" out of my head.
Yes, By A Thread and Contain Us have some amazing bonuses.
"Numbered!" and "Bend It Like Bender!" I instantly fell in love with. Also, this is when I really adored AVG's vocals. Specifically her performance on "Numbered!" (The Gentle Storm band has even played this song live as well). It actually is the fun party album.
It would've been a neat experience to have actually seen the By a Thread performances and how each one has a specific type of vibe and atmosphere, which are based on the music style of the album.
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Addicted is also the album that got me into Devin, with my curiosity being piqued by the video of him tracking Resolve! and just rocking out doing so. I initially hated him based on my response to his abysmal Natural Science cover on the Working Man album. Even when I softened up to harsh vocals, I couldn't really get into him much, in spite of owning Accelerated Evolution. But I picked up Addicted and loved the hell out of it. I don't own all his releases, but I do have a good portion.
The video of him completely recording a (really good) demo of Stars in two hours is a fascinating watch.
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The clinic clips are hilarious. He's basically sitting there noodling on a guitar (the Peavey model they made for him) giving a stream of consciousness monologue (which is at times insightful - say what you want, the guy is in touch with his feelings - and at times hilariously off the wall - his inability to pee in public). Interspersed with asides like "Is this what you do at a clinic? Wait, should I wank some more?"
There's also a clip on the Contain Us DVD that I call "Devin Unleashed" that is just some sick, massive technique guitar playing - I knew he was good, but that mofo can flat out PLAY - that he immediately dismisses as something you play when you're a dungeon master in 12th grade and have nothing better to do, or something like that, then he talks about the development of his art. You have to wade through the nonsense, but there's some real insight in there.
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I remember those clips. I cannot remember which one it is, but I love the moment where he said the last thing he would want to do is bore us, looks back, some canned laughter hits, and he looks back at us like, "oh, shit." :lol :lol
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The clinic clips are hilarious. He's basically sitting there noodling on a guitar (the Peavey model they made for him) giving a stream of consciousness monologue (which is at times insightful - say what you want, the guy is in touch with his feelings - and at times hilariously off the wall - his inability to pee in public). Interspersed with asides like "Is this what you do at a clinic? Wait, should I wank some more?"
There's also a clip on the Contain Us DVD that I call "Devin Unleashed" that is just some sick, massive technique guitar playing - I knew he was good, but that mofo can flat out PLAY - that he immediately dismisses as something you play when you're a dungeon master in 12th grade and have nothing better to do, or something like that, then he talks about the development of his art. You have to wade through the nonsense, but there's some real insight in there.
You have to go see a live show of his. The way he talks to the crowd is very much like what you are describing here. It's really entertaining to see him "giving a stream of consciousness monologue". His acoustic show was maybe the best for this since he had a lot of freedom as it was a solo show. Even mid song just saying such random hilarious things that pop into his mind.
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I still don't know that much of Devin Townsend's discography yet (I've only heard four of his albums and have only listened to Ocean Machine and Ziltoid the Omniscient a lot), but I think I can safely say that Thing Beyond Things is one of my favorite songs of all time.
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I still don't know that much of Devin Townsend's discography yet (I've only heard four of his albums and have only listened to Ocean Machine and Ziltoid the Omniscient a lot), but I think I can safely say that Thing Beyond Things is one of my favorite songs of all time.
The "trilogy" tends to overshadow it but that song is certainly one of the reasons why the last stretch of Ocean Machine is so magical. :)
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I still don't know that much of Devin Townsend's discography yet (I've only heard four of his albums and have only listened to Ocean Machine and Ziltoid the Omniscient a lot), but I think I can safely say that Thing Beyond Things is one of my favorite songs of all time.
The "trilogy" tends to overshadow it but that song is certainly one of the reasons why the last stretch of Ocean Machine is so magical. :)
I'd say the whole 5-song run from Regulator to Thing Beyond Things is fantastic. The whole album is pretty great, but once Regulator starts, that's when it gets on a whole new level of greatness.
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A recent listen of Empath did not change my opinion of it. I still think it is a bit too schizo and all over the place, and not for the better more often than not, but there are some killer moments. Singularity is a tough listen, as there are parts of it I cannot get into, but the "There Be Monsters" section is bad as hell (FACE THE REALITY, WAR!!), and then of course the final section is just crazy good. I just wish the rest of the song around those two sections was as awesome.
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The Puzzle and Snuggles finally have a release date of October 8.
https://devintownsendshop.com/
Looks like both albums are bundled together if you get the CDs or Boxset, and sold separately on vinyl.
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0551/1279/4311/products/ThePuzzle-frontcoverFINAL_1296x.jpg?v=1625755747)
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0551/1279/4311/products/Snuggles-frontcoverFINAL_1296x.jpg?v=1625755858)
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I'm buying that boxset.
Love the entire concept of this.
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I must admit I'm a bit out of the loop with these releases. Had he talked much about them because I can't really remember seeing many interviews.
Anyway, he's posted a teaser for each album on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/100044497596874/posts/364011068425477/ (https://www.facebook.com/100044497596874/posts/364011068425477/)
These albums seem to be the spiritual successors to Deconstruction/Ghost. I know I will personally be more drawn to The Puzzle. Looking forward to it.
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box set looks super neat and wooooow that's a lotta money for something that doesn't even contain physical releases
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I must admit I'm a bit out of the loop with these releases. Had he talked much about them because I can't really remember seeing many interviews.
Anyway, he's posted a teaser for each album on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/100044497596874/posts/364011068425477/ (https://www.facebook.com/100044497596874/posts/364011068425477/)
These albums seem to be the spiritual successors to Deconstruction/Ghost. I know I will personally be more drawn to The Puzzle. Looking forward to it.
Those teasers feel more like Devlab / The Hummer, tbh. :P I'm intrigued but mildly cautious as well.
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Yeah these albums are gonna be more ambient/experimental. Similar to Devlab and Hummer but I think maybe a little bit more accessible. Lightwork is his next actual song-oriented release but I wouldn’t expect that until next year.
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I'm disappointed the boxset doesn't come with an actual puzzle. That's a missed opportunity. :biggrin:
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I've seen him mention "The Puzzle" here and there on his Twitter account but this is the first time I've heard about this Snuggles thing. Looks like I can just get them together in one Digipak, so that's cool. Kind of reminds me of how Z2 was.
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I must admit I'm a bit out of the loop with these releases. Had he talked much about them because I can't really remember seeing many interviews.
Anyway, he's posted a teaser for each album on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/100044497596874/posts/364011068425477/ (https://www.facebook.com/100044497596874/posts/364011068425477/)
These albums seem to be the spiritual successors to Deconstruction/Ghost. I know I will personally be more drawn to The Puzzle. Looking forward to it.
I can understand even some of his bigger fans being out of the loop on everything he's been up to. He literally has like 10 things going at once lately. You have The Puzzle/Snuggles, Lightwork, and The Moth. He's doing live streams of albums, benefit streams, doing film stuff, he has streamed material he's not sure where it will end up (some material with Vai). etc. etc. etc.
I try to follow along as best I can and I gave up trying to keep up lol.
I must admit I'm a bit out of the loop with these releases. Had he talked much about them because I can't really remember seeing many interviews.
Anyway, he's posted a teaser for each album on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/100044497596874/posts/364011068425477/ (https://www.facebook.com/100044497596874/posts/364011068425477/)
These albums seem to be the spiritual successors to Deconstruction/Ghost. I know I will personally be more drawn to The Puzzle. Looking forward to it.
Those teasers feel more like Devlab / The Hummer, tbh. :P I'm intrigued but mildly cautious as well.
I agree based on what he's said about them they MAY have a little more direction than Devlab/The Hummer but it really sounds like it's going that way. As big a fan of him that I am, even I have a difficult time with some of that material.
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I must admit I'm a bit out of the loop with these releases. Had he talked much about them because I can't really remember seeing many interviews.
Anyway, he's posted a teaser for each album on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/100044497596874/posts/364011068425477/ (https://www.facebook.com/100044497596874/posts/364011068425477/)
These albums seem to be the spiritual successors to Deconstruction/Ghost. I know I will personally be more drawn to The Puzzle. Looking forward to it.
Those teasers feel more like Devlab / The Hummer, tbh. :P I'm intrigued but mildly cautious as well.
I believe he specifically said its similar to those, which makes me uninterested if I'm being honest. The boxset looks really awesome though. I'll check it out, but as much as I'm a big Devin fan, this isn't an immediate buy for me.
On another note, I think it's crazy how he's quarantining in a hotel in the UK before his shows next week. I guess he's unvaccinated, not to bring that into the convo, but I find it really extreme to do all this for two concerts. He's playing with a backing band from the UK too. Not sure who, but he did say none of the Haken guys on twitter.
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Not really though. He created "songs" out of jams and sent them out to other musicians as "guides" and gave them the reigns to do whatever with them. He got them back, made adjustments and created the songs.
That is what has me intrigued and might make me get the boxset.
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Heard samples of these on youtube. I think I'm gonna have zero use for The Puzzle side but the Snuggles video had a Ghost vibe with Che involved, so that's an automatic yes for me. Those two are an amazing combo
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Heard samples of these on youtube. I think I'm gonna have zero use for The Puzzle side but the Snuggles video had a Ghost vibe with Che involved, so that's an automatic yes for me. Those two are an amazing combo
This is a project that is more like a movie soundtrack. This is the sole reason the boxset is the videos, the album on USB and the Snuggles video on USB.
Just having these videos is expensive. Just look at how much Tools album cost physically as it included a video screen.
The Puzzle seems like it's going to be a bigger video screen. Could be the same small size.
Not to be mean and Frank, but it's like some of you didn't read the description of the Puzzle Project and what it is.
This Puzzle Project is not your typical album. If you are expecting that, then I don't know what to say other than you are guaranteed disappointment. Devin explained what this project is.
I personally think that's awesome and unique. The entire premise of The Puzzle is neat too. The main draw and purpose is to listen to the music while watching the videos to fully indulge in The Puzzle Project.
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The new song with Sepultura is freaking awesome
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The new song with Sepultura is freaking awesome
Que? I'm guessing this was something played at Bloodstock. Is a Sepultura song ft. Devin Townsend or vice versa?
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The new song with Sepultura is freaking awesome
Que? I'm guessing this was something played at Bloodstock. Is a Sepultura song ft. Devin Townsend or vice versa?
