InsideOut Music  [Release date 25.10.24]

PowerNerd is the latest musical instalment from the over-active mind of Devin Townsend. With Devin you are never 100% sure what you are going to get, however, you know it won’t be boring! Over the course of the 11 tracks on offer here we range from near ballads to the full-on, heavy musicscapes that Devin is so good at delivering.

Things kick off with the title track ‘PowerNerd’ which carries the listener along on a wave of frantic drumming and huge riffs with Devin in full rant mode. This is a fast and furious start and a good taster of what’s to come.

‘Falling Apart’ is one of those massive soundscapes mentioned earlier. Building on a solid riff, the track then takes a quiet, ethereal turn before slamming into the huge, melodic chorus like a freight train. ‘Knuckledragger’ has a tongue in cheek look at a certain level of humanity before ‘Gratitude’ washes over you with a glorious chorus present and correct.

A small, incidental passage ‘Dreams Of Light’ leads into one of the albums highlights ‘Ubella’ which again is laced with harmony and melody and transitions from whisper quiet to full on riffage seamlessly. Devin released 4 tracks prior to the album release of which ‘Jainism’ was one. This track reminds me of Rammstein in parts melody wise which is no bad thing in my book.

‘Younger Lover’ leads off with a laid-back acoustic passage before building to a crescendo with soaring vocals and harmonies. Another album highlight is ‘Glacier’ which has a riff so heavy it could carve out a mountainside on its own. However, this is countered with gentle mid song passages to add some light to the darkness.

‘Goodbye’ is probably the most straight forward rock song on the album, or as straight forward as Mr Townsend gets anyway. The song has a great metallic riff and a nice solo to show off Devin’s guitar prowess.

Last, but by no means least, is ‘Ruby Quaker’, a glorious homage to all things coffee. It would appear Devin quite likes a cup of the black stuff, and this song is a joyful, country tinged little ditty to round off an excellent album.

A Devin Townsend album is always an event, and this one is no different. Always an innovator, he isn’t afraid to push boundaries and challenge musical stereotypes. It is all done with a huge dose of melody that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Job most certainly done here.

*****

Review by Dave Wilson

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 6 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 8 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

IZZY REIGN Spooky Scary Skeletons (FiXT)
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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