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Strapping Young Lad - The New Black (Promo)
| Message Board > Album Reviews > Strapping Young Lad - The New Black (Promo) |
| _Griphin_ User Info... | Someone leaked it. It sounds like your typical SYL CD, but it has more of an Industrial edge to it. I just finished listening to it, it had it's high moments and low moments, but I gave it two thumbs up, oh yeah and lots of ear splitting BASS!!! :) Also Bif Naked (?!?) and Oderus from GWAR make an appearance on a few of the tracks. Interesting, I didn't know Bif Naked was a SYL mark, man I'm getting too old. - Thu, 1 Jun 2006 9:02pm Edited: Thu, 1 Jun 2006 9:51pm | ||
| Hang the DJ User Info... | Strapping Young Lad = Eternal love - Sat, 3 Jun 2006 6:59pm Edited: Sat, 3 Jun 2006 6:59pm | ||
| kinchris User Info... | It's not too hot. I'm curious to know what members had input on this CD other than Devin Townsend. All the songs sound like they belong on a DT band CD. And not even a modern one at that. I'd compair this album to a heavier Ocean Machine, but not in a good way. SYL were metal ground breakers, but The New Black is not inspiring at all. Maybe they should have waited longer after recording Alien. - Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:44pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | It is a different sound for Strapping, there is no doubt about that! This album was specifically written with their OzzFest dates in mind, which does seem somewhat senseless. They were under a deadline to complete this album by the time their OzzFest dates began. The loose concept of the album is poking fun at 'nu-metal' and all those emo-metal bands that seem to be ruining a good thing. At first, I wasn't sure what to think of 'The New Black'. It is not overly-intense throughout like most SYL releases have been. However, with each listen it grows on me. I found that if you allow your view of Strapping to be more open-minded, this album will become quite enjoyable. Some of my favorites on here are 'You Suck' (holy fuckin' drumming!), 'Monument', 'Wrong Side', 'Far Beyond Metal', 'Fucker' (even with Bif Naked's weak appearance), 'Almost Again' and 'The New Black'. I am looking forward to hearing the bonus tracks when I get the CD upon it's release. They will be 'The Long Pig' and 'C:enter:###'. Both of these were written by Jed and Gene while Dev was on tour with DTB alongside Opeth. The majority of this was again written by Devin. It does have more of a leaning to his solo sound. But I think as time goes on, and he becomes a Dad and matures, we will see the line between DTB and SYL blur more and more. I highly endorse 'The New Black' and urge anyone who has doubts about it to alow it to grow on your brain. - Sun, 2 Jul 2006 1:27pm Edited: Sun, 2 Jul 2006 1:31pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | A segment of interview that belongs here: DEVIN TOWNSEND: 'I Don't Have Anything To Say With STRAPPING YOUNG LAD Anymore' - July 4, 2006 Niko Kaartinen of Finland's Imperiumi webzine recently conducted an interview with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD mastermind Devin Townsend. A few excerpts from the chat follow (translated from Finnish by Mike Portnoy forum member "tommidt"): Imperiumi: "The New Black" is STRAPPING YOUNG LAD's fifth and final record for Century Media. Is this the last record of SYL's career? Devin: "I hope so. I believe so. I signed a five-album deal with Century Media and this is now the fifth. There you have five records; they are very happy with that and I've done my job. Next! (laughs)" Imperiumi: What did the Century Media people think when you told them that you were going to take rest of the year off be with your family? Wouldn't this be the best time to promote SYL [seeing as you have a new record coming out]? Devin: "Well, this might get me in trouble, but I couldn't care less. Should I be on tour while I have a newborn baby at home? My wife is pregnant, so should I be far from home drinking booze and pretending that I care about heavy metal? In how many different ways I can say that I don't care? In how many ways I can say that I'm through with this thing? I said I'd make five records, [and] I did them. We are now doing a European tour, playing some big shows. Fine. We'll do Ozzfest; those are big shows too. We don't need anything else, in my opinion. . . You can keep 'The New Black', I don't care anymore. Keep the rights to the band, do what you want. I don't care anymore, and I think it is just stupid. The manager, the band and record company look at me now just like I am the enemy, because I feel this way. But what can you do? You can't just keep going like this anymore. I have done this for a several years now." Imperiumi: But still, it is about your life. You want to be able to control it. Devin: "Exactly, if you are not able to control it, you are wasted. You'll end up being a junkie or an alcoholic who ends up cheating your wife. Or you'll end up a fake rock star, thinking you actually are one." Imperiumi: Is the the gap between SYL and your solo material becoming closer? Devin: "It feels like I'm less and less angry all the time. Even THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND will put out softer stuff in the future, so the SYL material feels even harder now compared to my solo material. My next recordings will probably be something like this (points out the beautiful nature of Finland's Provinssirock festival), something [representing] beautiful scenery. Beautiful things. I don't have to be hard/tough (heavy) anymore. I'm 34 years old, I'm already old." Imperiumi: How do you want SYL to be remembered? Devin: "As a big middle finger! How else?" Imperiumi: Does Gene (Hoglan, SYL drummer) know yet that this is the last record? Devin: "Umm... I don't know. I don't think anyone knows that. I just HOPE this is the last one, because I don't have anything to say with this band anymore. Who knows what the future will bring? Now I just hope that I can do other things." I am sad to hear this, on one hand. On the other, I can relate to him. He is known for saying stuff that changes, like anyone else. I would like to see more of the SYL/DTB contrast. However, if Devin keeps putting out music of any nature, I'll be happy. Wonder if Gene will be looking for a new band soon? Hmmmm... - Tue, 4 Jul 2006 3:52pm | ||
