Devin Townsend, a master producer and a genius in the world of death metal and progressive rock. What more can you say about him, Chosen by virtuoso Steve Vai at a young age to perform vocals on his Sex and Religion album.
The Band for this release is as follows
Devin Townsend-vocals and guitar
Gene Hoglan-Drums
Erin Townsend, Lyn Townsend, Dave Townsend, Naomi, Tanya Evans, Lara Ulhoff, Chris Valago & Brad Jackson-additional vocals
Christian Olde Webbers- Upright bass
Andy Codrington-trombone
While this is a brilliant album and commerically the most mainstream accepted, It contains fantasic poppy progressive hard rock numbers to feature open C tuned guitars and brilliant instrument work allround, It is musically superb, right from the epic starting of Truth to the close of Noisy pink bubbles, with few dull moments to complain about, I will try to be as critical as possible.
Truth starts thing off, and I don't know about the rest of you, but the euphoric rush you get from listening to that hallelujah melody is just fantastic, it makes you feel good to be alive, and the track glides nicely into Christeen the song writen with "Ginger" which is a catchy poppy tune with trademark Devin Stying.Bad Devil, A waste of time? No! A masterpiece of Prog metal/jazz fusion? maybe! From the Brass to the catchy riff it just makes you want to get off your backside and mosh, dance or whatever!
War kicks off with an upbeat yet sort of morbid feeling, when you think its going to stop it just gets going again, which is a good thing i really enjoy this song, especally the "you can't fight a war with alosing gun" section, devins vocals are fantasic.From here on the album gets a bit a bit expermental and makes frank zappa look like a good boy by the book musician=p (Zappa m/)Soul driven is wierd, but is a great song it starts awkwardly, and the last two minutes are fade out then build up for Ants, which is just bizzare, but awesome. A cool riff, followed by some great devy melody, which then has a Zorba's dance style sequence.
Wild Colonial Boy and Life is all dynamics remind me of simular mellow type songs, which is what you need after the hyperactive ants, and the Chorus in Life is just beautiful. Unity reminds me something out of top gun, when they take off, strange, but soothing song. Finally the outro N.P.B is wierd, its the most poppy number on the album, and the vocals sound like bono, but better, lets just put it that way. This album does get a bit weaker in the second half, but it is still a great album, it's just that the earlier songs are a completly epic(m/) The rest of the album is a bit weaker, but still amazing.
Pros: Devin Townsends more mainstream Audiance friendly sound
Truth and Bad Devil!
Cons: Weaker second half
May be shunned by more hardcore S.Y.L fans (Personally i'm a fan of both)
4/5 Excellent album but nothing classic as a whole album. P.S This is my first review, all feedback is accepted, negative or positive. Just don't threaten to kill me...much.
