Devin Townsend "Why?" REACTION & ANALYSIS by Vocal Coach/Opera Singer 

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The top comment on the music video for this song: "Devin Townsend is my favourite Disney princess."

Fun fact, Devin handles being on stage by not being able to handle it. He's said many times that he is really bad at the stage thing so to compensate for his fears he pushes it overboard and you get this exaggeration of his personality that we all have come to love.

Most people: Hero or villain Devin Townsend: Pure chaotic neutral

Devin is epicness in human form, may he live forever and a day.

Devin talked about what this song means. It sounds Disney, but it has nothing to do with Disney. He said he really loved Broadway/ Theater music, but was always afraid to really enjoy it. So this song is him doing a style/ genre he's always wanted to do, and being unapologetic about it. "Why run away?" why run away from the art you want to make? "When you can walk away?" when you can do it and walk away. He explains all of his Empath songs via Inside Out's youtube channel. I've been a fan of his for years, and this is my favorite album yet. Mostly due to the journey through mental health issues. Borderlands is my favorite.

About the thing he said "You guys have to do this, I don't wanna do it...in the privacy of your homes do this dissonant line" there is a really long (like ten seconds) tenor note he holds on the record plus the choir does some insane dissonant rise. This live stream was really early for him (pre-noon I believe) so his voice was not there to pull it off live/on camera. He even comments on it, iirc, on the last or the second to last song of the concert (oh, now my voice decides to work).

Just a note to say that all the Quarantine shows were done to raise money for health charities (hospitals in Canada and US and the NHS in the UK). He is an incredibly nice guy and it shows in all he does. The new album (from which this comes) is quite heavy as it is to mainly do with mental health issues, rising above things, or coming to terms with situations that are hard to control especially mentally. It is truly a work of art. He has a tremendous ability to entertain, for instance the first time he played Bloodstock Metal Fest (18,000 people attend) his equipment didn't turn up. Other bands assisted by lending gear for him to perform. Just as he went on the computer with all the effects decided to crash/break down. So in front of a festival audience (so not only what were his fans but people who wanted to check him out) he entertained for between 10 to 15 minutes doing stand up with just an acoustic guitar. No one walked away and he went down an absolute storm. He was asked back the following year because of him not being able to do his first set properly. He and his gear were there the night before he was due to play😁. He tore the place apart! Fantastic reaction and I love and respect how you are trying to help other artists by promoting on this occasion Devin's show coming up. You are a star!

"How much expression does this guy have in him?!" (11:30). Girl, you are WAY up there yourself. Watching you is a joy. Watching you watch Devin is almost too much joy!

This was all live during one of his quarantine concerts. It's not that he decided to leave his mistakes in by choice, it was all recorded live. He deals with it really well, though. There were a couple times in the first songs of the show where he hits a couple bum notes and screams "FUCK!!!" before going back to it. He's a funny guy. It's also worth noting although he lost a lot through his tours being cancelled, these quarantine shows were fundraisers for frontline workers. He's an absolute legend, in my eyes.

I didn't see anyone mention it, but the album this is off of, Empath, is essentially a winding concept album exploring his own mental health and his ability to cope with it and love himself, and by extension an effort to help others do the same (some friends call it "self-help metal"). It's a WILD RIDE of an album, probably the most progressive thing I've ever heard in music (and prog is my bread and butter genre), and genuinely just a delightful romp through some good-natured madness. I highly recommend you check the whole album out sometime.

Ok, hands down your best thumbnail ever!

Devin Townsend is the only person that makes you cry from the beauty of his music, and laugh in 3-5 seconds after with his expressions.

So keep in mind he was super nervous for these quarantine concerts because he was live for one thing, but he just doesn't like performing in an empty room with people watching (odd I know.) He only growls a couple times in this, but there couldn't be a Devin reaction video without a plug for The Death of Music, Live at the Royal Albert Hall. Just, everything about that show, but that song especially. Such good, genuine reactions, I hope there isn't a big break until the next Devin video! Here's the link for The Death of Music. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AnDfqYlSzNs.html

Fun Fact: Devin actually wrote a Country record with Che Aimee Dorval called "Casualties of Cool." And by "country" I mean the classic, jukebox country of decades past. He blends it with folk and ambient elements, and the end result sounds vaguely like haunted country songs, and it is SO damn cool. Should definitely give it a listen.

