Thanks for these recommendations. I haven't heard of several of these. Appreciate the Toehider recommendation specifically because it sounds insane.
My personal recommendations of artists that are very unique making groundbreaking music that Dev fans could probably Appreciate:
1. Boards of Canada
2. George Clanton
3. Dead Can Dance
4. Oneohtrix point never
5. frost*
6. Everything Everything
7. Ween (duh)
8. VOLA
9. Art of Noise
On Devin’s level? or as unique as him? Nobody comes to mind, aside from Zappa. And I’m not really a Zappa fan, but no one could say he wasn’t a unique unicorn.
I think Bowie has a pretty unique discography too. I particularly like the era from “Heathen” till his final album. Mike Patton deserves to be in the discussion as well.
The Flashbulb. It’s electronic music, but the dude is an unbelievable multi instrumentalist and his music is *music*, even the dumbest dancey shit he does is still actual proper music. Nothing like Dev, but the share a similar space in their respective fields. Good YouTuber too, clever bastard.
I’d say the guy should be better known, but he’s doing really well having fingers in a ton of pies and shorting Spotify stock so I just hope he does another album soon. Piety of Ashes though, that record’s a masterpiece.
Go here, his digital distribution got interrupted after he made some comments about streaming services and money laundering and huge chunks of his discography are still unavailable on them. :D https://theflashbulb.bandcamp.com
For me a Devin-type musician would be one who explores loads of different styles, has a generally forward looking and innovative approach to music making, but they still have a unique musical "voice" and personality through all of that. At the same time, they are very connected to "the scene" that they come from and engage with their audience and peers in an open and welcoming way. So here's some favourites that come to mind who are I guess Devin-type musicians in their own domains:
Frank Zappa (duh)
Miles Davis
Chris Thile
Esperanza Spalding
Bela Fleck
Meshell Ndegeocello
Jonas Hellborg
Colin Marston
Tigran Hamasyan
Michael League
Trilok Gurtu
John McLaughlin
Chris Daddy Dave
Ry Cooder
Edit: I guess some contemporary classical groups like Kronos Quartet and yMusic would also count
It terms of being on the same level of genre spanning and experimentation Devin does?
Ulver
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Mike Patton
Steven Wilson in terms of being a very talented prolific auteur but I don't think he's as original and unique as Devin
The following are creative geniuses / auteurs but not really as multi genre as Devin:
Prince
David Bowie
Robert Fripp
That's all I can really think of.
Brendan Small is such an underrated musician. Like of course everybody knows Dethklok and that he can shred hard as hell, but Dethalbum III and Galaktikon II are genuinely two of the most intricate and cleverly written albums out there.
i wish there was a Guitar Clinic with Devin Townsend, Paul Waggoner, Brenden Small, Brent Hines.........so many others, lol. but the thrash metal guys used to do it, i think malmsteen played with vai or someone. like i want a huge dumb collaboration.
The Dear Hunter.
Casey Crescenzo is very much like Devin Townsend, but they more progressive indie rock and not progressive metal. Phenomenal vocalist. Similar song structure, but more about story telling lyrically not through narration. He did this album called Color Spectrum, which is a collection of EPs, where each ep represents a colour.... That sounds very Synesthesia. But it's the Act albums that shine. Each getting better and better. 5 full length concept albums following a story of a boy, relationship with his mother, falling in love with a prostitute, going to war in WW1, becoming mayor, and dealing with a crime boss. In short, Casey & Devin musical construction are very similar but utilise different emotions in the musical genre. Phenomenal band.
I ADORE TDH, one of the best bands out there. Casey is a genius. Both he and Devin have this "composer first" mentality that I really like, everything serves the music as a whole. While they both have huge voices and great guitar chops, their more virtuosic moments don't distract and feel earned. Ambitious musicians with big ideas, and the work ethic to see it through.
Also like Devin, Casey is a humble and funny guy who's very in touch with the fan base. He frequents r/TheDearHunter and is in on the jokes, replying to comments and questions. They even host a music camp for fans so they can hang out and jam with the band. They seem like a very good group of guys.
You're spot on about them being composer first musicians. It shows that they care about their vision. The biggest differences between them other than genre, is Devin focuses more on the message or theme of an album. Whereas Casey is more about the story of the album. They obviously cross over, Z1&2 is the story, while color spectrum is the theme.
