To me, this is DT's most cohesive work, and my personal favorite. From start to finish, this album is best listened to in one sitting. Although all the songs are good (and some are amazing), the individual pieces lose their force and context when pulled from the whole. A darkened room, a quality sound system with the volume turned up... ah, bliss.

I first heard Devin Townsend in the early 90ties when he was playing with Steve Vai. His vocal performance then was remarkable. I never heard his solo stuff until I ordered "terria" and "ocean machine" from cd baby some two weeks ago. I had really no idea what his music would sound like 10 years after first heard him with Vai. The music didn't quite grab me on the first listen. A few songs were appealing, but took a little while of listening before it dawned on me: This is one of the greatest records I have ever heard. And that was just one of the two I had ordered. Devin Townsend's music is grand. It grabs you and sucks you in, and leaves you with a feeling of having travelled a thousand miles by the time your record is over. The grand landscapes are ever changing. Rythms, chords, and arrangements are enormously complex. And wonderful. It is really hard to categorize Townsend's music. It falls much beyond the confined boundaries of traditional rock labels. Sometimes they remind you of a heavy metal version of Pink Floyd, but it is not really heavy metal. The genre is way too full of gems and "spinal tap"-like embarrassing characters to give justification to Townsend's music. There are plenty of elements from heavy music though: Distorted power chords make monsterous walls of sound, bass and drums thunder. However, there are also quiet moments. Devin likes echoes, reverb and other effects. Like Pink Floyd, many of the songs are interlaced with ambient sounds. As I mentioned, Devin Townsend has remarkable vocal abilities. He can hit highs like Queensryche's Geoff Tate, and his screams can make you wet your pants. Quite remarkable! Apart from his singing, he delivers very noteworthy guitar parts also. The most noteworthy part of either Terria and Ocean Machine, however, is the songs. Townsend is an incredible songwriter. The songs on these albums are second to none, and in the end, is what draws you in. In between all the rythm changes, and ever changing chord progressions, there are songs which are very singable. I swear that multiple radio hits would ensue from either albums in the hands of the right marketing person. (Somebody please print some singles and ship them off to radio stations please!!!) All in all, I cannot recommend Townsend highly enough. But please do yourself a favor and buy the CD, and give it a few good listenings before you pass a verdict. I recommend Townsend to absolutely anyone with a passion for music. It does not matter if you are into jazz or classical music. Devin will draw you in and there is just no way that a musical being can be left untouched by the raw emotion at display here. This music will grow on you as you listen to it. And if in the end the intensity of Devin Townsend is too much for you, well, there is always Britney. topjimi@operamail.com

Embracing the progressive and innovative, this well-accomplished 29 year old Canadian musician has performed with Steve Vai, Jason Newsted of Metallica and more. Townsend doesn't hide behind boundaries or prescriptions of the metal genre but instead, rides them into new territory. With all the heaviness and intensity metal fans love, this CD also successfully encompasses a wide variety of emotion.

Let's get the good out of the way- the lyrics in "Terria" are among the best Devin has written. 'Mountain,' 'Earth Day' and all the rest of the songs have well-written lyrics. And while the sonic landscapes created in this album are lush and atmospheric, I cannot help but feel that the music overall is rather boring. Townsend's other albums like "Ocean Machine" feature atmospheric sonic scapes, but still grab you and don't let go. I hate to say it, but not one song in Terria really grabbed my ear like, say, 'Life' in "Ocean Machine" or 'Christeen' in "Infinity." If you are a Devin Townsend fan, definitely get this album. It showcases his willingness to experiment, try new things, and his lyrics are wonderful in this record. However, if you are just starting to get into Devin Townsend's music, this record may put you to sleep. For the casual Devin Townsend listener, I recommend "Ocean Machine" and "Accelerated Evolution" over "Terria."