Synchestra
Occupation
- Devin Townsend: vocals, guitar, programming
- Ryan Van Poederooyen: Drums
- Brian Waddell: Guitar
- Dave Young: Keyboard, piano, Hammond organ, mandolin
- Mike Young: bass, tuba
Synchestra ( sɪŋkɛstrə ) is the seventh solo album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend and the second album, which he recorded with The Devin Townsend Band. The album was released in January 2006 with Townsend Records label HevyDevy.
Background
After the release of four solo albums under the name Devin Townsend, all of which was recorded with different line- ups to Townsend decided in 2002 to form a permanent band for his solo material. He founded the Devin Townsend Band, which consisted of Brian Waddell on keyboards on guitar, Mike Young on bass, Ryan Van Poederooyen on drums and Dave Young. The newly formed band released their first album Accelerated Evolution in March 2003. Recordings and the tour to the album took place at the same time, in the Townsend's extreme metal project Strapping Young Lad began his SYL album.
After an eventful year, Townsend began in March 2004 with the work to Strapping Young Lads fourth album Alien. Townsend thought that SYL did not meet expectations, and decided the next album to lead to new extremes. To prepare for Alien, Townsend stopped taking the medication that had been prescribed for him to treat his bipolar disorder. "I think as an artist who wants to reach the next level, it is necessary to discover things and sometimes lead you to the discoveries crazy places ," he said. " And Alien was no exception. "
Shortly after the release of Alien in March 2005, Townsend began work on the next album of the Devin Townsend Band with the working title Human, which should be the pleasing counterpart to Alien. Ultimately, the album was called Synchestra and loud Devin Townsend was an album about " the return to Earth after an extended visit with aliens in the universe ."
Synchestra was largely recorded and mixed by Townsend in his home studio The Devlab. Van Poederooyens drums were added to the Armoury Studios in Vancouver, BC. Mike Young's bass recordings and Ednmix the album took place in Vancouver in the Hippo Sonic Studios. Sound engineer was Shaun Thingvold, who had already worked for Strapping Young Lad and Fear Factory.
Publication
Synchestra was published on 30 January 2006. The album was released on Townsend's label HevyDevy Records in North America and at InsideOut in Europe. At the same time there appeared a Special Edition. This contained, in addition to the standard CD, a recorded live in the studio DVD with the title safe zone, which contained eight played live in the studio and a few selected tracks from the band extras. This special edition was released as a digipak and jewel case. To the song Vampira a music video was produced.
Music
Townsend processed in Synchestra a variety of different musical styles, and mixed his typical "pop metal" with influences from folk, polka and oriental music with " a few headbanging elements." Bassist Mike Young and guitarist Brian Waddell share the vocals on the bonus track Sunshine and Happiness. Keyboardist Dave Young plays guitar on Sunshine and Happiness and Sunset. Triumph contains a country interlude that comes to On the Pipe of Steve Morse's album The Introduction.
Reception
Synchestra rose in Finland at number 33, number 85 in Germany and in France at number 128 in the album charts. The album garnered favorable reviews. Greg Prato of Allmusic praised the variety and originality of the album and noticed that " Townsend with each release will, daring, unlike other seasoned rockers who move with the times on the safe side ". Scott Alisoglu of Blabbermouth.net compared the album with Accelerated evolution. He wrote that the album had tunes that were a little more open, yet progressive.
Title list
All titles have been written by Devin Townsend.