|
|
|
|
The press release included with Strapping Young Lad's Alien boasts that the Canadian quartet have released City, part 2. Sure, it's a rather lofty claim, considering the previous offering from Strapping Young Lad (simply titled SYL) was met with either high praise or extreme disdain from the group's loyal following. Divided opinions about said album aside, I think almost anyone into Devin Townsend and co.'s material would rally around City as their key album.
So of course the big question is "does it measure up to City?". Well, it seems that there was a statement to be made. A completely insane, spastic, low, chunky metal-charged, industrial-fueled, collection of 10 tracks (and a 12-minute long feedback track ending the album) meant to do nothing more than pummel the listener. By no means is it the fastest, the heaviest or the most brutal album out there. But it's definitely up there as far as being one of the most pissed off. A lot of the profanity-laced vocals are little more than crazed rants, perfectly complimented by the band's trademark riffing, all kept at frantic pace by drum-god Gene Hoglan. After enduring the entire disc several times, I think I'm comfortable in saying that Strapping Young Lad has made their true follow-up to their groundbreaking sophomore album City. It may just be too crazy for mainstream listeners, too catchy for the elitists, but Alien is perfect for Strapping Young Lad's unique fanbase, and anyone else with a thirst for well-played but emotionally driven music.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Imperial |
| 2. Skeksis |
| 3. Shitstorm |
| 4. Love? |
| 5. Shine |
| 6. We Ride |
| 7. Possessions |
| 8. Two Weeks |
| 9. Thalamus |
| 10. Zen |
| 11. Info Dump |
: 55.35
| Buy other Strapping Young Lad albums |
