DEVIN TOWNSEND Sucks... And He Wants To Talk To You
- Nov. 17, 2009
As part of his all-day takeover of MetalSucks in celebration of his new record "Addicted", Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) will participate in a live webchat tonight at midnight EST / 9 p.m. PST.
At exactly midnight EST / 9 p.m. PST (that's 5 a.m. Wednesday in the U.K. and 4 p.m. Wednesday in Sydney, Australia), a Meebo chat room will appear embedded in a new top post at MetalSucks. Devin will be chatting under the handle "DT" (imposters beware), and the chat will last for a full hour as long as you are all good samaritans and don't turn it into a raging shitfest. Free to ask Devin anything at all. If you can't be in front your computer tonight, don't fret — Devin plans to do a similar chat via Twitter within the next few days in which he'll answer more questions and clear up any issues that might arise out of the MetalSucks session.
Townsend will release "Addicted", the second in a series of albums to be made available under THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT moniker, on November 17 in North America via InsideOut Music.
A song from the "Addicted" CD, "Bend It Like Bender", is available for streaming at this location.
Townsend, easily one of metal's most intriguing, ominous and immensely talented figures, is taking this project to the masses as he will join genre visionaries BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, CYNIC and SCALE THE SUMMIT for a massive North American trek which kicks off January 8.
In a recent interview with AOL's Noisecreep, Townsend stated about the musical direction of "Addicted", "Every time I put something out, folks are like, 'Oh well, that's the direction you're going in,' or, like, 'That's your identity now.' I'm just trying shit out. I've always been into easy music. When I was 15, the record for me was 'Hysteria' by DEF LEPPARD. I loved it, dude. But we go through our adult life, and it becomes a little less en vogue to state your appreciation for pop music.
"But at the same time, this isn't the last record I'm going to ever do. I wanted to do a record like this, and during the process of this whole DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT thing, and putting together all these songs, there was a record full of that shit."
"Addicted" features vocals from both Townsend and Anneke van Giersbergen, who is best known for her work with THE GATHERING.
"I've always loved the sound of female vocals," Townsend told Noisecreep. "Not only was it DEF LEPPARD I was into when I was 15, but 'Watermark' by ENYA. I loved it. I remember when I was a kid, I was like, 'Man, if I could make, like, heavy ENYA. That would be awesome. Anneke just kind of came into my life and the thing about her is, we're kind of the same age, and we both have a kid, and...I guess I'm not really into female vocals that sound masculine, I guess. A lot of times, the heavy female vocalists always end up sounding like they're screaming or whatever. Anneke has a really solid voice, but its clear and straight-up feminine, but it can totally cut through heavy music, and for me, that was ideal."
"Ki", the first in a series of albums from Devin Townsend to be made available under the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT moniker, was released in Europe on May 25 in North America on June 19 via InsideOut Music.
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I REALLY hate Devin Townsend and everything hes done. Im not trying to piss anyone off and start Blabbermouth argument over some retarded ass shit. I just cannot appreciate his music. Its too poppy and generic.
accelerated evolution, terria, synchestra, ziltoid, alien, city, ki and now addicted?
a musician/composer with a wide palette of colors to create with...gets recognition where it means something. not everyone can be pleased.
COMMENT | Count me in the Devin-hater club posted by : Six Strings 11/17/2009 1:47:00 PM
And it's not because of his music (though he destroyed Vai's Sex & Religion album for me). While I don't like his music, it's the fact that so many people call this guy a "genius" and a "supertalent" that I him.. Sorry, but nothing I've even heard from his deserves that kind of praise. I don't like when guys like this (Akerfeldt from Opeth, too) are shoved down my throat. If fans like their music, that's fine and as a music fan, I'm happy for them. But don't tell me that these growling clowns with their downtuned guitars and depression-based lyrics are uber-talents. IMO, there are no genii (nice word!) in music, and I'll save the word uber-talent for the gifted musicians like Virgil Donati, Neil Peart, Al Di Meola, Victor Wooten, Tony MacAlpine, etc. Certainly not Townsend or Akerfeldt.
COMMENT | posted by : Bucket101Proof 11/17/2009 1:47:10 PM
"I just cannot appreciate his music. Its too poppy and generic."
AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH
*wipes tears from eyes*
AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Oh man, that's a good one. I've read lots of adjectives that describe Devin's music, but this is the first time someone has called his out-put "generic."
Of course, I guess it's hard not to expect something like this from someone with the word "Juggalo" in their user name.
Christ.
COMMENT | posted by : Bucket101Proof 11/17/2009 1:48:37 PM
"But don't tell me that these growling clowns with their downtuned guitars and depression-based lyrics are uber-talents."
Fact: you haven't heard much Devin Townsend.
Or Opeth, for that matter.
Class, your assignment for this week is this: listen to the music you want to discuss before actually discussing it. You'll sound less like an ignorant asshole next time.
COMMENT | srsly posted by : Antonotron 11/17/2009 1:57:50 PM
i'm trying my HARDEST to not sound like a stereotypical youtube internet hater; but saying that Devin's music is generic is just about as completely ignorant as you can possibly get.
whether you like his music or not--you're completely out of touch if you can't admit that it's completely eclectic in it's sound and feel. how can you listen to tracks like SYL's "Love?" next to Ocean Machine's "Life" and tell me he's generic? anybody with that much musical polarity deserves respect at the very least.
and, yes, your cited of great talents like Victor Wooten, Tony McAlpine, etc shows that you're not just musically close-minded--but you hoenstly haven't been exposed to enough of the choice selections from either artist when it comes to Devin or Ackerfeldt.
COMMENT | Virgil Donati, Neil Peart, Al Di Meola, Victor Wooten, Tony MacAlpine posted by : erpbass6 11/17/2009 1:59:23 PM
yeah they're great musicians...but they're horrible composers.
being a fast/technical is great and all...but each musicians has their place in the world.
taste over wankmanship - not every song needs an inverted hyperphrygian scale picked @ 300bpm while a drum part that has a 5/4 pattern in the kick and 7/8 pattern in the snare/hats and a 9string bass playing a 32nd note run of 2 hand tapping in it's parallel mixo key with taurus pedals on the floor.
devin/akerfeldt are great at what they do just like donati, macalpine and co...just different types of musicians.
*the more you know!*
COMMENT | posted by : Antonotron 11/17/2009 2:01:25 PM
there's absolutely ZERO "wankmanship" on the "Addicted" record, btw...
it sounds more like SYL & The Gathering had a beautiful baby.
COMMENT | Six Stings posted by : -deanerhead- 11/17/2009 2:01:49 PM
You hate Devin "not because of his music" but b/c others call him a genius? Is that really what you meant to say? And who exactly is shoving him down your throat?
COMMENT | @erpbass6 posted by : hense 11/17/2009 2:03:56 PM
You're right.
COMMENT | Antonotron posted by : erpbass6 11/17/2009 2:06:21 PM
nail on the head, man.
i was looking for something to dub it as...well put!
i actually like how he rearranged hyperdrive on this album...
COMMENT | I've wanted to like his stuff posted by : xmr 11/17/2009 2:41:49 PM
...and keep giving it a chance but ... just not for me...
COMMENT | Fellas.... posted by : Six Strings 11/17/2009 2:48:39 PM
I've heard PLENTY of Opeth, including that one "acoustic" album without the growls. Yes, most of their catalog is downtuned with growling vocals (as well as clean) so don't tell me that I need to listen to all of Opeth's stuff. I got the gist, OK? I'm not quite as familiar with Devin, as I haven't heard any of his 2009 output. I've heard plenty of his earlier stuff, and again, it's not my cup of tea. That doesn't mean it's bad music, and I never said it was bad. I just don't wanna see the word genius used it the same sentence with these two guys.
And give it a rest with guys like Peart, MacAlpine, Wooten. Any real musician knows it's a lot harder to do what they do than to growl psychotic lyrics into a microphone. I'm sure Devin wishes he had Geoff Tate's voice (well, the 80's Tate) and bet he wishes he could play guitar like MacAlpine or Petrucci. Somehow, I don't think Neil Peart wishes he could play/write Opeth's stuff.