Sepultura feat. Devin Townsend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gRHQ2nLKQ0
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Puzzle finally coming out tomorrow :corn
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Puzzle finally coming out tomorrow :corn
I have no idea what to expect from this
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Puzzle finally coming out tomorrow :corn
I have no idea what to expect from this
Me either. I'm trying to piece it together though.
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:lol
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That’s brilliant. :lol
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Are both Puzzles and Snuggles coming out tomorrow or just Puzzles?
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I guess yes
Puzzle update! So despite moving the release date back twice already we're still facing supply issues with some of the box set elements and with about half the Red Splatter exclusive vinyl on devintownsendshop.com that still haven't arrived. Any orders containing these items won't get shipped until they arrive, hopefully, next week latest.
Adding to the delays is the partial lockdown in The Netherlands where the main warehouse is based. It means that all the staff hired to help with packing up the thousands of orders were sent home and it's now operating with one (very stressed) man to do all the work on his own.
The pallets with products going to the UK, USA, Finnish and Australian webshops are currently en-route, likely to arrive next week if customs decide to play it nice.
We've decided to stick to the December 3rd release date though so both The Puzzle and Snuggles will be available tomorrow on all digital platforms worldwide for your listening pleasure.
We apologize for the ongoing hassle and appreciate your patience tremendously.
Jasper - on behalf of Team Dev.
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Welp, I've tried to buy the friggin' CD pack off of his website about five times now, and it rejects me no matter what I try to pay with, so that's a wrap on that I guess. Sucks. I was hoping it'd be available through Amazon or my record store or something.
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RYM says they’re ambient albums in case that wasn’t already known.
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Just sampled some snips from both albums... not for me
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Just finished my first listen of The Puzzle and yeah this definitely isn't going to be for everyone :lol
That said the second half of this album is a lot more palatable than the first in terms of it being a lot less chaotic and "random". With the exception of the final track, everything from Perfect Owl onward was quite nice.
Onto Snuggles now.
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Just sampled some snips from both albums... not for me
Same. Sadly.
I respect the hell out of him doing what he wants, how we wants, but it’s not for me.
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Snuggles is definitely an ambient album alright
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to me the puzzle really feels like a natural extension of empath but the metalheads aren't gonna be thrilled by it
i do believe snuggles had the same amount of care put into it as the puzzle but it's hard for it to not feel like an afterthought by comparison, even if it's quite pleasant
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Just sampled some snips from both albums... not for me
Same. Sadly.
I respect the hell out of him doing what he wants, how we wants, but it’s not for me.
Yup, I think it's great that he has the freedom to do things like this. I was hoping there would be something for me, but I dont think thats the case and that's OK. He's already working on another album and I'd imagine that is more in line with what I would enjoy from him.
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The Puzzle is amazing. Listened to the CD I got today during a car ride. Very impressive stuff.
Snuggles ... meh, also based on one listen.
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I'd say Puzzle is his Magnum Opus. It is a culmination of his entire spectrum of genre styles he has done. These are the pieces to the puzzle. That's what I hear anyways.
I enjoyed the listen when I was doing my school work. Kittenhead and Me and the Moon are neat songs. Anxiety in Pajamas, perfectly describes itself.
I haven't heard Snuggles yet, but The Puzzle is something special and I enjoy it for what it is.
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Listened to the first few tracks of Puzzle today but wasn't grabbed. Went on to listen to Empath again, though, which is still awesome for me.
It took me over 6 months after it was released to be in the right mood for Empath, though, so I'm not in a rush.
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Devin is always an auto-buy for me, so I will be getting these today.
I thought the main disc of Empath was a bit underwhelming (some great moments, but they were fleeting), so I am ready for a Devin studio album to hit that sweet spot from start to finish again. I listen to the Tests of Manhood bonus disc more now than I do Empath.
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I've listened to both albums once each.
First impression of Puzzle is that I need at least 10 more listens before I can wrap my head around my first listen. Puzzle is a very accurate title for this album.
To those saying the album isn't for them, I totally understand. I would encourage you to at least check out the closing track, Monuments of Glitch, before dismissing it entirely. That song to me seems to be the most "typical Devin" sounding song, if that makes sense.
Snuggles is one big, ethereal, ambient mush and I'm all for it. Ghost is one of my favorite Devin albums, and although Snuggles isn't as song-focused as Ghost, it still scratches that itch for this aspect of Devin's sound.
I'm waiting till my physical copy arrives with the Blu-Ray to listen to them again, but overall I really like this duology.
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WTF I never understand anything Devin. I am not a diehard fan or anything so just check him out once in a while and there's a couple of songs with him I often spin. Then suddenly Spotify mentions there's a new album out; ok nice! It's long big etc. but when I start it I hear a live audience? But at the same time I am sure it's not live. Just a sample I guess for some reason that fits? Anyway, then I come here to get answers and everyone talks about Snuggles. Even more confused. Check him on Spotify again and voila, another album just released?!
Firstly; who has the time to do that? Secondly; how dare he! Thirdly; are they both released at the same time as some kind of double album thingy?
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Don't forget when he released three different albums (counting Sky Blue and Dark Matters as separate) in 2014. This isn't exactly new for him. :lol
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okay, I'm pretty confident that The Puzzle is one of the best things Devin has ever done. Holy shit, what a record!
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Don't forget when he released three different albums (counting Sky Blue and Dark Matters as separate) in 2014. This isn't exactly new for him. :lol
Haha yeah, that's what I am saying! It's fun however, he is a creative soul and not knowing anything about what he is doing until the day it's released adds some excitement. I like Devin so much that I almost feel like I am forcing myself to like the music sometimes. I really want to love it more than I do. However Empath was cool and this seems interesting! Will def give it a couple of spins 😊
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Devin is pretty active on Twitter if you are interested in following what he is working on so it isn't a surprise
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I'm struggling to resonate with The Puzzle. Despite the album being built upon "jams", ironically my biggest problem with it is that hardly any ideas feel developed enough. The moment something cool gets introduced it's gone seconds later. I get that the chaotic and schizophrenic nature of the album is the whole point, but it's not something I particularly enjoy.
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I almost get the feeling that now that Devin has gotten these works out of his system, that the next album he's almost finished with "Lightwork" is going to be something most o fhis fans will really enjoy. It seems he follows up his more experimental albums with something really good.
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It seems he follows up his more experimental albums with something really good.
And what if the 'more experimental albums' are actually 'something really good'?
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It seems he follows up his more experimental albums with something really good.
And what if the 'more experimental albums' are actually 'something really good'?
Yeah, I probably shouldn't word it that way, but for my tastes.
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I almost get the feeling that now that Devin has gotten these works out of his system, that the next album he's almost finished with "Lightwork" is going to be something most o fhis fans will really enjoy. It seems he follows up his more experimental albums with something really good.
I don't have a Puzzle/Snuggles shaped hole in my musical heart at the moment.
Really looking forward to Lightwork. I seem to remember Dev said he was writing with an outside producer for that.
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I almost get the feeling that now that Devin has gotten these works out of his system, that the next album he's almost finished with "Lightwork" is going to be something most o fhis fans will really enjoy. It seems he follows up his more experimental albums with something really good.
I don't have a Puzzle/Snuggles shaped hole in my musical heart at the moment.
Really looking forward to Lightwork. I seem to remember Dev said he was writing with an outside producer for that.
He mentioned a surprise guest too
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cue Diego Tejeida
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cue Diego Tejeida
That wouldn't be a surprise though, the hint sounded like a bigger name that would be kind of a shock. Similar to Chad Kroeger having a guest spot on Empath since he alluded to the guest on Empath
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cue Diego Tejeida
If you didn't notice. He's on Puzzle. :biggrin:
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I wish The Puzzle had some song-by-song credits. I know Diego's on there but I have no idea where. :lol
The weird synth boops on The Yugas feel like something he'd do, but I'm probably way off there.
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I wish The Puzzle had some song-by-song credits. I know Diego's on there but I have no idea where. :lol
The weird synth boops on The Yugas feel like something he'd do, but I'm probably way off there.
maybe he's the growls :lol
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Or the vocals on Kittenhead. So youthful!
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I still need to get both of these two new albums. I am a bad fan. :( :(
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cue Diego Tejeida
That wouldn't be a surprise though, the hint sounded like a bigger name that would be kind of a shock. Similar to Chad Kroeger having a guest spot on Empath since he alluded to the guest on Empath
I'm going to guess Geddy Lee. That would be awesome! :metal
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I gave in and bought the deluxe box set of The Puzzle/Snuggles. I wanted to see the video that goes along with this music, which I am very interested in seeing now that I heard the album.
And I completely forgot he got Puddles The Clown on it. I wonder where he is on the album...
Watching the documentary now and this album does sum up the feelings of the Pandemic. Seeing how this album came to fruition gives me more respect for the album and makes me love it that much more now. Especially that it's an independently made album as the label wanted no involvement and wanted to focus on Lightwork, which allowed Devin to have free reign over it. Which gives more reason for why I said The Puzzle is his Magnum Opus.
Especially this quote I typed out from the Documentary...
"How do you recognize how much of your internal process is based on years of patterns you haven't questioned, your bias, your fear, your unconscious dialogue. And that how much of your life do you become a slave to, your a slave to your own fear, your a slave to your own process...people pleasing. And the more I thought about it the more I looked around, the more this theme started to be appearing as a universal trait in a lot of the artists that I knew, and had worked with. And the pandemic, on some perverse level, allowed us all to sit with it because there was no place to run. And frankly, I found myself really grateful for that, in a weird way. And the theme of how one makes peace with themselves, and with their own mind, during a period of what could be called profound adversarial circumstances, struck me as a great opportunity for personal growth. Because no longer was I able to, sort of put aside those thoughts and escape on tour or something. All your insecurities are laid bare when there's no place to run."
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cue Diego Tejeida
That wouldn't be a surprise though, the hint sounded like a bigger name that would be kind of a shock. Similar to Chad Kroeger having a guest spot on Empath since he alluded to the guest on Empath
I'm going to guess Geddy Lee. That would be awesome! :metal
Steven Wilson? Who a year ago said he had no idea who Devin was lol
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cue Diego Tejeida
That wouldn't be a surprise though, the hint sounded like a bigger name that would be kind of a shock. Similar to Chad Kroeger having a guest spot on Empath since he alluded to the guest on Empath
I'm going to guess Geddy Lee. That would be awesome! :metal
Steven Wilson? Who a year ago said he had no idea who Devin was lol
As much as I love most of Steven Wilson's music, he always comes across as a pretentious douche-canoe. How did he not know who one of the most respected musician/producers in the prog community is, especially amongst contemporaries?
