This month it’s 30 years since Front Line Assembly released their third studio album Corrosion!
This month it’s 30 years since Vancouver Industrial / EBM band Front Line Assembly released their third studio album Corrosion (February 1988), or fifth full length if we count in two self-released tapes Total Terror and Nerve War which were released earlier in 1986. It was their first release on Third Mind/Wax Trax! with PIAS (Play it Again Sam) manufacturing and distributing the Third Mind issue in Europe.
At this time Front Line Assembly was Bill Leeb only, while Michael Balch acted as producer and Dave 'The Rave Olgivi mixed some of the tracks. Third core member Rhys Fulber would join the band one year later, in 1987 and become Leeb’s right hand until this very day.
This eight track album captures very well the dark, almost claustrophobic, sound and atmosphere of Front Line Assembly before their ‘breakthrough’ with Gashed Senses & Crossfire (1989). A perfect stylistic blend between early Cabaret Voltaire and Front 242 but with a more American / Wax Trax industrial sounding touch.
The album received a 7/10 in the NME (New Musical Express) and was favoured by Melody Maker Magazine.
Tracklist for Corrosion:
1) Lurid Sensation
2) Right Hand Of Heaven
3) Concussion
4) On The Cross
5) Conflict
6) Controversy
7) Dark Dreams
8) The Wrack Part III - Wisdom
Discogs
WaxTrax! announce release of the INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT, a documentary and soundtrack, with unreleased old-school track by Revolting Cocks!
Wax Trax! Records, the Chicago store founded by lovers Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher quietly became a cult label in the 80's, overlapping the fringe gay, punk and BDSM cultures, a massive influence on industrial dance music. Jim's daughter Julia has unearthed some gems and come together with INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT, a documentary and soundtrack both released wide on April 16, 2019 (the doc has already screened in a couple cities).
Today Wax Trax announced the doc + soundtrack release with an unheard, unreleased track by Revolting Cocks (Al Jourgensen, Luc van Acker, and Richard 23 of Front 242)!
Best part...You can hear this unique track already on below or on Soundcloud but even more excitingly - if you call 1-833-WAX-TRAX you can also hear messages and party sounds! Leather and mascara sold separately.
The doc features interviews with Steve Albini, Jello Biafra, Chris Connelly, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Dave Grohl, Al Jourgensen, Ian MacKaye, Trent Reznor and so many more. The soundtrack features unreleased tracks by Ministry, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Revolting Cocks, The Young Gods and more.
The Stooges classic 'Raw Power' was released on the seventh of February 1973, the game changer, in 1997 Iggy Pop remixed the album, making it sound like a war of noise and aggression.
Some said there was no need to overhaul the original Bowie mix of this incendiary album, after all it was that which caused such a huge influence on Punk in the 70s, probably why Pop did do a remix at the request of CBS was more than likely to stop anyone else from doing it.
'Raw Power', is a beautiful album of destruction.
Recorded in the Autumn of '72 in London with a new guitarist in James Williamson, he brought the extra cutting guitar licks into all this.
When a suitable rhythm section could not be found the Asheton brothers were brought back into the frame. Ron, being the original guitarist and core songwriter for the first two Stooges albums,vthis time switching to bass and the lineup was complete.
Pop producing and mixing the original sessions, but Bowie took the masters to remix them again.
Several of the tracks were remixed in one day, another reason why Iggy may have felt in 1997 that he wanted to leave his stamp on it. Willamson and the late Ron Asheton had both publicly stated they preferred Bowie's mix of the album.
All this talk of remixes,does it really make a difference?
In this case yes!, on Iggy Pops version there is a lot more distortion in the mix, especially on the guitar lines,probably down to Pop keeping all the levels in the red and turned up full for the remix.
The noticeable difference is the Asheton brothers are much more prevalent in the mix, unlike before. Ron proving he was handy enough with the bass, this seems closer to Pops original vision for the album. Feedback, distortion, over the loud mixes is the hallmark of Iggy Pop and The Stooges.
Ironically it was Bowie who pushed to get Pop back on the scene in the early 70s due to Iggys spiralling heroin problem.
What happened with the two gentlemen and their relocation to Berlin in the years that followed makes that effort by Bowie seem a slight contradiction.
Distortion and feedback and talk of remixes to one side, it is Iggy Pop at his finest, his vocal delivery is faultless, snarling, convincing and perhaps his best, from the 'Search And Destroy' opening line,
"I'm a streetwalking cheetah with a heart full of napalm
I'm a runaway son of the nuclear A-bomb",
To the closer -‘Death Trip', all is remarkably well delivered, with the collision of two nuclear warheads.
The argument will always be there surrounding this album,which is the better version,the true version, is whichever you personally like the most, the argument is there for both sides, but don't turn the attention away from a fine album it is and what it did for punk- rock, not only in the 70s but in general.
[KB]
On February 6th, 1982 the Kraftwerk single ‘The Model’ reached the Top 1 of the UK Singles Chart!
On February 6th, 1982 the Kraftwerk single ‘The Model’, originally released in Germany already in 1978 as 7” single ‘Das Model’, reached the Top 1 of the UK Singles Chart.
