THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND: SYNCHESTRA

Simply put, this album is the embodiment of brilliance. It really hasn't left my players since I've bought it. The sound of it sucks you in, you feel like in an incredibly bizarre movie or on your pick of psychedelic drug trips. I find it hard to describe to friends and fellow musicians. Most times I just tell them to quit being bastards and actually buy a legit record and give the artist the due they deserve, ya know? DT is somewhat of a musical-modern "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hide". That kind of diversity stems from comparing, or at least attempting to, SYL to DTB. Genius. Keep fans interested! If there was a particular section of this epic it's got be the track "Vampolka", a polka rendition of the successing track "Vampira". It reminds me of Tool's '96 release "Aenima". On this album they lead into the track "Jimmy" with a carnival-esque skew of the actual song itself. They call it an Intermission. Off the point, so back onto it. The fact is: I am never un- impressed by Townsend, and to me this is his solo gig's best effort to date. But knowing DT, much like Reznor or Ministry, each album brings it's own sarcastic-step child-deaf dumb and blind, element. You never what to expect and when you do, you laugh, feel moved, and ironically, are dead-dumb and blind to that fact is that this is some of the greatest music. You find it difficult to hear the intricacies and delicasies thought into this record, it's hard as hell to even comprehend the Vai-like guitars and the fact they're much different, and intriguing, than the hyped Vai or Malmsteen, and you're blinded with that fact that actual humans could make this music. This record sounds like it was made from some futuristic robot with unlimited musical capability and tenacity. THIS RECORD IS DEFINITELY A MUST-FUCKING-BUY!!!!