I may have to check this out. I don't care for his solo stuff, but was a big fan of SYL. It sounds like he may be heading the SYL direction again.

Written by Malignar on 22.09.2016 at 01:41

I may have to check this out. I don't care for his solo stuff, but was a big fan of SYL. It sounds like he may be heading the SYL direction again.

Not really, with the exception of the midsection in Higher. It sounds more like Addicted x Accelerated Evolution x Terria, to my ears. Yet it never sounds exactly like any.

Written by Doge of Venice on 22.09.2016 at 02:11

Written by Malignar on 22.09.2016 at 01:41

I may have to check this out. I don't care for his solo stuff, but was a big fan of SYL. It sounds like he may be heading the SYL direction again.

Not really, with the exception of the midsection in Higher. It sounds more like Addicted x Accelerated Evolution x Terria, to my ears. Yet it never sounds exactly like any.

That's a fairly accurate summation. "Heading in the SYL direction" maybe, relative to his other work, but not so much that I'd say it actually sounds like SYL most of the time.

This album does not resemble SYL at all. Whoever says that never listened to both SYL and his solo albums. Transcendence pretty much continues the soft progressive pop rock sound developed years ago. "Truth" to be told, I do not get why Devin found then need to rerecord this song for this album as it was done great on Infinity. Same with "Kingdom" on Epicloud. Devin usually has a plethora of better unreleased tracks out there, he is not some jet-set rich rock millionaire that needs 5-6 years to release an album filled with crap (i.e. Metallica, Slayer). This new version of "Truth" is weaker than the original mainly because because it messes the "Hallelujah" chant, which sounds rather messy here compared to the original version. Attaching an ambient-like vocal bit at the end slightly improves the song, but enough to include it on a new album? Hell no. Even more so as an opener. The only good thing may be that this song may introduce new fans to his older work.

"Stormbending" is a very complex, proggy song which takes more listens to grow on ya. It seems rather unfocused at the beginning due to its variation, but if you give it enough time to sink in, it will. Devin also added an ambient part, like in many of his songs, which works brilliantly. Ambient is usually a very stale kind of music, but in small doses, it works miracles. It adds that extra bit of melancholy to a good song.

"Failure" is indeed a partial failure particularly because of its very weak, Canzone pop-like chorus which ruins the mood. Aside from the chorus, the other sections are solid, nothing mind-blowing. The Pink Floyd-ish guitar playing adds a little bit of positive flavor to it.

"Secret Sciences" reminds me of Accelerated Evolution and the first Z2 disk, Sky Blue. Yes, he plagiarizes himself a bit, but I think he should be allowed to simply because he does not do mere copy/paste and he is arguably the only one in the metal scene who can write great dreamy riffs like this song features. As long as the music stays interesting, I don't mind musicians copying themselves. Secret Sciences is the best song on this disk.

"Higher" is the heaviest track on this record. And the lengthiest. And the most complex, proggy track as well. 3 in 1 like coffee. It sounds a bit like the material featured on Deconstruction.

"Stars" is a very pop oriented song, almost kitschy, although when you hear Anneke on it, the kitsch flies away and makes away for brilliance. This kind of pop metal tune is made for women to sing. Dev also provides great vocals too. I wonder if this type of song can stand the test of time considering how bubble-gummy is.

"Transcendence" is again a rather complex tracks. I gave it many spins and I am still somewhat unconvinced. It has a great choir introduction, an epic one, which many power metal bands try to introduce in their music but fail because they don't know how to use a choir properly. Anneke makes a rare appearance on this song. A pity Devin did not chose to exploit even further the female vocals. He always had quality female vocalists helping him, especially since he embraced some pop sensibilities. This is a very demanding track. I might edit this when it finally sinks in.

"Offer Your Light" is by far the weakest track, bordering crap. The opening is at Miley Cyrus level. And, you know, when a song hits that low level, you can use anything, the wall of sound production, the brilliant vocal delivery courtesy of Anneke-Devin combination, it still won't help. Too underwhelming, too formulaic. You can't turn crap into cake. If this whole album were like this song, I would've though Devy has prepared his first sell-out album.