Even-though the band initially added the English sung version as only a b-side on their new single ‘Computer Love’ in 1981, DJ’s and the radio audience seemed to prefer this b-side instead of the a-side. After Capitol Records/EMI noticed the commercial potential they re-released the single almost immediately, this time ‘The Model’ as A-side. Apparently this was decided by Capitol Records/EMI much against the band’s own will. Nevertheless this smart strategy by EMI resulted in ‘The Model’ becoming the number one in the UK single charts on February 6th, 1982. The single managed to hang in the UK top 75 for a total of 21 weeks.
Unable to deny the succes another 7” was released by the band, and its label Kling Klang / EMI Electrola, bearing both versions ‘The Model’ and ‘Das Model’.
Still, in Germany, Das Model, never climbed higher than 7th position in the German Single charts. After one week it descended again, still remaining about 20 weeks in the charts.
Das Model/ The Model was written by Karl Bartos and Ralf Hütter and with artist Emil Schult collaborating on the lyrics and was the preliminary single for their upcoming and legendary album Die Mensch-Maschine or The Man-Machine.
The Model
She's a model and she's looking good
I'd like to take her home that's understood
She plays hard to get, she smiles from time to time
It only takes a camera to change her mind
She's going out tonight but drinking just champagne
And she has been checking nearly all the men
She's playing her game and you can hear them say
She is looking good, for beauty we will pay
She's posing for consumer products now and then
For every camera she gives the best she can
I saw her on the cover of a magazine
Now, she's a big success, I want to meet her again
Das Model
Sie ist ein Model und sie sieht gut aus
Ich nähm sie heut gerne mit zu mir nach Haus
Sie wirkt so kühl, an sie kommt niemand ran
Doch vor der Kamera da zeigt sie was sie kann
Sie trinkt in Nachtclubs immer Sekt (Korrekt!)
Und hat hier alle Männer abgecheckt`
Im Scheinwerferlicht ihr junges Lächeln strahlt
Sie sieht gut aus und Schönheit wird bezahlt
Sie stellt sich zur Schau für das Konsumprodukt
Und wird von Millionen Augen angeguckt
Ihr neues Titelbild ist einfach fabelhaft
Ich muß sie wieder seh'n, ich weiß sie hat's geschafft
Songwriters: Emil Schult / Ralf Huetter / Karl Bartos
This year Bodybeats starts celebrating the International EBM day one day earlier!
After the success of their very first edition of International EBM day earlier this year, BodyBeats Productions have decided to repeat this feast in 2019. Although their first edition was very international, with acts like Plastic Noise experience (D), Pankow (IT), they chose this time to have a 100% Swedish line-up by inviting some the best EBM/Electro acts Sweden has to offer these days.
As the title already gives away this is the annual day on which EBM fans from all over the world celebrate their beloved music genre, Electronic Body Music! A dark but pounding music style, maybe not so much invented by Belgium's EBM pride, Front 242, but definitely most finely-tuned and exploited by them. Hence the date on which EBM fans over the whole world celebrate International EBM day, 24th of February or >24.2<
However in 2019, as 24th February is a Sunday and since most of you need to appear tidy and fresh at work on Monday, BodyBeats Productions decided to start celebrating International EBM day early on Saturday 23.02.
So this is the date to mark in your agenda and to come celebrate International EBM day! And as BodyBeats Productions say themselves: Don't expect Kraftwerk, DAF or the aforementioned pioneers but rather a fine selection of their legacy!
So let us introduce to you this year's 100% Swedish line-up in short!:
WULFBAND are from the Swedish capital Stockholm. Founded in 2014 by a masked duo who sing / shout in German and officially call themselves Sieben & Neun. For reasons that are not our affair, the band prefers to work with an anonymous creative image instead of putting their personal identities forward. As far as the music is concerned, it can be argued that it is inspired by the early post-punk DAF and when you feel the urge to comment on their German pronunciation, know well that these gentlemen are quite capable of inflicting serious damage... whether or not auditory... Wulfband describe their music as "Gewalt-Tanz und Angriffe gegen Alles"
ALVAR does not need an introduction to the regular BodyBeats followers, as they performed twice already for them in 2017. The first time they played the Dark Demons night (Antwerp) where they overwhelmed friend and foe, claiming their well deserved opening spot at BIMFEST 2017. At BIMFEST they also caught the crowd's attention with ease. According to some, their music is situated between dark, sometimes lingering, dark electronics and sometimes pounding EBM. Connoisseurs even claim their music to be reminiscent of early releases of the cult label Cold Meat Industy.
NO SLEEP BY THE MACHINE stands for energetic and pumping live performances, so no wonder they have also played BIMFEST before, in 2013. Their music is rather like an uncompromising complaint against injustice and fight for more freedom in our society. Now, after several years of inactivity, the band is back and is working hard on a new album. In the meantime you can still discover their pretty fantastic previous albums Close, Quadrilateral and Splice on their Bandcamp.
