Devin Townsend: Funeral/Bastard/The Death Of Music REACTION/ANALYSIS | The Daily Doug (Episode 305) 

Yes Doug. This is a good one. I struggle to name a more “human” artist working today. I look forward to catching this later.

A friend of mine, many years ago, listening to Terria, described his music as "something that gets into you, takes your guts and turns you inside out, to then gently put you back together, with love and care". Devin is much more than just a musician, he's a powerful amplifier of humanity.

There were a lot of comments at the time that the crowd at that show were quiet, but as an attendee to this show, when someone is projecting something like Devin does, it's hard to jump about and sing along because you find yourself captivated by what is happening on stage. There was a number of people in my section in the stands deadly silent during The Death Of Music, because to not be transfixed with the music would have been to do it a disservice

HE'S DOING IT. I actually juat asked him on patreon to do this one, I guess it was coming anyway, ha

You could probably request an interview with Devin for your channel - he's done one with The Charismatic Voice - seems like a really chill and friendly dude.

Funeral is a very emotional song. When Devin played this song in his quarantine live performance he broke into tears to the point he was almost unable to keep singing 😔

Re Funeral, taken from an old Metal Hammer interview: "But the most stirring songs on Ocean Machine are those that confront that cruel plane of existence head on. Life, a sonically uplifting rumination on the preciousness of existence, and Funeral, a hymn-like address punctuated with desperate cries, were written following the death of 16-year-old schoolmate Jesse Cadman. On the evening of October 18, 1992, he was senselessly stabbed. “He was killed walking home by a group of kids that wanted his hat,” says Devin quietly Though Devin and Jesse weren’t close, Devin was good friends with Jesse’s sister. He also played in local band Grey Skies, of which Jesse was a fan. When it came to organising his funeral, the Cadmans asked Devin to speak in church - something that left an indelible impact on him. “I hadn’t experienced death in a tangible way prior to that, so when we went to the funeral and I had to speak, I remember I hadn’t anticipated they were gonna bring the body out, and I just panicked,” he says. “I couldn’t cope with it, and I wasn’t alone in that, either. It was a real heavy time for a lot of people, because it was our first experience with that sort of thing, and it was senseless. It affected my teen years profoundly.” Jesse’s parents became involved in youth work and politics, and Devin is moved to learn that his mum, Dona Cadman, has publicly spoken alongside the mother of her son’s killer. “It’s a testament to the parts of the human condition that are worth fighting for,” he says."

I've been a Devin fan for going on 20 years and have NEVER listened to Funeral until now... just crept by me all these years.... holy crap.... firsttime i've cried in a year.

Not sure if anyone's mentioned this yet, but he did a solo livestream of Ocean Machine that you ABSOLUTELY need to check out. These three tunes in particular are absolutely wrenching.

Thanks for doing this. My favorite. I did get to see him in a small venue, just before lockdown. Absolutely amazing. Best show I've ever seen. Stripped down and beautiful. He did a rooftop quarantine concert of Ocean Machine. My wife was going through cancer surgeries at the time. I threw out a line and asked him to say hi to raise her spirits. He dedicated the whole show to her.

Came back to this little corner of the internet to report on seeing this exact trilogy of songs at the same venue on 17th April 2022. I cried my fucking eyes out Doug :)

I will never in all my life tire of these 3 songs together, especially in this live set.

Devin is legendary. I have every album he's ever done aswell as Strapping Young Lad too.

You need to see this guy live. Seen him at least half a dozen times or so. Every gig is different in songs, tone etc, but every one without fail is an experience you don't forget. Best artist I've ever seen live. Met him too and he is a wonderful guy, which makes the music even better.

The amazing thing is that Devin absolutely wailed for two whole hours prior to Funeral and still haz ample gas in the tank. Absolutely amazing!

"The vocal delivery is something only he can do" is pretty much what I'll take from this. Really really enjoyed this reaction.

I’ve seen him many times and the feelings I’ve experienced at his shows are unmatched. I highly recommend everyone go see him and feel it for yourself.

These three songs always bring tears to my eyes. Devin Townsend is amazing, hands down my favorite musician.

Devin's performance of The Death of Music at the Ancient Amphitheater in Plovdiv was incredible. An orchestra was also included too! Actually Doug, there's an Extended Play for you as he played the entire Ocean Machine album there...

