Strapping Young Lad drummer Gene Hoglan recently announced that the band was going to be taking an extended hiatus, which seems to be the chi-chi thing for bands to do these days. If SYL never reforms, they certainly left the metal world with fond memories in their 2006 release The New Black (Century Media). It's a record that proclaims "Fuck you very much!!" to the rest of the world.

The self-proclaimed alien Devin Townsend has produced a record that will give the conservative forces of this country heartburn for years. After the opener, "Decimator", SYL rip into possibly one of the best songs in their catalog - "You Suck". It's a song so lyrically simple (sample- I don't give a FUCK, you fuckin' FUCK...HELL YEAH YOU FUCKING SUCK!!) but instrumentally over the top. You'll actually wonder how many appendages Gene Hoglan has in order to work the kit like he does in this ditty. "Anti-Product" has Townsend laying down a wicked guitar groove while flipping off the big record companies who shove musical shit through our radios. If the vocal talents of Townsend are what appeal to you, "Wrong Side" will surely be your new favorite SYL tune as he goes from death growl to near operatic range in the span of three and a half minutes all while trying to stay at pace with Hoglan and company. The song also features the keyboard wizardry of Willy Campagna. SYL do slow the pace to a danceable groove on "Fucker". Hey, when Devin screams "Dance you fuckers!" at the beginning of the song, what the hell else are you going to do?