really been getting into him recently. this thread is both poll and discussion.
I was expecting more from "the single greatest musician in the history of mankind", but still, he's good.
a bit of a necro i'm aware, but how can you not include Strapping Young Lad? City was pure genius!
How on earth is his music not more popular?
Could someone explain this to me? It's not that I don't like Devin Townsend, I have Terria and a few other things, I just don't understand why he's seen to be on a totally different level. What sets him apart? (I'm just curious.)
Admittedly, I have been distancing from metal over the last few years, so it might just be that my tastes are changing.
Could someone explain this to me? It's not that I don't like Devin Townsend, I have Terria and a few other things, I just don't understand why he's seen to be on a totally different level. What sets him apart? (I'm just curious.)
Admittedly, I have been distancing from metal over the last few years, so it might just be that my tastes are changing.
Could someone explain this to me? It's not that I don't like Devin Townsend, I have Terria and a few other things, I just don't understand why he's seen to be on a totally different level. What sets him apart? (I'm just curious.)
Admittedly, I have been distancing from metal over the last few years, so it might just be that my tastes are changing.
That is actually what I thought of Terria though, that it sounded like conventional metal. Could you describe the subtleties of it at all?
The main thing that stood out for me was the lyrics, Earthday was a bit of genius, but then I find listening to lyrics hard (and distracting - I rarely listen to lyrics), I generally have to read them especially in that kind of metal where the singer's growling. I thought it sounded like Dream Theatre in many places to, @Haboblado.But Dream Theatre are a similar thing for me, I like them, but they just sound like good examples of the genre (also they're one of those bands where speed = skill, I get a bit bored of 20 minute songs that just show off a solo from each member, if Devin's subtler I prefer that
)
Hmm I'm not sure about those being a metal parody, but I do know Deconstruction was exactly that. The whole concept of it was based around making fun of the metal subculture, in a way. the lyrical context of it is more comical and silly than it is dark, while album is intentionally overblown to the max.Terria and Ziltoid both sounded like parodies of metal though, if that makes sense, so is the subtlety of it in the context, maybe?![]()
Hmm I'm not sure about those being a metal parody, but I do know Deconstruction was exactly that. The whole concept of it was based around making fun of the metal subculture, in a way. the lyrical context of it is more comical and silly than it is dark, while album is intentionally overblown to the max.
Yeah that's a good point. I got it wrong(use of the word parody).......and in that case maybe Punky Bruster Cooked on Phonics is the only real parody album he's done. SYL could be described as a parody of metal, although it is still original, groundbreaking and influential. Ziltoid definitely sounds like a parody of SYL at least.The entire Discography of SYL could essentially be described as a parody of metal, but I don't see Deconstruction as a parody. His own explanation of Deconstruction was that he wanted to show people that he has developed as a person; he can no longer do metal because he doesn't have the emotions that were the inspiration for his old music. It's the opposite of a parody in some ways.
Out-of-sequence interjection time.I would say the subtleties of it lies in the heavy multi-tracking technique("Wall of sound") that Devin and other artists have used, like Frank Zappa for best example. Terria has a lot of ambient work going on in it, like tons of background vocal layers, pianos, synths, samples, and other stuff to make his 4/4 metal power chord driven songs sound massive and more melodic. You can listen to almost any Dev album for 6 months and you will still hear new things in it, if that makes sense. From what I recall Terria is supposed to be an "introspective" album written about his home country Canada, so it's got some mellow atmosphere in there. I love the lush vocal layers in Canada(the song), pretty soothing.
N, probably; P, probably; I, a controversial definitely from me. Introverts can act as extraverts if they have enough energy, and that's what I see in Devin.Is anyone brave enough to take a crack at his MBTI? I would guess at heavy N, and probably P. He has bipolar disorder, and I'm not sure if that would confound his F, or be causal to it. I/E seems ambiguous, on one hand he is a chronic performer who demonstrates little reserve, but on the other he seems quite introverted in interviews. Is it possible to be an introvert with low inhibitions? I'm pretty terrible at typology.
Yea I'm aware of this tendency.I think there's a tendency to identify yourself with people you admire, typing wise.
I'm not so sure he's an INTP, personally. I'm not saying he's Se either, but some innovative musicians I've really admired in the past have been Se doms. All I'm saying is I wouldn't say, 'because the music is abstract it's N', the real innovators of any type are a rarity, I wouldn't put it past the other functions sometimes.![]()
Dad: "Son, have you heard of a guy called Devin Townsend?"
Me: "Yeah, I've heard a few albums, he's pretty good."
Dad: "I have a spare ticket to see him in December, d'you fancy coming?"
Me: "Yeah, alright."
Having a metal-head for a Father works out well, sometimes.![]()
N, probably; P, probably; I, a controversial definitely from me. Introverts can act as extraverts if they have enough energy, and that's what I see in Devin.
But he could be Ti or Fi. People seem to think of him as INTP because he fits the old "eccentric scientist" stereotype. I think he is more likely to be INFP, his creative process seems more a case of him reaching something that sounds "right", if that makes sense. On the other hand, Opeths creative process comes across as Ti driven, as do other typical prog-ish bands.
BTW Epicloud is UHHHHHMAAAAAZZZIIIINNG. It's a mix of elements from the last 4 DTP albums, but the songs are mostly all pop structure with poppy elements, and choruses and hooks that you wont get out of your head for a while. Dare I say it's one of his best yet.
Whoa, your dad sounds like a cool guy.
I was lucky enough to see Devin in all of his glory live last night again(Epic Kings And Idols Tour with Katatonia). Had a great fuckin time! Honestly. I was able to by his new album Epicloud(delux edition with Epiclouder album) two weeks before it is officially released, so that ruled. Got some shirts, bought Katatonia's new disc(been too lazy to order it), and enjoyed myself for most of the night.
Show opened with Stolen Babies and Paradise Lost. SB was interesting, I had never heard them before. Female vocalist had quite a set of pipes on her. Paradise Lost just doesnt do it for me no matter how much I try. I stepped out for a beer and cig.
This was my 3rd time seeing Katatonia, and to me their live show keeps getting better each time(I think they are starting to make more money). They played 5 tracks off their new one, and I almost wished they played the whole thing. Wasn't that interested to hear older songs, because the new material has me hooked! See avatar. Just wish they'd get a live session keyboardist, instead of having the synths and layers on a backtrack.
The mighty Devin came next, This guy is really something else! He has a very strong stage presence and he really does put on a show. His banter and antics were hilarious as always. For example when they were playing "Where We Belong", a slow 80's type ballad, he screamed "LA is the fuckin cock rock capital of the world!" and right before his solo/guitar interlude he screams "Are you ready? Slash, eat my dick!!!" and wanks on his guitar. At that point Devin couldnt possibly be a bigger hero to me. This was my 3rd time seeing Dev live(SYL included) and this was by far my favorite show. If you are going to go, make sure you have a set of ear plugs handy, because he is fuckin loud live. Almost gone deaf twice at his shows now.
BTW Epicloud is UHHHHHMAAAAAZZZIIIINNG. It's a mix of elements from the last 4 DTP albums, but the songs are mostly all pop structure with poppy elements, and choruses and hooks that you wont get out of your head for a while. Dare I say it's one of his best yet.
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG I AM DOWNLOADING RIGHT NOW
IMA GO GET SOME COLD PORRIDGE TO TAKE THE EDGE OF THIS THROBBING CAPSLOCK ERECTION
It hasn't even been released, you wouldn't download a car that hasn't been build yet would you?
(I've pre-ordered the vinyl. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I'll be downloading it anyway)