Running out of ideas is virtually impossible for a truly creative artist. So many things may have already been done, but as unique, highly creative individuals know, they have not ‘been done’ quite like this. For anyone questioning this mindset, just look at the vast array of artistic musical geniuses of Devin Townsend. From Strapping Young Lad and a Country duo to the many Devin Townsend solo projects, there has never been a dull moment. Now the beloved Canadian musical superhero returns with his latest album PowerNerd on October 25, 2024 via InsideOut Music.
It is said, ‘If you want it done right, do it yourself,’ and for Townsend, it is sound advice. Produced himself, PowerNerd is said to be the first of a trilogy. As stated, very unique, Townsend has a really interesting way of creating an album… and PowerNerd is no different. It feels as if it was just shot out of him like a cannon, which plays on further developing his concept, as he fine-tuned the lyrics. Furthermore, while Townsend is responsible for the vocals, guitars, synths, bass, and computer, the album also features guest vocalists and other musicians to round out the sound.
In short, it is an eleven-track album full of surprises… which for Devin Townsend is not a surprise. It starts with the title-track featuring Hatebreed’s Vocalist Jamey Jasta. A great start, it should be said that Townsend defines a PowerNerd as “a person of any gender who has, through tenacity and perseverance, turned what society may deem as a ‘weakness’ into a superpower, a total fucking badass, you.” So, the concept here is a positive boost of creative energy for those who are empaths, introverts, or just down on themselves. Speaking of which, 2019’s Empath from Townsend is a mind-blowing strong concept album in and of itself. PowerNerd is some far-off distant step-cousin of Empath… but only in the way that the crescendos and innuendos come from one man’s deep-rooted power struggle with himself.
One of Devin Townsend’s many unique strengths is that he can silence a room with complex Heavy Metal riffs or sappy comedic love ballads. Considering this, PowerNerd is out of control in the best, most cohesive way. Aside from the tune “PowerNerd” itself, which is primarily heavy in nature, and “Dreams Of Light” which is a definite swimming good time of a ballad, the rest of the album is pure fluctuating emotion from happy and excitement, to confident and cracked. Heavy Devy’s strength as an artist is letting the levels layer themselves in a vulnerable way.
The album also features “Falling Apart,” “Jainism,” and “Goodbye”; which are very powerfully created tunes with overlaying complexities and simplicities that flow like the chaos of a lightning bolt striking into a human skull. It is something destructively magical, but it can only be believed to be real if witnessed in person.
However, describing each song individually on PowerNerd would just be a spoiler alert. Just relax, turn it on, and go for the wildly beautiful musical journey it intends to be. It is recommended with most of Devin Townsend’s albums to listen from start to finish because it gives the best emotional roller coaster ride possible. However, when he plays live, it is usually all over the map in a way that keeps the audience guessing wrong. Looking back on the Strapping Young Lad days, which was Hevy Devy at his heaviest, a favorite is still “Love.” A track where the brilliance is in contrast to the sweet lyrics that go on a heavy ride, it comes to mind quite a bit throughout PowerNerd; because it slips from heavy to serene so much.
So, what will the next two conceptual albums (The Moth and Axolotl) of this PowerNerd trilogy reveal? Who knows, but that is a blessing in disguise with Devin Townsend. While the idea of a live concert playing Empath from start to finish, followed by a Strapping Young Lad reunion show sounds amazingly wonderful in the most Progressive Death Metal way, add to it all PowerNerd and a bright future for HevyDevy. It would be wrong and oblivious to rate this album with anything less than a perfect score, and that is why Cryptic Rock gives PowerNerd 5 out of 5 stars.
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