Classical Composer Reacts to Deadhead (Devin Townsend) Live | The Daily Doug (Episode 416)

#devintownsend #deadhead #hevydevy
In this episode of #thedailydoug, I'm listening to Deadhead by Devin Townsend, played live at the Royal Albert Hall in 2015. As usual with Devin, his music and delivery provide a profound listening and human experience. I hope you enjoy!
Reference Video: • DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT...
Daily Doug Merch: www.bonfire.com/store/the-dai...
Catch up on my full album reactions at my Patreon!
JOIN THE NEW EXCLUSIVE DAILY DOUG COMMUNITY!
Patreon: / doughelvering
Instagram: / doug.helvering
Facebook: / helvering
Twitter: / helvering
Vimeo: vimeo.com/user146736659
The Daily Doug Directory: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

[@ehmioak1237]

You could literally just react to Devin Townsend and I'd still tune in every day.

[@JimNewstead]

Hello Doug! I can't believe I'm actually at one of your premiers! Great choice, love this track. It was even better live in person when I saw him at The Roundhouse a couple of years ago and The RAH at Easter this year. Let's go!

[@ronin_zyglrox]

Hey Jim!

[@andyfox8377]

Hey Jim

[@tanis7050]

Hey Jim

[@Doug.Helvering]

Thanks Jim! I’d love to catch him live someday.

[@relativetimeworx8459]

James, my man! Always a pleasure. Good to be overlapping with you in parallel universes!

[@alienlifeform7490]

Found Devin back in 2015, during a very difficult time. As a 63 year old Canadian, I'd never heard of him before. What an incredible talent. Of the gods.

[@sharpvamp]

The audio mix of this show is a work of genius! You can hear everything cleanly and in proportion, I could rave about it all day.

[@pedro00022]

Devin, himself. Surprising? Not at all...

[@Naamturd101]

I first saw Devin as a very young man, he walked out in scuba gear - flippers as well - and screamed until he passed out. Over and over again. More than 30 years later, give or take, it is a trip to see him gain the recognition that such a persistent, and gifted individual deserves.

[@drumotastic]

You have to check out Devin performing Deep Peace live in Plovdiv. It’s with an orchestra! An amazing song that somehow flies under the radar for a lot of people.

[@Cole-li7hq]

Honestly he could just pick any song from royal albert hall or Plovdic and have a masterpiece lol

[@shellderp]

and Higher

[@hawaii2k]

The show from Plovdiv is a masterpiece, both in performance and production.

[@andyfox8377]

@@Cole-li7hq agreed!

[@Cole-li7hq]

@@shellderp higher kicks ass

[@MidgardGamesTV]

You are so right about the “will you save me? Babe, babe, babe” how it hits you right in the chest. That part still gives me goosebumps. What a performance

[@bacicinvatteneaca]

Pretty sure it's "pain pain pain"

[@theeviljames]

I was fortunate enough to be at this concert: tied with a few others for the best I've ever experienced. I love your enthusiasm for Devin; could not agree more. You've made my evening. Thanks, Doug :)

[@EdgexofxSanity]

Fucking BEAST of a Performance. He is truly one of my favorite artists.

[@Zsuzsanna66]

I couldn't be around much here lately, there's a lot to catch up with. I saw Devin live a few weeks ago in Budapest before Dream Theater. What an experience it was! DT has been my favorite band for over 25 years, but honestly... Devin was awesome, I had goosebumps all through the one hour show. He is such a charismatic musician and performer. Thanks for this reaction, Doug!

[@violatorut2003]

You lucky bastard.

[@Zsuzsanna66]

@@violatorut2003 😁😁😁

[@mournblade1066]

I highly recommend checking out Townsend's side project, Casualties of Cool. It is, in his words, like a "haunted Johnny Cash album." This is "Forgive Me," which is absolutely outstanding: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3_PfaSsj7WZf5o

[@Denashi]

Yes! It’s a completely different mood, but no less brilliant!

[@warnerww83]

Yes!!!! It’s so good!

[@MeyerzumMischen]

Big thumbs up!

[@ditmavic]

What a voice. Like you said Doug, it's perfect for the music he's playing. I'm now going to see if I can geta recording of this concert somewhere so I can listen/watch it in full!

[@jeffnordman]

We "discovered" The Devin Townsend project during the pandemic lockdown. This music really is a wall of sound! I would LOVE to see him play live! Thank you for reacting to this video. I was just thinking this afternoon that I hadn't heard Devin in a while. Perfect timing!