This was a livestream, so what you saw is exactly how it unfolded... yes, he rigged up a game controller to control his cameras... and in another stream he had a camera mounted on an oscillating fan and in another had one rigged to a mixer I think....

I'm pretty sure this song is about anxiety and finding yourself in uncomfortable situations, the why run away out of fear, contested with when we can just walk away is a comparison between giving into fear and anxiety and running away from the things that scare you, as opposed to taking it slow, and walking away, not out of fear, but because you don't want to be in a situation. It's the difference between feeling like you can't deal with something, and simply choosing that you don't want to be in that situation out of choice. This whole album is so insightful and genuine about the struggles of mental health.

Running away implies you are too weak to handle the situation so you run. Walking away implies you were strong enough to know that you need to get out. It’s a pretty brilliant line.

"How much expression does this guy have in him?" All of it. Everything.

I have a feeling that his Ziltoid concert at Royal Albert Hall would be one of your favorite things ever. Imagine "The Dark Crystal" mixed with heavy metal music and a comedy show. If you just do one song from it, probably would go with "March of the Poozers".

Devin is the ultimate performer, entertainer and artist. Rock opera at its finest.

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If you have a chance, check out his entire quarantine videos. He performs stuff from throughout his career and does it unbelievably well. His range, not just vocally but musically, is quite possibly the broadest of any musician ever. He's a world treasure.

This is probably my favorite Devy song to belt out at the top of my lungs in the car when no one else can hear me. It's just plain fun.

Please please please react to Devin performing Death of Music live at Royal Albert!!! it's such an amazing atmospheric song!!

You must hear Devin's "Death of Music". Incredibly EPIC vocals

the part he said "you guys gotta do this" is a difficult part to sing and during this stream he kept saying how nervous he was. You can hear at the start of this song when he's trying to be delicate with his voice but it's not quite there (for his standards). This was early in the morning for him when he streamed this live

Seeing someone else turn into a giddy fangirl is nice, we need more Dev Heads out here!

The octopus is from his official video for the track "Genesis."

Devin Townshend, the Class-Clown-who-is-also-super-talented of Metal

Devin is my favourite artist. There is truly nobody like him. He is so incredibly talented, versatile, deep, and creative. You never know what he's gonna come up with next. He doesn't just metal scream, he HITS NOTES with metal screams! It's true metal opera. I highly recommend the podcast he's been doing, which you can easily find on his official channel. Each episode is about an album he's done, going in chronological order. It's really fascinating for any musician or anyone interested in the experiences and creative processes behind great music. If you listen to it in order, you get a wonderfully immersive feel for his whole journey as an artist, which started back in the 90s. As you can clearly tell, he has a great sense of humour about everything, which applies to both his positive and negative/difficult experiences, including the current situation. He's a master storyteller too. Honestly, I've been finding the whole thing very uplifting through this time of hardship. Check it out!

Let's explore all-things vocal and have fun at the same time, join my Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecharismaticvoice and my Vocal Foundations Course - DEMYSTIFYING SINGING (my intensive 7-week course) is now open for registration! Class sizes are small to guarantee personal attention. Go to thecharismaticvoice.com to reserve your seat.

I watched this concert when he did it live early in the quarantine. He's awesome. Super entertaining. You should check out Deadhead and The Death of Music at Royal Albert. Both incredible songs by him that really show off his vocal prowess.

You should listen to Devin’s ‘Casualties of Cool’ Dunlop Sessions with Che! Her voice is amazing as well.

I think you would find Heilung, especially In Maidjan, super interesting

Devin is the best human of all time hands down

If you want a really emotional dive into Devin's music, I strongly recommend "Deep peace (live at Plovdiv)" It's focusing more onto Devin's amazing guitar skills. One of the most beautiful guitar solos I've ever heard and it just keeps on growing. This man needs to be protected at all costs. 💜

His other quarantine concerts he had cameras mounted on oscillating fans and something else that moved around so he had other funky camera angles. definitely knows his way around a production.

I mean there is the video of him keeping the crowd entertained for 15 minutes by talking nonsense, due to technical issues. His "entertainer" mode is fantastic.

11:22 "Ih-ah!" is another song by Devin

Do listen to the studio version so you hear how it was meant to be ... None of the live performances are the same, he has too much fun with it, rightly so though!!

