Kyle Cullen September 23rd, 2019 - 7:24 PM
Founder of the extreme metal band, Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend has announced a series of tours, doing something he’s never done before. Having recently finished up an acoustic tour of his most recent album, Empath, Devin Townsend stated that he is going back to full-band format and returning to playing heavy music live, including playing some music from the Strapping Young Lad’s catalog. His tour is going to take place over the next year and is going to be divided up into what he describes as a series of ‘volumes.’ The first volume will be revealed during his upcoming European/UK stint with fellow metal band Haken, the second ‘volume’ will take place during the summer of 2020.
He describes his first volume as something he has always wanted to do but never had the chance, he is excited to be in his words, “Musical in ways I’ve never been able to be before.” He says every night is going to be a unique experience to those in attendance, and describes how his tour is going to take place in a series of tweets.
So for the first two tours, I’ve put together something I’ve *always* wanted to do: 10 players onstage, my personal choice of music, amazing production, improvisation and ABSOLUTELY devastating players. Musical in ways I’ve never been able to be before, every night unique.
— Devin Townsend (@dvntownsend) September 22, 2019
…For the summer festivals, it’s going to be a different vibe altogether. A new group of people, and finally HEAVY again 🙂 no messing around, it’s going to be *crushing* and immensely fun 🙂 bringing the whole catalog together finally… just you wait:))
— Devin Townsend (@dvntownsend) September 22, 2019
Then after the summer, there’s a bunch more surprises in store for live, I want every tour to be a unique and amazing experience. I’m finally able to do this all now, so I’m not letting this opportunity slip away :)) News on all that when it’s time
— Devin Townsend (@dvntownsend) September 22, 2019
Devin Townsend has had a successful 2019 so far, announcing earlier in the year that the fourth part of his long-lasting vinyl box set series, ERAS Part 4, will be released August 23, 2019. He also debuted the documentary series that follows him during the process of making his most recent album, Empath, which was also released earlier in the year.
His two volume tour comes at the heels of the announcement that he is working on a deluxe edition of Empath featuring a 5.1 surround sound remix and live album. His tour dates with Haken are listed below.
11/15 – Paris, FRA – Salle Pleyel
11/16 Antwerp, BEL – Trix
11/17 Tilburg, NET – 013
11/18 Hamburg, GER – Gruenspan
11/20 Turku, FIN – Logomo
11/21 Helsinki, FIN – Cirkus
11/23 Stockholm, SWE – Munchenbryggeriet
11/24 Oslo, NOR – Sentrum Scene
11/25 Copenhagen, DEN – Amager Bio
11/28 Berlin, GER – Astra
11/29 Wroclaw, POL – A2
11/30 Budapest, HUN – Barba Negra
12/02 Vienna, AUT – Simm City
12/03 Zurich, SWI – X-Tra
12/06 Dublin, IRE – Academy
12/07 Belfast, IRE – Academy
12/09 Glasgow, UK – SWG3 Galvanisers
12/10 Manchester, UK – Albert Hall
12/12 London, UK – Roundhouse
12/13 Nottingham, UK – Rock City
Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat
