DEVIN TOWNSEND, Synchestra Options

[Alex]

Has anybody heard of Devin Townsend here? His new album just came out, it's absolutely amazing. Very epic.

[PhoenixDecay]

Epic sounds good...especially from a Porcupine Tree fan. I'll just have to download a few songs to look into.

This post has been edited by PhoenixDecay: Feb 19 2006, 6:18 pm

[Alex]

Download the first three songs from his new album. The 3 put together (first two are pretty much just intros) sums up Devin pretty well (the songs are 'Let it Roll', 'Hypergeek', and 'Triumph' btw)

Canada is another amazing song. His work does take a bit of getting used to though.

[PhoenixDecay]

Hi, I'm not a good review writer and my english is not good enough to express fine nuances in my perception. So, I try to write in easy words:

After listening to the album a few times, I'm pretty much surprised, that some songs really interest me. It's not usually the kind of style I like in music, a little bit more in the direction of Dream Theater and Savatage and less Porcupine Tree. I don't really know why they don't do much for me, technically it's interesting, they just don't reach my feelings, I guess.

Synchestra is very atmospheric, has a lot more in the package than the usual music and has more soul than the first adressed bands. Songs I prefer are "Triumph", "Gaia", "Pixillate" as whole songs, the rest sounds good and is important for the album structure. I like most the amount of little details here and there and weird ideas like the odd part in "Triumph" (or the whole "Vampolka"). Lyrics are not the first thing I notice, so I don't know yet. As a drummer I'm a very big fan of Gavin Harrison and his style. In a technical aspect most drummers in the metal/prog-genre are far away from bad and so is Ryan Van Poederooyen. Very impressive and some very cool creative parts, good musicality!
All in all thanks for recommending this album.

P.S.: I like every Opeth song in which the singer doesn't growl, so "Damnation" is cool, just have to listen to it a bit longer.

[Alex]

Nice, glad to hear your thoughts on it. I love Devin's voice on songs like Let it Roll.. beautiful.

Damnation is my favourite Opeth album- it's a complete masterpiece. It takes a lot of listening to, to fully appreciate it, so definitely give it lots of spins. You should also download the song 'Isolation Years' off their new album- it's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

What other bands are you into?

[PhoenixDecay]

Porcupine Tree ist the most developed band I listen to. One of the few more complex bands which reaches me..Usually I listen to Dishwalla, Our Lady Peace, Matthew Good Band, Incubus. Not really difficult stuff, but I love it.

At the moment I'm getting into "Dredg" after hearing their latest album "Catch Without Arms". "Bug Eyes" and the title song are great.

This post has been edited by PhoenixDecay: Apr 8 2006, 5:04 pm

[Alex]

Its a good album, my favourite track is 'Ode to the sun'. I prefer el cielo to catch without arms though.

Have you heard of Oceansize? You might like them...

[PhoenixDecay]

Have you heard of Oceansize? You might like them...

I think I have them somewhere, their newest album, but didn't give it a real listen yet. I'll try next time I get into the car