Civilization is classic Front Line Assembly, rebuilt for 2004. Fear Factory producer Rhys Fulber returns to the fold, replacing Chris Peterson on programming duties. The result is a solid effort, which closely follows two of FLA’s antecedents, the electronic bang-and-clatter of 1990’s Caustic Grip and the club-oriented groove of the highly regarded Tactical Neural Implant.
The manic-sounding “Maniacal” is well stocked with the band’s trademark frantic synths and Bill Leeb’s electrified shouts. “Strategic” is a short blast of noise and carved-up samples leading up to the title track, where FLA’s alter-ego, the post-new-age Delerium, starts to take hold, opting for a more spacey, near-anthemic quality. Bonus: Listen closely to this song for guitar work by Fear Factory’s Christian Olde Wolbers.
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2004.