Imagine one moment you are sitting under a tree on beautiful summer afternoon. The wind is blowing, the air is warm and you are at complete peace. The next minute you are running through a dark forest being chased and scared for your life.

It is safe to say I have never before heard an album quite like this. Having never before listened to the Devin Townsend Band some may be surprised at how far removed this is from Devin’s other band Strapping Young Lad.

Devin described "Sychestra" as being one big song and I can see where he is coming from with that. Pushing his limits with the last SYL album, "Alien", is what truly allowed Devin to bring out this side of him for "Synchestra" and be completely happy with it and push the limits here as well. "Synchestra" has some heavy moments and some soft moments. Mostly clean understandable vocals and then when you least expect it a touch of extreme harsher vocals. Progressive metal is the main thing represented throughout this album but I have never heard it quite like this before. The album has it’s moments where I am ready to pull out the Dream Theater card but before it gets carried away with that style it changes to something completely different and original.

Fans of Finntroll will be happy with 'Vampolka'. 'Triumph' is a stand out track, which will appeal to fans of big rock anthems. The vocals are what really shine here and stand out the most on the album. Just when you think the album is going one way that sudden turn is made and you are going in a new direction. Fans of Devin and Strapping Young Lad will not be disappointed. Listening to "Synchestra" had me on my feet wondering what was to come next.