Review by Rachel Jablonski
I often wonder if creativity is dying. Movie remakes in abundance, systematic music galore, old ideas running amuck, too often we have the defeatist attitude that “everything has been done before.” This outlook is simply a lazy excuse used to convince ourselves that there is nothing wrong with our hibernating imaginations. We all have the ability to stretch our minds to inventiveness, but only a few brave souls actually do on a consistent basis. One of these pioneers is Canadian musician Devin Townsend.
Front man of metal’s Strapping Young Lad and the brains of The Devin Townsend Band, Townsend has now comprised his first ever unaccompanied album, Ziltoid the Omniscient. Intertwining metal, melody, humor, and plot, the conceptual album is a memorizing hyperactive journey of hilarity.
The storyline involves a 4th dimensional alien named Ziltoid, from the planet Ziltoidia 9, who comes to Earth seeking coffee so that he can travel through time and become the ultimate 4th dimensional guitar hero. The album begins with a powerful fanfare to Ziltoid making him seem quite distinguished. However, as the story continues, Ziltoid is exposed; he is actually a nerd on his home planet. The album intro sets the stage with special effects to signify space, intense voices proclaiming Ziltoid, and a monolog from Ziltoid asking the humans for the universe’s ultimate cup of coffee. Throughout the album spoken dialog persists, connecting the songs into one solid atmospheric piece.
“By Your Command” is a very long track full of melody, growls, and almost sing-song like portions introducing the audience to Ziltoid and his crew. The production, each instrument, and programmed drums were all completed entirely by Townsend and fulfill perfectly timed tempo changes to indicate fluctuation in the Ziltoid intrigue. Up tempo and down tempo changes embody character development. Ziltoid becomes enraged and attacks when the humans do not deliver good coffee. [Ziltoid:] FETID! How dare they present this to me! FOUL! They hide their finest bean! Prepare the attack! The attack is illustrated musically, a picturesque vision of troops systematically preparing for war. At the end of the track enter the humans, led by Captain Spectacular.
“Solar Winds” calms things down a bit with an introspective look at Captain Spectacular in a soft, spacey track. Mostly instrumental, the music lulls the listener into their own imaginative interpretation of the musical story. Other tracks like “Planet Smasher” become more metal-like with growls and heavy guitar. “Color Your World” is a rapid fire of heaviness and one of the best tracks on the album for any metal fan.
Townsend continues to evolve as a musician and now tackles the art of story telling that will inspire fans with solid musicianship and humor. Ziltoid the Omniscient is a tale to be heard over and over again and it has quite a bizarre ending… just wait and see.