Devin Townsend is an off-the-rails genius. The talented and multifaceted Canadian reals off studio projects and live records at record speeds with the risk overwhelming his adoring fans who are given little chance to digest each new offering as it comes out. What’s more, a Townsend album is dense, very dense. While he may have somewhat overdone it in the past, we were met with a more laid-back, relaxed approach on 2019’s Empath. Of course, the record is still peppered with moments of pure Townsend lunacy, but space is made for more experimental songs and moments that could almost be described as ‘easy listening’ with the difference and sense of humour that that implies. Acting this out on stage was a complex task, if only to stay true to the meticulous orchestrations and arrangements. Nevertheless, Devin pulls it off... well almost. Keen to sound live without abusing the samples and other playbacks, the singer and guitarist has opted to surround himself with the best of the best (starting with Mike Keneally and Morgan Ågren, both former musicians for Frank Zapper). Ten musicians are onstage to masterfully interpret fair few songs from Empath. The chosen setlist focuses on jazzy, fun sounds. Fans of a more metallic Devin (who is also founder of the band Strapping Young Lad) will be disappointed unlike those who liked Empath for its more adventurous side. The lack of large distortion and more aggressive sections must not however be interpreted as a desire to abandon this side of Townsend’s sound. In fact, the musician intends that this latest live offering is part of a trilogy. There are two more volumes to come, therefore. It remains to be known whether the tracks are already made or whether they will be future recordings and mixes with similar success to those in this Volume 1. The wait may be especially long as a certain virus has brought an end to live performances. A long enough wait, then, to maintain a solid level of suspense and allow fans enough time (at last) to fully digest and appreciate a complete album. © Chief Brody/Qobuz