And I will say this, I kind of hate people downloading it and then being negative. That's like bumping into Devin at dinner, not even saying hello, reaching down and grabing a handful of his dinner, chewing it a bit, then spitting it in his face, and going, "That's not very good."

So I guess that contradicts my opinion of a spoilers thread, huh? Hahaha. Damn you fucking downloaders and your confusing tactics!

And I will say this, I kind of hate people downloading it and then being negative. That's like bumping into Devin at dinner, not even saying hello, reaching down and grabing and handful of his dinner, chewing it a bit, then spitting it in face, and going, "That's not very good."

So I guess that contradicts my opinion of a spoilers thread, huh? Hahaha. Damn you fucking downloaders and your confusing tactics!

Seriously dude don't worry about it. Some people criticize Synchestra too and it's the one of his best albums to date. Those opinions are like assholes in that they stink.

And I will say this, I kind of hate people downloading it and then being negative. That's like bumping into Devin at dinner, not even saying hello, reaching down and grabing and handful of his dinner, chewing it a bit, then spitting it in face, and going, "That's not very good."

So I guess that contradicts my opinion of a spoilers thread, huh? Hahaha. Damn you fucking downloaders and your confusing tactics!

Seriously dude don't worry about it. Some people criticize Synchestra too and it's the one of his best albums to date. Those opinions are like assholes in that they stink.

Nah, I'm not worried. It just irks me. It makes little logical sense that downloaders should only be able to make positive comments, but in Eyesore Land that shit is law!

And Synchestra is amazing! And The New Black is brilliant!

I dunno... I didn't really like The New Black all that much and this has me somewhere in the middle as well.

It's FUN. Don't get me wrong there. It's a very fun listen, very amusing, and the storyline is enjoyable.

But as for the music itself, I can't help but think it sounds a little rehashed. There are parts that so instantly called to mind Night, Funeral, Pixillate, parts of Alien etc. that I can't help but think that it's just reusing old ideas where it fits. It just doesn't grab me musically like some of Devin's classic releases. And he's still not doing is amazing soloing anymore like on Terria and AE

Once again, don't get me wrong - this is a very fun listen, I just don't think that musically it has a lot of replay value for me. I dunno.

Devin has been ripping himself off since the beggining, and you just now noticed it, haha. I don't care though, the guy is brilliant...and this album shows that.

I dunno... I didn't really like The New Black all that much and this has me somewhere in the middle as well.

It's FUN. Don't get me wrong there. It's a very fun listen, very amusing, and the storyline is enjoyable.

But as for the music itself, I can't help but think it sounds a little rehashed. There are parts that so instantly called to mind Night, Funeral, Pixillate, parts of Alien etc. that I can't help but think that it's just reusing old ideas where it fits. It just doesn't grab me musically like some of Devin's classic releases. And he's still not doing is amazing soloing anymore like on Terria and AE

Once again, don't get me wrong - this is a very fun listen, I just don't think that musically it has a lot of replay value for me. I dunno.

Devin has been ripping himself off since the beggining, and you just now noticed it, haha. I don't care though, the guy is brilliant...and this album shows that.

That's because all of Devin's music is one giant, intertwining metaphysical collective.

You guys were disappointed with Synchestra? I thought it was one of Devin's best albums yet. I read a few bad reviews for Synchestra and I just don't get it. Listen to it again. It's probably better than you remember it.

synchestra was OK it had its moments but it dont compare to say infinity, biomech, or terria. or hell even physcist. IMHO

Woah! I don't see that at all. I'm not going to say which is the best but Synchestra is easily on par or better than Infinity, OM, Terria, and Physisct. To me it has the biggest emotional impact. Could you be more specific on why you don't like it that much? I think some of you are judging it on the automatic if it's new then it's not as good as the older stuff rating system. Which sadly seems to be the music rating standard.

For me, Synchresta is just boring to be perfectly honest. I had just become a fan of Devin's work maybe a year before Synchresta's release, so Ocean Machine, Terria, and Infinity were still fairly fresh in my mind and those albums had a huge impact on me. With Synchresta, it was just kinda underwhelming to me, it made no impact with me... i didn't hear the same passion and originality in it. It's a good album, but i just don't think it's one of Devin's best.

I dunno... I didn't really like The New Black all that much and this has me somewhere in the middle as well.

It's FUN. Don't get me wrong there. It's a very fun listen, very amusing, and the storyline is enjoyable.

But as for the music itself, I can't help but think it sounds a little rehashed. There are parts that so instantly called to mind Night, Funeral, Pixillate, parts of Alien etc. that I can't help but think that it's just reusing old ideas where it fits. It just doesn't grab me musically like some of Devin's classic releases. And he's still not doing is amazing soloing anymore like on Terria and AE

Once again, don't get me wrong - this is a very fun listen, I just don't think that musically it has a lot of replay value for me. I dunno.

Devin has been ripping himself off since the beggining, and you just now noticed it, haha. I don't care though, the guy is brilliant...and this album shows that.

