I can't believe it's only been 3 years. Shameful. But the greatest 3 years ever, as far as music goes.

Heard Strapping as i was getting a taste for metal in 2003 when i was in school. Loved all of strapping but never ever heard about the solo stuff and in my teen metal angst years i think i wasn't interested.. Strapping was metal and it was all i wanted..

I then heard Synchestra in 06 and it blew my fucking mind, i didn't realise there was so much more depth to Devin.

DTB and DTP are far more of an experience now. Strapping is still great to listen to but only when the mood suits.

I thanked Dev when i met him in Sydney for coming back to the music, I felt like Dev had dropped music when strapping ended and there was the hiatus after Synchestra /Ziltoid. We all felt in limbo and crushed that there was no news from Dev.

Private life takes first place. But are we glad to have him back making music? Hell yes!

I've actually been aware of him right from the start, i.e. the Vai days. I remember a friend of mine playing me the Pig song with a "WTF were they thinking?" subtext Which is a shame, 'cos I still think that song is dreadful and stands out like a sore thumb from an otherwise enjoyable record.

Also, I've been a keen Wildhearts fan since '93 and I was well aware of Dev being out on tour with them at the time.

However, in the pre-internet days there really wasn't much chance to hear any of his own work in the UK and since I was a bit lighter in the pocket than I am now I wasn't about to import any of his albums on a whim. So, whilst he was always in the back of my mind as someone to try and find out a bit more of it was only around about 2001/2002 that I finally heard any of his material.

09 for me. Seeing as I'm relatively young, I only got into metal music in general in 07. Ki was unbelievably important for me back then, and it still is now.