[@sVieira151]

One of my favourite performances of all time. Gives me chills as soon as that major arpeggiated section transitions back. Those vocals always strike right into the heart. Can you believe he had a cold during the concert, and that this song was about an hour and a half into the set? Absolute madness.

[@jonhorrocks]

A few years prior to this he released a quartet of albums - Ki, Addicted, Deconstruction and Ghost - which are all different styles and utterly magnificent. He played them all, one album a night for four nights in a row, in London. People rarely react to those. All got published as By A Thread. Smaller venues and the camera work wasn’t as great as the RAH recording but they’re still awesome shows. If you get a chance to watch/listen to those you’ll be a very happy Doug. And then there is the Plovdiv concert with a live orchestra as others have said. Enjoy the ride!

[@rxhx]

and Retinal Circus! my favorite

[@magusmelanie828]

Anneke was amazing in the Addicted show, the Deconstruction show was unhinged, in the most Devin of ways, but I was always stuck on Ki - I love the acoustic-metal-progression on that one

[@RyTrapp0]

@@magusmelanie828 How good is 'Disruptr'? Damn I love that song - and that album! SO good, I'm gonna have to go back and give it a play through(maybe all 4), it's been a while.

[@magusmelanie828]

@@RyTrapp0 lol - I just did Deconstruction yesterday, I should also tuck back into Ki, Disruptr and Heaven Send, Trainfire... great album!

[@Thorrison]

I really think this is one of the greatest songs ever written. It's just so perfect.

[@BrandonBlume]

Been waiting for this one. So interesting to see where you've come from your first reactions to now. I remember your earlier reaction to fried vocals/screams :). Happy to hear you've developed an appreciation!

[@mikek7660]

Love seeing others enjoy Devin's music, and I have to say, I'm so happy to see someone else who really examines the layers to his lyrics. You got yourself a subscriber my friend.

[@Rosannasfriend]

I used to watch you over a year ago back when you didn’t have a taste for screams, it is so adorable seeing you now appreciating them so much, lol. That is awesome! He has such an all-around, versatile voice that he can do anything with.

[@jawmedia7575]

just discovered you with this video. Excellent Well Done Video my friend!

[@nickfoster9350]

Devon is a local guy, here in the Vancouver area. I used to run into him periodically in the gym, and we'd sit and chat music and instruments. It was pretty cool. Be sure to check out his old band "Strapping Young Lad." Pretty chaotic stuff.

[@tubelious]

more layered and complex than chaotic. But definitely not background music. :D

[@joserenatooliveira6368]

Doug, the first part of this concert is the full Ziltoid saga wich is part of the Z2 album and is simply genius, full of 80s science fiction references, all wraped in great musicianship. Its surely worth it a Friday Masterpiece!

[@lparksession]

He should definitely do an Extended Play Lounge on Ziltoid

[@discostoo]

I love how as I'm progressing in my relatively basic musical knowledge from watching your videos, you too are progressing and taking on knowledge in your own journey through alternative music styles.

[@EclipseandtheWitch]

Love that you covered Devin and his lyrics, too! He is superhuman when using his voice, playing guitar and music composition - and he doesn't shy away from showing vulnerability, especially with this song. Really enjoyed his quarantine concerts that he did during the first year of the pandemic.

[@justsomedude7556]

This guys music is fantastic and is such a span of range. Absolutely love his stuff.

[@Sumaleth]

Devin's whole Retinal Circus live show is killer too.

[@profoundsinger]

Devins vocals on this song, still after listening to it for hundreds of times, gives me chills….thanks Doug! Totally dig your channel!

[@edinguitar]

Thanks Doug for this. I love Devin and his works, such a nice guy, Deadhead is my fav especially this live version.

[@brunocarvalho9204]

His early works with Steve Vai, on the album "Sex & Religion", deserves a special attention. I absolutely recommend it!

[@UrbanSkyProject]

Love it that you reacted to this

[@donaldglaser7686]

I stopped in NYC on my way back from Munich and saw Dev open for Opeth at a venue in Jersey. What a night!

[@MattBFreq3]

Love this track of his...this is an awesome live performance! MARCH OF THE POOZERS from this concert is amazing too! I'd highly recommend his album GHOST as well... it's completely different from his usual music and great if you want to chill out to Devin. He produced GHOST to prove he could break the mould and write something that was non-metal! It's a complete 180 from Deadhead and most of his other music!

[@harolddeschenes4640]

GHOST is a freaking masterpiece!!!

[@pedro7g5]

One thing I love about this song, and MANY other songs played with Open C tuning, is that is so easy to make different chords on the guitar and all of them sound MASSIVE. BTW I recommend Burden in my Hand by Soundgarden, it is also with an Open C tuning...