I've been with Devin since 98 and it's surprisingly emotional to hear other people discover him for the first time and find out what us OG fans have known for decades. Especially guys like Doug who CLEARLY understand music and composition. Welcome to the best fandom in the world Doug!

Thank you for introducing my husband and me to new music. Following your analysis, we watched Devin Townsend's ethereal acoustic version of Funeral on CBC Music. His angelic, melodic voice blew us away! Thanks also for introducing us to a new word - eargasm. Lol! This album is a must for the collection.

You should check out Devin’s podcasts Doug. The 1st one is about Ocean Machine and where his head was at when he wrote the album. Personally I find that Devin’s Music can be categorised or explained in one of two ways Euphorically Brutal Or Brutally Euphoric They both fit!

I love people reacting to and sharing Devins music. He performed the entirety of the Ocean Machine album in Plovdiv in 2017, I highly recommend you check out that performance Doug.

Great reaction Doug! I totally agree with the "eargasm" . Thanks!!🙏👍🙂

I would LOVE to see his Casualties of Cool Dunlop session here 🖤

Awesome reaction. You could say a thousand words about this, and it wouldn't explain it enough. I love how he gave himself damn goosebumps while singing Death of Music. Profound doesn't come close.

"Death of Music" literally gives me the shivers and goosebumps. This might be the ONLY song that I have EVER heard in my ENTIRE life.....that punches me in the face THIS hard. Oh man,....jeez, wow! Words cannot describe. It's soooooo painful AND sooooooo beautiful at the exact same time. How did he take two extremes and merge them perfectly like this?

I don’t have perfect pitch like you do, but I do have synesthesia. And his music is just a huge burst of colors. The sound is so full, and colorful.

The acoustic version of Funeral he does at cbc music is so haunting. His use of delay and reverb is just masterful. I really recommend you check that out. Had the pleasure of see him play that in his acoustic show. That was a magical night.

Met him a few times and he's a gentle soul.. I talk to Ryan (his drummer at the time) and he's a good egg as well.

The bass player is awesome and he's wearing an Iron Maiden shirt which makes him doubly awesome.

1 year late to this video, but I have to say: welcome to the fandom. I've been binging Doug's content, and I'm still to find a music where he gets flabbergasted to the point where he loses his train of thought like he did here in Bastard. (16:55 for those interested.) If that isn't the most legit "welcome to Devin Townsend" moment I've ever seen, an absolute expert in music and composition just stopping dead in his tracks and saying "well, that's an eargasm", I don't know what is. Just about everyone that hears Devin has it, and usually gets hooked for life.

What an incredible review and analysis Doug to an amazing artist and song. Out of this world.

One little observation: when Doug first reacted to Devin he didn't seem to like the screaming parts that much. In this reaction he seems to be cheering when they happen, put a big smile on my face.

My absolute favorite from Scotland: The Laphroaig 10 is a perfect match to the intensity and the complexity of Devin's music. Cheers Doug!

The Devin Townsend Divine Trio of live songs. Awesome 👌

I'm more than sure he'd be up for an online interview on your channel if you tried asking him. Interesting and deep guy. Seen him live a few times and he really knows how to work an audience. Definitely not your typical metal guy.

YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!! Thank you Doug!!!! Have a great weekend!

This album, and these songs in particular were the first time I'd ever really been emotionally moved by music. To this day some of my favourite songs.

I think Devin is one of the rare people that can see music, rather than just hearing it. He definitely processes it on a different level than the rest of us. I've never run across someone else who can have so many layers and such a massive soundscape and not get lost in it.. Maybe it's just his way of drowning out his demons, but whatever it is, it's amazing and touches us all in a positive way

Doug has come a very long way from Episode 71 to Episode 305 when it comes to Devin's voice. Maybe it's the headphones.....Or maybe we converted him.

Devin uses an Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) for most of his songs, for what it's worth. It's the same tuning Jimmy Page used on the song Friends. Anyway, this is good stuff. I haven't heard all of these, so it was fun hearing them for the first time with your input.

Rewatching this one Doug. I watched the concert video another time in the past week and now watching on yours. I remarked on that one guy in the audience when I was watching just the concert version and laughed because of his deer in the headlights look. And then rewatching yours you remarked on it too! Lol 😆

Devin plays for the most part using an open C tuning. What an artist and a heck of a human being. He makes me very proud to be Canadian. Thank you so much for reacting to these songs.

