Classical Composer Reacts to Deadhead (Devin Townsend) Live | The Daily Doug (Episode 416) 

You could literally just react to Devin Townsend and I'd still tune in every day.

Hello Doug! I can't believe I'm actually at one of your premiers! Great choice, love this track. It was even better live in person when I saw him at The Roundhouse a couple of years ago and The RAH at Easter this year. Let's go!

Found Devin back in 2015, during a very difficult time. As a 63 year old Canadian, I'd never heard of him before. What an incredible talent. Of the gods.

The audio mix of this show is a work of genius! You can hear everything cleanly and in proportion, I could rave about it all day.

You are so right about the “will you save me? Babe, babe, babe” how it hits you right in the chest. That part still gives me goosebumps. What a performance

I first saw Devin as a very young man, he walked out in scuba gear - flippers as well - and screamed until he passed out. Over and over again. More than 30 years later, give or take, it is a trip to see him gain the recognition that such a persistent, and gifted individual deserves.

You have to check out Devin performing Deep Peace live in Plovdiv. It’s with an orchestra! An amazing song that somehow flies under the radar for a lot of people.

I was fortunate enough to be at this concert: tied with a few others for the best I've ever experienced. I love your enthusiasm for Devin; could not agree more. You've made my evening. Thanks, Doug :)

I couldn't be around much here lately, there's a lot to catch up with. I saw Devin live a few weeks ago in Budapest before Dream Theater. What an experience it was! DT has been my favorite band for over 25 years, but honestly... Devin was awesome, I had goosebumps all through the one hour show. He is such a charismatic musician and performer. Thanks for this reaction, Doug!

Fucking BEAST of a Performance. He is truly one of my favorite artists.

One of my favourite performances of all time. Gives me chills as soon as that major arpeggiated section transitions back. Those vocals always strike right into the heart. Can you believe he had a cold during the concert, and that this song was about an hour and a half into the set? Absolute madness.

What a voice. Like you said Doug, it's perfect for the music he's playing. I'm now going to see if I can geta recording of this concert somewhere so I can listen/watch it in full!

We "discovered" The Devin Townsend project during the pandemic lockdown. This music really is a wall of sound! I would LOVE to see him play live! Thank you for reacting to this video. I was just thinking this afternoon that I hadn't heard Devin in a while. Perfect timing!

A few years prior to this he released a quartet of albums - Ki, Addicted, Deconstruction and Ghost - which are all different styles and utterly magnificent. He played them all, one album a night for four nights in a row, in London. People rarely react to those. All got published as By A Thread. Smaller venues and the camera work wasn’t as great as the RAH recording but they’re still awesome shows. If you get a chance to watch/listen to those you’ll be a very happy Doug. And then there is the Plovdiv concert with a live orchestra as others have said. Enjoy the ride!

I really think this is one of the greatest songs ever written. It's just so perfect.

I highly recommend checking out Townsend's side project, Casualties of Cool. It is, in his words, like a "haunted Johnny Cash album." This is "Forgive Me," which is absolutely outstanding: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QNlLqvZPfI8.html

Doug, the first part of this concert is the full Ziltoid saga wich is part of the Z2 album and is simply genius, full of 80s science fiction references, all wraped in great musicianship. Its surely worth it a Friday Masterpiece!

I used to watch you over a year ago back when you didn’t have a taste for screams, it is so adorable seeing you now appreciating them so much, lol. That is awesome! He has such an all-around, versatile voice that he can do anything with.

Devin's whole Retinal Circus live show is killer too.

This guys music is fantastic and is such a span of range. Absolutely love his stuff.

His early works with Steve Vai, on the album "Sex & Religion", deserves a special attention. I absolutely recommend it!

Devin Townsend is an Incredible performer. One of my favourite singers

Devin Townsend can put knots in my stomach like no other artist. I'm glad Doug has discovered him. He's going to enjoy this journey.

Doug! You should see him live if you can. The man is a great human being and he makes me feel like I'm actually his friend although we never spoken to each other directly.. which is a crazy skill as a musician nowadays. He is amazing every time I've seen him live but for me it is more about the feeling that he left behind all these times. Edit: As soon as I made this comment I checked your most recent Devin react to Grace and you told us you saw him live last year! Awesome!!!

