The New Black

I didn't feel good about this album from the first time I heard it. I was introduced to SYL with City, an undisputed classic. I then acquired SYL, which wasn't as good as City but undoubtedly had that x-factor that SYL has and it was just crazy/epic enough for me. Alien was another milestone and even exceeds City in my opinion. That album will forever be one of my favorite metal records. The thing with all three of these records is they are all different, but when you hear them, you know that it is undoubtedly SYL.

The New Black perplexed me upon first listen because the common link that tied those three records together was almost completely absent. Wrong Side (along with the middle section of Hope) is the only song that has that SYL sound. Decimator is rather average and doesn't really go anywhere. You Suck...I can see how some would find it amusing but I just found the lyrics borderline parody of what this band is capable of. Antiproduct and Monument are both terribly average. Wrong Side is the lone standout, amazing SYL through and through. Hope starts out rather boringly, but the middle section somehow manages to salvage this song...it's quite amazing, more insane SYL genius. Far Beyond Metal serves better as a live joke song, but despite this, the studio version found here is still quite enjoyable. Fucker, once again, I see how it's intended to be humorous, but this song is just TERRIBLE, and very annoying. Almost Again is *almost* a great song, but really doesn't go anywhere; the only thing it has going for it is the verse/chorus transition that it relies on about THREE TIMES in the song. Polyphony/The New Black is actually a great and catchy closer that draws some reference to the song Judgement off of Devin Townsend Band's genius Synchestra release.

I'm not sure why this release is getting unanimously high marks when I find it lacks a lot of the things that make SYL...SYL. It just doesn't have that signature sound and a lot of it is rather boring and uninteresting. Still, there are moments here and there that make it somewhat of a worthwhile listen, but overall this release is pretty lackluster.