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STRAPPING YOUNG LADCityRelease: 1997Label: Century Media RecordsAvantgenre: Industrial Thrash Power MetalDuration: 40 MinutesOrigin: Canada / USAOfficial site: http://www.strappingyounglad.com/It is a winning mix, especially when thebrutality is contrasted by slower, moreatmospheric and intensely emotional sections,where the synths, guitars and vo-.............................................................................................................................................With this one it's hard to know where to cals make a strangely ambient melodicbegin. How about "the heaviest finest angriestslab of cyber metal ever”? This rec-Devin’s trademark. Another ace of themix creating a wall-of-sound that becameord came, conquered and remained on the band is the lyrical contact, which is angrythrone. It pretty much defines what can and direct (to the point of almost beingbe accomplished with the proper amalgamationof extreme metal and industrial ble, thanks to the amazing production jobpunk/hardcore) and clearly understanda-music (along with Ministry and Red Harvest,of course).ing by Daniel of Meshuggah(courtesy of Devin himself, with engineer-fame).Opening with a flooring but short intro in"Velvet Kevorkian” which segues into theface-ripping "All Hail the New Flesh”, therecord quickly and explosively establishesits sound and identity. The song that followsup the intensity another notch is theheadbanging anthem "Oh My FuckingGod”. Thrash (and some Death/Grind)riffage layered with all manners of samplesand synths, backed by the rhythmsection from hell (how can you go wrongwith Gene Hoglan on drums?) races along,all topped off with some of the most originalvocals in metal (Devin Townshend is aphenomena unto himself, going fromtough guy vocals to screeches andscreams to heart wrenching wails andsinging, all in the same song and all suitablyreverbed).All the songs here are killer, catchy andepic at the same time (something which isvery hard to achieve). They flow seamlesslyand the sequence makes perfect sense.As Devin has repeatedly stated in interviews,it is his catharsis and it shows.Many of the themes here are developedfurther on subsequent SYL and DTB releases,but none comes close to the sheerinsanity of this record. The Cop Shoot Copcover is a great choice and brings varietyto the record, while still sounding like aSYL tune.All in all, this is one of the top metal releasesof all time, and still sounds as refreshingand vibrant today as the day itwas released. If you haven’t had thepleasure, pick it up today for a truly cerebralyet vicious metal experience.Suleiman