The Bottom Line
Devin Townsend unleashed.
Pros
- Complex and diverse songs.
Cons
- None.
Description
- Released in North America July 11, 2006 on Century Media Records.
- Produced by Devin Townsend and mixed by Mike Fraser (Aerosmith, Metallica).
- This is Strapping Young Lad's fifth full-length studio album.
Guide Review - Strapping Young Lad - The New Black
Look up the word "prolific" in the dictionary and you'll find a picture of Devin Townsend. Between the Devin Townsend Band (who've also released a CD in 2006), Strapping Young Lad and his producing of other bands, he is one busy dude. He promises he's taking a break after SYL plays Ozzfest this summer, but only time will tell.
Only a year after the very well received Alien, Strapping Young Lad has managed to equal and in many ways top that CD. The key word to describe The New Black is balance. As strange as that word may seem in describing this band, there really is a great balance between serious and tongue in cheek songs along with a balance of melodic and screaming vocals.
There's also a nice balance between the band's traditional industrial thrash sound and more experimental moments. Drummer Gene Hoglan is the glue that holds the songs together with his rock solid beats and clever fills. This is a CD that's dense and heavy, but also has some memorable hooks, and I have a feeling "U Suck" will be the Ozzfest anthem of the summer.
