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Echogenetic

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Echogenetic
Studio albumby
Front Line Assembly
ReleasedJuly 9, 2013(2013-07-09)[1]
GenreElectro-industrial,EBM,dubstep
Length58:26
LabelMetropolis,Dependent
ProducerBill Leeb,Jeremy Inkel,Jared Slingerland,Craig Johnsen, Sasha Keevill
Front Line Assemblychronology
AirMech
(2012) 		Echogenetic
(2013) 		Echoes
(2014)

Echogeneticis the fifteenth full-length studio album byVancouverindustrialbandFront Line Assembly,released on July 9, 2013. It was well received both by critics and fans and charted in German and US charts. Critics commented on the band's return to a purely electronic approach and on the dubstep influence on the album. Front Line Assembly toured extensively in Europe and North America in support of this album and remix follow-upEchoes,which included a tour with vocalist and band leader Bill Leeb's former bandSkinny Puppy.This was the last studio album to featureJeremy Inkelbefore his death in 2018.

Writing and production

[edit]

Bill Leeb called predecessor albumAirMecha "really cool warm-up"[2]for the production ofEchogeneticand added: "We just thought we should just continue on and evolve and keep that going for the new Front Line record."[2]

Leeb also commented on the fact that the writing process in the band changed with the growing number of writers. "In the really early days it was just me and Rhys and then me and Chris",[2]Leeb said, comparing the situation with the current composer line-up: "This time there were five of us: Jeremy [Inkel] and his friend Sasha [Keevill] were in one camp, and then Jared [Slingerland] and his right hand guy Craig [Johnsen] were in the other camp."[3]The process involved Leeb "jumping between two studios"[3]and the group getting together "every two or three weeks and critique everything, go over things"[3]and "add new elements to each others' work."[3]Leeb expressed his relief that more shoulders than in past line-ups shared the workload.[3]

For the first time in their history the band set a deadline for an album to be completed.[3]The band broke new ground for themselves with their style of songwriting. "With the new stuff, there's a process called ducking and chaining",[3]explained Leeb, "it's focusing more on the actual sound and timing of it."[3]According to Leeb, "it's what makes it sound different and interesting."[3]In contrast to the experimental nature of the writing process, Leeb called the abandoning of guitars "really my only conscious effort this time."[3]The reason for this decision was to "just go back to what influenced me when I started Front Line."[3]

Advancements in computer technology influenced the songwriting as well. Leeb stated that the use of virtual synthesizers and other software simplified composing, and since the band need not enter a recording studio, made production more affordable.[2]This affected the working routine with long-time engineer and mixer Greg Reely: "With this new record, [...] when we have songs we'd send them to Greg, he would mix and send them back and we'd spend a week listening and be 'well, we like this' and 'we want to change that'."[2]Leeb emphasized the role Reely played in producingEchogenetic,saying, "when you work with him for over 25 years it just like with every good relationship, it just evolves."[2]Thus Leeb considered Reely's work "a big bonus for us."[2]

Release and promotion

[edit]

Front Line Assembly revealed the album title on their official Twitter account on February 23, 2013, writing the title's letters in reverse order.[4]First announcements of the release date statedEchogeneticwas to be released early August or July 2013.[5][6][7]In the wake of these announcements the band made further details ofEchogeneticavailable. In April 2013 the cover[7]and the track list[8]were revealed.Metropolispublished an excerpt of track "Prototype" as preview in June[9]and followed up with full versions of tracks "Killing Grounds"[10]and "Ghosts"[11]shortly after. One day before release, Revolver magazine released the complete album asSoundCloudstream.[1]

Echogeneticwas released in various formats. Metropolis issued the album on CD[12]and as digital download.[13]Dependent offered a broader range of formats. The CD version was released as limited edition digipak and in regular jewel case[14]while the vinyl version came with two LPs in gatefold and a download code.[15]The vinyl edition was also offered as part of a fan bundle that included a worker shirt.[16]A fan edition that included the CD and an exclusive band T-shirt was available in Germany.[17]

With the release the band announced a remix album.[18][19]

Touring

[edit]

Front Line Assembly supportedEchogeneticand remix follow-upEchoeswith extensive touring.

The first tour in support ofEchogenetictook place in Europe in August 2013 and covered dates in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Supporting acts where German Industrial bandHaujobband – with the exception of two dates in Russia and Germany respectively – Metropolis label matesiVardensphere.[20][21]The show inMoscowon August 9, 2013 at P!PL Club was sold out.[22]