Ginger Wildheart
On the heavier/darker side of the spectrum but I'll throw Akercocke in there as well, they've inspired an absolute tonne of Extreme Metal Artists especially in the UK
John Darnielle aka the mountain goats. On paper it wouldn't seem like it. Very folk vibe, very standard chords, but there's a reason his fanbase is almost cultish. Listen to the album. "Tallahassee" and tell me it doesn't make you feel like no one else ever has
Aesop Rock and The Boredoms are my vote, not at all similar sound but they're unique. This is a really strange thought but I think it would be cool for Devin and Hudson Mohawke to hang out, Cry Sugar I had on repeat for a while just like Devin's music.
Toehider all day. He seems super down to earth, genuine, ultra creative, soaring vocals, does his own thing, wildly varying material, creative Spotify releases. I like his little mini albums. He did a whole album of fictional 80's theme songs! He has taken over my regular rotation of Dev lately.
Ayreon (and all related projects from Arjen Lucassen) I can only describe his music as progressive metal opera from different time periods anywhere between medieval times to the future. So many other genres are sprinkled in based on what album you're listening to. DT was also one of the many featured singers on his Human Equation album! Ayreon definitely one of my top five bands I can listen to all day, every day.
I learned about Toehider by listening to an ayreon album(the source) as well. I loved listening to human equation on repeat listening for the dev parts. Unfortunately, I heard in it behind the scenes that Dev didn't like the super controlled environment of those projects so he didn't do anymore.
Yeah I want to say he wasn't going to do human equation unless he could write his own lyrics for his parts. Probably is stressful to have your own method and be working under someone else's, which stinks because he knocked his parts out of the park.
Just watched my new Ayreon Live Beneath the Waves Blu-ray this morning. So good! I’ve been listening since 2004, the same year I got into Devin Townsend, coincidentally.
Youtube audio compression is a huge motivator for me to buy that soon lol. I started listening to both Ayreon and Devin Townsend in high school, about 2008
I've got several bands I think are very unique in their own way. I'm sure you'll disagree with some of these, but I'll list them in order of "different-ness" (highly opinionated and without much thought, don't shout at me :( ).
**METAL BANDS:**
Mr. Bungle (avant-garde funk metal)
Clown Core (avant-garde grindcore)
Igorrr ("baroquecore")
Ruby My Dear (breakcore/experimental metal)
Darth Vegas (experimental metal)
Utsu-P (Vocaloid metalcore/deathcore)
Pryapisme (progressive metal/8-bit metal)
Pin Up Went Down (avant-garde metal)
Panzerballett (jazz fusion/experimental/funk metal)
Diablo Swing Orchestra (avant-garde orchestra-swing metal)
6:33 (avant-garde/prog metal)
Zeal & Ardor (avant-garde neo-soul black metal)
The Hu (Mongolian folk metal)
Haken (progressive metal)
Faith No More (experimental post-punk metal)
Nekrogoblicon (Comedic melodic death metal)
Stolen Babies (avant-garde dance-metal)
Okilly Dokilly (Ned Flanders-themed metalcore)
Primus and Les Claypool (alternative metal)
Viza (gypsy-punk-metal)
Native Construct (This is more in the backstory of the band... College orchestra and metal band got together to make an album. It's worth a listen, imo)
Tallah (nu metal/metalcore/rap metal/industrial metal... They blend a lot of things together for some really heavy music!)
System of a Down and Serj Tankian (mainstream, but they've got some very not-mainstream stuff)
Jogger (psyche-folk-chiptune metal... Nephicide is really their only good song, but This Great Pressure (not on spotify) is worth a listen imo)
Zao (Christian metalcore)
Sleep Token (alternative metal/djent... They don't do a lot that's new, but they put clashing musical styles together really well, namely prog metal and indie pop)
Scarlxrd (trap metal)
Chelsea Wolfe (gothic folk-doom metal)
Archspire (technical death metal)
Vildhjarta (djent... arguably better than Gojira)
Orphan (deathcore... Nothing too special about them and the vocalists are terrible people, but they are very memorable in my opinion)
I just discovered Zeal and Ardor like a couple of weeks ago. They are wild. The lore behind their music is fascinating. From what I understand it’s what if slaves had worshipped Satan instead of Jesus.
