So I am returning with another Devin Townsend related review, this time of the latest (and sadly, probably last) Strapping Young Lad record, "The New Black". While Strapping is not the most immediately heavy band in the metal scene (Anaal Nathrakh has been known to cause skin lacerations from prolonged listening), the sheer speed, aggression, and feeling packed into their music all comes together to produce incredibly listenable and punishingly heavy metal. However, there are many factors that set SYL apart from the other bands in their genre. For one thing, this is not a sludge fest. While other acts sometimes use heaviness and ridiculous amounts of distortion as a musical crutch, Devin is an incredibly skilled guitarist and he gives the music great clarity and tightness in this respect. Also, the use of some clean vocals with this degree of heavy music sets Strapping Young Lad apart from many other bands. There is of course a large percentage of screamed vocals on the album, but Devin's clean vocals give the music a melodic touch that makes it extremely listenable.
The immortal quote that now resides on the headline of Metul Revjoos is a taste of the kind of lyrical content on this album.
NOW IN THE HALL OF THE NECRO LORD
FLASH OF FEAR AS HE SEES MY SWORD
RAPED HIS WOMEN, SMOKED HIS BONE
LEAVE A BOOGER UNDERNEATH HIS THRONE!
The chief lyrical themes revolve around around hatred, self loathing, strength, betrayal, personal demons, and metal, with the words "fuck" and "suck" intermittently strewn through these themes (see the song "You suck"). These lyrics embody aggression so well that it actually hurts. It amazes me to speculate on what kind of things were going on in the Dev's head in writing these records. One of his reasons for disbanding strapping and stopping touring was that he no longer needed an outlet for this aggression, and I'm somewhat relieved for him, because although it creates awesome metal, having shit like that going on in your head can't be good for anyone's mental state.
The highlight of this album for me is undoubtedly the epic "Far Beyond Metal", which as you can probably tell from the title, is so metal it will literally consume your mind and rip out your soul. If metal had a theme song or official anthem, this would be a good candidate. From the crushing main riff to the hilariously metal lyrics, this song embodies metal. Some of my favorite lines from this song are "Know that the music industry's ill, AND WE'RE THE FUCKING ANTIDOTE", and "Oh, you ironic pop rock fuck, DON'T YOU FUCK WITH METAL." Amen. Oh Devin, you have such a way with words. Just like any Strapping record, this album is phenomenal, and a must have if you call yourself metal. If not, fuck you, noob.
9/10
