Strapping Young Lad
| Strapping Young Lad | |
|---|---|
Strapping Young Lad in 2006. Left to right: Byron Stroud, Gene Hoglan (shown back with drums), Devin Townsend and Jed Simon.
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
1994–2007 Hiatus (1998–2002) |
| Labels | Century Media |
| Associated acts | The Wildhearts, The Devin Townsend Band, Punky Brüster, Steve Vai, Zimmers Hole, Tenet, Fear Factory, Dethklok, Pitch Black Forecast, Dark Angel |
| Past members |
Devin Townsend Jed Simon Byron Stroud Gene Hoglan Adrian White Chris Bayes Chris Meyers Ashley Scribner Mike Sudar |
1994–2007
Strapping Young Lad was a Canadian extreme metal band formed by Devin Townsend in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1994. The band started as a one-man studio project; Townsend played most of the instruments on the 1995 debut album, Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing. By 1997, he had recruited permanent members; this line-up, which consisted of Townsend on vocals and guitar, Jed Simon on guitar, Byron Stroud on bass, and Gene Hoglan on drums, lasted until the band's dissolution.
Containing elements of death metal, thrash metal, black metal, progressive metal and industrial metal, Strapping Young Lad's music was characterized by the use of polyrhythmic guitar riffing and drumming, blast beats and Wall of Sound production. The band's musical direction was mainly determined by Townsend, whose battle with bipolar disorder and dark sense of humour were major influences on his songwriting. Townsend was also noted for his eccentric appearance and on-stage behaviour, which greatly contributed to the band's intense live performances.
The band gained critical success and a growing underground fan base from their 1997 album City. After a hiatus between 1999 and 2002, the band released three more albums, reaching their commercial peak with the 2006 effort, The New Black. Townsend disbanded Strapping Young Lad in May 2007, announcing his decision to retreat from public view while continuing to record solo albums.
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