One thing I love about this song, and MANY other songs played with Open C tuning, is that is so easy to make different chords on the guitar and all of them sound MASSIVE. BTW I recommend Burden in my Hand by Soundgarden, it is also with an Open C tuning...

Finally came the Doug's Deadhead reaction!!! I really wait too much to this day

Love this track of his...this is an awesome live performance! MARCH OF THE POOZERS from this concert is amazing too! I'd highly recommend his album GHOST as well... it's completely different from his usual music and great if you want to chill out to Devin. He produced GHOST to prove he could break the mould and write something that was non-metal! It's a complete 180 from Deadhead and most of his other music!

Love seeing others enjoy Devin's music, and I have to say, I'm so happy to see someone else who really examines the layers to his lyrics. You got yourself a subscriber my friend.

I saw Devin live (with Haken!) in March 2020 right before covid popped off. This song fucking crushed

Been waiting for this one. So interesting to see where you've come from your first reactions to now. I remember your earlier reaction to fried vocals/screams :). Happy to hear you've developed an appreciation!

I stopped in NYC on my way back from Munich and saw Dev open for Opeth at a venue in Jersey. What a night!

just discovered you with this video. Excellent Well Done Video my friend!

Love that you covered Devin and his lyrics, too! He is superhuman when using his voice, playing guitar and music composition - and he doesn't shy away from showing vulnerability, especially with this song. Really enjoyed his quarantine concerts that he did during the first year of the pandemic.

Love it that you reacted to this

OMG the day has arrived!

I love how as I'm progressing in my relatively basic musical knowledge from watching your videos, you too are progressing and taking on knowledge in your own journey through alternative music styles.

Devins vocals on this song, still after listening to it for hundreds of times, gives me chills….thanks Doug! Totally dig your channel!

Thanks Doug for this. I love Devin and his works, such a nice guy, Deadhead is my fav especially this live version.

I can't believe you are just now getting to this one!

Ah he's so good! I love watching your take on it

Devon is a local guy, here in the Vancouver area. I used to run into him periodically in the gym, and we'd sit and chat music and instruments. It was pretty cool. Be sure to check out his old band "Strapping Young Lad." Pretty chaotic stuff.

doug is cool. love this channel!!

Always happy to hear more Devin.

Devy!! Instant thumbs up.

A man capable of such volatile, provocative and quiet meditative art.. such a lovely, quiet, thoughtful guy in person. I'd argue there's unlikely to be many like him in the performance arts, known or struggling.

That got my attention. How have I not heard this guy’s music before today

I absoutely loved how you summed up the meaning or possible meanings of this song. Lawnmower. *points finger*. Thanks Doug

I love his this music. He has a beautiful voice!

I heard in an interview that Devin has been very insecure about his voice and his abilities for a long time. When I see and hear him perform, I can't believe that. Truly one of the great singers and performers in mordern metal and also a really humble person (at least in his interviews)

always get goosebumps listening too this song

Been waiting on this one for 5 months

Yes we would like you to watch the entire concert!!!

thanks for this!

Saw this song live recently and it was just as good. Devin never disappoints.

Been a Devin fan since about '97 when City by Strapping Young Lad came out. Been following his immensely varied body of work before/after then, and the fact he can still pull off a performance like this is inspiring. Great reaction Doug!

This song makes the hairs on my arms stand on end every time I hear it. Musically it's a simple tune but the power of this "wall of sound" as you stated, is just incredible. I would really like to see Devon with this same band live because this band is by far his best ensemble imo.

Saw Devin on his "Empath" tour here in the UK. One of, if not the best gigs I have seen. Outstanding

I just want to add that blaring this in my car for my wife changed our marriage forever for the better

You don´t hear Devin Townsend, you feel him!

Kind of a strange suggestion, but from Devin's album Terria, the last few songs are extremely realistic representations of things like depression and apathy. If you ever get a chance to, Nobody's Here, Tiny Tears and Stagnant are three great songs to listen to consecutively. They're simpler songs on the album but the lyrics and his voice make them more.

