Synchestra
Encyclopedia
Synchestra is the eighth solo album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend
, and the second album he recorded with The Devin Townsend Band. The album was released in January 2006 on Townsend's label, HevyDevy Records.
on drums, and Dave Young
on keyboards. The newly formed group released their first album, Accelerated Evolution
, in March 2003. The group recorded and toured for the album while Townsend's extreme metal
project, Strapping Young Lad
, were doing the same for their third release, Strapping Young Lad
.
At the end of a whirlwind year, Townsend began working on Strapping Young Lad's fourth album, Alien
, in March 2004. Feeling that Strapping Young Lad did not live up to expectations, Townsend decided to take the next album to a new extreme. To prepare for Alien, Townsend stopped taking the medication prescribed to treat his bipolar disorder
. "I think that as an artist, in order for me to get to the next plateau, I kind of feel the need to explore things and sometimes that exploration leads you to places that are a little crazy," he explained. "And Alien was no exception with that."
Shortly after the release of Alien in March 2005, Townsend began putting together the next Devin Townsend Band record with the working title Human, intended as the more "pleasant" counterpart to Alien. The album was ultimately entitled Synchestra, and was "basically a record about coming back down to earth after being in space with Alien for a while," according to Townsend.
Synchestra was primarily recorded and mixed by Townsend at his home studio, the Devlab. Van Poederooyen's drums were recorded at Armoury Studios
in Vancouver
, BC
. Mike Young's bass recording, and the album's final mixing, took place at Hipposonic Studios in Vancouver. The album was engineered by Shaun Thingvold, who had also worked for Strapping Young Lad and Fear Factory
.
in Europe. A two-disc special edition was released simultaneously with the standard edition. The special edition includes an in-studio live DVD titled "Safe Zone" containing eight tracks played live in the studio and some bonus features put together by the band. The special edition was released in digipak
and jewel-case formats. A music video
was produced for the song "Vampira".
, polka
, and Middle Eastern music
, with "a few headbanging elements" mixed in. Bassist Mike Young and guitarist Brian Waddell share vocals on the bonus song "Sunshine and Happiness". Keyboardist Dave Young
also plays guitar on "Sunshine and Happiness" and "Sunset". "Triumph" contains a country
breakdown based on "On the Pipe" by Steve Morse
from the album The Introduction
, and also features a solo by Steve Vai
, for whom Townsend performed lead vocals on the album Sex & Religion.
compared the album favorably to Accelerated Evolution
. He wrote that the album has "melodies that are bit more out front" yet is "still as progressive as they come."
.
Devin Townsend
Devin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
, and the second album he recorded with The Devin Townsend Band. The album was released in January 2006 on Townsend's label, HevyDevy Records.
Background
After releasing four solo albums under the name Devin Townsend, each with a different recording lineup, Townsend decided in 2002 to assemble a permanent band for his solo material. He formed the Devin Townsend Band, consisting of Brian Waddell on guitar, Mike Young on bass, Ryan Van PoederooyenRyan Van Poederooyen
Ryan Joost Van Poederooyen is a Canadian drummer. He gained "international recognition" as a member of progressive metal groups The Devin Townsend Band and The Devin Townsend Project...
on drums, and Dave Young
Dave Young (musician)
Dave Young is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist. He has been a member of several notable groups, including The Devin Townsend Band, Ten Ways from Sunday, Terror Syndrome, and The Matinée. He has also played on the albums Ki and Ghost by Devin Townsend and Alien by Strapping Young Lad...
on keyboards. The newly formed group released their first album, Accelerated Evolution
Accelerated Evolution
Accelerated Evolution is the sixth studio album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend. The album, written and produced by Townsend, was a mix of musical styles from alternative and hard rock to progressive metal...
, in March 2003. The group recorded and toured for the album while Townsend's extreme metal
Extreme metal
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. The term usually refers to a more abrasive, harsher, underground, non-commercialized style or sound nearly always associated with genres like black metal,...
project, Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad was a Canadian extreme metal band formed by Devin Townsend in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1994. The band started as a one-man studio project; Townsend played most of the instruments on the 1995 debut album, Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing...
, were doing the same for their third release, Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad (album)
Strapping Young Lad is the eponymous third album by Canadian heavy metal band Strapping Young Lad. It was released on February 11, 2003.-Background:...
.
At the end of a whirlwind year, Townsend began working on Strapping Young Lad's fourth album, Alien
Alien (album)
Alien is the fourth album by Canadian extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad. It was released on March 22, 2005. The album was written by Devin Townsend and Gene Hoglan over a 6 month time period....
