You know what, I was listening to this while driving today and was thinking "this sounds like it could be in a movie" so the fact there is a movie coming out doesn't surprise me that much.
I got the double CD and he's right. Even in a day and age where you can essentially do everything digitally, it's a pleasure to own a quality product as well as take it around on your MP3 player.
Synwolf I’ve started buying cds back in 2010 when I was 15 and never looked back. And I started buying vinyl back in 2014 when one of my friends played ozzy Osborne’s bark at the moon album on vinyl, I’ve heard it millions of times at that point but hearing it on vinyl was a more enjoyable experience for me. Vinyl reigns over CD for me, but I take advantage of all that’s available, I have all these physical copies but I still subscribe to Spotify for listening to music in the car, everything serves its purpose, it’s great
I still actively buy CDs, vinyl, and cassettes. Ive been doing so since the late 90s and have always valued supporting the artists I listen to with an actual product. I occasionally buy digital albums on bandcamp, and it definitely takes away from the experience. I also use Spotify on the go and to sample new stuff, because lets face it, you don't always own everything you want to listen to.
metallitron9000 cassettes are the only thing I haven’t been able to get into that much, as a kid they were huge for me being able to record a CD onto a cassette so I can torture my parents with Barney tunes 😂😂 how times have changed
I 100% agree with Devin on why it's worth to have the physical copy even nowadays - especially of this album. I also like the philosophy of the main cover and the artwork beneath it....genius.
I just appreciate the fact the album isn't brickwalled to death in order to be as perceptually "loud" as possible. Someone had to call a time out from the loudness war eventually.
I love physical product and even though I rip the disc straight to my PC and then upload to my phone for the majority of my listening, I will continue to buy CDs for as long as I am able.
I was disappointed when I got my new car that it doesn't have a CD player. I will buy CDs until the industry decides they are dead. Love physical product
Yep, but I use CDs as the master archive. I rip them lossless and don't play them, so I don't have to worry about CDs wearing out (data corruption/loss can then be reconciled by re-ripping the CD). Same with the vinyl I copy to cassette.
Same here, man: I love to hand the booklet, read the lyrics and "final words/thanks" section while listening, particularly at first one, even though afterwards I rip the tracks to mobile for quick listening outside, in bed etc.
There’s always so much care put into Devins albums, you never just get a plastic sleeve with a simple inlay. Empath is no exception, loving the art and the message in the booklet. Really makes buying the physical copy a must, plus it means a bigger cut of the revenue to Dev than with digital stores.
I have the two disc version 💗 I would love to have a big poster (a wall painting would even be better :)) of what you initially wanted to make the album cover! I absolutely love it and Ziltoid's there too :) xxxx
It's very obvious now why Dev did what he did by disbanding the Devin Townsend Project. He seems like he is in a much better place mentally even though the extensive work he put into Empath was a lot of weight on him. To see him so proud of what he accomplished and to know all the hard work he put into it makes me love this album even more. I loved when he said if he didn't make this album it'd be a slap in the face to those who aren't able to do what he is doing. What a humble human being. We need more people like Devin Townsend. Not just in the music world but the world in general. Thank you again, Dev! Cheers!
Even know i agree what you saying, I still think he could of made the same music on the album with the devin townsend project. Before I knew the band disbanded I thought this was a Devin Townsend project. I saw them in concert and the music sounds like it could have been made by them
It's so great to see artists such as Devin who view physical albums as STATEMENTS, the way musicians ( and artists in total ) used to view their work when vinyl/tapes and early CDs were popular. I STILL buy physical CDs because I NEED that experience, as a listener, where I'm surrounded by art/photos/text along with the music.
This is one of the greatest albums ever created. I've been listening non-stop since launch and I like it more every time. Devin outdid himself, fucking masterpiece.
"The whole idea of the lotus and all that was an important part of the process for me . . . this idea of opening yourself up emotionally to the experience of life and pain and love and joy and sadness and anger and all these things requires a type of vulnerability, I think, that requires the ability and the desire to be open."
I fucking love you so much Dev, thanks for bringing more colour to our lives. Restock the merch and discs cause this boy boutta drop some cash at ye! Also, I cannot wait for the movie!