Hey Doug, I must say I have really enjoyed all the Devin reactions & insights you give. Devin will be at the Royal Albert Hall in April this year, can't wait. 🙂

I absolutely love the way you talk about and understand dev's music. Thank you!🙏

Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you for doing this trio of songs! Death of Music is one of those songs that just grabs my attention and never lets go. I mean, how many performances do you see where the singer gives *themselves* goosebumps? BTW, you mentioned there was only 1 song left in the set after Death of Music. That song is called Universal Flame, and is really heartwarming, since it's his kid's pick, and his young son gets to come out on stage for the performance. Link here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ob-DcobK7Ms.html

I just found him and I'm hooked. He's a genius

Good Lord. I've had a lot of artists express interest in your channel, (I'm a friendly sound technician for live concerts) - and this is my first time to see your work. This is a concert I've enjoyed many times, and I have no real education in music theory (I just wing it. If it feels right, I go with my trust in my artists onstage). Now, I really appreciate the accessibility of your observations in the musical context - the mathematics of what makes the emotional alchemy sound right - and this made me cry a little several times in the booth of my venue - as I was tuning some stuff for tomorrow's early performance. This is valuable stuff. Keep expressing and sharing the things you see. I am so grateful to have more understanding of the music that I take a personal kinship towards - as I am a little eccentric among my peers, and I love that. But this was really neat. I met Corb Lund in a Devin Townsend shirt - because Canada, and we connected on a different level. Those that know of Devin, and his excellence or beauty as a person and an artist really don't need to explain much to one another. This was a unique joy. Thank you, Thank you - to any artist that directed me to your work (the Daily Doug) and especially to yourself. Thanks for making it accessible, and entertaining, but to moreover give more depth than a birdbath when it comes to the content we're focusing on. If you're ever in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, please try to find Hank's Texas Grill. It's more "Red Dirt Country", but you've got ME as the primary production technician - we've got fantastic food, and a killer staff, free parking and I'm responsible for your sensory experience. I don't know of any other venue that is about to have Earthworks microphones, Neve DI's and just the most tasteful, fucking badass approach to ending mediocrity in the whole region. I often feel bad for touring techs for their "feeling used to" junk. I'm a prog rock guy at heart with a Jazz background and a heavy metal heart. Which means less compression, more passion. Holla Atcha Boy. You moved me, and made me feel something with FAMILIAR MATERIAL. That's pretty remarkable.

Yes! Devin Townsend. I was at this concert and it was the best concert I've ever been to (tied with a few others). I love his authentic, total musicality

Wish I could give more than one thumbs up! Devin AND Laphroaig! Dude! Pro tip on the whisky appreciation: Get yourself a Glencairn glass for the good stuff - you'll thank me later!

Was fortunate enough to see Devin perform the entire Ocean Machine album at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2017 and getting to see him at the Royal Albert Hall this April!!

I get chills and goosebumps every single time from that performance at the end of the death of music. So freaking powerful!

I’d like to see Doug react to “Spirits Will Collide” also by Devin Townsend. Such a powerful song-gives me goosebumps every time I hear it

Your lyrical analyses are on point! Very interesting. For songs that I've known for so long, but never really dove into the lyrical content.

Best half hour of music ever made.

I SIMP for Lydian so much.....great breakdown Doug muhahaha

Yes, you definitely need to experience Devin live. Not only is he an amazing composer/musician and singer, he's also hilarious and ridiculously charismatic on stage, and his shows just have a wonderfully joyful vibe. I've never been at a concert with more smiling faces in the crowd. And yes, the Ocean Machine album, for me is Devin's masterpiece. He's written a lot of wonderful music, and also some self-indulgent stuff I have to say, but where Strapping Young Lad's City album is his most intense 'angry young man' record, Ocean Machine is his most intensely emotional release. And Synchestra rounds out the top 3 for me, fyi, which might be his most joyful album - I think that record marks his final transformation away from that angry young metalhead and into some kind of prog buddhist 😁

I've loved Devin Townsend for 20 years now, and I am so glad he has recently got the recognition that I hoped he would achieve.

Devin, fantastic musician, singer, etc.... Thank you :)

I think I figured out Doug. He's the person you want to see when you try showing your friends or family some really cool music.