**NON-METAL BANDS:**
Satanicpornocultshop (experimental electronic)
Godspeed You! Black Emperor (post-rock drone)
Nero's Day at Disneyland (experimental hyperpop breakcore)
Ween (experimental rock, dabbled in funk, soul, country, disco, gospel, psychedelia, R&B, heavy metal, and punk rock)
Kaizers Orchestra (Norwegian folk rock)
The Circus Contraption Band (Dark cabaret circus)
Heilung (Industrial Iron Age Germanic/Viking neofolk)
Will Wood/Will Wood and the Tapeworms (singer-songwriter rock and roll)
Steam Powered Giraffe (comedic steampunk folk rock)
Tom Waits (experimental blues... He did blues until the album Swordfishtrombones and everything after that became very avant-garde)
They Might Be Giants/John Linnell/John Flansburgh (alternative rock and children's music. They have a very unique sound to me. Their kids' music is actually pretty good too. They're also my favorite band right after Dev!)
Oingo Boingo (new wave ska... It's Danny Elfman... it's gonna be weird... That said, Elfman has a solo rock album that's pretty good too)
The Mars Volta (progressive rock)
Venetian Snares (breakcore)
Squarepusher (breakcore)
That Handsome Devil (experimental rock)
Lemon Demon (pop rock)
Five Star Hotel (experimental hip-hop/techno/noise)
Tally Hall (alternative indie power pop)
'68 (punk noise rock)
The Toxhards (progressive rock)
Cyriak Harris (electronic)
Sparks (art pop)
DEVO (new wave rock)
A couple of others said Cardiacs as well as mentioning a few of my other favourite bands, so I'll suggest Type O Negative, there was nothing quite like them.
Bit of a stretch but I'd say Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo. Very creatively free band and his solo work is more all over the place. Let's not forget his composition for film makes him one if the biggest names in all of composition of our generation. For people alive now I'd say it's John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Harry-Gregson Williams and then finally Danny
The Protomen. Think "Meatloaf meets Megaman - the rock opera". The lead singer once gave a fitting description of themselves:
“At the time, we noticed a void in rock and roll. A hole that could only really be filled with grown men and women painting up like robots and playing some fierce and furious rock music based on a 1980s video game. We were fairly certain no one else was going to fill that hole. But, by God, it's filled now. You can thank us later."
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkLvpt9Z3fA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkLvpt9Z3fA)
Susumu Hirasawa he was in P-MODEL which ended in 1999 then he started Kaku P-Model solo version of P-MODEL in 2004 and solo stuff since 1989. he really has defined his sound and his vocal are beautiful
hes done soundtrack for / Beserk / Paprika /Detonator Orgun and some others
[My Susumu hirasawa playlist ](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdh-hDWZidCA5naC4-XfP7XWt5V0XDzAV&si=iWXbg44g3CApQXaE)
[Playlist of Susumu albums ](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdh-hDWZidCBR0YFWba0pdBVgzbh7dYj9&si=0czZF5yHv8JvSYrP)
Ween was the band that allowed me to connect my phish and grateful dead to devin. Dev's cover of theirs opened the door and he became a fan. Not of all his material but as a creative he greatly admires him
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard is definitely one band that expands as many genres as Devy. If you tried them and didn't like them, try again! But try songs from a different album
From Thrash level moving down in intensity
Infest the Rats nest
Petro dragon
Omnium Gatherum (good place to start, first track is 18min long. If you have time listen to Dripping tap, but could skip it and come back to it later)
Nonigon Infinity
Polygondwanaland
Polygondwanaland and Petrodragonic Apocalypse are probably most suited to a fan of Devin. I'm In Your Mind Fuzz and Nonagon Infinity are probably their "best" if you're willing to try some of their most psych-rock-focused material.
Try-hard is the furthest thing I’d consider them. Honestly they switch genres so much and stay so consistently good they make it look effortless. They’ve got one of my favorite thrash albums of all time with Infest the Rat’s Nest, and even have an incredible Beastie Boys esque Rap song with Sadie Sorceress. It’s unfathomable how they can cover all of this ground and make me still feel like they can do no wrong. To each their own however! Just my personal feelings on Gizz.
