Revealed today, Order of Magnitude - Empath Live Volume 1 was recorded during Townsend’s headlining gigs in London back in December. For these shows, Townsend was joined by Mike Kenneally (ex-Frank Zappa), Markus Reuter (Stick Men, The Crimson Project), Morgen Agren (Kaipa, Mats & Morgan, Frank Zappa), Nathan Navarro, Diego Tejeida (Haken), Ché Aimee Dorval, Samantha & Anne Preis, and Arabella Packford. In a statement, Townsend said:

“I was overwhelmed by the fact that all these brilliant people that I have so much respect for were willing to come together and play this weird shit with me. I had these unique players and this interesting instrumentation that allowed us to interpret the music in different ways. It was clear to me that I could just have fun and be me and know that they would be effortlessly be able to follow that.”

Pre-orders for Order of Magnitude - Empath Live Volume 1 will go live on August 28. The release, which arrives on October 23 via Inside Out/HevyDevy, will be available in Blu-Ray, DVD, and digital album formats.

On September 5, Townsend will have a special live performance titled Empath Live Volume 2, which wlll be a request set. The setlist was voted by fans for Townsend to perform at the now cancelled Bloodstock Festival, Tuska Festival, and Hellfest music festivals. Tickets for the event, which starts at 4 p.m. EST/1 p.m. PST, are available here.

The top 20 albums of the 2010s

January 06, 2020 by Terrance Pryor in Music, Reviews

10 years can make a huge difference. In music, it means music acts and genres coming and going constantly. It also means a plethora of amazing albums get stuck in our heads for years to come. We look at 20 of the best albums released over the past 10 years. We’ve also included a playlist with some of our favorite songs from the decade.

20. Drive soundtrack- Lakeshore Records (2011)

Before 2011, synthwave was making waves through various message boards online. With the release of Drive's soundtrack, which includes Kavinsky and College, the genre was catapulted in front of a wide audience. Following its release, a plethora of synthwave acts such as Perturbator and Carpenter Brut made the rounds and continued pushing the genre to where it is today.

19. Tricot - A N D - Bakuretsu Records (2015)

Some people thought it was impossible for Japanese math rock band Tricot to top their 2013 debut album T H E. Fortunately, they managed to unleash another masterpiece with their sophomore album A N D. For nearly 48 minutes, the four-piece deliver breathtaking time changes merged with Ikkyu Nakajima’s tranquil vocals.

18. Besserbitch - Moments of Grey - Bolero Recordings (2014)

Swedish punk rock quartet Besserbitch wasted little time getting their point across with their 2014 debut album Moments Of Grey. From their folk-tinged "My Resignation" to their love letter to Stockholm with "Welcome To Shitholm", the 10-track release is one of the decade's most impressive debuts.

17. Macintosh Plus - Floral Shoppe - Beer on the Rug (2011)

Originating in 2010, vaporwave was finding its footing among a slew of emerging subgenres such as seapunk and trillwave. Macintosh Plus (a.k.a. Vektroid) forever cemented the genre's sound with 2011's Floral Shoppe. Upon its release, the record didn't sit well with critics and electronic fans alike. Fortunately, it was able to help shape one of electronic music's most enthralling microgenres.

16. Ceremony - Rohnert Park - Bridge 9 Records (2010)

With Rohnert Park, Ceremony continued paying homage to '80s hardcore punk. Aside from their angsty fervor, the album shakes things up with the instrumental trifecta “Into The Wayside” and the slow grooving “The Doldrums (Friendly City).” With the band’s ever-changing sound, Rohnert Park is the perfect place for newcomers to get into the act.

15. George Clanton - 100% Electronica - 100% Electronica (2015)

Following releases under the monikers ESPRIT and Mirror Kisses, electronic artist George Clanton started dropping music under his real name. With an album title like 100% Electronica, fans were hoping for the best. Fortunately, Clanton unveiled a release paying homage to old school electronica while solidifying their own place in the genre.

14. Street Sects - End Position - The Flenser (2016)

If you’re looking for something upbeat to brighten your mood, Street Sects’ End Position is not the record for you. The 10 track release delivers a somber outlook on the way we live. Inspired by vocalist Leo Ashline’s personal battles with addiction, this release can feel a bit uncomfortable at times.

13. Devin Townsend Project - Dark Matters - HevyDevy (2014)

Devin Townsend brought one of 2007's most peculiar albums with the concept record Ziltoid the Omniscient. Following an alien named Ziltoid starting a war over coffee, the release had fans and critics alike intrigued. Seven years later, Townsend continued Ziltoid's story with Dark Matters, which is one half of his double album Z2. With the aid of Stolen Babies singer Dominique Lenore Persi, Fozzy vocalist Chris Jericho, and hundreds of fans, Townsend delivered another daring concept album.

