Strapping Young Lad - The New Black

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RIYL

Meshuggah
Dream Theater
Black Label Society
Children of Bodom

Label

Century Media

Tracklist

1. Decimator
2. You Suck
3. Anti Product
4. Monument
5. Wrong Side
6. Hope
7. Far Beyond Metal
8. Almost Again
9. Polyphony
10. New Black

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Is it a joke or are they being serious? It’s a question you can’t help but ask when listening to Strapping Young Lad. Perhaps it’s all just the new school answer to Manowar. Whatever it is, it’s not something for the weak hearted. Don’t let song titles like “You Suck” and “F*cker” throw you off. It actually sounds a whole lot more intelligent than it looks on paper.

Of course, this band isn’t new to the scene at all, with at least 4 full lengths under their belt (one being released just barely over a year ago), it seems that they just aren’t running out of fresh ideas. On The New Black the band takes, perhaps, a more straightforward and melodic approach than what long time fans might remember on their previous efforts, but it’s this formula that really attracts newer fans; myself included.

There’s a definite feel of progression throughout the record, which makes it an interesting listen. Besides the insanely precise drumming and guitar shredding that has come to be expected, Devin Townsend shows off some of his best vocal abilities to date. Being able to go from growls to melodies that spell out beautiful in every way possible in an instant is stunning to say the least. The keyboard work also shines on this release with tracks such as “Wrongside” and the title track, “The New Black” being some good examples. Another nice addition to the album is the studio version of “Far Beyond Metal” featuring some guest vocals by none other than Oderus from Gwar.

The only thing that really holds this album back is the fact that it never goes to the next level. Even though the band experiments with melody, it just doesn’t seem like there’s enough of it, and the keyboards are fantastic but always seems to take the backseat, priority-wise. While some of the lyrics are supposed to be funny, they probably won’t make you laugh, instead they just kind of ruin the serious ass-kicking vibe that the music brings. But in the end, it’s the lyrics that give this band its personality, which can’t be argued with, and overall the music alone will prove that these guys aren’t joking around.

--Cory Rennison

Last updated: 09/29/2009 08:54PM

Comments

Rick Gebhardt
07/18/2006
07:30AM
Age: 31
Location
Minnesota
This band is pretty consistently good. Townsend's solo stuff, however, has always been pretty hit or miss. I'm glad he's focusing more on SYL right now.

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Chris Conlan
07/18/2006
07:47AM
Age: 27
Location
Dubuque
Seeing Oderus on this album makes me happy. I wish more bands in the metal/hardcore genre would start doing more guest appearances on albums like they do in hip-hop.

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jared
07/18/2006
08:09AM
Age: 30
Location
Minneapolis, MN
ChrisC
Seeing Oderus on this album makes me happy. I wish more bands in the metal/hardcore genre would start doing more guest appearances on albums like they do in hip-hop.
That was all the rage in nu metal. How many albums has Serj Tankian guested on?

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Chris Conlan
07/18/2006
08:30AM
Age: 27
Location
Dubuque
Well it needs to come back.

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