Originally confirmed to headline the dates ofAustralianfestivalFiend Festin April 2014,[23]the band was forced to cancel their appearance due to health issues of Bill Leeb.[24]Front Line Assembly's planned performance at theKinetik FestivalinTorontoin May 2014 also did not happen since the festival was cancelled altogether.[25]However, after having already announced some dates in March 2014,[26]the band returned to Europe in June 2014 to further promoteEchogeneticandEchoeswith a tour that covered club shows and festival dates in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden, Finland and France. They were supported by Germanelectronic musicianDaniel Myer's project Architect.[27]At theMalmöshow Swedishindustrialband Rave The Reqviem joined the stage as additional support act.[28]Shortly before the tour, Front Line Assembly announced there were plans in the making for additional shows in the United Kingdom in October.[29]More detailed plans for a continuation of the tour activities in fall 2014 revealed that there would be no UK dates but only mainland Europe shows.[30]The band held promoters responsible for not being able to play in the UK as announced, commenting "Please understand that we can't pay to play. Blame the UK Promoters not the band."[31]In September Front Line Assembly announced that former memberRhys Fulberwould join the band as live member for the tour in fall and that the tour would include a show together with an orchestra inLeipzig.[32]The second part of the European tour ultimately comprised eight dates in Germany and Poland.[32]The performance at theGewandhausin Leipzig was part of the 2014 run of theGothic Meets Klassik Festival[33]and was supported by philharmonicorchestraZielona Gora.[34]

Shortly after Front Line Assembly had concluded their tour activities in Europe in fall 2014 the band announced they would joinSkinny Puppy'sEye vs Spytour in North America in November and December 2014.[35]The idea of touring together had already been brought up by Bill Leeb in the past.[2][36]After the withdrawal of electronic music bandVNV Nationwho were originally on the bill Front Line Assembly were able to step in at short notice.[37]The tour schedule spanned shows in 17 locations in the United States and in Canada and included GermanindustrialgroupHaujobbas well as American industrial band Youth Code as supporting bands.[38]Former long-time memberRhys Fulberperformed together with Front Line Assembly on several dates.[39]At the show in Vancouver Leeb entered the stage of Skinny Puppy to perform their songAssimilateas encore.[40]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Barcode9/10[41]
Brutal Resonance9.5/10[42]
Chain D.L.K.[43]
FEARnetFavorable[44]
IntravenousFavorable[45]
Louder Than WarFavorable[46]
Pop BlerdGrade: A[47]
ReGen[48]
Release8/10[49]
Sputnikmusic[50]

Echogeneticreceived mostly favorable reviews.[51]Jeremy Atkins of Brutal Resonance wrote, "This ambitious release is a must have for fans of FLA."[42]Raul Stanciu of Sputnik Music calledEchogeneticthe "updated, more atmospheric counterpart toTactical Neural Implant."[50]Several critics noted theDubstepinfluences onEchogenetic.[42][49][50]Gregory Burkart of FEARnet said, "It also marks a return to the band's earlier all-synth phase, losing the industrial-metal riffage that had become an integral part of their sound over the past several albums through 2010'sImprovised Electronic Device."[44]Barcode Magazine praised the songwriting: "[T]he music is gripped by a thirst for grisly robotics, fused with formidable dubstep bass vibes, monster cyberiffs, cavernous effects and sublimely programmed beats that combine to infuse the songs with a tangible sense of power and intensity."[41]

As opposed to the band's earlier output, guitars were absent fromEchogenetic.Intravenous Magazine commented on this, saying "Instead the band assimilate the sound into their arsenal so effectively that it fits quite comfortable and even manages to mask the pronounced lack of guitars on the album."[45]

Readers ofRevolvervotedEchogeneticAlbum of the Weekfor the week after its release.[52]User ratings on Sputnikmusic pushed the release to fourth place of theBest Industrial Albums of 2013ranking.[53]PopMatterspicked the album for itsThe Best Electronic Music of 2013list[54]where it ranks in 15th place. In the corresponding short review Darryl G. Wright calledEchogenetic"an extremely rich album" and its song material "as pleasing to the ears as it is the heart".[55]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Resonance"Bill Leeb,Jared Slingerland,Craig Johnsen,Jeremy Inkel2:46
2."Leveled"Leeb, Slingerland, Johnsen5:17
3."Killing Grounds"Leeb, Inkel, Sasha Keevill5:58
4."Blood"Leeb, Slingerland, Johnsen5:25
5."Deadened"Leeb, Inkel, Keevill5:48
6."Ghosts"Leeb, Inkel, Slingerland, Johnsen4:43
7."Echogenetic"Leeb, Slingerland, Johnsen4:35
8."Exhale"Leeb, Slingerland, Johnsen, Inkel5:27
9."Exo"Leeb, Inkel, Keevill7:09
10."Prototype"Leeb, Inkel, Slingerland, Johnsen (Additional sounds by Sasha Keevill)5:36
11."Heartquake"Leeb, Slingerland, Johnsen, Inkel (Additional sounds by Sasha Keevill)5:42

Personnel

[edit]

Front Line Assembly

[edit]

Additional musicians

[edit]
  • Craig Johnsen – electronic instruments
  • Sasha Keevill – electronic instruments

Technical personnel

[edit]
  • Greg Reely– mixing, mastering
  • Troy James Sobotka – album art direction, design
  • Dave McKean– Front Line Assembly logo design
  • Roy Salmond – assistant vocals recording

