After performing in a number of metal bands in high school, Townsend was discovered by a record label in 1993 and was asked to perform lead vocals on Steve Vai's album Sex & Religion. After recording and touring with Vai, Townsend was discouraged by what he found in the music industry, and vented his anger on a solo album released under the pseudonym Strapping Young Lad. He soon assembled a band under the name, and released the critically acclaimed City in 1997. Since then, he has released three more studio albums with Strapping Young Lad, along with solo material released under his own independent record label, HevyDevy Records. Townsend's solo albums, a diverse mix of hard rock and progressive metal, have featured a varying lineup of supporting musicians. In 2002 he formed The Devin Townsend Band, a dedicated lineup which recorded and toured for two of his solo releases.
In 2007, Townsend disbanded both Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Band, taking a break from touring to spend more time with his family. After a two-year hiatus, he began work on a four-album series called The Devin Townsend Project, with each album written in a different style. The first two entries in the series, Ki and Addicted, were released in 2009. Townsend scheduled tours throughout Australia and North America in 2010 in support of the albums, and released the next two, Deconstruction and Ghost, in 2011.
Townsend's trademark production style, featuring a heavily multitracked wall of sound, has been compared to the styles of Phil Spector and Frank Zappa. His versatile vocal delivery ranges from screaming to an opera-esque singing, and his songwriting is similarly diverse. Townsend's musical style is rooted in metal, and his albums are written to express different aspects of his personality.
By Your Command
Devin Townsend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I command, my dominion...
Every heart, and all opinion.
Hide me, guide me, dry my tears...
Slowly taking back the years.
By your command!!!
(Ziltoid's cronies:) 'By your command!!!'
By your comrades!
Know I know all I am and we are not, we are not to blame,
For all I have heard now, we are not to blame.
Over and over and over and over and over, you limit again!!!
Take it, take it... make it your friend!
You have not convinced mighty Ziltoid... I am so omniscient... if there were to be two omnisciences, I would be both!
Prepare yourself for the subjugation!
Hide me, guide me, dry my tears by your command!!! Slowly taking back...
Now I know, all I ask is... we are not, we are not to blame
For all I have heard now, we are not to blame.
Over and over and over and over and over, you limit again!!!
Oh, the physical race... you're dying
Oh, with physical grace.
Gone too far for the universe. Gone too far for the way on home. Gone too far for the universe, the universe...
I'm flying... over physical,
I'm flying... over physical waste.
I'll keep it live, and stay awake.
Ziltoid- Commander...
Gummy- Yes, Captain Ziltoid?
Z - Have the humans delivered their ultimate cup off coffee?
G - I have it right here sir...
Z - ...yes...(sluurrpp...) ...Fetid! How dare they present this to me?!? Foul! ...They hide their finest bean... prepare the attack!!!
Gummy - Commander Ziltoid!!! The humans are preparing themselves for the attack!
Z - Excellent!!! Have you prepared the planet smasher?
Ziltoidian Crew - Yes my lord!!!
Z - Indeed... on my word...
Crew - Yes my lord...
Sergeant Bomber (Human Army Commander...) - Now listen up men... we represent the planet Earth! I want no heroes. He's gonna be releasing a shitstorm on us, we gotta be ready to take him down, hold your positions men. Do not fire until I tell you to fire!!! Have you got that!?!
(Army - Yes Captain!!!!
SB - Right...hold your position...Ziltoid, he comes!!!
Pound pound pound, ye pushypush pound pound, pound pound pound, ye pushypush pound pound...
The song "By Your Command" by Devin Townsend is an intricate, unconventional piece that explores the themes of power dynamics and control. The song's protagonist is Ziltoid, a powerful commander who commands his dominion and every heart and opinion. The first verse sees him seek comfort and protection from his followers, instructing them to hide him, guide him and dry his tears.