I don't think of it as ripping himself off and much as referencing to his past works.

Man I never knew Synchestra was so disliked before. I'm in shock.

I dunno... I didn't really like The New Black all that much and this has me somewhere in the middle as well.

It's FUN. Don't get me wrong there. It's a very fun listen, very amusing, and the storyline is enjoyable.

But as for the music itself, I can't help but think it sounds a little rehashed. There are parts that so instantly called to mind Night, Funeral, Pixillate, parts of Alien etc. that I can't help but think that it's just reusing old ideas where it fits. It just doesn't grab me musically like some of Devin's classic releases. And he's still not doing is amazing soloing anymore like on Terria and AE

Once again, don't get me wrong - this is a very fun listen, I just don't think that musically it has a lot of replay value for me. I dunno.

Devin has been ripping himself off since the beggining, and you just now noticed it, haha. I don't care though, the guy is brilliant...and this album shows that.

I don't think of it as ripping himself off and much as referencing to his past works.

Man I never knew Synchestra was so disliked before. I'm in shock.

Well, say it however you want. He re-uses ideas. I've got no problem with it though.

I don't really dislike Synchresta, i think it's a good album. It's just underwhelming compared to something like Terria. It didn't blow me away like some of his other albums.

This thread is bad news. It must suck trying to be patient and not downloading the release when you know that Dev's harshest fan absolutely adores the album.

bad news yeah....
harshest fan? just to cover my ass, i couldnt count the pennys (and time) that i give to this guy.
its like a drug addict in a way, the whole selfish pleasure of being ingulfed in something you love

I think a lot of people's problem may be that Synchestra is just too good of an album.

My problem is that it is not as consistantly brilliant as the aforementioned Holy Trinity. I'm not going to complain about it because I understand that every human being experiences growth and I know that Devin has moved on from who he was. I'm actually very pleased that he seems happier and more stable now than he was when he created my favourite records. I feel for him as a human and would rather him be happy than please my dumb ass.

But getting back to music, personally I have enjoyed his ambient records a lot more than his more musical albums of recent years. Devlab and The Hummer seem to me to be far more inspired and far fresher than any 'album proper' since Terria.

This thread is bad news. It must suck trying to be patient and not downloading the release when you know that Dev's harshest fan absolutely adores the album.

bad news yeah....
harshest fan? just to cover my ass, i couldnt count the pennys (and time) that i give to this guy.
its like a drug addict in a way, the whole selfish pleasure of being ingulfed in something you love

Tee hee, I think he was referring to me! I have something of a reputation around these parts.... it was that self titled SYL album that did it.

Well, say it however you want.

OK, what about: he has a signature style and sound on his 'metal' and 'prog rock' albums?

Why is it so bad to NOT re-invent oneself everytime as an artist nowadays? Give me good songwriting, musicianship and production and I'm happy. And if I want Devin Townsend with a different twist, I listen to Project EKO, Hummer, Devlab.

Oh, and Synchestra is less hit and miss than some (minor) parts of Infinity IMO (do I need to mention again that I prefer the 'original' Infinity concept with Processional and Om included?). And the overwhelming wall of sound was already present on his first releases. Hide Nowhere? Ants? Truth? I fail to recognize some kind of shift in the younger Devin sound, Accelerated Evolution reminded me very much of Biomech, in a very good way.

The only slight 'disappointments' in the newer Devin discography for me are three or four not so inspired tracks on The New Black and especially the dry and colorless production of that album.

As for ZTO: I won't download the album, but I randomly checked out one track, (N9). I had to. I simply wanted to know how this album sounds, from a production standpoint, after the IMO kind of lackluster production/mix of the last SYL album.

I wanted to be prepared for another The New Black sounding record, but I was pleasantly surprised by the production as well as the style. I expected some cheesy "Wallet Chain", but I listened to some darker than expected music. This song is serious business, at least as far as the music is concerned.

I deleted N9 again and now I'm really looking forward to the official release of ZTO.

Well, say it however you want.

As for ZTO: I won't download the album, but I randomly checked out one track, (N9). I had to. I simply wanted to know how this album sounds, from a production standpoint, after the IMO kind of lackluster production/mix of the last SYL album.

You just picked the wrong song, that's all

But getting back to music, personally I have enjoyed his ambient records a lot more than his more musical albums of recent years. Devlab and The Hummer seem to me to be far more inspired and far fresher than any 'album proper' since Terria.

Really? I respect your opinion—because you actually gave it, unlike so many people posting negative things these days—but it shocks me. Haha. I love Devlab and Hummer in the right mood, but find them fairly hard to listen to consistently. I don't think I could ever begin to compare them to his other work, even if I'm simply basing it on a level of creativity or inspiration.

Man I love the Hummer. That was one of the reasons I was so psyched for Ziltoid. I would have mentioned it but I consider it to be another band like SYL or something and I was only talking about Devin Townsend. Though going by what Devin has said himself in these forums Ziltoid will blend all those lines.