"From The Heart" is how a good commercial track should sound. Simplistic, slightly proggy, cheesy, although in tolerant dosage. Seems skipable at first until you reach the chorus, which is just amazing. Since the chorus, things turn out to be great. The acoustic section also works.

"Transdermal Celebration" is not a Devy song. It is a cover of some alternative indie band or whatever. 99% of indie bands suck by default primarily because it is a very formulaic, hipster driven music, with lazy vocals that simply does not attract your attention at all, in fact it does the opposite. However, Devin, actually chose a better song out of that band's discography so he had something to work with. Devin Townsend's trademark sound significantly improves this song, making it better than the original (I mean, what did you expect?). Its a solid song.

To end this, Transcendence is a good to great album but not a DT classic. By 2016 standard this IS a masterpiece. Album of the year, if Cult of Luna had not released their album in collaboration with Julie Christmas.

Later edit: For those interested in the bonus disk, know that like Epiclouder (the bonus disk from Epicloud) and the bonus disk from CoC is filled with crap/filler tunes with the exception of "Farther On" and "Victim", the latter being a remake of an older song from the much maligned and underrated Physicist album which even Devin hates (no idea why as it is a great album). "Time Overload" is probably one of the crappiest songs Devin has ever written. It sounds like an average rock band brain-storming to write a hit song. Blatant, idiotic commercialism. For people who wish to buy this, stick with the main disk and drop the bonus one. Either download the two tracks I mentioned (particularly "Victim", Devin added a keyboard part that sounds amazing, which wasn't on the original and that is what makes it better). No use spending more money on commercial mediocrities. Recommended only for the most devoted, fanatical Devin fans.

This new DT got me excited about him again, especially due to the infusion of Accelerated Evolution and Terria-like material.

Definitely, one the best albums of the year so far.

Written by BloodTears on 22.09.2016 at 12:14

This new DT got me excited about him again, especially due to the infusion of Accelerated Evolution and Terria-like material.

Definitely, one the best albums of the year so far.

If it has Terria-like material on it then I am in, once again. Terria is by far the best thing he ever released as Devin Townsend. Ziltoid and all that sort of shit is crap tbh.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 22.09.2016 at 15:12

Written by BloodTears on 22.09.2016 at 12:14

This new DT got me excited about him again, especially due to the infusion of Accelerated Evolution and Terria-like material.

Definitely, one the best albums of the year so far.

If it has Terria-like material on it then I am in, once again. Terria is by far the best thing he ever released as Devin Townsend. Ziltoid and all that sort of shit is crap tbh.

Terria is good but it is very commercial. Pales in comparison with Biomech, Accelerated Evolution, Addicted, Ziltoid the Omniscient (astonishing how he wrote and recorded this masterpiece only by himself), Infinity and Physicist. The reason I consider Terria the weakest of the first 5 solo albums is not because it's softer/mellower than the other releases, but due to the song-writing which is more commercial overall i.e. automatically less experimental. If Terria would've lacked like 3 songs (Untitled, Universal and Nobody's Here) it would've been on par with the albums I mentioned above, in quality and consistency.

I found it quite funny that "Offer Your Light" sounds like something The Unguided (or early Sonic Syndicate) would do, only not as stale (even if the lyrics are as simple as it gets). That opening keyboard part really threw me off guard first time around.

The album itself is amazing, and the bonus album is not too bad either, with some really fun songs ("Canucklehead" makes me smile every time)

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 22.09.2016 at 15:12

If it has Terria-like material on it then I am in, once again. Terria is by far the best thing he ever released as Devin Townsend. Ziltoid and all that sort of shit is crap tbh.

Our tastes almost never coincide, as you know ahah But if Terria is your favourite, then you will like at least a few songs on this new album. I am a big fan of Terria so I would recognize that sound in a heartbeat.

