ZILTOID THE OMNISCIENT

I went into the store with a bit of apprehension. The problem: If I didn't like this Ziltoid nonsense, I would just have thrown about twenty bucks down the drain. I had never even heard of Devin Townsend before listening to Ayreon's The Human Equation. I happened to take to the guy's screaming (something I don't usually find attractive) in "Day Sixteen: Looser." I saw the high-star reviews for this album on ProgArchives, yet I hesitated. It was a very difficult purchase, because I had absolutely no idea what it would sound like or what the concept was. In a typical predicament as such, I usually wait until I get a review form a close friend. I had nothing to go on.

That being said, I popped it in, and I laughed. I laughed very hard. Devin puts the fun right into the middle of Music. (muFUNsic?) Devin is not plagued by him taking himself too seriously. He clearly enjoys what he is doing, and he wants everyone else to take that same joy in his ideas as he does. The absolutely hilarious storyline (it's refreshing to find humor in knowing that the very thought of an omniscient, finite being is a metaphysical impossibility) is told alongside some pretty rocking riffs and very innovative, cool sections.

Among the coolest sections on the whole album occurs in "By Your Command" at 3:30 after some ear-bleeding guitar sections cool off into a section of almost space-rocky-ness (sic?). Devin's voice gets very pure and crisp while the guitar flutters behind him in a happy manner. Another pretty awesome part is when Ziltoid plays his guitar for us all in "Ziltoid Attaxx," saying "I am the greatest guitar player to have ever lived." The simply absurdity of a omniscient alien playing guitar while he attaxx Earth is hilarious and very well done. The humor is well-played, right alongside the great music.

The twist at the end is so extreme that I cannot even say it for fear of ruining the experience for all of you. This is a extremely fun and well-written album. Easily 4 stars. Your collection isn't lacking without it, but it would certainly add a nice, fresh flavor!

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