DEVIN TOWNSEND — Ziltoid The Omniscient (review)

DEVIN TOWNSEND — Ziltoid The Omniscient album cover Album · 2007 · Progressive Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Unitron
Devin Townsend-Ziltoid the Omniscient

I just recently started listening to this guy, and boy was I missing out!

Ziltoid the Omniscient is a concept album about an alien named Ziltoid who wants to travel to earth in order to find 'Their ultimate cup of coffee'. They then give him a cup of coffee, but he declares it as foul-tasting. So he gives the order to attack earth. A pretty amazing story in my opinion. Even though the story is sure to bring some laughter, it isn't just the story that makes this a masterpiece.

The music features many different styles, ranging from progressive metal, to ambient, to industrial metal, to even thrash. With the short intro 'ZTO', the combination of aggressive screams and operatic vocals fits very well. 'By Your Command', one of my favorites, has more combinations of low aggressive vocals and softer vocals with the drums pounding throughout. Surprisingly the more space-infused passages contrast very well with the powerful riffing and angry vocals. The bridge has great powerful riffing and space-infused keyboards. The end of the song is a among one of the best headbanger moments I've ever heard. It then flows smoothly into the song 'Ziltoidia Attaxx!' which shows Townsend using mostly crushing screams. Probably my favorite song is 'Hyperdrive', where Townsend shows his powerful soft vocals. The way his vocals flow perfectly with the driving guitar riffs. The thrash-death track 'Planet Smasher' is another song that stands out.

One thing that really amazes me, is that he plays every instrument himself. That is quite an amazing feat with such a complex album. Overall, this is quite the concept album. If you don't enjoy a sense of humor when you're listening to music, it may not be for you but I still find this an essential album for many a metal collection. Certainly one of the best concept albums I ever heard. Hope you found this review helpful

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