Ziltoid the Omniscient

Ziltoid the Omniscient is a concept record on which Devin Townsend, using layered guitar, thick choruses and quirky narration, builds a cosmic-scale story. Made almost entirely by one person, it holds precise production and genuine melody beneath its joking premise. Around an outlandish tale starring Ziltoid, tyrant of the universe, from the grandeur of “By Your Command” and the aggression of “Ziltoidia Attaxx!!!” to the lyricism of “Solar Winds” and the humor of “Planet Smasher,” the songs fear no excess and place laughter and emotion on the same screen. Sci-fi narration and heavy metal join with surprising naturalness. The interest of the record lies precisely in how an absurdly grandiose premise is earnestly crafted with sure musical skill. It is a record on which humor and grandeur, playfulness and precision coexist at a high level. Showing Devin Townsend’s one-of-a-kind imagination most vividly, it is an unforgettable concept album.