As for what ManiacBlasphemer was saying regarding DT's albums, I couldn't rate his albums like that because I simply don't care about the possible level of commercial value in the music. I just care if it's good or not. Terria is surely among his best works to date.

Some of my fav bands can be considered somewhat commercial but that's not really what matters to me. I also listen to a lot of non-metal stuff.

Written by BloodTears on 22.09.2016 at 18:17



As for what ManiacBlasphemer was saying regarding DT's albums, I couldn't rate his albums like that because I simply don't care about the possible level of commercial value in the music. I just care if it's good or not. Terria is surely among his best works to date.

Same here. Yes, Terria is his most commercial but also his best due to it being way more focussed, containing better songs overall, having a way better flow to it. Having an awesome layered production where everything shines. Etc etc.
Devin is at his best when he isn't "all over" the place with experimentation and such.

Written by Malignar on 22.09.2016 at 01:41

I may have to check this out. I don't care for his solo stuff, but was a big fan of SYL.

Same here.

Never ever cared for his solo project but his new album is picking up gems from everywhere. Will give a listen for sure.

Written by BloodTears on 22.09.2016 at 18:17

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 22.09.2016 at 15:12

If it has Terria-like material on it then I am in, once again. Terria is by far the best thing he ever released as Devin Townsend. Ziltoid and all that sort of shit is crap tbh.

Our tastes almost never coincide, as you know ahah But if Terria is your favourite, then you will like at least a few songs on this new album. I am a big fan of Terria so I would recognize that sound in a heartbeat.

As for what ManiacBlasphemer was saying regarding DT's albums, I couldn't rate his albums like that because I simply don't care about the possible level of commercial value in the music. I just care if it's good or not. Terria is surely among his best works to date.

Some of my fav bands can be considered somewhat commercial but that's not really what matters to me. I also listen to a lot of non-metal stuff.

I think that his more experimental albums are the ones that truly made him such a respected musician. Not that his softer ones did not. With music how it is today, we got all used to it being predictable. From Devin I am looking for stuff that make me go 'wow', to get that unexpected feeling. Terria does not really provide that. It is too tame, sometimes too commercial. Terria reminds me how easy could Devin branch into blatant commercial music just to sell a lot of records, instead sacrificing quality. He did that on Ki, which is hands down his worst album. In experimentation and unpredictability, nothing can beat Biomech. Although, quality wise it isn't that far removed from its follow-up and Accelerated Evolution. Instead of Terria, on the more commercial side, I prefer Addicted, which sets a clear balance between commercialism and experimentation.

His solo material has tons of great tracks. But it is not for everyone, especially the experimental ones. Anyway, those who love Terria have no qualms listening to the stuff he made since Epicloud.

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 22.09.2016 at 11:38
*snip*

Shit son, you sound like Qwerty from RYM. Did you copy paste his review?

Though it's quite interesting. I've never really managed to get into Terria or Infinity, besides a few songs. I love Biomech, Accelerated Evolution, Sky Blue and Addicted. Ziltoid (1) is a laugh.

Written by Doge of Venice on 22.09.2016 at 21:50

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 22.09.2016 at 11:38
*snip*

Shit son, you sound like Qwerty from RYM. Did you copy paste his review?

Though it's quite interesting. I've never really managed to get into Terria or Infinity, besides a few songs. I love Biomech, Accelerated Evolution, Sky Blue and Addicted. Ziltoid (1) is a laugh.

Partly.

Terria is an easy listen. I like the album. Its just that it is too predictable. If anyone else other than DT would've made it, it would've been a real wonder, but for DT... I expect a little bit more. Ziltoid is good, but funny. People throw it away because, while it is a great album, it is not a serious one. Its like DT trying to have a laugh at us. For me, it is one of the few concept albums where the concept does not decide the course of song-writing. All things fall together in one piece there. Even more intriguing is that Devin made it all by himself. You have to be amazed at that.

