Customer Reviews

Presents: Ziltoid the Omniscient

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Something inside me says people reviewing this album will focus more on the concept rather than the music presented on this disc, so I'll leave it up to them. All I will say is that Devin Townsend Presents Ziltoid the Omniscient is a sci-fi tale about a guitar-playing alien who pays a visit to planet Earth. To further investigate the plot, all you need to do is buy the album and read the booklet, which includes all lyrics except for "Hyperdrive", and it also features passages that are not sung/spoken in the songs -- then you should have a fairly solid idea on what the story is about.

For starters, Ziltoid is a solo album in the truest sense. Devin Townsend wrote all songs, recorded, mixed, and engineered everything by himself. He also played all instruments, except the drums which he programmed on the Drumkit From Hell software that Meshuggah's Fredrik Thordendal sent him. Granted the drumming does not sound as organic as, say, Terria, the somewhat industrial beats, juxtaposed with tons of samples, give off an alien-like quality to the songs, which definitely fits the concept of this album. This is also what distinguishes Ziltoid from the earlier Devin Townsend records musically. Other than that, traces of both Synchestra and Accelerated Evolution, the two previous albums, can be detected in some of the songs here. A good dose of aggressiveness and openness of either album turn into pivotal points in the course of the album, depending on the mood intended to portray.

Those who consider Ocean Machine Devin Townsend's unrivaled masterpiece will be pleasantly surprised by tracks like "Hyperdrive", which is defined by clean harmonies, liquidy guitar phrases, and the droning, meditative atmosphere. Also, "Color Your World", at nearly ten minutes, establishes a context in which Devin deftly packs both the harmonic brilliance of Terria and the peaceful, unique aural experience of Ocean Machine. The classically influenced midsection transitions into the Biomech aesthetic so seamlessly that you feel like you're listening to both masterpieces in a single composition. Speaking of seamless transitions, the spoken-like death growls on "Planet Smasher" turn into Devin's trademark confident clean singing in the blink of an eye as well.

"By Your Command" and "Ziltoida Attaxx!!!" both contain Devin's theatrical, less intensified SYL type of growling fused with hilarious lyrical content, and his classic epic arrangements defined by rising synth modulations and furious double bass drum battery. The latter even features an unexpected guitar solo atop a dissonant rhythmic cluster. To balance things out, Devin offers his deepest clean singing to date -- which eerily evokes Dan Swano at his most expressive -- on another mammoth number, "Solar Winds", poised to become many a fan's favourite off of this record, along with "The Greys", a modern take on the sounds of his first solo album. Halfway through the song, heavier guitar accents come in rolling whilst the classical touch of Terria's symphonic quality crops up. This is music with immense impact. Period.

Being a rock-opera kind of thing, there is plenty of narrated sections on most of the tunes, which can be annoying at first. However, after repeated listens, these voice-overs will fade into the background, much like the spoken stuff in the intro of Terria's "Earth Day". Also, the Ocean Machine-like material, which boasts profound ambient passages filled with tidal waves of churning guitar riffage, utilizes Devin's vocals as an extra dimension to the music, rather than a vocalist simply adding his nth melody to an already challenging and well crafted composition. "N9", for instance, is one of these songs. Aside from the heavier Strapping Young Lad-inspired guitar attacks and smashing rhythms, the piece is carried by wonderfully arranged, sweeping melodies distilled into dissonant passages of Middle Eastern textures. Amidst all of this are Devin's otherworldly vocal lines interwoven into the layers. It's simply beautiful.

The first and last tracks serve more as an intro and outro to the album, and track eight, "Omnidimensional Creator", at less than a minute, is more of a precursor to the grandiose "Color Your World". Overall, Ziltoid is a cosmos of sound, which deliberately functions as a genre-crosser whilst retaining Devin Townsend's truly unique songwriting vision.

Considering that Devin has put both the DTB and SYL on hold and stated that he will solely focus on his solo career, hopefully he will put out more albums that continue to shock and please his loyal fan base.

