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With 2004's Civilization, the reunited Front Line Assembly -- as in longtime member Rhys Fulber returned -- sounded anxious to get back to their gritty electro-industrial roots, but cautious and too willing to rely on the serene sound of their successful side project Delerium. While Delerium's attention to detail is here, none of the preciousness is, and this ferocious album seems all the less schizophrenic because of it. Strategically, 2006's Artificial Soldier is right in line with their great 1992 album Tactical Neural Implant while musically it's a much more elaborate effort with layers of synths, stabs from guitars, and eerie landscapes that stretch as far as the ear can hear. Key track "Buried Alive" aggressively puts this all together while adding a bit of techno act Prodigy's aggressive drive into the mix. Vocalists Eskil Simonsson (from Covenant) and Jean-Luc de Meyer from (Front 242) make guest appearances, offering relief from member Bill Leeb's urgent delivery and apocalyptic lyrics, which aren't nearly as inspired as the music. If Leeb's words are formulaic, it won't matter much to fans craving a return to form. Artificial Soldier is a return to form monster of an album that will pound the band back into the electro-industrial lover's heart. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
more albums by this artist
See all-
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- Fallout (With Bonus Track)
- Released 2007
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- Civilization
- Released 2004
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- Implode
- Released 1999
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- Epitaph
- Released 2001
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listener reviews
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Thankfully, a return to aggro
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- By Neurothustra
- 7/15/2008 05:38:03
- as someone who has been listening to industrial music since the turn of the 80's, traditional EBM had become complacent and fans began looking for different sounds as tastes changed. With the departure of Fulber and the introduction of Peterson with Flavour of the Weak, FLA had embarked on a departure of sounds best left to side projects. After a few more outings with Peterson Frontline had strayed from the simple and heavy EBM trademark that FLA had helped establish (though Front242 had coined the term). Artificial Soldier not only reintroduces Rhys Fulber but sees Leeb and Co. come full circle with a frontal assault of sound. Heavy beats, harsh vocalizations and visions of the apocalypse thrum and outright explode from the speakers. This is the best Front Line Assembly album in years.
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