Whilst I am an admirer of Townsend’s work with Strapping Young Lad, I’ve always enjoyed The Devin Townsend Band more; the harmonic guitars over Townsend’s haunting yet firm vocals merge together into a metal primordial soup, from which a progressive beast emerges with every album from the band.

This year’s offering comes in the form of Synchestra, a delicious hour long conceptual feast. It should be noted now that whilst the album consists of fourteen tracks, the final song “Sunshine and Happiness” is not part of the Synchestra story – Devin himself said it is simply a feel good bonus song and nothing else.

Kicking things off with the longest introduction known to man, the first two tracks “Let it Roll” and “Hypergeek” are, on first listening, a perfectly good pair of songs. But once you’ve heard Synchestra enough for it to begin to grow on you, these two tracks become almost a punishment – forcing you to wait for the explosions ahead. They do get the adrenaline pumping though, and it’s undeniable that they’re in true Townsend style, reminiscent of his Accelerated Evolution album.

By way of comparison, the longer and more content-rich tracks such as “Notes From Africa” and the fantastic “Gaia” are far removed from the chilled out feel of the Devin Townsend debut Ocean Machine, and closer to the speed of the Infinity album. There’s clear links to Strapping Young Lad in the guitars, as well as a distinct Ayreon feel in the keyboards.

The essence of this album is so hard to describe, because this album only works if you give it a few spins, and by then the album blurs into one epic battle through the insanity lodged firmly in Townsend’s head. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you may well suffer from nausea whilst your body adjusts to Synchestra.

Synchestra may well be cited as Townsend’s finest work to date, alongside Strapping Young Lad’s “City”. More mature than Infinity, better executed than Accelerated Evolution and cleverer than Terria, Synchestra is almost Ocean Machine with a well needed boot up the arse. Townsend has outdone himself again with this album.

This album is complex, dynamic and another breath of fresh air for Devin Townsend fans. The Canadian loon has done it again, this time going much more progressive whilst holding onto his classic sound. Even if you don’t like prog metal you will love this album. If you don’t find “Vampira” fun, for example, might I suggest some sort of counselling?

Standout Tracks:  Vampira, Gaia, Notes From Africa.