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That is fairly baffling for Wilson to not know who he is. Maybe not know his music is understandable, but not know of him? Either way, Wilson is a dick IMO.
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SW is much more enjoyable if you concentrate on his music and not give a shit about what he says or thinks.
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Yeah, there's lots of artists like that who make great music but I can't stand their personality. I usually don't let it hold me back from enjoying the music, but sometimes it does. Not sure I reached that point personally with Wilson, but I didnt even check out his latest album because the singles werent any good for me. TBh, his comments regarding Greta Van Fleet did piss me off though.
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Yeah, there's lots of artists like that who make great music but I can't stand their personality. I usually don't let it hold me back from enjoying the music, but sometimes it does. Not sure I reached that point personally with Wilson, but I didnt even check out his latest album because the singles werent any good for me. TBh, his comments regarding Greta Van Fleet did piss me off though.
You didn't miss much, The Future Bites is his worst solo album by a lot IMO. I'm all over the new PT though, and will still continue to enjoy his music no matter how big of a douche he is sometimes..
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SW is much more enjoyable if you concentrate on his music and not give a shit about what he says or thinks.
I'm usually very good at putting the "douche-canoe" aside and enjoying the work. The problem for me with Wilson is that the work doesn't deliver for me. He's top three most over-rated artists for me on this board (Radiohead is in there too, and I'm leaving the third open for further thought! :) ).
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SW is much more enjoyable if you concentrate on his music and not give a shit about what he says or thinks.
I'm usually very good at putting the "douche-canoe" aside and enjoying the work. The problem for me with Wilson is that the work doesn't deliver for me. He's top three most over-rated artists for me on this board (Radiohead is in there too, and I'm leaving the third open for further thought! :) ).
DT? :neverusethis:
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SW is much more enjoyable if you concentrate on his music and not give a shit about what he says or thinks.
I'm usually very good at putting the "douche-canoe" aside and enjoying the work. The problem for me with Wilson is that the work doesn't deliver for me. He's top three most over-rated artists for me on this board (Radiohead is in there too, and I'm leaving the third open for further thought! :) ).
I suspect you mean Haken, but which means three strikes and you're out. :)
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If you think Radiohead is overrated here then whoo boy... :lol
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I like some of Radiohead's music, but the praise I've seen heaped on them over the years on the internet and from "real life" friends is probably second only to The Beatles. So of course there's nowhere to go other than failure to meet expectations from there. If this was 2010 I'd probably say it was Opeth, and I even say that as someone who considers them one of my absolute favorite bands. But their stylistic shift has brought out enough backlash that their perch in the music pantheon is more reasonable now.
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Devin Townsend Surprise Releases New 50-Minute Track (https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/devin_townsend_surprise_releases_new_50-minute_track.html)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy6bwgL_Fw8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy6bwgL_Fw8)
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Devin Townsend Surprise Releases New 50-Minute Track (https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/devin_townsend_surprise_releases_new_50-minute_track.html)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy6bwgL_Fw8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy6bwgL_Fw8)
I got about 10 minutes into it and that was enough. Nice ambient piece of music, but I can't see that being something I'd ever go out of my way to hear. Sounds like the music that ought to be playing when I get my monthly full body massage. :hat :hat
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My Puzzle Boxset is finally shipping.
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I just want to finally see the movie part of this damn thing...
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I just want to finally see the movie part of this damn thing...
Same...
And also see how soft and squishy the plushy toy is.
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Anyone know how that Lightwork album is coming along? That's all I'm really interested in.
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He was pretty much done with it, and was close to the deadline, but was unhappy with how it sounded so he’s working on it a bit more. ETA is September, last I heard.
It’s also Dev’s 50th Birthday today!! :metal
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I just received my Box Set and it is a big box...You open it up and the video screen is in the lid, there's a tape over the sensor you have to take off to let it play, it plays when you open the box, no volume control either but it's still neat. I don't have time to watch the video. The booklet is really cool, it's comic book like and has some pretty neat artwork. Snuggles and Puzzle are on USB. The plushy is a nice size and the figures are pretty neat too...
I would say money well spent, and it's up there with my Casualties of Cool boxset.
(https://i.ibb.co/BPTNmwH/Devin-Townsend-The-Puzzle-boxset.jpg) (https://ibb.co/W3BtQsN)
(https://i.ibb.co/mh3D8Pd/Devin-Townsend-The-Puzzle-boxset-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BT9zNYv)
(https://i.ibb.co/RyTJkSf/Devin-Townsend-The-Puzzle-boxset-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fvdTzSf)
(https://i.ibb.co/g93CmTn/Devin-Townsend-The-Puzzle-boxset-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yPXJdy3)
(https://i.ibb.co/2qFL9F2/Devin-Townsend-The-Puzzle-boxset-5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4WFDqFy)
(https://i.ibb.co/zXhZFd7/Devin-Townsend-The-Puzzle-boxset-6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tqMDzRx)
(https://i.ibb.co/dKv7718/Devin-Townsend-The-Puzzle-boxset-7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9Y0GGzQ)
Also...I put in the USB's and there is a web-link on the files that gives you access to a website with all the stuff that is on the USB. The websites are actually pretty neat. The USB's also have all the other goodies, such as his Sisters e-book in PDF.
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Saw Devin last night, as support for DT, but he was solo and did an acoustic set. Mentioned something about the band leaving and financial stuff (the latter on Instagram). As per usual, he did an outstanding job with his act - lots of jokes, etc. His voice, even after 2 months on tour so far, was killer and the lack of other instrumentation just made it stand out even more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U9XdKhhzFU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfJ5gQV829k
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Saw Devin last night, as support for DT, but he was solo and did an acoustic set. Mentioned something about the band leaving and financial stuff (the latter on Instagram). As per usual, he did an outstanding job with his act - lots of jokes, etc. His voice, even after 2 months on tour so far, was killer and the lack of other instrumentation just made it stand out even more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U9XdKhhzFU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfJ5gQV829k
He had to let his band go in the middle of a tour due to financial reasons? I think that's the first I've ever heard of anything like that.
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Yea, what happened?
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Yea, what happened?
This is what Devin posted on his IG
"Due to cancellations early in the tour, it has made it necessary for us to make some difficult decisions for the last two shows. It was either I cancelled the shows entirely, or catch a ride with Dream Theater and play acoustic. I hope you enjoy it… it’s the best solution in a crummy financial scenario. Thanks Sofia, Bulgaria, thank you all :)"
I thought DT only cancelled one show but I haven't followed the European run this time around. Were there any more shows cancelled? Was it more than 1?
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Yea, what happened?
This is what Devin posted on his IG
"Due to cancellations early in the tour, it has made it necessary for us to make some difficult decisions for the last two shows. It was either I cancelled the shows entirely, or catch a ride with Dream Theater and play acoustic. I hope you enjoy it… it’s the best solution in a crummy financial scenario. Thanks Sofia, Bulgaria, thank you all :)"
I thought DT only cancelled one show but I haven't followed the European run this time around. Were there any more shows cancelled? Was it more than 1?
I thought it was just the one show in Spain?
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He mentioned they couldn't even bring merch, "so buy more DT merch!" he said.
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He mentioned they couldn't even bring merch, "so buy more DT merch!" he said.
Hmmm - the whole thing sounds strange to me. But what do I know..
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Yeah the situation is very odd and shitty, that qoute doesn't mentioning letting the band go though. Sounds more like logistical issues getting place to place. But I honestly don't know. If he had to let his band go due to finances, that's really terrible. But I admire him pushing through. I saw a tweet where he mentioned he didn't even have his gear so was asking someone if he could borrow an acoustic guitar.
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He mentioned they couldn't even bring merch, "so buy more DT merch!" he said.
This would be weird as Arch Echo had merch in the US tour. I don't think I've ever seen a DT support acts NOT selling merch...
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He definitely had merch with him when I saw DT&DT in Amsterdam just two weeks ago.
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He had merch on the Euro tour. Probably just didn't have room for it!
I hope this isn't some kind of situation where Dream Theater could have been more flexible with their touring capacities and saved the day for the whole band but didn't.
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He mentioned they couldn't even bring merch, "so buy more DT merch!" he said.
This would be weird as Arch Echo had merch in the US tour. I don't think I've ever seen a DT support acts NOT selling merch...
I am pretty sure it costs to ship out Merch over seas.
This is very revealing. It's showing that musicians do not make as much money as people assume. And also, how much difficult it is financially to play across seas. A lot of stuff has raised in price and this has an effect on a lot of things people do not realize are integral to making such an event happen.
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He mentioned they couldn't even bring merch, "so buy more DT merch!" he said.
This would be weird as Arch Echo had merch in the US tour. I don't think I've ever seen a DT support acts NOT selling merch...
I am pretty sure it costs to ship out Merch over seas.
This is very revealing. It's showing that musicians do not make as much money as people assume. And also, how much difficult it is financially to play across seas. A lot of stuff has raised in price and this has an effect on a lot of things people do not realize are integral to making such an event happen.
His bio reveals a lot of the finances he went through when the had the Devin Townsend Project band going on. He said he was always stressed about money since he felt it was his responsability to take care of the other band members and managers and paying storage for equipment, etc. For Devin, unfortunately, it's nothing new. He has been through this so he knew it was better to pull the plug a bit sooner and not end up in red.
I think he has always done better financially better as a headliner than support (as this case shows it). Hopefully he can get back into a headlining tour soon.
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He had merch on the Euro tour. Probably just didn't have room for it!
I hope this isn't some kind of situation where Dream Theater could have been more flexible with their touring capacities and saved the day for the whole band but didn't.
It really seems like logistics issues. Not sure how DT could save them, there's only so much room in the bus.
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He mentioned they couldn't even bring merch, "so buy more DT merch!" he said.
When I saw Fish last, on the 13th Star tour, he did I think like 20 shows, and he would schedule off-property "meet and greets", meaning he would show up at a local bar and sign shit; he had Yatta bring all the merch they could because the venues were taking a cut and he didn't want to pay it. I remember in Philly he showed up and he was in a foul mood because he got the place wrong and then he didn't have his full march offering; it was I think a box of t-shirts or something.
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He mentioned they couldn't even bring merch, "so buy more DT merch!" he said.
