Description

Frontline Assembly – Inital Command – Compact Disc

Frontline Assembly’s The Initial Command, released in 1987, is the debut studio album by the influential Canadian industrial band. Formed by Bill Leeb after his departure from Skinny Puppy, Frontline Assembly (FLA) became one of the pioneering acts in the industrial and electro-industrial genres. The Initial Command marks the beginning of what would become a prolific and highly influential career for the band, blending harsh electronic sounds with dark, atmospheric textures.

Frontline Assembly was founded by Bill Leeb (also known as Wilhelm Schroeder) in Vancouver, Canada. Leeb had previously been involved with Skinny Puppy, contributing to their early work before deciding to pursue his own musical vision. For The Initial Command, Leeb collaborated with Michael Balch, who played a key role in shaping the album’s sound.

The mid-1980s was a formative period for industrial music, with bands like Skinny Puppy, Ministry, and Nitzer Ebb defining the genre’s aggressive, mechanical sound. In this context, Frontline Assembly’s debut album stood out for its blend of harsh, rhythmic elements with dark, ambient undertones, setting the stage for the band’s future explorations in electronic music.

The Initial Command is heavily rooted in the industrial and electro-industrial styles, characterized by its use of synthesizers, drum machines, and samples to create a cold, dystopian soundscape. The album combines rhythmic, mechanical beats with eerie, atmospheric synth lines, reflecting the influence of both the early industrial scene and the burgeoning electronic body music (EBM) movement.

The album’s sound is darker and more ambient compared to some of Frontline Assembly’s later, more beat-driven work. It leans heavily on creating mood and atmosphere, using repetitive, hypnotic rhythms and layered textures to evoke a sense of isolation and bleakness.

Lyrically, The Initial Command is sparse, with the focus being more on the instrumental and sonic experience. When vocals are present, they are often distorted or heavily processed, contributing to the overall sense of detachment and alienation.

Key Tracks:

‘Casualties’: This track opens the album with a slow, ominous build, combining deep, resonant bass tones with haunting synth melodies. The repetitive, pulsating rhythm creates a sense of tension and unease, setting the tone for the rest of the album.

‘No Control’: Featuring a more pronounced beat and rhythmic structure, ‘No Control’ is one of the more accessible tracks on the album. The track’s driving rhythm and distorted vocal samples make it a standout in terms of both energy and atmosphere.

‘The State’: One of the darker, more ambient tracks on the album, ‘The State’ uses minimalistic synth lines and industrial noise elements to create a foreboding, dystopian soundscape. The track’s sparse arrangement emphasizes mood and atmosphere over melody.

‘Nine Times’: This track features a more complex, layered structure, with multiple synth lines intertwining over a steady beat. The use of samples and effects adds depth to the track, making it one of the more intricate pieces on the album.

‘Black Fluid’: The closing track, ‘Black Fluid,’ encapsulates the album’s overall mood with its slow, brooding pace and dark, atmospheric tones. The track builds gradually, adding layers of sound to create a dense, immersive listening experience.

The Initial Command is often regarded as a seminal release in the industrial and electro-industrial genres. While it did not achieve mainstream success, the album established Frontline Assembly as a major force in the industrial music scene and laid the groundwork for the band’s future exploration of electronic and industrial music.

The album’s dark, atmospheric sound would go on to influence a wide range of artists in the industrial and electronic music scenes, particularly in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It also set the stage for Frontline Assembly’s evolution, as the band would continue to refine and expand their sound with each subsequent release.

For fans of industrial music, The Initial Command is a significant and influential album that showcases the early development of one of the genre’s most important bands. Its blend of dark, ambient textures and mechanical rhythms remains compelling, offering a glimpse into the origins of Frontline Assembly’s distinctive sound.

Track Listing

1. Complexity
2. Intelligence Dream
3. The State
4. Insanity Lurks Nearby
5. Casualties
6. Ausgang Zum Himmel
7. Nine Times
8. Black Match
9. No Control
10. Slaughterhouse