I think it's the changing between the screams/growls and then the angelic-voiced soft, acoustic stuff that gets you guys all wet in the pants. It's a formula that's been oft-repeated.......in fact beaten to death, by Opeth.
COMMENT | Just got addicted today posted by : Strychnine.213 11/17/2009 2:55:26 PM
Sounds awesome so far (4 songs in).
COMMENT | sixer posted by : erpbass6 11/17/2009 3:00:13 PM
if devin wanted to play like petrucci/macalpine...he wouldn't be devin, he'd be a copy of them.
just like mike kineally (spelling) and the rest of those guys that sound alike and shred like eachother.
again, they are each good at what they do. it's not about "oh he wishes he could play like him or he wishes he could write".
opeth isn't the greatest band alive...they are just good at what they do. take it for what it is.
if you're in awe of virtuoso playing, great. if you're in awe of virtuosic composing, great.
if you're just a guy saying you hate this or that just because, well my friend, if you are a instrument player of some sort, you have a long way ahead of yourself to ever become a musician.
COMMENT | erpbass posted by : Six Strings 11/17/2009 3:03:58 PM
You make good points, but I want to clarify that I never said those bands "suck" or anything like that. Just that I despise when they are called genius. That's my only point.
Also, I just can't consider Opeth/Devin to be virtuosic composers. However, for arguments sake, I'm going to listen to them on Grooveshark right now. See if I'm wrong......
COMMENT | thoughts posted by : rr00 11/17/2009 3:07:11 PM
Here are some indisputable facts.
Townsend is arguably the most significant talent in our brief history of metal. The man is the Miles Davis/Frank Zappa of our genre.
That's a big statement, I realize. He's not the greatest guitarist or singer or frontman, but he's the real deal where it counts: From songwriting to engineering and amazingly brain-melting creative mixes. His creativity, intelligence, and vision are second to none, period.
The song "Ki" is an epic masterpiece, and "Addicted" (the album) is pretty dang great too.
If you don't agree, then you don't get it. The rest of us recognize that we are all fortunate to have him and his influences in our lives.
COMMENT | Six Strings posted by : rr00 11/17/2009 3:20:48 PM
Yo - some comments, respectfully. I know TMac personally and can play many of his songs on guitar from my spending over two decades of woodshedding. "Evolution" is my favorite TMac solo album. Knowing what I know now, I deeply regret spending so much time developing mechanical technique. I would have rather spent that time developing a more balanced/creative musical approach -- and I've been playing catchup for the past 1/2 decade.
Tony is one of my favorites electric guitarists, but his original compositions - even the compositions of the amazing talent in Planet X/CAB (etc) are not in the same ballpark as Devin's best work. If Tony knew Devin's work (which I'm not sure he does,) he'd agree. I've spent much time with him where he compared his piano/guitar playing to others, and he's very pragmatic and humble about his own place in the musical foodchain.
Technical virtuosity does NOT equal greatness. This has been proven over and over again throughout musical history. Some level of mastery can be important, but only to the level to be able to express something unique and genuine.
It took me way too long to realize this for myself. :(
COMMENT | Six Strings posted by : Project Mayhem 11/17/2009 3:24:14 PM
"I'm sure Devin wishes he had Geoff Tate's voice"
It may actually be worth mentioning here, but when Judas Priest were looking for someone to replace Rob Halford (before they settled for Tim Owens), they actually called Devin straight up to give him first refusal - purely on the strength of his performance of 'Exciter' on the Priest Tribute album. I think if Priest had the confidence in his ability as a vocalist - it more than proves he's capable on standing on the shoulders of giants.
Also, comparing him to wankers like MacAlpine, etc. is a totally futile gesture. Devin is more than capable of playing that stuff - it's just he's not that pretentious to think 'wanking arpeggios & scales' for an hour worth of album time equates to good old fashioned 'song writing'. Solo's don't make the song - the rhythms make the song.
Fair play... you ain't convinced of Devin's ability as a musician - just ignore it and go back to listening to guitar wank if that's your pleasure & leave us fans to appreciate Devin (not for being a genius), simply being Devin...
COMMENT | rr00 posted by : Six Strings 11/17/2009 3:28:13 PM
This is EXACTLY why I don't like Devin. You just pissed on Iommi, Halford, Hetfield, Mustaine, Harris, Dickinson......all of 'em. Congrats.
