View source for Accelerated Evolution

{{good article}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Accelerated Evolution
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[Devin Townsend|The Devin Townsend Band]]
| cover      = Devin Townsend Accelerated Evolution cover.jpg
| alt        =
| caption    = The cover of the special-edition release of ''Accelerated Evolution'', which contained the electronica EP ''Project EKO''
| released   = March 31, 2003
| recorded   =  September–November 2002 
| venue      =
| studio     = The Armoury, Merchland and [[Hipposonic]] studios, [[Vancouver]], Canada
| genre      = {{flatlist|
* [[Progressive metal]]
* [[hard rock]]
* [[alternative rock]]
}}
| length     = 54:30
| label      = HevyDevy
| producer   = [[Devin Townsend]]
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title = [[Synchestra]]
| next_year  = 2006
| misc       = {{Extra chronology
 | artist     = [[Devin Townsend]]
 | type       = studio
 | prev_title = [[Strapping Young Lad (album)|Strapping Young Lad]]
 | prev_year  = 2003
 | title      = Accelerated Evolution
 | year       = 2003
 | next_title = [[Devlab (album)|Devlab]]
 | next_year  = 2004
}}
}}
'''''Accelerated Evolution''''' is the sixth studio album by Canadian musician [[Devin Townsend]], released in 2003. The album, written and produced by Townsend, was a mix of musical styles from [[alternative rock]] to [[hard rock]] to [[progressive metal]].<ref name="allmusic-review" /> Townsend, the lead vocalist and guitarist, assembled a group of [[Vancouver]] musicians to perform with him on the album: guitarist Brian Waddell, drummer [[Ryan Van Poederooyen]], bassist Mike Young, and keyboardist [[Dave Young (musician)|Dave Young]]. This lineup, the Devin Townsend Band, was Townsend's first dedicated lineup for his solo material, and was created as a counterpart to Townsend's [[extreme metal]] project [[Strapping Young Lad]].

''Accelerated Evolution'' was written and recorded at the same time as Strapping Young Lad's [[Strapping Young Lad (album)|self-titled album]], with Townsend dividing his energy between the two. ''Accelerated Evolution'' was recorded in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]] from September to November 2002, and was released on Townsend's independent label, HevyDevy Records, in March 2003. The album was well received by critics<ref name="sharpe-2005-p115" /> for its blend of genres and influences, its musical accessibility, and its large-scale [[rock music|rock]] production style.

==Background==
During the creation of his early solo albums ''[[Infinity (Devin Townsend album)|Infinity]]'' (1998) and ''[[Physicist (album)|Physicist]]'' (2000), Devin Townsend went through personal struggles that affected his writing ability. These struggles were resolved on ''[[Terria (Devin Townsend album)|Terria]]'' (2001), which Townsend described as "a really healing record". After ''Terria'', Townsend felt a newfound enthusiasm for his music, saying, "Bring it on. I'm going to be so fucking sensitive but so intense, and be unafraid to be either."<ref name="popoff-2003">Popoff, Martin (Winter–Spring 2003). "Strapping Young Lad." ''Lollipop Magazine'' (61).</ref> In 2002, Townsend began work on his next two albums. He reunited his [[extreme metal]] project [[Strapping Young Lad]], which had been on hiatus for four years,<ref name="gramlich-200302">{{cite magazine|title=The Reluctant Return of Strapping Young Lad|author=Gramlich, Chris|magazine=Exclaim!|url=http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid2=4&fid1=1576&csid1=44|access-date=2008-04-28|date=February 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202110457/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid2=4&fid1=1576&csid1=44|archive-date=2008-12-02}}</ref> and began writing the band's new release, ''[[Strapping Young Lad (album)|Strapping Young Lad]]'' (''SYL'').

At the same time, Townsend formed a new, permanent band "on par with Strapping" to record and tour for his solo releases.<ref name="popoff-2003" /> The Devin Townsend Band consisted of Brian Waddell on [[guitar]], [[Ryan Van Poederooyen]] on drums, and brothers Mike Young and [[Dave Young (musician)|Dave Young]] on [[Bass guitar|bass]] and keyboards, respectively. Townsend performed guitar, vocals, and production, as he did in Strapping Young Lad. Townsend chose members of local bands who "hadn't had the same experiences" and could give a fresh perspective on "all those emotions" that were present in his solo material. He found it "refreshing" to play with people who appreciated his solo material more than Strapping Young Lad's.<ref name="popoff-2003" /> Notable was the absence of drummer [[Gene Hoglan]] of Strapping Young Lad,<ref name="hoose-20030521" /> who had played on Townsend's previous three solo albums.

