DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT: TRANSCENDENCE

I'm not sure how I feel about it on this album, but then Dev has his own sound and if you're after more of the same or more from the early days then at least the first half is definitely for you. There is ultimately no doubting the genius that is Devin Townsend. I however keep getting sucked into the hole of feeling like he's repeating himself until I fall in love with him all over again when he plays live. This album feels no different to that as I am sure there will be brilliant live performances even though this album on the whole feels a bit same-y.

Truth - You can immediately tell this is Devin - the wall of music hits you in the face and he just loves re-imagining his earlier pieces of music. This latest one from the earlier "Infinity" album. A solid start which reminds us yes this is Devy. He hasn't changed (despite the ending of the song suggesting it has)

Stormbending - Starts off a little slower than the name of the piece would have me believe. The wall of sound is as thick as ever and the drums are bombastic as ever. There it is! The change of pace into some heroics before a melody arises from the heavenly sound of Devins guitar and then the contrast with the softer vocals. Some nice work so far. In comes the choir and the high pitched vocals of Devin to finish off the piece. A beautiful yet familiar track to anyone who is a fan of Devin.

Failure - This starts off feeling so much like Planet of the Apes, but then launches into a piece in its own right (Devin definitely likes re-visiting his earlier stuff in this album so far). The lyrics on this song are just superb and the solo suitably weird at first before very much becoming part of the drive. Absolutely beautiful piece of music.

Secret Sciences - Begins almost like something like from Ocean Machine. Boy this is really becoming a trend. Anneke provides some nice backing in the middle of this song. Good to hear her beautiful voice again. I can't help but zone out a little bit in this middle period as the song seems to meander in it's Deviness. I'm a little bit disappointed in that but then it all comes together nicely in the end with the typical DT climax.

Higher - Nothing untoward to start with which means there has to be some sort of brutal contrast soon. Some lovely soft vocals kick in to accompany the feel. Very nice. In comes the change before settling down into a nice groove and then back to the bombastic feel to interrupt just as I thought I knew where this was going. Some brutal metal in the 5th minute with brilliant guitar lines and it just keeps getting heavier as this goes on! This is going to be a hit with a live crowd. 8 minutes in and the music goes from heavy passage to heavy passage. It's a brilliant listen, before the choir kicks in for the final portion of the song. This song feels like it has everything Devin has ever done in it.

Stars - This is Devin back to his heavy metal/rock best, or so I thought, because he then dials it back into melancholy mode with some nice backing by Anneke once again. I feel like this song will get a lot of rotation. The melodies work so well against each other and the vocal line is so easy to sing.

Transcendence - What a start with that drumming! Wow. In comes a male choir this time before settling in with Anneke and Devin call and responding and then back to the chorus again. This is truly beautiful so far. The majesty of the piece continues even into the guitar solo and up toward the climax of the song. That was epic.

Offer Your Light - Woah! This song does not let up. Anneke again providing some beautiful vocals, then Devin comes in with his rough feel as the guitars drive, the melody soars and the drums round out the epicness. This song is a true wall, with so much happening at once. The change on around 2:30 is a welcome breath of air before we dive straight back into it. This song absolutely rocks perhaps at the risk of sounding like a wall of Devy-bricks have just been dumped on you

From The Heart - Devin knows how to make an epic introduction for his 8 minute songs. This is no exception. Even the lyrics are absolutely striking and the chorus is beautiful beyond words. Townsend really knows his own sound and keeps delivering in the same vein. Just as the song appears to be trailing off it sits into a lovely moody passage

Transdermal Celebration - Devin has a knack for leaving you with hope, happiness and optimism and this is no exception to that theme. The motif here is probably the best on the album before trailing off into an ethereal sea to see out the album.