When I saw Fish last, on the 13th Star tour, he did I think like 20 shows, and he would schedule off-property "meet and greets", meaning he would show up at a local bar and sign shit; he had Yatta bring all the merch they could because the venues were taking a cut and he didn't want to pay it. I remember in Philly he showed up and he was in a foul mood because he got the place wrong and then he didn't have his full march offering; it was I think a box of t-shirts or something.
I follow Fish on Facebook and occasionally watch his videos/read his posts. He's talked about this quite a bit, especially in Europe where the venues are taking a larger and larger cut of the merch revenues. I'm not sure if this is related but between that and other issues (Visas?) I can see why bands and artists could be running into major issues touring.
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He had merch on the Euro tour. Probably just didn't have room for it!
I hope this isn't some kind of situation where Dream Theater could have been more flexible with their touring capacities and saved the day for the whole band but didn't.
It really seems like logistics issues. Not sure how DT could save them, there's only so much room in the bus.
Yes, let's not start pointing fingers when we have no idea what really is going on here. It does seem odd to me though, that by canceling one show, he would not be able to bring his band with him for the final two show's of the tour. I mean, you would think they have already rented the buses/trucks etc for the full tour ahead of time. And I would of thought the promoter of the cancelled show would be the one taking it in the ass on that. But none of us know what's really going on, and we're all just speculating for the sake of it. Lol
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He mentioned they couldn't even bring merch, "so buy more DT merch!" he said.
When I saw Fish last, on the 13th Star tour, he did I think like 20 shows, and he would schedule off-property "meet and greets", meaning he would show up at a local bar and sign shit; he had Yatta bring all the merch they could because the venues were taking a cut and he didn't want to pay it. I remember in Philly he showed up and he was in a foul mood because he got the place wrong and then he didn't have his full march offering; it was I think a box of t-shirts or something.
I have read/heard the same things about venues taking higher cuts on merch. The Neal Morse Band in this European tour will NOT be accepting credit cards at all. Not sure why but that is what Neal posted on FB. Maybe CC processing fees, exchange rate, and cuts for venues just take a lot of the profit.
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Reading this last page and this is really interesting. Would love to hear the reasons for all of this.
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This sounds sucky for all. Be interested to hear more.
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I don't think DT limited him in any way, if anything they went out of their way to help him out. In one of his comedic rants he thanked them and the crew for taking care of him, cooking, etc. so it does seem like he was kind of like hitch-hiking and just having 2 acoustic guitars with him. As for the band, he said they left but "they didn't piss each other or anything" but that's as far as he went into it. I guess he couldn't afford to bring merch or there was not enough room.
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I think he ran out of merch just basing it off on people saying he was selling some during this European run. I guess he couldn't get enough stock in time for the last few shows and decided to cut the losses.
By the way, he just announced the Lightwork European Tour for 2023. Guessing new album announcement is coming soon.
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If the guy can't bring his band, I'd imagine it's the same reason he couldn't bring the merch.
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By the way, he just announced the Lightwork European Tour for 2023. Guessing new album announcement is coming soon.
If you look in the bottom-right corner of the tour dates image it says it's releasing late October.
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By the way, he just announced the Lightwork European Tour for 2023. Guessing new album announcement is coming soon.
If you look in the bottom-right corner of the tour dates image it says it's releasing late October.
Nice catch. Loving the artwork!
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Devin Townsend and InsideOut Music are very pleased to announce that the new studio album ‘Lightwork’, produced by Devin and Gggarth Richardson (Biffy Clyro, Rage Against The Machine), will be released on October 28th, 2022. The front cover artwork was designed by long-time friend and designer Travis Smith.
The album will be accompanied by a companion record called ‘Nightwork’, available as part of the limited edition versions of the release. More details on the formats will follow in the coming months, along with pre-order details.
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https://youtu.be/GTFIfWemBak
2023 European Tour Promo has some new music in it.
Sounds like something off of Transcendence.
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The way Devin has talked about Lightwork makes me think I'm going to like it.
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Artwork:
(https://i.ibb.co/R61ZxNt/unnamed.jpg) (https://ibb.co/T0ZpV1J)
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Saw Devin last night, as support for DT, but he was solo and did an acoustic set. Mentioned something about the band leaving and financial stuff (the latter on Instagram). As per usual, he did an outstanding job with his act - lots of jokes, etc. His voice, even after 2 months on tour so far, was killer and the lack of other instrumentation just made it stand out even more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U9XdKhhzFU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfJ5gQV829k
Its utterly amazing how much stage presence he has just him alone with an acoustic guitar.
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Pre-orders are up! New single too, which I'll listen to in a bit.
Lightwork:
01. - Moonpeople
02. - Lightworker
03. - Equinox
04. - Call of the Void
05. - Heartbreaker
06. - Dimensions
07. - Celestial Signals
08. - Heavy Burden
09. - Vacation
10. - Children of God
Nightwork:
01. - Starchasm, Pt. 2
02. - Stampys Blaster
03. - Factions
04. - Yogi
05. - Precious Sardine
06. - Hope is in The World
07. - Children Of Dog
08. - Sober
09. - Boogus
10. - Carry Me Home
https://www.omerch.eu/shop/devintownsend/browse/devin-townsend-us/products/devin-townsend-lightwork-ltd-2cd-digipak-with-free-signed-card
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I haven't been a huge fan of his recent output but that single was a nice way to start the morning, thanks Buddyhunter1.
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hmm, not really sure what to think on first listen. It's really not something I'm immediately interested in if I'm being honest, but there's something intriguing about it.
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New single is nice, though not particularly exciting. Devin's falsetto vocals in the verses are a bit hmm. I like the part after the second chorus with the heavier guitars - apart from that bit the production is pretty restrained for his standards.
I was surprised to see so many songs I've heard before in the tracklist, especially on the main album. Equinox was one of my favorite quarantine songs, so I'm happy to see that on here. Call Of The Void was another good one - I wonder if he's going to beef up the production on it or keep it pretty close to the version we heard in 2020.
I don't really know why Celestial Signals is on here? I like that song, but the version from the Transendence bonus disc was good enough and didn't really leave me thinking "oh yeah, this could be improved a lot".
Can't say I really like any of the three quarantine songs that are appearing on Nightwork (Stampys Blaster, (Heavy) Factions, Precious Sardine). And where the hell is Honeybunch? That was the best one! Maybe he's saving it for something...
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Honeybunch was apparently left out due to an issue getting permission for a sample. Likely the ”Hiya Barbie” sample.
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The new single is fine. I was expecting something a bit like the Epicloud vibe I guess.
I hope this is one of those situations where any singles that come out, prior to release, are far from the best songs on the album, so as you are really pleasantly surprised when you hear the full album. If we get a full album like this it may take a lot for me to really love it.
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Honeybunch was apparently left out due to an issue getting permission for a sample. Likely the ”Hiya Barbie” sample.
Ah, I know he said he had to swap out a song for that reason, but did he confirm it was Honeybunch somewhere? That's a cryin' shame if true.
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Honeybunch was apparently left out due to an issue getting permission for a sample. Likely the ”Hiya Barbie” sample.
Ah, I know he said he had to swap out a song for that reason, but did he confirm it was Honeybunch somewhere? That's a cryin' shame if true.
He hasn’t officially said it, but this site lists Honeybunch in the main tracklisting.
https://napalmrecords.com/lightwork-artbook.html
Dev mentioned on Twitter that one song had to be cut due to an issue with a sample. Now that Honeybunch is missing from the new tracklisting, it would appear to be the song in question.
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Honeybunch was apparently left out due to an issue getting permission for a sample. Likely the ”Hiya Barbie” sample.
Ah, I know he said he had to swap out a song for that reason, but did he confirm it was Honeybunch somewhere? That's a cryin' shame if true.
He hasn’t officially said it, but this site lists Honeybunch in the main tracklisting.
https://napalmrecords.com/lightwork-artbook.html
Dev mentioned on Twitter that one song had to be cut due to an issue with a sample. Now that Honeybunch is missing from the new tracklisting, it would appear to be the song in question.
Makes sense. Looks like "Heartbreaker" is the song that was added as its replacement, then.
Well, here's hoping we get an actual release of Honeybunch sometime later then - if the "Hiya Barbie" part was the issue I think the song would still work perfectly fine without it. It's not like it was part of the main hook or anything.
Or, ya know, someone could just leak it.... :angel:
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I've not followed the quarantine tracks closely at all but:
Moonpeople is great for me. Feels like a slightly poppy cross between Ki and Transcendence. :tup
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Call Of The Void: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpBO0RbLKJ0
The added-in chorus works surprisingly well!
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3 days until Lightwork!
This has been a super good year for music and most of my favorite albums have been from newly-discovered artists rather than old favorites, so we'll see how this measures up :corn
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I've not been overly excited or in anticipation for this album. My Devin Townsend obsession dropped off a bit over the last few years and his last two releases weren't really doing it for me. I've listened to the three singles and although the first one didn't do much for me, the second two were much better.
I'm quietly optimistic and ready to dive back in to Devy :metal
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My Devin enthusiasm has diminished over the last few years, too. I liked "Transcendence" a lot, but could not find a single redeeming quality about "Empath", and I tried so damn hard.
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My Devin enthusiasm has diminished over the last few years, too. I liked "Transcendence" a lot, but could not find a single redeeming quality about "Empath", and I tried so damn hard.
Oh I loved parts of Empath! Why? is a great song. I suppose I just wasn't too into Puzzle/Snuggles, and I've just been getting into loads of other stuff so just kinda had a break.
I did love all the livestreams he was doing throughout the COVID lockdowns and stuff.
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Sad to say, it's another DT release I have no interest in after streaming it once. It starts off fine, but just goes into a style I'm just not interested in other than maybe background noise. I didn't love Empath by any means, but it had it's moments. Sadly, Transcendence does seem to be the last thing he's done that I truly enjoyed though.
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This definitely isn't my favorite style of Devin. I think you have to be in a particular mood for it to shine, though.
Listening to say Call of the Void in the morning with a coffee and a smoke is pretty fantastic though. Kinda meditates you.
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Anyone else quite underwhelmed by the album but thinking the bonus disc is actually better than the album proper?
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Loved (and still love) Empath. No interest in Puzzle/Snuggles but was looking forward to this.
Sadly, disappointed on first listen. Dull and unmemorable were my first impressions.
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Anyone else quite underwhelmed by the album but thinking the bonus disc is actually better than the album proper?
That’s been the case for me with every album since Epicloud. The best stuff is on the bonus discs for some reason
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I actually liked the new album. Of course, it's been several years since I've listened to Devin Townsend at all. Definitely mellower than I remember, but tasty. He's a gifted creator, regardless of style.