The chorus, which is repeated twice, contains the phrase "By your command," which is a clear indication of Ziltoid's control over his subjects. The repetition of the phrase also suggests that the power dynamics between Ziltoid and his followers are not entirely one-sided. The second verse suggests that Ziltoid has gained an ultimate understanding of himself and his people, which absolves them of blame for their actions.
The song culminates in an intense confrontation between the human army and Ziltoid, who is angry at the cup of coffee he is presented with. This confrontation is portrayed through the use of sound effects, such as pounding and pushing, which creates a sense of urgency and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
I command, my dominion...
I am Ziltoid and I invoke my authority over my domain
Every heart, and all opinion.
All hearts and opinions belong to me and are subject to my will
Hide me, guide me, dry my tears...
I ask for your protection, guidance, and comfort in difficult times
Slowly taking back the years.
I am reversing time and reclaiming what was lost
By your command!!!
I demand obedience from my subordinates
'By your command!!!'
We, Ziltoid's cronies, obey your command
By your comrades!
All my comrades, join together and obey my command
Know I know all I am and we are not, we are not to blame,
I understand who I am and we are not responsible for our circumstances
For all I have heard now, we are not to blame.
I have learned the truth and we are not at fault
Over and over and over and over and over, you limit again!!!
You keep repeating and restricting yourself unnecessarily
Take it, take it... make it your friend!
Accept and embrace what's given to you and turn it into a positive
You have not convinced mighty Ziltoid... I am so omniscient... if there were to be two omnisciences, I would be both!
You have not persuaded me, Ziltoid, that I am not all-knowing and powerful
Prepare yourself for the subjugation!
Be ready to submit to my authority and domination
Oh, the physical race... you're dying
Oh, humanity, you are slowly decaying
Oh, with physical grace.
You are still beautiful even in your physical death
Gone too far for the universe. Gone too far for the way on home. Gone too far for the universe, the universe...
We have gone beyond the limits of the universe and our ability to return home
I'm flying... over physical,
I am transcending the physical realm and defying gravity
I'm flying... over physical waste.
I'm flying over the garbage and waste of the physical world
I'll keep it live, and stay awake.
I will keep my spirit and energy alive and not fall asleep
Ziltoid- Commander...
Ziltoid is addressing his subordinate
Gummy- Yes, Captain Ziltoid?
Gummy responds to Ziltoid's command as his subordinate
Z - Have the humans delivered their ultimate cup off coffee?
Ziltoid orders coffee from the humans
G - I have it right here sir...
Gummy confirms he has the coffee
Z - ...yes...(sluurrpp...) ...Fetid! How dare they present this to me?!? Foul! ...They hide their finest bean... prepare the attack!!!
Ziltoid expresses disgust at the coffee and orders an attack on the humans
Gummy - Commander Ziltoid!!! The humans are preparing themselves for the attack!
Gummy warns Ziltoid of the human's preparation for the attack
Z - Excellent!!! Have you prepared the planet smasher?
Ziltoid orders the preparation of a weapon of mass destruction
Ziltoidian Crew - Yes my lord!!!
Ziltoid's crew acknowledges his command and prepares the weapon
Z - Indeed... on my word...
Ziltoid affirms his control and command over the crew and weapon
Crew - Yes my lord...
Ziltoid's crew obeys his command
Sergeant Bomber (Human Army Commander...) - Now listen up men... we represent the planet Earth! I want no heroes. He's gonna be releasing a shitstorm on us, we gotta be ready to take him down, hold your positions men. Do not fire until I tell you to fire!!! Have you got that!?!
Sgt. Bomber addresses his men in preparation for the upcoming attack on Earth by Ziltoid
(Army - Yes Captain!!!!
The army confirms their understanding and readiness for the planned attack
SB - Right...hold your position...Ziltoid, he comes!!!
Sgt. Bomber orders his men to hold their ground as Ziltoid approaches
Pound pound pound, ye pushypush pound pound, pound pound pound, ye pushypush pound pound...
The sound of battle as the two armies clash
Contributed by Juliana I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pescado_blancoojiazul8633
Por su orden
¡Mi orden!
