Artist: Strapping Young Lad
Label: Century Media Records
Release Date: 2/11/03
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Title: SYL Artist: Strapping Young Lad Label: Century Media Records Release Date: 2/11/03 |
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Abyss's Review:
I've been waiting for this album for a long time. In fact, I'm afraid that my anxiousness and expectation level has been setting me up for disappointment ever since I heard that this album would be released. The release of City seems like it was decades ago, a completely different era in metal. What was once one of the most exciting new bands could easily seem out of place or anachronistic in today's realm of melodic death metal domination.
"I'm afraid that my anxiousness and expectation level has been setting me up for disappointment ever since I heard that this album would be released." Strapping Young Lad were such a unique sounding band that when I first put in this disc, and the intro began, just its plodding, metallic, industrial aura got me giddy for a sound I hadn't heard in years. And the new album definitely has the mark of Devin and SYL all over it. There hasn't been a great change in direction for the band, even with all of Mr. Townsend's side projects going in every different direction you could muster.
Unfortunately, my first few listens were a disappointment for me. I'm sure part of it is the anticipation level, but at least some of it is the production. On all of SYL's albums I remember a louder than life sound, a sound that had such a thickness to it that it took on a life of its own. The term 'wall of sound' never sounded more appropriate than when describing Strapping Young Lad. This new album strikes me as a mimic of that sound that never really reaches the density of the past. It just strikes me as much thinner sounding. The old sound seemed to attack from all sides, a juggernaut of screaming, guitars, and percussion. This new record seems to be striving for that effect, but coming up short.
"Stupid lyrics abound, such as the beginning of 'Force Fed.' And I quote: 'Animal! You're an animal! You're a goddamn fucking animal!'" The songwriting originally hit me as lackluster as well, but after many a listen, I find myself warming up to it a bit. There are definite problems with some of it though. Stupid lyrics abound, such as the beginning of "Force Fed." And I quote: "Animal! You're an animal! You're a goddamn fucking animal!" Jeez, I have a short attention span, what am I again Devin? Oh that's right, an animal. This is the worst example but the lyrics throughout the album are hit or miss, disappointing because Sept. 11th is a major influence.
There is some really cool shit on here that the deprived SYL fan will foam at the mouth for, however. "Relentless," "Last Minute," the second half of "Force Fed," "Bring on the Young," and my personal fave and the album's centerpiece, "Aftermath." These songs are all great, but still don't hit me like "AAA," "SYL," "Oh My Fucking God" or even "Far Beyond Metal." So while I'm glad I got this record, and I'll spend a great deal of time with it, it is hit or miss. I probably gave it one too many skulls, but I've been waiting for this for a long time. One word review: Thirst-quenching.
Death's Review:
HevyDevy is back with his best record yet. The new album from Strapping Young Lad hits the SYL concept right at the fat of the ball, as they say: the album is a pure, unadulterated adrenaline rush, mainlined right to the brain. Strapping Young Lad, featuring the awesome drumming power of former Dark Angel great Gene Hoglan (alongside the aforementioned Devin Townsend, together with Jed Simon and Byron Stroud), is almost the very essence of thrash metal distilled down to its futuristic essence. Kill. Crush. Destroy. Hate. It would almost be silly if it wasn't so god damned good. This music, essentially death and thrash metal hyper-riffing over a rhythm section so tight and so pummeling it sounds like a futuristic destruction machine (OK, Townsend's production and the subtle layer of keys surely helps), discards all of the unessential trappings to provide listeners with one of the most focused rushes of aural power my speakers have ever borne witness. Seriously.
"The new album from Strapping Young Lad hits the SYL concept right at the fat of the ball, as they say..."
If you don't care about artistic musings about dragons, demons or trolls in the woods, if instead, you are into this metal thing for the fucking rush, the same rush you might get from bungee jumping, sky diving, driving fast, taking a spin on a killer roller coaster or simply beating the living shit out of someone in an act of senseless violence akin to the dudes in 'A Clockwork Orange' kicking the shit out of that drunk old man, then you will absolutely love Strapping Young Lad. Not only is the music uncompromisingly pummeling, it is infectious as well. I can't get it out of my CD player. Why would I want to? If Strapping Young Lad delivers even half of what this record promises live, I think Nile, Napalm Death and Dark Tranquillity (the new DT album, Damage Done, does tap this same vein, although perhaps a bit more subtly) better look out.
"Not only is the music uncompromisingly pummeling, it is infectious as well. I can't get it out of my CD player."
Hel's Review:
Ah, the strange and wonderful world of Hevy Devy. I was entranced with his last product, Terria, despite its distinct non-heaviness. But Strapping Young Lad, now that's a different story altogether! For it is in Strapping Young Lad where you can be certain to find the "Hevy" in Devy.
"It is in Strapping Young Lad where you can be certain to find the 'Hevy' in Devy."
"A new generation of metal fiends has the privilege of receiving a dose of a new SYL. What a beautiful thing." You can never trust a metal icon who says they will "never" do something again. First we had Ozzy, with his "No More Tours," and then Devin and his no more SYL. Apparently, no one ever taught these guys to "never say never." And thank goodness for that, eh? While the long term effects of Ozzy's touring decisions may have not turned out for the best, on the whole it was a good thing that he decided not to hang it up after all, an entirely new generation was able to reap the benefit of seeing Ozzy live. And now a new generation of metal fiends has the privilege of receiving a dose of a new SYL. What a beautiful thing.
I, for one, am very pleased by SYL. Its hectic chaos has me happily bobbing my head along in the car, and causes a craving to see them live. Fortunately for me, I'm going to satiate that craving tomorrow, and will already have it all taken care of by the time this review is posted for all the world to see. You should all jump on the chance to see them live too - because who knows when Hevy Devy will say "never" again? In the meantime, pick yourself up a copy, and use the same rationale, if you need one.
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