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The first four songs are all very nice, especially Equinox. That song's got potential to become one of my favorites. The album definitely gets weirder and more Empath-y from Heartbreaker onward (seems like that's just Devin's style in this phase of his career) and I'll need more listens to decide how I feel about it.
Though Celestial Signals... it's just the demo from Transcendence but with the bridge replacing the chorus, which is a worse chorus. *visible confusion*
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The first four songs are all very nice, especially Equinox. That song's got potential to become one of my favorites. The album definitely gets weirder and more Empath-y from Heartbreaker onward (seems like that's just Devin's style in this phase of his career) and I'll need more listens to decide how I feel about it.
Yeah definitely gets weirder, although still interspersed with some more nice stuff.
I definitely like the album, but not sure it'll end up being a favourite. Need to give it a whole load of listens before I can get a sense of how much I like it.
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Bless Devin for sharing an actual "official" album cover for the bonus disc this time. :hefdaddy
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FgtBe19acAIutNJ?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Wasn’t too excited by the subdued singles but Lightwork actually was a solid first listen. I was genuinely a bit moved by certain tracks. I thought the production although pleasant sounded a bit sterile, especially in the drums department. It does give the other layers more attention which gives the album a bit of a sleepy quality throughout. Wasn’t bored anywhere. I like the focus on palatable, focused songwriting and that actually reminds me a bit of Ocean Machine.
Now halfway through Nightwork and it seems both Hevy Devy and experimental Devin are back in full force.
So far Call of The Void, Equinox, Children of God and Factions are my favorites on first listen. Didn’t like Heavy Burden all that much.
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Good to hear others are digging. Will give it more time. I don't need Dev to be any specific thing so maybe it was a mood thing.
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Sad to say, it's another DT release I have no interest in after streaming it once. It starts off fine, but just goes into a style I'm just not interested in other than maybe background noise. I didn't love Empath by any means, but it had it's moments. Sadly, Transcendence does seem to be the last thing he's done that I truly enjoyed though.
Same here. I just don't get it. It's not like I have an aversion to his mellower music, either. Whatever this phase is he's been going through the last few years, I hope it passes because it's just not doing anything for me at all.
I saw a complete douche over at one of the Devin Facebook groups telling people who don't like "Lightwork" to listen to it with a "deeper mindset". ::)
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While I didn’t like Empath very much, Lightwork is hitting me right on the spot. Probably my favorite since Addicted which is saying a lot.
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Only a couple of listens so far. I am liking this but not loving it yet. Will need a few more listens yet to really know how I feel about this album.
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I'm not in a Devin headspace at the moment (which could change at any moment), but I have bought the deluxe edition and have it ready to go. I am sure one day this week I will get the sudden urge to crank it. Devin hasn't had an album that really wowed me since Casualties of Cool, so crossing my fingers here.
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I'm not in a Devin headspace at the moment (which could change at any moment), but I have bought the deluxe edition and have it ready to go. I am sure one day this week I will get the sudden urge to crank it. Devin hasn't had an album that really wowed me since Casualties of Cool, so crossing my fingers here.
I really hope he does a Casualties of Cool follow up. That is still his best album ever. It also helps that Ché is amazing.
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Lightwork is a weird album. I think the biggest "problem" with it is that Devin's plan to make a more straightforward, accessible album by hiring a producer and purging some of his more chaotic creative energy with The Puzzle didn't really end up succeeding. The start of the album starts off promising in that regard - the first four songs are all quite straightforward, catchy, and immediately-gratifying tunes. I especially love how emotionally-charged the melodies on Equinox sound, and the more subdued instrumentation on Moonpeople is a lovely change of pace for him. The mixing on Call Of The Void feels a bit off to me (that hi-hat is super distracting during the choruses) but it's still a good, peaceful song.
After that song though, things start going a bit off the rails in terms of accessibility. With a couple exceptions, the rest of the songs are sprawling, difficult-to-digest pieces that throw a bunch of different ideas together often at the cost of compositional cohesion. That's not inherently a bad thing, but it does result in the album feeling more like Empath than his more actually accessible albums like Epicloud. I absolutely disliked Empath at first, but that album grew on me like crazy after a few listens as I got used to the chaotic nature of it.
I don't think I'll end up enjoying Lightwork as much as Empath, but I am starting to warm up to the second half of the album in a similar way. Every song has at least one or two fantastic moments - it's just the structure of the songs as a whole that doesn't feel reigned-in enough. Heartbreaker, Dimensions, and Heavy Burden don't even have proper choruses, and I think that's a missed opportunity, especially for Heartbreaker which has a perfect chorus contender at 1:47 that never comes back! Dimensions has that lovely middle section starting at around 2:20, but it's over far too quickly. Heavy Burden has a nice atmosphere to it, but the goofier moments feel a bit pointless. It kinda reminds me of Borderlands, though that song eventually ended up being one of my favorites on Empath after the catchiness and vibe won me over.
Speaking of winning me over, I might actually prefer the new chorus on Celestial Signals after all. It's less bombastic, but the different chord progression does make the song feel less repetitive, and you bet I'd be singing along to that "never regret for a minute" refrain if I were hearing it live.
So yeah, I was initially disappointed with the album and now I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. If anything, I want to keep listening to it, which certainly counts for something. Devin's more recent albums have certainly been more difficult to get into, but I'd probably take that over him starting to sound stale, which I certainly felt on parts of Z2 and Transcendence.
Oh, and I definitely wouldn't call the bonus disk better than the main one here. I could definitely see people preferring Starchasm Part 2 and Factions over anything on the main disc - those are some kickass and immediate songs that leave me wanting more heavy Devin material - but most of it feels like odds and ends that wouldn't fit on or improve the album. Thus far I think Transcendence is the only album where I'd actually swap out a couple songs on the main disc for ones on the bonus disc, were it up to me.
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Enjoyed it much more today. The only track that made me feel how I did the first time round was Heavy Burden, which is still a bit of a head-scratcher.
The rest of it sat nicely. It's a pretty cool direction, actually. I was expecting something more typically structured, like DTP, but it's not that at all.
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Now at the end of the second disc. Well, I predict I'll be doing s full 180 on my initial impression!
That's a lot of great stuff on Nightwork. The last three tracks are quiet magic.
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Lightwork is a cool album although I feel the production, especially drums, is a bit sterile. Also all those layers kind of make it less powerful. On the other hand all those layers make it sound immersive and rather pleasant to listen to. I don’t know - I like it in any case. There’s some heavy sections on the bonus disc that would benefit from dirtier sounding drums. I mean, it’s all so controlled and neat. It’s a taste thing but Dev’s music almost sounds too perfect.
Weird thing about Call of the Void: at 04:05 there’s a chorus where the first part of the sentence sounds a bit too low in intonation. I always forget about it but it catches me off guard every time.
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I agree about the production.
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Giving the album some listens and it's much better upon more listens. The album is just typical Devin "oddness". I'm not sure how else to put it, the songs are just not easy to digest. I'm not sure I would rate this as near top end Devin, but it's definitely growing on me to become something enjoyable. I've also listened to Nightwork a couple times and while some tracks did stand out as pretty good, I'm not sure I agree with others saying Nightwork is better than Lightwork. I still need more listens though, it's a lot of dense music when you consider both albums.
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/1592360862249254913
We start writing on Saturday. (Hi
@CheAimee
:)
Dev starts writing the next Casualties of Cool record Saturday.
And if anyone missed it, here’s a COC demo he and Ché started working on a while back.
https://youtu.be/p2GF-k-V_yU
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/1592360862249254913
We start writing on Saturday. (Hi
@CheAimee
:)
Dev starts writing the next Casualties of Cool record Saturday.
And if anyone missed it, here’s a COC demo he and Ché started working on a while back.
https://youtu.be/p2GF-k-V_yU
:corn
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https://twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/1592360862249254913
We start writing on Saturday. (Hi
@CheAimee
:)
Dev starts writing the next Casualties of Cool record Saturday.
And if anyone missed it, here’s a COC demo he and Ché started working on a while back.
https://youtu.be/p2GF-k-V_yU
(https://media.tenor.com/6rQ7UTNNP1QAAAAC/the-office-yes.gif)
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Call me a slacker, but I have finally gotten around to giving Lightwork dedicated listens lately. Not sure what I think of it, to be honest. It's definitely different, and I give Devin a lot of props for that, but not sure I like many of the results. 2014 was really the last time Devin made an album that blew me away from start to finish (Casualties of Cool), so the days of him knocking it out of the park on a consistent basis may just be a thing of the past, for me anyway. Still a huge fan of his, but this album makes me a little sad.
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Call me a slacker, but I have finally gotten around to giving Lightwork dedicated listens lately. Not sure what I think of it, to be honest. It's definitely different, and I give Devin a lot of props for that, but not sure I like many of the results. 2014 was really the last time Devin made an album that blew me away from start to finish (Casualties of Cool), so the days of him knocking it out of the park on a consistent basis may just be a thing of the past, for me anyway. Still a huge fan of his, but this album makes me a little sad.
Yeah, I'm kind of with you here. He's made good songs since then (I would say Transcendence in 2016 was his last good album) but the consistency of making music I'm not into is there. I'm willing to think a lot of it was the Pandemic, but I'm starting to think his break up of DTP was a mistake (at least in terms of making music I personally enjoy, I think the break up might have been good for Devin's personal situation)
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After posting opposing opinions of it, I've not been back to Lightwork much, for whatever reason. Nothing bad there but isn't calling me back.
I'm not convinced of the habit of releasing two albums at once, either. "Here's my artistic statement." is what I want. A succinct album of great stuff you really mean. The right music and the right running time. Regardless of song quality, the extra disc of stuff that didn't make it to the main album weakens the whole, for me.
(Felt the similarly about The Absolute Universe. "Here's a big dump of music we recorded. We can't edit or work out what to do with it. Maybe you can make sense of it...")
I get that Dev has the right intentions but I'd prefer an outstanding EP, tbh.
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I'm not convinced of the habit of releasing two albums at once, either. "Here's my artistic statement." is what I want. A succinct album of great stuff you really mean. The right music and the right running time. Regardless of song quality, the extra disc of stuff that didn't make it to the main album weakens the whole, for me.
That's always what the "main album" is. The other is clearly just bonus stuff / leftovers (with the exception of maybe Snuggles which was intentionally meant to be a contrast to The Puzzle) and I don't see how it affects the proper album at all.