, in March 2004. Feeling that Strapping Young Lad did not live up to expectations, Townsend decided to take the next album to a new extreme. To prepare for Alien, Townsend stopped taking the medication prescribed to treat his bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
. "I think that as an artist, in order for me to get to the next plateau, I kind of feel the need to explore things and sometimes that exploration leads you to places that are a little crazy," he explained. "And Alien was no exception with that."
Shortly after the release of Alien in March 2005, Townsend began putting together the next Devin Townsend Band record with the working title Human, intended as the more "pleasant" counterpart to Alien. The album was ultimately entitled Synchestra, and was "basically a record about coming back down to earth after being in space with Alien for a while," according to Townsend.
Synchestra was primarily recorded and mixed by Townsend at his home studio, the Devlab. Van Poederooyen's drums were recorded at Armoury Studios
Armoury Studios
Armoury Studios is a world-class Canadian recording studio located in Vancouver, British Columbia's Kitsilano neighbourhood.-History:The Armoury building was constructed, from the ground up, in 1992 by Canadian songwriter/producer Jim Vallance...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, BC
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Mike Young's bass recording, and the album's final mixing, took place at Hipposonic Studios in Vancouver. The album was engineered by Shaun Thingvold, who had also worked for Strapping Young Lad and Fear Factory
Fear Factory
Fear Factory is an American industrial metal band. Formed in 1989, they have released seven full-length albums and a number of singles and remixes. Over the course of their career they have evolved from a succession of styles, as well as steadily pioneered a combination of the styles death metal,...
.
Release
Synchestra was released on January 30, 2006. The album was released on Townsend's label HevyDevy Records in North America, and InsideOutInsideOut Music
Inside Out Music is a German independent record label based in Kleve, in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, and dedicated to the publication of progressive rock, progressive metal and related styles music albums.-History:...
in Europe. A two-disc special edition was released simultaneously with the standard edition. The special edition includes an in-studio live DVD titled "Safe Zone" containing eight tracks played live in the studio and some bonus features put together by the band. The special edition was released in digipak
Digipak
Digipak is a patented style of CD, DVD or BD packaging, and is a registered trademark of AGI World Ltd., an Atlas Holdings company.-Features:...
and jewel-case formats. A music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was produced for the song "Vampira".
Music
Townsend showcased a wide variety of musical styles in Synchestra, blending his trademark "pop metal" with influences from folkFolk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, polka
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
, and Middle Eastern music
Middle Eastern music
The music of Western Asia and North Africa spans across a vast region, from Morocco to Afghanistan, and its influences can be felt even further afield. Middle Eastern music influenced the music of India, as well as Central Asia, Spain, Southern Italy, the Caucasus and the Balkans, as in chalga...
, with "a few headbanging elements" mixed in. Bassist Mike Young and guitarist Brian Waddell share vocals on the bonus song "Sunshine and Happiness". Keyboardist Dave Young
Dave Young (musician)
Dave Young is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist. He has been a member of several notable groups, including The Devin Townsend Band, Ten Ways from Sunday, Terror Syndrome, and The Matinée. He has also played on the albums Ki and Ghost by Devin Townsend and Alien by Strapping Young Lad...
also plays guitar on "Sunshine and Happiness" and "Sunset". "Triumph" contains a country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
breakdown based on "On the Pipe" by Steve Morse
Steve Morse
Steven J. "Steve" Morse is an American guitarist and composer, best known for his work in the hard rock band Deep Purple since 1994. He began his career to form the unique styled instrumental rock band Dixie Dregs in the 1970. Morse's musical inspiration comes from country, funk, jazz fusion, and...
from the album The Introduction
The Introduction (album)
The Introduction is the first studio album by the Steve Morse Band, released in 1984 through Elektra Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Steve Morse – electric guitar, synthesizer , organ, production...
, and also features a solo by Steve Vai
Steve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
, for whom Townsend performed lead vocals on the album Sex & Religion.
Reception
Synchestra debuted at number 33 in Finland, number 85 in Germany, and 128 in France. The album received favorable reviews from critics. Greg Prato of Allmusic praised the album's diversity and originality, remarking that "Townsend seems to be getting more musically daring with each subsequent release, unlike some other veteran rockers who start to play it safe as the years roll on." Scott Alisoglu of Blabbermouth.netBlabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net is a website dedicated to heavy metal and hard rock news, as well as album and music DVD reviews. Blabbermouth.net was founded and is run by Borivoj Krgin. The first version of the website was officially launched in March 2001...
compared the album favorably to Accelerated Evolution
Accelerated Evolution
Accelerated Evolution is the sixth studio album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend. The album, written and produced by Townsend, was a mix of musical styles from alternative and hard rock to progressive metal...
