Hog Posted December 12, 2005 Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 Devin Townsend has been dubbed a genius by his peers and fans alike, but to truly understand why you have to go beyond the sonic anarchy of the beloved Strapping Young Lad and soak up his more melodic, civilized fare. Synchestra marks Hevy Devys latest journey away from SYL, and its an album reminiscent of his classic Ocean Machine (now ten years old!), only with much more depth. Sounding like it was composed to be one long song, Synchestra ebbs and flows beautifully, caressing you one moment and kicking you in the teeth the next. The ceremony begins with two short atmospheric bits (Let It Roll and Hypergeek) before kicking into high gear with Triumph, a melodic, hypnotic seven minute high class rock anthem full of Townsend trademarks. Plenty of outstanding tracks on this record, particularly Gaia complete with a couple fleeting (intentional?) Piggy chords (see Voivod) the monolithic Pixillate, the scorching Alice-In-Wonderland-down.the-rabbit-hole Vampira (preceded by the Finntroll-esque instrumental Vampolka), and the big-ass Ocean Machine-styled riff rocker Notes From Africa. Perhaps the only bump in the road is the plodding swampsong A Simple Lullaby, which makes lots of noise but never seems to go anywhere, particularly after the equally heavy and far superior Judgement. Then again, some SYL fans may get off on it thanks to the over-the-top vocals. The album closes with a hidden two-and-a-half minute punk-pop song that recalls the near legendary Punky Bruster, another of Townsends triumphs. Its interesting to note how vastly different Synchestra is from DTBs first album, Accelerate Evolution, the latter coming off as cold and clinical in comparison in spite of having been written by the same guy. And therein lines Townsends genius; you think you know what hes got in store and he still manages to blow your mind.9/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fast Caz Posted December 12, 2005 Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 Load of baws if you ask me hahahahahaOnly thing that i ever properly enjoyed by Devin is terriaand that includes his SYL stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Posted December 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 Load of baws if you ask me hahahahahaOnly thing that i ever properly enjoyed by Devin is terriaand that includes his SYL stuffShut your face, you were late for DJing duties, so as far as Im concerned you love all of Devs albums:up: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fast Caz Posted December 12, 2005 Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 ahhh testicles to you and your silly ways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan G Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 But ocean machine was released in 1998?unless that review was written 3 years in the future then it is lying!Can't wait for Synchestra though. GOD BLESS DEVY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Posted December 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 And Im meeting the man himself tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottST Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 how ya managing that?be sure not to blow all over him..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan G Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 Arch Enemy and Strapping Young Lad in Glasgow...i'd be there but I am playing a gig in glasgow (barfly) tomorrow... doggamn in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Posted December 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 doggamn in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottST Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 aaah...good luck with that, dan...if you meet Devin, Hog, kiss him. i dare you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Posted December 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 aaah...good luck with that' date=' dan...if you meet Devin, Hog, kiss him. i dare you.[/quote']If only he wasnt married. I will get pics:up: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottST Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 If only he wasnt married. now, why should that stop you:up: only kidding. that would be far too heavy a gig for me to go to, i think. i aint a metal man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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