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.
Liberation
Devin Townsend Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One minute away from being like you!
One minute away from you,
One minute here with my good eye closed!
Only takes a minute till the morning comes and we are re-opposed!
When did it appear to you?
How do we imagine you?
Where will you fit when I'm gone?
So I'm ready to stick, I'm right in the thick!
It can only get bitter or better!
Rock, let's rock!
The time has come to forget all bout you and rock!
Rock, let's rock!
The time has come to forget all about it and rock!
Rock, let's rock!
The time has come to forget all bout you and rock!
Let's rock!
Yeah!
So running away from you is just a little girl,
The one who's daddy went away!
And you're no stranger to the problems of the world,
Just let the woman lead the way!!!
Yeah!!!!
Rock, let's rock!
The time has come to forget all the bullshit and rock!
Rock, let's rock!
The time has come to forget all about it and rock!
Rock, let's rock!
The time has come to forget all about you and rock!
Let's rock!
Rock, let's rock!
Rock, let's rock!
Let it out!
The song "Liberation" by Devin Townsend Project is a powerful rock anthem that seems to be about breaking free from the past and embracing a bold new future. The lyrics seem to be directed at someone who is holding the singer back, possibly a lover or a past version of himself. The repeated refrain of "one minute away from you" suggests that the singer is almost ready to leave their old life behind, but is still struggling to fully let go.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more confrontational, with the singer challenging their obstacles head on. The line "when did we appeal to fallen goals" suggests that the singer is tired of settling for less than they deserve, and is ready for something better. The phrase "let the woman lead the way" is particularly interesting, as it seems to suggest that the solution to these problems lies in embracing feminine energy and leadership.
The overall message of the song is one of empowerment, with the singer urging themselves and others to "rock" and embrace the present moment. It's a powerful and uplifting message that is sure to resonate with anyone who has felt stuck or held back in their own life.
Line by Line Meaning
One minute away from you,
I'm so close to being near you.
One minute away from being like you!
I'm almost like you in every way.
One minute away from you,
I'm so close to being near you.
One minute here with my good eye closed!
I'm only a moment away from closing my eyes and waking up to tomorrow.
Only takes a minute till the morning comes and we are re-opposed!
The morning comes so easily and we're at odds again.
When did it appear to you?
When did you start noticing what's going on?
Since when did we appeal to fallen goals?
When did we start striving for unrealistic goals?
How do we imagine you?
What do we think of you in our minds?
Where will you fit when I'm gone?
Where do you belong once I'm not here anymore?
So I'm ready to stick, I'm right in the thick!
I'm fully committed and deeply engaged in this.
It can only get bitter or better!
Things can only improve or worsen from here.
Rock, let's rock!
Let's get energized and pumped up!
The time has come to forget all bout you and rock!
It's time to let go of everything holding us back and enjoy the moment.
Rock, let's rock!
Let's get energized and pumped up!
The time has come to forget all about it and rock!
It's time to let go of all our worries and just have fun.
Rock, let's rock!
Let's get energized and pumped up!
The time has come to forget all bout you and rock!
It's time to let go of all our worries and just have fun.
Let's rock!
Let's get pumped up and excited!
Yeah!
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm about rocking.
So running away from you is just a little girl,
Avoiding you is immature and childish behavior.
The one who's daddy went away!
Just like a little girl without a father figure.
And you're no stranger to the problems of the world,
You're familiar with the hardships of life.
Just let the woman lead the way!!!
Allow the feminine energy to take charge and lead the path.
Rock, let's rock!
Let's get energized and pumped up!
The time has come to forget all the bullshit and rock!
It's time to forget all the negativity and just have fun.
Rock, let's rock!
Let's get energized and pumped up!
The time has come to forget all about it and rock!
It's time to let go of all our worries and just have fun.
Rock, let's rock!
Let's get energized and pumped up!
The time has come to forget all about you and rock!
It's time to let go of all our worries and just have fun.
Let's rock!
Let's get pumped up and excited!
Rock, let's rock!
Let's get energized and pumped up!
Rock, let's rock!
Let's get energized and pumped up!
Let it out!
Release all your emotions!
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Devin Townsend, Ryan Van Poederooyen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind