Review by Rachel Jablonski
"No color, no code, no creed… WAR."
If the contentious drumming powerfully thundering upon defiant, unyielding riffs doesn’t give it away, the relentless synchronal throb of rhythm and aggressive insurgence of vocals will. This is war music. With ear-splitting loudness, furious and domineering in nature, the latest release from Strapping Young Lad is purely and undeniably combative music. Noise perhaps to the vague categorical listener, a conditioned ear will find the sounds of Strapping Young Lad painstakingly provoking.
An album that never should have come to be, Devin Townsend expressing skepticism prior in his ability to complete another anger driven Strapping Young Lad album, worldwide life events spawned this creative outpouring. Outward expression of anger and implied examination of consequence surrounding the terrorist attacks upon New York City September 11, 2001 is the basis behind this Strapping Young Lad release. In essence what Strapping Young Lad has done is to create something constructive out of one of the most trying and traumatic moments in recent history. Unlike many other attempts at such a feat, Strapping Young Lad has set forth a realistic tone in regard to true human feeling, doubt, and confrontation. The hard-hitting metal core of the album combined with a great vocal blend work terrifically to create emotional realism extremely difficult to interpolate.
The beauty of this Strapping Young Lad album comes about through poetic lyrics amidst complete musical chaos. “Human Mind, Human Soul…. Human Weakness, I love you…. I love you… Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!” sings Townsend at the beginning of “Consequence.“ Through illustrative words and ideas such as bombs, death, war, fighting, burning, beating, battle, and so on a common theme of war is presented. The war motif seems to be used in order to illustrate not only the potential for physical fighting, but the inner struggle for the ideal human condition amidst such horrific life experience as well.
The consequences of 9/11 are clearly and purposefully brought about through the short, rhythmic, and melodic vocals of the album. “We learn how we live when we die,” exclaims Townsend in “Devour.” Powerful lyrical concepts with illustrious musical accompaniment depict anger, frustration, and struggle, but most importantly profound realizations as well. Dark, sarcastic humor seems to be intertwined periodically throughout the album in addition tracing further true to life neurotic emotion. “Wash my fucking balls.”
Each song bleeds into another creating an integral work of distinguished brilliance. With energizing drum kicks, furious guitars, pulsating bass, mesmerizing keyboards, and an incredible range of melodic and screaming vocals, the listener has no choice but to absorb the dominating sounds. A rich, full and powerful work of art, there is not much more one could ask from the incredibly talented Canadian musicians called Strapping Young Lad.
“To war… we ride.”