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 22.09.2016 at 22:15

Written by Doge of Venice on 22.09.2016 at 21:50

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 22.09.2016 at 11:38
*snip*

Shit son, you sound like Qwerty from RYM. Did you copy paste his review?

Though it's quite interesting. I've never really managed to get into Terria or Infinity, besides a few songs. I love Biomech, Accelerated Evolution, Sky Blue and Addicted. Ziltoid (1) is a laugh.

Partly.

Terria is an easy listen. I like the album. Its just that it is too predictable. If anyone else other than DT would've made it, it would've been a real wonder, but for DT... I expect a little bit more. Ziltoid is good, but funny. People throw it away because, while it is a great album, it is not a serious one. Its like DT trying to have a laugh at us. For me, it is one of the few concept albums where the concept does not decide the course of song-writing. All things fall together in one piece there. Even more intriguing is that Devin made it all by himself. You have to be amazed at that.

Figures.

Terria... isn't really an easy listen for me. I just feel it kinda meanders and didnt grip my attention often. I found myself liking Deep Peace, Stagnant and Earth Day, but I cant' remember much else besides Olives.

Ziltoid is my guiding beacon for my own self produced music.

Naab, this album does not deserve 9.2...it is too catchy, too melodic, to easy to get into it.
does your fluoridated brain realize that ?

Written by Doge of Venice on 22.09.2016 at 22:35

Figures.

Terria... isn't really an easy listen for me. I just feel it kinda meanders and didnt grip my attention often. I found myself liking Deep Peace, Stagnant and Earth Day, but I cant' remember much else besides Olives.

Ziltoid is my guiding beacon for my own self produced music.

For me it was a really easy listen. A memorable album. Although my favorite tracks are Mountain, Canada and Earth Day. Ziltoid is indeed an amazing album. Get over the gimmick and there is stellar music to behold.

Written by EthicaOdini85 on 22.09.2016 at 23:08

Naab, this album does not deserve 9.2...it is too catchy, too melodic, to easy to get into it.
does your fluoridated brain realize that ?

You are right.

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 22.09.2016 at 23:33

Written by Doge of Venice on 22.09.2016 at 22:35

Figures.

Terria... isn't really an easy listen for me. I just feel it kinda meanders and didnt grip my attention often. I found myself liking Deep Peace, Stagnant and Earth Day, but I cant' remember much else besides Olives.

Ziltoid is my guiding beacon for my own self produced music.

For me it was a really easy listen. A memorable album. Although my favorite tracks are Mountain, Canada and Earth Day. Ziltoid is indeed an amazing album. Get over the gimmick and there is stellar music to behold.

Canada is a pretty good song as well, if I remember.

Agree on Ziltoid. Which is why Z2 wasn't so great - Devin never let you let go of the gimmick.

Written by Doge of Venice on 22.09.2016 at 23:35


Canada is a pretty good song as well, if I remember.

Agree on Ziltoid. Which is why Z2 wasn't so great - Devin never let you let go of the gimmick.

Dark Matters was so-so. Sky Blue was great.

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 22.09.2016 at 23:42

Written by Doge of Venice on 22.09.2016 at 23:35


Canada is a pretty good song as well, if I remember.

Agree on Ziltoid. Which is why Z2 wasn't so great - Devin never let you let go of the gimmick.

Dark Matters was so-so. Sky Blue was great.

Apologies, I meant Dark Matters. As mentioned above, I enjoyed Sky Blue a lot.

The score was spot on! Glad to hear him executing this way again. Less theatricals and straight to the music and soul of what has made Devin Townsend throughout all of these years. This is a legit follow up to 'Deconstruction' in my opinion! Congrats, DT

Why can't he leave his old songs alone?

Count me in one of those who hardly listen to Townsend project's earlier work and jumped on this directly.

It's very good, really liked the way he crafted songs and carry the flow of it. What i like more about is variation on which he worked upon and that fitted really well with the theme of a record. For a 1st time listener, it will enforce you to go for couple of spins to induce with more elements that will attract towards "Transcendence".

