Earlier today, we heard the first new single off Machine Head's upcoming album, Catharsis called "Beyond the Pale." If you haven't heard it, here it is:
[youtube]https://youtu.be/MVdflCH76t4[/youtube]
Almost immediately, many listeners pointed out that the opening riff sounds a hell of a lot like Strapping Young Lad's song "Love."
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL9Aohgd79I[/youtube]
I guess enough people tweeted at Devin Towsend about it, because he responded in a series of tweets, and to say he took the high road is a clear understatement:
“People asking me about riff similarities: I don’t have an opinion really. I’ve written riffs my whole career that sound like something else.
“I’ve used whole themes from other albums, movies or soundtracks. Art is a collage of your experiences, you taking clippings and reassemble.
“Heres the best part about comparison of MH new song to ‘Love’ I basically ripped off the SYL chorus from this song:”
Townsend then link's to Yes' track "City of Love."
Flynn saw Townsend's tweets and thanked him for being so cool about it:
“Shout out to @dvntownsend for being so cool. The Riff Police pulled me over, I got a $300 infraction for that one!! Like Dime bag always used to tell me ‘we’re all just sharing riffs man’.”
“Got a lot of respect for you Devin, super talented musician, amazing producer (as the palaces burn production crushes all!)
“And while I would proudly admit that I stole a Riff from you… Was just a happy accident.
“Riff on brother!!”
I take Flynn at his word that it was just a coincidence and no harm was actually intended. Plus, it's just rock and roll.
