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's writing ability was affected by personal struggles. These were resolved during the creation of the album ''[[Terria (Devin Townsend album)|Terria]]'' (2001) and Townsend felt a newfound enthusiasm for his music.<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 and 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>

Townsend formed a new, permanent band called The Devin Townsend Band to record and tour his solo releases. It 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. Townsend chose members of local bands who had different life and career experiences than him to provide fresh perspectives on his music.<ref name="popoff-2003" /> Townsend wrote and produced the band's first album at the same time he was working on an album for Strapping Young Lad called ''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 worked on many of Townsend's and Strapping Young Lad's albums. The album 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 to be a polar opposite of ''SYL''.<ref name="hawkins-20030506">{{cite web|last=Hawkins|first=Chris|url=http://www.knaclive.com/article.asp?ArticleID=2019|title=Devin Townsend Accelerated Evolution|date=May 6, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713161919/http://www.knaclive.com/article.asp?ArticleID=2019|archive-date=July 13, 2011|website=[[KNAC.com]]}}</ref> The album blended aspects of [[alternative rock]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lawson|first=Dom|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/devin-townsend-a-guide-to-his-best-albums|title="Even the most bizarre and ingenious of his ideas seem to hit the target": The Devin Townsend albums you should listen to... and one to avoid|date=16 April 2025|access-date=December 26, 2025|website=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Louder]]}}</ref> [[hard rock]], and [[progressive metal]],<ref name="allmusic-review" /> with elements of [[heavy metal music]], [[ambient music]], and [[experimental music]].<ref name="hawkins-20030506" /> The album is more melodic and rock-based than ''SYL'' or ''Physicist'', with a heavier focus on individual songs than ''Terria''.<ref name="hoose-20030521">{{cite web|author-last=Hoose|author-first=Xander|url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-3028_devin_townsend_band_accelerated_evolution.aspx|title=Devin Townsend Band - Accelerated Evolution|date=May 21, 2003|website=[[Chronicles of Chaos (webzine)|Chronicles of Chaos]]}}</ref> It was influenced by artists such as [[John Lennon]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], and [[Rush (band)|Rush]].<ref name="maniacs-200309" /> 

Songs such as "Storm", "Suicide", and "Sunday Afternoon" were noted as "less frantic and more mature" than songs on Townsend's ''[[Infinity (Devin Townsend album)|Infinity]]'' album.<ref name="hoose-20030521" /> "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's goal was for the album to be commercially viable, making his existing style more concise and accessible but avoiding [[pop music]] characteristics.<ref name="popoff-2003" /> Townsend utilized clean vocals much more than in his previous albums, and produced and mixed the album in his trademark [[wall of sound]] style, blending 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]]. 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>

After the release of ''Accelerated Evolution'', Townsend toured 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 other 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> Critics cited that the album blended different genres of music, making it accessible to a wider audience.<ref name="maniacs-200309">G., Mike (September 2003). "The Devin Townsend Band: No Holds Barred." ''[[Metal Maniacs]]''.</ref><ref name="sputnikmusic-review">Hughes, Mike (November 29, 2007). "[http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=8709 Devin Townsend: ''Accelerated Evolution'']." ''Sputnikmusic''.</ref><ref name="allmusic-review">Henderson, Alex. "[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r634643|pure_url=yes}} ''Accelerated Evolution'': Review]." ''[[Allmusic]]''.</ref> However, Thomas Hatton in writing for Treble Magazine said that the album's wall of sound characteristic will take some time to be appreciated by new listeners.<ref name="treble">Hatton, Thomas (15 June 2015). "Beginner’s Guide: Devin Townsend" ''Treble''. Accessed 26 December, 2025.</ref> Xander Hoose of ''[[Chronicles of Chaos (webzine)|Chronicles of Chaos]]'' compared the album favorably to ''SYL'', saying that ''Accelerated Evolution''{{'s}} songs had more variation and were more layored, multi-dimentional, and memorable than ''SYL''.<ref name="hoose-20030521" /> Mike G. of ''[[Metal Maniacs]]'' called ''Accelerated Evolution'' "the album of the year".<ref name="maniacs-200309" />

==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)]]