Townsend wrote and produced the band's first album at the same time he was working on ''SYL'',<ref name="popoff-2003" /> spending half the week on one and half on the other.<ref name="metal-rules-interview-2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/content/view/167/74/ |title=Interview With Gene Hoglan |date=June 16, 2005 |author1=Lord of the Wasteland |author2=Lehtinen, Arto |website=Metal-Rules.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821222024/http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/content/view/167/74/ |archive-date=August 21, 2008 }}</ref> The album was [[audio engineering|engineered]] and [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] by Townsend and Shaun Thingvold, who has worked on many of Townsend's and Strapping Young Lad's albums. It had the working title ''Relationships'',<ref name="sharpe-2005-p115" /> but was renamed ''Accelerated Evolution'', a nod to the frantic pace of putting a new band together in under a year.<ref name="popoff-2003" />

==Music==
''Accelerated Evolution'' was written as "the polar opposite" of ''SYL''.<ref name="hawkins-20030506">Hawkins, Chris (May 6, 2003). "[http://www.knaclive.com/article.asp?ArticleID=2019 Reviews – Devin Townsend ''Accelerated Evolution''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713161919/http://www.knaclive.com/article.asp?ArticleID=2019 |date=July 13, 2011 }}." ''[[KNAC.com]]''.</ref> The album blended aspects of different genres, including [[alternative rock]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/devin-townsend-a-guide-to-his-best-albums|title=Devin Townsend: A guide to his best albums|date=5 March 2020}}</ref> [[hard rock]], and [[progressive metal]],<ref name="allmusic-review" /> with elements of "[[heavy metal music|heaviness]], [[ambient music|ambience]], [[humor]], and [[experimental music|experimentalism]]".<ref name="hawkins-20030506" /> The album has been described as more melodic and more rock-based than ''SYL'' or ''Physicist'', yet "more song-oriented" than ''Terria'',<ref name="hoose-20030521">Hoose, Xander (May 21, 2003). "[http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-3028_devin_townsend_band_accelerated_evolution.aspx Devin Townsend Band – ''Accelerated Evolution'']." ''[[Chronicles of Chaos (webzine)|Chronicles of Chaos]]''.</ref> with influences by [[John Lennon]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], and [[Rush (band)|Rush]].<ref name="maniacs-200309" /> Songs such as "Storm", "Suicide", and "Sunday Afternoon" were compared to Townsend's ''[[Infinity (Devin Townsend album)|Infinity]]'', but were noted as "less frantic and more mature";<ref name="hoose-20030521" /> Despite this, "Deadhead" derived its name from an extreme [[industrial metal]] track with the same title from [[Godflesh]]'s 1989 album ''[[Streetcleaner]]''.<ref name="terror5">{{cite web |last=Yardley |first=Miranda |title=Devin Townsend: "I Found Out About Playing Damnation Festival on Twitter" |url=http://www.terrorizer.com/news/news-news/devin-townsend-i-found-out-about-playing-damnation-festival-on-twitter/ |work=[[Terrorizer (magazine)|Terrorizer]] |date=19 October 2011 |access-date=1 August 2018}}</ref> Townsend wrote the album to be "commercially viable", making his existing style more concise and accessible but without going so far as to write "[[pop music|pop]] songs".<ref name="popoff-2003" /> Townsend utilized clean vocals much more than in his previous albums,<ref name="hawkins-20030506" /> and produced and mixed the album in his trademark "[[wall of sound]]" style, blending "layers upon layers of guitars, keyboards, and vocals".<ref name="hawkins-20030506" />

