City
Strapping Young Lad · 1997
39 min · 9 tracks · death metal
A relentless barrage of chaotic riffs and industrial rhythms that confronts the listener with raw emotional intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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All Hail the New Flesh — This track encapsulates the album's frenetic energy through its explosive instrumentation and provocative lyrics that challenge conformity.
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Oh My Fucking God — The song's intense dynamic shifts and visceral vocal delivery exemplify Townsend's ability to merge chaos with melody, making it an anthem of frustration.
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Detox — With its complex structure and relentless pace, this track serves as a powerful exploration of personal struggle and existential themes within the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's innovative sound and emotional intensity mark it as a significant entry in industrial metal.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that features rapid tempo changes and aggressive guitar riffs, immediately setting a chaotic tone.
- Vocals alternate between harsh growls and melodic passages, creating a stark contrast that enhances the emotional intensity of the lyrics.
- Several tracks incorporate industrial elements, such as electronic beats and samples, which blend seamlessly with the heavy instrumentation.
- The final track features an extended outro that gradually fades out, leaving a lingering sense of unresolved tension.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- relentless bursts of chaotic energy
- short tracks for intense listening
- raw emotional confrontations throughout
- pulsating rhythms demanding full attention
Maybe skip if you
- prefer melodic and soothing sounds
- want lengthy, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1997, 'City' marked the third album by Strapping Young Lad, following their self-titled debut and 'No Sleep 'Til Bedtime'. At this point, frontman Devin Townsend was solidifying his reputation as a visionary in extreme metal, blending various genres while pushing boundaries with aggressive soundscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Fear Factory· Meshuggah· Gojira
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Velvet Kevorkian 1:17
- 2 All Hail the New Flesh 5:24
- 3 Oh My Fucking God 3:34
- 4 Detox 5:37
- 5 Home Nucleonics 2:31
- 6 AAA 5:21
- 7 Underneath the Waves 3:40
- 8 Room 429 5:21
- 9 Spirituality 6:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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