Author Topic: The Devin Townsend Discography Thread v2: The End  (Read 26036 times)

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Offline DoctorAction

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #140 on: April 03, 2023, 11:53:26 AM »
Absolutely fantastic album and possibly my favourite along with Accelerated Evolution. Beautiful stuff.
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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #141 on: April 03, 2023, 05:13:24 PM »
Terria was my introduction to all things Devin Townsend. I believe I first heard the album in 2002 or 2003. I instantly fell in love with this album. It was so different, so earnest, so heartfelt. This album still holds a special place among all the albums I've collected over the years. And while I don't listen to it nearly as much as I used to, it's still an amazing record. I will have to give it another spin today.
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Offline Cruithne

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #142 on: April 04, 2023, 01:45:36 AM »
Earth Day and Deep Peace are great, but the first two songs just bore the hell out of me and I can't get past the awful drum sound.

I have been known to skip Ollives and Mountain regularly when putting on Terria but I love the rest of the album.

The drums are ok for me, if a bit aggressive on the old kick for such a laid back album.

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #143 on: April 04, 2023, 03:48:23 AM »

Let's dive straight in. Olives is a really weird intro, let's not kid ourselves. Devin kind of explained his thought process behind it in the podcast, but it's still super awkward. I don't hate it, but just don't get it as an opener.

Mountain is the first song proper. Musically it is great, and feels as huge as the title suggests, at times. It has some kinda weird peaks and troughs and I think I'd like a less restrained vocal performance on this one, but it's a really good song.

Earth Day is where we really get going though. What a beast of a song and some of Devin's most ridiculous, yet iconic, lyrics. "RECYCLE" anyone? I mean he's not wrong, but it's strange when you find your self singing that line at full volume. The best bit is this though...
"So just shut your face
And take a seat
'Cause after all
You're just talking meat
And music?
Well, it's just entertainment folks".
Lyrics aside, this is musically great, and I guess the first solo Devin song I fell in love with.

It also leads beautifully into Deep Peace. These two songs are the high point of the record, and what make the whole album so special. This song is just nature, and calmness in nature, to me. I love all the dolphin sounds, and other noises going on. It's probably been talked to death about by this point, but the solo. I know the Devin is no slouch when it comes to guitar solos, but he doesn't often do guitar solos that become such a focal point of the song, like the one here. I love the way it builds, it fits the song beautifully, when the bass comes on part way through and then the part starting 4:29. I honestly don't think I've ever heard a solo like it, it is so unique and beautiful. It's one of those songs that I can listen to and think "surely everyone would like this. What is not to like about this song?". I have heard Stadler talk about receiving the live version of this in a roulette (I think) and how it helped appreciate Devin. I totally get it man, it's something real special.

Canada is a song that I don't often think about, but it is another quality song, and I love how it builds, and lyrically the nature theme is so comforting. Maybe it's because it has a tough job in following Deep Peace, but it definitely ranks in the top half of the record.

I like the acoustic start to Down and Under, and it's basically an instrumental that builds and becomes heavier towards the end. Pretty cool but I could take it or leave it.

The Fluke is alright. I don't have a great deal to say about it, but I do enjoy it.

Nobody's Here is another highlight for me. I love how it starts, and all the background sounds and noises, it's pretty cool.
Then "To feel, feel like there's nobody here
...Feel like there's no more fear
I want to feel like this for a year...
...Feel like there's nobody here..." hits and I really love that chorus.
I love Devin's vocals here and there is another nice guitar solo. Yea, just a damn good song.

Now we're into the final run on the album. Tiny Tears is nearly 10 minutes long, but honestly doesn't feel like it. We get more of Devin opening himself up, and apologising for how he'd acted. He mentions frequently in the podcasts that Physicist and Terria are apologies to his loved ones, for how he'd acted in recent years. That is all very clear, especially on this record.

Stagnant has such a huge chorus, and I really enjoy beating this out, especially the "hoooo-oooouuw-uw". It's really more straight forward than a lot of the music he creates, but I think it's a thing of beauty. Plus a cool little guitar solo. Would love to hear this live actually.

Humble rounds us off, and just starts as a little acoustic ditty that sounds like it was recorded in one take, warts and all, then progresses into a looped outro of weird ass noises. There's music buried underneath there somewhere. I can't remember exactly what Devin said about this song to be honest, I'll need to go back and check. I guess it closes the album in the way it starts, with a song a lot of people would skip.

Could Devin have shortened some of the songs, or left some off completely? Possibly, but honestly I think this is an example of a great album experience. Yea, I'd never listen to Olives on it's own, but as an album experience, I'd never leave it off, as Dev put it there for a reason. Just a great fucking album and one I'd love to pick up vinyl, if it wasn't so damn expensive!

Ranking up to now, including spaces to show the drops in quality for me...


1. Terria
2. Ocean Machine
3. Infinity

4. Physicist
5. City
6. Christeen + 4 Demos

7. Heavy As a Really Heavy Thing
8. Sex and Religion

9. No Sleep 'till Bedtime
10. Ass Sordid Demos II
11. Ass Sordid Demos I
12. Punky Brüster
13. Ancient

14. IR8 Vs. Sexoturica

Offline KevShmev

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #144 on: April 04, 2023, 06:14:15 AM »
This thread is incomplete without the lyrics from the bridge in The Fluke (GREAT SONG) being posted, so here ya go:

"Writing and eating and shitting and sleeping in rain or in shine
Masturbate 'til I'm blind in the cause and effect of the one
Troubled segment of time and the place and the look on your face
And I write and I eat and I shit and I sleep
Yes I eat leafy greens nearly three times a week
And I'm not unafraid but no longer afraid of you anymore..."

Terria is Devin's masterpiece.  A perfect album on all levels.  :hefdaddy :hefdaddy

Offline Metro

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #145 on: April 04, 2023, 09:19:59 AM »
Amen to that, Kev.

This current tour featured the live debut of Fluke, hope he keeps it in the set when he comes to the US.

https://youtu.be/R6YI9bnZhL8

Offline Buddyhunter1

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #146 on: April 04, 2023, 09:22:26 AM »
This current tour featured the live debut of Fluke, hope he keeps it in the set when he comes to the US.

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Offline DoctorAction

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #147 on: April 04, 2023, 10:33:12 AM »
Amen to that, Kev.

This current tour featured the live debut of Fluke, hope he keeps it in the set when he comes to the US.

https://youtu.be/R6YI9bnZhL8

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Offline Buddyhunter1

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #148 on: April 04, 2023, 01:42:17 PM »
Anyone listening to these albums for the first time? :corn
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Offline Revenge319

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #149 on: April 04, 2023, 02:09:04 PM »
Anyone listening to these albums for the first time? :corn

That'll be me for all but two albums (Ocean Machine and Ziltoid).

EDIT: Actually, I've also listened to Addicted and Epicloud before. I must have forgotten since I only listened to them once or twice.

I gave Infinity and Physicist a listen yesterday. Physicist wasn't bad, but some of the songs felt a little same-y, and "Death" was so loud that I had to take a break and then come back to it with the volume turned way down just so I could listen to it without getting a headache. Infinity was better, though, the songs were more interesting (and none of them were too loud).
« Last Edit: April 04, 2023, 05:51:23 PM by Revenge319 »

Offline Adami

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #150 on: April 04, 2023, 02:16:47 PM »
I think I'll listen to Terria in full for the first time in many years. Hopefully I like it more.
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Offline KevShmev

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #151 on: April 04, 2023, 07:21:39 PM »
Amen to that, Kev.

This current tour featured the live debut of Fluke, hope he keeps it in the set when he comes to the US.

https://youtu.be/R6YI9bnZhL8

That's awesome.  I see he is back to using backing tracks, as no one was singing the bridge live, but it was pretty audible.  He took a beating due to the pandemic, though, so whatever he has to do to make it work now is fine by me.

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #152 on: April 04, 2023, 11:32:29 PM »
Terria - Earth Day and Deep Peace are immediate stand outs while the rest of the tracks take a while to get into. Not one of my very favourite Devin albums but still a great one.


Offline ReaperKK

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #153 on: April 05, 2023, 07:07:40 AM »
Although my familiarity with DT materials is fairly low Terria is my favorite album of his. The songs are fantastic. I remember discovering the album and listening to Down And Under on repeat for months.

Offline Adami

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #154 on: April 05, 2023, 07:10:07 AM »
Started a re-listen on the train to work. Got through The Fluke.

