OCEAN MACHINE - BIOMECH

What? We can't all quote something poetic and befitting the album in question, can we? what about an instrumental album, would you quote guitar tabs? I thought not.

This album is the first solo release from Devin Townsend. It is a very ocean feeling album (if said ocean had Gatling guns and depth charges interspersed throughout) It is heavy, and at times very liquid feeling. As always, the production is masterful, and I give Devin quite a lot of credit when it comes to production values.

The songs seem a bit more straightforward than later albums, and the extended pieces seem a bit less focused, but I'll be damned if he doesn't pack a punch with each song. This is most certainly progressive music, and it is most certainly metal. Not regular metal. Thick and crunchy, heavy and wall of sound metal. The first track and Regulator being prime examples, with the latter encroaching upon the realms of outright death metal intensity.

There are also watery laid back moments that are spread through the album. And tracks like Sister add so much to the overall feel of the album. This thrives on atmosphere, and even if the songs aren't perfect by themselves, together they make up a masterful product. This is usually the case for Devin Townsend albums.

Some of the songs are almost pop metal, such as Life and Night. Others are extended suites of heavy progressive metal, like Bastard. And death of Music is experimental (with what seems to be an African drum beat?), but all of the songs are enjoyable. Nothing here offends, more so, everything here is delightful. Although I wasn't blown away on the first listen by a few songs, the entire work is high quality. Townsend is able to layer and mesh music together so vividly, that the songs could be utterly weak, and he could rise them up. The production and layered composition of this album alone, make it a joy. The album ends with a somewhat calmer song than the rest of the album, and I love it. (up until that terrifying scream, which caught me off guard).

Some of the songs aren't so progressive, though, and the last songs songs tend to go on for a bit longer than I would have liked, but a worthy addition to anyone's collection, and absolutely essential to fans of Devin Townsend. Four Stars.

Share this DEVIN TOWNSEND review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Alitare
• Report this review (#212251)
• Buy DEVIN TOWNSEND music online with PA partners
• Show all DEVIN TOWNSEND MP3/Stream
• Go to DEVIN TOWNSEND page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Ocean Machine - Biomech page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DEVIN TOWNSEND related discussions