Former EMPEROR Frontman To Guest On New THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT Album

Former EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn (real name: Vegard Sverre Tveitan) has contributed guest vocals to "Deconstruction" — the third in a series of albums from Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) to be made available under THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT moniker.

Commented Ihsahn: "I have been a longtime fan of Devin and his work, and when he asked me to do some vocals for his upcoming 'Deconstruction' album, I said yes right away.

"Devin is one of those few uncompromising artists who goes anywhere with their music, wherever that takes them. Nothing but respect!"

Townsend has tapped Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, PARADISE LOST, BLOODBATH) to mix "Deconstruction". The sessions will take place in late February at Fascination Street studio in Örebro, Sweden.

Commented Devin: "'Deconstruction' is brutal in a lot of parts, but pretty glorious in others. It rides the fence of negativity but ultimately ends supremely positive.

"There are two drummers on this one, Ryan Van Poederooyen [TERROR SYNDROME, THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND] for the crushing stuff, and Dirk Verbeuren [SOILWORK, SCARVE, ABORTED] for the inhuman stuff.

"This is a record I have been working up to for some time, and while doing it, I realize that not only am I in control of it (totally) but that this newfound control allows me to take it to places I would have never been able to a decade ago. I pretty much believe that this will be one of our finest hours, and although there is some funny moments, it's a pretty 'pointed' record (if ya know what I mean)..."

In a May 2009 interview with Stream Of Consciousness, Townsend stated about "Deconstruction", "The whole idea of 'Deconstruction' is deconstructing why we're attached to heavy music.

"I put out [the first THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT album] 'Ki' and people want to listen to it and it's like this is a really good record. But there's a whole network of people that are like, 'No no no no no! We only want heavy music, we only want chaotic music, we only want devilish, horrible, destructive music,' and I'm like, 'Well, why? I'll do it for you, but just tell me why first.' 'Because we love it, because we love it.' 'Why do you love it? Ya know?' 'Fuck the world, fuck the world, fuck everything man, only heavy, only metal,' and I'm like, 'OK, I'll tell you what I'll make you that record, but I'm going to sing about why we're liking this music.'

"Honestly, at the root of it, I think humans are really terrified and I think a lot of people who really love heavy music love it because it's a way for them to protect themselves. If you put this thing forward and are like, 'I'm going to scare people with my music,' then no one's going to get to the root of the fact that maybe it's just you that are terrified and that's your way of protecting yourself, that's your defense mechanism. It's one thing to say, 'Oh I'm mad at God,' but maybe you're really just mad at your father, you know? And I think that all these themes... that's the thing that's really interesting to me about heavy music now it's like, yes, I love heavy music, absolutely, but, man, to think that's the only thing that I'm able to offer and that's the only thing that certain people are willing to accept from me…? You know, it's not like I'm pissed off about it, but it's kind of like — are you sure you really want to know why you really like this with the exclusion of everything else?"

According to Devin, "'Ghost' is the mellowest (by far) and prettiest record I've done so far" with a "very wonderful vibe." It will be released with "the shitstorm that is 'Deconstruction' simultaneously" — possibly in early April.