In the early 1990s a talented teenage Devin Townsend sent demo tapes to a number of labels in an attempt to secure himself a record deal. As fate would have it, Steve Vai was seeking a new vocalist for an upcoming album and his record company passed Devin's tape on to him. It didn't take much time before Vai had his vocalist and the two began polishing off what was to, depending on your opinion, become a blemish on an otherwise strong career of Steve Vai, a launch pad for another brilliant career and to some, one of the best albums of the 90s.

In terms of the work of Steve Vai, 'Sex & Religion' is a very different and experimental effort and one that I highly commend him for having the balls to undertake. Shattering glass and distorted guitar wanking open the album in the form of 'An Earth Dweller's Return' which seamlessly flows into the opening riff, drumming and very twangy bass of the first track entitled 'Here And Now' before the absolutely unmistakable vocals of Devin Townsend are unleashed. Numerous vocals tracks are used to great effect in this, and ensuing tracks really illustrating the amazing range in pitch, style and delivery that 19 year old Devin Townsend is capable of. Howls, screams, grunts, melodious and harsh are all represented in the first track which is made all the more memorable by a catchy chorus.

The highlight track of 'Sex & Religion' follows and epitomises everything that is good about the record. 'In My Dreams With You' is exactly as the title suggests. Mammoth amounts of innuendo coupled with extremely cheesy lyrics, brilliantly varied vocals and fantastic guitar work are reinforced by groovy bass and great drumming to deliver one of the greatest shamelessly corny songs of our time. I can't help but laugh every time I hear this track but the combination of layers of contrasting vocal tracks showcasing power and melody marry with the instrumental elements so impeccably that for me not to enjoy it would be impossible.

Not to be completely overshadowed by an early climax, 'Still My Bleeding Heart' and the title track follow and provide further brazenly tawdry-yet-irresistible melodious guitar-oriented music with more wanking than a 16 year old males' bedroom sees in a year.

'Dirty Black Hole'... *cough*... well, uh, lets move on. ' Touching Tongues' acts as an instrumental interlude and yet another chance for Vai to get intimate with his axe (for five-and-a-half minutes I might add) before the experimental and once again instrumental 'State Of Grace' struts it's mystical sounding stuff. 'Survive' follows and opens up with a fucking delightfully 'Devin Townsend' scream before moving into a very funky and pungent bass line accompanied by tribal "boom chackalackalacka boom" vocals. 'Survive' takes the silver medal for being the second most blatant innuendo-filled track of the album and is precisely about its name ("Just like the animals, we need to carry on, or how would we ever survive?"). Some of the best vocal work on the album is also on show in track nine which features another devilishly catchy chorus and very funky atmosphere.

'Pig' a more experimental song in which the band up the tempo considerably and try a few out-of-the-ordinary things (vocally, musically and with use of audio samples). It's a great little addition to the fold and serves to ensure the record retains a distinctive sound from beginning to end. 'The Road To Mt. Calvary' takes the experimentation of the previous track to greater levels before things return to normal with 'Deep Down Into The Pain' which is another funky and memorable track elevated by very inventive vocals (also mention-worthy is the fact that both Devin and for the first time Vai sing in unison during much of the track which butters up the listener for the following song). The final track is also the first in which Vai does all vocals, and at 8:27 it's also easily the longest of the record. Surprisingly, Steve has a very solid voice and does a great job at this semi-Ballad effort.

The hour-long 'Sex & Religion' is far and away the best thing Steve Vai has ever done and he's recorded some fantastic albums. The presence of Devin Townsend's vocals (and to a much lesser extent guitar) elevate 'Sex & Religion' from just another solid Instrumental Rock album to something so else. Vai's willingness to experiment musically and take a punt on a budding new (and very unusual) vocalist really paid off, it's just a shame that to Steve Vai purists on the whole (and close-minded listeners) 'Sex & Religion' was and is an absolutely catastrophic abomination of monumental scale. Those with a more open mind and to many fans whose tastes extend to or are based in the world of Metal this record is a fantastic fusion of two vastly differing worlds. The mighty ego of Mr Vai was clearly shattered at the resulting fan-crucifixion for his third album and it's a damn shame that the generally negative response to this record lead to a quick return to the Vai of old (which admittedly is still great). I can only imagine what might have been, but for the world of Metal there is one major up-side of 'Sex & Religion' and that is the exposure that Devin Townsend gained from his contribution to the record. If it wasn't for Steve Vai I doubt we would have ever have had a Strapping Young Lad or Devin Townsend Band.

It's really sad that 'Sex & Religion' turned out to be a one-off experiment as it's really a killer album but at least some good came of it. If you've got an open mind, this is a recommendation of the highest order. Despite its sheer corniness I absolutely love it.