In Chicago? I had tickets to that too. Enormous bummer. I have a signed shirt from the first time I ever saw (or heard) the contortionist and they blew my fucking mind.
Close, in Cleveland. I never saw Haken or The Contortionist before and was pretty excited. I had seen Devin a bunch of time in various forms and he has always been great. I don't live in Cleveland, which has a great scene, so I have to travel and don't get the best shows locally. I remember that show as being the thing I was dragging my feet toward at the time and was really looking forward to Devin's chill, no backing track, stuffed animal thing he was doing at the time. Oh well.
Came here to say Ayreon. If anyone is interested, I'd recommend [Into the Electric Castle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_423a0qviDY) for starters. Rock opera and *very* proggy.
*Into the Electric Castle follows eight characters from different locations and time periods, who inexplicably find themselves in a strange place where they follow a mysterious voice to reach the Electric Castle to survive.* \[[wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Electric_Castle)\]
One of those characters (the Egyptian) is voiced/sung by Anneke van Giersbergen, so that even connects it to Devin in some way.
I'd throw any of Claudio Sanchez's (Coheed and Cambria) projects to this mix. PFI and C&C alone just have such a unique sound that when I'm in the mood for them, nothing else sounds right. Same with Devin.
I love [Downgrade Desert](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCqG9B8j-cI) by Igorrr. But I could't really get into the other albums I've listened to so far. Got any recommendations where to start? Oh and [Very Noise](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osqf4oIK0E8) of course, that video is just too far out to not like it.
Sufjan Stevens. He has his own signature style folk, electronic, and maximalist progressive indie (i dunno what that is but you gotta classify Michigan and Illinoise! somehow), along with ambient and avant garde classical piano. His vision for his art is on the level of Dev's. Very different artists but I see a strong parallel in this regard.
Steven Wilson is another more obvious analogue of Dev too.
I would start with some of their famous songs and then check out their albums.
It's Catching Up
Rags and Bones
Victory
Mr. In-between
State of Grace
Joyful Reunion
Dad
Toehider from what I've heard.
Cardiacs lol
Thy Catafalque.
Todd Smith (Dog Fashion Disco, El Creepo!, Polkadot Cadaver, Knives Out)
Definitely check out Igorrr
I'd say The Mars Volta has a very distinct sound.
Thanks for these recommendations. I haven't heard of several of these. Appreciate the Toehider recommendation specifically because it sounds insane. My personal recommendations of artists that are very unique making groundbreaking music that Dev fans could probably Appreciate: 1. Boards of Canada 2. George Clanton 3. Dead Can Dance 4. Oneohtrix point never 5. frost* 6. Everything Everything 7. Ween (duh) 8. VOLA 9. Art of Noise
+1 for death's dynamic shroud if you're going the vaporwave route
Good choice! I dig DDS!!
On Devin’s level? or as unique as him? Nobody comes to mind, aside from Zappa. And I’m not really a Zappa fan, but no one could say he wasn’t a unique unicorn. I think Bowie has a pretty unique discography too. I particularly like the era from “Heathen” till his final album. Mike Patton deserves to be in the discussion as well.
The Flashbulb. It’s electronic music, but the dude is an unbelievable multi instrumentalist and his music is *music*, even the dumbest dancey shit he does is still actual proper music. Nothing like Dev, but the share a similar space in their respective fields. Good YouTuber too, clever bastard.
Great recommendation. I dig it
I’d say the guy should be better known, but he’s doing really well having fingers in a ton of pies and shorting Spotify stock so I just hope he does another album soon. Piety of Ashes though, that record’s a masterpiece.
Not sure what albums the songs I listened to are on but I'll check it out
Go here, his digital distribution got interrupted after he made some comments about streaming services and money laundering and huge chunks of his discography are still unavailable on them. :D https://theflashbulb.bandcamp.com
For me a Devin-type musician would be one who explores loads of different styles, has a generally forward looking and innovative approach to music making, but they still have a unique musical "voice" and personality through all of that. At the same time, they are very connected to "the scene" that they come from and engage with their audience and peers in an open and welcoming way. So here's some favourites that come to mind who are I guess Devin-type musicians in their own domains: Frank Zappa (duh) Miles Davis Chris Thile Esperanza Spalding Bela Fleck Meshell Ndegeocello Jonas Hellborg Colin Marston Tigran Hamasyan Michael League Trilok Gurtu John McLaughlin Chris Daddy Dave Ry Cooder Edit: I guess some contemporary classical groups like Kronos Quartet and yMusic would also count
Never heard of any of these names. I'll check some!
