i wish they made a clone of you dev so it could make new SYL cds

i see where your coming from there dev and i can relate myself i cant listen to too much old soilwork or decapitated i just get sick of the blasting snares. i tend to take a 3 week terria only break after such endeavors

but in all honesty it would mean the world to me if SYL got together for one last effort i know its not gonna happen its ok... sorta :{

but keep doin what you like doin there dev


-wosko

Bring on the ambiance! Bring on the atmosphere!!!

It's all good!

Is it too late to submit a cover to the contest? Here's my contribution:


My bad, I just realized that I already posted this. My computer froze before while posting. Oh well. This one has the pic on it.

Thanks again for the post Dev. It's much appreciated.

Speaking for myself at least, if it wasn't for your multiple genre splicing and adventuring I wouldn't be the hopeless fanboy loser I am today. Thanks to your subtle influence among the many genres you've called your home I no longer feel frustrated by my options when it comes to what I have to listen to. You're albums proved to me what I always believed, that music is music. Simple as that. It all works together so why try to split it up.

A friend of mine asked me why I'm such a big fan of yours, above all the other stuff I love and have loved.
I told him, I love Metallica. To bits. They will always mean something very special to me. But when they bring out a new album. You've got a fair idea what you're getting.
When Dev releases an album, you don't know what it is until it's staring you in the face and you have to deal with it. Like it or not. Usually accompanied I always imagine by a nice big cheesy grin.
The world needs nice surprises more and more. And you always get that with The Dev.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is just thanks man, and if you feel the need to release a Polka album, you got one customer here man.
That's right! I know what this is building to. You're just laying it on us gently aren't you?
Ambient album indeed.

Well it's either going to be 40 people or a VERY special and talented group of 7 (or so).

I'd like to see the 40 people version, please. and that sounds like you consider playing shows again, given the right circumstances. that would be neat

I have found through playing with many many drummers and musicians[...]

Who's the cyclist? Who's the jew?

Yup, Decon. is just a demo...

My whole 're-emergence' as a musician is underlined by the fact that I am truly unable to do one style in lieu of all others. The quiet emphasises the heavy and vise versa. I'm not too into rapid ups and downs though, it's unhealthy creatively.

There are scores of folks who would love me to do syl and nothing else, believe me. Unfortunately, the last time I did that...I got SO SICK of loud music I wanted to puke. There was no escape from it. I appreciate that as a metaphor, and think that energy contributes to the chaotic nature of those stylings...but I was constantly battling to do peaceful music with folks that had no interest in it. SO, the heavy music suffered (got mellower) and ultimately stopped.

Thats where things go south for me. When I want to make chaos, you can be sure that it will out-chaos ANYONE, but that to the exclusion of everything else makes me very very bored.

The ONLY way I can provide that musical landscape for you, is if I am FREE to do whatever comes into my head...and as a person, I feel very strongly for peace, quiet, harmony and beauty. I think thats why my chaotic output resonates with folks so well, because it's coming from someone who truly isn't super interested in overstimulus. I am good at it though, and I enjoy it. But IN IT'S PLACE... or else I would probably just do ambient music and little else. It's about balance...If I'm free to do the peaceful, you can bet you'll get your chaos.

In terms of touring, I am interested in a SOBER collection of the best of the best. And lots of them...I want each atmosphere to be authentic and complete. I have found through playing with many many drummers and musicians, that usually...folks are interested in ONE THING, 'I want to crush the world' or 'I only appreciate free jazz' or 'don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...' etc.

I believe lots of folks identities are heavily invested in what they choose to play. And I can appreciate it, I just don't relate.

I love Ravi Shankar and Paul Horn, I appreciate Behemoth and Meshuggah, I worship Stravinsky and love Def Lepard, I understand the motivation in Nickelback and love Abba and the Vengaboys...Rapoon, Mute Math, Merzbow, Barkmarket...WHATEVER.

If it's GOOD, I want to participate...I have many moods that require different vibrations.

Now, I use THE BEST PEOPLE for that particular project. No compromise. I refuse at this point to convince a metal head to be quiet and to make an opera singer scream bloody murder...IF I HAVE TO CONVINCE YOU, YOURE NOT THE PERSON. Theres room for it all, so as a PRODUCER, if I need jazz, get a jazz guy, if I need METAL, get the metal.

...and live?

Well it's either going to be 40 people or a VERY special and talented group of 7 (or so).

as everyone's saying, that was a sweet read. One thing i've been noticing lately is that it must be cool for you to speak directly to the fans, cause unlike the press, everyone here is willing to UNDERSTAND what you said, as opposed to twisting it and making it sound more "EXTRA! EXTRA!".

I guess most people around here love the fact that you go all around with your music. To me, from a (frustrated) musician's point of view, it's something i can perfectly relate to. I wanted to do so much different stuff, go in so many directions, being huge, being heavy, have a nice ambience, being funny, being ethnic.... all in the same song, maybe? Why not! That's why i can't find a band that fully interests me enough for me to join, probably.

That's why i really inspire myself on what the guy from Ayreon does, from album to album, and would like to do it myself too: inviting a ton of different talented people and experimenting. Too bad they still all sound the same 90% of the time, but what the hell!

I guess i speak for everyone here when i say that we're all pretty glad for the fact that you have your artistic freedom and wouldn't be short of people wanting to record with you. That way we can have our musical journeys on every album you release! (</fanboy> on my last paragraph maybe, but hey, i'm being honest! )

actually after watching the bass for ki video again a few times i take back what i said im not sure what im more excited about... deconstruction? Ki?

I JUST WANT THEM NOWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Yup, Decon. is just a demo...

My whole 're-emergence' as a musician is underlined by the fact that I am truly unable to do one style in lieu of all others. The quiet emphasises the heavy and vise versa. I'm not too into rapid ups and downs though, it's unhealthy creatively.

There are scores of folks who would love me to do syl and nothing else, believe me. Unfortunately, the last time I did that...I got SO SICK of loud music I wanted to puke. There was no escape from it. I appreciate that as a metaphor, and think that energy contributes to the chaotic nature of those stylings...but I was constantly battling to do peaceful music with folks that had no interest in it. SO, the heavy music suffered (got mellower) and ultimately stopped.

Thats where things go south for me. When I want to make chaos, you can be sure that it will out-chaos ANYONE, but that to the exclusion of everything else makes me very very bored.

The ONLY way I can provide that musical landscape for you, is if I am FREE to do whatever comes into my head...and as a person, I feel very strongly for peace, quiet, harmony and beauty. I think thats why my chaotic output resonates with folks so well, because it's coming from someone who truly isn't super interested in overstimulus. I am good at it though, and I enjoy it. But IN IT'S PLACE... or else I would probably just do ambient music and little else. It's about balance...If I'm free to do the peaceful, you can bet you'll get your chaos.

In terms of touring, I am interested in a SOBER collection of the best of the best. And lots of them...I want each atmosphere to be authentic and complete. I have found through playing with many many drummers and musicians, that usually...folks are interested in ONE THING, 'I want to crush the world' or 'I only appreciate free jazz' or 'don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...' etc.

I believe lots of folks identities are heavily invested in what they choose to play. And I can appreciate it, I just don't relate.

I love Ravi Shankar and Paul Horn, I appreciate Behemoth and Meshuggah, I worship Stravinsky and love Def Lepard, I understand the motivation in Nickelback and love Abba and the Vengaboys...Rapoon, Mute Math, Merzbow, Barkmarket...WHATEVER.

If it's GOOD, I want to participate...I have many moods that require different vibrations.

Now, I use THE BEST PEOPLE for that particular project. No compromise. I refuse at this point to convince a metal head to be quiet and to make an opera singer scream bloody murder...IF I HAVE TO CONVINCE YOU, YOURE NOT THE PERSON. Theres room for it all, so as a PRODUCER, if I need jazz, get a jazz guy, if I need METAL, get the metal.

...and live?

Well it's either going to be 40 people or a VERY special and talented group of 7 (or so).

Well said Dev...nothing should ever hinder the creative process...I can't imagine how hard it is to satisfy the whims of fans, labels, and bandmates. When all is said and done, I believe it is most important to satisfy the artist, the composer.

I have always loved the dynamic nature of your music...sometimes its like a fucking tidal wave and sometimes it is just a whisper...hell, one of my favorite SYL songs is two weeks...We all need that kind of balance, in everything. I am indescribably excited about the direction you have taken, it has always been so refreshing to hear music that is so real and unrelentingly honest...Thanks for all the hard work, looking forward to it all!!!

I hear you Dev. I too love to write metal, hard rock , blues ,classical, and even dance electronica stuff. I could never be happy just doing one kind of music. It would be shallow and without love. That being said I would still love to hear some more crazy heavy Driven Devin Metal so as I can go out side jogging to it.

Yes I said jogging. I started running a few months ago after quitting smoking (23 years 2 packs a day) and nothing motivates my running more than some good ol' Heavy Devy to help me keep the pace. LOL you should see me running down the street with my headphones on screaming obscenities while singing along to "You Suck". I'm slightly overweight and not your average looking jogger but I don't care what ppl think I'm doing what I enjoy. Thanks for those jogging songs though Dev I could never have done the 10k without them.

My favorite kind of Devin Townsend is the mellow/chill stuff. I'm getting really excited for Ki to come out because that's what it sounds like its going to be. So far, Ki sounds most comparable to Terria which is my favorite Townsend album. It's still too premature to speak now though. I really dug those So Be It videos. If you end up playing anywhere near San Diego, California I'll be sure to go and drag everyone I know along with.

Thank you Dev for all of the updates.

It's always nice having something to look forward to. Kind of takes your mind off of some of the shitty things going on.

I don't know about you guys, but I found Devlab to be incredibly mind blowing. I've listened to that one the most out of all Dev's work and hope that he does something on the same level again. That's just my opinion and wishes, I'm really excited about the new albums, Destruction has caught my eye, at least the little snipit that we got from Devin.

Blasted rodents...

Wow, Dev. Thanks so much for that post. I couldn't agree with you more. Music fans, metal fans especially, seem to get tied to that one form of music and that one form only. I think that thats terribly close minded, unles you really dont like what you hear from the others, but I find that doubtful to believe as well. Music is something that is from the soul, and a person should be able to find that soul in any kind of music. And thats why I love your tunes Dev, you have that soul in anything and everything you create, no matter what it is. You like so many different kinds of music, and you really pour yourself into whatever kind of music you do. Thats why your one of the most talented people to ever grace music- you really are a genius. And as much as I miss SYL and DTB, it makes me so happy that now being free from that you can go in whatever artistic direction you want, wherever your soul leads you. Your "re-emergence" is so exciting, because I can feel that you feel true and at peace with what your doing now. It feels healthier, more organic, I guess. And since its on your own terms, where you're really feeling you are being led, I think that's 1000 times better than you staying in bands that your heart isn't totally in. It's really, really exciting- I can't wait to see the product on the otherside. Thanks Dev!

[JuZ]

actually after watching the bass for ki video again a few times i take back what i said im not sure what im more excited about... deconstruction? Ki?

I JUST WANT THEM NOWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

For truthy goodness.

The Ki bass track vid, folks... listen to that! Holy fuck!

how long before the first "what songs do you wanna see played on the next tour" sorta thread