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I'm not convinced of the habit of releasing two albums at once, either. "Here's my artistic statement." is what I want. A succinct album of great stuff you really mean. The right music and the right running time. Regardless of song quality, the extra disc of stuff that didn't make it to the main album weakens the whole, for me.
That's always what the "main album" is. The other is clearly just bonus stuff / leftovers (with the exception of maybe Snuggles which was intentionally meant to be a contrast to The Puzzle) and I don't see how it affects the proper album at all.
And Nightwork isn't meant to contrast Lightwork? I don't know, I see both sides of this. I think it's great for the fans to get to hear all the music created, but I also do think that releasing basically a separate album of bsides, it's almost too much at once and takes away some focus on the main album. Especially when a lot of people consider the left over tracks to be better than the album tracks, which I think is the case for some songs over the last few albums.
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but I also do think that releasing basically a separate album of bsides, it's almost too much at once and takes away some focus on the main album.
Yeah, I don't disagree there, though I think listeners have some responsibility to pace themselves if that much music is too overwhelming for them, and to focus on what's clearly the non-bonus material. My initial reaction to Empath was so surprisingly negative that I did enjoy the bonus disc more at first, and I still think some songs on Transcendence should have been swapped out for some songs on the bonus disc, but apart from that I merely view each of them as neat little extras that give hardcore fans such as myself a handful of good songs that otherwise wouldn't have seen the light of day. None of them work well as standalone albums, even though the sequencing and the seamless transitions help. If there's one thing I think Devin should do differently is maybe present and talk about the bonus discs in a way that doesn't make them sound like extra albums, which he does tend to do. I don't view them that way, because they'd be pretty lackluster albums if they were.
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but I also do think that releasing basically a separate album of bsides, it's almost too much at once and takes away some focus on the main album.
Yeah, I don't disagree there, though I think listeners have some responsibility to pace themselves if that much music is too overwhelming for them, and to focus on what's clearly the non-bonus material. My initial reaction to Empath was so surprisingly negative that I did enjoy the bonus disc more at first, and I still think some songs on Transcendence should have been swapped out for some songs on the bonus disc, but apart from that I merely view each of them as neat little extras that give hardcore fans such as myself a handful of good songs that otherwise wouldn't have seen the light of day. None of them work well as standalone albums, even though the sequencing and the seamless transitions help. If there's one thing I think Devin should do differently is maybe present and talk about the bonus discs in a way that doesn't make them sound like extra albums, which he does tend to do. I don't view them that way, because they'd be pretty lackluster albums if they were.
Nightwork VS Lightwork (part six of seven) (https://youtu.be/6Ge7Xg95sXQ)
He explains what defines a record for him, and that Nightwork represents how disjointed his life was and that he felt lost, which led to him asking GGGarth to help him out with this album.
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Posted this in the Discography Discussion Tracker Thread, posting here for more visibility
Would anyone be interested in a redo of the Devin Townsend discography discussion thread? Ultimetalhead did one back in 2014-2016 covering most of his major releases up to Z2, seen here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=41621.0
Ultimetalhead did a great job, but he left out a lot, and Dev's been busy since then. I'd love to do my own take on this starting from the beginning and covering EVERYTHING. And I do mean EVERYTHING.
I'm talking Grey Skies, Noisescapes, Strapping Young Lad, guest appearances, bonus discs, live albums, Contain Us. You name it.
I made a list of everything I'd like to cover and it's a whopping 62 releases. Not everything warrants its own post of course, and some stuff would be lumped together. For example: Epicloud/Epiclouder/The Retinal Circus would all be one post, all of the Quarantine-era stuff would be one post, etc.
It's a heavy undertaking I'm prepared to undertake, but obviously if there's no interest, then I won't waste my time.
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I’d certainly follow!
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Me too. Big fan here
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I've been getting into Devin more in the last few months (the albums I didn't know before) and I saw him live so I would also follow. Been converted from a casual fan into a big fan.
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Go for it. It's an incredible amount of content to go through and I may personally not be able to follow it all but if you have the desire I think you should do it. Maybe there's some gems to be discovered
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I'd follow; I have no interest in the Strapping Young Lad stuff, but as he aged, matured, and started wearing suits (haha!) I got into it more and more.
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I'd follow; I have no interest in the Strapping Young Lad stuff, but as he aged, matured, and started wearing suits (haha!) I got into it more and more.
Don't forget shaving off the skullet
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Posted this in the Discography Discussion Tracker Thread, posting here for more visibility
Would anyone be interested in a redo of the Devin Townsend discography discussion thread? Ultimetalhead did one back in 2014-2016 covering most of his major releases up to Z2, seen here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=41621.0
Ultimetalhead did a great job, but he left out a lot, and Dev's been busy since then. I'd love to do my own take on this starting from the beginning and covering EVERYTHING. And I do mean EVERYTHING.
I'm talking Grey Skies, Noisescapes, Strapping Young Lad, guest appearances, bonus discs, live albums, Contain Us. You name it.
I made a list of everything I'd like to cover and it's a whopping 62 releases. Not everything warrants its own post of course, and some stuff would be lumped together. For example: Epicloud/Epiclouder/The Retinal Circus would all be one post, all of the Quarantine-era stuff would be one post, etc.
It's a heavy undertaking I'm prepared to undertake, but obviously if there's no interest, then I won't waste my time.
Are you also going to go over the various albums that he did production, engineering, and mixing?
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Posted this in the Discography Discussion Tracker Thread, posting here for more visibility
Would anyone be interested in a redo of the Devin Townsend discography discussion thread? Ultimetalhead did one back in 2014-2016 covering most of his major releases up to Z2, seen here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=41621.0
Ultimetalhead did a great job, but he left out a lot, and Dev's been busy since then. I'd love to do my own take on this starting from the beginning and covering EVERYTHING. And I do mean EVERYTHING.
I'm talking Grey Skies, Noisescapes, Strapping Young Lad, guest appearances, bonus discs, live albums, Contain Us. You name it.
I made a list of everything I'd like to cover and it's a whopping 62 releases. Not everything warrants its own post of course, and some stuff would be lumped together. For example: Epicloud/Epiclouder/The Retinal Circus would all be one post, all of the Quarantine-era stuff would be one post, etc.
It's a heavy undertaking I'm prepared to undertake, but obviously if there's no interest, then I won't waste my time.
Are you also going to go over the various albums that he did production, engineering, and mixing?
Sure. Albums like that aren't included in my overall list of releases, but I'll touch on them along the way
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Although I know most of them I really like only couple of his records. But I would follow nonetheless, to see if I‘m missing something.
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Glad to see there's some interest! I've already started writing the first few entries for this series.
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Nice! I'm in for this. I know all of his stuff (and enjoy a good bit of it), except for the ambient releases.
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Been revisiting Empath since I love Lightwork so much. When Empath was first released, I just didn't get it. It's one of those chaotic Devin albums (kind of like Deconstruction). So I really got deep with Lightwork, I think it's his best work and I loved the idea that he worked with a producer to kind of control that "chaos". Fast forward till yesterday and Empath is clicking...it's slowly clicking to the point where I can actually listen to it in one single sitting.
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Empath is still the only album I can think of that I flat-out disliked my first listen and gradually grew to love. That process was even documented in this thread. :lol
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Empath is amazing. One of my favorites he's done in the last decade if not more.
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Empath is amazing. One of my favorites he's done in the last decade if not more.
Couldn't agree more. It's not all solid gold but with songs like Why? you can't really go wrong.
Empath is still the only album I can think of that I flat-out disliked my first listen and gradually grew to love. That process was even documented in this thread. :lol
I don't flat out dislike the last three, but I hope that I will come to enjoy them more than I currently do.
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I was actually surprised to find out Empath had some mixed reception (i just heard it a few months ago first time) but I guess I can sort of see it. If you prefer a Devy album that has a specific mood, Empath is all over the place. But on the flip side it feels like a greatest hits album almost. It covers a lot of ground from what he does musically but there's just so much good stuff on there. The fact that Singularity is so good as a 23 minute closer is just the cherry on top after everything else is so great. :)
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It's definitely underappreciated, and my favorite of his since Epicloud.
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Singularity is among the best songs he has ever done.
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I'm sure this has been shared before but it's hilarious :lol
Amazon Echo: Devin Townsend Edition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5FVxyWuO-Y
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Looks like the US is now going to get Devin opening for Dream Theater. My two favorite DTs. That should be a fun one!
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https://www.omerch.eu/shop/devintownsend/products/devin-townsend-devolution-series-number-3-empath-live-in-america-ltd-cd-digipak
New release coming soon: Devolution Series #3: Empath Live in America
No clue which show. Not a lot of dates to choose from since that tour got cancelled halfway through.
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https://www.omerch.eu/shop/devintownsend/products/devin-townsend-devolution-series-number-3-empath-live-in-america-ltd-cd-digipak
New release coming soon: Devolution Series #3: Empath Live in America
Is it just me or does it seem a little strange for "Empath Live" to be a part of the name, considering only two of the 11 songs are from Empath.
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It is strange. It leaves out a few of songs that were played frequently on that tour, like Deadhead, War, and Genesis. I'll still pick it up.
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Yeah Im curious which show this or these are from (could be a mix of shows). I saw two shows in 2020 before it shut down so maybe I was at one of these.
EDIT:
Here's Evermore from it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcZ1Yp70kG0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcZ1Yp70kG0)
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This should be interesting. Anneke and Ché are touring together.
https://www.facebook.com/100044573073303/posts/im-delighted-to-announce-that-the-wonderful-ch%C3%A9-aimee-dorval-will-join-me-on-my-/803960457766383/
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Looks like the US is now going to get Devin opening for Dream Theater. My two favorite DTs. That should be a fun one!
:metal
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This should be interesting. Anneke and Ché are touring together.
https://www.facebook.com/100044573073303/posts/im-delighted-to-announce-that-the-wonderful-ch%C3%A9-aimee-dorval-will-join-me-on-my-/803960457766383/
Ooh, they are both amazing. Wonder if the tour will come anywhere close to me.
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https://www.youtube.com/@dream_peace/videos
Dev has uploaded a bunch of material to his DreamPeace channel.
He has 7 ambient albums available for download on HDtracks, if that's something you're into. One of them is just Snuggles under a different name.
https://www.hdtracks.com/#/artist/DreamPeace
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Dev just announced a remaster of Infinity for its 25th Anniversary.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CxfW4ACtUEc/
It comes with 7 bonus tracks, including all the songs from the Christeen EP.