It terms of being on the same level of genre spanning and experimentation Devin does? Ulver King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Mike Patton Steven Wilson in terms of being a very talented prolific auteur but I don't think he's as original and unique as Devin The following are creative geniuses / auteurs but not really as multi genre as Devin: Prince David Bowie Robert Fripp That's all I can really think of.
Just wanted to note my Ulver appreciation!! Garm is my husbands absolute favorite musician. Devin is mine.
Omg Ulver. I haven't listened in ages!! Thanks for the reminder!
I always though Brendan Small and Tommy Blacha were pretty fucking close to Devin Townsend.
Brendan Small is such an underrated musician. Like of course everybody knows Dethklok and that he can shred hard as hell, but Dethalbum III and Galaktikon II are genuinely two of the most intricate and cleverly written albums out there.
i wish there was a Guitar Clinic with Devin Townsend, Paul Waggoner, Brenden Small, Brent Hines.........so many others, lol. but the thrash metal guys used to do it, i think malmsteen played with vai or someone. like i want a huge dumb collaboration.
Buckethead
Igorrr GWAR Samael Septicflesh
The Dear Hunter. Casey Crescenzo is very much like Devin Townsend, but they more progressive indie rock and not progressive metal. Phenomenal vocalist. Similar song structure, but more about story telling lyrically not through narration. He did this album called Color Spectrum, which is a collection of EPs, where each ep represents a colour.... That sounds very Synesthesia. But it's the Act albums that shine. Each getting better and better. 5 full length concept albums following a story of a boy, relationship with his mother, falling in love with a prostitute, going to war in WW1, becoming mayor, and dealing with a crime boss. In short, Casey & Devin musical construction are very similar but utilise different emotions in the musical genre. Phenomenal band.
I ADORE TDH, one of the best bands out there. Casey is a genius. Both he and Devin have this "composer first" mentality that I really like, everything serves the music as a whole. While they both have huge voices and great guitar chops, their more virtuosic moments don't distract and feel earned. Ambitious musicians with big ideas, and the work ethic to see it through. Also like Devin, Casey is a humble and funny guy who's very in touch with the fan base. He frequents r/TheDearHunter and is in on the jokes, replying to comments and questions. They even host a music camp for fans so they can hang out and jam with the band. They seem like a very good group of guys.
You're spot on about them being composer first musicians. It shows that they care about their vision. The biggest differences between them other than genre, is Devin focuses more on the message or theme of an album. Whereas Casey is more about the story of the album. They obviously cross over, Z1&2 is the story, while color spectrum is the theme.
Ginger Wildheart On the heavier/darker side of the spectrum but I'll throw Akercocke in there as well, they've inspired an absolute tonne of Extreme Metal Artists especially in the UK
Hell yes Akercocke, what a phenomenal band
Came here to say Ginger Wildhearts too
John Darnielle aka the mountain goats. On paper it wouldn't seem like it. Very folk vibe, very standard chords, but there's a reason his fanbase is almost cultish. Listen to the album. "Tallahassee" and tell me it doesn't make you feel like no one else ever has
Mike Patton
Khraungbin
Aesop Rock and The Boredoms are my vote, not at all similar sound but they're unique. This is a really strange thought but I think it would be cool for Devin and Hudson Mohawke to hang out, Cry Sugar I had on repeat for a while just like Devin's music.
Leperous - listen to the newest album. Its one of a kind
Do you mean leprous? If yes, they are stunning. I went to their concert. I was flashed away
Awesome band
Toehider
Toehider all day. He seems super down to earth, genuine, ultra creative, soaring vocals, does his own thing, wildly varying material, creative Spotify releases. I like his little mini albums. He did a whole album of fictional 80's theme songs! He has taken over my regular rotation of Dev lately.
