- Country: Canada
- Style: Progressive metal
- Label: InsideOut Music
- Release date: 4 November 2022
Lightwork is a more song-oriented, more direct album than what Townsend had been doing lately, and it wears that proudly. Next to the controlled chaos of Empath, this is a calm record, written through the pandemic and co-produced with Garth Richardson.
The big, glowing choruses are the point. “Lightworker” builds to one of those huge Devy walls of vocals and keyboards that makes the hair on your arms stand up, and “Call of the Void” is about as catchy as he gets. “Heartbreaker” is the closest thing to proper prog here, and “Dimensions” finally lets some heavier, industrial grind in, which comes as a relief by that point.
Anyone hoping for the heavy Devin will find the middle section a bit too comfortable. The companion disc Nightwork, included with the limited editions, is the weirder and looser listen. Taken on its own terms, Lightwork is warm, generous and very nicely made.
Best tracks:
Lightworker
Call of the Void
Heartbreaker
Dimensions
Author’s rating: 8.1/10
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