Review Summary: While it might've been a shocking experience to their fans, Millennium is a fine experiment to their sound and, in my opinion, one of their better albums since Tactical Neural Implant.
In 1992, Front Line Assembly (known as FLA to the fans) released "Tactical Neural Implant". The album recieved a cult following to rivetheads and fans alike and was considered as one of the better FLA releases, But after the release, the band stated that they were going to combine metal guitars to their sound, which was a big shock to the fans, and ta da, "Millennium" was born. The guitar samples used throughout the entire album were from songs from the alikes of Pantera (Millennium, Surface Patterns & Division of Mind), Metallica (Surface Patterns) and Sepultura (Liquid Seperation, Victim of a Criminal). Though, Millennium wasn't the first to ever have guitars. Some of the guitar was used in "Caustic Grip" (Resist, Provision) and TNI (The Blade, Outcast). However, the difference is that the guitars here are in control of the songs.
While a bit different to the previous releases, "Millennium" turned out to be one of the best FLA releases I ever listened to so far. While TNI was an excellent album, "Millennium" had a bit more of an epic feel to it and the guitar samples brings great rhythm to their songs. The influences of TNI are still here however (Liquid Seperation, Search & Destroy, This Faith and Sex Offender), which is the highlight of this album. Though it wasn't what fans were expecting it to be, "Millennium" turned out to be a nice piece of work from FLA. Dark, eerie and, of course, aggressive. Fans of Industrial music and FLA newcomers will surely get a kick out of this one.
Now we start off with “Vigilante”, which starts out with a nice sample from the Michael Douglas film "Falling Down" and some nice heavy guitar riffs, which are played by “Strapping Young Lad” songwriter Devin Townsend. A great intro to the album. This song is heavy, aggressive and groovy. One of their best.
Then we get to “Millennium”. This is one of their better hits since “Mindphaser”, with a catchy beat and awesome guitar riffs, with some fine samples from “Full Metal Jacket” and once again “Falling Down”.
With “Millennium” ended, we get a really heavy, dancy opening with “Liquid Seperation”, with some aggressive guitar riffs, a groovy, danceable beat and distorted vocal work. One of my favourite songs for the album. Not to mention it has a very nice melodic chorus.
Then we get to “Search & Destroy”. The guitars here are minimised and gives room for their electronic sound to dominate, however the guitar is still present in the entire song. One of the melodic FLA songs on the album so far.
Then, its back to the aggressive heavy metal guitar samples with “Surface Patterns”. Yet, another aggressive song with a melodic chorus, also with a nice use of angry guitar riffs. Another one of their finest singles.
Then a big shocking surprise for FLA fans with “Victim of a Criminal”. Here, Bill & Rhys experiments with Hip-Hop with some combination of heavy guitar samples and a guest vocalist doing some rapping while Bill does his aggressive singing in the chorus of the song. Fans should either love or hate this one.
With “Victim” ended, “Division of Mind” hits out with some fast aggressive guitar riffs, once again done by Devin Townsend, some techno-ish rhythms, a heavy beat, a kick-@ss chorus, and a bit less electronic use, due to the guitar riffs taking control, but still heard throughout the song, with a sample from “Army of Darkness” and some samples, once again, from “Falling Down”. This, so far, is one of the heaviest songs and one of my favourite songs on the album, along with “Liquid Seperation”.
“This Faith” then starts out with a sample from Alien³ and so far the guitars are in no use. This is a very melodic song. It has a very nice structure to it and it should please fans of TNI.
It’s back to guitar riffs again with “Plasma Springs”, with some samples of “The Fly” remake and “The Abyss”, with a nice danceable beat and a cool chorus. Another one of their best songs for the album.
Then the album comes to an end with an 8 minute instrumental piece “Sex Offender”. Once again, the guitar riffs are done by Devin Townsend and there are some fine movie samples here from “Reservoir Dogs” and what seems to be distorted vocals, but used in a very electronic way. A very fine creepy finish to the album.
If you’re a first-timer listener for FLA, then this album should be worthy enough to get a taste out of FLA. However, if you’re a purist, you’ll probably need to get ready for this one. You could either love it or hate it. I personally think it’s a fine experiement for FLA and so far, one of my favourite FLA releases, and this was my first FLA album I ever bought. Give it a try, recommend it to some friends and enjoy it for what it is. Now I have to get my hands on Hard Wired and Implode.
Best Tracks:
Division of Mind
Liquid Seperation
Plasma Springs
Surface Patterns
Vigilante
Pros.
(+) The guitar work goes well with FLA's dark electro atmosphere
(+) Excellent sampling and programing
(+) Catchy choruses
(+) Nice melodies
Cons.
(-) The lyrics, at times, can be a bit tacky.
(-) Fans should be aware.
Overall:
An excellent journy of pure aggression. This is a perfect album for your collection and a fine start to newcomers. It may be different from their other albums, but FLA's mood and aggression still lies within it's sound and will not disappoint fans of Industrial and Experimental music.