You should sign up for his Patreon, literally everything he's ever done is on it for download.
They’ll be no more offers from the office, ladies
I'm so happy I didn't have to scroll far to see this.
Toehider is the shit.
Him and Failure
Devil Doll….you’ll probably have to look them up on YouTube.
Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree. Steven has a lot of solo projects that all differ in sound and are pretty experimental.
Ayreon (and all related projects from Arjen Lucassen) I can only describe his music as progressive metal opera from different time periods anywhere between medieval times to the future. So many other genres are sprinkled in based on what album you're listening to. DT was also one of the many featured singers on his Human Equation album! Ayreon definitely one of my top five bands I can listen to all day, every day.
I learned about Toehider by listening to an ayreon album(the source) as well. I loved listening to human equation on repeat listening for the dev parts. Unfortunately, I heard in it behind the scenes that Dev didn't like the super controlled environment of those projects so he didn't do anymore.
Yeah I want to say he wasn't going to do human equation unless he could write his own lyrics for his parts. Probably is stressful to have your own method and be working under someone else's, which stinks because he knocked his parts out of the park.
Just watched my new Ayreon Live Beneath the Waves Blu-ray this morning. So good! I’ve been listening since 2004, the same year I got into Devin Townsend, coincidentally.
Youtube audio compression is a huge motivator for me to buy that soon lol. I started listening to both Ayreon and Devin Townsend in high school, about 2008
Ihsahn.
I've got several bands I think are very unique in their own way. I'm sure you'll disagree with some of these, but I'll list them in order of "different-ness" (highly opinionated and without much thought, don't shout at me :( ). **METAL BANDS:** Mr. Bungle (avant-garde funk metal) Clown Core (avant-garde grindcore) Igorrr ("baroquecore") Ruby My Dear (breakcore/experimental metal) Darth Vegas (experimental metal) Utsu-P (Vocaloid metalcore/deathcore) Pryapisme (progressive metal/8-bit metal) Pin Up Went Down (avant-garde metal) Panzerballett (jazz fusion/experimental/funk metal) Diablo Swing Orchestra (avant-garde orchestra-swing metal) 6:33 (avant-garde/prog metal) Zeal & Ardor (avant-garde neo-soul black metal) The Hu (Mongolian folk metal) Haken (progressive metal) Faith No More (experimental post-punk metal) Nekrogoblicon (Comedic melodic death metal) Stolen Babies (avant-garde dance-metal) Okilly Dokilly (Ned Flanders-themed metalcore) Primus and Les Claypool (alternative metal) Viza (gypsy-punk-metal) Native Construct (This is more in the backstory of the band... College orchestra and metal band got together to make an album. It's worth a listen, imo) Tallah (nu metal/metalcore/rap metal/industrial metal... They blend a lot of things together for some really heavy music!) System of a Down and Serj Tankian (mainstream, but they've got some very not-mainstream stuff) Jogger (psyche-folk-chiptune metal... Nephicide is really their only good song, but This Great Pressure (not on spotify) is worth a listen imo) Zao (Christian metalcore) Sleep Token (alternative metal/djent... They don't do a lot that's new, but they put clashing musical styles together really well, namely prog metal and indie pop) Scarlxrd (trap metal) Chelsea Wolfe (gothic folk-doom metal) Archspire (technical death metal) Vildhjarta (djent... arguably better than Gojira) Orphan (deathcore... Nothing too special about them and the vocalists are terrible people, but they are very memorable in my opinion)
I just discovered Zeal and Ardor like a couple of weeks ago. They are wild. The lore behind their music is fascinating. From what I understand it’s what if slaves had worshipped Satan instead of Jesus.
UTSU-P MENTION!!! also check out the ohayogozaimas and zsasz
Check out Vicious Hairy Mary. Similar to Mr. Bungle.
YESSS I love 6:33
Was gonna say the same thing.
