Description
A Split Second – Kiss Of Fury – Vinyl Record
A Split Second’s Kiss of Fury (1990) is a seminal album by the Belgian band known for pioneering EBM (Electronic Body Music) and blending industrial, synthpop, and new wave elements into their sound. By the time Kiss of Fury was released, A Split Second had already established themselves as key figures in the European underground electronic scene, and this album furthered their reputation for mixing electronic beats with dark, aggressive atmospheres.
Kiss of Fury carries the hallmarks of Electronic Body Music, a genre that A Split Second helped define. The album features pulsating synth basslines, mechanical rhythms, and the aggressive, danceable beats typical of the genre. It’s a powerful mix of synth-heavy electronic music and industrial-style production.
While rooted in electronics, Kiss of Fury incorporates distorted guitars, giving it a rock-infused edge that blends seamlessly with the electronic elements. This adds a more accessible and energetic layer, making it appeal to both EBM and industrial rock fans. The album also explores darker, more atmospheric moments, with eerie synthesizer lines and brooding, moody soundscapes that contribute to its menacing tone.
Key Tracks
‘Kiss Of Fury’: One of the standout tracks, ‘Kiss Of Fury’ exemplifies the album’s fusion of electronic beats and rock energy. With its driving bassline, menacing vocals, and infectious rhythm, it perfectly captures the band’s ability to create both danceable and intense music.
‘Crimewave’: Another important track, ‘Crimewave’ features a heavy, pounding beat and hypnotic vocals that lean into the darker side of EBM. It’s a commanding track that helped establish A Split Second’s unique sound.
‘Into The Burning Hole’: A more dance-oriented song, ‘Into The Burning Hole’ showcases the band’s ability to merge high-energy electronic beats with catchy, yet dark melodies, giving the track a club-ready feel.
‘Firewalker’: This track is driven by a slower, more methodical rhythm, creating an atmospheric, almost cinematic quality. The song’s brooding tempo contrasts with some of the faster, more intense songs on the album, adding to its diversity.
Like much of industrial music and EBM, Kiss of Fury explores dystopian themes. The lyrics often deal with themes of violence, decay, and alienation, reflecting the dark and confrontational nature of the genre. The album’s lyrics frequently express a sense of rebellion, questioning societal norms and authority. This rebellious spirit, combined with the mechanical and often cold sound of the music, gives Kiss of Fury a defiant edge. With a focus on futuristic and sometimes apocalyptic visions, the album reflects the technological anxieties of the time, with lyrics that evoke images of a world dominated by machines and violence.
The core of Kiss of Fury lies in its electronic instrumentation. The synths create the dark, pulsing backdrops, while drum machines provide the driving, relentless rhythms that are perfect for the dancefloor. The addition of guitars on tracks like ‘The Colosseum Crash’ brings a rock energy that gives the album a unique crossover appeal. These guitar riffs are aggressive, heavily distorted, and used more for rhythmic impact than for melody.
Vocalist Marc Ickx delivers the lyrics in a style that alternates between cold, almost detached delivery and intense, commanding growls. His voice mirrors the mechanical and industrial textures of the music, contributing to the album’s overall dystopian feel.
A Split Second played a significant role in shaping the Electronic Body Music genre, along with bands like Front 242 and Nitzer Ebb. By combining electronic beats with dark, industrial themes and rock elements, Kiss of Fury helped push EBM into new territory.
Kiss of Fury’s fusion of electronic music with rock and industrial sounds broadened the band’s appeal beyond the EBM scene. The album appealed to fans of industrial rock, new wave, and even early techno, helping to break down genre boundaries.
The album’s mix of guitars and electronic beats influenced many future acts in the industrial rock and dance music scenes. Bands like The Prodigy, Nine Inch Nails, and KMFDM would later explore similar genre-crossing ideas, blending heavy guitars with electronic beats and dark atmospheres.
A Split Second’s Kiss of Fury (1990) is an important album in the evolution of EBM and industrial music, blending heavy electronic beats with distorted guitars and dark, dystopian themes. The album represents a key moment in the fusion of electronic and rock music, maintaining the gritty, mechanical intensity of industrial music while incorporating more accessible, danceable elements. Its dark energy, thematic depth, and genre-defying sound make Kiss of Fury a standout album in the industrial and EBM scenes, with lasting influence on the development of industrial rock and electronic music throughout the 90s and beyond.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Antler Subway 1990
Track Listing
backlash
Crimewave
The Parallax View
Crash Course In Seduction
Cold War In The Brainbox
Into The Burning Hole
Kiss Of Fury
Firewalker
