In 1998, just after the release of Strapping Young Lad's City, Devin Townsend released a new album entitled Biomech. Biomech was originally released under the band name Ocean Machine and Townsend himself explained that Ocean Machine was the opposite of Strapping Young Lad in the way that the songs were in a more mellow and progressive style, rather than the metallic industrial thrashings of SYL. Devin saw his music in colours and explained that Ocean Machine was blue whereas Strapping Young Lad was red. Bass duties on Biomech were handled by JR Harder while the drums were performed by Marty Chapman. Townsend completed all other instrumentation on the album, which includes vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, synthesizer, all production on the album and of course all song writing duties. A video was made for the track Life, easily Biomech's most mainstream song.
In 1998, Strapping Young Lad released their first live recordings on an EP titled No Sleep 'Til Bedtime. It was just before the EP was released when Devin announced he and SYL drummer Gene Hoglan would be entering the studio to work on a new project called Infinity. It was assumed at the time that Infinity would be a new "band" similar to Ocean Machine. The music Infinity would be coloured white, according to Townsend.
When Infinity was released, it was to the surprise of Devin's fans as the artist was credited as Devin Townsend and the album as Infinity. Previously it was assumed Infinity would be the band name. The second surprise was the nude photograph of Devin that was used as the cover art. The artwork for the disc was completely white with a naked Devin crouching (covering his more "explicit" body parts) and grinning like a madman. This image was unlike we'd seen from Devin thus far, and obviously exposed a more personal side of Devin Townsend... much like the album itself. A video and single/EP was released for the stand-out track Christeen, but as with Life, Devin was dissatisfied with the outcome as he believes his music doesn't translate well to film.
It was also with the release of Infinity that Strapping Young Lad began playing songs from Biomech and Infinity as a separate set to the main SYL material. On shorter support slots, Devin's solo material was integrated with the main set.
During this era, Devin began working with Jason Newsted (who was still a member of Metallica at the time) and the pair of them, along with Tom Hunting of Exodus, completed a 3 track demo under the name IR8. After this, Devin and Jason began talking publicly about a new project they were working on called Physicist (or Fizzicist) which they claimed would be "heavier than Strapping Young Lad". The IR8 tape was leaked, and aired by a Californian radio station that James Hetfield of Metallica was currently listening to. Metallica were unhappy with Jason working outside of their band and made it difficult for him to continue with Physicist. This prompted Devin to record the album himself with his Strapping Young Lad bandmates, but as a Devin Townsend album.
Physicist's combination of speed metal with more mellow "pop" melody was a massive hit with fans and critics alike.
Townsend followed up Physicist with Terria, a warm and organic progressive album that had more atmospheric and soothing parts than crushing riffs. Terria was recorded with Gene Hoglan on drums, Craig McFarland on bass and Jamie Meyer on keyboards. The shows to promote Terria were performed by Strapping Young Lad under the name 'Devin Townsend', and featured a mixture of all Devin's solo material, with a few SYL tracks thrown in. It started to become obvious that Devin's body of solo material was more than large enough to have it's own tour.
In February 2003, Strapping Young Lad released their self titled follow up to City (SYL). A month later (March 31), The Devin Townsend Band was officially formed as a separate entity from SYL, with a brand new line-up (Devin being the only member of both bands). The DTB released Accelerated Evolution and for the first time, the two bands toured separately for their separate albums.
Accelerated Evolution was released to grandiose praise from critics, fans and musicians like Steve Vai. It is also the first album released by The Devin Townsend Band.
A live "in studio" DVD was included as a bonus with the Special Edition of the second and final Devin Townsend Band album Synchestra, released January 30, 2006 to overwhelmingly positive reviews. Devin describes Synchestra thus:
"It's a really dynamic, colorful, and long thing thats been worked on now in some instances since before 'Infinity'. This record won't demand much from you, it will be an inviting and a summery nature theme. Theres some dark bits, but just for color, and nothing imposing. It plays like a movie. oh...and it's biiiiigggggggggg." (HevyDevy Forums May 31, 2005).
The video for the first single from Synchestra: Vampira - first aired online March 17, 2006.
