Review: Devin Townsend was always going to have his work cut out with whatever came along next. 2019's Empath was a striking record for many reasons, but none as vivid or inescapable as the sheer scope of the thing. Capable of painting many images with broad-yet-specialised genre brush strokes, to say Lightwork had monumental expectations foist upon it while still at the conception stage is putting it mildly.
Finally, then, the difficult follow up has arrived. And, reassuringly, this is no disappointment. Yes, to an extent it lacks the scale and vision that went into its predecessor. Nevertheless, it's classic Townsend stuff, delivering dynamic metal with elements of industrial by the track-load, rarely pausing for breath among the fury, grit, and impassioned emotions. More evidence to back up the artist's legendary status.
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