Single Source Selection | Front Line Assembly - 'Shifting Through The Lens'

If one thing can make me smile like a horny wombat on ecstasy it would a new single by Front Line Assembly. It has been four years since the last F.L.A. record, entitled Artificial Soldier, was released. That album was a beast. Though, I know many of the older FLA fans are extremely critical of the record. It was the first to feature Jeremy Inkel (Left Spine Down). I find after near 30 years of work it is impossible to please everyone all the time. In any case, the record hit in all the right areas that made me fall in love with Bill Leeb’s work all over again. With a four year span the industrial community has been fiending for another hit of what only Front Line is able to deliver. On June 6, 2010 we got that old school dance fix. This is a lead up to a new album and tour. One of the highlights to be seen on this new album will be a song called “Stupidity” with Ministry front man Al Jougensen. That should wet the palette and perk the ears. However, this single is not “Stupidity”.

“Shifting Through the Lens” is the first of two singles to come from FLA’s new album, Improvised. Electronic. Device. With the amount of music that Bill Leeb produces I am pleased that he doesn’t low ball his fans with substandard music. If you know anything about Bill Leeb’s Cryogenic Studios then you know he puts out enough music to make most people just give up. With a gross of bands under his thumb (Front Line Assembly, Delirium, Intermix, Noise Unit, Synaesthesia, Equinox, Pro-Tech) there is much room for average drivel to slide into a project. Thankfully, FLA get’s some of the better tracks. This single gives me great hope for a very solid album. Even the B-side track called “Endless Void” is killer. The song “Shifting Through the Lens” is some of the most danceable material put toward FLA in ages. The main beat is completely stuck in my mind. The vocals are classic Front Line, and there is no hint of guitar. This takes me back to the first time I heard the “mindphaser” single. Hell this takes me back to classic boot stomping hard electro. I know this album will have no hint of Rhys Fulber added; he is off working full time on Conjure One material. That is a shame, but does allow for some growth and fresh blood. What we get is an injection of adrenaline and vitality. The current FLA line-up consists of Bill Leeb, Jeremy Inkel (Noise Unit, Left Spine Down), Chris Peterson, and Jared Slingerland (Left Spine Down). This is a power house of writers. Inkel and Slingerland have proven themselves in Left Spine down ten times over. Leeb is the mastermind no matter what and this keeps the focus of the material. Peterson has been working in FLA since 1990 and helps keep the focus. If this single is any indication of the full length to drop then we are going to be dealing with a massively successful era of FLA. I would love to see some more commercial success come to these gents. They deserve a little money.

Let me delve into this single like a fat kid in a candy corn factory. The title track “Shifting Through the Lens” has that solid, hard EBM feel. It delivers a vibe that should get your feet moving. This track could easily have come out of the late 80’s. I generally speaking I frown at living in the past. The industrial scene is notoriously nostalgic. Though, this being Front Line I think it can be said that they still produce the stomping sound that made them famous. The older bands can be forgiven for the “old school” sound. Hell most of these older bands invented the sound or at least carved their own niche. I find it rather enjoyable none the less. Leeb’s signature vocals and catchy chorus’s drive this track home. “Angriff” has a bit more of the bipolar feel. This is maybe a cross between Delirium and Millenium era FLA. This has elements of what Leeb is all about; the rest of the band brings the vision together. I enjoy this song quite a bit, and am reminded of all the reasons that this style of music hooked me all those years ago. Finally, the exclusive single b-side track, “Endless Void”. This is one reason I love a single release. Any proper band will put a song off the full length and then a b-side. That is called marketing. It gives a real treat to your fan base. This is definitely a treat. The track is 9 and half minutes long. This one oozes futuristic atmosphere. This could easily fit into the electronic subgenre called glitch (Bitcrush/Gridlock). No vocals can be found to break the flow. This is excellent!

For the casual listener this will be a pleasant 20 minute musical venture. Front Line Assembly deliver a well put together single that gives hope for a very solid full length record. Older fans will see much of the same vibe that FLA is known for. Do not expect to see growth. I think after 26 years of music Leeb isn’t going to change much or progress FLA in any new directions. I would expect something a little more solid than Artificial Soldier. This album should render a few dance floor hits. If you don’t believe me than have a listen yourself.