Album review: DEVIN TOWNSEND – Empath
Hevy Devy/Inside Out [Release date 29.03.19]
Devin Townsend has rested his Project and with ‘Empath’ we have his first solo album since ‘Ziltoid’. Guests include regular contributor Anneke van Giersbergen, Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger, Frank Zappa alumni Mike Keneally as music director, Steve Vai and the Elektra Women’s Choir.
Explaining the rationale behind the album Devin said “Empath, true to the name, is about allowing the audience a feeling for a variety of musical emotions. The musical dynamics represented on this single album are broad, challenging, and immense.” It is indeed his most varied album so far, one minute choral parts on ‘Requiem’ and then out and heavy metal in the Strapping Young Lad vein on ‘Hear Me’ (Chad Kroeger guests on this one).
Spoken word on the dark fairy tale ‘Sprite’ harks to the ‘Ziltoid’ days, whilst ‘Why?’ is a whimsical classical piece with a West End production – well until the growls kick in. Now there’s an album, Dev does the classics – a Hooked On Dev.
‘Genesis’ (the drumming on this is something else and the disco parts simply adds to the overall fun) and ‘Spirits Will Collide’ are the album’s most instant songs. The latter cleverly mixing choirs and the uplifting choruses he does so well.
‘Singularity’ is the album’s epic piece, clocking in at over twenty three minutes. It encompasses choral parts, metal bombast and a very melodic and uplifting final five minutes, similar to anything of the excellent ‘Epicloud’ album.
Make sure you listen on headphones so you don’t miss any of the musical treats and cats!
The musical genius and enigma that is Devin Townsend continues to entertain and amaze in equal measure. ‘Empath’ is his musical manifesto containing parts of all his musical adventures to date and whilst not every song may appeal, there is plenty on here for everyone. ****1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
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.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Next session: SUNDAY 26 MAY
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
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 28 April 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 30 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 13 May 2024
THE FEVER KINGS Nowhere To Hide (indie)
STONETRIP Beautiful You (Golden Robot Records)
ONLAP Ghosts (AFM Records)
DEFENCES The Curse (Long Branch Records)
LATE NIGHT TROUBLE Pretty Little Thing (indie)
IANN BRENNAN Game Over (AGR Records)
CICADASTONE Last In Line (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 13 May 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections