Industrial outfit Noise Unit shares a new single “Dub It Up” today. This is the second single off of the group’s upcoming full-length “Cheeba City Blues” out October 21st via Artoffact Records. In July, Noise Unit already released “Alone Again”, the first single off of their upcoming album.

The album “Cheeba City Blues” was recorded by Bill Leeb and the late Jeremy Inkel (also of FLA fame). It references William Gibson’s 1984 science fiction novel “Neuromancer” set in Chibi City, Japan and is considered one of the first in the cyberpunk genre. It was Gibson’s debut novel and the beginning of the ‘Sprawl’ trilogy. Set in the future, the novel follows Henry Case, a washed-up hacker hired for one last job, which brings him in contact with a powerful artificial intelligence.

“Cheeba City Blues” is the follow-up to Noise Unit’s 2021 record “Deviator”, also released via Artoffact Records. “Deviator” was the first full-length from Noise Unit in over 15 years and included work by Leeb and Rhys Fulber.

Here are the two singles.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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(Photo: The Jeremy Inkel Estate) Jeremy Inkel’s debut as a solo artist comes to us nearly 3 years after his untimely passing. Inkel died January 23 2018 due to complications arising from an asthma condition. He was only 34 years old.

Although Inkel was a member of Front Line Assembly, Left Spine Down, Delerium and Noise Unit he also worked on a first solo album, “Hijacker”. “Hijacker” will be out in November via ArtOfFact Records and is an album of hard-hitting EBM and techno grooves and industrial dancefloor experiments. A first single, “I don’t need your money” is out now on Bandcamp.

Hijacker will be released on CD and vinyl formats worldwide as well as on all streaming platforms on November 6th, 2020. A portion of proceeds from each sale will be donated to the Vancouver Food Bank.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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When it comes to EBM, Front Line Assembly weren’t only pioneers, but still a formation that never stopped exploring new sonic paths. For more than 30 years now the Canadian formation driven by Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber is taking us by surprise. Albums such as “State Of Mind” in the early years and later on “Caustic Grip” and of course” Hard Wired” entered into history. More than 20 albums later Front Line Assembly this year released “Wake Up The Coma” (Metropolis Records), which is for sure one of the most atypical albums in their discography. Robert Görl (DAF), Nick Holmes (Paradise Lost), Chris Connelly (Revolting Cocks, Ministry, Cocksure) and Jimmy Urine (Mindless Self Indulgence) have been featured while it also is the last FLA-work featuring additional programming by Jeremy Inkel. Time for an interview with Rhys Fulber.

“Wake Up The Coma” is released by Metropolis Records and you can order the 2LP vinyl version right here.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: I think “Wake Up The Coma” has something special because of the famous ‘guests’ you invited, but also because of Jeremy Inkel who for the very last time did some additional programming on a few songs. What does it all evoke to you and how will you remind Jeremy Inkel?

Rhys: Jeremy had sent Bill some ideas he had, I think ones he had worked on with Jared a couple years ago, so we thought in his honor we should finish them because we know he would have loved that.  We still miss him.  He was a sweet and energetic guy and its very sad he left so soon.

Bill wanted to try some different things on this record and after the Amadeus track with Jimmy came together so well, thought it would be interesting to try a few other guests.

Q: The song “Wake Up The Coma” clearly appears to be a reflection about a ‘certain’ system while it also became the title of the album. Tell us a bit more about it?

Rhys: Yes, it’s pretty much hinting at the future dystopia we are heading towards apathetically. It will take a lot of waking up on humanity’s part, or more specifically the wealthy ones who control everything. However, when brought into that context it may never happen. Also, starting a revolution might cut into binge watching your favorite Netflix series.

Q: You asked Robert Görl to contribute to “Eye On You”, which has been also released as EP title song right before the album. How did this collaboration and the global writing/production of the song happened?

Rhys: This was something Bill set up with Robert. Robert then sent us some analog synth and sequence recordings and I cut them up and added to them to make what you hear now.  Bill later added his vocals in Canada. A global file sharing collaboration, which is the norm now.

Q: The cover version of Falco’s “Rock Me Amadeus” featuring Jimmy Urine is definitely one of the most surprising songs you ever accomplished. Who got the idea of this, what makes it that ‘special’ to FLA and how was it working on the song?

Rhys: Bill had been talking about doing a cover of this for a little while, so we finally got around to it.  The track went through a few different versions before we arrived on the one you hear now. I think it was also his idea to get Jimmy in, who I have worked with a lot in the studio before, because his style would work for the ‘rap’ parts.  I don’t know anyone else who could have pulled this off the way Jimmy did now that I think about it. We recorded his vocal at my studio and I tried my best to get the German close, with my limited grasp of the language. Bill added the low backing vocals in the chorus later. It was actually nice to work on a fun song for FLA, that isn’t too serious for a change.

Q: You also did a clip of “Rock Me Amadeus”, which is pure fun and quite surprising as well. You clearly don’t care about ‘image’ and some of your fans who’re desperately waiting for a new “Hard Wired”. I experienced it as pure ‘artistic freedom’, but what does it really mean to you?

Rhys: This had a lot to do with the director Jason Jensen. We weren’t sure where to take a music video for the song. He proposed something bright and 80s themed so we went with it. I think it’s like a classic ‘music video’ in the old MTV style and we really like it. You can’t always worry about what people will think when you want to try new things, and its liberating to do so. We knew it might confuse a few people, but that was also part of the appeal.

