Track Listing
1. Velvet kevorkian 2. All hail the new flesh 3. Oh my f*cking god 4. Detox 5. Home nucleonics 6. AAA 7. Underneath the waves 8. Room 429 9. Spirituality Year: 1997 Label: Century Media - Official Site |
Strapping Young Lad - 'City' - By M. Freeman
The follow up to their 'different' debut 'Heavy As A Really Heavy Thing', 'City' is SYL's second studio album, and arguably the better of the two thus far. Anger is the ingredient Devin Townsend requires to complete SYL work and that is what he rips out in this album, increasingly angrier than the roaring first album, this is a must-own for all Townsend fans. Intro-track 'Velvet Kevorkian' starts with synthesiser style blasts and at just over one minute in lengh epitomises just what the band are about. A series of vocal chants from Townsend and continuous fast paced musicianship set the pace of what is to follow. 'All Hail The New Flesh' is what Strapping Young Lad are in a nutshell, fast paced, angsty, yet melodic speed demons. Crunching riffs are coveted fantastically by Devin's changeable vocal extremes. A great way to step into the world of SYL, just make sure it's loud. Third track 'Oh My F*cking God', hmm, now could this name have a bearing on what the music is going to present us with here? Yes, to be blunt. A beginning sample of 'Now gentlemen, a great deal of money has been invested in this project and we can't allow it to fail...' echoes out only for a rip-roaring drum beat to crash it's way through the speakers and approaching vocals that may compare to those of 'Happy Camper' from the debut album. After the wind-down of the previous track, 'Detox' begins with what must be one of SYL's most infectious guitar arrangements, a slight direction change appears once Townsend lets out a trademark scream and the track is underway in typical SYL fashion. This track improves with each listen, and certain riffs are picked up along the way adding to the all-round feel of the moody atmosphere. 'Home Nucleonics' opens with another sample, something which Townsend et al have become fond of over the years, and they manage to blend them incredibly well wherever they feature them. From start to finish this track is a fast paced, full on assault on the ears, and not much could have been done to improve it. A completely different style comes into play for a breather track, if you will, in the shape of 'AAA'. This was the first track I heard from the album, possibly not a good way of sampling the album, but this track truly is magnificent. Almost whispering to begin with, 'AAA' builds and builds until it erupts into an intense soul driving piece which also proves that SYL don't have to scream to prove their worth in the world of metal. The seventh cut from 'City' is titled 'Underneath The Waves', yet another catchy track which is helped along by Townsend's highly infectious vocal talents. Error-ridden from the word go, this is one of the better polished tracks as a whole and will certainly leave you wanting more of the same. 'Room 429' is a cover track, not a familiar route that SYL have taken, in some ways just as good as the others on the album, but this is mood-depending. A little slow to be associated with this record, but un-surprisingly the band make it work with no quarms as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunately the album is drawing to a close, but the closing is done in spectacular style with 'Spirituality', a melodic, sample driven, monstrous come-down. An on-going ear bashing arrangement which contains everything that is good about the band, and more. Another chapter in Devin Townsend's career comes to a halt, those of you out there who are new to Strapping Young Lad and have been captivated by them can look forward to a new offering apparently scheduled for late 2002, while the long time fans out there will be salivating in anticipation at what the Canadian genius may come up with next. Whatever comes next, I'm sure there will be no disappointments. Metal Obsessive Grade: 93% |