Much like my look at Ministry’s first album of the 2000s, I didn’t know that the subject of today’s review turns 15. Today’s review happens to come from a man who’s no stranger to the Heavy Metal Otaku blog, and one that I’ve given favorable scores to. If you guessed Devin Townsend (If you didn’t read the title of the post), then you are absolutely correct! The man is not only a master of Prog Metal, but is seemingly a master of music in general. There is nothing that this man can’t do, and while he’s got a bruise or two when it comes to his content, you can’t deny that he knows how to weave songs that tug at the heartstring & feed the soul, not to mention make you mosh and headbang. The subject of today’s review is no different, so sit down, relax, and enjoy my review of Accelerated Evolution. Let’s begin.
Background
From Devin Townsend himself:
“Recorded at the same time as SYL, I frankly was about a thousand times more interested in this project than SYL. I naively put together a group of unknown local musicians with an arrogant need to prove that ‘anybody who was decent could make a great band’. I hired Mike and Dave Young, who were in their early 20s at a music store I frequented. I then auditioned a few drummers until I came across Ryan Van Poederooyen, who was in a local band that people were very complimentary of in terms of the drums. My old friend Brian Waddell had come back into my life, and it seemed like a way for me to work with people and ‘teach’ them what I had ‘learned’ in my experiences touring and being in bands. As such, the name ‘Accelerated Evolution’ seemed appropriate. This record was written after a trip to Korea had led me to complications of the heart, and a need to make direct music about relationships and the problems I had with them. It was mixed by Shaun Thingvold as well, (although I was much more involved with it than SYL). It’s a simple record that I don’t think has aged particularly well in terms of mix and production, but there are some songs on there like ‘Deadhead’ and ‘Sunday Afternoon’ etc that are really strong to this day IMO. We toured this as ‘The Devin Townsend Band’ but I soon realized that getting a great band together is not as easy as I had assumed it would be. We played some decent shows, but ultimately… I don’t think the DTB was ever really ‘ready’.”
Basic Description
Weird yet focused.
There are 2 schools of thought when it comes to a Devin Townsend album, regardless of time period. There are the albums that are all over the place (Just wait till I talk about Infinity in October) and downright insane, and then there are records that are still strange, yet are tightly organized. Accelerated Evolution seems to fall into the later category: while there are moments in some songs that seem off the rails, the whole musical package is really on point. It’s a testament to how talented Devin Townsend is as a musician that even when there’s a point in a song that does slip up, it doesn’t ruin the whole experience, and that’s impressive if you ask me.
Best Track
Even before I listened to this album in it’s entirety, I was always a fan of Deadhead. Right near the middle of the record, the song is heavy but slow-paced, and Devin sings in a ethereal yet heavy voice. Dealing with concepts such as the past, time, and even divinity, Deadhead is a song that’s simultaneously heavy, yet strangely thoughtful at the same time. Not many metal musicians, old or new, can attest to this.
Deadhead
Worst Track
If Accelerated Evolution had any faults, it would be that it does come across as a little too weird. I don’t have an issue with this, as some of my favorite songs & albums from Devin Townsend happen to be the weirdest. Newer fans might not know how to interpret the strangeness of his music, and I definitely can understand why some people would have issues with this.
Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, check out the link below:
Accelerated Evolution
Overall Impression & Rating
Accelerated Evolution is just a treat of a metal album. While it’s weirdness might be off-putting to some, I simply can’t deny that it’s a powerhouse of a release, and shows off just how good of a musician Devin Townsend can be. As one of the many albums released in the early 2000s, I can definitely say that it’s one of the best, and definitely something anybody should listen to.
Accelerated Evolution gets a 9 out of 10. Subtract 1 point if you’re not used to weird music.
So that was my surprise review of Accelerated Evolution. An odd & quirky album that provides plenty of headbanging moments, along with a few sections that really open up your mind. If you haven’t listened to this album yet, then I highly suggest that you do. See you tomorrow for Easter!
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