You are the rainbow! You are the sun to my chameleon!
#98796 by Forcefed101
Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:43 pm
DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND
Synchestra
(InsideOut)

Reviewed by : Carl Begai
Rating : 9.0


Devin Townsend has been dubbed a genius by his peers and fans alike, but to truly understand why you have to go beyond the sonic anarchy of the beloved Strapping Young Lad and soak up his more melodic, civilized fare. Synchestra marks Hevy Devy’s latest journey away from SYL, and it’s an album reminiscent of his classic Ocean Machine (now ten years old!), only with much more depth. Sounding like it was composed to be one long song, Synchestra ebbs and flows beautifully, caressing you one moment and kicking you in the teeth the next. The ceremony begins with two short atmospheric bits (‘Let It Roll’ and ‘Hypergeek’) before kicking into high gear with ‘Triumph’, a melodic, hypnotic seven minute high class rock anthem full of Townsend trademarks. Plenty of outstanding tracks on this record, particularly ‘Gaia’ – complete with a couple fleeting (intentional?) Piggy chords (see Voivod) – the monolithic ‘Pixillate’, the scorching Alice-In-Wonderland-down.the-rabbit-hole ‘Vampira’ (preceded by the Finntroll-esque instrumental ‘Vampolka’), and the big-ass Ocean Machine-styled riff rocker ‘Notes From Africa’. Perhaps the only bump in the road is the plodding swampsong ‘A Simple Lullaby’, which makes lots of noise but never seems to go anywhere, particularly after the equally heavy and far superior ‘Judgement’. Then again, some SYL fans may get off on it thanks to the over-the-top vocals. The album closes with a “hidden” two-and-a-half minute punk-pop song that recalls the near legendary Punky Bruster, another of Townsend’s triumphs. It’s interesting to note how vastly different Synchestra is from DTB’s first album, Accelerate Evolution, the latter coming off as cold and clinical in comparison in spite of having been written by the same guy. And therein lines Townsend’s genius; you think you know what he’s got in store and he still manages to blow your mind.



If the excitement couldn't get any higher!!!! I can't wait! This sure doesn't make it any easier. But great things comes to those who....

#98798 by Catatonik
Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:57 pm
An interesting review and it really heightens the wait.

Damn waiting.

#98799 by doomsoldier
Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:58 pm
(preceded by the Finntroll-esque instrumental ‘Vampolka’)


:happy:

#98807 by psychotic
Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:25 am
That seemed to be pretty well done, and it looks like the reviewer was really blown away. Throw some of his descriptions in with Devin's and now I'm even more excited than ever.

#98829 by niklang
Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:04 am
Its sounding pant-wettingly good.

Fair review that, its good to get another persons opinion on it and for that opinion to back up what the guys have been telling us.

Roll on Jan!

#98832 by Turge
Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:17 am
Carl Begai wrote:Synchestra marks Hevy Devy’s latest journey away from SYL, and it’s an album reminiscent of his classic Ocean Machine (now ten years old!), only with much more depth.


This is what really makes me want it right NOW. More depth than OM?! This has got to be good! :D

#98835 by Biert
Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:56 am
doomsoldier wrote:
(preceded by the Finntroll-esque instrumental ‘Vampolka’)


:happy:


Here is what Ryan said about it on his own forums:
drumdude13 wrote:OK.....Vampolka is a parody of Vampira basically. It kind of pokes fun at Vampira in a DTB way. When we were rehearsing Synchestra, before going into the Studio, we started goofing off one day and did a polka version of Vampira....we killed ourselves laughing and next thing you know, it makes the album :shock: :lol: It fit's perfectly though, it does'nt break up the continuity of the album at all and it keeps the album from being to intense and emotional all the time. For the most part, this album is very deep and emotional with some coolsurprises. The Bravewords review was pretty bang on, except for his comments on "A Simple Lullaby"....I disagree with what he said 100%, to each their own.

#98851 by Kristopher
Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:09 am
"...and the big-ass Ocean Machine-styled riff rocker ‘Notes From Africa..."

i am loving the sound of that...

#98922 by BaldMosher446
Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:57 pm
Carl did a good review for it and his review does pretty much solidify everything Dev and the guys have said up to this point...NOW FUCKING BOW! :amen:

#99512 by EvilPanda
Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:19 pm
Very nice review!

#99515 by murren12k
Sat Dec 17, 2005 12:39 am
Man, I can´t wait...... :x

#99546 by Biert
Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:53 am
That was the first time I've seen Limp Bizkit and Dream Theater in one sentence...

#99565 by Goat
Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:44 am
What a miserable guy.

#99568 by Marshall Bravestar
Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:01 am
djt06 wrote:Found another review at Progressive World here:

http://progressiveworld.net/townsendd3.html

Rating: 4/5 - not to shabby!!


Good rating, but I think that guy may have had one too many psychotropic uppers and a side-salad of mushroooms before he sat down to write that hyperbolic and surreal review.

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