Yea, the production hurts it for me. It's not awful but it is distracting for me. The guitars are really tinny and the drums are strangely mixed. Olives and Mountains continue to be awful to my ears. Earth Day and Deep Peace are a fantastic two song punch. Love those. Canada was okay, better than I remember. Down and Under was fine, I can't remember much about it anymore. And The Fluke was actually a pretty damn good, though I don't get why he made the last 2 minutes just a bunch of noise. I'll listen to the rest on my way home.
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Offline billboy73

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #155 on: April 05, 2023, 08:59:00 AM »
Just catching up, as I haven't had a chance to comment on a few...

Infinity - This record is a little uneven for me, but it has some really good stuff as well.  I like a lot of the quirky stuff on this record, Bad Devil, Ants, Colonial Boy.  Also really dig Truth, War, and Dynamics.  It's just not an album that I really ever reach for.  Although, in revisiting it for this, I found myself liking the album more than I thought I did.  It will definitely get some more spins in the near future.

Physicist - So, I really do enjoy this record a good bit.  It seems like many here also don't think it is as bad as the reputation that it largely has.  I don't think the production is really all that bad, but it is definitely muddy.  I would say the vocals and vocal production is not great in spots, and that hurts it the most for me.  It was interesting to hear him address the vocals in the podcast for sure.  Still, I think there is a lot of good material here.  I enjoy this version of Kingdom, and Namaste, Victim, and Material, along with Kingdom make a solid 4 track run to open the album.  The Complex is another highlight for me, and probably my favorite track.  Jupiter and Planet Rain are also solid, and I agree that Planet Rain is a great, epic album closer that is just behind The Complex for my favorite track.  All in all, I actually really dig this record, even with the so-so production.

I'll cover Terria in a separate post...

Online twosuitsluke

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #156 on: April 05, 2023, 12:20:24 PM »
I think he said on the podcast that The Complex is one the songs he's most proud of? Or possibly just his favourite on Physicist. Either way he talked very positively about it.

Offline Buddyhunter1

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #157 on: April 05, 2023, 12:39:13 PM »
I think he said on the podcast that The Complex is one the songs he's most proud of? Or possibly just his favourite on Physicist. Either way he talked very positively about it.

Yeah, which makes it a bit odd that he's never re-recorded it or played it live recently (to my knowledge).

I didn't think much of it myself for a while, but I can kinda see the potential. I think it's one of the songs on the album that suffers most from the mixing, unfortunately.
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Offline billboy73

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #158 on: April 05, 2023, 01:42:15 PM »
Man, would love to hear/see a live version of the Complex!  I couldn't find any info confirming that it has ever been played.

I got about 30 minutes into the Physicist podcast last night before I went to sleep.  I love that Devin was pretty open and not afraid to be critical of his albums in the podcast episodes so far.  It just adds to the experience of revisiting his albums.

Offline Metro

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #159 on: April 06, 2023, 09:00:44 AM »
Here’s Dev attempting to play Stagnant at an acoustic show at a record store

https://youtu.be/yTfoHiot13E

Offline Stadler

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #160 on: April 06, 2023, 09:19:19 AM »
Here’s Dev attempting to play Stagnant at an acoustic show at a record store

https://youtu.be/yTfoHiot13E

HAHAHAHA, "attempt" has got me wanting to click....

EDIT:  Pretty cool; love that realness.  Yet again, the verse of Ih-Ah! reminds me of something else (non-Devin) that I can't place.........
« Last Edit: April 06, 2023, 10:25:08 AM by Stadler »

Online twosuitsluke

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #161 on: April 06, 2023, 09:22:55 AM »
I don't think I've actually seen Devin struggle vocally before, wow. I thought he was impervious to such mortal constraints!

Offline Adami

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #162 on: April 06, 2023, 09:24:51 AM »
Finished Terria the other day.

Nobody's Here is a really good song, even if I didn't like the lyrics. Tiny Tears is fantastic. I didn't really dig Stagnant or Universal very much, especially Universal at all.

But overall, it's a better album than I remember but I rarely have an urge to listen to it. Mostly due to the production and performance (for some of it).
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Offline Metro

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria and Stuff
« Reply #163 on: April 08, 2023, 07:37:34 PM »
Guest Appearances and Other Stuff 2 (1998-2003)

Alright, another mini-writeup of Dev’s guest appearances and production work...

Guest Appearances:

Skinny Puppy - Remix Dystemper (1998)
Dev played guitar on a remix of the song Worlock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMZiCp_ErOA

Violate This - (2001)
Dev sang on covers of Shout at the Devil - Mötley Crüe and Wrathchild - Iron Maiden on this compilation album by Stuck Mojo
Shout at the Devil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXAtzkZ6RNo

Wrathchild: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkuSGc0PVjw

Paradise Lost - Symbol of Life (2002)
He sang on two songs Two Worlds and Small Town Boy
Two Worlds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5A0dAqal8
Small Town Boy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9XiD_2K7-Q

Production:

The Almighty Punchdrunk - Music for Them Asses (2001)

One of Gene Hoglan’s side projects. Fans of Strapping Young Lad should check this out. This is my first time hearing it, and I dig it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gzEYVlKzv8&list=PLxH6wLWw5deWnPDgY5cimW78_zoV7dKfu

Frygirl - Someone Please Kill Me (2001)
An album by Rosina Tassone, Gene Hoglan’s then-girlfriend. Could not find the full album anywhere, but I did find one song on her YouTube channel. 

Delusional: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmYAuMcYADY

Just Cause - Finger it Out (2001)
Another side project from Gene Hoglan. Death metal fans might dig this one. Not for me.

Full album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE9TkLLIGCA

Zimmer’s Hole - Legion of Flames (2001)
Zimmer’s Hole features Jed and Byron from SYL, as well as Chris Valagao. Chris frequently contributed backup vocals to SYL and Dev’s solo albums.
Full album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5qt6C602bg

Evenlight - Evenlight (2002)
Evenlight is the solo project of DTB guitarist / DTP bassist Brian “Beav” Waddell. It features the original DTB drummer, Scotty McCargar. Could not find the full album, but here’s the song “180”.

180: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_He-7rCWL8

December - The Lament Configuration (2002)
Full Album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoT0_6Qk2OE
In the studio with Dev: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnqBswrqIpI&t=79s

Soilwork - Natural Born Chaos (2002)
Dev co-produced this with Fredrik Nordström, and sang on the songs Black Star Deceiver and Soilworker’s Song of the Damned.

Full Album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8fE8TuEhmptCeuLRIJzyZhLuMWUhFegs

Lamb of God - As the Palaces Burn (2003)

Lamb of God were fans of what Dev did on Soilwork’s Natural Born Chaos and asked him to produce the record, which they recorded at Montana Studios in Richmond, Virginia.
Dev also sang and played guitar on the song A Devil in God’s Country. 

Full Album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZjIasYxCuKsh0STgRFgSt9b_oj1IBSit

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Now that we’re in the part of Dev’s catalog that people actually care about, updates will be a little more spaced out. SYL’s Self-Titled album update coming Monday.
« Last Edit: September 17, 2023, 03:10:42 PM by Metropolaris »

Offline Metro

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: SYL
« Reply #164 on: April 09, 2023, 10:00:00 PM »
Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad
(aka SYL, aka Chickenfeather)
Released February 11, 2003



Tracklisting:

1. Dire
2. Consequence
3. Relentless
4. Rape Song
5. Aftermath
6. Devour
7. Last Minute
8. Force Fed
9. Dirt Pride
10. Bring On the Young

Other songs:
11. Idom


Personnel:
Devin Townsend - Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards
Jed Simon - Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Byron Stroud - Bass, Backing Vocals
Gene Hoglan - Drums

Additional Personnel:
A bunch of people - Backup Vocals



Strapping Young Lad had remained active as Dev’s touring band despite going on “hiatus” in 1998. Dev had kept the band together because he liked being with Jed, Gene, and Byron. However, the other guys were anxious to do another record. The band had been working on some new material on tour in 2001, and in December of that year Dev announced that that Strapping Young Lad would be recording a new album. The press release for the return claims that 9/11 had “sparked some creative anger” in Dev and he needed an outlet for it. But Dev has backtracked this statement, instead saying that the decision was really to make the other guys in the band happy. The band continued to write and workshop material in 2002 and recorded the album late that year.

Dev claims that SYL played at the World Cup in Korea in 2002. I could not find anything to support that, but I think he may have it mixed up with the Busan Rock Festival. A Korean music festival that took place at the same time as the World Cup that year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciQ5sFF864k

SYL was primarily recorded at Armoury Studios in Vancouver. Dev wrote a lot of the music for SYL, but he ended up giving the reins to the rest of the band for a lot of the album, allowing the others to contribute more than they had in the past. Gene ending up writing some lyrics, and Dev claims that Jed played all the guitar parts on this album. Dev instead focused most of his time and creative energy on another album...

SYL was released February 11, 2003. Coincidentally 6 years to the day after City was released. SYL is different from the first two albums. It abandons the band’s industrial elements, instead leaning more towards thrash or groove metal. Dev’s only goal for this album was to make a heavy metal album. Plain and simple. Heavy metal artwork, heavy metal lyrics, heavy metal everything. Not a strong vision, and it shows in the music. What we get is a bunch of songs that aren’t really about anything and don’t say much other than “grrr I’m so angry.” There was plenty of that on the previous 2 albums, but this time the anger doesn’t seem very genuine, more so just an obligation. The lack of thought Dev put into the lyrics unfortunately backfired on him when some people misinterpreted the song “Rape Song” to be a pro-rape song, when in reality it’s very much an ANTI-rape song. Dev realized that as an artist and as the frontman and face of this band, he had to be a bit more careful and put more thought into the lyrics he writes.

Relentless was released as a single, and a music video was filmed for it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rqn_otVoNU

Earlier, in 2000, Dev had contributed a demo called Idom to the compilation, “Mikazuki in Rock”, the soundtrack to the anime “Tekkōki Mikazuki”.

https://www.discogs.com/release/15352330-Various-Mikazuki-In-Rock
Idom would turn into the songs Dire, Consequence, and Aftermath. It never ended up as a bonus track, but it would eventually be included in The Complete Works, a vinyl box set released in 2013 containing all of SYL’s studio material.
Idom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1HQAJCgKQU

SYL is a very middle-of-the-road album for the band, but I like it. It’s far from their best work, but certainly not their worst. It has some standout tracks like Aftermath and Bring on the Young, but a lot of this album does tend to blend together. I’d rank it as my 3rd favorite SYL album, right in the middle. The critics were kind to this album, but they also saw that the album lacked what made the previous albums great. Devin saw it too, and sought to make the next album their craziest one yet…

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Strapping Young Lad - Tour EP
Released in 2003



Tracklisting:

1. Devour (Alternate Mix)
2. Aftermath (Alternate Mix)
3. Oh My Fucking God (Album Version)
4. In the Rainy Season (Live) [Originally from No Sleep ‘Till Bedtime]
5. Detox (Live)


SYL spent most of 2003 on tour in support of the album. On tour, they sold an EP featuring alternate mixes of Devour and Aftermath, live versions of In the Rainy Season and Detox, and the studio version of Oh My Fucking God. Only 2500 copies of the EP were made. This release is certainly not required listening, and good luck finding it if you’re curious about it. It’s not on YouTube or any streaming service.

——————————————————————————————————————————————

The last show of the tour was recorded and filmed for a live DVD…

Strapping Young Lad - For Those Aboot to Rock: Live at the Commodore
Recorded January 16, 2004 at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC
Released November 2, 2004



Tracklisting:

1. Dire (Live)
2. Consequence (Live)
3. Relentless (Live)
4. Rape Song (Live)
5. Home Nucleonics (Live)
6. S.Y.L. (Live)
7. In the Rainy Season (Live)
8. Devour (Live)
9. Aftermath (Live)
10. Oh My Fucking God (Live)
11. Force Fed (Live)
12. Detox (Live)
13. Velvet Kevorkian (Live)
14. All Hail the New Flesh (Live)
15. Far Beyond Metal (Live)


Additional Personnel:
Munesh Sami - Keyboards
Drew - Vocals (Far Beyond Metal)

Full concert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LcLSgS-_qE&t=1s

Solid performance from the band. Far Beyond Metal features Drew, an audience member who volunteered to sing the chorus.
Drew tried his best and that’s all that matters.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2024, 10:52:32 AM by Metro »

Offline Zantera

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: SYL
« Reply #165 on: April 10, 2023, 01:21:14 AM »
I think the self titled SYL album is pretty fine, but perhaps a bit unremarkable. I know Devin kinda made it to throw his bandmates a bone while he still wasn't quite sure what to do, and his heart wasn't quite in SYL anymore, and that's kinda how it comes off to me when listening to it as well. It's perfectly serviceable and a solid release, it just doesn't really leave me with a strong wish to return to it.

Offline Buddyhunter1

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: SYL
« Reply #166 on: April 10, 2023, 07:31:59 AM »
This was my second-favorite Strapping album for a good while. Nowadays I definitely prefer City, but I still think this album is quite underrated. Yeah, it's missing a lot of the sonic qualities a lot of people go to Devin for, it's pretty gross and dirty-sounding, and the repetitive "WAAAAAARRRRRRRR" lyrics get old pretty fast, but I still think this is a damn good metal album. It hits hard, has plenty of awesome riffs, and the runtime is perfect for a more direct and stripped-back album like this - just long enough to feel substantial, but not enough to overstay its welcome. There's some real highlights here like Aftermath (one of the best Strapping songs ever), Rape Song (poor communication of the intended sentiment aside), and Force Fed (amazing chorus on this one). Maybe not one of the most definitive albums in the catalog, but if you like heavier music I wouldn't sleep on it.

How are the alternate mixes on that tour EP? Noticeably different?
« Last Edit: April 10, 2023, 07:37:24 AM by Buddyhunter1 »
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Offline Metro

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: SYL
« Reply #167 on: April 10, 2023, 07:55:37 AM »
I think the alternate mixes sound a little bit brighter than the originals, but it’s not much of a difference.

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: SYL
« Reply #168 on: April 11, 2023, 12:02:17 AM »
Still not a fan of Strapping Young Lad and this record didn't change it.

But this Rape Song debate has me wondering, does anybody really believe that anybody with a at least half-sane mind would publish a pro rape song?  :omg:
Must've been Kwyji sending all the wrong songs.   ;D

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: SYL
« Reply #169 on: April 11, 2023, 12:21:23 AM »
Still not a fan of Strapping Young Lad and this record didn't change it.

But this Rape Song debate has me wondering, does anybody really believe that anybody with a at least half-sane mind would publish a pro rape song?  :omg:

 :lol Really good point. I guess it's a great example of how far out uninformed, reactive opinions can be.
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Offline billboy73

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: SYL
« Reply #170 on: April 11, 2023, 12:28:36 PM »
Catching up...

Terria - This is my favorite Devin album!  I just think the whole package works really well.  The cover art, the flow of the album, the songs all work together to create a great piece of art.  Nothing here feels to long to me.  I also love that he used the Strat on this record, as there are some really great Stratty tones that I love on this record.  I love how melodic this record is, but can get heavy at times.  As mentioned, there is just a beautiful atmosphere to Terria.  I think everything here is top notch, but I will agree that Earth Day > Deep Peace and Tiny Tears are the absolute peak of the album.

SYL - This is actually the SYL album I probably revisit the most, even though I prefer City.  Overall, I definitely enjoy this one though.  The more straight-forward, metal approach works well on this album.  It's more lean and mean.  There are some great riffs here. 


Also, anyone see the Ziltoid comic from Opus Comics?  Issue # 1 comes out tomorrow.  Might have to check it out.

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: SYL
« Reply #171 on: April 11, 2023, 03:42:13 PM »
I don't have a great deal to say about SYL to be honest. It's not a bad album by them. It's pretty middling by their standards, and although not bad in anyway, it just doesn't reach the heights of City and Alien. I don't revisit the album very often, and would rather listen to pretty much any solo Devin album over this. I did give it a spin earlier just to confirm everything I thought to be true. Yep, just as I thought.


1. Terria
2. Ocean Machine
3. Infinity

4. Physicist
5. City
6. Christeen + 4 Demos

7. Strapping Young Lad
8. Heavy As a Really Heavy Thing
9. Sex and Religion

10. No Sleep 'till Bedtime
11. Ass Sordid Demos II
12. Ass Sordid Demos I
13. Punky Brüster
14. Ancient

15. IR8 Vs. Sexoturica

Also, anyone see the Ziltoid comic from Opus Comics?  Issue # 1 comes out tomorrow.  Might have to check it out.

No, but I should definitely check this out. Do you know how involved Devy was with it?

