Alumni of Strapping Young Lad and Devin Townsend Project Form “Heavier” New Band Featuring Jed Simon

Now that Devin Townsend has put the Devin Townsend Project on indefinite hiatus while he works on other projects, members of the band along with some alumni from Townsend’s former group, Strapping Young Lad, have come together to form a new band.

As reported by The PRP, drummer Ryan Van Poederooyen has confirmed the formation of this as-of-now-untitled band which will be a “heavier sounding band.” Joining Van Poederooyen in this new group will be the likes of Jed Simon, who was a member of Strapping Young Lad during their classic period.

While Townsend tends to get most of the credit for his songwriting and guitar playing in Strapping Young Lad, Simon was an integral part of the group’s punishing metal sound, as he developed a playing technique just as relentlessly crushing as Townsend’s. Metal fans should be excited at the potential of the project to put on some remarkable songs as evidenced by the track record of the band members. Van Poederooyen has indicated that the group will be joined by a lead singer, though he has yet to reveal their identity.

So far the band consists of:

Jed Simon (ex-Strapping Young Lad, Scar The Martyr, etc.)
Brian “Beav” Waddell (The Devin Townsend Project)
Byron Stroud (ex-Strapping Young Lad, Fear Factory, The Devin Townsend Project, etc.)
Ryan Van Poederooyen (The Devin Townsend Project)

UPDATE 3/14:

The PRP has reported that Threat Signal singer Jon Howard will be taking on vocal duties for the new project. The band will also be announcing their name on Friday, March 13th according to a statement from Van Poederooyen.