Album Review: The Devin Townsend Project - Epicloud

Already mightily prolific, Devin Townsend devotees are getting even more bang for their buck than anticipated. The 'Project quadrilogy seemingly culminated in grandiose fashion with Deconstruction's immense extreme metal and polar opposite, Ghost, but this venture evidently has some life left.

Much like 2009's Addicted this is a glossy, shiny record; commercially-oriented, albeit filtered through the Canadian's towering wall of sound and off-kilter worldview. Ex-The Gathering songbird Anneke van Giersbergen providing angelic guest vocals isn't all it has in common with Addicted's demented, yet intoxicating pop/metal either. Structures are again simpler and more accessible. The songstress' sublime touches during Grace, or chemistry with Townsend on Save Our Now are irresistible. There are traces of each previous Project record though, without blatantly re-hashing any. More! nabs Deconstruction's bombast and elsewhere fleetingly touches on Ki's ambience and Ghost's serenity. Recent solo endeavours a la Synchestra and 1997's Ocean Machine: Biomech (the majestic Where We Belong) are also referenced. Add thick keys, gospel choirs, string and horn sections and it could have been a cluttered mess, but these ideas are fused with such zest, versatility and charming hooks one can't help but embrace it. Crushing live staple, Kingdom, from 2000 solo endeavour, Physicist, is finally afforded the sonic treatment it deserves. Elsewhere, romantic country ballads meet New Age flourishes, soundscapes and zany lyrics (Lucky Animals), yet somehow remain cohesive.

Despite the overarching sense of familiarity, boundary-nudging and memorable tunes will satisfy even the most demanding HevyDevy fanboys.