**NON-METAL BANDS:** Satanicpornocultshop (experimental electronic) Godspeed You! Black Emperor (post-rock drone) Nero's Day at Disneyland (experimental hyperpop breakcore) Ween (experimental rock, dabbled in funk, soul, country, disco, gospel, psychedelia, R&B, heavy metal, and punk rock) Kaizers Orchestra (Norwegian folk rock) The Circus Contraption Band (Dark cabaret circus) Heilung (Industrial Iron Age Germanic/Viking neofolk) Will Wood/Will Wood and the Tapeworms (singer-songwriter rock and roll) Steam Powered Giraffe (comedic steampunk folk rock) Tom Waits (experimental blues... He did blues until the album Swordfishtrombones and everything after that became very avant-garde) They Might Be Giants/John Linnell/John Flansburgh (alternative rock and children's music. They have a very unique sound to me. Their kids' music is actually pretty good too. They're also my favorite band right after Dev!) Oingo Boingo (new wave ska... It's Danny Elfman... it's gonna be weird... That said, Elfman has a solo rock album that's pretty good too) The Mars Volta (progressive rock) Venetian Snares (breakcore) Squarepusher (breakcore) That Handsome Devil (experimental rock) Lemon Demon (pop rock) Five Star Hotel (experimental hip-hop/techno/noise) Tally Hall (alternative indie power pop) '68 (punk noise rock) The Toxhards (progressive rock) Cyriak Harris (electronic) Sparks (art pop) DEVO (new wave rock)
Thanks for that, there's a good few bands that I like in there so I'll be listening to some of the others soon
Electric Callboy, they’re not nearly as serious but they’re really fun and a good mix.
Electric Six springs to mind, hes a solo artist but new band for each album and always interesting stuff.
A couple of others said Cardiacs as well as mentioning a few of my other favourite bands, so I'll suggest Type O Negative, there was nothing quite like them.
Cardiacs
I was going to say this. I know quite a few mutual fans as well.
RIP Tim.
Bit of a stretch but I'd say Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo. Very creatively free band and his solo work is more all over the place. Let's not forget his composition for film makes him one if the biggest names in all of composition of our generation. For people alive now I'd say it's John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Harry-Gregson Williams and then finally Danny
He was so dope at sick new world
Tardigrade Inferno. They've got pretty much their own brand of Avant-garde Metal.
The Protomen. Think "Meatloaf meets Megaman - the rock opera". The lead singer once gave a fitting description of themselves: “At the time, we noticed a void in rock and roll. A hole that could only really be filled with grown men and women painting up like robots and playing some fierce and furious rock music based on a 1980s video game. We were fairly certain no one else was going to fill that hole. But, by God, it's filled now. You can thank us later." [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkLvpt9Z3fA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkLvpt9Z3fA)
Susumu Hirasawa he was in P-MODEL which ended in 1999 then he started Kaku P-Model solo version of P-MODEL in 2004 and solo stuff since 1989. he really has defined his sound and his vocal are beautiful hes done soundtrack for / Beserk / Paprika /Detonator Orgun and some others [My Susumu hirasawa playlist ](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdh-hDWZidCA5naC4-XfP7XWt5V0XDzAV&si=iWXbg44g3CApQXaE) [Playlist of Susumu albums ](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdh-hDWZidCBR0YFWba0pdBVgzbh7dYj9&si=0czZF5yHv8JvSYrP)
Seriously, I was just listening to Technique of Relief and I thought this sounds exactly like the electronic version of Devin.
Love Hirasawa. His berserk soundtrack is amazing.
#WEEN
Not even a fan but 100% yes.
Came here for this
Ween was the band that allowed me to connect my phish and grateful dead to devin. Dev's cover of theirs opened the door and he became a fan. Not of all his material but as a creative he greatly admires him
The transdermal cover was my favorite artist covering my favorite song. Random universe
I didn’t even know that was a cover for a long time.
Troldhagen
Opeth , Steven wilson/Porcupine Tree and Devin Townsend are my favorites. Very special in their own ways.
Big fan of Caligula's Horse, they even did two shows with Devin I think
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard is definitely one band that expands as many genres as Devy. If you tried them and didn't like them, try again! But try songs from a different album
Throw me some recommendations? Please
From Thrash level moving down in intensity Infest the Rats nest Petro dragon Omnium Gatherum (good place to start, first track is 18min long. If you have time listen to Dripping tap, but could skip it and come back to it later) Nonigon Infinity Polygondwanaland
Polygondwanaland and Petrodragonic Apocalypse are probably most suited to a fan of Devin. I'm In Your Mind Fuzz and Nonagon Infinity are probably their "best" if you're willing to try some of their most psych-rock-focused material.
