Sunday 12 March 2017

#13 - Top of 2016

Devin Townsend Project - Transcendence (Inside Out)

In the lucky number 13 for 2016, we have the latest endeavour from Devin Townsend Project. After a short break from new material in 2015, Devin is back and, as always, delivering the goods.
The album starts with the chorus-heavy "Truth" (a rendition from the Infinity album) with Anneke van Giersbergen (DTP's usual partner in crime) singing first with Devin's vocals joining in later as the song finishes abruptly, reverting to soft whispers, leading directly to "Stormbending". This is a very "typical" DTP song with Devin's soft vocals taking central stage, before a guitar-driven part of the song which directly leads back to Devin's singing concluding with the chorus joining in, creating a very spiritual ending to the song with the chorus and Devin singing together. "Failure" is a more heavy song - starting with the bass and the drums and leading to an amazing riff. The choral part of this song is superb and is definitely one of the "hits" of the album. An instant classic composition! "Secret Sciences" is a more prog-oriented pieces with with keyboards having a strong influence on the melodic lines and off-tempo riffs contributing to a very metal piece with a beautiful solo at the 4 minute mark. The rest of the album flows beautifully with "Stars" and "From the Heart" being highlights of the second  half. The closer "Transdermal Celebration" is a cover, but despite that, it matches the mood of the album and constitutes a very good closing statement to another engaging record by Devin and co.

94/ 100


Below is the music video for "Stormbending".

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