Alien
Strapping Young Lad · 2005
54 min · 11 tracks · death metal
A chaotic fusion of death metal and industrial sounds, punctuated by aggressive vocals and relentless rhythms that challenge the listener.
Top tracks — play these first
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Shitstorm — This track exemplifies the album's chaotic energy, combining rapid-fire riffs with intense vocal delivery that captures the essence of existential dread.
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Love? — In this standout track, the juxtaposition of melodic elements against harsh instrumentation creates a poignant exploration of relational turmoil.
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Zen — Here, a stark shift in tempo introduces a meditative quality amidst the heaviness, showcasing Townsend's ability to blend contrasting musical dynamics effectively.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Alien showcases ambitious songwriting and production, blending chaos with moments of introspection.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Imperial', that sets a relentless pace which is maintained through the first half of the record.
- The final three tracks, particularly 'Thalamus' and 'Zen', incorporate atmospheric elements that contrast sharply with the preceding aggression.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- chaotic bursts of aggressive energy
- relentless rhythms that challenge focus
- short tracks for quick intensity
- cathartic release through chaos
Maybe skip if you
- prefer melodic and soothing sounds
- seek calm and serene atmospheres
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2005, Alien marked Strapping Young Lad's fourth studio album and followed their critically acclaimed album, City. At this point, frontman Devin Townsend was solidifying his reputation as a pioneering force in heavy music, blending genres and pushing sonic boundaries. The album showcased an evolution in their sound, incorporating more experimental elements while retaining their signature intensity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Fear Factory· Meshuggah· Gojira
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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We Ride
The song features a moment where the narrative voice shifts to an almost prophetic tone, conveying a sense of inevitability about fate.
This shift enhances the urgency of the message and serves to draw listeners deeper into the thematic concerns of struggle and survival.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Imperial 2:17
- 2 Skeksis 6:42
- 3 Shitstorm 4:22
- 4 Love? 4:53
- 5 Shine 5:13
- 6 We Ride 2:37
- 7 Possessions 4:12
- 8 Two Weeks 3:28
- 9 Thalamus 3:58
- 10 Zen 5:02
- 11 Info Dump 11:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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