Review: Strapping Young Lad


An album that has been refered to as "A soundtrack to a riot"(www.metalmaniacs.com)
and stated as "Nothing short of explosive. Fucking crazy, indeed." (www.kerrang.com) should definately lead you to believe that Metal hasn't died.

While all the American Nu-Metal bands have come out with shameful releases, Devin Townsend and Co. have brought forth their fifth installation in a series of "Blistering Mind Fucks"(my own statement) that will have any metal enthusiast asking themselves, "How does shit like AVENGED SEVENFOLD ever top the charts?"

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD
Alien

"The record isn't about anything in particular; it's just a freak out. The idea is to have something cathartic to put on, and the title Alien just seemed fitting. It has no meaning beyond that. Metal is our life; we are qualified to do little else and we can do crazy things with our instruments. We are too ugly to play pop, so we decided to fuck shit up again. This album seemed a good excuse to exercise full excess. " -Devin Townsend(lifted from www.centurymedia.com)

What more can I say with such Brilliant tracks as "Love", "Shine" and "We Ride"
this is not just a soundtrack to a riot but an audio handbook to the armageddon!!

Check out more releases at www.strappingyounglad.com

Also, Devin Townsend has solo releases on www.hevydevy.com

edited:ME

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Article Author: Brian Garrepy

Brian is Blogcritics resident MetalHead. Though he also loves Classical Acoustic, Modern Jazz, "Finger Styling" Acoustic, Fusion,Prog Rock and Punk, Metal is his area of expertise.
This excellent
writer is the editor of Ascension Music Blog,

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Article comments

  • 1 - Triniman

    Sep 07, 2005 at 12:41 pm

    Dude, it's "Townsend", not "Townshend." One's Devin and the other is Pete.

    People who buy nu-metal have NO IDEA what they are missing. Townsend makes the most heavy and creative, state-of-the-art metal imaginable. Metallica wish they were as exciting as Townsend. Be sure to check out his solo material like Terria.

  • 2 - Chris Beaumont

    Sep 07, 2005 at 1:13 pm

    I saw them live once, and wasn't terribly impressed, save for the sick drumming!

  • 3 - Guppusmaximus

    Sep 07, 2005 at 1:23 pm

    Sorry about the screw up on Devin's last name... Hey Triniman, I agree with you 100% but unfortunately nowadays it's not hard to make Metallica look like crap seeing how they haven't come out with a good album since "And Justice...."

    As for SYL live, I haven't been graced but I could only imagine that Mr. Holgen's(?)drumming must be F**king intense!!

  • 4 - Triniman

    Sep 07, 2005 at 4:01 pm

    I haven't seen them live but I dig his solo albums a lot!

  • 5 - Afficionado

    Dec 15, 2005 at 10:11 am

    Gene Hoglan

  • 6 - Guppusmaximus

    Feb 18, 2006 at 10:34 pm

    UPDATE: I saw these guys open up for Fear Factory and they F*ckin kicked major ass...Plus, I met Mr. Gene Hoglan. Darkane played as well and they were fuckin amazing!!

    P.S. Fear Factory sucked!!! So did Soilwork...

  • 7 - Guppusmaximus

    Feb 18, 2006 at 10:35 pm

    PUSH!!!

  • 8 - Guppusmaximus

    Feb 18, 2006 at 10:35 pm

    PUSH!!!! PUSH!!!

  • 9 - Guppusmaximus

    Feb 18, 2006 at 10:36 pm

    READ THIS FUCKING REVIEW!!!!

  • 10 - Guppusmaximus

    Feb 18, 2006 at 10:36 pm

    SYL- Alien fucking rocks!!

  • 11 - Guppusmaximus

    Feb 18, 2006 at 10:37 pm

    Read this!!!

  • 12 - Guppusmaximus

    Feb 18, 2006 at 10:38 pm

    Fuck Venom... Gene Hoglan will drum a fucking hole in their heads!!!

  • 13 - Codeine

    Jul 17, 2006 at 3:27 am

    SYL owns live, Very enterjetic band.

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