| ROSS B AY User Info... |  (you can't read it really, but SYL is one of the other bands on there.............it was in Vegas) - Tue, 4 Jul 2006 4:02pm Edited: Tue, 4 Jul 2006 4:03pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Well, I figured as much..and am relieved that it is so. Frustration of being too busy has spoken again. Glad to hear this rebuttal from the King of Cheeseburgers and my doppelganger: Responding to Devin's comments from the Imperiumi interview, Hoglan has issued the following statement: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I read the Finnish interview. True, Dev is burnt out, and of course he can change his mind quicker than bolt of lightning, but, just two days ago, he and I were talking about the next SYL record, what we're gonna do on it, and how absolutely mind-blowing it will be. We ARE taking some time off for Devin to have some much-needed family time, but, we ARE hitting the road again in March 2007, headlining tours of both America and Europe, as well as Australia and the Far East. And I am shooting the straight shit with you, as I always do. We are too good to just dissolve, and those are Dev's words. I will never apologize for one of my bandmates speaking his mind, and if that was what was on Devin's mind at that exact time and date, then that's what was on his mind. Give the man some space. Don't worry kiddies, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD is not disappearing anytime soon. We are a fuckin' fungus. No cream or lotion is gonna do us in that easily. Unless, of course, it's Vagisil." - Wed, 5 Jul 2006 3:45pm | ||
| Spinvis User Info... | Its pretty uninspiring to listen to an album that the artist could care less about. I think that interview is horrible. - Mon, 10 Jul 2006 10:41am | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Well, the guy has been making music and touring non-stop for 12 years. Being burnt out can definitely cause someone to say things they may not actually believe. It's an insightful interview showing Devin in a moment in time. The next day, he was probably regretting saying any of that because now he has to answer questions about it from everyone. I hope he gets some sleep during his time off. - Mon, 10 Jul 2006 4:16pm | ||
| Spinvis User Info... | Either way, after reading that I have no interest to listen to it. He said he didn't care, so is he going to have another interview to clarify that he didn't mean what he said? He's basically making fun of his fans in that interview. Its such a complete turn off. But I'm glad to hear it will be the last of SYL (I hope) its obviously tired and done with and what a "job" it was to finish the 5th album... oh my. - Tue, 11 Jul 2006 10:19am | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Don't be too glad, because it seems they are far from done. There are a few songs on there that kill. The rest is fairly un-Strapping-like, but I am open to change. Devin has packed in SYL three times before this, so I'd wager that they'll continue on. And if you can't mock metal fans, who can you mock? Another point is that the interview was conducted in English, translated to Finnish and then translated back to English as it appears above. I get the feeling a lot of the original info was lost in translation and skewed. - Wed, 12 Jul 2006 4:08pm Edited: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 4:11pm | ||
| Spinvis User Info... | Yeah thats true. But with anyband, if my favorite band were to say that about one of their new albums I'd be pretty disappointed that they didn't seem to have a passion for the work they did on it. I guess more the attitude of the interview I dislike. He's very talented indeed but that line "As a big middle finger, how else!" Don't you agree, that saying something like that is just dumb? I guess I'm just not into that humour with bands when I would support and buy their albums. Or if you were to find one of his songs "moving" in a way and then all he has to say about it that he doesn't care and really there was no feeling behind it. - Fri, 14 Jul 2006 3:00pm Edited: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 3:01pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Well, the thing with SYL is they have always been about the middle finger salute. They don't take themselves or their fans or the business seriously...and that's one of the things I love about them. As far as Devin not being passionate about the album, I'm sure it's because he is sick of SYL and music in whole at this point. As I said, he's been non-stop for 12 years with no breaks, plus his record company has been giving him headaches for most of that time. It's a shame that Strapping were signed. Hopefully now that CM's contract