Everyone here knows Dev's history, and knows one album/band/project from the other like the back of their hand. But do you think the multiple phases in his career/titles he's used over the last decade and a half may have confused the marginal fan and stunted his career, commercially, over that time? Do you think the average music punter may have lost track of him after so many changes of identity over the years, ie from a member of Steve Vai's band, to a member of the Wildhearts, to forming a band called Strapping Young Lad, to 'Ocean Machine' (which came out under that name alone initially. My own copy doesn't feature the Devin Townsend moniker anywhere on the front or back covers. The name was only REPLACEed later), to just 'Devin Townsend' (as in Physicist, Terria etc), to the Devin Townsend Band or DTB to the Devin Townsend Project? Plus all his other side projects? What do you think?

Musicians are whores, in fact most great musicians play with other bands from time to time.

One should note that he wants to prevent himself from becoming to popular. That is why he knocked back a tour in '07 (I think) with Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage and the like. The moniker changes may also be a way of stopping him from becoming a world-wide media phenomenon.

I don't think I would say his career has been "stunted" in any way by this. If anything, from my personal experience I would say that his diverse projects have helped him attract more fans than if he just played one style. I first heard of Devin when I saw SYL as an opening band at a concert. I was there to see Dark Tranquillity (Nile was the headliner, we didn't stay for them). I didn't really know anything about SYL before this concert, but after seeing them, I looked up Devin Townsend because a) I thought SYL were the best band at the concert besides Dark Tranquilliity (who are great live by the way), and b) seeing devin live was a memorable experience to say the least.

Anyway, I found a few sound clips from Terria, thought it sounded interesting, and decided to buy it. Needless to say, it blew my mind. It was unlike anything I'd ever heard before. So long story short, I bought the rest "Devin Townsend" albums one-by-one, and started buying the SYL albums only after I'd I had all of the "solo" stuff. Now I have 14 of albums from all of his various projects, and soon 4 more!!!!!

I don;t think so. A lot of people I know who know SYL don't know his solo stuff or DTB, and not a lot of people I know period know his solo sruff or DTB. Me, the first time I heard him, I was listening to satellite radio on my TV and I heard Depth Charge. Had no idea who he was but I knew it was by the Devin Townsend Band. I tried finding it on the internet but (don't ask me how) to no avail. I gave up the hunt for a while, and then during Ozzfest 2006, I heard that a band called Strapping Young Lad headed by Devin Townsend would be playing. That's how I got into them (and lemme tell you, I went NUTS at their portion). Then, after I got to my first base (in the Air Force) I found out about his solo stuff. I bought Synchestra first and was very satisfied with it. I then purchased Ziltoid the Omniscient, and a lil while later, Ocean Machine. Then I got Terria and Accelerated Evolution at the same time, followed shortly by Accelerated Evolution. After that, it's a blur cause I went on a mega Townsend Shopping Spree!!
Which has led me here, having acquired everything he's ever made except Punky Bruster and the Vai album.
My point is, I heard about the DTB, then found out SYL was also fronted by the Dev. So basically, I think if people hear the name, they
re gonna listen to the music regardless on what it's associated with. Like Gene, he's EVERYWHERE man, and people always listen to where he goes to hear what he's doing.

(Nile was the headliner, we didn't stay for them).

Fool!

...lol

I thought SYL were "bigger" than Nile...
When was it? Where was it?

SYL have been Download main stagers... does this mean if Nile were to be there they'd be main stagers?! - I can't imagine that

I went to see Nile (headline) and they were at a tiny little venue...

I don;t think so. A lot of people I know who know SYL don't know his solo stuff or DTB, and not a lot of people I know period know his solo sruff or DTB. Me, the first time I heard him, I was listening to satellite radio on my TV and I heard Depth Charge. Had no idea who he was but I knew it was by the Devin Townsend Band. I tried finding it on the internet but (don't ask me how) to no avail. I gave up the hunt for a while, and then during Ozzfest 2006, I heard that a band called Strapping Young Lad headed by Devin Townsend would be playing. That's how I got into them (and lemme tell you, I went NUTS at their portion). Then, after I got to my first base (in the Air Force) I found out about his solo stuff. I bought Synchestra first and was very satisfied with it. I then purchased Ziltoid the Omniscient, and a lil while later, Ocean Machine. Then I got Terria and Accelerated Evolution at the same time, followed shortly by Accelerated Evolution. After that, it's a blur cause I went on a mega Townsend Shopping Spree!!
Which has led me here, having acquired everything he's ever made except Punky Bruster and the Vai album.
My point is, I heard about the DTB, then found out SYL was also fronted by the Dev. So basically, I think if people hear the name, they
re gonna listen to the music regardless on what it's associated with. Like Gene, he's EVERYWHERE man, and people always listen to where he goes to hear what he's doing.

