Search - Strapping Young Lad :: City (Reis)

Melodic, chaotic, brutal, brilliant, & beautiful

A. Stutheit | Denver, CO USA | 02/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A sense of humor has always been kind of taboo in extreme metal because it's just something that so few bands dare to have. But Canadian frontman Devin Townsend stands out from the rest of the crowd because he -- and the rest of his industrial-thrash/cyber-grind outfit Strapping Young Lad -- are definitely an exception to this rule. Townsend's mad-scientist-style of metal is so funny, unique, intricate, creative, well-detailed and out-of-control that the most appropriate and justifiable label for it would be, well, "Devy metal."



Nothing is better proof of this than SYL's second album, 1997's "City." Case in point: humorous song titles (e.g.: "Velvet Kevorkian," "Oh My F'ing God," "Home Nucleonics," etc.), tongue-in-cheek moods/atmospheres, maniacal vocal styles, pervasive profanity, positively bizarre subject matter, and (most importantly) satyrical, bombastic, self-parodying, irony-packed, and often borderline non-sequitur lyrics that would often make even a dead guy crack a smile (for a few examples, see tracks one, five, and six).



The album is also really remarkable and amazing from a musical standpoint. Devin's voice is in top form here, and he turns in an all-around tour-de-force behind the microphone. His vocals (which are primarily delivered in the form of skin-crawling shrieks, angry yells, proper singing, and occasional death growls) do battle against an extremely dense, cluttered, frenzied, and cacophonous instrumental backdrop. The rest of the band provide more than ample propulsion with massive death/thrash riffs, meaty bass lines, and behemoth-sized beats that spit sparks and debris like shrapnel from drummer extraordinaire Gene Hoglan (previously of Death and Dark Angel fame).



If there's one thing you WON'T find on "City," then it's filler material. Each one of these nine song has its place, is different from the others, and brings something new and interesting to the table. Opener "Velvet Kevorkian" is a chillingly atmospheric and foreboding intro that intertwines orchestral backing vocals with samples, layered, harmonized singing, angry atonal screams, and pounding guitars. "All Hail The New Flesh" effortlessly flattens the listener's skull with a beastly, adrenalized riff backed by vicious, booming, rapid-fire blast beats (this is the first of Hogan's many mind-blowing moments in the spotlight). Chunky, needle-and-poke riffs bob and swoop in and out throughout the verses, which seamlessly flow into a beautiful, clearly defined, and blissfully-sung chorus (a perfect way to come down from the adrenaline rush). Next up, "Oh My F'ing God" begins with a swift drum solo and a blood-curdling, larynx-shredding scream. Devin repeatedly gets sick on the mic throughout the remainder the song (he probably wasn't able to use his vocal chords for at least a weak after he recorded it!), including tossing out plenty of frantic, rapid-fire vocals (in the verses), yelps, gargles, and hilarious chants of the title phrase in the choruses. Combine this with plenty more terrifically deft double bass slamming that evokes a herd of stampeding elephants, and the end result is sure to beat you into a bloody pulp.



"Detox" is substantially more mid-tempo light-hearted, and normal-sounding, and has some chugging riffs that are even fairly catchy and groovy at times. To counteract "Detox," though, the band storm back stronger than ever with the monstrously heavy and powerful "Home Nucleonics." It is bolstered by driving, crunching guitar leads, more insane, vigorous trapkit annihilation, breakneck tempo changes, and vocals that are just all over the place (i.e. low bellows, demonic shrieks, snarls, and the ever-present "tooth-pulled-without-novocaine" screams). "AAA" is, for all intents and purposes, an interlude track, and since it is very melodic, open, restrained, and non-threatening, it also serves as a nice oasis (of sorts) from the rest of the album. It is also of note for its depressing, thought-provoking lyrics which seem to recall Devin Townsend's tough teenage years.



"Underneath the Waves" is, more-or-less, a straight-forward thrasher, but it is not without some melody (it utilizes well-placed, symphonic-sounding keyboards to excellent effect, and Devin's impressive proper singing really helps to carry the tune.) "Room 429" is a synth-driven cover of a song originally written by a Nineties industrial/experimental group called Cop Shoot Cop. Since it is just a cover, is obviously doesn't have the Strapping Young Lad stamp/trademark and is not a classic, but it should have many listeners rolling on the floor laughing. Finally, "Spirituality" is a superbly gloomy, tranquil, ambient, and pretty set closer with minimal noise, and gobs of harmonized vocal lines that highlight Devin's good, warm, mesmerizing clean vocals. It might not be an instantly likable (or even listenable) track, but don't overanalyze it -- if you just let it wash over you, it could become very enjoyable and soothing.



On its surface, "City" may appear to be nothing more than a very noisy onslaught of disturbing, unorganized sonic violence. But, with further insprection, there is a heck of a lot more going on here! It will probably take some time to get used to and absorb fully, but it is worth it, because only then will one uncover all of its delicious nuances, details, depth, nooks, and crannies. And only then will it become obvious that this album is an utterly fascinating, inventive, original, enthralling, meticulous, nightmarish, multi-faceted, and genius mindtrip from front to back. Essential listening."

Just buy it!

Animaniacal Laughter | 01/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh my f***ing god! Most extreme metal is utter tosh, so it is a rarity to hear an album like this, which is both heavy and doesn't have embarrassing grunt/screech vocals. When you add fantastic melodies and rhythms, it is clear that this in a very rare album indeed. This album rates way up in my best albums of all time (most of which aren't even metal) and is one of the most extreme metal albums that I own (I can't believe the crap that some people buy just because it is extreme or heavy). This album is incredible. High points for me are All Hail The New Flesh and Underneath The Waves. The vocals on Room 429 sound a little out of place since it is a cover version, but I can't fault anything else. Not heard the added demo tracks but Centipede was tagged onto their live album and it is great. Just buy it!



N.B. I don't really rate any other SYL albums; while they all have a few good songs, they aren't as consistant and none can hold a candle to this album. Devin Townsend's solo albums are generally quite good (although I can't see why there would be a quality difference between his solo stuff and SYL)

"

WOW.......................EXPLOSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

themusicfiend | Florida | 11/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"SYL's 'CITY' is a pummeling ultra fast metal masterpiece now remastered with bonus tracks, xtra picks and an introduction by Dev himself. Expertly put together remastered edition that sounds truly awesome. This is Devin Townsends (first)defining moment. Each track burns with so much intensity that your ears could melt. This is the classic line-up with J. Simon providing extra guitar work, B. Stroud providing the low end and ofcourse G.Hoglan as the atomic clock. The album is also laced with beautiful keyboards and samples(provided by Devin) that just adds to the sound that has now become Strapping Young Lad. A must for any metal fan.

There are also bonus tracks that round of the disc. Most of which are '96 demos, but there is one special track that had only been found on the Japanese orignal version of 'CITY'. The blistering and experimental track named 'Centipede'. A big bonus that rounds out the album really well."