DEVIN TOWNSEND
Order Of Magnitude - Empath Volume 1
INSIDE OUT
Metal’s crown prince gives two digits to dreariness and depression
THOUGH ON A substantially smaller conceptual scale than previous live documents The Retinal Circus and Ziltoid Live At The Royal Albert Hall, Devin Townsend’s latest offering still provides two hours of effervescent escapism - or, as he calls it, a “vacation” that includes Hawaiian shirts, jazz hands and tutus as added extras. While the visual portion of this show filmed at London’s Roundhouse provides more laughs, it’s the musical side that’s the most arresting, multicoloured experience.
Aided by Frank Zappa associates Morgan Ågren and Mike Keneally as well as touch guitarist Markus Reuter, Haken keyboardist Diego Tejeida and Casualties Of Cool singer Ché Aimee Dorval, the line-up brings a dazzling improvisational feel to compositions stretching Devin’s entire discography. And it’s not just in the jams that punctuate the likes of and but the subtle flourishes hidden away in the sprawling and joyous opener that add a uniqueness that befits his most recent album’s musical ambition and timely message of hope. Ågren and Reuter in particular are worth the price of admission, with Devin’s exquisite achievement of assembling such a worthy ensemble making such a worthy chapter to revisit.
