The New Black
The New Black | ||||
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Century Media | ||||
Producer | Devin Townsend, Strapping Young Lad | |||
Strapping Young Lad chronology | ||||
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Devin Townsend chronology | ||||
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The New Black is the fifth and final studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Strapping Young Lad. It was released on July 11, 2006, debuting at No. 200 on the Billboard charts.[1] A music video was shot for the album's sole single, "Wrong Side", and another video, done in CGI, was made for the non-single song "Almost Again".
Background
Century Media imposed a strict deadline on the release date of the album: it was to be ready before the 2006 Ozzfest festival. Despite this, Townsend stated the recording was not rushed,[2] and The New Black became a critical, as well as a commercial, success. It was more melodic than any of the band's previous albums and brought back the debut album's tongue-in-cheek humour.[2]
"Decimator" references "Depth Charge" from Accelerated Evolution. "Far Beyond Metal" is a studio recording of a tour song previously released on No Sleep 'till Bedtime and For Those Aboot to Rock. "Almost Again" emulates the keyboard-heavy ending of "Truth" from Infinity. "Polyphony" shares a riff with "Judgement" from Synchestra. A riff from "Monument" was later used as the bridge riff of "Lucky Animals" on Epicloud. An instrumental version of "Fucker" was released on Contain Us.
Promotion and touring
A music video was shot in late May to accompany the sole single from the album, "Wrong Side".
Packaging
The album comes packaged with a second CD featuring a sampling of various other Century Media artists. The European version contains two bonus tracks: "The Long Pig" and a cover of Melvins' "Zodiac".[4] The Japanese version contains "The Long Pig" and the instrumental "C:enter:###".
Release
The New Black was released on July 11, 2006. Having sold more than 4,000 copies during its first week, The New Black reached No. 200 on the Billboard 200 chart,[5] No. 15 on the Top Independent Albums, and No. 8 on the Top Heatseekers charts.[6]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [8] |
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 6/10[9] |
Stylus Magazine | B+[10] |
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Devin Townsend; all music is composed by Strapping Young Lad
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Decimator" | 2:53 |
2. | "You Suck" (featuring Cam Kroetsch) | 2:40 |
3. | "Anti-Product" | 3:56 |
4. | "Monument" | 4:11 |
5. | "Wrong Side" | 3:35 |
6. | "Hope" | 5:02 |
7. | "Far Beyond Metal" (featuring Oderus Urungus) | 4:36 |
8. | "Fucker" (featuring Bif Naked) | 3:53 |
9. | "Almost Again" | 3:43 |
10. | "Polyphony" | 1:54 |
11. | "The New Black" | 6:15 |
Total length: | 42:43 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "The Long Pig" | 1:22 |
13. | "Zodiac" (Melvins cover) | 3:59 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "The Long Pig" | 1:22 |
13. | "C:enter:###" | 3:04 |
Personnel
- vocals, guitar, production
- Jed Simon – guitar, backing vocals
- Gene Hoglan – drums, percussion
- Byron Stroud – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Will Campagna – keyboards, backing vocals
- Cam Kroetsch (The Almighty Punchdrunk) – guest vocals on "You Suck"
- Oderus Urungus (Gwar) – guest vocals on "Far Beyond Metal"
- Bif Naked – guest vocals on "Fucker"
- Chris Valagao (Zimmers Hole) – backing vocals
- Shaun Thingvold – engineering
- Mike Fraser – mixing
- Ryan Van Poederooyen – drum technician
- Travis Smith – artwork and photography
Charts
Chart (2006) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[11] | 63 |
Finnish Albums ( Suomen virallinen lista)[12]
|
17 |
French Albums ( SNEP)[13]
|
139 |
References
- ^ Century Media Records
- ^ a b Donnelly, Justin. "Devin Townsend Feature Interview". Blistering. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Strapping Young Lad To Film 'Wrong Side' Video; Extras Needed". Blabbermouth.net. May 24, 2006. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Voivod. "Century Media Records". .centurymedia.com. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
- ^ Harris, Chris (July 19, 2006). "Thom Yorke's No Match For Chamillionaire, Kelly Clarkson In Billboard Race". MTV. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Artist Chart History - Strapping Young Lad". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ About.com. Archived from the originalon December 2, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- AllMusic. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- ISBN 9781-926592-20-6.
- ^ a b Lee, Cosmo (July 31, 2006). "Strapping Young Lad - The New Black - Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 269.
- Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Strapping Young Lad – The New Black". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2022.