You did "Why?" so how about "Love?"? It's a bit heavier. A bit. ;-)

First off, let me just say, and please don't take me the wrong way, but there's something in the way you tilt your head in bemusement that reminds me of my cat. As a matter of fact, I often watch youtube on my TV and she's just there on the couch beside me looking very curious at the screen. Which, whenever I watch one of your videos makes for a nice little bit of catception, as it were. On to some recommendations, I am very glad indeed to see you exploring sideways into Metal and dipping your toes into waters that are more or less uncharted by most reaction channels and I figured i'd contribute a teensy bit by giving you some more or less off the beaten path suggestions. Some are very well known, others are more hidden gems and/or artists going a bit out on a limb but they are all interesting, even if I'm sure I won't have many upvotes to show for it. I'll make up for it by detailing what makes them unique. So, here goes: Iron Maiden- hallowed be Thy Name ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-X7_Q0RKL4Ic.html&ab_channel=J the granddaddies and the reason entire generations got turned into Metal, a band famous as much for their dueling guitar harmonies as they are for the soaring vocals. Mr Bruce Dickinson is affectionally dubbed the Human Air Raid Siren among fans and this track will show you why. And it will ground you on the roots of it all to boot. The most obvious of all my choices here. Hamferð- Evst ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-T-XPLG40vSA.html Part of the reason why I recommend this is because it's the easiest of their stuff to pronounce (they sing in Faroese), but also because this singer deserves some love. It can also give you a bit of a connection to Iron Maiden in the guitar harmonies, though the sound is ten times heavier and dirgier. And if you're interesting in exploring the harsher vocals, this gentleman is a tremendous case study. Opeth - The Harlequin Forest ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0HRett4kOpM.html The love for Iron Maiden continues and is taken in a totally new direction here, mixed with a lot of prog influences which will go to show you that sprawling, complex compositions are not something unique to Nightwish. Ne Obliviscaris- And Plague Flowers The Kaleidoscope ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rNuVdsx7qJY.html this recommendation goes off the heels of the previous one and it kicks things up a notch where musicianship is concerned. Everyone in the band could easily steal the show multiple times, but their songwriting is actually tight enough that this song is studied in universities. Newcomers to metal listening to this usually comment they had no idea the nether regions of metal could be just this... beautiful. And quite interesting from a singer standpoint, not so much because the singers are uniquely phenomenal (though they are indeed very good at their craft) but in terms of the musical texture they conjure up. dir En Grey- Magayasou , Macabre, ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qBS-PfLXp7c.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O6PwVRpa8i8.html Ok, now we get weird. This is... Prog Anime Metal with a lot of performance art and onstage psychedelia with a very expressive frontman who ahappens to boast a 5 octave range. Yeah, we'll go with that.Recommending two songs because they're very hard to pin down in just one song, they're not "acessible" and can be a bit perplexig despite some incredibly melodic hooks. Diamanda Galás- Gloomy Sunday, Si La Muerte ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2MWlgX0dDuo.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CjQsCyHzTAc.html Ok, and here's the wild pick, but I don't see anyone reacting to this phenomenal singer, and I can't fathom why. She's great technically, with her 4 octaves of range and she uses them to make music/performance art that's not quite like anything else. Very inspired by the political mismanagement of the AIDS pandemic, her music combines Blues, Gospel, Classical and Acantgarde experimentalism and is almost an activist manifesto as she strives to give vioce to sick and abandoned, fighting negligence, and religious fundamentalism with a sense of empathy that is intentionally unsettling but nonetheless moving. Whew. I ended up writing a manifesto, sorry. If I ever feel like reminding you again, better save this on wordpad. But did so because for a lot of these artists, there won't be a choir of voices asking you to check them out. But, as all music lovers sitting on well kept secrets, I believe you, and everyone else reading this definitely should. If it inspired me to wax this much lyrical, how bad can it be, eh?

If you check out his Deadhead performance from his quarantine concerts, you'll notice he added some VIBRATO to his fry scream.. I don't think anyone else on the planet does that.. definitely worth checking out!!

