It is my opinion that this is far heavier than any SYL. Not that this is a heavyness competition. but for argument sake, this feels far far heavier that a really heavy thing. excuse the pun

Hey, Dev! Don't apologize, I think I speak for everyone (and others have spoken, too) when I say that we love it when you post so much here.
For what it's worth, I think it's a frigging brutal album. You don't need just grunts and distortion to be heavy. This album is truly in your
face, and the themes are far heavier than SYL was. Brutal stuff.

Amazing album, "The Mighty Masturbator" and "Planet Of The Apes" might be my favorites. This album makes me want to aspire to more over
the top music. I really feel this, and there's so much about how you feel about life and religion and reality that makes this album relevant to me.

[swervedriver]

I woke up very nauseous this morning. I blame Deconstruction.

I think Metallica is a great example of that. Not only did they change how they wrote their music, but "OMG, THEY CUT THEIR HAIR!!!!" I think the hair-cutting caused more fallout than the change of music from those guys. Suddenly, the mighty Metallica didn't fit the expectations of what metal fans expected.

Imo the problem with Metallica around the time of Load was that they were denying they were a heavy metal band which many (including myself) were irked by - "We see ourselves as just a good rock band" was a common quote of that time. The Black Album got me into metal music at 15 years old and I found it pretty disgusting that 5 years later the same band were consciously distancing themselves from a genre of music they opened me and many others up to. It was a real kick in the teeth for anyone who felt like an outsider. Also the music was pretty shit so I really don't think it was as much to do with their image that people make out - bar the fact it was so obviously and shamelessly orchestrated by their panel of image consultants and marketeers, but that's a lesser point.

I think Metallica is a great example of that. Not only did they change how they wrote their music, but "OMG, THEY CUT THEIR HAIR!!!!" I think the hair-cutting caused more fallout than the change of music from those guys. Suddenly, the mighty Metallica didn't fit the expectations of what metal fans expected.

Imo the problem with Metallica around the time of Load was that they were denying they were a heavy metal band which many (including myself) were irked by - "We see ourselves as just a good rock band" was a common quote of that time. The Black Album got me into metal music at 15 years old and I found it pretty disgusting that 5 years later the same band were consciously distancing themselves from a genre of music they opened me and many others up to. It was a real kick in the teeth for anyone who felt like an outsider. Also the music was pretty shit so I really don't think it was as much to do with their image and people make out - bar the fact it was so obviously and shamelessly orchestrated by their panel of image consultants and marketeer, but that's a lesser point.

Harks back to my point earlier about how music is timeless, and anything new from a composer/performer/whatever will always be compared to what's already known. Most people fear change, some love change. Odd, really.

Deconstruction... Devin Townsend... This man has surpassed himself in every way I considered possible.
It is the aural equivalent of a wonderful psychotic episode spent smoking Salvia and watching Angels inscribing Graham's number on the back of your true love. All this whilst your preexisting mental state melts into the Cosmos and leaves only the brutal, yet gobsmackingly beautiful truth. Or if you feel like it, you can wear your pants on your head and dance the Boogaloo.

All the things I loved about Alien and Ziltoid have manifested themselves on this album on such a gargantuan level that at times all I could do was hold my face in my hands and thank the Universe for being big enough to contain it. I don't know how to thank you for this Music Dev, it was a truly wonderful experience and a genuine work of high art. My endless, slobbering, sycophantic admiration and gratitude to yourself and everyone involved in this masterpiece.
Can't wait to get my CD and FLAC the shit outta that puppy.

damn, a little late but whatever:

imo gato is ridiculously heavy, more heavy than a lot of syl stuff i think....

Reading what Devin has had to say about this album over the last
couple of pages made me realize how similar his thought process
is to mine, albeit his is more... Refined (?) and more thought-out.

On one hand I love angry, serious metal that rips peoples heads off and
screams hatred down their throats.

But I'm also an incredibly silly person. I've made myself into the guy that,
when you stop and talk to me on the street, makes you stop a bit and
not take the world so damn seriously. 'Cause, come on; how can you?

The whole notion of life is silly and people need to remember this sometimes.

They need a fart on their guacamole.

Oh fuuuuuuck! There's a storm in my town at the moment, I'm sat in work watching out of the big open windows, trees blowing wildly, the rain coming down whilst the clouds are blackened and fast, and to top it off, thunder in the distance. All whilst listening to Deconstruction full blast on my headphones.

This is amazing.

The "AMEN!" at the end of The Mighty Masturbator is now my favourite moment in any song I have ever listened to.

The whole notion of life is silly and people need to remember this sometimes.

They need a fart on their guacamole.

It would certainly smell better than clove cigarettes.

But yeah, I agree that people shouldn't get so strung out over what Devin produces. To paraphrase Malcolm McDowell, try not to take the music too seriously; it's not curing cancer, it's entertainment. That is unless it does cure cancer.

I'm only halfway thru my first listen. It's a lot to take in, maybe more demanding than any of his albums.

And he was right when he said it did NOT sound like SYL.

Deeper opinions to be reserved for more listens.

[Octillus]

I'm still blown away by the electronic elements on this.

I know it's going to be the thing that some people hate, but I freaking love it.

The raging that goes against the human experience during the mighty masturbator, holy hell.

Wow, it is amazing and indeed a lot to take in... thanks Devin for this and all the other music, if you're reading...

I think I prefer the first half at the moment - the second half can be pretty chaotic, it's like the most demented musical ever .... also reminds me a bit of Devlab in places..

I think Praise the Lowered and Stand are awesome - when the full version of that riff comes in at 4:10 in Stand... cor! Though many, many other highlights also... and many more to be revealed I'm sure...

Suggestion for the boxset - would love to hear some more stripped back examples of the orchestral/choir recordings to fully appreciate the arrangements (and also the expense and effort that went in)

Suggestion for the boxset - would love to hear some more stripped back examples of the orchestral/choir recordings to fully appreciate the arrangements (and also the expense and effort that went in)

This.