Chart positions

[edit]

It is the first time the band entered the official German albums chartMedia Control Charts.[56]

Chart (2013) Peak position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[57] 75
German Alternative Albums (Deutsche Alternative Charts)[58] 1
USTop Dance/Electronic Albums(Billboard)[59] 19
USHeatseekers Albums(Billboard)[60] 19

References

[edit]
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  2. ^abcdefghLeeb, Bill(September 2013)."Interview with Bill Leeb (Front Line Assembly)".Rock Sins(Interview). Interviewed by Matt Hill. Tongham.RetrievedJanuary 13,2015.
  3. ^abcdefghijk"Front Line Assembly".Chaos Control.July 30, 2014.RetrievedApril 12,2014.
  4. ^"F7A: CITENEGOHCE".Twitter.February 23, 2013.RetrievedApril 14,2014.
  5. ^"Album Release Date".Mindphaser.com.RetrievedApril 14,2014.
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  9. ^"First Album Snippet".Mindphaser.com.June 2013.RetrievedApril 22,2014.
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  13. ^"Front Line Assembly > Echogenetic".Metropolis.RetrievedApril 15,2014.
  14. ^"The Limited Edition of Echogenetic is already sold out".Dependent.July 11, 2013.RetrievedApril 15,2014.
  15. ^"Echogenetic - also available as a double vinyl album".Dependent.June 12, 2013.RetrievedApril 15,2014.
  16. ^"Front Line Assembly - Fan Bundle - Worker Hemd + Vinyl"(in German).Dependent.RetrievedApril 15,2014.
  17. ^"Echogenetic auch als Doppel-Vinyl-Album erhältlich"(in German).Dependent.June 12, 2013.RetrievedApril 22,2014.
  18. ^Carlsson, Johan (July 10, 2013)."Remix album from Front Line Assembly is on its way".Release.Gothenburg: Release Musik & Media.RetrievedFebruary 13,2014.
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  20. ^"The Full Tour Dates Announced".Mindphaser.com.Archived fromthe originalon October 16, 2014.RetrievedJuly 22,2013.
  21. ^"Returning to Europe in 2 months".Official Front Line Assembly Facebook Page.June 21, 2013.RetrievedApril 22,2014.
  22. ^Uhlenbruch, J. Niggels (August 31, 2013)."Live Review: Front Line Assembly - Oberhausen 2013".Reflections of Darkness.Münster.RetrievedJuly 15,2014.
  23. ^Morrison, Robyn (January 30, 2014)."Fiend Fest expands to Perth".SF Media.Petersham.RetrievedJanuary 9,2015.
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  25. ^Kahrle, Mikael (April 7, 2014)."Electro and industrial festival Kinetik cancelled".Release.Gothenburg: Release Musik & Media.RetrievedJanuary 9,2015.
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  32. ^abCarlsson, Johan (September 12, 2014)."Rhys Fulber touring with Front Line Assembly again".Release.Gothenburg: Release Musik & Media.RetrievedSeptember 20,2014.
  33. ^Kahrle, Michael (October 31, 2014)."Official video for 'Blood' by FLA; Gothic Meets Klassik on Sunday".Release.Gothenburg: Release Musik & Media.RetrievedJanuary 6,2015.
  34. ^Vaudo, Zak (October 16, 2014)."Front Line Assembly to tour with Rhys Fulber, joins Gothic Meets Klassik".ReGen.College Park, Maryland.RetrievedJanuary 9,2015.
  35. ^Kahrle, Michael (November 7, 2014)."Breaking news: Front Line Assembly join the Skinny Puppy tour".Release.Gothenburg: Release Musik & Media.RetrievedJanuary 13,2015.
  36. ^Leeb, Bill(July 18, 2013)."Front Line Assembly and Bill Leeb go full circle".Release(Interview). Interviewed by Johan Carlsson. Gothenburg: Release Musik & Media.RetrievedJanuary 13,2015.
  37. ^Vaudo, Zak (November 7, 2014)."Front Line Assembly replaces VNV Nation on upcoming U.S. tour".ReGen.College Park, Maryland.RetrievedJanuary 13,2015.
  38. ^Marotta, Michael (November 7, 2014)."Front Line Assembly replaces VNV Nation on the Alliance of Sound tour".Vanyaland.Boston.RetrievedJanuary 13,2015.
  39. ^"Tour news: 10 days 'til we do this!".Official Front Line Assembly Facebook Page.November 18, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 13,2015.
  40. ^Boos, Jordan (December 26, 2014)."Skinny Puppy at Commodore Ballroom".Hello Vancity.Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 13,2015.
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  50. ^abcStanciu, Raul (July 9, 2013)."Front Line Assembly Echogenetic (staff review)".Sputnikmusic.Archivedfrom the original on July 15, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 18,2014.
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  54. ^"The Best Electronic Music of 2013".PopMatters.Chicago. December 13, 2013.RetrievedApril 2,2014.
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