Offline Buddyhunter1

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Re: The Devin Townsend Discography Discussion Thread v2: Terria
« Reply #172 on: April 12, 2023, 08:24:29 AM »
This current tour featured the live debut of Fluke, hope he keeps it in the set when he comes to the US.



Man I'm so happy I jinxed this. :biggrin:
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The Devin Townsend Band - Accelerated Evolution
Released March 31, 2003



Tracklisting:

1. Depth Charge
2. Storm
3. Random Analysis
4. Deadhead
5. Suicide
6. Traveller
7. Away
8. Sunday Afternoon
9. Slow Me Down

Bonus Tracks
10. I Really Love Korea (Korean Bonus Track)


Personnel:
Devin Townsend - Guitar, Vocals
Brian “Beav” Waddell - Guitar
Mike Young - Bass
Dave Young - Keyboards
Ryan Van Poederooyen - Drums



With Strapping Young Lad once again writing new music, Dev decided to form a new band strictly for his solo music to further differentiate the two sides of his music. He wanted the lineup to comprise of local musicians from Vancouver. First to join was guitarist Brian “Beav” Waddell, a childhood friend of Dev’s, previously heard on the Ancient cassette. Next was bassist Mike Young, who Dev met at a local music store. Mike introduced Dev to his brother, Dave Young, who joined the band on keyboards. Last to join was drummer Scotty McCargar. Scotty recorded a couple of demos with Dev, but was dismissed after Dev realized they weren’t on the same page musically. Dev then found drummer Ryan Van Poederooyen, who completed the lineup.

Dev’s new band, cleverly titled the Devin Townsend Band, recorded their first album at Armoury Studios, where Strapping Young Lad was also recording their self-titled album. As previously stated in the SYL writeup, Dev basically gave control of that album to Jed, Gene, and Byron, and focused his time and energy on the DTB album. Accelerated Evolution was written entirely by Dev, and he once again used a Fender Stratocaster.

Accelerated Evolution was released on March 31, 2003. The album was originally titled “Relationships”, as many of the songs are about just that. The title was changed to Accelerated Evolution to reflect how quickly the the music came together. AE feels similar to Terria in some ways, but the songs are more focused than on Terria. Songs like Storm, Traveller, and Slow Me Down are more accessible and wouldn’t sound out of place on then-modern rock radio. But then there’s songs like Deadhead, Suicide, and the duo of Away and Sunday Afternoon which are more progressive and exploratory and feature some awesome lead playing by Dev. Dev’s vocal’s really shine on this album, especially on songs like Storm, Deadhead, and Suicide. Deadhead in particular has become a fan-favorite and a live staple.

A music video was filmed for Storm
https://youtu.be/CRrEXdDwn88

In Korea, the album came with a bonus track called “I Really Love Korea”, which is just Dev talking about the album over some ambience.
https://youtu.be/nrNuY6uIqgw

In 2003, the DTB and SYL embarked on the “Keep it in the Family Tour” along with Zimmer’s Hole, a band featuring Jed and Byron from SYL, and Chris Valagao, who had frequently performed backup vocals on many of Dev’s albums.




Live in Munich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtnDxH4KAVg

Here’s a video of the band on tour in 2003, in which Dave Young wrecks the tour bus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYLWr49T4t4

——————————————————————————————————————————————

The special edition of Accelerated Evolution came with a bonus disc entitled…

Project EKO


(There’s no official cover art for this EP. This is my half-assed attempt at making a cover for my digital library.)

Tracklisting:

1. Locate
2. Echo
3. Assignable


Project EKO is 3-track electronic EP. The track names came from different buttons on the keyboard Dev used to write the music. Not much to say about it. If you like electronic music, you might like this. If you don't, this probably ain't gonna change your mind.

Full EP:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wykdNjVykrE
« Last Edit: March 02, 2024, 10:44:08 AM by Metro »

Offline Buddyhunter1

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This album's awesome. It's probably my favorite solo album of his prior to the DTP, and it's accessible enough to be a pretty good starting point if you're not too familiar with Devin. Deadhead is an obvious highlight, but Storm and Sunday Afternoon are almost as good. Then you've got Depth Charge, Suicide, Slow Me Down... a very consistent album. Slow Me Down is easily my favorite of the "poppy album closer" trilogy that started with Terria and ends with Synchestra.

This is also I think the first album in his discography that absolutely nails the production. This album sounds fucking MASSIVE.
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