COMMENT | posted by : Tellingthetruestoryfirst 11/17/2009 3:30:57 PM
To quote Yngwie Malmsteen: "Less is less and more is more. Less can never be more, and more can never be less."
Devin Townsend is less.
COMMENT | few points.... posted by : Self_Science 11/17/2009 3:49:05 PM
1.Tony Macalpine is not a terrible 'composer'. not by a long shot. in fact, he is more of the most precise of the so called 'shredders.
2.Devin was a fascinasting artist in the 90's but his fans tend to exaggerate his vocal talent, as well as his musical diversity. Devin repeats the same vocal and guitar melodies over and over. 'Biomech' is a great record, and so is 'Terria', but he started to bore me around the time of 'Accelerated Evolution', and while he has released interesting stuff since, he always falls back on those same goddamn vocal melodies and open arpgeggios.
those fucking arpeggios. He is like the phillip glass of metal ;-)
COMMENT | rr00... posted by : Self_Science 11/17/2009 3:52:08 PM
'Evolution' is a great record.
As for people talking about devy's lack of complexity on the guitar, wtf?!!?!? That's hardly the point.
Oh and Opeth's 'acoustic' album isa joke compared to the real thing. I love acoustic music, more than metal, and that album is fucking tedious crap in my eyes.
COMMENT | rr00 posted by : Self_Science 11/17/2009 3:54:42 PM
man, you just lost all credibility here:
"Townsend is arguably the most significant talent in our brief history of metal. The man is the Miles Davis/Frank Zappa of our genre."
jesus!!!! :-(
And i disagree about Devy's mixes too. they sound flat to me. full of detail, perhaps, but it's not particularly interesting to my ears.
COMMENT | posted by : Antonotron 11/17/2009 3:58:34 PM
1. anybody who quotes Yngwie to incite anything other than pure laughter/mocker is a total wanker.
2. "pissed on Iommi, Halford, Hetfield, Mustaine, ..." ok--i'm pretty sure you just put Dave Mustaine in the same group as Halford & Dickinson (and personally I think Iommi is as overrated a player as Jimmy Page), but that shows that you're grading on a pretty crooked curve. DO YOUR HOMEWORK: give Devin's cover of "Exciter" a listen before you go waxing all metal-historian on a public forum.
3. what separates Devin from the rest (or most, to be fair), is that he **IS**, by all accounts, a virtuoso --BUT--he doesn't feel the need to inject mathematical equations into all of his songs ostentatiously and lean on his fret-wanking as his saving grace. You can't argue that most SYL tracks fucking RIP and pummel the listener with sonic warfare. Stack tracks like "Oh My Fucking God" up next to any Michael Romeo wankfest and tell me there's absolutely no difference. Devin has songwriting-motherfucking-ability, soul, and just plain KNOWS music. He's even openly satired the ridiculous exhibitionist art of "shredding" these days and how it seems to be the factor by which bands or players are measured and attain credibility.
DEVIN PWNS YOU.
COMMENT | Six Strings posted by : LappyMcNut 11/17/2009 4:13:22 PM
music is taste and whatever you like is fine
I just cannot agree with Dev comments
"depression-based lyrics are uber-talents"
huh, what song are you listeing too with depression filled lyrics?? Dev is not EMO - a lot of his songs are upbeat, and positive
anyway, to each their own, but I think Dev is a genius and it has to be with his willingness to adapt, play many styles and put out so much quality music over such a short time
with that said, Addicted has not arrived yet - bummer
Devin comes across as a really decent person and he's prolific and talented but it's some of his fans I have a problem with. I've never understood why some of them have to be so damn overzealous all the time though - he MIGHT not be a genius, and if even if he is it's ok not to love or even like his music. I honestly think some of Devin's so-called 'fans' do him disservice and come across as a gang of smug elitists. It might actually put newcomers off.
COMMENT | Antonotron posted by : Six Strings 11/17/2009 4:14:18 PM
You need to learn metal history yourself. Megadeth's Rust In Peace is a landmark album in the genre, and Mr. Mustaine is known as one fo the greatest metal guitarists ever. He might be a pompous ass, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he's a huge figure in metal.