==Release==
''Accelerated Evolution'' was released in March 2003 on Townsend's independent label, HevyDevy Records. It is distributed in Canada by HevyDevy, in Japan by [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony]], and in Europe and North America by [[InsideOut Music|InsideOut]]. The album art was created by [[Travis Smith (artist)|Travis Smith]], who also did the art for ''Terria'' and ''SYL''. InsideOut also released a special edition of the album which contained a 3-track EP called ''Project EKO'', Townsend's first foray into [[electronica]].<ref name="justin-20031002">"Justin" (October 2, 2003). "[http://www.metalstorm.ee/pub/interview.php?interview_id=15 Devin Townsend interview]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." ''[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]]''.</ref> The album reached number 135 on the French albums chart<ref name="lescharts">{{in lang|fr}} "[https://archive.today/20130127165111/http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?key=45086&cat=a The Devin Townsend Band – ''Accelerated Evolution'']." ''Les Charts''. Retrieved May 27, 2009.</ref> and number 249 on the Japanese albums chart.<ref name="oricon">{{in lang|ja}} "[http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/510678/1/ アクセルレイティッド・エヴォルーション/デヴィン・タウンゼンド]." ''[[Oricon]]''. Retrieved June 1, 2009.</ref>

Prior to the formation of the Devin Townsend Band, Townsend had represented his solo releases live with the Strapping Young Lad lineup; the band would play one set of Strapping Young Lad songs and one set of Devin Townsend songs.<ref>Gibson, Doug (June 26, 2005). "[http://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=14203 Interview with Strapping Young Lad's Jed Simon]." ''Metal Underground''.</ref> After the release of ''Accelerated Evolution'', Townsend began touring with The Devin Townsend Band, at times separately from Strapping Young Lad<ref name="hdr-biography">{{cite web|title=Devin Townsend Biography |publisher=HevyDevy Records |author=Turner, Tracy |url=http://www.hevydevy.com/hdr_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118124925/http://www.hevydevy.com/hdr_biography.html |archive-date=2008-01-18 }}</ref> and at times sharing the bill.<ref name="kee-200305">Kee, Chris (May 2003). "Live Review: Strapping Young Lad/Devin Townsend Band/Zimmers Hole." ''Powerplay'' (44).</ref> After playing two release shows in Vancouver in July 2003,<ref>''[[Blabbermouth.net]]'' (July 21, 2003). "[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=13763 The Devin Townsend Band: Live Videos Posted Online] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040119030929/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=13763 |date=January 19, 2004 }}." Retrieved May 27, 2009.</ref> The Devin Townsend Band toured Canada with [[Strapping Young Lad]] and [[Zimmers Hole]] in October 2003.<ref name="rvp-tour">''RVP Drums''. "[http://www.rvpdrums.com/rvp_tour.html Tour Dates] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820053119/http://www.rvpdrums.com/rvp_tour.html |date=August 20, 2009 }}." Retrieved May 27, 2009.</ref> This was followed by a North American tour with [[progressive metal]] band [[Symphony X]] through November and December 2003.<ref name="rvp-tour" /><ref>''[[Blabbermouth.net]]'' (August 14, 2003). "[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=14428 Symphony X to Tour with the Devin Townsend Band] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040108115136/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=14428 |date=January 8, 2004 }}." Retrieved May 27, 2009.</ref>

==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
|rev1=[[AllMusic]]
|rev1score={{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic-review"/>
|rev2=[[Blabbermouth.net]]
|rev2score=8/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/reviews/accelerated-evolution|title=Reviews - Accelerated Evolution|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=September 12, 2022}}</ref>
|rev3=[[Chronicles of Chaos (webzine)|Chronicles of Chaos]]
|rev3score=8.5/10<ref name="hoose-20030521"/>
|rev4=[[KNAC.com]]
|rev4score={{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="hawkins-20030506" />
}}
''Accelerated Evolution'' was well received by critics.<ref name="sharpe-2005-p115">Sharpe-Young, Garry (2005). ''New Wave of American Heavy Metal''. pp. 115. New Plymouth: Zonda Books Limited. {{ISBN|0-9582684-0-1}}.</ref> Mike G. of ''[[Metal Maniacs]]'' called ''Accelerated Evolution'' "the album of the year", praising it for "the hard-to-accomplish trick of being extreme yet accessible, simultaneously heavy 'n' rockin' yet majestic and beautiful."<ref name="maniacs-200309">G., Mike (September 2003). "The Devin Townsend Band: No Holds Barred." ''[[Metal Maniacs]]''.</ref> William Hughes of ''Sputnikmusic'' called it "amazing", saying the album "has elements that will appeal to fans of all different genres, from [[progressive rock|progressive]] to [[heavy metal music|metal]]."<ref name="sputnikmusic-review">Hughes, Mike (November 29, 2007). "[http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=8709 Devin Townsend: ''Accelerated Evolution'']." ''Sputnikmusic''.</ref> Alex Henderson of ''[[Allmusic]]'' called the album "excellent", and praised Townsend's ability to blend genres and influences: "The Canadian rocker provides enough downtuned guitars to put this CD in the alt rock category. And yet ''Accelerated Evolution'' has a big sound that suggests the pop-metal, arena rock and hard rock of the '70s and '80s – big melodies, big harmonies, big guitars, big vocals, big production."<ref name="allmusic-review">Henderson, Alex. "[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r634643|pure_url=yes}} ''Accelerated Evolution'': Review]." ''[[Allmusic]]''.</ref> Chris Hawkins of ''[[KNAC.com]]'' said, "Like always, what Devin manages to do is take the most infectious rhythm, place his stamp upon it, and thus create something completely original."<ref name="hawkins-20030506" /> Xander Hoose of ''[[Chronicles of Chaos (webzine)|Chronicles of Chaos]]'' compared the album favorably to ''SYL'', noting that "there is more variation, and the songs are more memorable and layered than their one-dimensional ''SYL'' counterparts." Hoose added, "For those who thought ''Terria'' was going too much in the wrong direction, ''Accelerated Evolution'' will probably come as a relief."<ref name="hoose-20030521" />

