History Music / FrontLineAssembly

A [[CanadaEh Canadian]] {{Industrial}} [[CanadianMusic music]] project formed by Bill Leeb in 1986.

Bring on 1997 and the release of ''[=FLAvour Of The Weak=]'', which was considerably influenced by breakbeat and drum-n-bass and [=IDM=]. And by "considerably," what we mean is "it did not sound like Front Line Assembly." Indeed, it is arguably a fully-fledged case of GenreAdultery.

* NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly: Whilst generally an {{Industrial}} act, over time, [=FLA=] have incorporated {{Industrial}} and IndustrialMetal along with {{Ambient}}, [=IDM=], Drum 'n' Bass, and even elements of HipHop and World music on some tracks. ''Civilization'' is probably the most blatant example of genre blending (pretty much containing a little bit of everything the band has done before).

* MohsScaleOfRockAndMetalHardness: Pretty much everywhere, but their main material is a borderline 11.
* MohsScaleOfLyricalHardness: High. Their standard fare ranges from 7 to 9, and a few songs, such as "Victim", are arguable 10s.

* GriefSong: ''Afterlife'' is directed at Bill's father, who died of leukemia seven months after they met for the first time in his adulthood.

* SurprisinglyGentleSong: "Lifeline" to the rest of ''Tactical Neural Implant'', thanks to its more organic and emotional sound. ''Afterline'' from ''Improvised.Electronic.Device'' also qualifies.

In 1995, the band basically [[PanderingToTheBase gave the fans what they wanted]] and in the process actually created what many fans hold to be at least their equal-best album; ''Hard Wired''. Why is it so beloved? Because it's Tactical Neural Implant... but DarkerAndEdgier! Gloomy, [[{{Goth}} gothic]] synths and strings share space with hard CyberPunk samples and basslines, harsh drumming and ''tasteful'', ''moderate'' use of HeavyMetal guitar on ''some'' tracks.

2001 marked a more complete return to form with the badly-named ''Epitaph'' album. It had a very [[AfterTheEnd post-apocalyptic]] and mysterious atmosphere whilst further refining [=FLA's=] electronica/drum-n-bass influences and integrating them into the {{Industrial}} base of the sound. This album involved quite a bit of lush melody, and whilst the lyrics could be {{narm}}licious at times, the album as a whole was very atmospheric and cohesive.

Due to the title of the last album, and the fact Chris Peterson left the project, breakup rumors began.

You already know that they were quickly disproven.

2004 saw the release of ''Civilization''. Rhys Fulber had returned to the project. The sound kept with the post-apocalyptic feel, comfort with melody, and the distorted breakbeats, but also incorporated more rock elements and had a much more organic feel with extensive sampling of acoustic instruments on several tracks.

In 1994, the band decided to [[FollowTheLeader hop on the bandwagon]] of IndustrialMetal and as such filled their NewSoundAlbum ''Millennium'' with HeavyMetal guitar riffs, most of them sampled from established metal bands. The band was never shy of using electric guitars from time to time, but Millennium's sound is clearly much more metallic than before (or since). Needless to say their usual fanbase (who of course [[ItsPopularNowItSucks hate]] [[Music/NineInchNails Trent Reznor]] [[ItsPopularNowItSucks for daring to make industrial-ish music that sold copies]]) cried "Sell Out!" In this case, the attempt to sell out failed and Front Line Assembly had to remain underground.

* NewSoundAlbum: ''Millennium'' was a full-blown IndustrialMetal album, and ''[=FLAvour Of The Weak=]'' was Breakbeat/Drum 'n' Bass/[=IDM=] with very little Industrialism. In the first case, the new sound was merely an increase in the HeavyMetal component of the old sound (i.e. much more electric guitar than usual). In the second case, the new sound was a very significant departure from any previous work the project had done, although the project retained [=IDM=] influences in their following works.

The latest album from the band is ''Echogenetic''. Following in the footsteps of their soundtrack for the game ''VideoGame/AirMech'', it is heavily influenced by {{Dubstep}}, and lacks the IndustrialMetal edge of their last album, as it has no guitars at all.

* [[CyberPunkIsTechno Cyber Punk Is]] Music/FrontLineAssembly.

His idea was simple: make Music/SkinnyPuppy more accessible without losing its edge. In order to do this, he structured his songs in a similar manner to Electronic Body Music bands like Music/{{Front 242}}; i.e. he used the verse-bridge-chorus song structure and built his music around [[EarWorm infuriatingly catchy]] bass lines and rousing, anthemic choruses. He also kicked Skuppy's horror-punk attitude and replaced it with a CyberPunk aesthetic.

* SurprisinglyGentleSong: "Lifeline" to the rest of ''Tactical Neural Implant'', thanks to its more organic and emotional sound.

* XMeetsY: Their sound is arguably Music/SkinnyPuppy meets Music/{{Front 242}}.

* HorribleHistoryMetal: "Angriff" is about Russia's history of war and bloodshed, particularly the Eastern Front of WW2. The chorus is sung in German.

* ElectronicMusic
* HarshVocals: Used from ''Caustic Grip'' onward.
* HorribleHistoryMetal: "Angriff" is about Russia's history of war and bloodshed. The chorus is sung in German.

* FollowTheLeader
** ''Millennium'' is often considered an attempt to cash in on the commercial success of IndustrialMetal. For context, ''Music/TheDownwardSpiral'' was released in the same year. However, Millennium didn't sell nearly as well.
** And on the other side of the same coin, [=FLA=] have inspired a lot of imitators.