The Devin Townsend Discography Thread v2

[Fonzie]

Mustard

I had no idea that 10” existed. I got CU on release and prolly skipped the deluxe cause I have zero interest in vinyl.

It’s a great set. A really nice book.

[KevShmev]

I was really surprised at the time that Devin didn't give a co-writing credit to Golden Earring for Radial Highway, as it totally sounds like a re-work of Radar Love. 

[Metro]

Please try to contain your excitement

[Metro]

I recently bought a CD on eBay containing a ton of photos and scans of magazine interviews Dev did from the early Vai years up to 2004. A lot of cool stuff in here.

https://imgur.com/gallery/DwUsHUW

[Fonzie]

Thanks for posting that

Remember: Telescopes are gay

[Metro]

Guest Appearances and Other Stuff 4 (2009-2012)

Guest Appearances:

Agua de Annique - In Your Room (2009)
Dev co-wrote the song Just Fine with Anneke van Giersbergen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPIvsmFZfjQ

Various Artists - Guitars That Ate My Brain (2009)
Guitars That Ate My Brain is a compilation put together by Magna Carta records. Dev contributed the song “Nerd Alert”, which is just a wankfest with no real substance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lMd5iuzDQc

Various Artists - Sin-atra (2011)
Dev sings New York, New York on this compilation of metal covers of Frank Sinatra songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vwJHHBIYyQ

Gojira - Sea Shepherd EP (2011 - Scrapped)
In return for Joe Duplantier singing on Deconstruction, Dev sang on the Gojira song Of Blood and Salt. Intended for an EP entitled Sea Shepherd, which was eventually scrapped. The song also features a solo from Meshuggah guitarist Fredrik Thordendal
Studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWDdDm-Vu8Y
Live: https://youtu.be/UxazFhQ60N8

Bent Sea - Noistalgia (2011)
In return for Dirk Verbeuren drumming on Deconstruction, Dev played bass on an album from his grindcore side project Bent Sea.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr3ViTcgePdi9kdBNwzFD-DMJlceQvMMq

Ihsahn - Eremita (2012)
In return for Ihsahn singing on Deconstruction, Dev sang on the song Introspection from his 2012 album Eremita.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD1i7XNkwuA

Pitch Black Forecast - Burning in Water…Drowning in Flame (2012)
Yet another side project from Gene Hoglan. Dev plays guitar and sings backup vocals on the song Open Letter to God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBYVojjMPrM

Production:

Sights & Sounds - Monolith (2009)
Dev produced this album by Canadian post-hardcore band Sights and Sounds at his own studio, the “Dev-Estate”. He hired Mike St. Jean as a studio engineer, which is how they first met. This would be Dev’s last time producing another band for a while.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVQ1zWQbWLk1EKVQr6kobRcAuXfphcT5t

Mixing:

Contrive - The Internal Dialogue (2009)
https://www.youtube.com/@CONTRIVEOFFICIAL/videos

August Burns Red - Constellations (2009)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDB1E46D6BB026852

Inhale Exhale - Bury Me Alive (2009)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUDa3J6FMbs1_LtxzzY9x4IeldrUUNKZ

Rammstein - Ich tu dir weh (2010)
Dev remixed this Rammstein song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKWUBZZT3wg

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Thread will resume in a couple of weeks.

[Buddyhunter1]

Intended for an EP entitled Sea Shepherd, which was eventually scrapped.

More like lost forever.

That Ihsahn song is good, too.

[Kwyjibo]

Thanks for posting that

Remember: Telescopes are gay

Reading this reminds me: When are you talking about Meatballs?

[Metro]

 

[Metro]

Aaaaaaaaand we're back!

The Devin Townsend Project - Epicloud
Released September 18, 2012



Tracklisting:

1. Effervescent!
2. True North
3. Lucky Animals
4. Liberation
5. Where We Belong
6. Save Our Now
7. Kingdom
8. Divine
9. Grace
10. More!
11. Lessons
12. Hold On
13. Angel

Bonus Tracks
14. Epicloud (Vinyl Bonus Track)
15. Cry Forever (iTunes Bonus Track)
16. Take My Ego (iTunes Bonus Track)

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

Additional Personnel:
The Marcus Mosely Chorale - Choir

Dev planned to start working on a sequel to the Ziltoid album once the DTP was over. However, whenever he sat down to write for that album, he would end up writing songs that didn’t fit with the vibe he was aiming for. He eventually realized there was another album in him that was revealing itself, and chose to get it out of his system before working on another Ziltoid album.