"He's fun and he's real" You said it all 😍

ELIZABETH : "How much expression does this guy have in his voice???" 😱 DEVIN: "Yes!" 😁

Glad you picked this! Love Devvy, he's got to be the most versatile artist out there from Strapping Young Lad through to Ghost and Casualties of Cool. Also, worth noting that during the shows he did after this one, he had a camera attached to a food mixer to add a little "motion". LOL

Devin is just amazing... I don't get why he is not that well known in general, i mean, your channel has more subs than his! (not that yours is any less awesome, love your reaction videos)

I think the quarantine concerts are pretty neat to get to know HIM better as a person but are not really his best vocal performances since he's incredibly nervous when he's alone in front of a camera, well aware that there are people out there watching him. Which makes him even more loveable :D One of my favourite performances (and songs) of his is “Death of Music - Royal Albert Hall“, haven't really seen anyone reacting to that and since you are pretty much my favourite reactor out of the whole bunch I'd be double happy if you were to check it out! Oh, also his “Love?“ performance together with his DTP band is pretty great, too ^^

It's actually a song about social anxiety. Attending a party with all your friends, but feeling awkward and also wanting to leave and the internal battle around wanting to stay, but also wanting to leave.

You just have to love him. An awesome Talent yet humble and self-deprecating. The song is basically about social awkwardness.

I still get chills hearing this version, especially at the final stanza where the drums beat like it's a Rogers and Hammerstein classic, this song is an example of structural mastery on a level that most people couldn't even dream to consider. It's as if Devy channelled the spirits of the Broadway greats, hefted in a liberal dollop of Disney and added sprinkles of his own singular yet compelling quirks and traits. The world is a brighter place thanks to Devy, and his musical journey of self-realisation is one that can help us all if we allow ourselves that level of vulnerability and determination.

I was having a really bad day..... .... then I watched your glorious reactions. Your laugh should be bottled as cure for all sadness :) Great performance made even better with reactions! Brilliant! Thank you so much for brightening my day :)

My favourite thing is that you go back a few seconds after each time you pause the video, because you recognise the importance of both yourself and the audience hearing the last part of the song again both to find our place, and to hear what you were talking about again. Love it.

This will be amazing. I expect lots of giddy laughs of confusion from the sheer madness that is this vocal performance.

He just released a live show version of the song Genesis, which is also from this amazing album "empath". It's crazy! It really shows he's insane creativity as a muso.

This was a great pick! For some awesome and more serious Devin, do 'Failure', or 'Spirits Will Collide'.

The thing he wanted us to do, was a death metal growl. In his concerts he usually asks that of his audience too. Might I add... In a black tutu.

Could you react to “death of music” from Royal Albert Hall?

Why dont ya hit him up and record some tracks?

His vocal tone and quality reminds me of Mike Geier (Puddles Pity Party).

Devin is incredible. He made a brilliant dvd/album called The Puzzle/Snuggles. Clearly a more serious project, based on the effect of the lock downs. Stunning artist. and you are awesome Elizabeth. Thanks for what you do.

The Octopus is an recurring character in Devin's World, one of the lines in a song from Empath is sung by The Elektra Women's Choir (you hear them in the background on "Why") is "....Octopus lovers are broken-hearted...."

Project Aegis - And The Rest Is Mystery features the best technical singer in metal, daniel heiman, check it out

I don't think this song has or had an affiliation with Disney. People just equate it to that. Totally could be. It has such a great video. It's all cartoony. But again, not Disney. Lol

Elizabeth, please keep reacting to Devin's songs, I discovered him through your reaction on Kingdom and I can't stop listening to him since then! Such a talent!

Omg I'm gonna keep rewatching this over and over again. I absolutely love Devin and this song is my favorite atm, and your reaction to this is just making me enthousiastic all over again. Oh man thanks so much for reacting to this this is gold for me, you're the first reactor who reacts to this specific version and I'm so amazed by it!

Ive been listening to this guy and strapping since the mud 90s hes very underrated artist

Who would dislike this video? They must be just miserable with their life

I'd love to watch your reaction on Supercrush live at London, when he plays and sings with Anekke Von Giersbergen :)

10:14 "You have to do this. I don't wanna do this." Basically telling the viewer to be the choir.

