Each sound and song will incite new emotions
With over 30 years of experience in the music industry, Devin Townsend has dabbled in many different genres and has produced contrasting sounds across albums. From starting off solo with the Strapping Young Lad, ultimately becoming a full-fledged band and creating the Devin Townsend Band, the Canadian musician has produced extreme metal, hard rock, progressive metal, ambient and so many other albums with distinct genres. And, after a year and a half of trial and error, his latest album, Empath, has come to fruition.
In total, about eight or so people, including Anneke Van Giersbergen, Mike Keneally and Ryan Dhale to name a few, collaborated with Townsend on this ten-track album. Also, unlike most marketing strategies for albums, a series of documentaries were released instead of songs being available before the album comes out. In the miniseries, Townsend shows people a behind-the-scenes look at the composition of the album. While it does provide great insight, listening to the album through is a whole other experience.
Honestly, if someone looked at every component this album contained, instrument by instrument, noise by noise, no one would think all these elements would work in a cohesive manner. But, the time and effort put into creating this album shows in its ability to make beach noise such as crashing waves and bird sounds be the background to operatic, harmonious vocals as heard in “Castaway.”
In “Sprite,” listeners will be enthralled with a rhyming fairytale-esque story in spoken vocals that quickly shift to clear lyrics with bouts of screaming interspersed. While in “Why,” the beginning transports fans to a faraway forest filled with creatures. Even with distinct features in the individual songs, Empath is a whirlwind album that entertains from start to finish.
Of the ten tracks, there is only one song that has too much going on. Starting with a rooster crow, “Borderlands” contains too many abrupt shifts in sounds such as the transition to soft vocals and background noises to a more electric feel. This feel lasts for 20 seconds and then shifts again. As well as sudden changes in style, random sound effects such as a baby crying and air horns disrupt the eardrums and appear out of place.
But one thing is certain with Empath: listeners will be shocked into being attentive. With variation from opera-esque signing to low groggy vocals and interesting yet deliberate background noises, people will want to take note of all the album is offering. While sometimes too many things going on can cause something to crumble, Townsend has put in the time and thoughtfulness that each song deserves.
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