FYI the harsh vocals are created by other tissues in the vocal tract, not the true vocal chords themselves. In this case Devin is mixing this fry scream technique with true pitch from the vocal chords by engaging those separate parts of vocal anatomy at the same time (or at least it sounds like it to me, someone who actually knows how to do this stuff should comment). So in other words, he's not hurting his vocal chords when he does harsh vocals, and that's why he's able to sing normally immediately after (and make it through show after show).

Great reaction as always. I would love to see and hear your reaction to the opening trio of Devin Townsend Band's Synchestra. Let it roll, Hypergeek and Triumph.

Devin Townsend's screamo "style" is different from so many in that it is on pitch!! I have played this (and others) for several professional singers, and that is what they notice more than even the "color" of his voice...

I was just rewatching yesterday your reaction from a year ago to Jinjer's "Pisces" where you weren't so convinced about Tatiana's growls, which did upset a few of your followers. Your "screw that!" today made me laugh out loud. 😂

Great vocal performance and great reaction.

this song give me all the feels lol :)..... This song is fkn amazing!

WOW!

I have been a fan of his for 16 years. (Jesus, that makes me feel old) It is great to see people enjoy his music. To be fair though, his music catalog is so huge and diverse that there’s something there for everyone to enjoy. Still, he’s a musical genius IMHO.

I am going to se Devin live at Copenhell this week😁 It will be legendary moment of awesomeness 🤘

The entire movement is raw emotion.

I watched your video for kingdom right before this and glad to see your opinion on fry vocals change 😊

Namaste, friend... Namaste by Devin at that same show is insane

the retinal circus full afternoon :) more Dev!!!

Yo Doug, you should do an EPL on 2007’s “Ziltoid The Omniscient” it’s basically Devin’s autobiography to that point, disguised as a space opera about: (From Wikipedia) “an extraterrestrial being named Ziltoid from the planet Ziltoidia 9. Ziltoid travels to Earth in search of ‘[the] universe's ultimate cup of coffee’… appalled by its taste, [he] summons the Ziltoidian warlords to attack Earth, facing the full might of Earth's army…” and shenanigans and introspection about cosmic significance ensue! It’s an incredible album, and the first one created entirely by Devin at home, writing producing and performing every instrument, with programmed drums, in his newly created home studio, after he just quit Strapping Young Lad and wanted to prove to himself he could do everything on his own. The results were amazing, doesn’t sound homemade at all, with only the passion that such a personal intimate project can show shining through.

There is a great BluRay out. This was part of the by demand section, which was after the main show. Oh yes, and he had a cold :-)

Hi Doug!! Love your work!! Next time go with Universal Flame or March of the Poozers from the same live event!

His live performance at Plovdiv is probably one of, if not the most refined live performances by him. If you want a song with good dynamics, you should check out "By Your Command." I think that was best represented in Plovdiv.

Automatic like for Doug and Devin. :-)

I had listened to his album Epicloud and really enjoyed it, but it was this song that made me realize he was truly something different. Undeniably one of my favourite musicians. I wonder if composer would be a better title?

Some of the heaviest stuff I've listened to was Devin's podcast episodes talking about the background of all his albums chronologically, starting from the Strapping Young Lad times. From what I remember, a lot of his career has been making songs about anger, not understanding other people, human emotions, hurting others, trying to understand love and trying to learn to love himself and eventually trying to make peace with himself and people he hurt. I'm not sure if you were aware, but Devin's first gig was playing and singing for Steve Vai, as this little kid. It's interesting how incredible he is on guitar but with his solo project he tunes to a tuning where he can just play open strings or one finger barres and sing. Always been a guy who creates the big picture and serves it rather than performs details himself. He also played years with Gene Hoglan, also titled as the atomic clock, who happened to play in Death - the grandfathers of death metal, Testament and Fear Factory. The way he talks about his bandmates is always interesting, like how Gene played the way he could play guitar in a very heavy way and always understanding the groove. Then his current I recall bassist whose more classically trained and can translate incredibly well Devin's mood descriptions into something that the musicians in his band can play. I don't know what it's called, the way Devin experinces music, but it's very different from many and his ideas are very strong and have to go just right, but he has it all in his brain perfectly. At least according to how he speaks about it. And I think songs like SYL - Love? and Far Beyond Metal would be good additions to your listens. The first exploring what even is that nasty feeling that makes people behave weird and the latter criticizing the classic topic of music business being run by corporates. Of course there are plenty of Devin's solo stuff worth listening to as well. Everybody probably has already requested the whole Ziltoid album, which is fantastic theme album and very interesting songs as well. One of the best gigs I've been to was his two day performance on Tuska Metal Festival. He played the whole Ziltoid album on one day, had some of the theatrics with it too. And Testament's vocalist featuring. This song (deadhead) and the first song of Accelerated Evolution were probably the first I heard by Dev. Oh and a fantastic album is that bluegrass unplugged style album Casualties of Cool. That one's really fascinating. It has so much mood and atmosphere.

