Townsend comments: "Hey folks, Dev here with the update for the second installment of the DTP (Devin Townsend Project). We are just readying the release of album 2, Addicted, so here are a few brief words: With Ki, I kind of strode out in uncharted territories for myself musically, and loved the experience, but during the course of writing this four record project, it was inevitable that I would end up writing a selection of tunes that were very much in line with my back catalogue. This group of songs is the second record in the series, and it is called Addicted.
"Musically, Addicted is along the lines of the big, wall of sound hard rock/heavy metal of Ocean Machine and Accelerated Evolution (even Physicist at points). It is a very direct and 'to the point' album with an emphasis on groove and the chorus. In the past, lots of my records end up taking a kind of Pink Floyd-ish route (between song meandering, etc.) Addicted is really simple: 11 rocking songs with no bulls***.
"I wanted to make a record that was heavy, without being dark or depressing. When I got into metal it was for the energy behind it, but somewhere along the way that energy started getting really negative. In music right now, there's a ton of heavy bands that are really depressing to listen to loudly. I wanted to make a record without any real deep metaphor on the surface. Something that sounds good, has a good beat and a positive feeling. It is still heavy as-all-get-out, but I think there's a differentiation to be made between being 'peaceful,' and being peaceful but wanting to celebrate loud, crushing music.
"The vocal duties on this record are handled by myself and Anneke van Giersbergen (ex-The Gathering). I wanted to have male and female vocals kind of 'tell the story' so to speak. It's an honor to work with her and she has a lovely, lovely energy. The other musicians on this record are Ryan Van Poederooyen on drums, Brian Waddell on bass and Mark Cimino on guitars.
"I absolutely love this record and it affects me in a way that I wasn't prepared for. It's a fully rocking album of optimism. If you just want to 'play it loud' without any crazy metaphor, this album might be for you.
"I have been rehearsing with a new band and we will start touring in early 2010, representing all the back catalogue of solo material, from Ki, Addicted, Physicist, Ziltoid, Terria, Ocean Machine, DTB, Infinity, etc. I have some big plans for this and rehearsals are sounding amazing. The touring entity will be called 'Devin Townsend' and is essentially a way for me to get out there and interact again and showcase 15 years of music that never really got its fair shake.
"I will also start working on the fourth record Deconstruction in Los Angeles this October and have some great plans for that (and btw, THAT is a heavy record with a lot of metaphor). So, I hope you will enjoy Addicted. The reason that Addicted exists is maybe a little deeper than what the record sounds like up front. But up front, it kind of states: 'Life is tough, the world can be an ugly place...so let's forget about the dramas and ROCK - here's some heavy guitars, big choruses and killer beats."
Devin Townsend is back and has crafted the offerings of his much heralded career. Fans of hard rock, metal and overall interesting music take note because this material is going to touch your soul on multiple levels.
Preview and Purchase Devin Townsend CDs
Travel News, Trips and Tips: Road Trip Essentials
Hot In The City: Carin Leon Will Open For The Rolling Stones in Arizona
Caught In The Act: Ministry Rocks Chicago
Sammy (Hagar) Super Sunday Coming To TV
Anthrax Reuniting With Dan Lilker For Upcoming Live Dates
NEEDTOBREATHE To Livestream Red Rocks Concert
Bruce Dickinson Making Appearance At WonderCon For
Joe Bonamassa Plays Jimi Hendrix's A Vintage 'Band of Gypsys' Rig At Nerdville
Vampire Weekend Stream 'Mary Boone' Visualizer
Paul Di'Anno's Warhorse Deliver 'Stop The War' EP
The Exies Return With 'For What It's Worth'