. He wrote that the album has "melodies that are bit more out front" yet is "still as progressive as they come."
Track listing
All songs written by Devin TownsendDevin Townsend
Devin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
.
- "Let It Roll" – 2:52
- "Hypergeek" – 2:20
- "Triumph" – 7:08
- "Babysong" – 5:30
- "Vampolka" – 1:36
- "Vampira" – 3:27
- "Mental Tan" – 2:15
- "Gaia" – 6:03
- "Pixillate" – 8:17
- "Judgement" – 5:55
- "A Simple Lullaby" – 7:09
- "Sunset" – 2:31
- "Notes from Africa" – 7:42
- "Sunshine and Happiness" – 2:35
Special edition bonus DVD: Safe Zone
- "Truth" (from InfinityInfinity (Devin Townsend album)Infinity is the third solo album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend. The album was released in October 1998 on Townsend's label, HevyDevy Records.-Background:...
) - "Regulator" (from Ocean Machine: BiomechOcean Machine: BiomechOcean Machine: Biomech is the second studio album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend. The album was released in July 1997 on Townsend's label, HevyDevy Records.-Background:...
) - "Storm" (from Accelerated EvolutionAccelerated EvolutionAccelerated Evolution is the sixth studio album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend. The album, written and produced by Townsend, was a mix of musical styles from alternative and hard rock to progressive metal...
) - "Earth Day" (from TerriaTerriaTerria is the fifth solo album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend. The album was released in November 2001 on Townsend's label, HevyDevy Records.-Background:...
) - "Life" (from Ocean Machine: Biomech)
- "Deadhead" (from Accelerated Evolution)
- "Away/Deep Peace Medley" ("Away" from Accelerated Evolution, "Deep Peace" from Terria)
- "Slow Me Down" (from Accelerated Evolution)
Chart performance
| Country | Weeks | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| France Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
1 | 128 |
| Finland | 1 | 33 |
| Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
1 | 85 |
The Devin Townsend Band
- Devin TownsendDevin TownsendDevin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
– vocalsHuman voiceThe human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds are the primary...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, programming - Ryan Van PoederooyenRyan Van PoederooyenRyan Joost Van Poederooyen is a Canadian drummer. He gained "international recognition" as a member of progressive metal groups The Devin Townsend Band and The Devin Townsend Project...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Brian Waddell – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, additional vocals (track 14) - Dave YoungDave Young (musician)Dave Young is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist. He has been a member of several notable groups, including The Devin Townsend Band, Ten Ways from Sunday, Terror Syndrome, and The Matinée. He has also played on the albums Ki and Ghost by Devin Townsend and Alien by Strapping Young Lad...
– keyboardsElectronic keyboardAn electronic keyboard is an electronic or digital keyboard instrument.The major components of a typical modern electronic keyboard are:...
, grand piano, HammondHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, guitar (track 14), additional vocals (track 14) - Mike Young – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, tubaTubaThe tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
, stand-up bass
Additional musicians
- Heather Robinson – additional vocals
- Deborah Tyzio – additional vocals (track 9)
- Steve VaiSteve VaiSteven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
– guitar solo (track 3) - Chris ValagaoChris ValagaoChris "The Heathen" Valagao is a heavy metal musician of Norwegian and Portuguese descent best known as the front man for Canadian speed/thrash metal band Zimmers Hole.- Nicknames :...
– additional vocals - Daniel Young – tambourineTambourineThe tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
(track 5) - Rocky Milino Jr. – dobroDobroDobro is a registered trademark, now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and used for a particular design of resonator guitar.The name has a long and involved history, interwoven with that of the resonator guitar...
(3) - Hansen Thingvold – additional vocals
Production
- Devin TownsendDevin TownsendDevin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
– production, engineering, recording, editing, mixing - Shaun Thingvold – additional engineering
- Greg Reely – mastering
- Dave YoungDave Young (musician)Dave Young is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist. He has been a member of several notable groups, including The Devin Townsend Band, Ten Ways from Sunday, Terror Syndrome, and The Matinée. He has also played on the albums Ki and Ghost by Devin Townsend and Alien by Strapping Young Lad...
– recording assistance - Mike Young – recording assistance
- Jay Van Poederooyen – drum editing
- Bryan Seely – drum teching
- Ash Pearson – drum teching
- Nick Tyzio – vocal recording assistance
- Tim Steinruck – vocal recording assistance
Release
- Tracy Turner – management
- Jeff Cohen – legal
- Omer Cordell – photography
- Geoffrey Rousselot – artwork, design
External links
- Synchestra (HevyDevy)
- Synchestra (InsideOut)