¡Mi dominio!
Memoria, corazón y toda opinión
Escóndeme, guíame
Secar mis lagrimos
Poco a poco retrocediendo los años
Por su orden
Por su orden
POR SU ORDEN
No, lo sé
Todo lo que soy y
No lo somos
No debemos culpar
Por todo lo que he aprendido ahora
No debemos culpar
Y una y otra vez
Y una y otra vez
¡Y sobrevivirlo otra vez!
¡Haz que sea tu amigo!
[Ziltoid:]
No has confundido al poderoso Ziltoid
Porque soy tan omnisciente que si hubiera dos omnisciencias
¡Yo sería las dos!
¡Prepárense para la subyugación!
Escóndeme, guíame
Secar mis lagrimos
Por su orden
Poco a poco retrocediendo los años
Ahora lo sé
Todo lo que pido es
No lo somos
No debemos culpar
Por todo lo que he aprendido ahora
¡No tenemos la culpa!
Y una y otra vez
y una y otra vez
y sobrevivirlo de nuevo!
¡Haz que sea tu amigo!
¡Ohh raza física!
¡Te estás muriendo!
Ohhhhh y lugar físico
Llegar lejos en el universo
llegar demasiado lejos en el camino de regreso a casa
Llegar demasiado lejos en el universo
Un nuevo... verso
Me estoy muriendo
Oh, lo físico
Estoy volando
Oh, lo físico
Estoy aquí
(Quédate un rato)
[Ziltoid:] Comandante
¡Sí, capitán Ziltoid!
[Ziltoid:] ¿Han entregado los humanos su última taza de café?
[Comandante:] Lo tengo aquí
[Ziltoid:] Ah! - Sí, sí
[Ziltoid bebe el café]
[Ziltoid:] FETID! ¡Cómo se atreven a presentarme esto! ¡FALTA! ¡Ocultan su mejor frijol! ¡Preparen el ataque!
¡Capitán Ziltoid! ¡Los humanos se están preparando para el ataque!
[Ziltoid:] Excelente! ¿Has preparado... el planeta destrozador?
[Voz extraña: [PLLLANNETTTTT SMMMMAASSSH
[Comandante:] ¡De hecho!
[Ziltoid:] Por mi palabra
¡Ahora escuchen aquí hombres! ¡Representamos al planeta Tierra! ¡No quiero héroes! Va a estar desatando una tormenta sobre nosotros, tenemos que estar listos! ¡Vienen sobre el horizonte mientras hablamos! ¡Tenemos que estar listos para derribarlos! ¡Mantengan su posición, hombres! ¡No dispares hasta que te diga que dispares! ¿Lo has entendido?
¡Sí, señor!
[Comandante humano:] ¡Correcto! ¡Mantengan su posición! ¡Ziltoid, viene!
@zombiegandhi8405
I think this song is THE most perfect example of progressive metal. The way it builds, and builds, and builds upon itself all the more. It may be eight minutes long, but it sure doesn't feel like it.
@pax1792
"I am so omniscient, if there was to be two omnisciences, I would be both!"
@acri0012
you know when people have their "strenght songs"? Well this is my strenght sentence \o/
@ragegrowler8367
Prepare yourself for the subjugation!"
@joebryant8500
WERE to be.
Forgot the subjunctive.
See me after school.
@pabloazcarate5135
Best part of the song for sure hahahahaha!!
@mitchellspillihp9491
Twins
@frenchexpat5601
Okay so this song is logarithmically good. The more it goes on, the faster it gets better.
0:00 Nice start, catchy riff
4:35 The ambiance in this part is so good
6:30 After that goose bumps making "YES MY LORD", we have an INSANE and legendary riff. LE-GEN-DA-RY.
7:44 Premature ejaculation.
8:09 REPEAT PLEASE
@aidanumpherson
+AmorthOfficial LOL!!!
@aidanumpherson
+AmorthOfficial Best comment ever!