[@shirazzza]

Ah he's so good! I love watching your take on it

[@aidanumpherson]

I absoutely loved how you summed up the meaning or possible meanings of this song. Lawnmower. *points finger*. Thanks Doug

[@humbertomouraoneto6366]

Finally came the Doug's Deadhead reaction!!! I really wait too much to this day

[@efogg3]

doug is cool. love this channel!!

[@margusgrenzmann3977]

Always happy to hear more Devin.

[@thelastgamerontheleft]

Devin Townsend is an Incredible performer. One of my favourite singers

[@davedave2578]

That got my attention. How have I not heard this guy’s music before today

[@kurtjones2151]

Been a Devin fan since about '97 when City by Strapping Young Lad came out. Been following his immensely varied body of work before/after then, and the fact he can still pull off a performance like this is inspiring. Great reaction Doug!

[@marcus.thoren]

Saw this song live recently and it was just as good. Devin never disappoints.

[@Defector09]

Saw Devin on his "Empath" tour here in the UK. One of, if not the best gigs I have seen. Outstanding

[@Dwendele]

I can't believe you are just now getting to this one!

[@Hauntti]

Great reaction as always. I would love to see and hear your reaction to the opening trio of Devin Townsend Band's Synchestra. Let it roll, Hypergeek and Triumph.

[@efrankphd]

This song makes the hairs on my arms stand on end every time I hear it. Musically it's a simple tune but the power of this "wall of sound" as you stated, is just incredible. I would really like to see Devon with this same band live because this band is by far his best ensemble imo.

[@stevecork7574]

Yes we would like you to watch the entire concert!!!

[@heytallman]

I saw Devin live (with Haken!) in March 2020 right before covid popped off. This song fucking crushed

[@IsaacAdler]

Me too! My two favorite groups on one stage, and near me! Orlando show is incredible.

[@frdmstnggt99]

Saw him in Boston in March 2020 with Haken.

[@brandwill150]

@@IsaacAdler I also saw him in Orlando!! It was indeed incredible

[@trident1314]

always get goosebumps listening too this song

[@pattyandersen5516]

I love his this music. He has a beautiful voice!

[@Gavrev]

A man capable of such volatile, provocative and quiet meditative art.. such a lovely, quiet, thoughtful guy in person. I'd argue there's unlikely to be many like him in the performance arts, known or struggling.

[@Cole-li7hq]

Been waiting on this one for 5 months

[@P0rnCoachWill]

I had listened to his album Epicloud and really enjoyed it, but it was this song that made me realize he was truly something different. Undeniably one of my favourite musicians. I wonder if composer would be a better title?

[@digibirder]

Devin Townsend can put knots in my stomach like no other artist. I'm glad Doug has discovered him. He's going to enjoy this journey.

[@Hummingbirder1]

Hello there, Digibirder! Fancy meeting you here ;-)

[@branthall1787]

Must have listened to this song hundreds of times over the course of my life and it never fails to make me feel a little teary by the end

[@digibirder]

@@Hummingbirder1Hello! I wonder if Dev knows he has a birding fan club?🐦

[@Rosannasfriend]

He’s been listening to DT for over a year.

[@an0ana]

I never get tired of Devin Townsend reactions. Great video, thank you! I don't do concerts because of crowds and just the volume, but if he ever plays near me I'd be compelled to attend. ♥ I got one for you if you read this comment. Please, check out Ningen Isu "Heartless Scat". It's a Japanese rock band of 3 middle aged men have CC on to read the lyrics in English. Lot of soul in the music and lyrics.

[@wookieschnitzel7595]

OMG the day has arrived!

[@ArthurKrasnov]

thanks for this!

[@ericbrunel8933]

I was just rewatching yesterday your reaction from a year ago to Jinjer's "Pisces" where you weren't so convinced about Tatiana's growls, which did upset a few of your followers. Your "screw that!" today made me laugh out loud. 😂

[@gtizzle101]

I watched your video for kingdom right before this and glad to see your opinion on fry vocals change 😊

[@TricksyDK]

I am going to se Devin live at Copenhell this week😁 It will be legendary moment of awesomeness 🤘

[@tylerverheggen6877]

Kind of a strange suggestion, but from Devin's album Terria, the last few songs are extremely realistic representations of things like depression and apathy. If you ever get a chance to, Nobody's Here, Tiny Tears and Stagnant are three great songs to listen to consecutively. They're simpler songs on the album but the lyrics and his voice make them more.

[@lparksession]

Terria is the best!

[@gabinonacif5482]

Hi Doug!! Love your work!! Next time go with Universal Flame or March of the Poozers from the same live event!