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 22.09.2016 at 17:19

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 22.09.2016 at 15:12

Written by BloodTears on 22.09.2016 at 12:14

This new DT got me excited about him again, especially due to the infusion of Accelerated Evolution and Terria-like material.

Definitely, one the best albums of the year so far.

If it has Terria-like material on it then I am in, once again. Terria is by far the best thing he ever released as Devin Townsend. Ziltoid and all that sort of shit is crap tbh.

Terria is good but it is very commercial. Pales in comparison with Biomech, Accelerated Evolution, Addicted, Ziltoid the Omniscient (astonishing how he wrote and recorded this masterpiece only by himself), Infinity and Physicist. The reason I consider Terria the weakest of the first 5 solo albums is not because it's softer/mellower than the other releases, but due to the song-writing which is more commercial overall i.e. automatically less experimental. If Terria would've lacked like 3 songs (Untitled, Universal and Nobody's Here) it would've been on par with the albums I mentioned above, in quality and consistency.

How is Terria very commercial? I've never been a fan of it because it's just too navel-gazy for my tastes, I prefer the rocking out of Accelerated Evolution.

Written by Ganondox on 23.09.2016 at 23:13

How is Terria very commercial? I've never been a fan of it because it's just too navel-gazy for my tastes, I prefer the rocking out of Accelerated Evolution.

Commercial for DT standards. Compared to its 3 predecessors, it tones down the prog elements a little bit while focusing more on some pop rock sensibilities. Automatically it becomes less experimental and more predictable. Also, it is a very easy listen as opposed to other DT albums. It took me only 2 spins to sink in, very low considering the complexity of Devin's compositions. I think the proper term that describes Terria is 'dreamy'. Then again the type of 'dreamy' riffs featured in Terria has been the norm in his solo project, particularly since Epicloud.

Terria is a very divisive album among the DT fanbase. SYL fanboys usually dislike it while fans of his solo work love it. Those that love both admit that it is a good album but not quite in the top 5 best DT records. At least this is how I perceived while speaking with many DT fans. Exceptions underline the norm.

Written by Desert Father on 23.09.2016 at 13:31

Why can't he leave his old songs alone?

Especially since nothing was wrong with them. Devin is a perfectionist. He goes rambling in his interviews about past records how he would've done that instead of that and so on. He just can't let it go. Particularly, his rambling about how he despises Physicist, although it is one of his best records, standing right between his SYL stuff and his solo work.

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 23.09.2016 at 23:57

. Also, it is a very easy listen as opposed to other DT albums.

All of Devin's solo work is a very easy listen and doesn;t need a lot of spins to sink in. Hell, also SYL's City is quite an easy listen tbh.

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 23.09.2016 at 23:57

Written by Ganondox on 23.09.2016 at 23:13

How is Terria very commercial? I've never been a fan of it because it's just too navel-gazy for my tastes, I prefer the rocking out of Accelerated Evolution.

Commercial for DT standards. Compared to its 3 predecessors, it tones down the prog elements a little bit while focusing more on some pop rock sensibilities. Automatically it becomes less experimental and more predictable. Also, it is a very easy listen as opposed to other DT albums. It took me only 2 spins to sink in, very low considering the complexity of Devin's compositions. I think the proper term that describes Terria is 'dreamy'. Then again the type of 'dreamy' riffs featured in Terria has been the norm in his solo project, particularly since Epicloud.

Terria is a very divisive album among the DT fanbase. SYL fanboys usually dislike it while fans of his solo work love it. Those that love both admit that it is a good album but not quite in the top 5 best DT records. At least this is how I perceived while speaking with many DT fans. Exceptions underline the norm.

Eh, I'd say Ocean Machine is much more pop than Terria is. I'd say Terria more meditative than dreamy.

Besides the fact that I love this album to pieces, I gotta say that this review was a joy to read. It voiced everything about Transcendence that needed to be said.

Great job man!