Devin Townsend Project drummer Ryan van Poederooyen has checked in with the following update:

"A view from Mike St. Jean's keyboard land in our rehearsal space. We have six more rehearsals left before going in to record the new DTP. I'm going in daily and writing or improving my drum parts. Gotta have new, tasty beats and fills. I always try to improve over the drummer I was on the last album. I try to be even more diverse and creative each time. The only competition I'm ever in competition with is myself. 'Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else.' In other words: 'Always be yourself!'"

Ryan Meehan at First Order Historians recently caught up with Canadian vocalist/guitarist/producer Devin Townsend. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

RM:  In what ways does the music that you are currently working on differ from the material on Z² and Epicloud?  Do you have a certain set of criteria when it comes to evaluating the degree of change that exists on any new project compared to the work you’ve done in the past?

DT: "I need an angle of some sort. An emoti onal perspective that is clearly articulated, or a tangible thing such as the choir in Epicloud, orchestra on Deconstruction, or something that inspires momentum. Otherwise, it becomes tedious and the tendency is to repeat myself. Transcendence – the new record – is inspired by a desire to change myself in some fundamental ways and the consequent work that went into doing so. Control has often been a hang up of mine rooted in fear, so working through that consciously with the people in my life has been motivating for the artistic angle of this new record."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Townsend will attend a new convention-type event called HeavyCon in London, England for three days starting on Friday, September 30th. Townsend will be speaking in the main auditorium on the Friday, conducting a guitar master-class on the Saturday, and he will unveil some new Devin Townsend Project music together on the Sunday. He will also be signing autographs and meeting fans all throughout the weekend.

Townsend comments: "In a year mainly comprised of writing and preparation for my next few projects, I'm proud to announce my participation at HeavyCon! It will be one of the few trips to the UK this year, so I look forward to meeting with you all there!"

Check out HeavyCon's website here for more information.