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Devin Townsend: Ziltoid the omniscient
16/06/11 || Altmer
This article will be the first in a combo review package of Devin Townsend releases. For some reason K, in one of his fits of ultimate wisdom, removed all reviews by the name of Global Domination, thus erasing the original version of this album review. I was tasked by the omnidimensional creator to cover this album in the original version’s absence. Yes, I can do that. Live with it, bitches.
So, here we are. Devin Townsend. Many in the metal circles speak highly of his band outfit Strapping Young Lad, which disbanded six years ago (that would be 2005, bitches). I myself have only heard one of that band’s works; “Alien”. Not that that is a bad record, but it’s not anything I creamed myself over. Due to this, for a long time, I always thought Devin Townsend was overrated, and the genius he was represented to be was not as big as I thought it was. I then was turned on to his solo record “Ocean machine”, but I had my qualms with that too. It was boring as all hell. The only thing I remember was being alone in my gf’s dorm room: she happened to have some Devin on her iTunes and I played myself some “Ziltoid”. I didn’t fall in love with that instantly either, but it was more intriguing than what I heard before.
I put Ziltoid out of my mind for a while. When the Devin Townsend Project surfaced two years ago, I initially thought little of it. I skipped “Ki”, expecting it to be a genre-mixing trainwreck (I still have to acquire it). I was told that “Addicted!” was a good record however. I downloaded it (sneaky, I know), and I did like “Addicted!”. It appealed to the pop sensibilities in me. I had downloaded and listened to Ziltoid once or twice in the meanwhile, though. It started to grow on me, like most of Devin’s works have taken time for me to understand. For the record, I still don’t hold SYL or his solo band in the same regard that some of you do. But I understand Devin a lot better now.
The reason is, strangely, this album. Most people malign Ziltoid, either as a cheesefest (which it is), or as being uninspired and contrived from a songwriting perspective (which it is absolutely NOT!). Behind the Muppet façade that the cover of this album represents, is actually some generally excellent progressive metal. If I had to describe the sound, it’d be a controlled SYL. It takes the deep, growling riffs of SYL and arranges them in such a way that it becomes melodical and streamlined. Add to this some insanely catchy choruses, oddly programmed drums (using, indeed, DFH which he got from Meshuggah), and a varied vocal arsenal and you’re pretty much set for a wild ride.
The concept is a bit stupid, I’ll admit. It centers around an alien named (what else, Sherlock) Ziltoid who comes to Earth, which for some obscure reason is the sole brewer of coffee in the universe. When he dislikes what the Earthlings present, he starts to cause havoc. Hilarity, cheese, and an infinitely stupid conversation with the “omnidimensional creator” ensues which will have fans of this type of satire in stitches. But we at GD take ourselves far too seriously for this kind of crap. Whatever. I find some of Devin’s voice acting hilarious and that’s that.
Whatever the case is: this is one album on which Devin makes his riffs groove an insane amount. One problem I always had with Devin is that all his riffs sound exactly the same, making the metal parts very very predictable. They’re still similar on this one, but they groove all sorts of ass, meaning I don’t care anymore. Devin rarely solos so that is that problem. I also enjoy Devin’s ability to switch vocal styles in an instant.
The bottom line is: this is probably the most underrated Devin Townsend record. I am probably alone in this, but I would pick this as his finest hour.
Phooey. Indeed. Phooey.
- Information
- Released: 2007
- Label: HevyDevy Records
- Website: www.hevydevy.com
- Band
- Devin Townsend: all instruments and vocals
- Tracklist
- 01. ZTO
- 02. By your command
- 03. Ziltoidia attaxx!!
- 04. Solar Winds
- 05. Hyperdrive
- 06. N9
- 07. Planet smasher
- 08. Omnidimensional creator
- 09. Color your world
- 10. The greys
- 11. Tall latte
