ALBUM REVIEW: Order Of Magnitude – Empath Live Volume 1 – Devin Townsend
In the run up to the Empath tour cycle, Devin Townsend made particular note of how these shows would differ from previous ones under the banner of DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT. Stepping away from the click tracks and meticulously constructed backing tapes, the Empath tour was Townsend’s opportunity to realise a vision of live freedom and fluidity that DTP – as great as it was – often lacked. Order Of Magnitude – Empath Live Volume 1 captures this performative vision as it hit London’s Roundhouse last year and packages it in a lavish audio and video set.
Joining Townsend is a rogues’ gallery of talented players (CASUALTIES OF COOL and Ki’s Ché Aimee Dorval and FRANK ZAPPA alumni Mike Kenneally and Morgen Agren are just some of the talent here), each of whom brings something unique to the table from vocal contributions to touch guitars. As each member takes the stage, keyboardist Diego Tejeida (HAKEN) fixes them a cocktail to start the evening. The group donned in Hawaiian shirts and sipping exotic drinks, Townsend invites the crowd to go on vacation as they jump into prog romp Borderlands.
Understandably, Order Of Magnitude leans heavily on songs from Empath to build up its set. Rarely conforming to genre boundaries or typical song structures, Empath is arguably one of Townsend‘s more ‘out there’ albums. It’s influence on the evening goes beyond simply shaping the setlist however, instead embodying a wider ideological shift. Unfettered by the restraints of being a formal band with a defined sound like DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, the musicians are freer to explore Townsend‘s material in a more experimental way. As a result, Order Of Magnitude strikes a delicate balance between virtuosity and sheer ridiculousness in the best possible way.
Older songs from Townsend’s discography are given a fresh lease of life thanks to clever rearrangements and musical enhancements courtesy of the supporting band. No doubt in part due to Dorval’s presence, DTP’s Ki album is particularly well represented. Coast maintains its signature ethereal and haunting nature yet is modernised thanks to a new pulsating percussive groove and dual guitar parts split between Devin Townsend and Kineally. It eventually erupts in a harrowingly loud ending that incorporates far more psychedelic shred than was ever on Ki. Similarly, the rarely aired Gato and Heaven’s End both come alive thanks to Dorval’s mesmerising vocals providing a frenetic trade-off to Townsend’s menacing growl. The latter additionally benefits from a chaotic set of synth, bass and guitar solos that allows the band to showcase their chops whilst tying the musical madness together.
Sadly, not much of Townsend’s pre-DTP material appears on Order Of Magnitude, although Infinity’s War proves one of the show’s highlights. In its original recording, the song is built of multi-layered harmonies from Devin Townsend exclusively. However, with backing singers in tow and Dorval sharing lead vocal duties, War feels richer and fuller than its album counterpart, its new mix of voices and harmonies imbuing it with a new sense of vitality. It’s bittersweet, as one of Order Of Magnitude’s only downsides is that we don’t hear more of Townsend’s earlier material revamped like this.
Surprisingly, even recent tracks also receive the rearrangement treatment. While most songs from Empath hew closely to their original recordings, rousing rock ballad Spirits Will Collide is reimagined as a stripped back acoustic number. Harmony singer Samantha Preis performs lead, with the remaining singers Anne Preis, Arabella Packford and Dorval providing angelic harmonies. The new arrangement is almost hymn-like and provides Order Of Magnitude’s most mesmerising moment.
Thankfully, highlights like these are plentiful throughout Order Of Magnitude. Gigpig Jam sees Agren flex his percussive muscles as he turns a metal fan into a viable drum alternative, coordinated boogieing and costume changes accompany a lively rendition of Disco Inferno and animated backgrounds ranging from tropical vistas to elaborate cartoons set the scene throughout. Beyond the visual spectacle, it would be remiss not to mention Townsend’s performance. Ever the consummate entertainer, his vocals remain some of the best in the business with his range perfectly exemplified by the dichotomy of Deadhead’s emotive screams and Why?’s showtune whimsy.
Beyond the performance itself, the audio production is exceptionally polished as is typical for Devin Townsend releases. Previously, the result has often been live albums that are hard to distinguish from their studio counterparts, for better or for worse. However, due to Order Of Magnitude’s willingness to play around with songs, combined with a very different set of musicians performing them, there is something new and refreshing for Townsend aficionados to dig in to. The music and production remain slick, but it also feels far more “live” than its predecessors.
As a live album and DVD set, Order Of Magnitude captures what feels like the start of a new era for Devin Townsend. Unbound by the shackles of expectation built up by a decade of performing under the DTP moniker, Order Of Magnitude sees ‘Hevy Devy‘ moving forward and reinventing himself in a live setting with an all new supporting cast. While some deeper cuts would have been appreciated, Order Of Magnitude stands as Townsend’s most well-rounded live album and is a delight throughout.
Rating: 9/10
Order Of Magnitude – Empath Live Volume 1 is out now via InsideOut Music.
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