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Devin Townsend

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Devin Townsend

Devin Garrett Townsend (born May 5 1972 in Vancouver), also known as Hevy Devy or simply "Devy", is a Canadian musician currently residing in British Columbia. His main instruments are guitar and vocals, but he is, as he showed on his Infinity solo album, a talented multi-instrumentalist and producer. His music is hard to categorize but mostly falls into melodic hard-rock/metal with added influences from progressive rock and industrial music.

Biography

At the age of 19 he was recruited by Steve Vai to perform on his Sex and Religion album and accompanying world tour, but most of his career was spent playing in bands in which he was the leader and main creative force. His approach is original in that he doesn't have a main band, but instead creates bands/projects for almost each album. For example, Strapping Young Lad is a very heavy death metal band with industrial influences that focuses on themes of anger, alienation, frustration, and hate. Separate from Strapping Young Lad, Townsend created Ocean Machine, a group that would allow him to explore alternative ideas and themes that would not fit in the extreme metal genre that Strapping Young Lad occupied. The album that sprang from that group was titled Biomech. However, as time went on, most fans refer to the album as a Devin Townsend solo project and simply call the album Ocean Machine. These days, most fans see the albums Ocean Machine, Infinity, Physicist (which is essentially the SYL lineup, but not considered 'heavy enough' to be SYL proper), Terria, and Accelerated Evolution as all being Devin Townsend's solo work. The latest release, Accelerated Evolution, was designated as having been by The Devin Townsend Band and in many interviews Townsend has said that the next "solo" album, to be released in 2006 entitled Synchestra, also be under the same moniker.

He has also recently branched out into the area of electronica, initially with the Project EKO EP, which was available as a bonus with the Special Edition of Accelerated Evolution, and more recently with Devlab and The Hummer. These last 2 being sold only via mail-order from his website. The Hummer is due for release in early 2006, and will see Townsend moving further into the experimental realm of ambient music.

Devin Townsend suffers from bipolar disorder for which he has been receiving treatment. His music often reflects the extreme nature of his psyche. In fact, after the album Infinity was produced, Townsend self-imposed a stay in a mental hospital. There is some indication that the work on the album, one of his most eclectic and boundary-breaking, contributed to his situation and forced the hospital stay.

Most people unfamiliar with the heavy metal and hard rock genre would probably dismiss it as being sophomoric and simplistic thematically and the music being loud, fast, and amateur. Many people would describe Devin Townsend's work, both solo and with Strapping Young Lad, as being completely the opposite. Townsend is generally acknowledged as being a master record producer. He has produced, either alone or with others, all of his own work. He has also worked with other artists in producing their music. Townsend's work is always very experimental and progressive and is challenging to listen to. Utilizing the latest in digital audio tools and multitrack recording processes, Townsend layers in sound upon sound. It is not uncommon for Townsend to record several layers of the same instrument, guitar for example, in order to perfect the sound he's looking for. A trademark of Townsend's sound is to make a "chorus of Devys", recording himself over and over singing backup and layering it into the final mix. Also, he will frequently lay down a soundbed of atmospheric noise overwhich the instruments play. The final result is usually a very dense "Wall-of-Sound" effect, a technique that, if done improperly, could easily sound muddled. Townsend, however, manages to render a complex and intricate sound that many fans find perfect.

Supporting Musicians

Devin Townsend has been supported by the following musicians, both in the studio, and on tour:

Discography

Other Bands

Devin Townsend has had several other projects in which he could be considered the main musicician, in that he is usually the Lead vocalist/guitarist, and writes most of the lyrics and music.

Please see: Strapping Young Lad, The Devin Townsend Band, Punky Brüster, Noisescapes, Grey Skies

Appearances as a Guest guitarist and vocalist

Production credits

Devin has produced the following works:

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