SEVERE ILLUSION was founded in 2000 by Fredrik Djurfeldt and Ulf Lundblad and have released five albums, an EP and more since. It's clear this band is also popular outside their home country, as proven by the impressive list of the band's outbound performances over the years... Germany, Russia, Chile, Hungary, Ukraine, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Republic, UK, Uruguay, Brazil, Canada and Denmark... and now for the second time in Belgium! Their mix of dark harsh electro with EBM influences draws many to the dance floor.
DJ BORG
Of course, this EBM feast would not be complete without a pounding after party by Bodybeats resident DJ BORG.
23.2 INTERNATIONAL EBM DAY @ De Casino, St-Niklaas, B (Tickets, media & Info)
Check in on Facebook HERE!
Na het succes van de allereerste editie van de Internationale EBM-dag, besloot BodyBeats Productions dit event te herhalenin 2019. Hoewel de eerste editie heel internationaal was, met groepen als Plastic Noise Experience (D), Pankow (T), kozen zij deze keer voor een 100% Zweedse line-up door enkele van de beste EBM/electro acts uit te nodigen die Zweden vandaag de dag rijk is.
Zoals de titel al aangeeft, is dit de dag waarop BodyBeats en vele andere liefhebbers van elektronische muziek één van hun geliefde muziekgenres eren en vieren, Electronic Body Music of kortweg EBM, een eerder donkere maar uiterst dansbare en beukende muziekstijl. Al was onze nationale trots FRONT 242 misschien niet helemaal de uitvinder van EBM, toch is het genre zonder twijfel door hen gefinteuned en hebben ze ervoor gezorgd dat EBM wereldwijd bekend en gesmaakt werd. Vandaar ook de datum waarop fans over de hele wereld 24 februari (24.2) uitgeroepen hebben tot Nationale EBM-dag. Omdat in 2019 24 februari op een zondag valt en iedereen op maandag fris en monter op het werk verwacht wordt, besloor BodyBeats Productions wat vroeger te starten met de festiviteiten, op 23 februari.
Verwacht op dit event geen Kraftwerk, DAF of de eerder genoemde pioniers maar een mooie selectie van hun nakomelingen!
Laat ons de 100% Zweedse line-up van 2019 kort voorstellen:
WULFBAND is afkomstig uit de Zweedse hoofdstad Stockholm en werd opgericht in 2014 door een gemaskerd duo dat in het Duits zingt / schreeuwt en zichzelf officieel Sieben & Neun noemt. Om redenen die onze zaken niet zijn, wil de band liever met een anoniem creatief imago werken eerder dan hun persoonlijke identiteit voorop te stellen. Wat de muziek betreft, kan men stellen dat die is geïnspireerd door de vroege postpunk DAF, en moest u eraan denken commentaar te geven op hun mischien niet altijd perfecte Duitse uitspraak, weet dan goed dat deze heren behoorlijk in staat zijn om ernstige schade aan te richten... Al dan niet auditief... Zelf beschrijven ze hun muziek als "Gewalt-Tanz und Angriffe gegen Alles"
ALVAR heeft voor de vaste BodyBeats aanhangers geen introductie meer nodig want deze Zweden traden in 2017 al twee maal voor BodyBeats op. De eerste keer op de preselectie Dark Demons (Antwerpen) waar ze vriend en vijand overdonderden en zo hun wel verdiende plaatsje op BIMFES 2017 opeisten. Ook op BIMFEST wisten zij als opener met gemak de aandacht van het publiek op te eisen. Hun muziek situeert zich volgens sommigen tussen donkere soms slepende donkere elektronica en beukende EBM. Kenners beweren zelfs dat hun muziek aan de vroege releases van het cult label Cold Meat Industrial doet denken.
NO SLEEP BY THE MACHINE staat garant voor een energieke pompende live-performance en stond om die redenen al in 2013 op BIMFEST. Hun muziek is eerder een compromisloos betoog tegen onrecht en voor meer vrijheid in onze samenleving. Na enkele jaren inactiviteit is de band nu weer terug en wordt er hard gewerkt aan een nieuw album. Ondertussen kan u wel al eens de lichtjes fantastische voorgaande albums Close, Quadrilateral, Splice gaan ontdekken op hun bandcamp.
SEVERE ILLUSION werd in 2000 opgericht door Fredrik Djurfeldt en Ulf Lundblad en bracht ondertussen vijf albums, een EP en meer uit. Dat deze band ook graag gezien is buiten hun thuisland Zweden bewijst het palmares van buitenlandse optredens van de band door de jaren heen. Zo stond Severe Illusion al op het podium in Duitsland, Rusland, Chili, Hongarije, Oekraïne, Slovenië, Polen, Tjechië, UK, Uruguay, Brazilië, Canada en Denemarken en nu voor tweede maal in België! Hun mix van donkere electro met EBM invloeden doet menige dansvloeren vollopen.
DJ BORG
Natuurlijk zou dit feestje niet compleet zijn zonder een afterparty met beukende beats en waves gedraaid door resident DJ BORG.
Tickets, media & Info:
23.2 INTERNATIONAL EBM DAY @ De Casino, St-Niklaas, B
Check in on Facebook HERE!
