28/02/05

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD / ALIEN

This pretty much carries on from where SYL left off, except that it’s heavier, more aggressive and more extreme in many ways.

The Strapping Young Lad persona of Devin Townsend has come to represent the heavier, harder edge, almost like Emperor in parts, with so much going on at once your brain just doesn’t know what to listen to but somehow it’s enjoyable, a total aural assault from start to finish. The last track is 12 minutes of pure noise, very experimental and the track "Two Weeks" is an oasis of calm in a sea of total aggressive, extremism and would not sound out of place on "The Wall" by Pink Floyd.

Standout tracks include; "Love", "Shine", "Two Weeks" and "Possessions", this CD is not for the feint hearted but if you’re prepared to listen you will find gems in here.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 55 mins + 11 TRACKS