# Synchestra

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Synchestra
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Synchestra.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchestra
> Source revision: 1334809414
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

***Synchestra*** (/sɪŋˈkɛstrə/ sing-KES-trə)[2] is the eighth solo album by Canadian musician [Devin Townsend](/source/Devin_Townsend), and the second and final album he recorded with The Devin Townsend Band. The album was released in January 2006 on Townsend's label, HevyDevy Records.

## Background

After releasing four solo albums under the name Devin Townsend, each with a different recording lineup, Townsend decided in 2002 to assemble a permanent band for his solo material. He formed the Devin Townsend Band, consisting of Brian Waddell on guitar, Mike Young on bass, [Ryan Van Poederooyen](/source/Ryan_Van_Poederooyen) on drums, and [Dave Young](/source/Dave_Young_(musician,_born_1982)) on keyboards. The newly formed group released their first album, *[Accelerated Evolution](/source/Accelerated_Evolution)*, in March 2003. The group recorded and toured for the album while Townsend's [extreme metal](/source/Extreme_metal) project, [Strapping Young Lad](/source/Strapping_Young_Lad), were doing the same for their third release, *[Strapping Young Lad](/source/Strapping_Young_Lad_(album))*.[3] With Chris Valagao Mina, guitarist, backing vocal.

At the end of a whirlwind year, Townsend began working on Strapping Young Lad's fourth album, *[Alien](/source/Alien_(Strapping_Young_Lad_album))*, in March 2004.[4] Feeling that *Strapping Young Lad* did not live up to expectations, Townsend decided to take the next album to a new extreme.[5] To prepare for *Alien*, Townsend stopped taking the medication prescribed to treat his [bipolar disorder](/source/Bipolar_disorder).[6] "I think that as an artist, in order for me to get to the next plateau, I kind of feel the need to explore things and sometimes that exploration leads you to places that are a little crazy," he explained. "And *Alien* was no exception with that."[7]

Shortly after the release of *Alien* in March 2005, Townsend began putting together the next Devin Townsend Band record with the working title *Human*,[8] intended as the more "pleasant" counterpart to *Alien*. The album was ultimately entitled *Synchestra*, and was "basically a record about coming back down to earth after being in space with *Alien* for a while," according to Townsend.[7]

*Synchestra* was primarily recorded and mixed by Townsend at his home studio, the Devlab. Van Poederooyen's drums were recorded at [Armoury Studios](/source/Armoury_Studios) in [Vancouver](/source/Vancouver), [BC](/source/British_Columbia). Mike Young's bass recording, and the album's final mixing, took place at Hipposonic Studios in Vancouver. The album was engineered by Shaun Thingvold, who had also worked for Strapping Young Lad and [Fear Factory](/source/Fear_Factory).[9]

## Music

Townsend showcased a wide variety of musical styles in *Synchestra*, blending his trademark "pop metal" with influences from [folk](/source/Folk_music), [polka](/source/Polka), and [Middle Eastern music](/source/Middle_Eastern_music),[10] with "a few headbanging elements" mixed in.[11] Bassist Mike Young and guitarist Brian Waddell share vocals on the bonus song "Sunshine and Happiness". Keyboardist [Dave Young](/source/Dave_Young_(musician,_born_1982)) also plays guitar on "Sunshine and Happiness" and "Sunset". "Triumph" contains a [country](/source/Country_music) breakdown based on "On the Pipe" by [Steve Morse](/source/Steve_Morse) from the album *[The Introduction](/source/The_Introduction_(album))*,[12] and also features a solo by [Steve Vai](/source/Steve_Vai), for whom Townsend performed lead vocals on the album *[Sex & Religion](/source/Sex_%26_Religion)*.

Because the album is considered a single piece, several tracks recall themes played earlier in the record; in addition, "Judgement" would later be referenced in "Polyphony" from SYL's *[The New Black](/source/The_New_Black)*.

## Release

*Synchestra* was released on January 31, 2006. The album was released on Townsend's label [HevyDevy Records](/source/HevyDevy_Records) in North America, and [InsideOut](/source/InsideOut_Music) in Europe. A two-disc special edition was released simultaneously with the standard edition. The special edition includes an in-studio live DVD titled "Safe Zone" containing eight tracks played live in the studio and some bonus features put together by the band. The special edition was released in [digipak](/source/Digipak) and [jewel-case](/source/Jewel_case) formats. A [music video](/source/Music_video) was produced for the song "Vampira".

## Reception

*Synchestra* received favorable reviews from critics. Greg Prato of *[Allmusic](/source/Allmusic)* praised the album's diversity and originality, remarking that "Townsend seems to be getting more musically daring with each subsequent release, unlike some other veteran rockers who start to play it safe as the years roll on."[11] Scott Alisoglu of *[Blabbermouth.net](/source/Blabbermouth.net)* compared the album favorably to *[Accelerated Evolution](/source/Accelerated_Evolution)*. He wrote that the album has "melodies that are bit more out front" yet is "still as progressive as they come."[13]

