In 2024 Devin Townsend set himself a goal: write a heavy album and don’t overthink it. With a self-imposed deadline of two weeks to knock out the songs, the progressive powerhouse purposely allowed himself very little time to sweat the details. The result is PowerNerd – a collection of Devin’s trademark sounds dedicated to the empaths and introverts of the world. But is it heavy? Not entirely.
Instead of hunkering down in HevyDevy territory, Devin plucks from the various chapters in his long and varied career. PowerNerd takes two paths: soft and ethereal quasi-gospel (a standout feature of his recent output) and rip-roaring vintage rock, exemplified on the rifftastic title track and Twisted Sister-indebted Knuckledragger. Elsewhere, he marries heavy riffs with spiritual leanings, as on Jainism – a hulking, nostalgic trip down Terria-era Townsend with a chorus that wouldn’t be out of place on fan favourite Epicloud. Similarly, Falling Apart sets soul-searching lyrics to life-affirming crescendos like a delicious momentary slab of Ocean Machine.