Devin Townsend Unleashes his first entirely solo project, playing guitar, bass, keys, and programming drums and giving us vocals as well as the narrative. The cd itself follows a theme of Ziltoid, a 4th dimensional creature who is on a quest to find the ultimate cup of coffee, and if he doesn't...destruction! Ziltoid comes to Earth of all places to find his coffee and a War of the Worlds type event breaks out with Captain Spectacular leading Earth against the Ziltoidian Forces. Each song follows a passage in the story ultimately leading up to the finale "Tall Latte"
Corny Concept aside, after a few listens you begin to understand this is some of Townsend's most brilliant work. To come up with this effort in just 4 months on his own is an enormous task for anyone. The Guitar work is a mix of SYL("Ziltoidia Attacks") with touch of melodic side of DTB ("The Greys", "hyperdrive") featuring solo's throughout the disc. This disc can be described as progressive at times, but nothing really goes too off the wall and self indulgent and most songs come off just as songs rather than just pieces of a story.
The bonus features on the deluxe edition are a welcome bonus for disc 2. The first track is sort of a Ziltoid behind the music which is just off the wall rediculous while the others make for good b sides. The multimedia portion of the disc contains 5 Ziltoid Puppet skits, 3 of which have not been on youtube. The disc also concludes with a 13 minute instructional bit with devin showing you some riffs from his back catalog as well as thoroughly explaining his guitar rig and what each thing does for him, it's very interesting for total Dev nerds like myself.
Overall, this man has consistently delivered amazing product after product and I can assure you this follows in that lineage, and you will not be dissapointed. This is something you're going to want to listen to over and over again.

I have always enjoyed Devin Townsend's unique musical sensibilities and style, and the latest release from this musical iconoclast is no exception....some might find the kitschy, sardonic sci-fi trappings and storyline of this latest project a bit much, but any fan of "Mystery Science Theater" or Kurt Vonnegut will feel right at home here.

The first completely "solo" project from Devin (although he has always worn many hats both in SYL and DTB, on this release he literally was a one-man show, writing all the lyrics and music, and performing on all instruments, assuming all production roles, etc.), it is different from both his older Strapping Young Lad and Devin Townsend Band projects in that it is more humorous and conceptual thematically, but musically it is very much a continuation of his previous work.

This latest epic from Devin is a campy science-fiction concept album telling the story of an omniscient alien being named Ziltoid who needs a rare substance from Earth in order to be able to bend time and space to his will....and that substance is....coffee. Black. Fun stuff, but not for those who take everything too seriously. I have personally always enjoyed Mr. Townsend's quirky sense of humor, which has always been revealed in smaller doses on his previous work, and had fun seeing him fully embrace and run with it on this latest offering. Musically, and for fans of his previous work, this album has some great, heavy, bombastic metal moments as well as sublime, spacy prog-rock interludes, coming off like SYL's "The New Black" meet"Terria" and "Ocean Machine". Recommended!

Devin Townsend has put forth several solo efforts, but he is truly a one-man band for the first time in his latest work, handling all instruments and production responsibilities. Ziltoid the Omniscient is a concept album of sorts, presenting a quirky galactic story while delivering the progressive metal Townsend listeners are accustomed to hearing. The brutality of Strapping Young Lad is unmistakable, as is the melodic beauty of The Devin Townsend Band.

Ziltoid, narrated and sung by Townsend, is an omniscient creature from the fourth dimension who claims to be the greatest guitar player to have ever lived. In search of the universe's ultimate cup of coffee, he commands it be made perfect. When it isn't to his liking, there is aggressive action on the planet Earth - ultimately summoning the sixth-dimensional Planet Smasher (track 7). At times the narration can get in the way of the music, but this is nothing like anything Townsend has done before and should be taken with a grain of [progressively] metallic salt.

This limited special edition has a couple bonus tracks, five webisode skits (each about two minutes in length) with Ziltoid the puppet, and an instructional video where Townsend discusses his gear and lays down a few licks.

