Physicist (album)
Occupation
- Guitar, Vocals, Keyboard: Devin Townsend
- Drums: Gene Hoglan
- Bass: Byron Stroud
- Guitar: Jed Simon
Physicist is the third solo album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend. The album was released in June 2000 on Townsend's record label HevyDevy Records. It reached the top in the Japanese album charts 80
Background
It took several years until Physicist could be realized. Previously, Townsend had played with then bassist Jason Newsted Metallica in the short-lived thrash metal project IR8. After recording a demo Townsend and Jason Newsted started on a new project called Fizzicist to work, which should be according to her " harder than Strapping Young Lad ". Through the demo learned Newsteds Metallica bandmates James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of the project. Hetfield was not pleased that Newsted was playing outside of Metallica, Newsted and was forbidden to participate in any project alongside Metallica.
This Townsend could not continue to work with Newsted, the album himself wrote and called it Physicist. It was the only solo album of Townsend, which was recorded in the occupation of Strapping Young Lad.
Music
Physicist differs from other publications Townsend by combining the stylistic elements of Strapping Young Lad with elements of Ocean Machine: Biomech and Infinity. The album also shows influences from thrash metal. David Ballard of Revolver described the sound of the album as " a mix of summery melodies and breathtaking brutality ... vacillating between the elegance of a queen and the destructive power of Dark Angel".
Publication
Physicist was released in June 2000 on Townsend's independent label HevyDevy Records. It has been marketed in Canada by HevyDevy, in Japan by Sony in Europe and North America by InsideOut. The album also appeared as Enhanced CD with comments on the album of Townsend.
Reviews
Although Physicist received positive reviews, although it is regarded as a low point in the career of Townsend, Townsend himself calls it his worst album to date. Trey Spencer wrote of Sputnik Music that although Physicist in itself " a good listening experience ," it was nevertheless belong to the weakest albums Townsend. He thinks that the album performing as a moderate version of Strapping Young Lad with bonds from Townsend's other projects and that most of the songs appear aimless. The poor production brought a Physicist the most criticism. Spencer felt the production as "a little too restricted" and " mushy ". Drummer Gene Hoglan expressed its dissatisfaction with the mix.
Title list
All titles have been written by Devin Townsend, unless otherwise noted.
- Forgotten - 5:59 ( Hidden Track )
The Japanese release of Sony Music contained three bonus tracks.