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.
Ziltoidia Attaxx!!!
Devin Townsend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We are your Ziltoidian overlords
resistance... is futile.
Ziltoidia attaxx!
Ships are in the sky
everything goes rushing past
and you know the reason why.
You give us a coffee
you give us a coffee
you give us what we want
Ooh, Ziltoidia Attaxx-tax-tax
Ships are in the sky
Colder than the robot mind
And you know the reason why
You better believe we'll destroy the Earth
You get up, you get up, you get up, get down!
And you better, you better,
you better believe it
We're coming to your town
we're coming to your town
And you better believe it
Ziltoidia attaxx, ships are in the air
Everything goes rushing by
we're in your atmosphere
Ziltoidia attaxx, no-one seen everywhere
You better believe he's heaven sent...
(We present to you... Ziltoid The Omniscient!)
Check this out (widdly, widdly, widdly)
Simple! (Wang wang widdle...)
I am the greatest guitar player ever to have lived!
...I'm Ziltoid
You better believe we'll destroy the Earth!
We can't help, we can't help we can't help it now
And you better, you better, you better believe it
We're coming to your town, we're coming to your town
And you better believe it!
Ziltoidia attaxx, ships are in the air
Everything goes rushing by we're in your atmosphere
Ziltoidia attaxx... no one seen everywhere
You better believe he's heaven sent, we're in your atmosphere...
Yes... you better believe it.
The song "Ziltoidia Attaxx!!!" by Devin Townsend is a fun and playfully intense parody of the sci-fi genre. The lyrics feature an alien race known as the Ziltoidians, who claim to be the overlords of Earth and assert that resistance is futile. The tone of the lyrics is a playful nod towards traditional alien invasion stories, and the song features fast-paced rhythms and guitar riffs that add to the overall sense of chaos and urgency.
The song's lyrics paint a picture of chaos and destruction as the Ziltoidians invade Earth, demanding coffee and proclaiming their superiority. The repetition of the phrase "you better believe it" acts as a warning to those who might doubt the power of the Ziltoidians. The bridge of the song introduces Ziltoid himself, a guitar-playing alien who declares himself to be the best guitarist in existence.
Line by Line Meaning
People of Earth
Attention all inhabitants of Earth
We are your Ziltoidian overlords
We, the Ziltoidians, are in control of your planet
resistance... is futile.
Any attempt to rebel or resist will be unsuccessful
Ziltoidia attaxx!
This is the invasion of the Ziltoidians
Ships are in the sky
The Ziltoidian spacecraft are in the Earth's atmosphere
everything goes rushing past
All life as you know it is about to change drastically
and you know the reason why.
You are aware of the reason for this invasion
Bow down! Bow now!
Submit to the Ziltoidian authority immediately
You give us a coffee
The Ziltoidians require caffeine to function properly
you give us what we want
Provide us with what we ask for, or face the consequences
Ooh, Ziltoidia Attaxx-tax-tax
This is the Ziltoidian invasion, be warned
Colder than the robot mind
The Ziltoidians are emotionless beings, colder than robots
And you know the reason why
You are aware of the reason for their lack of emotion
You better believe we'll destroy the Earth
The Ziltoidians are capable of destroying the planet if they desire
You get up, you get up, you get up, get down!
Respond to the Ziltoidians' demands or face the consequences
And you better, you better, you better believe it
Take their threats seriously, as they are capable of following through with them
We're coming to your town
The Ziltoidians will be arriving in your city soon
we're coming to your town
Expect to see the Ziltoidians in person
Ziltoidia attaxx, ships are in the air
This is the Ziltoidian invasion, be prepared for their arrival
No-one seen everywhere
The Ziltoidians are a mysterious and powerful force
You better believe he's heaven sent...
Acknowledge that Ziltoid is a force to be reckoned with
(We present to you... Ziltoid The Omniscient!)
Introducing Ziltoid, the all-knowing and all-powerful leader of the Ziltoidians
Check this out (widdly, widdly, widdly)
Listen to this impressive guitar solo
Simple! (Wang wang widdle...)
It's easy for me to play this guitar piece
I am the greatest guitar player ever to have lived!
Ziltoid boasts about his musical talent
...I'm Ziltoid
This is the introduction of Ziltoid
We can't help, we can't help we can't help it now
The Ziltoidians cannot control their urge to destroy Earth
Ziltoidia attaxx... no one seen everywhere
Prepare for the unknown and unpredictable actions of the Ziltoidians
Yes... you better believe it.
The Ziltoidians' invasion is imminent and should not be taken lightly
Contributed by Elizabeth S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.