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The Devin Townsend Band at the Red Room in Vancouver - outstanding!

The openers for Devy, a band the name of which I cannot recall (apologies), were interesting in a way that the change of seasons is interesting - some people get excited, some don't. Occasionally the singer would scream reminiscent of Pantera in their Cowboys From Hell days, and the drummer would repeatedly throw one of his drum-sticks into the air, with a flourish, only to have it contact the low ceiling and wheel off into the crowd. Yes, repeatedly.

Far less manic than he was for the Fear Factory / Strapping Young Lad performance at the end of last year at the Croatian Cultural Centre, Vancouver, Devy was in no less fine form. In fact, after many years of catching his shows in Australia fine form is something I have come to expect. He never delivers anything less than an outstanding performance into which is poured his passion and soul culminating in a thoroughly illustrated sound-scape that captures the attention of even the most reluctant spectator.

I must apologise, while trying (as usual) to note the songs played my scribble on a napkin is all but illegible and so some pieces will remain unknown, but here goes: The opening piece is one I am yet to identify, but began with a symphonic metal solo by Devy into which seamlessly melded the other band members, followed by Truth from the Infinity album. This record was given to me by Eoghan many years ago and stayed in my walkman for weeks, nay months on end. No surprise that I was well stoked to see some of those tracks live. Regulator from Ocean Machine followed, another favourite. Need I say it was performed with passion?

Without a doubt the most eloquent and vocally versatile individual to ever have graced the metal scene Devy stuck true to form filling the usual "retune the guitars" gap between songs with announcements like:
"I want to say something poignant and intelligent: Aaaaagghhhhhhhh!!!!" or
"If you don't like this..... then Go Home!"

And without a further pause launch into the next item on the musical agenda. Which was Storm from Accelerated Evolution then Gaia from the newly released Synchestra (for which this was the promotional tour). Pixillate must have been the Synchestra song that came next because Devy invited Deborah Tyzio on stage to guest vocalise her parts from the album version of the song. One of my favourite songs for a long time was the beautiful (though unusually named) Deadhead from Accelerated Evolution which preceded Life from Ocean Machine, Earth Day from Terria, and Triumph from Synchestra.

At this point someone held up the one finger salute, and I am going to presume it was a salute rather than something less honorary. In his Strapping Young Lad guise I imagine Devy would have called him a long string of colourfully profane adjectives that I don't think I am allowed to repeat here, however in this (slightly) milder mien he simply blew it a kiss.

The outstanding Deep Peace from Terria came next then Bad Devil from Infinity.

All in all it was a sonic feast. By the time he was done I was satiated, but like all addicts the craving will return shortly no doubt...

And if you were wondering what to wear to such a gig as this? Take a leaf out of one punter's book and go with lipstick red vinyl hot pants and corset, tall (and I mean tall) black vinyl boots, and secretary glasses. Way to stand out in the crowd! Did I mention that it was a she not a he? Thought that was also important for the fashion conscious.

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