==Track listing==
{{tracklist
| all_writing = [[Devin Townsend]]
| title1 = Depth Charge
| length1 = 6:04
| title2 = Storm
| length2 = 4:39
| title3 = Random Analysis
| length3 = 5:59
| title4 = Deadhead
| length4 = 8:05
| title5 = Suicide
| length5 = 6:45
| title6 = Traveller
| length6 = 4:13
| title7 = Away
| length7 = 7:49
| title8 = Sunday Afternoon
| length8 = 6:20
| title9 = Slow Me Down
|length9 = 4:35
| total_length = 54:30
}}
[[Inside Out Music]]'s special edition of ''Accelerated Evolution'' included ''Project EKO'', an [[electronica]] EP by Townsend.
{{tracklist
| headline        = Project EKO
| all_writing     = 
| all_lyrics      = 
| all_music       = 
| music_credits   = 
| title1 = Locate
| length1 = 6:59
| note1 = 
| title2 = Echo
| length2 = 5:29
| note2 = 
| title3 = Assignable 
| length3 = 5:20
| note3 = 
| total_length = 17:08
}}

==Personnel==
* [[Devin Townsend]]&nbsp;– [[guitar]], [[human voice|vocals]], [[ambient music|ambience]]
* [[Ryan Van Poederooyen]]&nbsp;– [[drum kit|drums]]
* Mike Young&nbsp;– [[bass guitar|bass]]
* Brian Waddell&nbsp;– [[guitar]]
* [[Dave Young (musician)|Dave Young]]&nbsp;– [[electronic keyboard|keyboards]]

===Production===
* Devin Townsend&nbsp;– [[record producer|production]], [[audio engineering]], [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]]
* Shaun Thingvold&nbsp;– [[Engineering (music)|engineering]], mixing
* Goran Finnberg&nbsp;– [[audio mastering|mastering]]
* Misha Rajaratnam, Dan Kearley, Carla Levis, Scott Cooke, Jay Van Poederooyen, Lori Bridger, Chris Guy&nbsp;– assistance

===Artwork===
* Omer Cordell&nbsp;– photography (credited as Omer Shaked)
* [[Travis Smith (artist)|Travis Smith]]&nbsp;– graphics, layout

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for ''Accelerated Evolution''
! scope="col"| Chart (2003)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|France|135|artist=The Devin Townsend Band|album=Accelerated Evolution|rowheader=true|access-date=September 12, 2022}}
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="oricon" />
|249
|}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928020126/http://www.hevydevy.com/hdr_info_evolution.html ''Accelerated Evolution''] (HevyDevy Records)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090103215924/http://www.insideout.de/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=255 ''Accelerated Evolution''] (InsideOut Music)

{{Devin Townsend}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2003 albums]]
[[Category:Devin Townsend albums]]
[[Category:Inside Out Music albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Devin Townsend]]
[[Category:Albums with cover art by Travis Smith (artist)]]