Search - Front Line Assembly :: Millennium [Maxi Single]

The problem is not the guitar, but its monotony

D. M. MATALLIN | Valencia, Spain | 03/02/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I know 'Millenium' is a very controversial album by FLA. Even though FLA was not new in adding guitars, they had already played them in 'Caustic Grip' and 'Tactical Neural Implant', here guitars were in control of the songs. Many fans liked this, others didn't. I think this album is the most monotonous by Leeb and co, and even though there're some good songs, every time i listen to it I find it less and less inspired. it's not that I hate guitars; but i don't like them to be in control of the songs, I prefer how they mixed them in albums like 'TNI', 'Hard Wired' or 'implode'. Besides, Leeb has always repeated that he was the one who introduced metal guitars into Electronic Music, but he seems to forget Die Krupps' 'The Final Option', which was 2 years earlier; However, i love Leeb's evolution throughout the years, he has managed to maintain a very identifiable and personal style while evolving in many diverse ways. So 'Millenium' is more interesting for me not as much as asn album in itself but as a step in Leeb's unexpected evolution. Now the songs:Vigilante (7.5/10): After an intro with samples from films and electronic sounds, comes the guitars to make a very dirty song, with a metal chorus and metalish voice. Good but not groundbreaking.Millenium (8/10): With guitar riffs and electronic basslines, Leeb sounds wicked and militaristic in this song. Very good chorus.Liquid Separation (8.5/10): one of the best; the guitar is present but not in control, the voice sounds robotic, almost as in 'The Blade', the chorus is very good, the beats very strong. Good and catchy.search & Destroy (8.5/10): good electronic parts with less present guitar, good chorus (that's not new) but not very good voice. I like this one.Surface Patterns (8.5/10): the guitar is present throughout almost the entire song; the melody is very catchy, and the electronic elements are good, the chorus is impressive; but the song is much too linear. An obvious single.Victim of a Criminal (7/10): very good music, guitar samples and ... rap? yes, this is a rap, I think it's quite good, but I don't love rap, so let fans judge.Division of Mind (7/10): With a very similar melody to 'Provision', this is the less electronic song in Millenium. catchy but not very original. Good samples, though.This Faith (9/10): the only song without guitars, seems like a logical continuation to TNI; good electronics, some Kraftwerkesque sounds, impressive chorus, very catchy. I hope all would have been like this one.Plasma Springs (7.5/10): guitars, heavy beats, catchy chorus, the same; not bad but at this time I feel tired; Sex Offender (8.5/10): instrumental, with Tears for fears sample from 'shout', a good song which progresses with time; there are guitars but not in a metal way; To sum up, I recognise this is not my favourite FLA album; but one must admit that Leeb and Fulber did an impressive work in the studio, mixing those guitar riffs with very good electronics. I wouldn't like another 'Millenium', so since there's just one, it's interesting. But FLA were to make very better albums later."

Their second best after Implode.

D. M. MATALLIN | 05/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was expecting this to be really heavy after reading the reviews. It's not overly aggressive, infact, it's nice and melodic, well layered and dynamic sounding. I think it's easier going than Hard Wired, but only just. For me, it's similar to Hard Wired, but with much more distorted guitar. It's not quite as evil/hard.This is the best metal orientated album I've got. Not surprisingly, Leeb and Fulber are behind a great record again. Tracks 4 and 8 are good examples of how guitar and synth work well together. Some are 'very' metal, other more typical FLA. In all, a great attempt at metal guitar music. Don't expect Metallica or Pantera (errr, except the sampled stuff!). This is definately FLA."

And the evolution continues?

