Front Line Assembly

"Civilisation" (Album, 2004) !DSO Recommended!

Synthetic Symphony/SPV

Having spent the last six years achieving international recognition for his Delirium and Conjure One projects working with the likes of Sinead O'Connor and Sarah MaClachlan, and producing acts such as Fear Factory and Paradise Lost, Rhys Fulber returns to his most industrial of outlets, FLA. The previous four FLA albums, Flavour of the Weak (1997), Monument (1998), Implode (1999) and Epitaph (2001) were Fulber-free, seeing Bill Leeb teaming up again with Chris Peterson. But for many fans, Front Line Assembly is Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber. On the strength of Civilisation it's easy to understand why.

Since their formation in 1986, FLA have been at the forefront of the industrial music movement, but their talent has seen them constantly develop their sound putting them forever at the leading edge of the scene. Civilisation is the perfect summation of the two core members' respective careers to date. It's FLA filtered through everything else they've done in their various side projects, but particularly Delerium. This is most noticeable on a song like Vanished with its gentle rhythms and lilting melodies and female backing vocals.

Such phrases might strike terror into the heart of some FLA traditionalists, but opening track Psychosomatic should reassure them that these guys know what they're up to, but that it's time to forget the past and move on. Title track Civilisation is one of the finest examples of just why FLA remains such an important, influential and unrivalled partnership. And Transmitter (Come Together) proves beyond doubt that the fusion between Delerium and Tactical Neural Implant era FLA is not only divine inspiration but also human genius.

Yet, what Civilisation the album demonstrates more convincingly than anything else, is the sheer talent that lies at the heart of FLA in the Leeb and Fulber team. Talent for producing constantly impressive work, effortlessly ensuring that the name Front Line Assembly will forever remain in the upper echelons of electronic bands. Thoroughly compelling. 8/10

Rob Dyer (April 2004)

Official Front Line Assembly website: http://www.mindphaser.com