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Interesting... the production is one of my biggest problems with the album so if it's substantially better that'll be a considerable improvement.
Devin looks surprisingly buff on the new cover. :lol
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I’m curious to how a remaster was possible. It was my understanding that the masters for those early albums were destroyed in a flood around the time Alien was recorded.
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I've been listening to Lightwork a whole bunch and it is a excellent album. I just acquired Epicloud and Transcendence on cd and have been enjoying the heck out of those too. Those two are really good albums to listen to back to back. Transcendence is probably the stronger album, but Epicloud has a lot of great moments, especially the second half.
I'm a new Dev fan and started with Lightwork and kind of working my way backwards. I skipped Empath and Z2 just because of availability. I just found and ordered Empath (ultimate edition) from LasersEdge. This is a fun journey so far and it's gonna take a while to go through his discography. I can't believe I turned a blind eye or deaf ears to Devin all this time. The DreamSonic tour won me over to Devy.. :coolio
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I’m curious to how a remaster was possible. It was my understanding that the masters for those early albums were destroyed in a flood around the time Alien was recorded.
I thought they were lost too. Hopefully it's not a weird AI remaster or some shit. :lol
I've been listening to Lightwork a whole bunch and it is a excellent album. I just acquired Epicloud and Transcendence on cd and have been enjoying the heck out of those too. Those two are really good albums to listen to back to back. Transcendence is probably the stronger album, but Epicloud has a lot of great moments, especially the second half.
I'm a new Dev fan and started with Lightwork and kind of working my way backwards. I skipped Empath and Z2 just because of availability. I just found and ordered Empath (ultimate edition) from LasersEdge. This is a fun journey so far and it's gonna take a while to go through his discography. I can't believe I turned a blind eye or deaf ears to Devin all this time. The DreamSonic tour won me over to Devy.. :coolio
You're about to hit the original DTP albums, which are his best albums imo. :corn
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I've been listening to Lightwork a whole bunch and it is a excellent album. I just acquired Epicloud and Transcendence on cd and have been enjoying the heck out of those too. Those two are really good albums to listen to back to back. Transcendence is probably the stronger album, but Epicloud has a lot of great moments, especially the second half.
I'm a new Dev fan and started with Lightwork and kind of working my way backwards. I skipped Empath and Z2 just because of availability. I just found and ordered Empath (ultimate edition) from LasersEdge. This is a fun journey so far and it's gonna take a while to go through his discography. I can't believe I turned a blind eye or deaf ears to Devin all this time. The DreamSonic tour won me over to Devy.. :coolio
I think you'll really enjoy Empath. I consider that one of his most truefelt albums he has done.
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Yes indeed, I'm looking forward to Empath! I love the two songs I've heard from it which are Spirits Will Collide and Genesis. I'm not going listen to any more songs until it arrives in my mailbox. I had to order the super deluxe version for all the artwork and visuals on the bluray. There's a ton of extras on this format. Devins music is gonna keep me busy for a while. I like pretty much everything I've heard so far.
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I received Empath a couple of days ago and wow, it's a lot to take in! First of all the packaging and artwork is amazing. I got the large ultimate edition so I can really take in the artwork for what it is. Devin gave us a documentary, commentary, an acoustic show, and great visuals to go with the 5.1 mix. I wish they could have included the same visuals with the stereo mix too, but oh well.
The album itself is huge, and I'm really enjoying it so far. I need to listen to it a few more times to really fully appreciate it. I can tell that a large amount of time and effort when into this project (probably a understatement) and I can't imagine what the mixing process alone must have been like.
So I have four Devin albums now. Lightwork, Epicloud, Transcendence, and Empath. My favorites are Lightwork and Transcendence, but Empath could be right up after a few more listens. It's a lot to process, and I haven't even listened to the second disc yet.. lol!
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The podcast finally returns this Monday the 16th with an episode about Synesthesia
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyYV5QDqEAm/
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Cool, thanks for the heads up! I remember listening to his first podcast, he has quite a story. I about died laughing after hearing what he did to Roadrunner Records when they first decided to sign him, but all of a sudden turned him down.. :rollin
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On another topic, Devin can make some weird choices sometimes. The song "Spirits Will Collide" he brought in somebody to do growling vocals later in second half. It did not help the song whatsoever even though it is a excellent track.
Also on the live dvd of the Empath tour, wearing the tutu.. It really leaves me wondering, WHY oh Whyy! :facepalm: :lol
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On another topic, Devin can make some weird choices sometimes. The song "Spirits Will Collide" he brought in somebody to do growling vocals later in second half. It did not help the song whatsoever even though it is a excellent track.
Also on the live dvd of the Empath tour, wearing the tutu.. It really leaves me wondering, WHY oh Whyy! :facepalm: :lol
I actually prefer Spirits Will Collide on the Empath tour mo so than the album version. Considering what the lyrics are about, it feels more heartfelt and has more of impact to me.
I cracked up hard when I saw him wearing the TUTU during Why. Great song to wear it on too.
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On another topic, Devin can make some weird choices sometimes. The song "Spirits Will Collide" he brought in somebody to do growling vocals later in second half. It did not help the song whatsoever even though it is a excellent track.
Also on the live dvd of the Empath tour, wearing the tutu.. It really leaves me wondering, WHY oh Whyy! :facepalm: :lol
I actually prefer Spirits Will Collide on the Empath tour mo so than the album version. Considering what the lyrics are about, it feels more heartfelt and has more of impact to me.
I cracked up hard when I saw him wearing the TUTU during Why. Great song to wear it on too.
He wore the TUTU for four songs straight including Genesis and Spirits. I wonder if Che put him up to it? lol!
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Devy update...
https://youtu.be/tQAWUL1gAB8?feature=shared (https://youtu.be/tQAWUL1gAB8?feature=shared)
He's got a lot going on at the moment, both with his art and in his personal life. I love listening to Devin talk, but he certainly sounds burnt out in this video. As always though, I appreciate his honesty and how vulnerable he can allow himself to be.
Like the sound of the spaceship that he's built :lol I'll have to try and catch some his love stuff and posts on his YouTube channel.
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So the Infinity remaster is out. My CD arrived yesterday. Gave it a listen this morning, and maybe it’s just recency bias, but I do think it sounds better.
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So the Infinity remaster is out. My CD arrived yesterday. Gave it a listen this morning, and maybe it’s just recency bias, but I do think it sounds better.
That's a pretty low bar to clear, though. :P
I'll give it a listen when it's out on streaming.
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I think the original Infinity sounds awesome. The wild and crazy production is a big part of its charm.
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That all is still there. It just sounds less “sparkly” to me.
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I think it's quite nice.
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Mine’s delivered tomoz
Looking forward to it
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I'll listen to it later today, but I've never had a problem with the original 🤷♂️
Nearly listened to the album and I think I need to do a side by side comparison because I can't even tell what the differences are. I do love this album though :tup
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I think it's quite nice.
I see what you did there.
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The biggest thing I noticed with the Infinity remaster is that the ending to Unity is a lot less distorted, which is a nice change. Apart from that it sounds basically the same. A little more low-balanced than the original.
Also, it took until listening to Life Is All Dynamics today for me to realize how similar-sounding it is to Stormbending.
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(https://i.imgflip.com/8c8l19.jpg)
Looks like we're getting Casualties of Cool II!
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A sequel to my favorite Hevy Devy album? Finally!
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Hell yeah. He's been talking about that here and there in the update videos he's been uploading on YouTube. They're very rambly, but he's re-iterated that he's working on at least four different projects in various capacities: The Moth (symphonic, his main focus right now), Casualties II, "Power Nerd" (something heavier and more chaotic), and "Axolotl" (something more reserved / closer to his normal sound by comparison).
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Hell yeah. He's been talking about that here and there in the update videos he's been uploading on YouTube. They're very rambly, but he's re-iterated that he's working on at least four different projects in various capacities: The Moth (symphonic, his main focus right now), Casualties II, "Power Nerd" (something heavier and more chaotic), and "Axolotl" (something more reserved / closer to his normal sound by comparison).
I was catching up on those updates the other night actually. I think I got up to like #6 or something. He does ramble, but I can always listen to Devy rambling, over almost anyone.
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Devin's podcast with Satriani:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SHtIbmzsBw
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Watched that earlier, great interview with the Satch! Makes me wonder when Dev will get JP for a podcast. I would think that it's a no brainer the he is on the list..
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In the most recent update video, he says he's once again shelved The Moth until Power Nerd and Axolotl are finished. :lol
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Least shocking news of the year. :lol I think I even called that in my discography thread.
I wonder if he ever got the situation sorted out with Honeybunch. Axolotl seems like a good place for it.
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i honestly don't think the moth is ever gonna happen :lol
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Agreed, there is no Moth I mean I feel he already made it with Empath. That’s 110% him not sure what’s next
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Honestly if it's going to be mostly orchestral then I'm fine with The Moth being on the backburner as that kind of music doesn't do much for me anyways. Who knows what it'll actually sound like when he does finish it though - it sounds like he's pivoted direction on it a few times at this point.
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In the most recent update video, he says he's once again shelved The Moth until Power Nerd and Axolotl are finished. :lol
I havent been following to even know what Power Nerd and Axoloti are :lol
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Power Nerd is a simple, heavy record like Epicloud. Darby Todd starts tracking drums soon.
Axolotl is “Alien Pop Music”. Morgan Agren has already recorded drums for it.
I would hope/expect both albums to come out later this year, maybe as a double release like Deconstruction and Ghost.
*Fast forward to this time next year when ANOTHER record comes up and delays The Moth further.*
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In the most recent update video, he says he's once again shelved The Moth until Power Nerd and Axolotl are finished. :lol
I havent been following to even know what Power Nerd and Axoloti are :lol
Metro just beat me to it, but I worded my response slightly differnetly so fuck it :lol He’s described them as:
Power Nerd - Very straightforward rock / metal for his standards, in a similar vein to Addicted and Epicloud except “even simpler”, very emotionally-driven though. He said he’s getting someone else to mix it because he doesn’t want it to be too layered like most of his albums are.
Axolotl - Very weird and alien-sounding, no real creative boundaries or restraints. Morgen Agren is on drums.
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*Fast forward to this time next year when ANOTHER record comes up and delays The Moth further.*
Don’t forget about Casualties 2!
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Thanks for the responses, Power Nerd sounds pretty good then since I love Addicted and Epicloud
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*Fast forward to this time next year when ANOTHER record comes up and delays The Moth further.*
Don’t forget about Casualties 2!
