The latest release, Z² (short for Ziltoid 2; pronounced "Zed squared") is a double album released on October 27, 2014. It consists of two albums released together: a Devin Townsend Project album, Sky Blue, and a "Ziltoid" concept album, Dark Matters, a sequel to Townsend's 2007 solo album Ziltoid the Omniscient. The main theme of the double album is, according to Townsend, "Ziltoid against the world".
The first album, Ki, was released in May 2009. For Ki, Townsend recruited veteran jazz drummer Duris Maxwell, local bassist Jean Savoie, and the former keyboardist for The Devin Townsend Band, Dave Young. Devin has also recruited Ché Dorval as an additional vocalist.
The second release was titled Addicted. Intended to be a heavy, simplistic, and straightforward rock album, it serves as the bridge from the quieter Ki to the expected zany metal tones of the album following it. The line-up for this album was Ryan Van Poederooyen (also a veteran of The Devin Townsend Band) on the drums, another member of the DTB Brian Waddell on the bass, and Anneke van Giersbergen (notable from The Gathering, Agua De Annique and Ayreon) on guest vocals.
There was an EP released in early 2011. It was only available online (free to download) and named European Tour EP. It featured five live songs, mostly consisting of material from Devin Townsend's solo albums. See more here: http://www.discogs.com/Devin-Townsend-Project-European-Tour-EP/release/2718333
The third and fourth albums were called Deconstruction (which features an array of notable metal musicians and vocalists) and Ghost. Deconstruction and Ghost were released on June 20th, 2011 for both.
Deconstruction features a number of prominent metal musicians as guest vocalists, including Mikael Åkerfeldt, Tommy Giles Rogers, Fredrik Thordendal, Paul Masvidal, Joe Duplantier, Greg Puciato, Ihsahn and other members, including the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Conversely, Ghost has a static lineup and "is the mellowest (by far) and prettiest record I've done so far" according to Townsend. The album features Katrina Natale, Mike St-Jean, Dave Young, and Kat Epple along with Townsend himself.
The fifth album, Epicloud, features the widest array of sound for the Devin Townsend Project. A full-length pop-metal album, akin to Addicted, Epicloud boasts 13 positive, in your face, pop-metal songs that distinguish Devin from the large majority of contemporary metal bands. Epicloud's line-up features no new musicians for Devin Townsend, and sees the return of Anneke Van Giersbergen on vocals, Ryan Van Poederooyan on drums, Brian Waddell on bass, and Dave Young on guitar and additional keyboards.
On January 31st 2018, Devin stated on his Facebook profile that the Devin Townsend Project was going on a 'break', while he focuses on a number of other projects he's working on.
Celestial Signals
Devin Townsend Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know where to find me
In the river of life
As I retire
Say you′ll find me, refined me awake again
No shame in love
No shame at all
You′re like a star
Your world is fire
But how wild?
With us dying
There's no love
Hey!
Are you there to remind me?
But I know, air is the constant in your mind
Say you'll find me, resign me awake again
No shame in love
No shame in failure!
You′re like a butterfly caught in the middle
You′re like a star
Your world is fire
But how wild?
With us dying
There's no love
Your world is fire
But how wild?
With no dying
We are one
When all we do
Grinds on
With all that′s true
Never regret for a minute
Now all is new
You were on fire
But how wild?
With us dying
There's no love
Your world is fire
But how wild?
With us dying
We are one
Fire
But how wild?
With us dying
We are one
The song 'Celestial Signals' by Devin Townsend Project is a contemplative and introspective track, exploring themes of love, interconnectedness and the chaos of existence. The opening lines of the song "Hey! You know where to find me, In the river of life, As I retire" has a wistful and reflective quality to it, as the singer acknowledges the inevitability of change and the fleeting nature of life. The reference to the river of life, metaphorically implies the flow of time and the cyclical nature of existence.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more symbolic, drawing upon the imagery of a butterfly and a star to represent the singer’s perspective on life. The line "You're like a butterfly caught in the middle, You′re like a star" refers to how humans are often caught between the physical and spiritual realm. The reference to "Your world is fire but how wild" and "With us dying there's no love" reinforce how a life filled with passion and desire can ultimately prove futile in the face of death.
However, the song ends on a positive note, as the singer acknowledges the beauty and interconnectedness of all things despite the chaos and uncertainty of life. The refrain "Your world is fire but how wild? With us dying we are one" suggests that although we may be fleeting, our legacy lies in the connections we make and the impact we have on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey!
The singer is initiating a conversation.
You know where to find me
The singer is confident that the listener knows how to reach out to them.
In the river of life
The singer is referring to the journey of life as a river.
As I retire
The artist is ending a particular phase of their life.
Say you'll find me, refined me awake again
The artist is asking the listener to help them find their true self again.
No shame in love
The singer is stressing that there should be no guilt or judgment in love.
No shame at all
The singer is reaffirming that there should be no embarrassment, fault or blame in one's feelings or personality.
You're like a butterfly caught in the middle
The artist is comparing the listener to a butterfly that is confused or stuck.
You're like a star
The artist is comparing the listener's presence and potential to that of a shining star.
Your world is fire
The artist is commenting on how the listener's world is intense and consuming.
But how wild?
The singer is questioning the listener's behavior or demeanour amidst the fiery world they exist in.
With us dying
The artist is acknowledging the inevitability of death and the consequences of it on people around them.
There's no love
The singer is lamenting the loss of love that comes with death.
Are you there to remind me?
The singer is seeking the listener's support in being grounded and aware.
But I know, air is the constant in your mind
The singer is recalling the listener's disposition that remains consistent through changing times, like air.
Say you'll find me, resign me awake again
The artist is requesting the listener's assistance in rediscovering their spirit and energy.
No shame in failure!
The artist is stressing that one should not be ashamed of their shortcomings or unsuccessful attempts.
With no dying, We are one
The singer is implying that the knowledge or realization of being united can be attained without facing death.
When all we do Grinds on
The singer acknowledges that life can be burdensome and wearisome at times.
With all that's true Never regret for a minute
The artist encourages the listener to never regret being true to oneself.
Now all is new
The artist is referring to a transitionary phase where new beginnings are emerging.
You were on fire
The artist is pointing out how the listener was once as passionate and fervent as fire.
But how wild?
The singer is questioning the listener's intensity and unpredictability during their past fire-like phase.
Fire
The artist is using 'fire' as a metaphor for passion and liveliness.
But how wild?
The singer is questioning the listener's manners and ways under the effects of such intense passion and liveliness.
With us dying
The singer brings up death again, highlighting its inescapable reach.
There's no love
The singer is lamenting the loss of love that comes with death.
Your world is fire
The artist is commenting on how the listener's world is intense and consuming.
But how wild?
The artist is questioning the listener's behavior or demeanour amidst the fiery world they exist in.
With us dying
The singer is acknowledging the inevitability of death and the consequences of it on people around them.
We are one
The singer is reminding the listener that despite the worldly differences and conflicts, ultimately everyone is bound together as one.
Writer(s): Devin Townsend
Contributed by Eva W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.