A firm performance of heart shaking music

Canadian native Devin Townsend is known for being the founder of the extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad, where he was responsible for the songwriting, singing and guitar playing. Earlier this month, Townsend released a live record, Devolution Series #1 – Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds, and his performance is simply amazing. His vocals empower each track with his high-pitched range, and his acoustic guitar playing is fabulous—each note fills the atmosphere with deep, vibrant noises. The record is a delightful piece of musical talent.

“Funeral” is a sad song that has a strong meaning behind it due to its lyrics. The words “It’s so cold today, so I get away, and I’m left with nothing but words” states how empty Townsend felt when his friend died and how he wants answers as to why he had left him behind in the first place. Through the strong words on “Funeral,” people who have lost someone who has impacted their lives can relate. 

Crazy “Love?” is a classic piece that shows how powerful Townsend’s vocals are. Throughout the whole tune, Townsend’s vocals are righteous, and he shows he is capable of switching his range easily from high to low. At the beginning, Townsend starts to sing on a lower register, and then he switches to a higher vocal range by using his authoritative voice to scream out the lyrics. The crowd enjoyed Townsend’s vocal performance, and listener’s can be blown away with his strong voice.

The song “Terminal” is a dreary tune that is filled with strong emotions, and other than Townsend’s sharp vocals, his guitar playing contributes to the lingering of high-strung feelings. Each guitar riff shakes the background that gives people an idea of how colorless Townsend’s world is. “Terminal” is a sad song, but Townsend’s talented guitar playing is the highlight of this performance. 

Hard-hitting “Solar Winds” is another track that has another great vocal showing. What is noticeably enjoyable about this tune is how, toward the middle and ending, Townsend narrates the lyrics while talking in a deep and high voice. In some ways, the sound of Townsend’s talking gives the audience a visual of what the tune is about through his perspective. “Solar Winds” is an artistic acoustic piece that shows how creatively Townsend can use his voice while singing on stage.

The closing song, “Thing Beyond Things,” is another performance that has well-written lyrics. “And I know this one’s the light/ and the worm inside of me/ is the oldest wound that I’ve nursed along/ so don’t try to get inside/ these things inside are wrong, things beyond things,” are dark words that reflect how Townsend wants to confess his darkest secrets, and he lets the crowd try to guess what those secrets are. But Townsend isn’t willing to share those confessions because they belong only to him and not to anybody else. Surely fans have listened to “Thing Beyond Things” several times, but Townsend does a great job of leaving them guessing on what this performance is about.

Devolution Series #1 – Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds is a solid live record that gives fans an insight of how gifted Townsend is through his bold vocals and guitar playing.