[@sabbathguy1]

Devy!! Instant thumbs up.

[@bjornidler990]

I heard in an interview that Devin has been very insecure about his voice and his abilities for a long time. When I see and hear him perform, I can't believe that. Truly one of the great singers and performers in mordern metal and also a really humble person (at least in his interviews)

[@Madchris8828]

Crazy to me. He sounds so unique and powerful shame he feels that way

[@scarfacefan19]

Of all the people to doubt their own talent, i didn't expect Devin. He is so exceptional in his vocal prowess.

[@EclecticInstinct]

Great vocal performance and great reaction.

[@newrosesartworx4662]

the retinal circus full afternoon :) more Dev!!!

[@N1RKW]

I have a copy of this concert on blu-ray, and it's absolutely one of my favorites. It is well worth the price of the thing if you like Devin's music.

[@PuggetronicsPioneer]

His live performance at Plovdiv is probably one of, if not the most refined live performances by him. If you want a song with good dynamics, you should check out "By Your Command." I think that was best represented in Plovdiv.

[@lparksession]

Yo Doug, you should do an EPL on 2007’s “Ziltoid The Omniscient” it’s basically Devin’s autobiography to that point, disguised as a space opera about: (From Wikipedia) “an extraterrestrial being named Ziltoid from the planet Ziltoidia 9. Ziltoid travels to Earth in search of ‘[the] universe's ultimate cup of coffee’… appalled by its taste, [he] summons the Ziltoidian warlords to attack Earth, facing the full might of Earth's army…” and shenanigans and introspection about cosmic significance ensue! It’s an incredible album, and the first one created entirely by Devin at home, writing producing and performing every instrument, with programmed drums, in his newly created home studio, after he just quit Strapping Young Lad and wanted to prove to himself he could do everything on his own. The results were amazing, doesn’t sound homemade at all, with only the passion that such a personal intimate project can show shining through.

[@Yupppi]

Some of the heaviest stuff I've listened to was Devin's podcast episodes talking about the background of all his albums chronologically, starting from the Strapping Young Lad times. From what I remember, a lot of his career has been making songs about anger, not understanding other people, human emotions, hurting others, trying to understand love and trying to learn to love himself and eventually trying to make peace with himself and people he hurt. I'm not sure if you were aware, but Devin's first gig was playing and singing for Steve Vai, as this little kid. It's interesting how incredible he is on guitar but with his solo project he tunes to a tuning where he can just play open strings or one finger barres and sing. Always been a guy who creates the big picture and serves it rather than performs details himself. He also played years with Gene Hoglan, also titled as the atomic clock, who happened to play in Death - the grandfathers of death metal, Testament and Fear Factory. The way he talks about his bandmates is always interesting, like how Gene played the way he could play guitar in a very heavy way and always understanding the groove. Then his current I recall bassist whose more classically trained and can translate incredibly well Devin's mood descriptions into something that the musicians in his band can play. I don't know what it's called, the way Devin experinces music, but it's very different from many and his ideas are very strong and have to go just right, but he has it all in his brain perfectly. At least according to how he speaks about it. And I think songs like SYL - Love? and Far Beyond Metal would be good additions to your listens. The first exploring what even is that nasty feeling that makes people behave weird and the latter criticizing the classic topic of music business being run by corporates. Of course there are plenty of Devin's solo stuff worth listening to as well. Everybody probably has already requested the whole Ziltoid album, which is fantastic theme album and very interesting songs as well. One of the best gigs I've been to was his two day performance on Tuska Metal Festival. He played the whole Ziltoid album on one day, had some of the theatrics with it too. And Testament's vocalist featuring. This song (deadhead) and the first song of Accelerated Evolution were probably the first I heard by Dev. Oh and a fantastic album is that bluegrass unplugged style album Casualties of Cool. That one's really fascinating. It has so much mood and atmosphere.

[@bahabobby8118]

I am late to your party, Doug. I came across one of your Pink Floyd reaction videos and now I'm binging through it all. I have never heard of Devin Townsend.... Where the hell have I been????????

[@metalogical5131]

this song give me all the feels lol :)..... This song is fkn amazing!

[@cyonblade9465]

Tenía que reaccionar el gran maestro a otro maestro. La mejor reacción y análisis que he visto de este tan brutal tema ! Saludos Doug!!!

[@psychofunksoldier02]

Automatic like for Doug and Devin. :-)

[@k.coleman9317]

Devin Townsend's screamo "style" is different from so many in that it is on pitch!! I have played this (and others) for several professional singers, and that is what they notice more than even the "color" of his voice...

[@BrianBegnoche]

FYI the harsh vocals are created by other tissues in the vocal tract, not the true vocal chords themselves. In this case Devin is mixing this fry scream technique with true pitch from the vocal chords by engaging those separate parts of vocal anatomy at the same time (or at least it sounds like it to me, someone who actually knows how to do this stuff should comment). So in other words, he's not hurting his vocal chords when he does harsh vocals, and that's why he's able to sing normally immediately after (and make it through show after show).

[@senditkevin]

Check out the Charismatic voice's recent video called operation: throat camera.

[@mclaine7342]

You don´t hear Devin Townsend, you feel him!

[@gregmoldovan5921]

I cannot wait for the day Doug does an extended listen to Ziltoid from Devin Townsend. Not only will he find it hilarious, the way the music demonstrates Ziltoids feelings and tells the story is amazing! To this day, Ziltoid is one of my favorites of his!

[@SuperBreadhead]

The entire movement is raw emotion.

[@owenboarman5259]

Loved what you do. I want to recommend 3 LPs to listen to. The first 3 Blue Oyster Cult albums. a lot of the tracks run together . Blue Oyster Cult , Tyranny and Mutation and Secret Treatise.

[@MeyerzumMischen]

I highly recommend Failure from his album Transcendence. One of his best songs in my opinion. This album has a few other gems, for example "Higher" and "Stormbending".

[@gwaptiva]

Man, this recording is something else! Getting the right amount of reverb in that barn of a Royal Albert Hall right.... I suppose they recorded directly from the plugboard, because the echoes in that place are dreadful (there are few cellphone recordings of concerts there and if they're not classical concerts, the acoustics are a disaster)

[@violatorut2003]

I have been a fan of his for 16 years. (Jesus, that makes me feel old) It is great to see people enjoy his music. To be fair though, his music catalog is so huge and diverse that there’s something there for everyone to enjoy. Still, he’s a musical genius IMHO.

[@gaigechambers8130]

Namaste, friend... Namaste by Devin at that same show is insane

[@natehaviland3244]

Still impressed to see a nerdy Canadian gathering so much crowd interaction I first saw him the same place I saw symphony x on the same night in a spot that could barely hold 500 and u damn right I was right up front for all of it not knowing any of it Devin is a musical God IMO That wall of sound was even more impressive in that small stage setting Edit: I've been saying for 20 years now that Devin is the next generations pink Floyd absolutely on point with your analysis

[@hroj]

I think now that you enjoy screams, you can try Gojira. Amazing french metal band, toured with metallica and big bands and are quite the deal now. Maybe begin with Silvera or Stranded, which aren't from their early technical and more death metal (lots of long parts with double bass)

[@davidjacobsen1903]

WOW!

[@Bravo_7_6]

Hi ! Thanks ! How do you recognize chords so easily ? Is it inborn perfect pitch or ear training ? I'm trying to learn music by ear and I do have some relative pitch and knowledge of scales and harmony, but it's still hard for me to find the exact notes on the spot.

[@69leehammond]

There is a great BluRay out. This was part of the by demand section, which was after the main show. Oh yes, and he had a cold :-)

[@wookieschnitzel7595]

I just want to add that blaring this in my car for my wife changed our marriage forever for the better

[@pendleeldnep]

and now she can't hear hers or your snoring?

[@getexis8685]

Now here is someone who has a voice that shines in pitch and expression. Here's someone who simplifies and has fun with us. I loved his contribution to Steve Vai's album "Sex & Religion".

[@b2jrock]

yaaaaas. I went to see him live before the virus thing took over the world. I didn't realize that it was going to be a solo acoustic act. He still pulled it off and it was amazing show.

[@tiabean1635]

You should really listen to the version of this one live at the Ancient Roman theater (Plovdiv). It has a whole symphony behind him. This is my favorite song ever.

[@mattolsziewski7164]

Excellent song. Would love to see more Steven Wilson/porcupine tree content from you.

[@stoppropaganda2573]

I loved the Grateful Dead art on his guitar neck ...

[@legspredder]

Doug! You should get in contact with Devin! I’m sure he will give you an online interview.

[@rmr5044]

Devin's walls of sound are incredible

[@deathrider7]

I will warn you Doug as a Godflesh fan. They are not the easiest to listen to, but if you get IT they will open your mind further.

[@tibord72]

He’s very underrated I think he deserves more recognition. I started listing to DT first time when he joined Steve Vai for Sex & Religion album which is epic album DT sing he’s ass off as a 18 or 19 years old. You should check it out.

[@zemirukaiba]

Doug you gotta agree on the fact that Eb major is the most epic thing in music