has run out, Hevy Devy Records will take on Strapping Young Lad. The other thing about the feeling behind an SYL song is they are pretty much all about rage. Sounds like Dev has plenty of rage in him, so it's not lacking that particular feeling. A lot of people seem to be poo-pooing this release, but others are calling it their best since City. I dig it. - Fri, 14 Jul 2006 4:59pm | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | Here is clarification from HDR: "There has been a lot of discussion in the past while as to the future of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and Devin's views on the band and his career. There was a particular interview Devin did which was translated and reprinted on the Internet that raised alarm. In it, Devin was admittedly negative and candid with his thoughts on everything from the industry to metal music in general." Commented Devin: "I was really tired, I warned people that it probably wasn't a good idea… there were too many interviews and I just wasn't in the head space for it." Despite this, he was scheduled for 33 hours of interviews over 3 days. Continued Devin: "That interview makes it sound a lot more dire than it actually is. I was just exhausted. I just don't want to HAVE to do STRAPPING ALL THE TIME. I want the energy to be pure but it's a small aspect of my personality and it can't be pure if it's forced. I could go on doing heavy music forever, but only if allowed to do it when it comes naturally." "So SYL will continue only when Devin feels it, not when demanded. " I know it's a long-winded thread, but it had to be concluded. I can't believe they got that MacDonut guy from the ex-Megadeth club to fill in for Byron on their tour. He wasn't even on anything worthwhile ever. Those guys could have asked me. I would have been pleased to help out! - Tue, 25 Jul 2006 3:52pm | ||
| Endeløs User Info... |  | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | You could eat a bunch of cheeseburgers and cake and grow your hair back and get some stilts and come with me as Gene's emergency back-up drummer. - Thu, 27 Jul 2006 3:54pm | ||
| _Griphin_ User Info... | I saw the CD today, they did a nice job on the packaging, it really caught your eye. - Fri, 28 Jul 2006 10:39pm | ||
| Platoon User Info... | Hmmm, what a thread... I guess I will post my review anyway. Strapping Young Lad's latest album, The New Black, is unique in how the album combines, slow heavy riffs, speedy agressive riffs, melodic synthesizers, melodic guitar solos, and both clean and growled vocals. The melodic hooks on The New Black come from everywhere. The melodies hook the listener in by way of catchy guitar solos, catchy synthesized melodies, and clean vocals. The melody and catchiness of the album is mirrored in opposition by the occaisional burst of blast beats, shouted choruses, aggressive and growling vocals, and thrashy and shredding guitar riffs. Stand out songs would include the re-recorded Far Beyond Metal, Hope, and The New Black. Far Beyond Metal was originally recorded as a live song on the No Sleep Until Bedtime live album. Far Beyond Metal is a heavy, fast, catchy song that is likely to be an anthemic live song. Hope combines slow heavy riffing with fast agressive riffing. Hope is not the only song that is slower than previous Strapping Young Lad songs. The overall amount of blast beats and speedy, thrashy, aggressive rythms are much rarer on The New Black when compared with their previous efforts in Alien, and the Self Titled SYL. The New Black is catchier while being less aggressive when compared to previous Strapping albums. The New Black is the perfect cd for SYL to market while on tour with the infamous Ozzfest. The new album will appeal to a young generation of Metal fans as well as fans new to SYL. - Sun, 3 Sep 2006 12:18am Edited: Sun, 3 Sep 2006 12:32am | ||
| Tim-Bitchfork User Info... | I'm kinda conflicted on this one, Devin is mastermind of metal and is bound to explore some shit. I fucking LOVED the jazz/brass/symphony part in Antiprodukt, that was so cool. I also really liked Decimator, twas neat. Many songe i don't like at all though. I give them full credit for a sweet album, just not for me really. - Sun, 3 Sep 2006 11:29am | ||
| Mr. Hell User Info... | It's a grower, for sure. If anything, I am anticipating what they do on the next album...if that ever happens. - Sun, 3 Sep 2006 8:49pm | ||
| Hang the DJ User Info... | I like the album design actually... I really like the lime green for some reason... And then the bright colours on the inside of the booklet... I really like the album, though it's not my favourite that's for sure. Thought it was kind of weird that Bif Naked sang on it; that was something I was not expecting. - Sun, 3 Sep 2006 10:42pm | ||
| Tim-Bitchfork User Info... | I didn't dig Bif naked's vocal part. I don't like her as an artist but I just don't think that worked at all. Devin has awesome, awesome vocals. She doesn't. What track is Odorus in? I guess I missed it. - Mon, 4 Sep 2006 11:15am | ||
| Tim-Bitchfork User Info... | Nevermind found Odorus' part, not very big but that is a sweet song. - Mon, 4 Sep 2006 12:36pm | ||
| Deitrosity User Info... | same song the remake "far beyond metal" isn't it?! the maggot lord huh and bif seems to be making fun of herself I dont get it, I guess touring something like ozfest can really warp you as an artist. However I do like it. I like the symphonic fullness sounds really cool. - Mon, 11 Sep 2006 8:35pm | ||
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