May 15

Devin Townsend’s Deconstruction Is A Masterpiece

Posted by Chris Harris on May 15, 2011 in News, Reviews, Video

Deconstruction

Holy shit, people. Last week, I was sent a link to Devin Townsend’s Deconstruction from his record label, and it is all I have been listening to since. Regular readers will know this is a record I have been excited about for fucking months now, and let me just say: Devin Townsend’s Deconstruction is everything you think it’s going to be and then some.

There has been a lot of talk lately about “All Stars” with a new tour being announced that calls its lineup “All Stars.” But let me tell you — this is the ultimate all-star lineup if you ask me. It fucking reminds me of those rap records where a dude has another dude on every other track…that’s what Devin did with this heavy as fuck record — easily the frontrunner for album of 2011 in my opinion.

After the jump, get a little sampling of the track that features Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt. It’s a video I found on YouTube. The song is fucking insane. I also put in an embed of the Ihsahn cut.

Basically, this is the ultimate Devin Townsend album, because it’s sort of a culmination of everything he’s ever done, one on album, and he invited a bunch of vocalists he admires to fucking contribute their pipes to the set. I mean, it truly is the ultimate metal album…and yes, it does get cheesy at times, but such moments are fleeting.

Like I said, it is the culmination of everything Devin has done. Some parts sound like Ziltoid, some like Strapping Young Lad. At times, I was reminded of Terria while other times, Ki and Physicist. There was some Addicted in there, and some Infinity and then, like, every fucking awesome metal vocalist on the planet.

I particularly like the Ihsahn track, the Tommy Rogers (Between the Buried and Me) tune, and the one with Joe Duplantier from Gojira slays too. I wish Mikael could have been on every planet, but — oh well.

This album is epic, and really something special and I thank Devin for it.

Posted in News, Reviews, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

About

Chris Harris is an internationally-published music journalist and writer whose work has appeared on the pages of Rolling Stone, IFC.com, Revolver, Alternative Press, and Radar. The former news editor for Noisecreep.com, AOL’s heavy metal blog, Harris also served as co-host for the site’s weekly podcast, “Creep Show." Harris spent four years as a reporter and on-air talent for MTV News.

  • Lydia_bradsteen

    Awesome review

  • Lydia_bradsteen

    Awesome review

  • Alexander Skottene Twiss

    The songs are fucking awesome! Mikael Åkerfeldt’s vocals are fantastic as ever and Ihsahn rocks as well!

    Alexander Skottene Twiss 

  • Xander

     Oh Chris, you fucking tease you. Now I shall not only have to wait in agonising pain until it comes out, I shall have to wait knowing it is completely awesome too. Damn you Chris for reassuring me.

  • Xander

     By the way, did someone say eargasm?

  • Azrael

    I really can’t say enough good things about this album.  I’m a long time Devin fan from his work in the early 90s prior to SYL, and you’re right on the money about this album being a culmination of all things he’s known for.  The guest appearances on this disc are also out of control awesome.  Just saw him on his first tour date in LA touring with Children of Bodom, and he put on a fucking amazing show.  Should’ve had a longer set list, but like he said during the show – “We’re the awkward part of the show!  Just like a boner in sweatpants!”