The New Black

The New Black
Studio album by Strapping Young Lad
Released July 11, 2006
Recorded 2006
Genre Progressive metal, industrial metal, extreme metal, heavy metal
Length 42:43
Label Century Media
Producer Devin Townsend
Strapping Young Lad chronology

Alien
(2005)		 The New Black
(2006)		 1994–2006 Chaos Years
(2008)
Devin Townsend chronology
Synchestra
(2006)		 The New Black
(2006)		 The Hummer
(2006)

The New Black is the fifth and final 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 "Almost Again", which was not a single.

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]

Release and critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [3]

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,[4] No. 15 on the Top Independent Albums, and No. 8 on the Top Heatseekers charts.[5] Stylus Magazine's Cosmo Lee described it as "heavy, catchy, and with no filler",[6] and About.com's Chad Bowar was also positive, stating that "this is a CD that's dense and heavy, but also has some memorable hooks".[7]

A music video was shot in late May to accompany the sole single from the album, "Wrong Side".[8] In June 2006 Strapping Young Lad embarked on a short festival tour of Europe, including performances at the Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals in Germany, and the Download Festival in England, which was followed by a second stage appearance at Ozzfest in July and August, where they played to some of the largest audiences in their career.

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".[9] The Japanese version contains "The Long Pig" and the instrumental "C:enter:###".

Track listing

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
European bonus tracks
No. Title Length
12. "The Long Pig"   1:22
13. "Zodiac" (Melvins cover) 3:59
Japanese bonus tracks
No. Title Length
12. "The Long Pig"   1:22
13. "C:enter:###"   3:04

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ Century Media Records
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Donnelly, Justin. "Devin Townsend Feature Interview". Blistering. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ↑ The New Black at AllMusic. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  4. ↑ Harris, Chris (July 19, 2006). "Thom Yorke's No Match For Chamillionaire, Kelly Clarkson In Billboard Race". MTV. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Artist Chart History - Strapping Young Lad". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ↑ Lee, Cosmo (July 31, 2006). "Strapping Young Lad - The New Black - Review". Stylus magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. ↑ Bowar, Chad (2006). "Strapping Young Lad - The New Black Review". About.com. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Strapping Young Lad To Film 'Wrong Side' Video; Extras Needed". Blabbermouth.net. May 24, 2006. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. ↑ Voivod. "Century Media Records". .centurymedia.com. Retrieved May 13, 2013.

External links