Lucky Humans
Twenty studio albums into his varied career, Devin Townshend puts it simply: "I've rarely done the same things twice", an understatement given the breadth of Townsend's work both as a musician and producer. Epicloud is therefore a typically atypical record for someone considered by many to be a heavy metal legend. That opinion hasn't stopped Townsend working beyond the confines of those expectations - a mindset he shows off when gleefully announcing on Liberation, "Let's forget all the bullshit and let's rock!"
Simple and direct ideas dominate with lyrics verging on the twee at time (example: "summer's coming, we're going back where we belong") all the while the music goes for the heart with a secular fervour provided by choral singing, epic string arrangements and lots of sing-a-long moments. For instance, Hold On sounds like Father Dick Burn's Eurosong '96 contender The Miracle is Mine. There's none of the usual metal virtuosity and high concepts associated with Townsend down the years. He says himself that, "I feel in the past, my love for things that aren't typically encouraged in the heavy metal circles made me hesitant to express my interest in it. Epicloud isn't necessarily indicative of what I'm going to do in it the future; it was the moment where I allowed myself to put those hesitations aside and just go for it."
I don't know what the attraction is for musical polymaths to eventually turn their hands to some form of musical theatre, this may due to me not being a polymath, musical or otherwise but maybe's it because they can. Townsend is no different to Prince or Pete Townshend it seems as Epicloud kicks off with the sort of bombastic number Trey Parker and Matt Stone use for satirical purposes: Effervescent, a choral number sounding to all intents and purposes like an advert for toothpaste, "Everyone into forever, everything a part of me". The lovey-dovey feelings continue with True North with Devin singing, "I love you, I love you/I've always been around you."
He's certainly expressed himself on Epicloud from the Europop of True North, widescreen hard rock of Liberation and the soaring melodeath of Kingdom. It's clear that Townsend could write a record with Lady Gaga as easily as he could mix it with Cannibal Corpse. The mix of styles on Epicloud can make for a disjointed listen but if it was a case of getting all of this of his chest who can complain? Townsend can do as he pleases; he doesn't owe fans anything, he's always been accessible underneath the extremity and it is forever encouraging when musicians follow their own impulses rather than satisfying the demands of their fan base.
There are of course moments when the metal comes to the fore, Epicloud isn't entirely devoid of heavier moments (More! swings a big riff about), but largely it's unconcerned with the dark-side. Townsend sounds happy, even contented, getting spiritual on celebratory tracks such Divine where he sings "loving you is divine", Grace and Angel though these are lyrically inclusive enough not to be proselytising. His next move after this record could be an interesting one though.
Epicloud is most definitely not the crushing tech-metal of Strapping Young Lad nor the 'zany' Ziltoid rock opera side of past efforts - strangely what makes this record stand out in Townsend's considerable catalogue is precisely its middle of the road quality; the music he wanted to provide to "put aside the bullshit definitions that hold us back as musicians and artists."