In 2007 Devin released "Ziltoid The Omniscient", a satirical concept album about an alien named Ziltoid who traveled to Earth in search of the "ultimate cup of coffee" to help him achieve time travel. 2006 was also the year that SYL decided to tour on Ozzfest which is something that Devin truly despised. 2006 saw the 2nd (and last)release with The Devin Townsend Band "Synchestra" as well as Strapping Young Lad's 5th album "The New Black" which was more or less a big **** YOU to all the mainstream metal bands. Reportedly Devin stopped taking his meds for the recording of this album, which showcases his anger and dark sense of humor. Strapping Young Lad came back in 2005 with "Alien", another album that was severely affected by Devin's bi-polar disorder. They released their first album in 2003 titled "Accelerated Evolution" which was far more progressive than anything since Devin's true solo album "Ocean Machine: Biomech". 2003 was also the year Devin got together his own "band" for his softer stuff, collectively known as "The Devin Townsend Band".
It was also a war themed album, directly influenced by the 9/11 attacks and the U.S.'s response and the Iraq war. In 2003 Devin came back with Strapping Young Lad and recorded their self-titled 3rd album which had much more of a death metal feel than the industrial/ grind styles found on "City" and "Heavy As A Really Heavy Thing".
For the next few years Devin recorded a few solo records and checked himself into a mental health hospital to find out he is bi-polar.
1997 was a big year for SYL when they released their sophomore album (debut as a full band) "City" to huge critical acclaim. In 1996 Devin and Adrian White formed a parody punk band called Punky Bruster and released one album entitled "Cooked On Phonics", a satirical concept album about bands radically changing their sound and style to achieve fame. SYL started out as a solo project, but after getting a record contract with Century Records, Devin formed a band with members Gene Holgan on drums, Jed Simon on guitar, and Bryon Stroud on bass guitar. After the Sex & Religion tour he did some gigging with "The Wildhearts" as well as doing a short lived thrash metal project with Jason Newsted before forming his own solo project "Strapping Young Lad". After graduation high school he enrolled at University of Victoria British Columbia (UVIC) but dropped out after a semester stating he "couldn't take it anymore", something I can fully relate to, I went to UVIC once and wanted to leave after a few hours.ĭevin got his first taste of success when he was asked to perform vocals on guitar virtuoso Steve Vai's album "Sex & Religion". While taking lessons he took the same approach that Tom Morello took and practiced for ten hours every day.
He first learned how to play the banjo at age 5 then picked up guitar at age 12. Devin Townsend was born on May 5th, 1972 in New Westminster, Canada. Here's just a little bit of background information, a brief history. Anyhow this isn't a post to determine the attractiveness (if any) that Devin has, it's to show the uninformed or partially formed his awesomeness in the world of metal. Devin Townsend, as one of my friends described him "the worlds sexiest troll" and after viewing that picture it's easy to see where she's coming from.