Guy Reviews Devin Townsend Without Knowingwho He Is

Devin Townsend Project //Epicloud
Rating: 4.0/5.0 — Adept, cheesy fun
Characterization: InsideOut Music
Websites: myspace.com  |  facebook.com
Release Dates:  Out now worldwide!

Well well well, if it isn'tDevin Townsend (and hisProjection). This guy does not know when to stop.Epicloud is his tertiary studio album in the by 18 months, following the prog-metal opusDeconstruction and the acoustic, new-ageyGhost. Unlike those two records (which were role of a 4-album concept),Epicloud has no elaborate concept and no unifying sound. To hearTownsend tell it, the programme this fourth dimension was to just create an album of skillful vibes and diverse, catchy songs.

Of grade, Townsend'south back catalog provides plenty of reference points for what's going on onEpicloud. The nearly obvious comparison would be 2009'sAddicted, which shares the same "just a bunch of catchy songs" platform. Some of the heavier material could've been on 1999'sPhysicist (especially "Kingdom", which really WAS onPhysicistand given the exercise-over here). And the balls-out stone of "Liberation" is not far removed from Devin'due south onetime band matesThe Wildhearts. Other highlights include the Euro-dance "Save Our Now," and "Grace," which is from an alternating universe where Oprah writes lyrics for Meshuggah [Kill it with FIRE!!!! – Steel Druhm]. These songs are pretty immediate, for whatever that's worth, and I institute myself familiar with their titles and most of their lyrics after simply a mind or two.

Of course, there are a couple of new twists. Well-nigh obvious is the all-encompassing use of choir and orchestra. The choir in particular gives this anthology a slightly different flavor, somewhere between a gospel chorus and maybe "Maverick Rhapsody." The orchestra did appear previously onDeconstruction, just while its purpose on that album was to simply sound huge, it'south utilized hither to add together drama and beauty to these songs. Coupled with Townsend'due south typically over-the-meridian production, the sound is pretty overwhelming. Otherwise, Devin is backed by the aforementioned cadre band he's had for years — Mike Young (bass), Dave Young (guitar), and Ryan Van Poederooyen (drums). Guest vocaliserAnneke Van Giersbergen (ex-The Gathering) besides makes a return appearance, pretty much filling the aforementioned role she did onAddicted.

The real difference, though, is the overwhelming positivity of the songs here. Anthology opener "True North" is mostly built on the repetition of this lyric:"I dearest you, I beloved you, I need you, I've always been effectually you lot." Several other songs continue in this vein, especially the bordering-on-sappy "Divine." In fact, the word "honey" probably makes up for at to the lowest degree fifty pct of the lyrics onEpicloud. Townsend is notwithstanding a maniac, only this time he is maniacally loving everything in his life, and he's making damn sure you lot know it. It might be the weirdest "experience-good" tape ever made [I call up the term you were looking for is "needy" or maybe "stalky" – Steel Druhm].

The Dev may not break a lot of new footing musically, but that's to be expected from someone who's already released about 400 albums. The heavy songs are heavy, the slow songs sound like '80s ability ballads and/or the shit you lot hear at the chiropractor, and there's a salubrious dose of cheese and humor about the whole matter.Townsend KNOWS this stuff is pompous and ridiculously overblown, and he pushes it as far as it will get, maybe even as well far (meet "Hold On," which is more than or less the aforementioned song as "Don't Stop Believin'" pastJourney).

The refusal to stick to one sound isEpicloud'southward primary strength, and it's probably the single most diverse album inTownsend's hefty back catalog. The man has been on a roll these last few years, and Epicloud is no exception. If you dislike keyboards and choirs, or you lot're too necro to listen to anything happy, y'all'll probably fucking detest this. But if you're a fan ofTownsend's more than song-oriented piece of work, such asAddicted or evenOcean Machine, this volition be a welcome add-on to your collection.

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Source: https://www.angrymetalguy.com/devin-townsend-project-epicloud-review/