His voice is really rich and full. He sounds like he has a pretty broad range. His projection is great too. (One of the many vocal things I cannot do.) He really gets a lot of character into his performance. (It is a true "Performance").......Plus a stuffed octopus!! OK, Recommendation time. Unleash the Archers "Test Your Metal" Once Human "Gravity" The Pirates Charles "Kyl'grath'ya" Nightwish "I want my tears back"

You definitely need to review Genesis from this album. Lots of color and musical shifts. I would recommend Grace live from the Retinal Circus with Anneke van Giersbergen. Love the reviews!

AURORA - MURDER SONG (5,4,3,2,1) - The 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Concert

Loved your reaction and analysis! Looking forward for a reaction of Anneke Van Giersbergen! 🙂

That's it, I want Devin to voice a Disney character.

Great reaction! Another request for Alter Bridge: "Words Darker Than Their Wings" Live At The Royal Albert Hal! :-)

4:12 no "LET ME GO HOOOME"? Well, if he was not feeling too well, the deep growl could have been worse for his voice than "just" singing PLEASE watch the official music video, that moment is on a whole another level

React to "Tommy the Cat" by Primus. They have a great singer.

Kids would have so much more of a well rounded upbringing if all Disney Songs were done by Devin

😂😂 you're so cute Elizabeth in that thumbnail 😅 Btw I'm still waiting for your morissette reaction 😊💚

You should check out Devin singing “New York, New York” with an all-star cast of rock musicians including Billy Sheehan on bass

I first heard Devin Townsend with the CD Ziltoid, The Omniscient. It was just so out there and unique i have been a fan forever since.

im dying to see u react to this performance of "the Death of Music live at Royal Albert Hall"

Damn Devins voice gives me chills even during a dumb disney song lol

I see a lot of Death of Music requests. Yes please! If you decide to check it out, there are 2 great options on RU-vid: * Royal Albert Hall - looks great, sounds great (great mix), emotional but he was sick * Plovdiv - with the original bassist, powerful voice, really emotional, more raw, mix is drum centric. Either pick will be great although people will have different preferences. But you read it right, emotional. Very much so, you can see it in his face, his arms, everything. So no jokes and goofing around. It will be good for you to experience, so you can see he is more than just the "clown" persona you saw in your 2 reactions. Thank you!

This is much more like a Broadway play tune, it really has that feel.

Devin regularly does a song from Les Miserables. The performance is always really funny, but the vocals are imho simply breathtaking... Here's one of them: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yIxtHREiAl4.html

Hmm ... sounds intriguing :D Need to watch that. Here's another reaction I would love to see, but one that will never top you list: Bishop Briggs: Dream (live acoustic). She has such a pure voice, and quite some pipes. And I'm sure you'll love the way she moves ... feeling the music with her whole body. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9MEFzy90pmg.html And again ... love your hair ! :) Greetings from Denmark

Thank you for this video, I've never seen (& heard) Townsend before. But... but wait... isn't this guy is a happy brother of Mike Geier aka Puddles Pity Party? I totally convinced you should see some of Puddles covers (and it will be your choice only - to react or not)

How about Ih-Ah! from the Retinal Circus tour with Anneke van Giersbergen? One of the most beautiful duets, with lot of emotions and smiles :) You'll love it! :)

Funeral / Bastard / Death of Music @ Royal Albert Hall. Half an hour of mind-blowingly awesome music and singing from Devin. You need to experience it :)

The comment he made about “not wanting to do this” was the scream at 11:08. Absolutely nuts. Sounds even better on the album! Glad you enjoy Devin. He is a one of a kind talent 👍🏼

Hi I'm a bubbly sweet classical/pop voice teacher starting a react chan... Metal fans: React to Jinjer immediately and theN JOIN US

That shirt is everything. Would love to get your reactions on some Mike Patton stuff. Anyway, great channel!

I would love to see you do Lightworker probably my favorite on that album. Or Strapping Young Lad.

You should really react to Theocracy- I Am, Laying the demon to rest, or Mirror of Souls. This guy's voice is amazing and I think you'll really appreciate it!

Probably one of thousand comments but: try DEADHEAD Live at Royal Albert Hall! :D

So, regarding to heroes´s voice, try angra - heroes of sand. Its impossible to tell wether it's falsetto or head voice. André Matos, god rest his soul, had the voice of an angel. Give it a go.

I want you to listen to Ocean Machine and Strapping Young Lad at some point. They are both Devin Townsend projects that are more metal than his current projects.