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.
Rejoice
Devin Townsend Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now we've arrived in a new time and world and elements are we of gold
How many times were we able to see the infinite void of the soul?
All that way gonna give it away?
You're gonna give it away to some muscle?
Long, long way till the pain is at bay, so hit it one more time!
Fight!
And we will settle the day when the son will obey and the gods of it all will implode
Long, long way you're-a-giving away, you're gonna give it away to the muscle
You've come a long, long way so be not afraid you've gotta use your mind!
(Alien world)
Arrogant mental
This world seems arrogant, sick and demented
(Alien world)
So you bet your body and soul!
It hurts so much and that is why they fear it
But never fear, all is here!
It hurts so much and that is why we fear it
But pay no mind,
Rejoice!
Don't fear it!
Don't fear it!
Don't fear it!
Don't fear it!
I know you'll follow
I know your war
Yes, it hurts so much and that is why they fear it
But never fear, all is here!
It hurts so much and that is why we fear it
But pay no mind
Rejoice!
Rejoice!
Rejoice now!
Rejoice!
The song Rejoice by Devin Townsend Project seems to be a motivational track, urging people to fight through the pain and give it their all. The opening lines suggest that we are living in a new world, amidst newfound elements of gold. Despite this, the infinite void of the soul remains and the song questions whether we are willing to give it all away to the "muscle." It seems to be a call to be resilient and not let pain be a deterrent towards success. Along the way, it is suggested that we must find new ways to loosen the load and settle the day when the son obeys and the gods of it all implode. This path will not be easy, but it emphasizes the importance of using our minds and not giving up.
The middle section of the song, with its repeated chants of "Arrogant mental," adds a layer of complexity to the song's message. The lyrics touch on a theme of an arrogant and sick world that is demented. The solution to the world's problems seems to be to bet your body and soul on it, which suggests that the song's message might be that we should fight harder for what we believe in. The song ends with a powerful message of embracing the pain and rejoicing in the midst of it, instead of fearing it.
Overall, Rejoice by Devin Townsend Project is a song that urges its listeners to push through the hurt and embrace their inner strength. It touches on themes of resilience, motivation, and perseverance, while also addressing the world's issues with a hint of cynicism.
Line by Line Meaning
Fight!
Let's fight! Let's take on this challenge!
Now we've arrived in a new time and world and elements are we of gold
We have entered a new era and we are precious like gold.
How many times were we able to see the infinite void of the soul?
We have seen our souls' infinite emptiness so many times.
All that way gonna give it away? You're gonna give it away to some muscle?
Are we really going to waste all our efforts for someone else to reap the reward?
Long, long way till the pain is at bay, so hit it one more time!
It will take a long time to feel better, but we must keep fighting!
Along that way got the temper at bay finding new ways to loosen the load
Along the journey we have found ways to control our thoughts and emotions to ease the burden.
And we will settle the day when the son will obey and the gods of it all will implode
We'll reach harmony when everything comes together and gods fade into emptiness.
Long, long way you're-a-giving away, you're gonna give it away to the muscle
It's taken us a long time to get where we are, and we can't just give it all away.
You've come a long, long way so be not afraid you've gotta use your mind!
We've come so far, it's important to use our minds and not let fear hold us back!
(Alien world) Arrogant mental
This world is frustrating and full of arrogance.
This world seems arrogant, sick and demented (Alien world)
The world can appear insane and cruel.
So you bet your body and soul!
Give it your all, even if it's difficult.
It hurts so much and that is why they fear it
The pain can be overwhelming, and it's why people are scared of it.
But never fear, all is here!
Don't be afraid, everything you need is right here.
It hurts so much and that is why we fear it
We are afraid of the hurt and pain we may feel.
But pay no mind, Rejoice!
Don't worry about it, just rejoice and be happy!
Don't fear it!
Don't be scared, face it bravely!
I know you'll follow
I know you'll stay strong and keep moving forward.
I know your war
I know the difficult path you're on.
Rejoice!
Be happy and celebrate!
Rejoice!
Happiness and celebration are important!
Rejoice now!
Celebrate the moment and be happy now!
Rejoice!
Let's be happy and celebrate once again!
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Che Aimee Dorval, Devin Townsend
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ecaepevolhturt
Devin kicks out a lot of music and i'm grateful for that. He's giving the consumer more choice. If you're a fan you don't have to buy all of it, only buy what you like. He kicks out a lot of music because he likes to experiment. I love artists that have the confidence to do that. He makes music for himself primarily and for his fans secondly. Real art is about fun not money. Devin Townsend is a living legend.
@Xxd3cayxX
Devin has some sick ethereal melodies.
@sptony2718
I bet if Devin released the backlog of unreleased demos and b-sides (as they are, because some demos already have a very high standard), he'd double his discography over night. There are rare cases where I just can't find anything bad about something, or someone. It's like Devin and his crew made exactly the albums I wanted to hear with Z2 and Epicloud.
@JansPlayhouse
Just love this! Can't believe it took me so long to find Devin Townsend Project. Better late than never.
@666Crenado
Better fate than clever
@JansPlayhouse
@666Crenado 7 years ago and had never heard of them.
@666Crenado
Try Devin "March of the Poozers" 👍
@positivelastaction3957
Need this song right now, thank you Devin!!!!!!!
@DillyStein
I can honestly say I've listened to that track a thousand times and I don't feel like stopping, I think that's enough said :D
@DarkestofTimes
Spotify snuck this in my discover weekly list, I listen to a lot of prog and alt music, and it struck me as very different, coming from someone who's heard of Devin Townsend a lot, but never listened to him. Definitely a unique song.