Wow, I can see Blabbermouth has become quite the popularity contest. Eddie Van Halen and Dave Mustaine are no longer pioneers because they sometimes act like brats, but Devin and Akerfeldt are metal gods because they are cool guys and treat their fans well. Thanks guys, I've now seen the light.
Oh, and that Oh My Fucking God song is the worst tune I've ever heard. I just listened to it. How do I get that 3.5 minutes of my life back? Give me a Mike Romeo shredfest anyday. At least it's fucking musical.
COMMENT | Not a fan posted by : Planet Piss 11/17/2009 4:36:59 PM
But at least he shaved his balding head
COMMENT | Juggalo_Guitar_God420 posted by : youhavebadtasteinmusic 11/17/2009 4:42:42 PM
Music is subjective. I cannot be genius, or terrible; it just is. It varies from person to person. Now let's all eat some pizza and forget we ever thought we could impose our opinions on other people!
COMMENT | posted by : mightym7 11/17/2009 5:04:07 PM
Devin looks a lot better as a mannequin than he did as a Klingon.
COMMENT | Yeah I dunno if I can take anything from a Juggalo seriously posted by : octillus 11/17/2009 5:08:27 PM
And yet here I am writing about this.
Look, Devin Townsend's music for me has been pretty much the music I've been searching for my whole life. It's pretty much, to me, the purest most honest thing in a genre that is often full of incredulous bullshit. Does that mean it's for everybody? No. It's not. Do I want to get into a debate about wank vs. nonwank? No not really. Dev definitely has the ability to wank if he wants to, but that's really not the focal point of his music. Thank god. But you know, that's just my opinion.
Am I a fanboy? Yes, yes I fucking am, but does that mean anyone who doesn't like his stuff is wrong?
Shit, I mean, aren't we all into a marginal genre of music anyway? Aren't we just taking turns stabbing at each other because we think our knives are sharper?
I'm thankful that Devin is Devin and his music exists for my consumption, god knows none of my friends get it. I think it took my 5 years to get my metal drummer friend to listen to SYL.
Man if you like the classics, good for you dude. I love me some Rush, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden too, and if Dev's music doesn't appeal, it doesn't. That's fine.
Oh my Fucking God is an exercise in being abrasive, I'd go with Skeksis or Wrong Side if you want to examine SYL, but chances are you don't.
That's okay, I think I've heard enough thrash at this point in my life myself, so I don't bother with bands a lot of the time too.
So yeah. We all have opinions.
COMMENT | Six Strings posted by : Antonotron 11/17/2009 5:10:32 PM
I've got no problem with Mustaine or EVH--and I happen to agree that they were both pioneers in their own right; especially EVH (being that he's the bigger ass). there's no "popularity contest" here--although far be it from me to fault ANY musician who's genuinely appreciative of their fans.
Michael Romeo, however, is about as far from pioneer as you can get: it's all skill, there's no music--and to paraphrase Alexi Laiho--it's just sports.
I never called Devin a "pioneer"--he's just an incredible musician and songwriter who does an incredible job at bending genres. and the "OMFG" track was very obviously made to be tongue-in-cheek, like the bulk of their material (in case you weren't on-board already from the song-title)--so to base the bands overall musicianship on that is just another simplistic and ignorant spin on the band.
COMMENT | Devin Townsend - a very interesting musician. posted by : pigchop 11/17/2009 5:32:43 PM
I have noticed that more often than not - online discussions related to Devin Townsend tend to include (inside the usual shit and happy abuse) quite a few actual exchanges of intelligent thoughts. And hey - in relation to a hole of filth-in-mind like Blabbermouth so often is, mine really is an amazing observation.
I'll be giving this an ear for sure, just curiousity's sake 'cause I'm a Gathering and SYL fan. i've never heard solo Townsend though.
on a side note, fuck Opeth.
COMMENT | thoughts posted by : rr00 11/17/2009 6:06:28 PM
Great discussion, you all. Thoughtful and respectful, and I appreciate that.
