ZILTOID THE OMNISCIENT

I started listening to Devin Townsend about 5 months ago, and boy was I missing out!

Ziltoid the Omniscient is a concept album about an alien named Ziltoid who wants to travel to earth in order to find 'Their ultimate cup of coffee'. They then give him a cup of coffee, but he declares it as foul-tasting. So he gives the order to attack earth.

What a concept, I never thought I would see such a comedic concept coming from a progressive metal artist. Even though the story is sure to bring some laughter, it isn't just the story that makes this a masterpiece.

The music ranges from many different styles, from progressive metal, to ambient, to power metal, to space rock influences, to even death metal. With the short intro 'ZTO', the combination of death screams and operatic vocals fits very well. 'By Your Command', one of my favorites, has more combinations of death metal vocals and clean vocals with the drums pounding throughout. Surprisingly the more space-infused passages contrast very well with the powerful riffing and angry vocals. The bridge has great powerful riffing and space-infused keyboards. The end of the song is a among one of the best headbanger moments I've ever heard. It then flows smoothly into the song 'Ziltoidia Attaxx!' which shows Townsend using mostly death screams. Probably my favorite song is 'Hyperdrive', where Townsend shows his powerful soft vocals. The way his vocals flow perfectly with the driving guitar riffs. The thrash-death track 'Planet Smasher' is another song that stands out.

One thing that really amazes me, is that he plays every instrument himself. That is quite an amazing feat with such a complex album.

Overall, this album should appeal to most metalheads. If you don't enjoy a sense of humor when you're listening to music, it may not be for you but I still find this an essential album for many a metal collection. Certainly one of my favorite progressive metal albums of all time.

(Originally written for www.MetalMusicArchives.com 5 months ago.)

Share this DEVIN TOWNSEND review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Pastmaster
• Report this review (#1354917)
• Buy DEVIN TOWNSEND music online with PA partners
• Show all DEVIN TOWNSEND MP3/Stream
• Go to DEVIN TOWNSEND page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Ziltoid The Omniscient page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DEVIN TOWNSEND related discussions