Album review: DEVIN TOWNSEND – PowerNerd

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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