@Six Strings"This is EXACTLY why I don't like Devin. You just pissed on Iommi, Halford, Hetfield, Mustaine, Harris, Dickinson......all of 'em. Congrats."
I love all of these musicians (and their bands!,) but stand by my statement. I didn't denigrate any of them, either!
I was thinking: maybe those guys would have surpassed some of Devin's best work if they HAD access to the technology he's used throughout his career (i.e. DAW, digital gadgetry, etc.)
But the fact is, those musicians DO have access to it now -- and for the most part, their modern music is flat and uninspired. Metallica, Maiden, Megadeth seem incapable of touching what they were doing 20+ years ago.
Why are they apparently uninterested in exploring outside of the genre that they established so long ago? Is it because they're uninterested, or maybe they don't have the creativity and chops to produce something outside of a narrow genre? Or maybe they don't want to alienate their fanbase?
I'm not sure - but there's no doubt that Devin has grown and explored genres over his almost 20 year pro. career, while the artists you just threw back at me have done nothing of the sort. I'm not going to let them off the hook because they're legends.
BTW, Zappa and Davis had similar tendencies. They bounced genres ("Kind of Blue" vs "Bitches Brew") and produced some amazing music across the board. Townsend: same. Now that he's walking away from the brutal metal, I expect he'll drift further away from that narrow genre and will have more surprises for his fans.
There is no right or wrong to this debate now - but I think in 20+ years, we'll have a better idea. One thing is for sure: Townsend will NEVER come close to touching the commercial success of them, but as we all know, that's not always a good judge of talent.
COMMENT | Creative genius posted by : Das Schuetzenfest 11/17/2009 6:13:01 PM
My cock is bigger than yours.
That automatically makes me a better lover. Correct?
Technically, my fellow countryman Marco Minnemann smokes Virgil Donati. That automatically makes him a better musician. Right? To be honest, I think that Minnemann actually is the more creative and better drummer / musician / artist / producer / allround talent. But I do not base my opinion solely on technical wankery like total interdependence on the drums.
Are Killing Joke genuises? A band without any guitar solo or technical wankery at all? I certainly consider Jaz Coleman to be an eccentric - and a genius. Read about the Killing Joke frontman, probably one of the smartest guys in the music business. This man certainly knows how this world really works (hint: he studied international banking for three years in Switzerland before his career as a singer, songwriter, frontman, producer, classical composer, conductor, author). And no guitar in sight.
Is Devin Townsend a "genius"? Maybe, maybe not. How would you want to measure it, objectively?
Listen (listen!) to Devin Townsend's Ocean Machine - Biomech. I am at the same age as Devin, I've been listening to heavy music since the early/mid 80ies and I consider this album to be some of the best and most unique heavy music created in the last 20 years. Easily. Tell me that the production, musicianship, singing and songwrtiting as a unity is something you've heared before.
Uniqueness and innovation. A sign of ingenuity? Probably yes?
I am quite certain that younger artists like Devin Townsend, Mikael Åkerfeldt, Steven Wilson or Mike Patton will be regarded a some of the most talented and highly unique musicians in Rock/Metal history, especially when classic bands like Sabbath, Priest, Maiden and Metallica have to call it a day in a couple of years.
COMMENT | posted by : the2989 11/17/2009 6:24:06 PM
Wow, lots of wankers on BM today. I'm gonna go back over to MetalSucks for now.
COMMENT | posted by : kingnothing23 11/17/2009 6:27:09 PM
I can't believe there are people who can't appreciate what Devin does, I'm pretty sure they can't appreciate music in general, or at least metal music.
Get the fuck out of here!
COMMENT | "And no guitar in sight." posted by : Das Schuetzenfest 11/17/2009 6:31:18 PM
* guitar SOLO, that is.
COMMENT | Love it posted by : Hardcore666 11/17/2009 8:43:05 PM
Can't wait to come home and find Addicted in my mailbox!
Devin you rule!
COMMENT | making posted by : Pensfan 11/17/2009 9:14:19 PM
making a long story short for SixStrings:
the older the better seems to be his theme.
COMMENT | posted by : fermentis 11/17/2009 9:56:09 PM
ziltoid was fantastic!! didnt really dig ki, but i LOVE addicted!!! very refreshing sound, and catchy! and i love anneke.
nice work devy, cant wait for the super heavy album next!!