I am a relative newcomer to the the world of Devin Townsend, and wow....have I been missing out or what? Devin dished out brutality in Strapping Young Lad, beautiful songs and melody in the Devin Townsend material that I have heard so far (Synchestra and Ocean Machine with the former likely being one of the most perfect albums of its type ever made), and sprinkles humor into everything he does.
This album is a great mix of all three aspects and is simply dripping with FUN for progressive/metal fans like me.
I highly recommend following the lyrics and the liner notes as they really help to bring the story together. I will say that there are some minor story flaws, but he wasn't trying to write Operation Mindcrime here.
I don't think there is a song on here that doesn't have something really cool going on. Highly recommended!

Who but Devin Townsend, the eclectic and brilliant musician that he is, could give us Ziltoid, a nerdy caffeine-addicted power deluded space invader that's sympathetically ridiculous and still capable of snookering unsuspecting idiot Earthlings via his 4th dimensional guitar skills?
One part metal, one part radio drama from the old days of "War Of The Worlds" and one part hybrid "Lost In Space/Batman" space goofiness, "Ziltoid The Omniscient" is a delight from start to his unfortunate demotion to what we may safely assume as an orbiting Starbucks franchise. Townsend, ever the character, did the entire CD, including drum programming. We get lots of sci-fi guitars, keyboards and humor, including the appearance of the know all and see all space dude.
Few, if any modern day artists have the range and depth of Devin Townsend, who may be the only serious competition in musicianship and scope as his hero and mine, Frank Zappa. One hopes he can break out of his cult status as the genius he is, but in the meantime, it's fun to claim him as one of rock's best kept secrets. As Ziltoid commands of his coffee, Townsend "makes it perfect!"

Devin Townsend continues to produce quality music, in his own twistedly brilliant way. Ziltoid is the perfect compliment/new addition to his catalog of musical masterpieces. It has bits of all the elements he has used throughout his career, insane heaviness (like SYL), melodic brooding tonalities (like solo-Terris-era work) and a killer concept that makes you wanna run out and mainline caffeine!! Okay, that might be pushing it, but this album, balls to bones, kicks and shreds its way immediately into the upper eschalon of great metal!! Anyone who even remotely thinks they are a fan of metal must own this album....You are just pitiful if you don't...Support Metal!! ALL HAIL ZILTOID!!!

This is my Favorite DEVIN TOWNSEND CD , Aside from his CD ADDICTED which I also recommend ! ZILTOID is Musically Awsome, funny, and very well written. My Wife & Kids even like it, and get a kick out of it every time I put it on in the Car . If your a fan of Devin Townsend, and his style, this is a must own !

I am another new convert to Devin Townsend after first hearing the majestic SYNCHESTRA CD. Still havent heard any Strapping Young Lad material (Just the samples) but will have to get round to it. You can see why Steve Vai and Arjen Lucassen (Of Ayreon Fame) both had an interest in him. Besides his powerful guitar work,he also has the gifted voice. At times extremely dark and heavy and then movingly beautiful harmonies take over. His narrating of the CD is also hugely entertaining, and I am sure Devin has many other hidden talents. He would be amazing in theatre for example,as, after listening to parts of the Synchestra, I had visions of Devin as Freddie Mercury in all of his pomposity. I didnt know what Devin actually looked like until I saw the Vampira promo on You Tube. It wouldnt surprise me one bit too if Devin actually took Ziltoid further and introduces him in Comic form. Least surprising too, would be a highly anticipated follow up.... Ziltoid the OMNIPOTENT!

Dev never ceases to amaze me with his quirky antics and humor. When I first heard about this project on the Devin Townsend myspace page, I knew it would be my new obsession, and lo and behold.....INDEEEED!

With the feel of DTB and SYL, this brings listeners to the altar of the ultimate Dev listening experience! A must have of people who have been with him from the start and a great place to start for people just starting to listen to his stuff.

Worth every penny...pick it up today!

YOU HAVE 5 EARTH MINUTES!

DEVY METAL.