">
 

Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad


4.0
excellent

Review

by Cravinov13 USER (61 Reviews)
May 22nd, 2006 | 77 replies


Release Date: 2003 | Tracklist


By now we are all probably aware that Strapping Young Lad mastermind Devin Townsend is the mad scientist of modern metal. We also know that his band, Strapping Young Lad, is far beyond any music categorization. With a sound so distinct, not even the most descriptive made-up sub-genre can pinpoint the colossus that is Strapping Young Lad. Their self titled fourth album, is a great example of the band’s immense power. Although no where near as astounding as City nor an aura of madness like Alien, Strapping Young Lad still manages to leave a noticeable mark in the listeners ear. Fueled with screeching vocals, psychotic chants, brilliant clean vocals, crushing bass lines, overlapped guitar structures, dark keyboards, and furious drum lines all mixed over to create a powerful wall of chaotic atmosphere, this album proves Strapping Young Lad is a force to be reckoned with among the metal world.

The album starts off with Dire, a short, punishing intro with haunting chants and keyboards, dynamic guitar riffs, and an overall apocalyptic sound that prepares the listener for what’s coming their way. The track then bleeds into Consequence, which quickly ascends into some very thrashy riffs followed soon after by Devin Townsend screaming. The song is rather straightforward, with pummeling blast beats and vicious screams and chants with slashing guitar work. The track also contains some very dark, symphonic keyboards that add to the chaotic atmosphere. Relentless takes over with more thrashy riffs and punishing blast beats. Although a popular song by the band and even featured on the Headbangers Ball compilation, it is not a track to judge the band nor the album on. Devin Townsend shows off his ghastly vocals on this track as the music continues to deliver the same devastating riff throughout most of the song with the exception of a few heavy guitar and bass breakdowns.

Rape Song is next, and also the first song to show what it is that lurks in Devin Townsend’s sick mind. The track begins with heavy industrial-like guitar riffs and heavy drum lines. The lyrics to the song are something to be undesired, hence the song title, but Devin Townsend managed to deliver the lyrics in such a way that it fits with the clash of musical instruments throughout the song. Next is Aftermath, another rather thrashy song, fueled with heavy drum lines and blast beats and scorching guitars along with a very dense atmospheric keyboard riff. The track is the longest on the album (not saying much since it’s only a little less then 7 minutes) and is also a great song to head bang too. The track contains some of the catchiest and most devastating riffs on the album. The song keeps a similar structure of heavy riffs broken only by Devin Townsend’s powerful vocals. The song then jumps into a powerful aura of blast beats and riffs before settling down for a few moments before taking on a slightly different form of the same riff as before.

The next track is Devour, with a very quick to ascend drum and guitar intro, the track bursts into vicious howls and blast beats. The song has some of the best lyrics on the album, though that doesn't really say much. Devin Townsend again proves to be a great vocalist on this song. The song even contains a lot of haunting background chants that fuel it’s need to ‘devour’ all other sounds from the listener. Probably one of the best songs on the album, Last Minute follows, with a quick drum roll and a few strokes at the guitar, the song has a very dark keyboard intro followed by an aura of crowd screams before bursting into a wicked guitar riff and more pummeling blast beats. The vocals on the track are also another force to be reckoned with (if we haven't established that before). The song delivers riff after riff of shear madness until the it suddenly comes to a halt.

If the last track is not the best song on the album, then Force Fed is. Beginning with heavy riffs followed by Devin Townsend screaming lyrics like “Animal, you’re an animal, you’re a godd*mn f*cking animal”, the song keeps a very heavy structure on it’s first impression. This ends when Devin Townsend uses his clean vocals and proving that as a vocalist he is a near replica of perfection. The chorus along with some of the second half riffs create a devastating aura of chaos and confusion and awe as the band shows their most melodic side while still being heavy as f*ck. Dirt Pride is another track like Relentless and Devour, meaning very thrashy riffs and a rather simple structure of music mixed with very ‘out there’ vocals creating another good track. Not great, but still good. The album finally comes to an end with very dark and somewhat ambient Bring On The Young. Only Strapping young Lad could possible create an epic sounding song in only a little less then 6 minutes. The song has a very steady bass intro that ascends throughout the entire song into a devastating climax to the album before almost abruptly ending. The vocals once again are something to take note on the song, and even reminds me a bit of Devin Townsend’s self titled other band. The song is one of the most dynamic on the album and is another personal favorite of mine.

