Transcendence

Transcendence lets Devin Townsend move freely between massive guitar sound, layered choirs and quieter emotional expression. Some moments feel like a wall of sound, while others hold attention through little more than voice and space. The ideas cross genres, but the album does not become scattered. Strong melody, individual humor and human warmth keep the material connected. It has overwhelming scale, yet leaves behind an unexpected sense of closeness. A very good way to step deeply into Townsend’s world. This expanded liner entry preserves the album-specific perspective already present in the database, then gives more room to the flow of texture, dynamics, sequencing and emotional release across the complete record.