The Meista here and I'm feeling a bit aggressive this evening... which I believe requires a pairing of Strapping Young Lad's self-titled album and an Elephino Double India Pale Ale from Red Rock Brewery!
Strapping Young Lad (SYL) was a Canadian extreme metal band created by the genius that is Devin Townsend. The band's sound and musicianship is characterized by polyrhythmic guitar riffs, complex time signatures and tempo changes, multi-tracking, layered "wall of sound" production, and a combination of death metal, thrash, progressive, and industrial metal. Townsend has cited Judas Priest, Jane's Addiction, Zoviet France, Grotus, and Frank Zappa as his major influences. The self-titled "Strapping Young Lad" is the band's 3rd album was released on February 11, 2003. Lyrically darker and angrier than their first two albums (which relied more on Townsend's off-the-wall humor), Townsend sited "creative anger" (as a result of events like the September 11th terrorist attacks) as a driving force behind the writing. Musically, this album is a little more raw than the first two SYL albums and damned fast! The guitar work and drumming is mind-blowingly fast! On "Strapping Young Lad," Townsend provided lead guitars, vocals, keyboards, samples, engineering, and production; Jed Simon provided rhythm guitars, keyboards, samples, choir/chorus backing vocals; Byron Stroud provided bass and choir/chorus backing vocals; and Gene Hoglan provided the thunderous drumming. Songs like "Consequence," "Relentless," "Aftermath," "Force Fed," "Dirt Pride," and "Bring On The Young" hit you right between the eyes (and ears) with intensity beyond measure, pure aggression, and musical integrity. With every listen I love this album more and more! It really gets me fired up!!
For the aggressive power of "Strapping Young Lad," I needed a brew that could provide a complimentary approach... thus, the sharp and bitter flavors of the Elephino Double IPA. The Elephino (pronounced: el-uh-fine-oh) is an American style double IPA with a huge hop profile! Red Rock employs six varieties of hops and then double dry-hops this bad boy with whole leaf Amarillo hops, which gives it a big citrus and piney flavor. The Elephino pours a very hazy golden orange with a big and rocky frothy head that displays good retention. The nose really grabs you with a blend of citrus and floral and pine notes. Those same citrus notes in the nose are what really grab you with its flavor. Notes of bitter grapefruit, pine, and softer, more subtle sweet malts intertwine for a well-balanced and flavorful brew. The mouthfeel is not as dry and a bit "creamier" than most IPAs, but you definitely get that hop oily feel on the tongue, which leaves a nice, lingering bitterness.
Check out Red Rock Brewery at www.redrockbrewery.com and buy some SYL from your favorite LOCAL record store... and get heavy!! Raise your fists... raise your beers... bang your head... throw back some brew... Hails!!
No comments:
Post a Comment