Flesh Field – On Enmity (Digital/CD Album – Dependent Records / Metropolis Records)

Three years after the rebirth of Flesh Field with the album “Voice Of The Echo Chamber”, Ian Ross returns with the sixth album from his sonic alter ego, Flesh Field. “On Enmity” is presented as a work that delves into deeply personal themes, including trauma.
Musically, Flesh Field picks up where the previous album left off. It still feels like a continuation of that rebirth in both sound and style. The Electro foundation of earlier days remains recognizable, but it is now reinforced with powerful, menacing guitars. The epic arrangements add an extra layer of intensity. While this release can be described as a fairly typical American Industrial record, it is also infused with a strong Cinematic and Epic undertone. Ian Ross has certainly not faltered in resurrecting Flesh Field and continues to demonstrate a masterful sense of songcraft and execution. The overall sound is heavy, with an atmosphere that cuts deep and lingers. A double album version is also available via Dependent, featuring remixes by acts such as 16 Volt, Lost Signal, and Mildreda, alongside a track with guest vocals by Tom Shear (Assemblage 23).
While I remain particularly attached to Flesh Field’s debut era, there is much to appreciate in this newer direction, which clearly reflects the project’s ongoing evolution. (Rating:8).
Listen to “The Devil You Know”:
Read the news on ‘On Enmity’.
About Flesh Field
Flesh Field is an American electronic-industrial project formed in 1996 by Ian Ross in Columbus, Ohio. Its earlier era, with vocalist Wendy Yanko, produced albums such as “Viral Extinction” in 1999 and “Belief Control” in 2001.
After roughly two decades of silence, Ross revived the project in 2023 with the album “Voice of the Echo Chamber”, followed by the 2024 EP “Voice of Reason”.
“On Enmity” arrived in 2026 through Metropolis Records, with a limited 2CD artbook edition on Dependent Records that adds remixes and a bonus track. It is the release reviewed here.
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

