Still sad, but that's ok, doesn't mean i won't listen to it or buy it (if i can)

Gene on drums would be cool.

hahah

and the cycle continues

existence is a mystery

gene on drums would indeed be epic, hes one of the all time greats when it comes to metal drumming imo

Hey i do know Devin has gone to another level and syl is in the past, i'm not saying i wan't to hear Decon pretending that syl still exist, i just said that would be cool if SOMEONE of syl work with Devin, just to know the relation between them is alive and in terms of music chemistry, the album would be better because it all fits... maybe i'm not to clear, just sayin' i don't pretend to hear another syl album, what i'm triying to say is in terms of the record's vibe an ex-syl member could make the record more enjoyable, for example if gene participates. And as i read somewhere the syl guys kind of pissed off with Townsend 'cause of his decission of leave the band, so watching the guys work together after all this time would be great. Just that

[The Dev]

The band means lots to some folks though, and I've done 200 interviews trying to explain myself clearly...and at the end of a 5 minute explanation, the next question is usually: 'So when can we expect a reunion?'

So I have come to the conclusion that I will just keep explaining it...as I realize the impact that a good band can have on people. It's incredibly tiring, but hey, you make your bed you know?

I suspect that I will be asked hundreds of times if Gene will be on deconstruction, and I will calmly explain that I believe syl was an amazing band, and it's emotional impact is largely based on the honesty that was reflected during a period of my life (20's, early 30's) where those themes were important. Also, that as a musical form based on catharsis, it was a very important musical step for me to get to where I want to be. To 'resolve' those issues. Also, to continue with a band that is no longer being done for the sake of the muse that made it important in the first place discredits everything that made it unique.

Also, my future includes lots of heavy heavy music and I wrote more than 90% of syl, including production etc...so there's a good chance that people will get what they want, it will be a little different, but I cannot reconnect with the emotions of a 25 year old, to me...folks who willingly repress themselves are no longer interesting to me as I mature, so again...the honesty that made syl relevant is the same energy that makes the dtp relevant.

Playing with the syl guys at this point makes no sense to me when I'm trying to prove this point. As interesting as it would be to some people, but I would hazzard to guess it's interesting because they would assume it would lead to a reunion of a band that defined a certain period of their life that is romanticized.

I talk to Byron, Jed, and Gene. Yes, they talked some shit about me...absolutely, but they were hurt. They did not understand. But we talked as recently as last week, and even Byron said to me 'You are my friend, if doing this music and being in this band was emotionally damaging, fuck the band, I love you' ...which is why we will be friends forever. Yes, it was hard on everybody, we were just getting going. It's hard on the fans, and believe it or not, it was hard on me.

So I figure Deconstruction is neccesary to purge this, as well as lyrically discuss what I have just mentioned in this mail.

I'm sure that for the rest of this deconstruction thread, there will be dozens of mails that ask if Gene is involved, if syl is getting back together, fuck the mellow stuff, 'I love me some chaos' ...the heavier the better etc. And I truly don't mind, it makes sense to me as well. There's going to come a time though where I just stop answering the questions.

There's lots to the artistic process that makes it seem on the outside like it would be and should be the obvious choice. And again, calmly...it is not. SYL would have destroyed me if I let it, and I'm afraid it's as simple as that. And yes, there are people who were absolutely fine with that as long as they get what they want, and thats inevitable as well. However, being a martyr for other people reeks of religion, cultism and selfishness.

SYL was an amazing band, I love the guys, I'm proud of what we did, and I will be talking about it and answering the same questions for the rest of my career, ultimately...I guess that will decide how long the career lasts. I'm still on the fence as to weather the music world will welcome me as anything but that character...it was a great charcter. And if it doesn't, I'm cool with that as well.

So to the syl fans, I love you, I love syl, deconstruction is for you....(and me).

we gonna get some shredding on deconstruction???

[The Dev]

The most shredding I've done.

The most shredding I've done.

This should be damn good. Your tone always has such personality when you are shredding. Heaven Send, all solos on The New Black, Ziltoidia Attaxx!!! and especially We Ride. All have that tone that is unmatched by anyone else.

Can we expect Ziltoid to preform some shredding in trying to maintain the title of The Ultimate Fourth Dimension Guitar Hero? Or will there be a shredding contest between Devy and Ziltoid to see who is the absolute best?

