Deconstruction (Devin Townsend Project album)

Deconstruction
Studio album by Devin Townsend Project
Released June 20, 2011
Recorded November 2010 – February 2011
Genre Progressive metal, symphonic metal, industrial metal, extreme metal
Length 70:49
Label HevyDevy, InsideOut Music
Producer Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend chronology

Addicted
(2009)
Deconstruction
(2011)
Ghost
(2011)
Alternative cover
Slipcase cover

Deconstruction is the thirteenth studio album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend, and the third of six albums in the Devin Townsend Project series. The album features two drummers, Dirk Verbeuren and Ryan Van Poederooyen, as well as a number of guest vocalists.

According to an interview with Townsend, the album is a concept album focused around a man who is obsessed with finding the true nature of reality. In the process of this journey, he goes to Hell and meets the devil. The devil shows him the secrets of the universe, presenting a cheeseburger to him. However, being a vegetarian, the man cannot eat the cheeseburger, rendering his attempts at working out the true nature of reality pointless. The album is chaotic in nature and has elements which are prominently humorous, which is a radical departure from Townsend's more recent work. Townsend also stated in this interview that Deconstruction is a musical representation of facing your fears and overcoming them.[1] Townsend explained that he wanted the album to have a positive message, despite its highly chaotic nature.

The album's choral and orchestral parts were written and arranged by Townsend using Pro Tools software. The parts were later transcribed into conventional musical notation for the orchestra.

The album was released on June 20, 2011,[2] simultaneously with the fourth Devin Townsend Project album Ghost, on Townsend's independent record label HevyDevy Records.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
About.com [3]
Allmusic [4]
Blistering [5]
DPRP [6]
Metal Hammer [7]

Metal Hammer described Deconstruction as "easily the most deranged, complex and sonically overwhelming thing he's ever done".[7] Terrorizer Magazine rated it 5/5 and named it joint album of the month, alongside Ghost.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Devin Townsend[8]. 

No. Title Length
1. "Praise the Lowered"   6:02
2. "Stand"   9:36
3. "Juular"   3:46
4. "Planet of the Apes"   10:59
5. "Sumeria"   6:37
6. "The Mighty Masturbator"   16:28
7. "Pandemic"   3:29
8. "Deconstruction"   9:27
9. "Poltergeist"   4:25
10. "Ho Krll" (iTunes exclusive bonus track) 5:58

Personnel

Production

References

  1. "KaaosTV Episode #36: The Devin Townsend Project".
  2. "THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT's 'Deconstruction', 'Ghost' Albums Get Release Date". March 27, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  3. Marsicano, Dan (June 2011). "Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction Review". About.com. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  4. Freeman, Phil (July 2011). "Deconstruction – Review". Allmusic. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  5. Donnelly, Justin (June 2011). "Deconstruction – Review". Blistering. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  6. De Val, Tom (June 2011). "Devin Townsend Project: Deconstruction & Ghost – Review". DPRP. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Metal Hammer UK (219): 82. 2011. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. 8.0 8.1 DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT: DECONSTRUCTION DISSECTED – Radio Metal
  9. "Welcome to Dirk Verbeuren's official website!". Dirkverbeuren.com. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Devin Townsend Constructs A Super-Group On "Deconstruction"". No Clean Singing. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  11. "Former EMPEROR Frontman To Guest On New THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT Album". February 1, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  12. "Devin Townsend Project | The Devin Townsend Project Announces European Tour 2011". Hevydevy.com. December 9, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2012.