Review Devin Townsend – The Moth (The War-Live In Groningen)

The De Oosterpoort cultural center in the Netherlands has already provided a stage for a number of artists. Most recently, Floor Jansen appeared there, but bands such as WHITE LIES or PIXIES have also already taken to the stage of this concert hall. In March 2025, specifically on the 27th and 28th of the month and thus over a year before the actual release of the underlying album „The Moth“, Devin Townsend brought this expansive epic to the stage with the help of the North Netherlands Orchestra and the associated choir under the direction of Jukka Iisakkila.

What is immediately striking: „The Moth (The War – Live In Groningen)“ limits itself exactly to what its title says. There is no big intro here, no tension-laden stage entrance; after the title announcement and a bit of philosophy about the insect to be dealt with, things get going straight away. And what can you say, even the first three tracks „Semi-Prologue“, „War Beyond Words“ and the title track „The Moth“ send the audience into raptures, as the spontaneously swelling applause so shortly after the start of the concert clearly underlines. No wonder, since with their orchestral grandeur and Devin’s excellent vocal performance these three pieces can only be described as beautiful.

Speaking of vocals: The great Anneke van Giersbergen, who lent her voice to the Axolotl Lexin, may be absent from the stage this evening, but given the vocal performance of Lyn Wuu, who could also be heard on the studio album, this is easy to get over, as she does fantastic work as a vocal counterpoint on songs such as „Covered By Caresses“ or „Stained Hearts“. The same naturally applies to Devin’s band, who underpin the anthemic opulence of this live manifesto with their crushing progressive riffs and precise drumming. The fact that the guitars in particular by Darby Todd and Pete Rinaldi come into their own far better during this performance consistently benefits songs such as „Enter The City“, „Prepare For War“ or „The Big Snit“, as they often got somewhat lost in the din of the actual album.

Unfortunately, however, „The Moth (The War – Live In Groningen)“ has the same problem as its studio little brother. The second act of the concert may also have its highlights with „The Clergy“ or „Stained Hearts“, but the pieces do not once again reach the dynamics of the first half. As a result, towards the end, despite a coherent light show, fitting visuals, a consistently enthusiastic audience and a Devin who is at times dancing, at times gesticulating theatrically, the concert experience becomes quite a matter of patience and, above all, of mood. Given that the live concert is a 1:1 reproduction of the studio version, the stamina you have to bring along for the concert is the same as the album requires.

That Devin Townsend has always been an impressive live artist can safely be taken as a given. And the way „The Moth (The War – Live In Groningen)“ is realized is also missing nothing you would expect from Townsend. Half a year after the release of the studio album, „The Moth (The War – Live In Groningen)“ is a nice addition for everyone who at the time could only afford the standard edition of the record, but it only offers truly outstanding added value for the genuine super-fan.

Publiziert am 4. November 2026 von Philipp Sorger