## Track listing

**Special edition bonus DVD**

## Personnel

**The Devin Townsend Band**

- [Devin Townsend](/source/Devin_Townsend) – [vocals](/source/Human_voice), [guitar](/source/Guitar), programming
- [Ryan Van Poederooyen](/source/Ryan_Van_Poederooyen) – [drums](/source/Drum_kit)
- Brian Waddell – [guitar](/source/Guitar), additional vocals (track 14)
- [Dave Young](/source/Dave_Young_(musician,_born_1982)) – [keyboards](/source/Electronic_keyboard), [grand piano](/source/Grand_piano), [Hammond](/source/Hammond_organ), [mandolin](/source/Mandolin), guitar (track 14), additional vocals (track 14)
- Mike Young – [bass](/source/Bass_guitar), [tuba](/source/Tuba), [stand-up bass](/source/Stand-up_bass)

**Additional musicians**

- Heather Robinson – additional vocals
- Deborah Tyzio – additional vocals (track 9)
- [Steve Vai](/source/Steve_Vai) – guitar solo (track 3)
- Chris Valagao Mina – guitar, additional vocals
- Daniel Young – [tambourine](/source/Tambourine) (track 5)
- Rocky Milino Jr. – [dobro](/source/Dobro) (3)
- Hansen Thingvold – additional vocals

**Production**

- [Devin Townsend](/source/Devin_Townsend) – production, engineering, recording, editing, mixing
- Shaun Thingvold – additional engineering
- Greg Reely – mastering
- [Dave Young](/source/Dave_Young_(musician,_born_1982)) – recording assistance
- Mike Young – recording assistance
- Jay Van Poederooyen – drum editing
- Bryan Seely – drum teching
- Ash Pearson – drum teching
- Nick Tyzio – vocal recording assistance
- Tim Steinruck – vocal recording assistance

**Artwork**

- Omer Cordell – photography
- Geoffrey Rousselot – artwork, design

## Charts

Weekly chart performance for Synchestra Chart (2006) Peak position

## References

1. ["Synchestra by The Devin Townsend Band"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/synchestra/1045644245). *iTunes*. Retrieved August 18, 2017.

1. Turner, Tracy (December 22, 2005). [Response](http://www.hevydevyforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=101272#p101272) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110711164316/http://www.hevydevyforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=101272#p101272) July 11, 2011 at the Wayback Machine, "[How does one pronounce Synchestra?](http://www.hevydevyforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4824) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110711164324/http://www.hevydevyforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4824) July 11, 2011 at the Wayback Machine" *[Hevydevy Forums](http://www.hevydevyforums.com/)*. Retrieved July 19, 2008.

1. Turner, Tracy. ["Devin Townsend Biography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080626183214/http://www.hevydevy.com/hdr_biography.html). Hevydevy Records. Archived from [the original](http://www.hevydevy.com/hdr_biography.html) on June 26, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2008.

1. ["Strapping Young Lad Re-Sign With Century Media, Begin Work On New Material"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081202060857/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=20897). *Blabbermouth.net*. March 30, 2004. Archived from [the original](http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=20897) on 2008-12-02. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

1. Smit, Jackie (March 10, 2005). "[Fury & passion in extremis](http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/chats/1-722_devin_townsend.aspx)." *[Chronicles of Chaos](/source/Chronicles_of_Chaos_(webzine))*.

1. Powell, Brett (2005). ["Interview w/ Devin Townsend of Strapping Young Lad"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061027014025/http://www.laloud.com/iv_strappingyounglad.htm). Los Angeles Loud. Archived from [the original](http://www.laloud.com/iv_strappingyounglad.htm) on October 27, 2006. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

1. Kolman, Tajs (January 27, 2006). ["Interview with Devin Townsend"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070814043536/http://www.revelationz.net/index.asp?ID=1760). RevelationZ Magazine. Archived from [the original](http://www.revelationz.net/index.asp?ID=1760) on August 14, 2007.

1. Townsend, Devin (January 7, 2005). "[New news!](http://www.hevydevyforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3039#p64865) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110711164334/http://www.hevydevyforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3039) July 11, 2011 at the Wayback Machine" *Hevydevy Forums*. Retrieved December 5, 2008.

1. ["Devin Townsend Band Drummer: New Album Is 'Absolutely Incredible'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20051231080825/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=40706). *Blabbermouth.net*. August 21, 2005. Archived from [the original](http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=40706) on December 31, 2005. Retrieved December 12, 2008.

1. Lay, David (February 8, 2006). ["The Devin Townsend Band - Synchestra"](http://www.bigcity.com/2006-02-08/music/the-devin-townsend-band/). *Cleveland Scene*. Retrieved December 12, 2008. [dead link]

1. Prato, Greg. "*Synchestra*: Review". *Allmusic*

1. Townsend, Devin (June 5, 2009). [Status](https://www.twitter.com/dvntownsend/status/2051587105) (*[Twitter](/source/Twitter)*). Retrieved June 5, 2009.

1. Alisoglu, Scott (December 19, 2005). "[The Devin Townsend Band – *Synchestra*](http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=541) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080308171523/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=541) 2008-03-08 at the Wayback Machine." *[Blabbermouth.net](/source/Blabbermouth.net)*.

## External links

- [*Synchestra*](http://devintownsend.com/hdr_info_synch.html)[dead link] (HevyDevy)
- [*Synchestra*](https://web.archive.org/web/20090103234339/http://www.insideout.de/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=443) (InsideOut)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Synchestra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchestra) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchestra?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.