The final installment of the 'By a Thread' quartet, Z² presents a dual album experience, contrasting the lighthearted rock of 'Sky Blue' with the dark, intense metal of 'Dark Matters.'
- The album features guest appearances from former Strapping Young Lad members Gene Hoglan and Chris Smith, as well as Jed Simon.
- The 'Sky Blue' disc was recorded at Townsend's own studio in British Columbia, while the 'Dark Matters' disc was recorded in various locations, including Los Angeles.
- Z² reached the Top 20 in the album charts in several European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.
The Devin Townsend Project was the primary musical outlet for Canadian multi-instrumentalist and producer Devin Townsend, a prolific figure in progressive metal and ambient music. Emerging from the Vancouver scene, Townsend’s work often blends extreme metal with ethereal soundscapes and pop sensibilities. Z² was released during a period of intense activity for Townsend, following the ambitious "The Retinal Circus" live album and preceding the conceptual "Transcendence." He stood as a singular, often idiosyncratic voice in the wider progressive metal landscape.