This why I LOVE channels like this. I have never heard of this guy or this group. Wow, I don't even know how to describe this, what a vocalist

That's powerful music, hits you like a train, will defently listen more to Devin, great reaction 😍

I immediately get chills when Devin sings. (Ha, U2)

I love Doug's reactions. Pretty shure this one will be no exception..Devin is an absolute favourite 👍👍🙂

It would be interesting to see Doug's reaction to the next, and final, song of this concert. I've always loved the fact that Devin followed up this trio of songs with the most hopeful, raucously joyful piece of music that he's ever recorded: "Universal Flame". I call it "secular praise music".

GAWD!....WOW,...I mean HOLY WOW! This is soooo unique and beautiful. EPIC!

Great Video Doug, as usual. You should try to talk to Devin, He used to talk with youtubers and people, looks like a nice man to talk with, I would try if I were you! and will watch the show too! =) please try!!

Oh man! Long awaited !!! Man this is gonna be 🔥

thanks for doing these songs! :D

Would love to see you dive into some Leprous. Progressive rock band from Norway. Unbelievable vocalist and outstanding drummer. One of the more underrated bands out there that has their own distinct sound. You can pick any album/song and get a different experience. The Congregation and Pitfalls seem to be the more popular albums (the former being my favorite) and their newest album Aphelion is pretty unique. Give them a shot you might enjoy them!

I was at this gig, it was an incredible sound to listen to. Everyone let Devin's voice carry across the Royal Albert Hall. Just for context he did the entire Ziltoid 2 album and another round of songs before this trio, as it finished the second part of the gig.

When Ocean Machine: BioMech was released, I was blown away. The whole album is layers upon layers of music to the extent that you feel completely satiated by it.

Wall of SOUND 2.0 and i LOVE it! Cheers!

The Absolute best singer of my time!

This has a 100% success rate of flooring the shit out of me.

Saw DT a couple of nights ago. Powerful stuff

As a musician/artist it's hard to believe we have a Devin Townsend. It'll be another life time or more till we get another Devin. His knowledge and musical abilities are on another planet. Also Doug thanks for doing this and expanding it with more of your knowledge

laphroaig and devin - happy friday ✌

Thank you for introduced me to this "masterpiece" just wow.

Thanks for introducing The Devin Townsend Project to me mon ami!! Vocals are boss. I hope Jim Morrison can hear this.

Great choice! 😁🤘

I forgot there was a vibraslap in the Death of Music. you don't hear those too often outside of snake documentaries and westerns lol

I love it when Dev goes Lydian. chordgasms everywhere.

Devin uses Open tunings on his guitars, mainly Open 'C' tuning. Also he doesn't really write or compose with notes as in by their note names but he see's/feels notes based on a colour. There are plenty of interviews online with him, guitar clinics etc & he explains it far better than I could haha. I recommend searching for interviews with him as it's very interesting. Also the Plovdiv version of "The Death of Music" is superior vocally as the Albert Hall version he was just getting over an illness & he himself states that his performance suffered a little bit. Even his off days are better than a lot of musicians so called good days.

Devin does a beautiful fully acoustic version of 'Funeral'. I think you'd appreciate that version as much.

lyrics in bastard are a reference to a walk home he had after a mushroom trip in the city

If there’s any one vocalist I wish I could sing like, it’s Devin. He’s a phenomenal singer, with so much control.

A lot of people talk about the "Devin wall of sound" but I think it's closer to a wall of emotion, because I feel it more than I hear it.

Devin Towsend is a great artista, great!

You are IN for a treat!!!!!

See you all on feb 5th for Devin's livestream!

Devin and Dream Theater on tour in Europe!!! Must See Shows

My favorite section of maybe my favorite album of all time. Truly amazing

Two great thing on one video. Laphroaig and Devin 👍👍👍

I'll never forget (most og) what devin said the last time i saw him live at the electric factory with gojira and some others. He said..."Suck a turd into a point, freeze it," (here is where my memory fails me. Perhaps the shock of hearing the absurdity of the first statement.) then he said either "and kill yourself with it" or "stab yourself with it and die". Something along those lines. What a singular human being.

Powerful three songs of music and this live performance is brilliant. Really glad you did all three together. Bastard and Death of Music especially always hit hard.

this concert was 3 hours btw. he was his own support act.

Devon Townsend does an incredible (and creative) cover of Judas Priest's 'The Sinner' .. and he hits all the notes! I had never heard of him before hearing that .. I was blown away .. and it brought me here today .. cheers! : )

Well done Doug, you've introduced me to yet another amazing artist! I will look out for more stuff from this lad.