Strapping Young Lad (SYL) was a Canadian extreme metal band formed by Devin Townsend in Vancouver 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.
Strapping Young Lad at the Tribute to Flame Fest 2006
Stroud and Townsend in concert in 2006
Townsend's unique "Skullet" hairstyle and aggressive stage persona have made him "one of the more memorable faces" in the metal community.
Devin Garrett Townsend is a Canadian singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He founded extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad and was its primary songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist from 1994 to 2007. He has also had an extensive solo career and has released a total of 28 albums across all of his projects as of 2022.
Townsend performing at Wacken Open Air 2014
Townsend performing at the Wâldrock Festival, Netherlands (June 30, 2001)
Townsend filming the music video for "Zen" with Strapping Young Lad (2005)
Townsend performing at Tuska Metal Festival, Finland (July 2010)