Epicloud was originally meant to be a solo album, but he decided to make it a continuation of the DTP, with the same lineup as the live version of the band, plus Anneke Van Giersbergen. The drums were recorded at Kingdom Studio in Perth, and the rest of the album was done at Armoury Studios in Vancouver. Epicloud also features the Marcus Mosely Chorale, a choir from Vancouver.



Lucky Animals has a callback to the SYL song Monument, from The New Black.
Dev asked fans to submit videos of themselves dancing with their pets for a collaborative music video for Lucky Animals. However, his own video of him dancing became much more popular.
Dev’s video: https://youtu.be/UvmIByrcwAQ
Official music video: https://youtu.be/m8YuqlnVX0o
Save Our Now is based on the song Island by Pendulum.
Kingdom is a re-record of the song from Physicist. Dev chose to redo the song because he was never happy with how that album turned out, and the song had become a live staple since he started touring again.
The main riff to Grace was going to be the riff from the outro to By Your Command (Pound Pound Pound Ye Push Ye Push…), but Ryan came up with a different rhythm that was used instead.

The iTunes version of the album came with 2 bonus tracks.
Cry Forever is a pretty straightforward heavy song
Take My Ego is an Anneke centric song inspired by The Power of Love by Jennifer Rush. A really underrated gem.

The title track was only included on the vinyl edition of the album.
https://youtu.be/-s4oTFMaha4

Dev recorded a track by track commentary/listening party that was posted to YouTube. The video is no longer available, but I have the commentary if anyone wants to hear it.

Some videos of the making of Epicloud:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_AGVF5YuSPIlwkb412fwsSGNC02le7pO

Epicloud was released September 18, 2012. The album is a mixed bag in the best way. It’s got a little bit of all sides of his music, sans the ambient/experimental side heard on Devlab and The Hummer. You could think of Epicloud as a culmination of the the original 4 DTP albums. You have the rock, pop, metal, and the softer sides of his music all in one cohesive album. Even with the variety of sounds on the album, Epicloud is Dev at his most accessible. I always recommend this album to newcomers as the best starting point.

At the time of it’s release, Dev was adamant that Epicloud was not indicative of where his music would go in the future. It was just something he needed to get out of his system on the way to the next record. But given the success and popularity of Epicloud, the record label would pressure him to do another album in this vein later on.

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

The deluxe edition came with a second disc, cleverly titled…

Epiclouder



Tracklisting:

1. Believe
2. Happy Birthday
3. Quietus
4. Heatwave
5. Love Tonight
6. The Mind Wasp
7. Woah No!
8. Love and Marriage
9. Socialization
10. Little Pig

Epiclouder is comprised of demos and outtakes that didn’t make it on to the main album.
Dev's demos still sound fleshed out and well produced, and there's some real gems on here.

This bonus disc isn't available on YouTube or Streaming, but according to the banner on the InsideOut Youtube channel it's being released in some form on 7/28/23. Maybe it'll finally be added to streaming.
 
——————————————————————————————————————————————

The Retinal Circus
Recorded October 27, 2012 at The Roundhouse, London
Released September 30, 2013



Tracklisting:

1. Effervescent! / True North (Live)
2. Lucky Animals (Live)
3. Planet of the Apes (Live)
4. Truth (Live)
5. War (Live)
6. Soul Driven (Live)
7. Planet Smasher (Live)
8. Babysong (Live)
9. Vampolka (Live)
10. Vampira (Live)
11. Addicted (Live)
12. Color Your World
13. The Greys (Live)
14. Hyperdrive (Live)
15. Ih-Ah! (Live)
16. Where We Belong (Live)
17. Detox (Live)
18. Bend It Like Bender! (Live)
19. Life (Live)
20. Kingdom (Live)
21. Juular (Live)
22. Love? (Live)
23. Colonial Boy (Live)
24. Grace (Live)
25. Little Pig (Live)

Personnel:
Devin Townsend - Guitar, Vocals
Anneke Van Giersbergen - Vocals
Dave Young - Guitar
Brian “Beav” Wadell - Bass
Ryan Van Poederooyen - Drums

Additional Personnel:
Jed Simon - Guitar (Detox, Love?)
Dom Lawson - Vocals (Planet Smasher)
Steve Vai - Narration

After the By A Thread concerts in 2011, Dev announced another special concert, The Retinal Circus, which would take place a year later at the Roundhouse in London. This show was presented as a kind of a musical, with actors playing out a loose story while the band played. The story was narrated by Steve Vai.

