BraveWords.com has received the following press release:

Bring the noise: E1 Music Canada has announced the exclusive distribution agreement with one of Canada’s best-loved guitarists – DEVIN TOWNSEND.

“Fans of Devin’s music are extremely loyal,” added Dominique Zgarka, President of E1 Music Canada. “We’re more than delighted, then, to be able to work with him and his team servicing the needs of this audience that constitutes such a reliable portion of the music market, and of course, to work an artist with such great vision and unflagging integrity.”

After releasing “Ki” in May 2009 musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR) thought it was time for the 2nd installment of the series of four albums under the moniker DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT. Like the last project, a different collection of session musicians are involved who were chosen based on what the theme of the album is and the vibe that the album is trying to project. For Addicted Devin Townsend got vocal support by a well-known female voice: Anneke van Giersbergen, ex-THE GATHERING. Fans should be prepared for a very special dual vocal delivery on Addicted.

Devin says, “With Ki, I kind of strode out in uncharted territories for myself musically, and loved the experience. However, during the course of writing this four record project, it was inevitable that I would end up writing a selection of tunes that were very much in line with my back catalogue. Musically, Addicted is along the lines of the big, wall of sound hard rock/heavy metal of Ocean Machine and Accelerated Evolution, even Physicist at points. It is a very direct and 'to the point' album with an emphasis on groove and the chorus. In the past, lots of my records end up taking a kind of PINK FLOYD-ish Addicted is really simple: 10 rocking songs and no bullshit.

I wanted to make a record that was heavy, without being dark or depressing. When I got into metal it was for the energy behind it, but somewhere along the way that energy started getting really negative. In music right now, there's a ton of heavy bands that are really depressing to listen to loudly. I wanted to make a record without any real deep metaphor on the surface. Something that sounds good, has a good beat, and a positive feeling. It is still heavy as-all-get-out, but I think there's a differentiation to be made between being 'peaceful', and being peaceful but wanting to celebrate loud, crushing music.

The vocal duties on this record are handled by myself and Anneke van Giersbergen, formerly the voice of The Gathering. I wanted to have male and female vocals kind of 'tell the story' so to speak. It's an honour to work with her and she has a lovely, lovely energy. I love this record, it affects me in a way that I wasn't prepared for. It's a fully rocking album of optimism. If you just want to 'play it loud' without any crazy metaphor, this album might be for you!”

“Addicted” will be supported live by worldwide touring activities under his own moniker, and will be a cross-section of his work: “We will start touring in early 2010, representing all the back catalogue of solo material, from Ki, Addicted, Physicist, Ziltoid, Terria, Ocean Machine, Infinity and others... I have some big plans for this and rehearsals are sounding amazing,” Devin says.

“So I hope you will enjoy Addicted in the theme of the Devin Townsend Project, the reason “Addicted” exists is maybe a little deeper than what the record sounds like up front. But up front, it kind of states: 'Life is tough, the world can be an ugly place...so lets forget about the dramas and ROCK - here's some heavy guitars, big choruses and killer beats’.”

Addicted tracklisting:

'Addicted!'

'Universe In A Ball!'

'Bend It Like Bender!'

'Supercrush!'

'Hyperdrive!'

'Resolve!'

'Ih-Ah!'

'The Way Home!'

'Numbered!'

'Awake!!'