Townsend Band, Devin - Synchestra

Devin Townsend. You might not like the man’s music, but in my opinion he is one of the most talented musicians walking on this planet. He is mostly known for his band Strapping Young Lad; playing extreme cyber-nutcase metal with the goal of blowing your eardrum down your eustachian tube. He also has an other band which caries his own name: The Devin Townsend Band (TDTB). With this outfit, Devin shows his lighter side, with a more experimental-rock based sound. ‘Synchesta’ is the 6th offering, and according to the bio "its an album that bathes in the lavish soundscape of Townsend’s utopia-gone-mad world"

The disc opens with the acoustic "Let it Roll", which gets followed up with the medieval-sounding "Hypergeek", and halfway this song the "real" band and distortion kicks in. But halfway trough "Triumph" I still get the idea that everything is still an elaborate introduction. After a cool little country-banjo break I'm starting to get the idea that this record doesnt offer you standard songs, its one big journey from start to finish. Great guitarsolo by guest-gitarist Mr. Steve Vai as well.

One of the album’s highlights is the duo "Vampolka" / "Vampira". Like the name says, Vampolka is a quirky polka tune which flows over into Vampira, maybe one of Townsend’s best songs he has ever written. Its not the best because it has the best, catchy melody ever, but its just so..develishly evil. Townsend’s vocals are great and I actually caught myself trying to get some of those high notes out. Dracula metal IS the future.

I really don’t want to spoil much about this record, it will keep you entertained all the way though. The production is excellent, with Townsend’s typical layer-over-layer-over-layer wall of sound and clear and crisp tones. Synchestra is experimental rock with a metal side to it, with hidden things to discover. Synchestra is a 65:29 minute great trip through Townsend’s weird world. Synchestra needs to be listened to with a good stereo system and a quality pair of headphones, while you lay down on a couch and can listen it all the way through. Synchestra might be the man’s most cohesive effort to date; I personally prefer it over Terria and Accelerated Evolution.

Dev-fans can just go out and get this, and if you never heard something from The Devin Townsend Band, this might be the record for you because there must be something on it that you will love and there is very little to dislike.