STRAPPING YOUNG LAD „For Those Aboot to Rock”

Music: Industrial Metal
Website: http://www.strappingyounglad.com
Country: United States
Duration: 01:10:46 (14 songs)
Cool Songs: Relentless, Detox, SYL

Metal’s scariest skullet, Devon Townsend brings his outrageous humor and enthusiasm to their first DVD, “For Those Aboot to Rock. ” Anyone not living under a rock, living in a cave or whatever cliché you care to use knows that the title is a pun on AC/DC’s “For Those About to Rock.”

That is just one example of Mr. Townsend’s witty, sometimes crude sense of humor. Other examples include the band credits on the DVD insert: “Devon Townsend: guitar, vocals, full-on skullet,” or “Naked Cheerleaders” listed as one of the extra features. I watched the features and didn’t see any naked cheerleaders. Thanks for crushing my expectations, Devon! The funny non-existent features don’t stop there. SYL also includes “Massive amounts of heavy metal goings-ons and Shenanigans!!!.”

To check out these features, viewers are directed to the extra-features menu, which shows a beer can labeled “Strapping Beer.” The extras are listed between the beer can and a 3 D bong. One of the “existing” extras is “The Band,” which contains commentary from SYL’s band members. An unseen Byron Stroud commented on Townsend saying, “He’s the best frontman on the planet.” It’s hard to disagree! Another comment that caught my ear was from Paul Collis, the tour manager and Live Audio Engineer. Collis said, “If the whole world took a shit, that would be the sound of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD.” Along with colorful statements like the above, this section is very informative with laugh-out-loud tour stories.

As far as the main features go, this has to be Century Media’s best quality release ever! The California-based label surely dished out some time and money. The Live features displays excellent cinematography with many camera angles and split screens. The band has a clear mix, the light show rocks, and Mr. Townsend’s vocals are top notch. The concert clocks in at over an hour and showcases material from all three full-length albums.

Another part of the features menu is the video section. Viewers may choose between two SYL videos, 'Detox' and 'Relentless.' Headbangers Ball fans may already have the 'Relentless' video, but it is still cool to have as part of this package. The 'Detox”' video must be somewhat rare, unless one was to have picked it up on a Century Media compilation video. The Ball didn’t even exist when that vid was released, and as mentioned before, it’s nice to have it as part of the package.

“For Those Aboot to Rock” is a quality DVD release. This is a must have for SYL fans, and just may hook those unfamiliar with SYL’s work. Devon Townsend lends credibility to this DVD saying, “That’s right pigs! I’m the best looking mother fucker out here. You know what else? I suck dick for crack!”

note: 8/10

Tracklist

1. Dire [Intro]
2. Consequence
3. Relentless
4. Rape Song
5. Home Nucleonics
6. S.Y.L.
7. In The Rainy Season
8. Devour
9. Aftermath
10. Oh My Fucking God
11. Force Fed
12. Detox
13. All Hail The New Flesh
14. Far Beyond Metal

Line-up

Devon Townsend-guitar, vocals, full-on skullet
Jed Simon-guitar
Byron Stroud-Bass
Gene Hoglan-Drums