Huh, also just to get it off my mind. I, personally, find it odd with all these people wanting the same people to return from SYL to record Decon. Kind of boggles my mind. Maybe I have more faith in Devin to stick to his word than others do.

When Devy announced that SYL was over and gave a perfectly good explanation for disbanding SYL I took that as it was and respected it. When he announced Devin Townsend Project and how a couple of the records will be heavy with one being the heaviest album he has ever done I NEVER expected anyone to return from SYL to record. In fact it never crossed my mind even when Devin said that he would get players together who would best suit the style of music he is recording.

The band means lots to some folks though,...

(Soul Pouring)

So to the syl fans, I love you, I love syl, deconstruction is for you....(and me).

This kind of emotional, personal openness with your fans is what has taken my Dev-fandom to the next level. Reading something like that really makes me feel emotionally attached to Decon. Very similar to Ziltoid, one of my favs, knowing your headspace just transforms the experience from silly musical to dramatic self-realization.

I first fell in love with the DTB/Solo work but I came around to love the SYL as well. So, I might not have that SYL-first mentality but I understand it. I'm just glad that the break up of DTB didn't cause similar problems with using those guys, particularly RVP, as his drumming is the bomb. (Bombs Away... Bombs Away...)

ahh geez thats a long read.. love ya

Dev shouldn't have to explain himself as much as he already has.

There's a reason why when I hear Detox at a metal club, I rock out so hard that I vomit (seriously. 2 weeks in a row, I heard detox at a club and vomited).
When I hear "You Suck" or "Fucker", I shake my head and wonder why they won't play Skeksis or Love....
The last Strapping album was ....okay.... I didn't hate it, but if a band I didn't already love made that album, I wouldn't have payed it any attention. Maybe I would have thought "oh yeah, Almost Again and Far Beyond Metal are awesome" but aside from that, it's not Strapping Young Lad in my eyes.

What's missing from it? Passion. From the first time I listened to The New Black, in fact... the first time I listened to the sample of "You Suck", I thought aww crap, they don't have their full force behind this. I still believe that, bar a couple of songs.

My point is, any Strapping fan would realise that they (or at least Dev) lost their passion. If they didn't realise that, then they never loved the band for the right reasons.

Let greater things grow.

Huh, also just to get it off my mind. I, personally, find it odd with all these people wanting the same people to return from SYL to record Decon. Kind of boggles my mind. Maybe I have more faith in Devin to stick to his word than others do.

When Devy announced that SYL was over and gave a perfectly good explanation for disbanding SYL I took that as it was and respected it. When he announced Devin Townsend Project and how a couple of the records will be heavy with one being the heaviest album he has ever done I NEVER expected anyone to return from SYL to record. In fact it never crossed my mind even when Devin said that he would get players together who would best suit the style of music he is recording.

i dont think people are wanting another syl album its just when dev said he was doin the heaviest album he has ever done alot of people will have gene pop up in there mind instantly as the perfect guy for the job drum wise. we can only wait and see what happens maybe devs goin all out programing drums and no human could do it unless they have 4 arms and 4 legs?

The band means lots to some folks though, and I've done 200 interviews trying to explain myself clearly...and at the end of a 5 minute explanation, the next question is usually: 'So when can we expect a reunion?'

Yeah, I've read countless interviews of Devin answering the same question since SYL disbanded. It's kind of weird that people don't get it. Back when it happened, I was bummed like everyone else. SYL were indeed my favorite metal band. But Terria is still my favorite album ever. And I read that Devin was quitting music all-together, so I figured whatever happened would happen.

Then Ziltoid was announced... then FOUR fucking albums...

So I'm saying, I'm happy Devin is still making music, whatever the style. He is the best composer in the world.

Devin, you are no "Fluke"

[The Dev]

No, I'm courting a few guys now.

The only heavy stuff you've ever heard me do is with Gene, keep in mind that EVERY beat on City (minus the fills and a few things) were Gene learning EXACTLY what I programmed...

I have never had the pleaseure of doing my thing with anybody else, Gene and I rocked hard, but I'm VERY excited about a new flavor.

Theres one guy in particular, but I don't know if he'll be up for it. (busy busy)

90% of the drums are written, it's just mental, and needs to be tights as a frogs ass.