12. Anamanaguchi - Endless Fantasy - dream.hax (2013)

Through a successful Kickstarter, New York City chiptune outfit Anamanaguchi unveiled their sophomore studio album Endless Fantasy. The 22-track release has enough pizzazz to appeal to diehard chiptune fans (“Echobo,” “In The Basement”) but enough snappy melodies to attract casual dance music lovers (“Prom Night,” “Japan Air”).

11. Anathema - Weather Systems - Kscope Music (2012)

British progressive rock group Anathema delivers another chapter in their accolade-filled career with Weather Systems. This release marks the exit of longtime keyboardist Les Smith and the official arrival of Daniel Cardoso, who would take over as drummer. Produced by the band and Christer-André Cederberg, Weather Systems pulls listeners in with its two-part opener "Untouchable" and doesn’t let go until its imperial ending “Internal Landscapes.”

10. The Red Paintings - The Revolution Is Never Coming - The End Records (2013)

Australian art rock band The Red Paintings could've walked away from it all while working on their debut album The Revolution Is Never Coming. Band members came and went, and vocalist Trash McSweeney suffered a life-changing seizure. Despite numerous setbacks, the album finally saw the light of day after five long years in eight different recording studios. The end result is a 75-minute apocalyptic voyage fit for a Tim Burton film.

9. Death Grips - The Money Store - Epic Records (2012)

Death Grips flipped the hip hop scene on its head with their debut album The Money Store. The 13-track release can equally get a block party grooving and cause ferocious moshpits. When it comes to its massive array of samples, fans are still discovering new ones to this day.

8. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories - Columbia (2013)

Years after the release of Daft Punk's Human After All, the EDM scene saw a meteoric rise with sold-out festivals and massive drops at every turn. With Random Access Memories, the modern EDM fan at the time found themselves taken aback by its stripped-down production. Daft Punk still made people move with tracks such as “Get Lucky” and “Doin’ It Right.“

7. Youth Code - Commitment To Complications - Dais Records (2016)

Youth Code's Commitment To Complications was one of industrial music's most eye-opening releases in the past decade. The 11-track album finds the duo continuing their high energy blend of EBM and hardcore punk laid out in their self-titled debut album. With Front Line Assembly's Rhys Fulber behind the board, the record has a true old-school feel to it.

6. Enter Shikari - A Flash Flood Of Colour - Ambush Reality (2012)

Following the release of 2009's Common Dreads, British post-hardcore group Enter Shikari continued their stance against government foolishness with A Flash Flood Of Colour. Some longtime fans might've been turned off by the lyrical content, but those who stuck around found themselves wanting to make a change in the world.

5. Andrew Wyatt - Descender - INGRID (2013)

After delivering indie-pop tracks such as "Animal" and "Paddling Out" with Miike Snow, Andrew Wyatt showcased a softer side with their solo debut album Descender. The singer traded the electronics for the 75-piece Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The end result is a collection of songs fit for Broadway musicals.

4. Bad Rabbits - American Nightmare - self-released (2016)

While Bad Rabbits' debut album American Love featured a slew of songs about romance, their sophomore album American Nightmare is a different ballgame. With the country going through shocking changes leading up to the election, Bad Rabbits delivered a record reflecting the world around them.

3. Hopesfall - Arbiter - Graphic Nature (2018)

Beloved post-hardcore band Hopesfall reunited after a five-year break to unveil Arbiter. Seen as an amalgamation of their previous work, the 10-track album, which was their first since 2007's Magnetic North, made longtime fans feel right at home with the opening track "Faint Object Camera." With some lyrical nods to their previous material, Arbiter can be seen as a love letter for those who've stuck by the band for years.

2. Sleigh Bells - Treats - Mom + Pop (2010)

While Poison The Well fans expected something heavy from guitarist Derek Miller, they were hit with a 180 on Sleigh Bells' 2010 debut album Treats. While the album is chockful of gritty noise-pop sensibility, vocalist Alexis Krauss smooths things out with her lavish vocals. From its blaring opener (“Tell ‘Em”) to its chaotic finale (“Treats”), Sleigh Bells hit the jackpot with this ferocious 11-track album.

1. Letlive - Fake History - Epitaph Records (2011)

It's pretty damn difficult to mention post-hardcore in the past decade without Letlive's name in the conversation. Their sophomore studio album Fake History became an instant classic in the scene with its ferocious delivery and lyrical content about society's negative impact on the planet ("The Sick, Sick, 6.8 Billion"), recognizing lost talent ("H. Ledger"), and the inevitability of death ("Day 54").

Our favorite songs of the past decade

The top 10 albums of 2019

January 06, 2020 by Terrance Pryor in Music, Reviews

As the closing year of the decade, 2019 delivered a wide range of new music for every kind of listener. From alternative rock to industrial, it was hard to not have a slew of favorite tunes to blare in the car or on the bus. These 10 albums, however, stood out above the rest during the last 12 months. You can also check out our playlist of the best songs from 2019 below.

10. Pop. 1280 - Way Station - Weyrd Son Records

New York City industrial group Pop. 1280 continue their Northeast dominance with Way Station. With the addition of new synth player Matthew Hord, the record brings a more chaotic ambiance from their previous material. The band can flawlessly move from dancefloor offerings ("Boom Operator") to maniacal symphonies ("Monument") in an instant.