Q: FLA has been set up more than 30 years ago now. I think you accomplished a lot of great things, which make me say you no longer have anything to prove, but what are the focuses and main goals when working on an album and how do you see the future?

Rhys: It’s never really mapped out too much. We just start and see where it leads. Maybe deeper into an album we might go ‘we need another fast one’, but that’s as far as that goes. We just do it and organize the music after. Again, after this long you are never sure. We don’t worry about it too much. Like you said there isn’t much left to prove other than, ‘we can still do this’….

Side-Line also covered Front Line Assembly’s ‘The Industrial Strength’.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

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Background/Info:

Read the news on ‘WarMech’.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

5 versions available including a mega limited fan pack

What is AirMech Strike?

Read the review of ‘WarMech’.

For more on Front Line Assembly, see Die Krupps announce new single + tour with Front Line Assembly on Side-Line.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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(Photo by Christian Neubert) This news just arrived. Canadian keyboard player and programmer Jeremy Inkel is no more. He died January 23 due to complications arising from an asthma condition. He was only 34 years old. Best known for his involvement in the most recent albums by the veteran act Front Line Assembly, he was also the co-founder of Left Spine Down (LSD) and produced tracks for various other musicians.

Based in Vancouver, he was welcomed into Front Line Assembly in 2005, co-writing and producing the album “Artificial Soldier” that was released the following year. He also toured with the band and continued working with FLA on their ensuing albums “Improvised Electronic Device”, “Airmech” (a video game soundtrack) and “Echogenetic”.

Bill Leeb of Front Line Assembly has this to say of Jeremy : “I am truly shocked, heartbroken and saddened beyond belief. Jeremy’s animated larger than life personality will be truly missed. Everyone who met him walked away saying that he was one of the nicest people they had ever met. His creativity will also be sorely missed. He had a huge passion for for music, film and a love of performing. We had recently started creating ideas for a new FLA album, while he also participated on our upcoming ‘Airmech 2’ release, which we are dedicating to his memory. Rest easy….there will always be a place for you with us.”

Metropolis Records also released a statement: “We are stunned and saddened to learn of Jeremy’s sudden death. We wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family, bandmates and friends. His family requests that anyone wishing to make a gesture in his memory to please make a cash donation at your local food bank. They also request that we all please remember Jeremy for the kind, funny, soulful and talented person that he was.”

Below is a pictuure of Jeremy Inkel (centre) on the FLA tour bus with Bill Leeb (l) and Rhys Fulber (r).

For more on Front Line Assembly, see 50% off vinyl test pressings Front Line Assembly, Cevin Key, Die… on Side-Line.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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ArtOfFact Records is on a new reissue spree of Front Line Assembly releases to celebrate the band’s 30th year anniversary. Below are the 3 reissues that the label presents now and which you can purchase here (for the North American market) and here (for the EU market).

1. “Fallout” double vinyl featuring bonus tracks

The original remix album, the second for FLA, came hot on the heels of the “Artificial Soldier” full-length. The band commissioned remixes by a who’s who of hot industrial and EBM talent, including Icon of Coil’s Sebastian R. Komor, Combichrist, Covenant, Portion Control, DJ? Acucrack, and more. Additional remixes from FLA’s circle were added by Greg Reely, Jeremy Inkel, and Dan Kearley. And the album is rounded out by 3 non-album tracks that appear here for the first time.

The limited edition record will be released on standard black vinyl (available here), and a limited edition half-half effect with white / toxic blue will also be pressed (available here). In case you want both versions, then you should place your order here. EU-orders can be placed right here.

Check the remastered tapes below:

2. “Re-Wind” double vinyl featuring bonus tracks

This first remix album was released as a stacked double-CD in 1998. “Re-Wind” was a 14-track release that featured the talents of Front 242, Collide, Tim Schuldt, Kalte Farben, Eat Static, Cydonia, and Finitribe on remix duties. An additional 7 remixes were executed by Front Line Assemmbly themselves, resulting in a 14-track document which is now available on double vinyl.

The limited edition record will be released on standard black vinyl (available here), and a limited edition yellow-black splatter version (available here). In case you want both versions, then you should place your order here. EU-orders can be placed right here.

Check the remastered tapes below:

3. “Artificial Soldier” double vinyl

Ten years ago, Front Line Assembly released “Artificial Soldier” on the dawn of their 20th year anniversary. This year marks 30 years of Front Line Assembly and finally sees this album available on vinyl.

The album features two collaborations by Front 242’s Jean-Luc de Meyer who contributes vocals to “Future Fail”, and by Covenant’s Eskil Simonsson who contributes both vocals and keys to “The Storm”.

The double limited edition vinyl will be released in a gatefold sleeve complete with restored Dave McKean artwork. Collectors will be treated to three versions of the record: an outside-inside effect with a deep yellow outside surrounding a metallic silver-grey inside version (100 copies and available here), a cherry-coke red version (200 copies and available here) and a standard black edition (available here). In case you want all 3 versions, then you should place your order here. EU-orders can be placed right here.

Check the remastered tapes below:

4. All in one

For the die-hard fans, you can also buy ALL versions of the Front Line Assembly “2016 – 30th anniversary” vinyl series in one shot. You will get:

• 2 versions of “Re-Wind” (Black, Splatter)
• 2 versions of “Fallout” (Black, Half-Half)
• 3 versions of “Artificial Soldier” (Black, Cherry Cola Red, Inside-Outside)

You will also get download codes for these albums.

Side-Line also covered Front Line Assembly’s ‘Commitment to Complications’.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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