The band was joined by Anneke Van Giersbergen and a choir. The setlist featured songs across Dev’s catalog, and even included 2 Strapping Young Lad songs: Love? and Detox. Former SYL guitarist Jed Simon joined the band for both songs. Dom Lawson, a music journalist, sings on Planet Smasher.

Playlist containing most of the show:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TB2XzzE9-k5WCEzm1sfltP1u6IWFfAh

Behind the scenes documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM0FYg1RgUM


This picture just makes me chuckle



A USB drive containing 2 demos and 2 videos was given to VIP attendees

1. Buddah Bidet (Demo)
2. Little Pig (Demo from Epiclouder)
3. VIP Greeting (Video)
4. Peavey Info (Video)

Buddha Bidet is an electropop song only available on this USB drive.
Or, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX1i7WDzpsY

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

Fun fact: In the middle of typing this, a snake got in my house. I got him out, but am clueless as to how he got in.
It's been a fun night. 

[Kwyjibo]

I really like Epicloud, it's an enjoyable record. But it's another one of his records, that just didn't have much staying power for me. I almost never have the urge to listen to this record.

Those Epiclouder tracks are more like bonus tracks, they surely aren't rough demos, they are completely fleshed out songs, there's really no clear distinction in sound and production to the main tracks. And some of those songs are better than some of those on Epicloud.

The Retinal Circus: I only have the audio cd, and I think this has to be watched and not only listened to, to fully experience the spectacle. Audio only is nice but makes me wonder, how much is really live and how much is backing tapes or touched up after in the studio. And I'm not particularly fond of the setlist.

[Zantera]

Epicloud as a whole for me is a mixed bag but Kingdom enough is worth the price of admission.

[Buddyhunter1]

Epicloud is great, and still his best album since the four DTP albums. Yeah, it's very accessible and streamlined, but the songs are just really damn good. Angel in particular is amazing.

My dad has gone on-record saying that this is the best album of the 21st century, in his opinion.

[cramx3]

Epicloud was my first Devin album, after I had gotten the Retinal Circus on Blu-Ray from watching it on youtube and discovering Devin.  I'm familiar with Heatwave and Little Pig, but nothing else from the Epiclouder.  Probably worth checking out.

[Adami]

It’s a weird one. I always enjoy it but rarely go back to it.

Not a fan of the drum production though.

[Ben_Jamin]

Take My Ego, Happy Birthday, and Love and Marriage are among the best songs he has ever done. All three are underrated gems.

[Grappler]

The live version of Detox on the Retinal Circus is so 

[Adami]

Didn’t love retinal circus. It’s not bad but the mix sounds too sterile and he’s adding in soooo many prerecorded layers that I can’t tell what’s live after a while. Stage show is fun but way too busy.

[cramx3]

The Retinal Circus: I only have the audio cd, and I think this has to be watched and not only listened to, to fully experience the spectacle. Audio only is nice but makes me wonder, how much is really live and how much is backing tapes or touched up after in the studio. And I'm not particularly fond of the setlist.

Yeah, the biggest fault of The Retinal Circus is that the audio doesn't sound live, at all. I wonder why he did that. His latest live album sounds so live and raw, it's fantastic from a live sound perspective and sadly for Retinal, it's the exact opposite.  It sounds fine, typical Devy wall of sound, but just sounds like an album, not live. 

Although I love how theres some slight differences, with Anneke doing the breakdown vocals on Lucky Animals instead of Devin.  But still, her part doesn't sound live.  Maybe there's studio magic being done on the live recordings, but really, it all sounds like it was recorded in a studio.

As for the setlist, sure I would choose some different songs, but I think it's pretty solid and reflective of his career at that time. Also since he tried to make a loose story about it all, he probably chose songs that could fit that.

[Pappy]

I just want to pop in and say Quietus is a hidden gem on the Epicloud bonus disc.

[Buddyhunter1]

The B-sides I like are Quietus, Heatwave, The Mind Wasp, and Take My Ego. I don't think I'd swap out any songs from the main album for them, though.

[Fonzie]

‘Epicloud’ is a stunning album…apart from the turd that is ‘Lucky Animals’. That thing fouled up plenty of setlists in that decade. I could never work up any enthusiasm for it. A buzzkill.

It’s a 9/10 record for me. Some awesome tunes, and Anneke was never as vital!

Retinal was a great night out. Me and my mate were happy to watch the spectacle from near the back, until Jed came on. That was the cue to get down the front and go mental.
For me, the big boxset is just a terrific souvenir-I don’t listen to it often, but what a package!