9. Ritual Howls - Rendered Armor - Felte Records

With their fourth studio album Rendered Armor, Detroit industrial outfit Ritual Howls bring forth another assemblage of dance tunes for the nearest goth club. Paul Bancell's baritone voice is both haunting and captivating throughout the eight-track release.

8. Lite - Multiple - Topshelf Records

Lite continue their math rock crusade with their sixth studio album Multiple. With a vast discography behind them, the Japanese band can still bring forth a fresh take on the genre. On the standout track "Ring," the group team up with rapper Maco Marets and singer Utena Kobayashi for a buoyant number.

7. Maria Taylor - Maria Taylor - Flower Moon Records

Singer-songwriter Maria Taylor easily has the most family-oriented album of 2019. The Azure Ray member enlisted the help of her son, brother, father, and sister-in-law for a completely honest release. Much like her 2016 studio album In the Next Life, Taylor's self-titled release is filled with songs about the trials and tribulations of life with tracks such as "Beautiful Life," "Spinning Wheel," and "Miley's Song" (which was written and performed by her son Miles).

6. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - Infest the Rats' Nest - Flightless/ATO Records

Australian rockers King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard got in touch with their metal side on Infest the Rats' Nest. While metal influences were sprinkled in their previous albums, the group delivered a record that wouldn't feel out of place blaring at a Metallica concert. For 35 minutes, the group merge their metal swagger with a story of rebels doing the best they can while stuck on Venus.

5. Fever 333 - Strength in Numb333rs - Roadrunner Records/333 Wreckords Crew

Political rap metal supergroup Fever 333 unleash hell on their debut album Strength in Numb333rs. The 10-track album is exactly what the music landscape needed amidst all of the chaos on the streets. While the album is filled with raging tracks such as "Burn It" and "One of Us," the album slows it down for a moment with "Inglewood/3," which dives into vocalist Jason Aalon Butler's upbringing.

4. Devin Townsend - Empath - Hevy Devy

With Empath, Devin Townsend pushed himself to the limits in terms of production, and the end result is a 74-minute tidal wave of sound. With a slew of guest appearances on board (this is probably the only album you'll hear both Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and Beneath The Massacre's Elliot Desgagnés), Empath shines with tracks such as "Spirits Will Collide" and "Borderlands." The 22-minute finale "Singularity" is easily one of Townsend's most wondrous tracks ever put together.

3. Rammstein - Rammstein - Universal

A decade after their sixth studio album Liebe ist für alle da, beloved metal group Rammstein unveiled their self-titled studio album. Without longtime producer Jacob Hellner behind the boards, the band turned to their live sound engineer Olsen Involtini. The end result is an 11 song voyage through their entire musical landscape with titanic numbers such as “Tattoo” and “Puppe.”

2. Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - End of Suffering - International Death Cult

If you don't know Frank Carter can write a good damn tune, let End of Suffering be your introduction to the English rocker. The 12-track release finds the singer baring his soul on personal issues such as suicide ("Angel Wings") and his family ("End of Suffering"). The release also features a guest appearance by Tom Morello on the Godzilla-inspired stomper "Tyrant Lizard King.”

1. Silver Snakes - Death and the Moon - Evil Ink Records

Los Angeles' Silver Snakes pushed their industrial rock vigor further with their fourth studio album Death and the Moon. The 11-track album can entice fans of both Stabbing Westward and Chevelle with cuts such as “Smokedance” and “Wool.” Unfortunately, the band’s breakup announcement at the start of 2020 means Death and the Moon is their final opus.

Our favorite songs of 2019

Devin Townsend announces 2020 winter North American tour with Haken and The Contortionist

October 24, 2019 by Terrance Pryor in Music

In support of his recent album Empath, Devin Townsend will embark on a headlining tour through North America early next year.

Announced on Tuesday, the trek kicks off on February 27 inside Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre, and it will have its last stop inside San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom on March 25. Musicians joining his live band will be revealed in the future.

Joining Townsend on this tour as support are Haken, who are plugging their latest album Vector, and The Contortionist, who released their new Our Bones EP back in August.

Tickets will go on sale tomorrow (October 25) at 10 a.m. local time. Devin Townsend will end 2019 with a trek across Europe with Haken.

Empath is the proper follow up to Townsend’s 2014 solo album Dark Matters.

Devin Townsend tour dates

November 15 - Paris, FRA – Salle Pleyel

November 16 - Antwerp, BEL – Trix

November 17 - Tilburg, NET – 013

November 18 - Hamburg, GER – Gruenspan

November 20 - Turku, FIN – Logomo

November 21 - Helsinki, FIN – Cirkus

November 23 - Stockholm, SWE – Munchenbryggeriet

November 24 - Oslo, NOR – Sentrum Scene

November 25 - Copenhagen, DEN – Amager Bio