We all know something about this band. Either you love them or hate them. There can be no other option. Thank God I belong to the ones who love them! Otherwise I would have lost one of the weirdest, most clever and, mostly, fucking sick bands out there. May I present to you the one and only Devin Townsend!
Canadian extreme metallers Strapping Young Lad consist of the craziest guys on the Metal scene. Just combine Hoglan's drumming, Townsend's craziness and Stroud's brain. Total chaos! This is their fifth full length release and they have already placed themselves high in the pantheon of Metal (editor's humble opinion). Imagine that Townsend used to be Steve Vai's singer and now he is thrashing with Strapping Young Lad! What can I say...?
So, how can someone describe a Strapping Young Lad album? Hmmm, I think I know. Imagine the sickest version of a Thrash band formed by lunatics! The New Black is full of Thrash, Progressive and many other elements! If there was a name to describe this music, it would surely be 'Fucked Up Insane Metal'! The sound is great as in every SYL album. This time the mixing process was done by the renowned Mike Fraser (Aerosmith, Metallica). As you may know, SYL can't be easily heard by every metalhead and require a wide range of musical taste and well "trained ears. I admit that it took me some time to get used to their sound. This album deserves some hours of dedication to it. That's the only way to understand the glorious music that these guys can get out of their brains. Those of you who have listened to their albums, you know what I mean.
So, sit down, relax, grab a bottle of beer and get ready to enjoy this majestic work of some great musicians. Just great!