Search - Strapping Young Lad :: Alien

Unlrelenting, undeniable, unbelievable music.

Alex Oleson | Valparaiso, IN United States | 01/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ive been listening to "heavy metal" for around 15 years now, it all starting with my first metal band Megadeath, laugh, and led up to bands like this. Ive heard a lot so what can I say about SYL? How can I summarize this band and album in a Townsend kind of way? Strapping Young Lad's take on metal is like it looked every other form of metal in the face, cut their F@#$$king heads off, pissed down their throats, then dropped a nuke on them for good measure. After hearing song #3 S#^tstorm I literally had to stop and catch my breath after listening to what might be the most mind crushing, heart pounding, hilarious, metal song ever created. His lyrics/vocals strike a perfect balance between hilariously prescribed to serious and compelling. If your new to SYL, Alien is a great place to start, its where I did. The rest of the Albums are great whether you move forward or back from this monumental Album. Forget what you know about metal, open your mind, and put a plate under your chin, your face will be there soon. Devin loves Face soup!!"

A top-notch metal album

eternal now | mankato | 08/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Take equal parts industrial metal, death metal, attention-deficit-disorder mentality and some amazing musicians and you get 'Alien', the 4th Long Play from Canadian heavy weights Strapping Young Lad. The best way to describe 'Alien' would be to compare it to a super high, super thick wave of sound; an onslaught of guitar, layered with more guitar, layered with synth keyboards and ambiance, layered with pummeling drums, and on top of it all the amazing vocal prowess of Devin Townsend. From the starting notes of 'Imperial', you'll be literally blown away by how dense and layered the music is. I can imagine that it might be a little too much for some people, but hey, Strapping Young Lad is definitely an acquired taste. Not only is the music intense and pummeling, but Devin Townsend's lyrics are usually done tongue in cheek, which may turned off a lot of listeners.



As for the sound of 'Alien'; its fast, thick, over-the-top, and slicked over with layers upon layers of sound, and topped off with an industrial itch that really enhances the sound; very machine-like at times.



First of all, Strapping Young Lad, on this album, had one of the best drummers in the business behind the kit; the legendary Gene Hoglan. His prowess on the drums is nigh un-paralleled; his unique drumming devices and lightning speed, yet utterly inhuman double bass kicks are unbelievable; no wonder they call him the 'Atomic Clock'. Second, you have Devin Townsend, the mastermind behind the band. His vocals are powerful, abrasive, beautiful, and freakin' amazing. His range is so expansive its no wonder he was, at one time, the vocalist for Steve Vai's band. From screams, gutteral growls to clean sung harmonies to odd vocal things; Heavy Devy's vocals are something to be heard. Not only does he handle all the vocal duties, but he arranged all of the keyboard sounds and plays guitar. I would have to say that these two musicians are the backbone of Strapping Young Lad; they make the band unique and different, allowing them to stand out in an overcrowded genre.



The drums are definitely the driving force, along with Devin Townsend's vocals, with the guitars and keyboards filling in the necessary spaces, and doing an impeccable job at it. The guitar work isn't too spectacular; rather 'Alien' is about the whole instead of individual parts, and the whole is an engaging and utterly awesome sound. Though somewhat simplistic, the guitar riffs are arranged in odd structures throughout most of the album, and it fits quite nicely with the rest of the sound. The keyboard work is perfect; providing a wonderful backdrop, filling in the spaces, adding a touch here and there. As I mentioned earlier, the vocals are delivered in a somewhat tongue-in-cheek way, and the lyrics range from downright silly to somewhat serious. Honestly I don't care for the lyrics mostly, but I love the vocals, especially the clean sung parts; Devin Townsend is one of the greatest vocalists I've ever heard.



If you're into intense, balls-to-the-wall speed, and like waves upon waves of sound to wash over you again and again in a cavalcade of beauty, melody, aggression and power, then you'll certain dig 'Alien'.



Highly Recommended.



5/5

"