I can't remember, has work already started on Casualties 2?
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Hell yeah. He's been talking about that here and there in the update videos he's been uploading on YouTube. They're very rambly, but he's re-iterated that he's working on at least four different projects in various capacities: The Moth (symphonic, his main focus right now), Casualties II, "Power Nerd" (something heavier and more chaotic), and "Axolotl" (something more reserved / closer to his normal sound by comparison).
Plus don't forget Dreampeace, the ambient thing he's working on. If he's not pushed that back too... I knows he's on a creative streak at the moment, but I've been watching his updates and thinking he's gonna burn himself out if he keeps this up.
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Has he finished building the spaceship in his back garden yet though?
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*Fast forward to this time next year when ANOTHER record comes up and delays The Moth further.*
Don’t forget about Casualties 2!
I can't remember, has work already started on Casualties 2?
It seems to be off and on since it relies on his and Che's schedules matching up, but it seems like they're doing some work on it. I think Che posted a picture with her, Devin, and Morgan Agren together recently.
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Has he finished building the spaceship in his back garden yet though?
Not sure. I’ve heard him talk about this several times in his updates and I still don’t know wtf to make of it :lol
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Not to go off the beaten path, but has anyone noticed that the bass frequencies are mixed way overkill on the the album Lightwork???
I have to turn the volume down on any stereo and back off the bass EQ for it not to distort.
I wonder if that has something to do with Dev bringing in a producer for this album, or if something went awry in the mastering studio?
This is a huge oversight on a otherwise fantastic album!
I can't believe that Devin himself didn't catch on to this.
???
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Power Nerd is a simple, heavy record like Epicloud. Darby Todd starts tracking drums soon.
Axolotl is “Alien Pop Music”. Morgan Agren has already recorded drums for it.
I would hope/expect both albums to come out later this year, maybe as a double release like Deconstruction and Ghost.
*Fast forward to this time next year when ANOTHER record comes up and delays The Moth further.*
I like it when musicians pick the right collaborators for their albums. Steven Wilson does a similar thing instead of having a go-to person for each instrument etc. The variety makes it more interesting IMO.
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RIP TM Stevens, the bass player on Vai’s Sex and Religion, and on the Dev demo “Thick Stock”.
https://youtu.be/zDpWRebZ_mc?si=f6llCF-42qpNQP_m
https://www.guitarworld.com/news/tm-stevens-obituary
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Not to go off the beaten path, but has anyone noticed that the bass frequencies are mixed way overkill on the the album Lightwork???
I have to turn the volume down on any stereo and back off the bass EQ for it not to distort.
I wonder if that has something to do with Dev bringing in a producer for this album, or if something went awry in the mastering studio?
This is a huge oversight on a otherwise fantastic album!
I can't believe that Devin himself didn't catch on to this.
???
Yes, but:
a. Modern hi-fi equipment tends to be overly-bassy anyway, eveything you buy these days, even at the top end, had a huge bass bias to it, and
b. Knowing Dev, it's intentional. He likes pushing things beyond the limits of listenability.
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RIP TM Stevens, the bass player on Vai’s Sex and Religion, and on the Dev demo “Thick Stock”.
https://youtu.be/zDpWRebZ_mc?si=f6llCF-42qpNQP_m
https://www.guitarworld.com/news/tm-stevens-obituary
May he rest in peace.
I saw im live with his band in a small club somewhere in the 90s. There were maybe 100 people in attendance and he absolutely killed it, even a broken string couldn't stop him. Al Pitrelli was on guitar, forgot who the rest was.
For those that like some funk in their metal, listen to his record Boom (Out Of Control). :metal
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Not to go off the beaten path, but has anyone noticed that the bass frequencies are mixed way overkill on the the album Lightwork???
I have to turn the volume down on any stereo and back off the bass EQ for it not to distort.
I wonder if that has something to do with Dev bringing in a producer for this album, or if something went awry in the mastering studio?
This is a huge oversight on a otherwise fantastic album!
I can't believe that Devin himself didn't catch on to this.
???
Have you listened to Epicloud? :lol
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Not to go off the beaten path, but has anyone noticed that the bass frequencies are mixed way overkill on the the album Lightwork???
I have to turn the volume down on any stereo and back off the bass EQ for it not to distort.
I wonder if that has something to do with Dev bringing in a producer for this album, or if something went awry in the mastering studio?
This is a huge oversight on a otherwise fantastic album!
I can't believe that Devin himself didn't catch on to this.
???
Yes, but:
a. Modern hi-fi equipment tends to be overly-bassy anyway, eveything you buy these days, even at the top end, had a huge bass bias to it, and
I've been playing the album mostly through a older Denon power receiver (stereo only) with four outputs. Two Cerwin Vega main speakers, and two Boston Acoustics speakers. They can take a lot, but Lightwork makes them distort at half the volume as most other cd's I play on the same system. I have to EQ the bass way back to make it listenable.
Same thing with my car stereo.
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Not to go off the beaten path, but has anyone noticed that the bass frequencies are mixed way overkill on the the album Lightwork???
I have to turn the volume down on any stereo and back off the bass EQ for it not to distort.
I wonder if that has something to do with Dev bringing in a producer for this album, or if something went awry in the mastering studio?
This is a huge oversight on a otherwise fantastic album!
I can't believe that Devin himself didn't catch on to this.
???
Yes, but:
a. Modern hi-fi equipment tends to be overly-bassy anyway, eveything you buy these days, even at the top end, had a huge bass bias to it, and
I've been playing the album mostly through a older Denon power receiver (stereo only) with four outputs. Two Cerwin Vega main speakers, and two Boston Acoustics speakers. They can take a lot, but Lightwork makes them distort at half the volume as most other cd's I play on the same system. I have to EQ the bass way back to make it listenable.
Same thing with my car stereo.
I'm assuming you aren't using a subwoofer. That would help a ton.
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b. Knowing Dev, it's intentional. He likes pushing things beyond the limits of listenability.
What? :lol
None of Devin’s albums are actually ‘unlistenable’, so I’m very curious how you got to this assumption.
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Not to go off the beaten path, but has anyone noticed that the bass frequencies are mixed way overkill on the the album Lightwork???
I have to turn the volume down on any stereo and back off the bass EQ for it not to distort.
I wonder if that has something to do with Dev bringing in a producer for this album, or if something went awry in the mastering studio?
This is a huge oversight on a otherwise fantastic album!
I can't believe that Devin himself didn't catch on to this.
???
Yes, but:
a. Modern hi-fi equipment tends to be overly-bassy anyway, eveything you buy these days, even at the top end, had a huge bass bias to it, and
I've been playing the album mostly through a older Denon power receiver (stereo only) with four outputs. Two Cerwin Vega main speakers, and two Boston Acoustics speakers. They can take a lot, but Lightwork makes them distort at half the volume as most other cd's I play on the same system. I have to EQ the bass way back to make it listenable.
Same thing with my car stereo.
I'm assuming you aren't using a subwoofer. That would help a ton.
I'm more old school. I like stereo (left and right). The main tower speakers have 12" subs in them. That's plenty loud and all I need. I see what you're saying though. My power amp doesn't have a sub out, just outputs for four stereo speakers. My preference for rock/metal music.
Devins albums sound good overall, but Lightwork is so bass heavy at times it can cause distortion.
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Dev has a photo book coming out.
“Overexposed + Underdeveloped”
https://devintownsendbook.com/
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can't wait. i love devin townsend
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Not to go off the beaten path, but has anyone noticed that the bass frequencies are mixed way overkill on the the album Lightwork???
I have to turn the volume down on any stereo and back off the bass EQ for it not to distort.
I wonder if that has something to do with Dev bringing in a producer for this album, or if something went awry in the mastering studio?
This is a huge oversight on a otherwise fantastic album!
I can't believe that Devin himself didn't catch on to this.
???
Have you listened to Epicloud? :lol
So I gave it a spin last night to see what you are talking about. It is indeed quite bass-y but it doesn't rattle my speakers like a few areas in Lightwork.
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Not to go off the beaten path, but has anyone noticed that the bass frequencies are mixed way overkill on the the album Lightwork???
I have to turn the volume down on any stereo and back off the bass EQ for it not to distort.
I wonder if that has something to do with Dev bringing in a producer for this album, or if something went awry in the mastering studio?
This is a huge oversight on a otherwise fantastic album!
I can't believe that Devin himself didn't catch on to this.
???
Yes, but:
a. Modern hi-fi equipment tends to be overly-bassy anyway, eveything you buy these days, even at the top end, had a huge bass bias to it, and
I've been playing the album mostly through a older Denon power receiver (stereo only) with four outputs. Two Cerwin Vega main speakers, and two Boston Acoustics speakers. They can take a lot, but Lightwork makes them distort at half the volume as most other cd's I play on the same system. I have to EQ the bass way back to make it listenable.
Same thing with my car stereo.
I'm assuming you aren't using a subwoofer. That would help a ton.
I'm more old school. I like stereo (left and right). The main tower speakers have 12" subs in them. That's plenty loud and all I need. I see what you're saying though. My power amp doesn't have a sub out, just outputs for four stereo speakers. My preference for rock/metal music.
Devins albums sound good overall, but Lightwork is so bass heavy at times it can cause distortion.
It's possible the 12" woofers in the tower speakers can't replicate sub-bass frequencies properly (Those in the 20-60hz range), or the amp isn't passing along those signals correctly. Devin does use those frequencies quite often.
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That's a excellent point! If that's the case, maybe I need to upgrade.
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Darby Todd (drummer) just posted to FB that he is traveling to Vancouver to track the drums for Devin’s Powernerd.
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That's great to hear! I like Darby Todd's style of drumming, and he was killing it on the Dreamsonic tour.
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Man, Dark Matters is really dumb
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Devins new single, I think from Powernerd. WTH ! :metal :lol
https://youtu.be/gsQ_2BgbNOM?si=zOG_Z-SAihiPSE
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"This video isn't available anymore"
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I checked back and the youtube link keeps being changed every few minutes.. good grief! Eff it!
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Man, Dark Matters is really dumb
The Z2 debacle is the worst thing in his back catalogue. Even all the puerile shit is better, coz there’s no level of expectation. Such a disappointment. The instrumental disc saves it somewhat. The Princess’s histrionic howling etc made it unlistenable.
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Jordan Rudess is the next guest on Dev's podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csqWz2SwEWg