How did the Darkest Hour recording sessions go?

They are a good honest band who have been at it for ten years, so the process was more a case of corralling the ideas and coming out the other end with a unified project. I'm happy with the results.

If you could produce an album by any band, who would it be?

I'd like to be involved with good metal with an identity, the band in particular is not as much of an issue. I dunno, Slayer? Opeth? Meshuggah?

From a pure musicianship standpoint, what is the most talented band you've produced?

I'd have to say that Soilwork had their shit together more than most of the bands I've worked with. They practiced their individual parts every day and were very willing to work with my anal punching technique.

How does the new Strapping Young Lad album compare to previous efforts?

It's more dynamic and quite a bit more personal. It reflects a particularly strange year in a way that I think people into heavy music can relate to.

Would SYL be able to exist without you?

I highly doubt it... and if it did, it would be quite different. There would probably be markedly less forehead in the band.

How do prioritize between SYL and The Devin Townsend Band?

I do what I feel is appropriate and then let the chips fall where they may. I write according to my mood, and it seems obvious to me after it's written as to where it should go.

What's different about the metal scene than ten years ago?

It's a bit more differentiated in terms of specific genres than it used to be. There used to be just "metal," now there's tons of subcategories of metal that all seem to not want to be associated with each other. I think heavy music is heavy music, personally, and ten years later we're still doing our thing.

Have you had any contact with Steve Vai recently?

Yeah, we talk sometimes... we are in different worlds, but we have a mutual respect for each other.

How did you hook up with Skinny Puppy for the remix?

Rhys Fulber is a good friend, and he lives in Vancouver and gets assigned lots of remix work, I am a good instrument if you need guitar or vox, and on several occasions he has needed both. The Skinny Puppy remix is an example of that. Another would be the vocals on Paradise Lost's last one.

Are you earning a living from production and music at this point?

In a roundabout way, and through constant work... yes.

I know with bigger releases, producers typically get something called points, which determines their earnings based on record sales. Is that something that you get to partake in, or do you simply get a one-time flat fee? Basically, and obviously this isn't going to happen, but if say the Lamb Of God album suddenly sold 2 million additional copies, would you benefit financially at all?

Some projects in the past I did not take points on, which is dumb actually. For the record, a producer for those months organizes the band's ideas and identities and delivers a unified vision. That vision often includes lyrics, instrumentation ideas and arrangements, and I believe a producer should be compensated through points for that.

Up to this point, you've been producing one or two records a year. Do you expect that frequency to change?

I hope in the future to be producing full-time, 4-6 projects a year in my own studio. This takes time to establish, so my best bet is to do the best job on the bands I am offered right now under the assumption that they will bring future work.

What's the best recording studio in North America?

I basically use my computer in various different locations, and with a good preamp and compressor, you can make a cabin in the woods the best studio in North America. There are however many amazing 'real' studios around that I like... The Armoury in Vancouver is pretty cool.

Are there any producers you attempt to emulate? Who was inspiration at the onset of your production career?

I like anybody who is precise and emotive. I like everyone from Mutt Lange to Andy Sneap, Colin Richardson to Bob Rock, Daniel Bergstrand to Fredrick Nordstrom.

How is your relationship with Century Media Records? I've heard mixed messages in terms of their loyalty and dedication to their artists?

They have been really supportive of the new SYL album, and continue to help us, even when it takes me a month to return an interview!!!

What shirt are you wearing right now?

An olive colored sweater.

If you could only own one guitar, what would it be?

Probably a 6 string Strat with a humbucker... keep it simple.

Pick your pleasure: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, or Pink Floyd?

The Beatles for their melodies, Zeppelin for the open c tuning and their weight, and Pink Floyd for their textures.

What kind of car do you drive?

A 4-door, 2003 Toyota Echo with no rear wiper.

Where will Devin Townsend be 10 years from now?

Ten years older and happy as a pig in shit!