DEVIN TOWNSEND Announces Full Band Lineup For ‘Empath’ Fall 2019 European Tour

Devin Townsend released his new album “Empath” in March and will embark on the “Empath – European Tour Vol. 1” in November.

Since disbanding the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, Devin has been tracking down players of excellence to form a new live band which he’s now extremely pleased to present.

Townsend has anounced to be playing material of his entire carreer live, including his work with Vai and Strapping Young Lad and Ocean Machine.

Devin comments: “There have been only a few times throughout my career that I can safely say I’ve taken a chance as big as I’m about to take with these new touring plans. But I believe that to not take a chance on something as important to me as this can only lead to creative stagnation.

“It is with profound gratitude that I can announce this next tour. To be joined by musicians of this caliber, as well as crew and sound design of such a level, is something I am truly humbled by. As one who has been working professionally my whole career to be able to be allowed to pull something like this off, I really can’t say ‘thank you’ enough to everyone involved.

“This is a quantum leap for me, and it’s a situation that I have been very proactive in choosing a group of individuals and setlist for.

“I am thrilled and honoured to be joined on these next tours by drummer Morgan Ågren, guitarist Mike Keneally, ambient guitarist Markus Reuter, keyboardist Diego Tejeida, singer and guitarist Ché Aimee Dorval, bassist Nathan Navarro, as well as a three-person choir comprised of Samantha and Anne Preis, and Arabella Packford.

“This will be without a net. No backing tracks, no clicks, a lot of room for improvisation, and every possible avenue through musicians and production of high calibre for new and interesting things to be possible each night.

“Though this is the first of my upcoming plans for touring, and I don’t want to be limited in the future, my gut feeling is that this will be a truly unique and fascinatingly colourful organization that will yield wonderful things. I truly hope it can be received well enough to be brought to a lot of different territories.

“In a wonderful turn of events, the tour is selling out quickly, so please don’t delay and miss the opportunity to see this unique band.

“Thank you again for allowing me to do these sorts of things. Truly.”

Joining Devin on this album is Frank Zappa alumni Mike Keneally as music director, as well as Morgan Ågren (MATS AND MORGAN, FRANK ZAPPA, FREDRIK THORDENDAL), Anup Sastry (MONUMENTS, PERIPHERY, JEFF LOOMIS), Samus Paulicelli (DECREPIT BIRTH, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS), Nathan Navarro, Elliot Desagnes, Steve Vai, Chad Kroeger, Anneke Van Giersbergen, Ché Aimee Dorval, Ryan Dhale and the Elektra Women’s Choir.

Source: Blabbermouth