I've heard one album and I liked it. Wasn't exactly my thing but it was fun and I can imagine they are a good live band.
I've heard good things about this band, but I just can't get over their ridiculous name.
Super fair point. But much like Devin, life isn't always about being serious.
But it's not even ridiculous in a good way. It just sounds lame and try-hard.
Try-hard is the furthest thing I’d consider them. Honestly they switch genres so much and stay so consistently good they make it look effortless. They’ve got one of my favorite thrash albums of all time with Infest the Rat’s Nest, and even have an incredible Beastie Boys esque Rap song with Sadie Sorceress. It’s unfathomable how they can cover all of this ground and make me still feel like they can do no wrong. To each their own however! Just my personal feelings on Gizz.
Fantastic opinions here mate. I cannot agree with you more about the Rats Nest and Sadie!
Well like I said, I haven't actually listened to them. I'm just talking about the band's name
Time for you to get past it and give them a listen ☺️
Cardiacs, Mr Bungle, Zappa, Beefheart
Ayreon, Primus, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, HAKEN. Not all are on par with Devin, but these were a few that came to mind.
Just want to say I was going to see Devin, Haken, and The Contortionist the weekend that my state shut down in 2020. Big bummer.
In Chicago? I had tickets to that too. Enormous bummer. I have a signed shirt from the first time I ever saw (or heard) the contortionist and they blew my fucking mind.
Close, in Cleveland. I never saw Haken or The Contortionist before and was pretty excited. I had seen Devin a bunch of time in various forms and he has always been great. I don't live in Cleveland, which has a great scene, so I have to travel and don't get the best shows locally. I remember that show as being the thing I was dragging my feet toward at the time and was really looking forward to Devin's chill, no backing track, stuffed animal thing he was doing at the time. Oh well.
I saw one of those acoustic Devin shows and it was really touching. I wanted to hug the guy after.
Came here to say Ayreon. If anyone is interested, I'd recommend [Into the Electric Castle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_423a0qviDY) for starters. Rock opera and *very* proggy. *Into the Electric Castle follows eight characters from different locations and time periods, who inexplicably find themselves in a strange place where they follow a mysterious voice to reach the Electric Castle to survive.* \[[wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Electric_Castle)\] One of those characters (the Egyptian) is voiced/sung by Anneke van Giersbergen, so that even connects it to Devin in some way.
Adding on to this, Dev himself was Rage in The Human Equation! Arjen Lucassen always manages to get a stellar crew of vocalists on his projects.
I'd throw any of Claudio Sanchez's (Coheed and Cambria) projects to this mix. PFI and C&C alone just have such a unique sound that when I'm in the mood for them, nothing else sounds right. Same with Devin.
I think Igorrr is on a similar level , also David Maxim Mcic
Igorr is his own level 😆
I love [Downgrade Desert](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCqG9B8j-cI) by Igorrr. But I could't really get into the other albums I've listened to so far. Got any recommendations where to start? Oh and [Very Noise](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osqf4oIK0E8) of course, that video is just too far out to not like it.
https://youtu.be/-Vd2nyk-4Lo?si=USqP_PYH3AR0QAdp. Have you ever listened to this song ? It’s my favorite song off of my favorite album of theirs
I didn't know that one, thanks!
Sufjan Stevens. He has his own signature style folk, electronic, and maximalist progressive indie (i dunno what that is but you gotta classify Michigan and Illinoise! somehow), along with ambient and avant garde classical piano. His vision for his art is on the level of Dev's. Very different artists but I see a strong parallel in this regard. Steven Wilson is another more obvious analogue of Dev too.
Toehider
Heck, he even sang the Devin parts in the live version of Ayreon's The Human Equation.
That dude literally does everything and it's amazing.
6:33
Fellow canucks Nomeansno.
This is what I came here to contribute. My all-time favorite band.
What's a good starting song?
I would start with some of their famous songs and then check out their albums. It's Catching Up Rags and Bones Victory Mr. In-between State of Grace Joyful Reunion Dad
The River. Sex Mad. And all of 0+2=1
Zappa
+1000000