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.
SUICIDE
Devin Townsend Lyrics
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The song "Suicide" by Devin Townsend is a powerful and intense expression of self-harm and the struggle with one's internal demons. The lyrics speak of the desire to escape from the pain of existence through suicide, as well as the feeling of being trapped and unable to express oneself. The three-hour duration of the suicide suggests a prolonged and deliberate act, while the reference to "Deicide" (the killing of god) implies a sense of anger and rebellion towards religious and societal expectations.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses a nihilistic worldview and a sense of hopelessness, with the repeated phrase "All my life this is understood, wasting my time like you knew that I would" suggesting a deep-seated sense of futility and despair. The line "So I hide my internal suicide, all my pride just to keep it inside" further reinforces the theme of internal struggle and the difficulty of revealing one's true emotions to the world.
Overall, "Suicide" is a brutally honest and emotionally charged song that deals with a difficult and sensitive topic in a powerful and cathartic way.
Line by Line Meaning
Three hour suicide ...To get me out of here
The idea of committing suicide is tempting him as an escape from his current situation, and it would be quick - it would only take three hours to end his life.
In three years 'Deicide' is all I'll ever hear.
In three years, he will be so consumed by self-destruction and hatred that he will hurt others as well, leading to his ultimate demise.
Death of God ...Death of feeling anything at all
The idea of God has died to him, and with it the ability to feel anything at all - numbness has become the constant state.
All my life this is understood Wasting my time like you knew that I would... knew that I would
His life has been devoted to this feeling and he knows it's a waste, but he can't stop it or change it. To others, it's clear that he will waste his time in this way.
So I hide my internal suicide All my pride just to keep it inside... KEEP IT INSIDE BOY! suffer...
He keeps his suicidal tendencies hidden from the world, losing out on the chance to seek help, all to maintain a sense of pride. In doing this, he continues to suffer internally.
All my life this is understood Wasting my time like you knew that I would ...Knew that I would
Again, emphasizing that his life has always been heading in this direction and it's almost like others could predict it because of how entrenched this constant feeling is within him.
So I hide my internal suicide All my pride just to keep it inside... keep it INSIDE Ten thousand lies... TEN THOUSAND LIES!
He continues to lie to those around him and to himself, telling himself that he doesn't need help, that it will get better, when the reality is that he's in constant turmoil and could use the support. He's buried beneath ten thousand lies that he tells himself and others.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DEVIN GARRETT TOWNSEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrTehWurld
This is my fav song from this album. That main riff is so good to my ears.
Jack Brown
One of the greatest songs of all time
TheJask101
Mr Townsend is one of the most underrated musicians around right NOW!!!
C F
+TheJask101 "underrated"?? A lot of critics and people are seeing him as one of the best artist of all Metal, and even the ones that doesn't like his work are usually really respectful!
Fruitless Worship
underseen? yes. underrated? i think he gets his due praise ;)
NyQuil Donut
I think he's OVERrated nowadays. My favorite artist ever, but I haven't whole heartedly liked a single album hes put out after the first Ziltoid album.
Steve Nejezchleba
Got to agree, the early stuff is the best but that's the same for most bands......@NyQuil Donut
Stew Anthony Strong Arm
@Fruitless Worship couldn't have said it better myself
Rapid Fish Death Syndrome
This solo has a soul
Astral Tides
Certainly one of my top musically composed tracks of all time. Through and through, brimming with robust essence. Staggered as usual.