This album is so huge, it pushes the music as art so forward that now there's a line between what happened "before Empath" and what's gonna be "after Empath". It's art in its purest form: it whispers to your inner self and screams at it at the same time. I found myself laughing, crying, having goosebumps, feeling a rainbow of emotions while listening to the whole album, it's just insane! Holy shit, I'd buy the vinlyl, too... and I don't even have a record player!!!
So proud of you dear sir. Enjoying Empath so much. Loving Borderlands and Spirits Will Collide... and Evermore is in my head when I wake up. Love and be loved Devin. :)
I bought Empath digitally on Google Play. I bought it again when I realized I didn't get the deluxe version the first time. I still want to buy it again.
Wait, what, a movie? 🙀. I'm always told I'm old fashioned because I buy physical copy . I just love the art work on albums and it fascinates me to read about who helped and participated to make wonderful music, and this is phenomenal artwork 💝💝💝💝
Damn Devy, that was Hevy. Love and be loved! Such a great message. So simple and yet very deep when thought upon. What it takes to change yourself man, boy :)
those were the times. Putting your newly bought record to the player and press play. Dim lights and warm drink. Sneaking in the covers with the booklet and reading lyrics as you listen on. Magical.
Touched in my soul by your face and attitude unpacking that wonderful album. I can imagine your feelings at that point of the creative process. Devin, thanks, and after listening the album completely so many times, the "thanks" word has even deeper meanings. Thanks for the effort, the creativity, the music. "Empath" hit me in the right time. Tocado en mi alma por tu rostro y actitud desempacando ese disco maravilloso. Puedo imaginar tus sentimientos en ese momento del proceso creativo. Devin, gracias, y luego de escuchar el disco por completo en tantas ocasiones, la palabra "gracias" posee aún significados más profundos. Gracias por el esfuerzo, la creatividad, la música. "Empath" me pegó en el momento justo.
my 2cd version came in monday and i have to say devy, its probably nicest album art i have ever seen in my life, its so beautiful to look at, its just like your music but for my eyes, i love it, thank you for everything devin, we love you
Thank you for giving us the gift of your genius, Devin! Your music has helped me (and so many others) through the trials thrown at us by life. There are moments I'm not sure I could have managed (with much grace), had it not been for your music.
one of the best cds i have purchased. Incredibly impressed with the CD deluxe version, by far your best work Devin, thank you and all the people involved for creating such amazing music
Dev. The packaging is amazing. The product is amazing BUT... You are an incredible person. And that comes across more than anything. Keep crushing it man. We love your music and we love you
I've listened to the album numerous times already. I'm going through some dramatic life issues and am in Recovery so this album is exactly what I need at this point. Eventually I will obtain a physical copy just not able to under current circumstances unfortunately. It's an amazing album, you can feel the sincerity and truth portrayed within. Also the 2nd disc is full of many gems so no one neglect listening to it just because its disc 2. They are all disc 1 material. Best wishes to Dev and crew and hope you can find peace amongst the chaos. Love and be loved.
I had my doubts about this album, I was really hoping for a bunch of 'songs' as opposed to a story. Turns out he accomplished both. A friggin amazing record, I'm super impressed and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy. Thanks for being awesome Dev
Thx for mastering the vinyl as well as you did. I have a great vinylplayer and appreciate this. I am very into all you work have been listening since ocean machine.
I haven't purchased a CD in years, preferring to stream through Spotify. After seeing how much effort you put into it and how much more it supports the artist, I'm now the proud owner of the deluxe edition. It's an amazing album from the cd cover to the last track! So thankyou Dev for this amazing magnum opus!
I'm a graphic designer and a very sensory person so packaging is everything to me and this is awesome especially listening to the album about 50 times since it came out I really haven't listened to anything else since it came out, and I'm just realizing all of this.
Ended up being so glad that I took the chance on this album and preordered it. On release day I had such an amazing time just poring over the lyrics booklet and the art while I made my way through the listening experience, it was so fucking good. It reminded me how great it is to have a physical copy! It would have been nowhere near as great if I just listened on spotify, I am proud to own that sweet sweet deluxe edition CD
I feel physical product is important for the sake of art and for those like me that have an old car that doesn't have an aux jack and still uses a 6 CD changer. Plus, physical merchandise profits more for the artists than Spotify does. And I like to give that profit and show my support for artists I love, like you.