J. Derek Reardon | KC, MO, USA | 07/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It appears from the reviews here that either you loveMillennium or you don't. There's a very good reason for that strongdividing line. Between Caustic Grip, Tactical Neural Impact, Millennium, and FLAvour of the Weak, fans saw not a stagnant FLA, but an ever evolving sound and dynamic that challenged what we heard. After all, that is was good industrial does - challenge the status quo. In this incarnation of FLA, Rhys and Bill take cues from their side project Noise Unit and bands they had been working with (like Fear Factory) and infused some harsh guitar work into their driving beats, biting samples, and vicious lyrics. While not what the average fan would be expecting, after the initial shock, Millennium grows on you and becomes an addictive thrasher that gives you a head rush from all the yelling and head-banging. The album starts off on a brilliant note with "Vigilante" that features great samples from Falling Down, a throbbing beat, and driving guitars that are quickly accompanied by stunning programming that will have you thrashing in no time. "Millennium" (released as a remix single) is a driving piece whose harsh guitars are matched by the violently manipulated vocals, however the refrain turns into classic anthemic FLA. This time taking a cue from one of the Hellraiser movies, "Liquid Separation" is a head banger with a bit more of a techno razor edge to it (the guitars are still present, just more repressed), again with classic FLA depth in the refrain. "Search and Destroy" is one of my favorites, featuring a building of levels and layers that actually makes the guitar work (though minimal) sound at home within the composition. There's a little more control and less thrash to this one, but it is very deep and intelligibly danceable - definitely accessible to FLA purists. Returning most definitely to the metal guitar sound, "Surface Patterns" (another remix single) features a bit slower but pronounceable and throbbing beat that is accentuated by syncopated programming and slower vocals. "Victim of a Criminal" introduces another element that purists will find somewhat shocking - gangsta rap. The introduction uses some samples intelligently, but we are soon thrown into the guitars and rap (both of which sound similar to Consolidated in both style and content). There is some interesting programming and some vocals from FLA, but the song is predominantly guitar and rap. After repeated exposures, it actually has grown on me and is an interesting listen. Sounding a lot like speed death metal, "Division of Mind" grows on you once the vocals get going and you chant along with the "Fight back!", and there are some nice techno elements (reminiscent of Talla 2XLC) to pull you back in. "This Faith" is another favorite, with a funky beat, progressive layering, and possessing an undeniable urge to dance wildly about the room as one yells along with the refrain. Lacking any guitar work, this one will definitely be accessible to Tactical Neural Implant fans. Thrashing and vicious, "Plasma Springs" is somewhat reminiscent of "Iceolate," and the guitar work is only an afterthought as a small feature here and there at the end of a phrase (and I love the "Right now!" sample snuck in from The Abyss). This one will appeal to the FLA purists who appreciate the sharper edged tip of FLA. The release closes with the instrumental track "Sex Offender." The piece starts off as an atmospheric decent into depravity. Then it evolves into a funky beat driven piece (borrowing some from Tears for Fears' "Shout") with an awesome synth hook, well planned samples, and what sound like vocals, however they are electronically distorted beyond comprehension. I give Millennium a solid 5 star rating. I'll admit that on first listen, especially after loving Tactical Neural Impact, this was not what I was expecting. I'm not really a metal fan, and, as an FLA purist, I didn't think guitars had a place in industrial music. But I kept listening, and more and more songs had me thrashing and yelling across the room. My narrow view of what FLA should be was soon replaced by the sheer rapture of listening to great music, both compositionally and lyrically. Millennium opened my eyes and ears, and that is exactly what the group and the scene is all about. Like many other FLA releases, I enjoy and appreciate this one for its unique qualities that demonstrate a constant revision and reanalysis of their sound, thus continuing a fascinating evolution. Unfortunately, Millennium isn't for everyone. Die-hard FLA fans will of course own it, as well as the two singles released from it ("Millennium" and "Surface Patterns"). But if you're an FLA purist, to really enjoy it, you have to be open-minded and be ready to question how you view FLA and industrial music. For the person new to FLA but likes industrial music, Millennium isn't too bad a place to start, especially if you like a harsher tone and grinding guitars. Fans of more the techno tip of industrial should skip this one and backtrack to Tactical Neural Impact. Buy Millennium, don't buy it. FLA would argue that you should listen and buy what you like, not what the market and the masses tell you. However, if you're willing to open your mind and evolve along with FLA and the dance industrial sound, give serious consideration to adding this one to your collection."