COMMENT | posted by : PsyclapseChris 11/17/2009 11:02:06 PM
"Shit, I mean, aren't we all into a marginal genre of music anyway? Aren't we just taking turns stabbing at each other because we think our knives are sharper?"
The single best quote I've seen on Blabbermouth to describe us Blabberfools.
As far as Devin is concerned: I'm an uber-fan, no doubt. I love his tongue-in-cheek approach, his honest approach, and the emotional connection I garner from his music.
I'm not going to get involved in the "is Devin a virtuoso and/or genius" discussion. However, I will say that there are three facets of Devin Townsend's discography you should listen to before judging: Strapping Young Lad (City or Alien, preferrably), solo material during SYL (Devin Townsend Band), and solo material post-SYL (Devin Townsend Project). Each are a different, evolving section, while remaining within the same mind.
If nothing in those strikes your fancy, then that's cool. I'm disappointed you don't see (hear) what I see (hear), but we're not the same person.
So, in total, I suppose this is simply a "to each his own" post. But with the urging to hear a bit of everything before judging. My guitarist doesn't like Devin's material -- however, he does agree that the man is immensely talented.
Enjoy if you like. Don't enjoy if you don't like. That simple.
Cheers!
COMMENT | Self_science posted by : rr00 11/18/2009 2:32:36 AM
Yo - don't know if you'll get this, but I have tons of respect for you because you seem very intelligent and also love TMac's Evolution. To me, that means we're almost brothers from another mother. Time Table still kills me.
I absolutely stand by Devy being MD/FZ of Metal. If you're around in 20+ years, try to remember this and see for yourself. If Devin doesn't have a mental breakdown of some sort, or some horriffic drug relapse, then I feel confident that he'll prove me right.
Finally, it seems like you do some recording. I also do a lot of published recording. If you care, I would tell you that I spend a lot of my time studying mixes, mostly because it's inspiring and I steal ideas.
Have you heard Devin's song "Ki?" (yes, it has the Arpeggios, and I'm laughing at your joke about Glass - well done.)
I'd hope that you would listen to that track front to back, with an open mind, with any substance that you might (or might not) use to enhance your perception. With good quality headphones, too. Then I'd hope you'd hear how he mixed the finale of that song, and hear the layers and how they rise vertically in the mix. Notice how the final operatic vocal phrases rise at the center of the mix, as if they're raised on a platform above cacophony.
To me, this level of detail is uncommon, because only very few people are able to express themselves this way. I can only think of a few.
This song is not flat within its dynamic range. (this is METAL after all.) To my perception, it's three dimensional - and it expresses something that I've rarely heard in music. Only the *greats* do this for me.
I love Townsend's music, such as it is-and I respect you even if you don't.
rr00 (ps. Biomech is pretty great too.)
COMMENT | Hevy Devy posted by : PaulBlackMetal 11/18/2009 4:02:19 AM
I think Addicted is great, but I feel obligated to play Ki a couple times a week, we'll see if Addicted strikes me similarly.
Also, the solo on Heaven Send blows my mind...
COMMENT | Please...One of you, please realise.... posted by : Devy 11/18/2009 4:20:30 AM
....that 'Juggalo_Guitar_God420' is a bullshit poster who only posted that to start all you idiots off on a rant...
COMMENT | McAlpine, Petrucci, Malmsteen, HAHAHAHAHA! posted by : Fiendish Ghoul 11/19/2009 4:12:39 AM
A bunch of fretwankers who couldn't write a decent tune if their lives depended on it. Devin is a great songwriter and that makes him 10.000 times more relevant than ANY of them but the funny thing is he destroys them from a technical standpoint as well!
Watch this and weep you shittalking poseurs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMRPY7dfU3s
COMMENT | posted by : MazingerV 11/23/2009 6:51:53 PM
Feindish Ghoul, thank you for posting that. I'd seen that vid before, but it most likely shut up these dorks here who couldnt even hold a guitar pick to Devin. I love how he is just wailing and talking like it's nothing. Can you imagine how he is when he puts his mind to it.
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