A Look at Transcendence

The new album from The Devin Townsend Project

Devin Townsend, who just destroyed Prog Power in Atlanta, has released his seventh album as The Devin Townsend Project and his one billionth overall.  I wasn’t sure what to expect as his music tends to be all over the place.  Transcendence feels a lot like Epicloud but with less humor and more emphasis on progressive elements.  I will be taking a brief look at each song in the album

“Truth” is a rehash from the album Infinity.  Similar to the song “Kingdom” from Epicloud, it has new production and some different mini-elements involved in the song.  “Stormbending” is one of the three singles from the album and features from very progressive styles of guitar and a pretty wicked solo midway through.

“Failure” is the first released single from the album and probably my fourth favorite song on the album.  There are so many good ones but this one stands out quite a bit.  I think it’s just the tone that the song evokes that really gets me.  A lot of people really like “Secret Sciences” and I can totally see why.  It’s got some real catchy lines and also features Anneke van Giersbergen a little more prominently than the rest of the album.

“Higher” is the longest song on the album, clocking in just under ten minutes and is my personal favorite.  It begins innocently enough but eventually turns into the heaviest song on the album and is probably the only song with any real heavy vocals at all.  “Stars” might be my least favorite song on the album but it’s still quite enjoyable.  “Transcendence” is my second favorite song on the album and it has some crazy long notes held by Devin Townsend.  I really hope I get to hear this one live.

The transition into “Offer Your Light” is really freaking cool.  The synth is almost industrial in nature and carries a super proggy sound with it.  Also, Anneke is pretty well featured in this song.  This one is my third favorite song on the album.  There are some harsh vocals on this track as well.  “From the Heart” is a song that feels a lot like some of the songs from Epicloud.  The last song is a Ween cover.  I’ve never heard the original so I can’t compare, but I dug it.

So, Devin Townsend will be here in a couple weeks and you will definitely be hearing from me!  See you next week.

-Ryan