Devin Townsend

Devolution Series #1: Acoustically Inclined, Live In Leeds INSIDE OUT

The calm before the storm

While Devin Townsend ponders his next big thing – and frankly the cosmos is his oyster – he’s launched a Devolution Series of albums with this acoustic gig from his 2018 tour. The show has already been released on Blu-ray on the somewhat pricey Ultimate Edition of Empath, but it deserves a wider hearing.

Most of the songs come from albums released between 2000 and 2010, although there’s a couple from 1997’s Ocean Machine: Biomech. And while you couldn’t call Townsend’s acoustic guitar intimate, on account of all the gadgets he puts it through, it’s certainly more up-close than the original album versions. His self-assured voice has a greater clarity too, uncannily reminiscent of Jeff Buckley at times. ■■■■■■■■■■