Oh dude, you are limiting yourself! Get the Vai album! I feel some of his best singing is on that one, even despite the fact that he didn't write it.

Also, you mentioned a shopping spree, but didn't mention Infinity, so I am curious as to your reaction to that one, as I assume you DO have that one?

I too discovered Devin at an SYL show in '97, opening for Testament (Bad move on their part, SYL destroyed them AND Stuck Mojo). Hails....

Dan

I think what stunted his career is the lack of sexual innuendo.

I just think its pretty esoteric music. It's like for metalheads who are looking for something more than just anger.

I don;t think so. A lot of people I know who know SYL don't know his solo stuff or DTB, and not a lot of people I know period know his solo sruff or DTB. Me, the first time I heard him, I was listening to satellite radio on my TV and I heard Depth Charge. Had no idea who he was but I knew it was by the Devin Townsend Band. I tried finding it on the internet but (don't ask me how) to no avail. I gave up the hunt for a while, and then during Ozzfest 2006, I heard that a band called Strapping Young Lad headed by Devin Townsend would be playing. That's how I got into them (and lemme tell you, I went NUTS at their portion). Then, after I got to my first base (in the Air Force) I found out about his solo stuff. I bought Synchestra first and was very satisfied with it. I then purchased Ziltoid the Omniscient, and a lil while later, Ocean Machine. Then I got Terria and Accelerated Evolution at the same time, followed shortly by Accelerated Evolution. After that, it's a blur cause I went on a mega Townsend Shopping Spree!!
Which has led me here, having acquired everything he's ever made except Punky Bruster and the Vai album.
My point is, I heard about the DTB, then found out SYL was also fronted by the Dev. So basically, I think if people hear the name, they
re gonna listen to the music regardless on what it's associated with. Like Gene, he's EVERYWHERE man, and people always listen to where he goes to hear what he's doing.

Oh dude, you are limiting yourself! Get the Vai album! I feel some of his best singing is on that one, even despite the fact that he didn't write it.

Also, you mentioned a shopping spree, but didn't mention Infinity, so I am curious as to your reaction to that one, as I assume you DO have that one?

I too discovered Devin at an SYL show in '97, opening for Testament (Bad move on their part, SYL destroyed them AND Stuck Mojo). Hails....

Dan

I really do like Infinity, but it doesn't really stand out from his other work in my opinion. It's kinda in the shadow of all of his other work. Don't get me wrong, I listened to the whole album for the gazillionth time on Thursday, but it feels passive, so it's hard to really distinguish it as its own Devy work. I LOVE the sonic booms in it, but I love for instance, the Nature feel of Terria more. I don't really feel a certain theme when I listen to Infinity.

I'd give Infinity time to grow on you if I were you. I really didn't like it at all when I first heard it, of all his albums it was the one that took the longest for me to get, but I'd rate it up there with Terria and Ocean Machine now.

I don't really feel a certain theme when I listen to Infinity.

I think the theme of Infinity is the chaos of themes inside ones head.

I dunno. I've given the Infinity album many tries, and like I said, I love it, but if any, the theme I get with it is a very machinery feel.

Like Nature=Terria and Spacey=Ziltoid and Water and Atmosphere=Ocean Machine.
Physics=AE, Organic=Synchestra, Chaos=Physicist.
Radio=Devlab, Space and Time=The Hummer
Temper and Beauty=Ki

Infinity=???

I find Infinity to be his most quirky album. If anything I want to say it's like a counterpart to the themes in Alien.

I recall Devin not too long ago saying he was trying to convey a complex message with those two, maybe that's why they don't have an apparent overall "theme"?

Again, pretty sure the theme of infinity is the chaos of themes inside ones head. Have you ever been trying to portray something, but can't get it down because you have a serious conflicting of interests? It's like the background noise behind whatever theme one's holding.

But hey, the most beautiful thing about it is it's subject to opinion.