I never get tired of Devin Townsend reactions. Great video, thank you! I don't do concerts because of crowds and just the volume, but if he ever plays near me I'd be compelled to attend. ♥ I got one for you if you read this comment. Please, check out Ningen Isu "Heartless Scat". It's a Japanese rock band of 3 middle aged men have CC on to read the lyrics in English. Lot of soul in the music and lyrics.

Man, this recording is something else! Getting the right amount of reverb in that barn of a Royal Albert Hall right.... I suppose they recorded directly from the plugboard, because the echoes in that place are dreadful (there are few cellphone recordings of concerts there and if they're not classical concerts, the acoustics are a disaster)

Lucia Cifarelli "KMFDM" said that before they go on tour she has build up the calluses in her throat to be to sing those harsh notes.

I am late to your party, Doug. I came across one of your Pink Floyd reaction videos and now I'm binging through it all. I have never heard of Devin Townsend.... Where the hell have I been????????

I have a copy of this concert on blu-ray, and it's absolutely one of my favorites. It is well worth the price of the thing if you like Devin's music.

I think now that you enjoy screams, you can try Gojira. Amazing french metal band, toured with metallica and big bands and are quite the deal now. Maybe begin with Silvera or Stranded, which aren't from their early technical and more death metal (lots of long parts with double bass)

I cannot wait for the day Doug does an extended listen to Ziltoid from Devin Townsend. Not only will he find it hilarious, the way the music demonstrates Ziltoids feelings and tells the story is amazing! To this day, Ziltoid is one of my favorites of his!

One of my favorite things in this world: Seeing Doug react to Devin Townsend. One of the most infuriating moments in life: Ads interrupting the video and absolutely derailing my presence in the moment and my thought processing🤬

Doug you gotta agree on the fact that Eb major is the most epic thing in music

Tenía que reaccionar el gran maestro a otro maestro. La mejor reacción y análisis que he visto de este tan brutal tema ! Saludos Doug!!!

You are going to love the pantomime that is the first half of this concert. Picture Jim Henson v Devon

Nice that he dresses up for his show.

yaaaaas. I went to see him live before the virus thing took over the world. I didn't realize that it was going to be a solo acoustic act. He still pulled it off and it was amazing show.

I will warn you Doug as a Godflesh fan. They are not the easiest to listen to, but if you get IT they will open your mind further.

I loved the Grateful Dead art on his guitar neck ...

Loved what you do. I want to recommend 3 LPs to listen to. The first 3 Blue Oyster Cult albums. a lot of the tracks run together . Blue Oyster Cult , Tyranny and Mutation and Secret Treatise.

Devin's walls of sound are incredible

Doug! You should get in contact with Devin! I’m sure he will give you an online interview.

Still impressed to see a nerdy Canadian gathering so much crowd interaction I first saw him the same place I saw symphony x on the same night in a spot that could barely hold 500 and u damn right I was right up front for all of it not knowing any of it Devin is a musical God IMO That wall of sound was even more impressive in that small stage setting Edit: I've been saying for 20 years now that Devin is the next generations pink Floyd absolutely on point with your analysis

Now here is someone who has a voice that shines in pitch and expression. Here's someone who simplifies and has fun with us. I loved his contribution to Steve Vai's album "Sex & Religion".