[Metro]

I enjoy the video for Lucky Animals more than the song itself, and I would be remiss if I didn’t spotlight it in this thread

https://youtu.be/UvmIByrcwAQ

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

I enjoy the video for Lucky Animals more than the song itself, and I would be remiss if I didn’t spotlight it in this thread

https://youtu.be/UvmIByrcwAQ

Ah yes, this video. I mean, Devin is a Canadian national treasure, so...

[Jamesman42]

‘Epicloud’ is a stunning album…apart from the turd that is ‘Lucky Animals’. That thing fouled up plenty of setlists in that decade. I could never work up any enthusiasm for it. A buzzkill.

I like Lucky Animals and I like it in the flow of the album. It's not stellar, but it's a quick, fun song.

[Fonzie]

‘Epicloud’ is a stunning album…apart from the turd that is ‘Lucky Animals’. That thing fouled up plenty of setlists in that decade. I could never work up any enthusiasm for it. A buzzkill.

I like Lucky Animals and I like it in the flow of the album. It's not stellar, but it's a quick, fun song.

I think that’s my problem. ( Apart from it being musically pretty basic) I don’t like fun/comedy songs.
I’m a miserable fuck.
But, I find the rest of the album sooooo uplifting.

[Metro]

Next update coming next week. It’s a cool one. 

[cramx3]

‘Epicloud’ is a stunning album…apart from the turd that is ‘Lucky Animals’. That thing fouled up plenty of setlists in that decade. I could never work up any enthusiasm for it. A buzzkill.

I like Lucky Animals and I like it in the flow of the album. It's not stellar, but it's a quick, fun song.

Yeah, it's nothing special, but it's a fine fun song.

[Buddyhunter1]

Lucky Animals is fun. True North has always felt like the weakest on the album to me - it's got a great first minute or so and then the rest of the song just meanders without any idea of where to go. Intentionally representing the "where do we go from here?" line, perhaps?

[Metro]

Agreed. For a long time, I would skip True North and Lucky Animals and go straight to Liberation right after Effervescent.

[The Curious Orange]

I love Epicloud, it's a great album, and I love Lucky Animals. The Retinal Circus DVD is loads of fun.

[Jamesman42]

Epicloud is such a weird album to me. I know True North and Lucky Animals should be songs I don't care much for, but in the context of the album, I find them unskippable.

[Ben_Jamin]

The name Retinal Circus should be telling in how that show was.

It's a grand spectical I did not expect much of it to be live. It's entirely almost backing tracks to go along with the presentatiin of the stage show.

It's weird honestly, how to present a stage show, things need to be in sync and for nothing to go wrong, bands seem to utilize backing tracks...

[Mosh]

I think Epicloud has held up really well over the years and and feels more essential to the catalog now than when it first came out (especially with Townsend essentially marketing it as a filler album before the Ziltoid project). I really enjoy how little pieces of each DTP album show up here, especially when you add in some of the bonus disc tracks. The product ends up fully encapsulating Devin’s style and I end up going back to it frequently if I want some Devin but am not gravitating toward one particular style. The album’s flow is also really solid, you just get the impression of a prolific writer being at the top of their game. It definitely feels like you hear Addicted the most out of all the albums, but it’s cool to hear him blending that poppy metal sound with other stuff and developing on what he was doing up to that point. It’s too bad that he was pushed into repeating that direction for several albums after because this is the last time it sounded fresh and interesting IMO.

I also think Epicloud has his strongest bonus disc (Casualties comes close). It feels the most like its own album and also greatly expands the album’s sonic palette. Songs like Quietus and Heatwave are pretty unique compared to the main disc.

I agree that the album really gets going with Liberation, but Lucky Animals and True North are nice complements to each other and kick off the album well. Couple tracks have stood the test of time as Top 10 Devin: Save Our Now, this version of Kingdom, Liberation. Great album.

[KevShmev]

Epicloud is definitely a great album, possibly my favorite Devin album since 2011 (or since the original 4 DTP albums).  It is neck and neck with the cool album to be featured next.

It is a crime that Take My Ego was relegated to being a bonus track and is talked about so little.  Awesome song, and Anneke's voice soars like mad.  No weak spots on the proper album, and there are some amazing highs (Save Our Now, Grace). 

The Retinal Circus might have a lot of backing tracks, but it is still my favorite Devin concert video.  It's all kinds of fun to watch, and you can tell Devin and everyone with him had a blast.  Closing with Little Pig was brilliant, and I always opt for that version over the -louder version.