Current Line-Up:
Devin Townsend - Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards, Programming
Brian Waddell - Guitar
Mike Young - Bass
Ryan van Poederooyen - Drums
Dave Young - Keyboards
Storm
The Devin Townsend Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Devin Townsend Band's song "Storm" is a complex and reflective piece that deals with themes of personal inner turmoil and a search for connection with the world at large. The lyrics begin with a challenging question - "If you wanted to save the world, where could you start?" - that sets a tone of uncertainty and desperation. From there, the song becomes more introspective, with the singer expressing a desire to experience deeper emotions and a sense of purpose beyond the drudgery of daily life. Musically, this is conveyed through a shifting interplay between quieter and more explosive sections, with the vocals ranging from hushed whispers to soaring, emotional peaks.
The chorus of the song takes the form of a plea for someone, perhaps a lover or close friend, to stay with the singer and provide support through difficult times. "Oh Tracy please, can't you see? It's just me," sings the singer at one point, using the repeated refrain to hammer home the sense of isolation and despair that underlies the song's seemingly upbeat exterior. Ultimately, "Storm" is a song about searching for meaning in a world that often seems indifferent or even hostile, and about the fundamental human need for connection and support in times of crisis.
Line by Line Meaning
If you wanted to ...say you wanted to... If you wanted to save the world Where could you start? How could you start?
If someone desires to save the world, where should they begin and how should they start?
If you wanted to feel like I feel ...like I feel You're running dry... ...I'm flying high We're running on feel
If someone wants to experience the same emotions as the singer, they should know that he is euphoric while they are struggling to feel anything.
You wanted to be what you've never been before We worked hard for a living We worked hard for it all
Someone desires to become something new that they've never been before, and the singer acknowledges that achieving anything worthwhile requires hard work.
You run and hide ...don't run and hide I'm starting to feel OK But I'm wasted And I'm failing
The singer encourages someone not to run away from their problems, even though he himself is struggling to cope and is feeling unwell.
Oh Tracy please Can't you see? It's just me I wanted to feel What I've never felt before I was tired of the living I was tired of it all
The singer is begging someone named Tracy to understand that his desire to experience new emotions stems from his exhaustion with life in general.
Time time ...it's only... time.
Time is a limited resource that cannot be replenished, and we must make the most of it while we have it.
If we wanted to ...say we wanted to... If we wanted to save our world I'm waiting here waiting Waiting here baby please... STAY WITH ME
If we desire to save the world, then we must act immediately, and the singer implores someone to stay with him and face the challenges ahead.
We wanted to be What we've never been before But are we tired of the living? ...Are we tired of the war?
We have aspirations for new experiences, but we must also question whether our current situation is worth fighting for or if we're simply exhausted with the ongoing struggles.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: DEVIN GARRETT TOWNSEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blakeschulz7650
If you wanted to,
...say you wanted to...
If you wanted to save the world
Where could you start? How could you start?
If you wanted to feel like I feel
...like I feel
You're running dry...
...I'm flying high
We're running on feel
You wanted to be, what you've never been before
We worked hard for a living
We worked hard for it all
You run and hide,
...don't run and hide
I'm starting to feel OK
But I'm wasted
And I'm failing
Oh Tracy please
Can't you see?
It's just me
I wanted to feel
What I've never felt before
I was tired of the living
I was tired of it all
Time, time
...it's only...time.
If we wanted to,
...say we wanted to...
If we wanted to save our world
I'm waiting here, waiting
Waiting here baby please...
STAY WITH ME
We wanted to be
What we've never been before
But are we tired of the living?
...Are we tired of the war?
@gabemccall3523
Back in high school this song is what started my journey into the mind of Devin Townsend. He's been my absolute favorite musician ever since. One of his great albums right here.
@Eira666
Me too! 🤘🏻
I feel for those who never discovered Dev.
@beckoningoblivion739
First time taking the time to listen to Devin Townsend and I'm slapping myself so hard at the moment. This man is complete genius.
@bammyjastard
Cesar Issac Mercado masterclass in music. True genius.
@dopeinfertility
chris roberts is that the guy who stands on a guitar?
@OlNineToes
I'd stand on that.
@jasontroglin8070
Beckoning Oblivion his music speaks out on so many levels it's a journey told by sounds and compareing your own soul to music on a deep personal level
@metalheadpolack
Dude me too, exactly how i feel
@bukucarateen-isback8722
Devin I am so proud of you as a fan. I fell in love with your talent when I heard "love" but dude this is a whole other level of talent that was buried in you. I am so proud you got off the drugs my friend and I wish you the very best because this is what your talent really is. You were hamstrung by the drugs. Praise the peace in you my brother!!!! Keep rocking on!!!
@ricardocarmine2763
Final minute of this song is Heaven