Pros
-- Great production.
-- Astounding vocal performances.
-- Overall great musicianship (no wonder Gene Holgan, the drummer, is known as the atomic clock)
-- Boasts a number of great Strapping Young Lad songs.

Cons
-- A lot of songs tend to be a bit repetitive in musical structure.
-- The lyrics aren't very good overall.
-- It’s not City or Alien.

Track Listing
1. Dire (4/5)
2. Consequence (3.5/5)
3. Relentless (3.5/5)
4. Rape Song (4/5)
5. Aftermath (4/5)
6. Devour (3.5/5)
7. Last Minute (4.5/5)
8. Force Fed (5/5)
9. Dirt Pride (3.5/5)
10. Bring On The Young (5/5)



Recent reviews by this author
Neun Welten ValgMortifera (FRA) Vastiia Tenebrd Mortifera
Amesoeurs Ruines HumainesHavohej Dethrone the Son of God
The Lust I Seek Ancient [EP]Grey Skies Fallen Tomorrow's In Doubt
user ratings (680)
3.6
great
other reviews of this album
Dizchu (3.5)
Outshined by its predecessor and its follow-up, Strapping Young Lad's self-titled middle child still...

newflesh (3.5)
The sequel to the band's best-loved album is more restrained in its ambition, and the result is a ch...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Jacaranda
May 23rd 2006


684 Comments


I just got this recently and I must say its fantastic. My first and only SYL but I'm definatly diggin into their discography more.

Scoot
May 23rd 2006


22697 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I like this band. Good review.

pattern_recognition
May 23rd 2006


950 Comments


I love Devin, but I can't stand this album. Dunno why really...
Good review, anyway.

Adam Jones is GOD
May 23rd 2006


113 Comments


The very fact this was released between City and Alien must mean its worth a purchase. Although I dont think i've heard anything from this at all yet, unlike my previous purchases

spoon_of_grimbo
May 23rd 2006


2241 Comments


i liked alien, so i might pick this up. solid review!

Det_Nosnip
May 23rd 2006


374 Comments


This album was my intro to SYL and Devin, and it's a great. Nice review!

Shattered_Future
May 23rd 2006


1632 Comments


Good review. I don't have all of this, but I do have HAARHT, City, and Alien. The latter two I love to death especially...Townsend always had a knack for writing music, and this proves it. He takes an almost American metal sound, and just refines it immensely, makes it about 5 million more times insane, and in the process, creates unbelievably kickass music.

Blue Collar Man
May 23rd 2006


16 Comments


Nice review. I LOVE Devin Townsend and SYL but I'm too afraid to get this album after being blown away by City and Alien. I'm scared it won't be near as good all the other wonderful music I've heard from Devin.

Cravinov13
May 23rd 2006


3854 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

It's still a promising album, though it is not as good as City or Alien.

TheDevilsOwn
May 24th 2006


91 Comments


I only heard a bit of City and thought it was really really good. Is this or Alien anything like the song 'Oh My F*cking God'?

Prince of Darkness
May 24th 2006


186 Comments


I've only heard Consequence off this album and that is an amazing song.

I might check this out. Nice review!

RainShadow
May 26th 2006


132 Comments


{Strapping Young Lad is a force to be reckoned with among the metal word.}, Did you mean to say "world"? Anyway, fantastic review/ I.Must.Get.


Wizard
July 17th 2006


20564 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great review except I think that this album over powers City in so many ways. The guitars and drums are alot more fine tuned and way heavier than anything on City. I cant understand how most SYL fans think that City is their masterpiece. It was only a hint of things to come. Too bad we had to wait so long to find out what SYL was all about.

Cravinov13
July 17th 2006


3854 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I am starting to agree with you, City does not contain as many dynamics as this album nor does it have as many dynamics. I like this album more now then I used to. :/

jrowa001
January 8th 2007


8752 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

consequence it a killer song. i actually really enjoy this album but it just comes close to the greatness of City.

publicastration
February 3rd 2007


57 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Excellent stuff. Relentless is such a great track.

Bullitt
August 5th 2009


1666 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Rape song is about beating a rapist to death, seems fitting to me for their music....

KILL
August 23rd 2009


81580 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

IN FUCKING SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bullitt
August 26th 2009


1666 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This album is such a punch in the face, i love it.

KILL
August 26th 2009


81580 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

such an underrated album, sucks that the snare drum is hardly audible but meh still a brutal sound!



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy