“Would they have that same attention if they weren’t wearing big clown noses?” Why Devin Townsend is a bit “irritated” by Quebec microtonal duo Angine de Poitrine
Devin Townsend has said he feels somewhat "irritated" by the hype surrounding Angine de Poitrine, a masked Québécois microtonal math rock duo, though he admits he hasn't listened to their music enough to give a proper musical assessment. Speaking on Jorge Botas' Metal Global podcast, the veteran musician suggested his unease centres on the band's visual gimmick rather than their sound, questioning whether they would attract the same attention without their distinctive masks.
Angine de Poitrine, made up of guitarist Khn and drummer Klek, perform in monochrome outfits and papier-mâché masks and went viral in February 2026 after a session for Seattle's KEXP radio racked up millions of views online. Townsend's comments reflect a broader scepticism about whether the pair's rapid rise owes more to their striking image than to their unconventional, microtonal musical approach.
- Devin Townsend admits he's "irritated" by hyped duo Angine de Poitrine.
- He questions if their masked image, not music, drives their fame.
- The Québécois duo went viral after a KEXP session in February.