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Front Line Assembly > The Blade
US Cover / Euro Cover
Third Mind Records TM 9119 2, CD5 1992 Third Mind TMD 2392 2 [US]
Both versions were released on CD and 12".
Tracklist:
North American Version:
01. The Blade (Technohead) 6.36
02. Re-Animate 5.44
03. Target 4.49
04. The Blade (Worldwide mix) 6.22
05. The Blade (Pro-Gress mix) 6.22
06. Heatwave 5.25
07. Laughing Pain 5.45
08. The Blade (Blindfold) 6.35
European Version:
01. The Blade (Technohead)
02. The Blade (Blindfold)
03. Re-Animate
04. Laughing Pain
Credits:
All titles written by Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber. All tracks produced and engineered by F.L.A. and Greg Reely. Track 4 remixed by Paul Kendall. Track 5 mixed by Mark Stagg / Rhys Fulber. tracks 1 & 8: reprogramming, reconfiguration - FLA. engineer, mixmaster, sonic sculptor - Greg Reely. assistant engineer - Joel Van Dyke. operations base 1 - The Warehouse Studios, Vancouver, BC. Tracks 2 & 7: production, programming - FLA. engineering, mixing, spectrum analysis - Greg Reely. assistant engineer - Brian Chanpong. operations base 2 - Little Mountain Sound, Vancouver BC. Tracks 3 & 6: production, programming - FLA. engineer, mixologist, mediator - Greg Reely. assistant engineer: Mike Landolt. operations base 3 - Creation Studios, Vancouver, BC. Track 4: remix - Paul Kendall. additional programming - Rhys Fulber. operations base 4 - Worldwide Studios, London. Track 5: remix - Mark Stagg / Rhys Fulber. operations base 5 - Out Of The Blue Studios, manchester. artwork and Design by Dave Coppenhall. Setting by Neil Baylis. Original figure sculpture by Geoff Faull (modified by Dave coppenhall).
Review
This doesn't really count as a true FLA album but the European version features two extra unreleased tracks that don't appear on the US version as well as two more remixes, so it's considered as more of a mini-album. It's basically four mixes of 'The Blade' track from Tactical Neural Implant and four new tracks. The opening mix as the title suggests is given the full techno treatment with a more prominent bassline and numerous techno synth sounds aswell as being quite a bit faster than the original.
'Re-animate' is another upbeat track and fairly typical FLA. Leeb provides a loud and aggressive vocal and the usual melodic verse. The third track 'Target' is probably the best reason to buy this album, again it's instantly recognisable as FLA and is one of my favourite songs. A catchy bassline and pounding rhythm builds up to a storming finish as you would expect. It's one of the tracks not on the US release (unlucky guys). Next up is another remix of 'The Blade' by Paul Kendall. It doesn't add a great deal but is still quite a nice mix. This is followed by a mix from Mark Stagg and Rhys Fulber. It uses an analog 'acid' synth for the bassline but again as with most FLA remixes doesn't really get too adventurous, still a nice variation though.
'Heatwave' is the second new track not on the US version. It's a slower song heavily laden with samples including an annoying cough sample. It has a fairly dancey beat and a low growl of a vocal. 'Laughing Pain' is another slow track that wouldn't sound out of place amongst the 'Caustic grip' stuff. Again there's lots of samples the most prominent being a guitar sample.
The album finishes with another 'Blade' remix. It's in much the same vain as the first one only roughed up a bit, infact it's almost identical except for a weaker bass sound. All in all a worthy addition to any FLA fans collection although there are probably very few copies left floating around so get it if you can.
NB: Some of these tracks are now available in the Reclamation album
Review From Music From The Empty Quarter around time of release. (Exact publication date unknown.)
FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY THE BLADE
Third Mind TM9119 CD
Containing four remixes of the title track and four 'new' songs culled from a couple of sessions this perhaps represents an end to the Tactical Neural Implant period. A Technohead remix of The Blade opens events, probably FLA's most dancefloor friendly to date, (meaning that those unfamiliar with FLA will not be intimidated). I know I said that of the T.N.I. album, but it's true. However, this is not the case with the four new tracks: Re-Animate, Target, Heatwave and Laughing Pain. Recalling the heady days of Gashed Senses and even Disorder, these babies are something for the diehard traditionalist. Further remixes by Mark Stagg and Paul Kendall reinforce the view that if remixers had got hold of some earlier FLA material the group might have accessed a wider audience and enjoyed greater success. They still might indeed, they should.
Matthew F. Riley
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Last updated 2005-04-30 02:53:58 by: unknown user.
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